A review by cozyhosie
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

5.0

 

“Marie thinks, staring down at the counter, and then tentatively starts talking again. ‘I don’t think you’re trying to figure out if you love Sam more or Jesse more. I think you’re trying to figure out if you want to be the person you are with Jesse or you want to be the person you are with Sam.’”

“I think, maybe, this is what true love means. Maybe true love is warming someone up from the cold, or tenderly brushing a hair away, because you care about them with every bone in your body even though you know what’s between you won’t last.”

One True Loves is a beautiful story of grief and moving on from loss. Emma Blair marries her high-school sweetheart Jesse Lerner. However, he goes missing on their first wedding anniversary in a helicopter accident. After grieving and living with her heartbreak, Emma begins to move on with old family friend Sam Kemper. After rediscovering happiness with Sam, Emma’s world is changed by a single phone call telling her that Jesse has been found alive.

This story is a beautiful reflection on grief and loss and what a difficult decision it can be to move on. Emma’s emotions felt so real that I felt like I was experiencing them along with her. Every time she agonized over having to choose between Jesse and Sam, I was right there with her. The foundation of her relationship with Jesse was solid and their connection was strong. Sam was steadfast and reliable and Emma’s relationship with him was like a breath of fresh air. People change as time passes. They grow. So did Emma. As time passed with Jesse, as time passed without Jesse and with Sam, Emma also changed. Ultimately, her decision was not between two men, but between two versions of herself and who she wanted to be. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has been in love, anyone who has felt they changed over time, or anyone wanting to look at themselves in a new light.