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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
A cute idea, but the execution didn't speak to me. Too shallow to really connect and be fun.
And I'm so bored with the "oh, everyone I've ever known or met is so much better than me" from the clearly gifted people - or anyone. Get over that, it's incredibly tiresome.
And I'm so bored with the "oh, everyone I've ever known or met is so much better than me" from the clearly gifted people - or anyone. Get over that, it's incredibly tiresome.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Let me start by saying I’m not married but I could really relate to Nicole wanting to have something new. After living life on repeat for many years, I’d think anyone could relate to that.
I really liked how the couple was honest in their wanting time and freedom apart and how it affected each of them. And how each had ups and downs in their experience. The glimpse into their past helped define how they got to their time apart.
While both Nicole and Jason narrate the book, it felt a little like Nicole’s POV was a little more dominant and a little more positive.
I think this would be a great choice for a book club or buddy read as it gives food for thought on marriage and life.
I really liked how the couple was honest in their wanting time and freedom apart and how it affected each of them. And how each had ups and downs in their experience. The glimpse into their past helped define how they got to their time apart.
While both Nicole and Jason narrate the book, it felt a little like Nicole’s POV was a little more dominant and a little more positive.
I think this would be a great choice for a book club or buddy read as it gives food for thought on marriage and life.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Nicole and Jason have been married for 23 years and are in a good place. Until the sabbatical trip Jason was taking Nicole on derails and their neighbors tell them of a "500 mile" rule where what you do outside the relationship can't be questioned.. make you wonder if their relationship will survive after the year is up?
While I would never condone this type of rule in my marriage (and would it really be good for anyone? I really don't think so), I enjoyed the rest of it for the reasons of liking that they found some peace in their own self-discovery away from being a couple in close proximity. There were some great side characters and new friends that Nicole encountered. The ending was satisfying enough to overlook my discomfort of that 500 mile rule.
While I would never condone this type of rule in my marriage (and would it really be good for anyone? I really don't think so), I enjoyed the rest of it for the reasons of liking that they found some peace in their own self-discovery away from being a couple in close proximity. There were some great side characters and new friends that Nicole encountered. The ending was satisfying enough to overlook my discomfort of that 500 mile rule.
What if you and your spouse took a nine-month marriage sabbatical? A no strings attached, no tell free pass, as long as you are five hundred miles away from each other, would you take it? Jason and Nicole do just that. They follow their own paths for nine-months. I was worried when I started this book that it would be a free for all…it was not. Actually, there was less free for all and more about finding themselves on their own. It was not about the extra affairs but more about what they wanted from their lives going forward.
The Marriage Sabbatical is very much a book about finding yourself. Being married is hard. There is work involved and it is easy to lose yourself. Priorities change, family comes first. I am not sure it is the right way to do it for everyone, it would not work for me, but I do not judge those who would chose to try this path. Jason and Nicole came back together and I could see how their relationship was stronger and it worked well for them.
The Marriage Sabbatical is very much a book about finding yourself. Being married is hard. There is work involved and it is easy to lose yourself. Priorities change, family comes first. I am not sure it is the right way to do it for everyone, it would not work for me, but I do not judge those who would chose to try this path. Jason and Nicole came back together and I could see how their relationship was stronger and it worked well for them.
I loved the idea of this book more than the book itself. An empty nest couple takes separate vacations for almost a year and during that time, they decide to open their marriage during this time only. Only sex allowed with no feelings. They both found someone they spent a lot of time and had a sexual relationship with them. The book didn’t really focus on those relationships much, only going back in time reliving their marriage.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Meh. Interesting concept, somehow lacked a lot of emotional impact. I guess the story just felt subdued. A Portland, Oregon couple become empty-nesters and during the husband's much-anticipated paid sabbatical, the wife decides to back out on the adventurous travel that was planned so she can study silversmithing. They each have their own affairs and end up back together. Honestly I guess it just felt very ho hum life. I am used the the windswept romance of romance fiction.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for the gifted copy of The Marriage Sabbatical!
This book came at the perfect time when I needed a light, engaging, and fun read. Yes, it explores the idea of taking a break from a marriage and opening it for a short time, which could end up being a heavy topic. Instead, the tone was escapist - as if Elin Hilderbrand and Eat Pray Love had a book baby, complete with excellent sense of place and sumptuous writing about food. I now desperately want to visit Santa Fe and I appreciated the pretty spot-on Pacific Northwest descriptions of my neck of the woods. I do feel as if this novel will mostly resonate with the Gen X crowd, very niche music/pop culture references and midlife situations - ailing parents, menopause, empty nest, etc. So your mileage may vary.
This is the first novel I have read by Dolan and I definitely will pick up another, perhaps for summer reading!
This book came at the perfect time when I needed a light, engaging, and fun read. Yes, it explores the idea of taking a break from a marriage and opening it for a short time, which could end up being a heavy topic. Instead, the tone was escapist - as if Elin Hilderbrand and Eat Pray Love had a book baby, complete with excellent sense of place and sumptuous writing about food. I now desperately want to visit Santa Fe and I appreciated the pretty spot-on Pacific Northwest descriptions of my neck of the woods. I do feel as if this novel will mostly resonate with the Gen X crowd, very niche music/pop culture references and midlife situations - ailing parents, menopause, empty nest, etc. So your mileage may vary.
This is the first novel I have read by Dolan and I definitely will pick up another, perhaps for summer reading!
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No