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A review by jesvio
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
5.0
I don't know if I've ever read a book quicker. I bought this novel yesterday after I got dinner with a friend. I began reading it at about 10 PM and I didn't go to sleep until 3 AM. I picked it right back up after breakfast today, and I am now writing my review at 4 PM. So there's that.
I just want to begin by saying that this book made me reflect on my own personal love life, as most romance novels do. And I know these novels are usually never described in a literary space to be "profound" or as being sealed to be one of the greatest pieces of literature in our time. But nevertheless, Reid is able to discuss the human experience with great talent in this work of fiction.
I think the biggest theme that stands out to me is how people change over time. This is discussed a lot, and this is where my spoilers begin. Jesse and Emma had a great love that was meant for them in that period of time. But Sam loves who she is in the present, and that's what matters *right now*. I have a habit of when I talk or think about my previous relationships, I downplay their significance in the sense of how I felt about those people. But the truth is, at those times in my life, I truly did love those people. I truly cared for them. And I really thought our relationships would last. My first true love ended in great heartbreak. It's easy to sit here and say, "we were young. It didn't really matter, it was childish, not even real, etc." But they were. And now they aren't. Those two things can be true at the same time.
I'm not surpised at who Emma chose. I think it made the most sense and it also was truly the right decision and I think I would've made the same choice for her if I didn't know the ending.
"Sam always seemed to have a grasp on what was truly important. He never seemed bogged down by petty things. He prioritized the heart of the situation over the details. He paid attention to action more than words."
I think this quote really sums up why Sam was right for her. And honestly, in many ways, why even *my* partner is right for me at this point in time. This security of a person is invaluable and complements who Emma is as a thirty-one year old woman as well.
"It's messy to love after heartbreak. It's painful and it forces you to be honest with yourself about who you are." YES, hit it right on the nail.
Last thing I want to talk about is how much I appreciate the depiction of family in this novel. I love that Emma's relationship with her parents and sister were never just stagnantly one thing. They didn't get along, they had different priorities, and then circumstances change and therefore feelings also change. They weren't close and then Emma needed them more than ever. And they loved her in every phase of her life. That's real family, and I loved to read about it.
I enjoyed the book, okay? Berate me, I don't care. I didn't truly dislike anything about it and I couldn't put it down. So it's five stars.
I just want to begin by saying that this book made me reflect on my own personal love life, as most romance novels do. And I know these novels are usually never described in a literary space to be "profound" or as being sealed to be one of the greatest pieces of literature in our time. But nevertheless, Reid is able to discuss the human experience with great talent in this work of fiction.
I think the biggest theme that stands out to me is how people change over time. This is discussed a lot, and this is where my spoilers begin. Jesse and Emma had a great love that was meant for them in that period of time. But Sam loves who she is in the present, and that's what matters *right now*. I have a habit of when I talk or think about my previous relationships, I downplay their significance in the sense of how I felt about those people. But the truth is, at those times in my life, I truly did love those people. I truly cared for them. And I really thought our relationships would last. My first true love ended in great heartbreak. It's easy to sit here and say, "we were young. It didn't really matter, it was childish, not even real, etc." But they were. And now they aren't. Those two things can be true at the same time.
I'm not surpised at who Emma chose. I think it made the most sense and it also was truly the right decision and I think I would've made the same choice for her if I didn't know the ending.
"Sam always seemed to have a grasp on what was truly important. He never seemed bogged down by petty things. He prioritized the heart of the situation over the details. He paid attention to action more than words."
I think this quote really sums up why Sam was right for her. And honestly, in many ways, why even *my* partner is right for me at this point in time. This security of a person is invaluable and complements who Emma is as a thirty-one year old woman as well.
"It's messy to love after heartbreak. It's painful and it forces you to be honest with yourself about who you are." YES, hit it right on the nail.
Last thing I want to talk about is how much I appreciate the depiction of family in this novel. I love that Emma's relationship with her parents and sister were never just stagnantly one thing. They didn't get along, they had different priorities, and then circumstances change and therefore feelings also change. They weren't close and then Emma needed them more than ever. And they loved her in every phase of her life. That's real family, and I loved to read about it.
I enjoyed the book, okay? Berate me, I don't care. I didn't truly dislike anything about it and I couldn't put it down. So it's five stars.