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After I Do

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After I Do

By: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
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About this listen

 From the bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo comes an all-new audio production read by Julia Whelan, including a bonus conversation with Julia Whelan and Taylor Jenkins Reid, recorded exclusively for this edition.

When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.

Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to question: When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for?

After I Do is the story of a couple caught up in an old game – and searching for a new road to happily ever after.

‘A raw, unflinching exploration of the realities of marriage, the delicate nature of love and the enduring strength of family … Heartbreaking and hopeful, Reid has crafted a story of love lost and found that is as timely as it is timeless.’ Katja Millay, author of The Sea of Tranquility Contemporary Contemporary Romance Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Women's Fiction Marriage

Critic Reviews

'Written in a breezy, humorous style familiar to fans of Jane Green and Elin Hilderbrand, After I Do focuses on Lauren’s journey of self-discovery. The intriguing premise and well-drawn characters contribute to an emotionally uplifting and inspiring story.'
'Taylor Jenkins Reid offers an entirely fresh and new perspective on what can happen after the "happily ever after." With characters who feel like friends and a narrative that hooked me from the first page, After I Do takes an elegant and incisively emotional look at the endings and beginnings of love. Put this book at the top of your must read list!' (Jen Lancaster, New York Times bestselling author)
'Taylor Jenkins Reid delivers a seductive twist on the timeless tale of a couple trying to rediscover love in a marriage brought low by the challenges of domestic togetherness. I fell in love with Ryan and Lauren from their passionate beginning, and I couldn’t stop reading as they followed their unlikely road to redemption. Touching, perceptive, funny, and achingly honest, After I Do will keep you hooked to the end, rooting for husbands and wives and the strength of true love.' (Beatriz Williams, New York Times bestselling author)
'As uplifting as it is brutally honest – a must-read.'
All stars
Most relevant
I have loved all of this author’s books, but this one was terrible. Lazy writing and unlikeable characters ruin what was a really interesting premise. Add in an annoying narration and it was a huge disappointment.

Disappointing

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There were some serious ugly tears cried from me throughout this story. What a great perspective of relationships, having a break and deciding if they want to restart their relationship. So much goes on while Lauren and Ryan are separated and then she finds the drafts of his emails. Eventually it comes out that they had both been reading them which sets them off. A gentle reminder to never take lives one's for granted.

A Gentle Reminder

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This is a romance in a roundabout way. It starts off good, then goes downhill. It's fine to have a happy ever after, but what happens when the reality of everyday life sets in. When she's stuck doing the laundry, when he has to eat international food when he really just wants a burger, when he wants more sex, when she wants better sex.

This book explores the dynamics of a relationship that has gone stale. Do they just give up and call it quits or do they fight for it. Having a year apart sees a vast range of emotions and self realisations. As a reader, I didn't even know what I wanted. Are they better off apart, should they pursue the new guy/girl, should they fight it out, should they just be friends.

As per her usual style, TJR gives us amazing characters, both the mains and the supporting. The relationship styles of the side characters helps us see that there is no right way to have a relationship and that there's a broad range of what works.

This is a slow burn but a fascinating one. The plot is simple but compelling (especially for those who are or have been in long term relationships). A reminder to be open, honest, communicative and never give up.

Of course, the ever amazing Julia Whelen narrating is the cherry on the top. Perfect as always

a slow burn but a fascinating read

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Liked everything about this book. The writing, the story arc, the character development and the way she describes quirks in relationships and within individuals.

The understanding of human behavour

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I didn’t enjoy the narrator at all and there were a few holes in the plot but overall it was just ok

Not her best but enjoyable all the same

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