A review by _beccareads
Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid

sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Ouch, this one hurt. This book hits you right in the feels, especially if you've experienced the pain of losing someone you love. As I write this review, my heart still aches.

Elsie and Ben's love story begins unexpectedly, during a chance encounter while waiting to collect their pizzas. Their connection is immediate and intense, a supernova, and after just six months, they find themselves standing at an altar in Nevada, ready to commit their lives to each other.

But just 10 days later, Elsie’s life is turned upside down as Ben tragically dies in an accident. 

The book alternates between the past, recounting Elsie’s and Ben’s intense love story to the present as Elsie tries to navigate having lost someone she loved so much, so early into their journey. It was in the present timeline that I think I really fell in love with this book, TJR has perfectly summed up what grief looks and feels like for me. 

The journey isn’t linear, it’s hard, there’s no dream fairytale ending, Ben is dead and that doesn’t change, but slowly Elsie learns to live with that grief.  It's a poignant and honest portrayal of what losing someone you love so much can do to you.

The only reason I didn't give this book five stars is that I found it slightly slow-paced in the middle, and I felt a pang of sadness that we don't get to know what happens to George, Ana, and Kevin.

Overall, this is a powerful, beautiful book about love, loss and grief. If I had the chance to read it again for the first time, I’d do it in a heartbeat.