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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
personally i enjoyed the concept of the book more than i liked the book itself. the idea of a couple taking a break from their marriage, with rules in place so nothing gets out of hand, was fascinating as it avoided all of the mishaps and emotional tolls and affair can take.
i think for me, however, the book just didn’t really go anywhere. i liked the dual POV, although i do wish that the POV didn’t change halfway through a paragraph (this is just a personal issue though). personally i felt like Jason’s time away didn’t really get explored that much. for a book that was about two characters, it did feel as though it was focused most only Nicole. i was glad it didn’t get too messy for the characters as i actually thought they were really good together. Nicole did start to grate on me as i entered the latter half of the novel. I thought when her friends came to visit her she turned into a right cow. like i understood that she was wanting to keep santa fe to herself and shelter the life she had created but i thought she was just being so rude about her so called best friends.
there were a lot of characters and whilst some were developed, a lot just felt like they were being thrown in to give the story a bit more depth. and i felt there were points in the book where the author was trying to reach a max amount of chapters. there was a lot of story filler which personally did not interest me. i think being less than 300 pages was a good thing for novel. i did enjoy the story and i didn’t hate reading it, it was exactly what i needed after the last book i read so i was glad i found it.
i do think it could have done with a note at the beginning mentioning that the CV-19 pandemic would be mentioned heavily. i don’t think i would have read it otherwise as i personally have my own issues with this time period, but i also don’t think it needs to be mentioned in novels (again that is just a me thing, if others enjoy it, crack on but i think it would be nice to have a quick note beforehand, just to let others know)
i think for me, however, the book just didn’t really go anywhere. i liked the dual POV, although i do wish that the POV didn’t change halfway through a paragraph (this is just a personal issue though). personally i felt like Jason’s time away didn’t really get explored that much. for a book that was about two characters, it did feel as though it was focused most only Nicole. i was glad it didn’t get too messy for the characters as i actually thought they were really good together. Nicole did start to grate on me as i entered the latter half of the novel. I thought when her friends came to visit her she turned into a right cow. like i understood that she was wanting to keep santa fe to herself and shelter the life she had created but i thought she was just being so rude about her so called best friends.
there were a lot of characters and whilst some were developed, a lot just felt like they were being thrown in to give the story a bit more depth. and i felt there were points in the book where the author was trying to reach a max amount of chapters. there was a lot of story filler which personally did not interest me. i think being less than 300 pages was a good thing for novel. i did enjoy the story and i didn’t hate reading it, it was exactly what i needed after the last book i read so i was glad i found it.
i do think it could have done with a note at the beginning mentioning that the CV-19 pandemic would be mentioned heavily. i don’t think i would have read it otherwise as i personally have my own issues with this time period, but i also don’t think it needs to be mentioned in novels (again that is just a me thing, if others enjoy it, crack on but i think it would be nice to have a quick note beforehand, just to let others know)
The idea of this story was great. I was excited to read it. I don’t think the flashback chapters were necessary, I feel like it should have focused more on what was happening currently. I think a lot happened in the book but it was kinda just.. blah.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
With their children off to study abroad programs, Nicole and Jason prepare to embark on Jason’s perfect and well-planned sabbatical year. When Nicole realizes she has her own goals and aspirations and they don’t involve motorcycling across South America, she and Jason agree to a year apart, each fulfilling their own desires.
In Santa Fe, Nicole enters a program in silversmithing. After no time at all she has made lovely new friends and even found someone who might tempt her to try out the benefits of the 500-mile rule (both she and Jason are allowed to sleep with other people as long as they are over 500 miles apart). What does this year have in store for Jason and Nicole and will it have lasting implications on their marriage?
In Santa Fe, Nicole enters a program in silversmithing. After no time at all she has made lovely new friends and even found someone who might tempt her to try out the benefits of the 500-mile rule (both she and Jason are allowed to sleep with other people as long as they are over 500 miles apart). What does this year have in store for Jason and Nicole and will it have lasting implications on their marriage?
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
The beginning of this book was a little slow for me, not really sure whether or not I was going to like this or not. Eventually I really started to enjoy the book and was looking forward to what happened at the end!
Would highly recommend this book to older readers especially!
Would highly recommend this book to older readers especially!
Twenty three years of marriage, two kids now in college, and Jason and Nicole find themselves on the cusp of some time for themselves. Jason is the owner of a publishing house and has been planning a year long sabbatical, a trip that will take him through South America. A trip he was supposed to take with his best friend Charlie. When Charlie tragically dies in a car accident, Nicole becomes the one Jason wants to take.
Nicole has spent years working retail and raising her kids. While she supports Jason's plans, her heart is not in the trip. She want to go to New Mexico and study jewelry design. And she waits to the literal last possible minute to let Jason know that she will not be joining him. In fact, she has already signed up for classes in Santa Fe.
Over dinner with the neighbors one night, they find out about something called the "500 Mile Rule". The married couple employs this policy to keep things, well, interesting. When they are more than 500 miles apart, they can indulge and enjoy themselves outside of marital bonds. The concept is intriguing to both Jason and Nicole...a sabbatical from their day to day life AND their marriage. The only rules are: no diseases, not pregnancies, and no asking each other about any possible flings.
As Jason and Nicole part and start to find their own ways for a year, they realize what they are missing in their own lives and start to get a deeper understanding of their marriage, their family and their careers.
What a fresh take on a modern marriage! I love the topics this book delves into: polyamorous relationships, raising kids, work/life balance and following our passions. This novel takes a look at all of these ideas without turning it into a messy drama, just lots of self-discovery and personal growth. which as a middle-aged woman myself, I cannot tell you how much I appreciated. If you are looking for a book club read, this may be one to consider as there is a lot to dig into and discuss.
Nicole has spent years working retail and raising her kids. While she supports Jason's plans, her heart is not in the trip. She want to go to New Mexico and study jewelry design. And she waits to the literal last possible minute to let Jason know that she will not be joining him. In fact, she has already signed up for classes in Santa Fe.
Over dinner with the neighbors one night, they find out about something called the "500 Mile Rule". The married couple employs this policy to keep things, well, interesting. When they are more than 500 miles apart, they can indulge and enjoy themselves outside of marital bonds. The concept is intriguing to both Jason and Nicole...a sabbatical from their day to day life AND their marriage. The only rules are: no diseases, not pregnancies, and no asking each other about any possible flings.
As Jason and Nicole part and start to find their own ways for a year, they realize what they are missing in their own lives and start to get a deeper understanding of their marriage, their family and their careers.
What a fresh take on a modern marriage! I love the topics this book delves into: polyamorous relationships, raising kids, work/life balance and following our passions. This novel takes a look at all of these ideas without turning it into a messy drama, just lots of self-discovery and personal growth. which as a middle-aged woman myself, I cannot tell you how much I appreciated. If you are looking for a book club read, this may be one to consider as there is a lot to dig into and discuss.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders
4.0 stars
DEFINITE recommend
So this is the FIFTH Lian Dolan novel that I have read so far. But, for some reason, it just didn't resonate with me. Probably it was the subject matter of a "marriage sabbatical". As always, Lian wrote beautifully about Portland and Santa Fe!
I always enjoy Lian's books, but this just isn't my favorite.
For a more detailed review, check out my blog - booksbydorothea:
https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2024/06/review-marriage-sabbatical-ebook.html
P.S. This was a Kindle book, but there was not option for it!
DEFINITE recommend
So this is the FIFTH Lian Dolan novel that I have read so far. But, for some reason, it just didn't resonate with me. Probably it was the subject matter of a "marriage sabbatical". As always, Lian wrote beautifully about Portland and Santa Fe!
I always enjoy Lian's books, but this just isn't my favorite.
For a more detailed review, check out my blog - booksbydorothea:
https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2024/06/review-marriage-sabbatical-ebook.html
P.S. This was a Kindle book, but there was not option for it!