Reid Jenkins, Taylor--One True Loves informal buddy read starts January 6, 2020

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid.



Synopsis
In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and the people of their hometown in Massachusetts. They travel the world together, living life to the fullest and seizing every opportunity for adventure.

On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Just like that, Jesse is gone forever.

Emma quits her job and moves home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness.

That is, until Jesse is found. He’s alive, and he’s been trying all these years to come home to her. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect the ones she loves.

Who is her one true love? What does it mean to love truly?

Emma knows she has to listen to her heart. She’s just not sure what it’s saying.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Brooke]

I'm in!

[Laura]

See ya soon!

[Geri]

Looking forward to buddy reading this book!

[N.]

I'm in!

[Geri]

I have borrowed the book and will definitely be ready to start on Monday. There are 40 chapters. I’ll probably read 8-10 chapters a day. I am looking forward to this!

[Brooke]

I think 8-10 chapters a day sounds doable!

[Laura]

My copy should come in on Monday. I'll aim for the same.

[Roma Tournier-blake]

Love this book! I asked everyone I knew what they would do in this situation when I finished it. Super interesting hearing everyone’s thoughts.

[Laura]

Roma Tournier-blake wrote: "Love this book! I asked everyone I knew what they would do in this situation when I finished it. Super interesting hearing everyone’s thoughts."

Looking forward to finishing the book and answering your question

[Laura]

I'm reading this version I prefer the cover above to mine!

I just finished chapter 3 if I'm including the prologue - pet peeve- chapters are not numbered!

prologue
(view spoiler)[
The first bit certainly grabbed my attention and made me want me to read more. I 'm looking forward to seeing how this unfolds.

The birthday scene was cute. I'm like Emma's dad and prefer not to be sung to out in public. I also turn beet red. Anyone else or do you like the attention?
(hide spoiler)]
Chapter 1-3
(view spoiler)[
Do you like the switch back to the past? Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't - I think it's necessary in this story and so far it is working. I am loving all the references to pop culture. What is your favorite one so far?
I think mine is the reference to the movie the Titanic ;Leonardo & Kate . It was such a hit movie. Perhaps the reference to CliffsNote being a close second bringing back fond memories of trying to understand some Shakespearean play and reading CliffsNote too!
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I read up to the end of part 1. (Emma & Sam’s story is next)
(view spoiler)[
Although I liked this part I have to say that I liked Emma’s teenager years better. It felt lacking in emotion.

Is everyone enjoying this? Favourite character?

(hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

I had great intentions to read all of part 1 last night, but I guess I was too tired. Today should be better. :-)

Prologue
(view spoiler)[ Man. Talk about an attention grabber! I'd read the blurb before starting, but I didn't realize I would be hit over the head with the uncomfortable choice right away. Oh - and I am also like Emma's dad. Save the singing and attention for someone else! I do have a funny story about restaurant birthdays, though, that I remember like it was yesterday. My grandmother's birthday is 2 weeks before mine, so growing up we always celebrated together. On my 9th birthday we went to a place called Showbiz Pizza, which was popular in the Midwest in the 80's. It featured mechanical animals on a stage singing songs and playing instruments. They announced my grandmother's birthday and the animals made a big deal about it because she was 60. She slid under the table out of embarrassment and couldn't come out until the end of the hourly "show." (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-4
(view spoiler)[I think the flashback definitely works in this instance. It took me back to my own high school days! I also had a monster crush on someone at school, but in my case it was a small school and EVERYONE knew. (It was embarrassing.) Her actions and thoughts about her crush felt real, as did her relationship with her sister and parents. (hide spoiler)]

Let's see how far I can get tonight!

[Laura]

I think falling asleep while reading as we get older is par for course.

Oh gosh, your poor grandmother. Now that would be even more embarrassing than having a stranger(s) sing happy birthday to you.

My copy of the other Taylor Jenkins Reid book we are going to read came in today. It has a pretty blue cover:-)

[Geri]

I have also read part 1.

(view spoiler)[I totally agree that it was a great trip back to high school. Sometimes I don’t like that. But this time it did feel real, and not too young or silly. All the awkwardness and conflicts with parents and siblings also felt real.

I definitely don’t like attention at restaurants for my birthday! That was a cute story, Brooke! I do remember Showbiz Pizza.

I die enjoy going back to the past! Emma’s teenage years were explored in detail. Then, after she started a relationship with Jessie it started to get glossed over. I think that is why you, Laura, thought it lacked emotion. I think we needed a little more.

But as far as “ships” go, it’s going to be tough to choose one. I liked Sam. He definitely felt awkward when Emma didn’t accept his invitation for a date eagerly. He was an interesting, nice guy.

It seemed like Jessie was more of a gorgeous, popular guy. The kind of guy most teen girls get a crush on. I usually root more for the underdog. So maybe I am a little more of an Emma/Sam shipper!

Either way, this is going to be a tough decision for Emma. One I’m glad I don’t have to make. But I am curious how it will end. (hide spoiler)]

I’ll try to finish then next 25% or so today.

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "I'm reading this version I prefer the cover above to mine!

I just finished chapter 3 if I'm including the prologue - pet peeve- chapters are not numbered!

prol..."

My audio has the same white cover as your book. I agree the one above is better.

The other book has the same pic for the audio as on the thread. You will have to show us your blue color book.

[Brooke]

I was able to get a bit further this morning.

To the end of part 1
(view spoiler)[The Emma and Jessie story did feel too rushed. It would have been nice to have at least a couple of stories about their time in college or on their worldly travels added before the book switches to the Emma and Sam story. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I think I’m with you Geri... team Sam.

What a horrible decision to have to make.

[Laura]

Are you both liking the audio?

[Brooke]

I do like the audio. The narrator is doing a good job.

I'm probably going to be on Team Sam too. (view spoiler)[We didn't see much of the connection between Emma and Jessie, other than the high school crush portion of their love story. I have a feeling we'll go deeper into the Sam and Emma connection since they apparently get together when Emma goes back home to New England. Plus, Sam will be fighting for Emma's heart against Jessie's ghost. Like Geri, I also tend to root for the underdog. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

BTW, the narrator for this book is the same as for Educated, Evvie Drake Starts Over and The Giver of Stars.

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Laura wrote: "I'm reading this version I prefer the cover above to mine!

I just finished chapter 3 if I'm including the prologue - pet peeve- chapters are not n..."

It looks like this but more blue than with the purplely cover.

[Laura]

I finished the next part- it was a quick one.

(view spoiler)[
I didn’t like her use of second person and enjoyed the next chapters when she switched back to 1st and described her meeting Sam and moving forward.

I’m beginning to wonder if she sets us up to like Sam and then doesn’t choose him?<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

When you think about it... this woman can write... she switches effortlessly between 1st and second person narratives, switches effortlessly between past and present - isn’t afraid to step into different genres. I am a Taylor Jenkins Reid fan!

[Geri]

Yes, the narrator is doing a great job! She’s definitely a pro and I’m not surprised she has read so many books! January Lavoy is also great. She can make a weaker story seem good. LOL I know you, Laura, are just getting into audio. Look for her name and you are pretty much guaranteed a good listen!

I agree that Reid is doing a great job writing the book. I definitely felt her sadness after losing Jessie. And her confusion over what to do now.

[Geri]

I am up to the part where Emma is just about to see Jessie again.

(view spoiler)[I definitely felt Emma’s sadness. I liked when she met Sam again. It was funny and I fell for Sam like I did when Emma was in high school.

Question for all of us about what Sam said about changing and growing apart in his marriage. He said he was a lot different at 30 than he was at 20. I do agree there is change during those years! I’m glad I met my husband when I was 30. I do think people are more settled and know more what they want.

What do you think? Can you remember that far back? LOL I can barely remember!

I was a little angry when Jessie’s mom chastised Emma for moving on. I don’t think Emma rushed her grieving process. She did it all right in my opinion! (hide spoiler)]

Yes, second person can be a little jarring, Laura. It puts distance for the person talking. More so than first person. Emma was grieving and by it being in second person, I felt this was the only way Emma could tell us her story.

[Robin]

i found it difficult to side with one love over the other and truly had no way of knowing what the outcome was going to be. i knew i was going to be sad regardless of the decision since i honestly liked both couples together. i think it is possible to truly love more than one person throughout your life, but i also think it would be hard to make a choice if there is a possibility of being with more than one person at the same time. when someone dies, you have to go on living still and try to move on. but to have more than one person you love available to be with at the same time just seems like an impossible decision. how do you decide which person is right for you? i was definitely captivated by this story.

[Brooke]

I am about halfway finished. I left off with Emma about to see Jessie again also.

(view spoiler)[I can't imagine having to make this kind of decision. I do agree that people are much different at 30 than at 20, not just because they know more of what they want, but they also know who they are and what is important to them. Jessie's mom shouldn't have been angry with Emma for moving on, and I'm hoping it was just stress that caused her to say it. (hide spoiler)]

I can't wait to see how this ends. I agree that it will be sad no matter what since one man is going to be hurt.

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Yes, the narrator is doing a great job! She’s definitely a pro and I’m not surprised she has read so many books! January Lavoy is also great. She can make a weaker story seem good. LOL I know you, ..."

Thanks Geri for passing on the audiobook readers name. I’ll look for it.

[Laura]

I finished and I loved it.

[Laura]

Robin wrote: "i found it difficult to side with one love over the other and truly had no way of knowing what the outcome was going to be. i knew i was going to be sad regardless of the decision since i honestly ..."

Thank you Robin for not ruining the outcome for us! Much appreciated. It sure was an intriguing comment. I’ll wait for everyone else to finish so it’s a surprise for them too.

[Laura]

N. wrote: "I'm in!"

N did you get to read any yet.?

[Geri]

I couldn’t stop and finished today too.

(view spoiler)[Without realizing it, my question in part 2 did become important to the ending of the book. I figured there was a reason why it was brought up by Sam, growing apart and changing. The ending felt right. I teamed up several times. 😢 (hide spoiler)]

[Robin]

@Laura oh i wouldn't do that or would've spoiler cut if i felt what i wrote was too spoilery. sometimes i am bad about posting as i read so i just kind of tried to sum up my thoughts without giving away anything just in case. i still to this day ask myself what you do in a situation like that because i think it would be a very difficult decision to make.

[Brooke]

I finished last night also.

(view spoiler)[I think I am just getting more cynical as I get older, because I didn't find this as sad as I probably should have. To me, the obvious choice was Sam. I mean, I did feel bad for Jessie for a bit because it was clear that Emma was his motivation to live. But since he clearly loved the Emma he left - and didn't know the Emma now - it wasn't going to be a good fit. Sam also handled this situation beautifully and better than probably 90% of the population would. (hide spoiler)]

I'm now a huge fan of this author. I can't wait to read After I Do now, with each of the 3 books I've read by Reid being very different from each other. It looks like she basically publishes a book each year. Has anyone heard anything about a 2020 release yet?

[Laura]

Ending (view spoiler)[I cried because Sam left... it was heartbreaking, sad. All of her scenes with Sam were filled with intense emotions. She was heading off to Maine with Jessie and it looked like she might end up with Jessie- she needed to explore it anyway.

I actually had no idea if she would end up with Sam even though I desperately wanted it to end that way- when Sam left I wasn't sure if she did come back to him that he wouldn't feel he was second best.

I thought it was a great ending. (hide spoiler)]

@ Robin- (view spoiler)[ yes, I agree it would be a difficult decision to make but I think Reid painted the picture nicely here that Jessie was her true love then and Sam her true love now. I think you have to believe that there is more than one true love for each person in order for that concept to work though. (hide spoiler)]

@ Geri (view spoiler)[ you definitely picked up on Sam's important comment about changing and growing in a marriage. Thinking back on the book I think it was a good foreshadowing of the outcome of the book. (hide spoiler)]

Question for all
(view spoiler)[ Reid wrote about it- one true love-do you think it's possible to have more than one true love in a lifetime? (hide spoiler)]

I hope the next book is as great as this one!

[Brooke]

Well, now that I think about it, (view spoiler)[ I did tear up a bit when Sam left. It was absolutely the right thing for him to do, and his speech to Emma was heartbreaking. In Sam's place I don't know if I would've been strong enough to stand up for myself like that. But when she chose Sam over Jessie, I didn't get emotional because the time Jessie and Emma spent at the cabin showed that they no longer were a good fit. Since we had a build up to Emma's decision, I felt it was obvious. So maybe I am not as cynical as I thought. :-) (hide spoiler)]

And to answer your question, Laura (view spoiler)[ Yes!! People change over time based on their own life experiences, so it seems only natural that there is a potential for more than one true love for everyone. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Brooke - Yes, Sam did handle things great. Better than I would if a man had to make a choice between me and another woman. I was definitely on team Sam for most of the book. I think Reid planned it that way. We did learn more about Emma and Sam. I was still worried who Emma would pick until the end.

I will keep an eye out for a book from Reid in 2020.

Laura - I do think we can have more than one true love. I never believed in “the one”. That’s a fairytale. There are plenty of people we can fall in love with and live a good life with. The real work comes after finding your true love!

[Laura]

Geri, I like your last point. So true

[Laura]

I did some looking and can't find a new book yet. I looked at her other books we didn't read and could only get " Maybe in Another Life from my OverDrive...wait time is crazy. I'll probably have to wait a few months for it. Hopefully people get fed up with waiting and cancel their holds.

[Geri]

I have read Maybe in Another Life years ago. It is on Hoopla. So no wait time. Let me know when you get it. I can do a reread with you!

[Laura]

Okay will do!!

[Robin]

@Laura agreed with everything you said and to answer your question to all i do think it is possible. regardless of whether someone is alive or not, people don't always remain the same person they were years ago and as they grow older sometimes change enough that they cant be who they were when they first got together with someone. i kind of just went through this with my ex-husband and that is part of why we aren't together anymore. so yes, i feel it is definitely possible to have more than one true love even if it is for different reasons.

and maybe in another life was good so hope you get to read it soon!