Reid Jenkins,Taylor--After I Do informal buddy read starts January 20, 2020

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid.



Synopsis
When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the 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?

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[〰️Beth〰️]

I’m in

[Laura]

〰️Beth〰️ wrote: "I’m in"

Wahoo, someone is going to join us! Hi ya Beth. Will this be your first Jenkins Reid book?

[Brooke]

I'm in! I have the book ready and then realized I hadn't checked for this thread yet. LOL

[Geri]

I’m in for this one too!

[Erin]

I love this author ... I just requested the book from the library.

[Laura]

Erin wrote: "I love this author ... I just requested the book from the library."

We are also going to read this one too- One True Loves. Feel free to join us if you haven't already read it.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Laura]

Everyone ready to start tomorrow? Approximately how much do you want to read /day?

[Geri]

Yes, I will start tomorrow. Of course, this is another book without chapters! What do authors have against chapters!? I will likely read 9 sections a day since according to my audible app, there are 27 sections.

I am looking forward to it. Despite my grumbling.🙂

[Brooke]

I'm ready for tomorrow! I'm good with taking around 2-3 days to read this, although I don't know how to break it down. A lot of the chapters/sections are really short and a few are really long.

[Thereadingbell]

Oh I actually might join you on this one.

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "I'm ready for tomorrow! I'm good with taking around 2-3 days to read this, although I don't know how to break it down. A lot of the chapters/sections are really short and a few are really long."

You are right, Brooke. I will be reading more than 9 sections. It was no where near a third of the book. I’ll probably stop at part 2 today. About 17 sections, I think.

[Geri]

Well, this book isn’t as good as the last Reid book, in my opinion. One problem is I literally just finished a great book about the struggles of marriage. Fleishman Is in Trouble I recommend if you haven’t read it. This book is just too surface-y. I don’t feel like I really know the MCs.

The bickering started to annoy me right away. I haven’t separated from my husband. And hopefully, that will never happen! So maybe that is why I am having trouble relating?

I’m hoping now that things have moved on, it will get more interesting to me.

Interested to see what everyone else is thinking about the book.

[Laura]

I finished a Young adult book and reading another so this was a nice change for me.

Part 1 - 1-72 pages
(view spoiler)[
Reid likes books that have no chapters.. does it bother you? She also likes using past and present narratives. I think it works for her. Having only read a little bit of the story I’m not invested yet in any of the characters but I thought it was shitty of Ryan not to be concerned when Lauren said she was in an accident.

I really hope Ryan isn’t interested in Rachel- Lauren’s sister.
I’m looking forward to reading more. (hide spoiler)]
Thanks for the recommendation Geri.

[Laura]

Marythios (AkaSusanne ) wrote: "Oh I actually might join you on this one."

Welcome, Susanne.

[Laura]

The book is broken up into 5 parts... do we want to read it over 5 days rather then 3?

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "The book is broken up into 5 parts... do we want to read it over 5 days rather then 3?"

I will probably read it in 3 days. It’s not a long book. But if you want to read it by parts, I’m okay with that.

(view spoiler)[ I didn’t pick up interest by Ryan for Rachel. I definitely don’t want the book to go down that road! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

It's nicely broken up in 5 parts so I'm going to read it over the 5 days or maybe 4 since the last section is smaller.

[Brooke]

I got through the first 16 sections, which takes me to Ryan moving out.

(view spoiler)[I didn't pick up any Ryan-Rachel energy either, but I do see how it could happen. I don't want it to go that way either! I think it would cheapen or distract from the main point of the story.

Because this was told in such brief snippets, we don't really get a feeling for either Ryan or Rachel. Ryan looked bad in what we were told, but since it was from Rachel's POV, that makes sense. I think it would've been interesting to get both POV in the flashbacks. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Part 2
(view spoiler)[
I think my favorite part in this section is the talk between Lauren and her mom. Her mom gives her very good advice. The difference in perspectives regarding the split from both sets of parents was a bit surprising.

I can see why Lauren reads Ryan’s draft emails though I don’t believe it’s the right thing to do. They are heartbreakingly sad. Their marriage really is a mess. I noticed that Ryan’s emails were both positive and negative and Lauren’s email was just negative. It’s still early but I don’t see them together at the end of this story.
I’m glad that my original thought regarding Ryan & Rachel did not happen. I’m guessing the person he met was the woman from work he mentioned?
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Geri are you enjoying the story more now that we’ve read a little more?

[Brooke]

I didn't make it far yesterday - just a handful of pages. I did finish 2 other books in progress, but aside from that nothing went as planned. I have a giant pile of work to do today, but I will have time tonight. Fingers crossed, at least. I'll try to make it at least through part 3.

I want to read your spoiler, Laura, but I'm not done with part 2 yet. LOL

[Laura]

Darn spoilers...they just make you want to peek!
No peeking!!!

oh..nice job on finishing two other books. Hopefully they were good ones!

[Brooke]

It is so hard to resist! LOL

I finished #12 in the In Death series and #14 in The Dresden Files. Both were great!

[Laura]

Awesome! Two of my favorite series. ( lol.. ok, I do have several favorite series- I am a series junkie) You will be all set for Jim Butcher's new release when it comes out this year. I can't wait.

[Geri]

The In Death series will be the death of me! 😁I have read some of the books. But not in order. There are too many! And I still haven’t read the Dresden Files. I saw the show years ago on Syfy.

I read part 2 and 3 of the book yesterday. Some of what Reid says is definitely true about marriage. Difficult to stay “in lust” after a while. But that wouldn’t be practical. Nobody would ever get things done. LOL And communication is important of course. None of this is profound. I am still finding the book surface-y. I won’t say more because it may be in part 3.

Laura and Brooke once you have read through part 3 - (view spoiler)[ I didn’t like that Lauren read the emails either. She tried justifying it by saying Ryan should have changed his password. That was lame.

The book is showing mumltiple perspectives of thoughts on relationships. Some I strongly disagree with. Like having a baby to keep both people from leaving the marriage.

I don’t find Lauren or Ryan too likeable. So I’m not really rooting for them to be together by the end. (hide spoiler)]

I am planning to finish today.

[Brooke]

The Dresden Files series is so good! The first 2 books are just okay, but after that each installment is great. I still have to read #15 before the new one comes out in July, but I'm going to TRY to wait a couple of months before reading it.

I also really enjoy the In Death series, but I find if I read more than 2 in a row I get frustrated with Roark. Yes, he is amazing and confident, but too much Roark at one time can make me think of him as crossing the line into arrogance. My favorite thing about the series, though, is that even if each book follows the same basic formula, the mystery in each is unique enough to make them all stand out.

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "The Dresden Files series is so good! The first 2 books are just okay, but after that each installment is great. I still have to read #15 before the new one comes out in July, but I'm going to TRY t..."

OK. I will try to fit in Dresden Files soon. So many say it is great.

And LOL about Roark! I can see how reading any series would highlight some negatives.

[Brooke]

Geri - Were you ever a Buffy fan? If so, you'll love the audiobooks. They are narrated by James Marsters who played Spike. His voice is perfect as Harry! But be warned: The action of every book starts on page 1 and goes until the final page. I've done about 50/50 between kindle and audio, and that seems to work for me. Sometimes so much is happening that I need to go back to an earlier passage for clarification.

[Geri]

I was a big Buffy fan! I will definitely do the audio if Spike is narrating!

[Laura]

I struggled with the first book because Harry was so irritating, a little sexist...I am so glad I kept going.
Brooke, you have a little time to catch up.
I've been reading the In Death series since high school. So Roarke doesn't bother me. I can see how such a long series would be a little daunting. If read in order you see how Robb ties them all together and how each character grows, specifically Eve. I love their weaknesses and their strengths. I m currently waiting for the new release. I think I'm 4th in queue.

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "I was a big Buffy fan! I will definitely do the audio if Spike is narrating!"

I’ve also heard fabulous reviews about Marsters narration!
Unfortunately, I was never able to get a copy of an audiobook.

[Geri]

I finished the book. It wasn’t my favorite. But I will look for her upcoming books. Because I know she has done better.

(view spoiler)[I think the main problem for me was the lack of emotion I felt. The story needed to be more emotional and I needed to feel Lauren’s turmoil more. One True Loves was better at that.

I also think there were too many storylines about Lauren’s family. It took me away from the story about Lauren and Ryan.

I also wished Lauren and Ryan had actually talked to each other without hacking into each other’s email. It could have been by email. I just think it would have been more interesting and romantic to see them open up to each other and talk about how they felt and what they could do to make their relationship better.

The one good thing was how it did show multiple ideas on how to live your life. And that all are okay. It is up to you to decide what is most important to you. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Part 3
(view spoiler)[
I like the family relationships that Reid is building. It definitely contrasts with Lauren and Ryan’s. Maybe, some of their problem ( besides lack of communication) is that Lauren wanted a “normal” family so bad she jumped right into a relationship.

What do you think of Lauren and David?Do you think it will work out or will she work things out with Ryan?

At this point I’m not so sure she will get back with Ryan.

I was disappointed that Lauren’s mom wasn’t as supportive of Charlie when he said he was getting married as she was when she talked with Lauren. I think her only feelings regarding their dad and her marriage with him clouded her perspective. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Geri(view spoiler)[ Her grandmother is old(er) so a different way of thinking. I didn’t agree with her comment but it made me laugh... otherwise she had a lot of good points. In some respects people don’t “try” anymore, they give up when a relationship becomes difficult.

I feel your frustration with comments though.. I’m reading Rainbow Rowell’s new book and they stole a dog... a dog ...wth? so Baz(vampire) could eat him. Sometimes authors definitely say stuff we think is stupid or don’t agree with. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Sorry, I also finished despite saying I was going to read over 5 days.
Part 4 (view spoiler)[
Do you think Ryan reads Lauren’s emails?
I suspect that even if the advice columnist doesn’t write back Lauren needed to write that letter and it helped her realize she wanted to work on her marriage.

Why do you think grandma never said anything about the cancer?

(hide spoiler)]

Part 5
(view spoiler)[
Did you like the book? Are you happy with the ending?

I liked the book. It wasn’t as good as the last one we read but it was an easy, enjoyable read. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Laura wrote: "I struggled with the first book because Harry was so irritating, a little sexist...I am so glad I kept going.
Brooke, you have a little time to catch up.
I've been reading the In Death series sin..."

I agree about early Harry. I'd heard so many rave reviews of the series that I was disappointed after the 1st book! But I am so happy I voiced my opinion in another GR group, because a couple of the big fans convinced me to stick with it and that it gets better with book 3. And I agreed with their assessment 100%.

It is important to read this series in order, though. So no matter how tempted you may be based on availability, Geri, you MUST stick to the order. Each builds on the last, and while each book wraps up its story line, the character arcs are just as important to the series as the events that happen.

[Laura]

Did either of you notice that Greer Hendricks is Reid's editor?

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Did either of you notice that Greer Hendricks is Reid's editor?"

I didn’t know that! I am eagerly awaiting Hendricks new book You Are Not Alone

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Sorry, I also finished despite saying I was going to read over 5 days.
Part 4
Do you think Ryan reads Lauren’s emails?
I suspect that even if the advice columnist doesn’t write back Lauren needed..."

You flew through the book too. I’m glad you did enjoy it. It was just too light and surface-y for a serious subject, in my opinion. But I’m in the minority since it has a 4 star rating on GR. I am curious what Reid next book will be about.

As far as the Rainbow Rowell book, yikes! That has to be terrible for all dog/animal lovers.

[Brooke]

Laura wrote: "Did either of you notice that Greer Hendricks is Reid's editor?"

I didn't notice that either! But like Geri, I'm eager to read the next book. I've read the first 2, and I liked The Wife Between Us better than An Anonymous Girl, so we'll see what happens with #3.

[Brooke]

Okay, I finished last night, and since I wasn't in front of a computer for most of it I didn't get a chance to break down my thoughts into the parts. I have a lot of thoughts and opinions, so I'll try to keep them as judgement-free as possible. :-)

(view spoiler)[ I was very disappointed that Lauren read the emails, but it was a very human thing to do. If I knew they were there and I was younger I might have done the same thing, but I don't think I would have checked his email on the computer in the first place. I could sense a difference in his writing over time, which coincides with when she started writing to him, so it didn't surprise me to find out he read hers as well. I agree that Lauren's email was all negative while Ryan's were more of a stream of consciousness, especially at the beginning.

I didn't care one iota about Lauren until maybe halfway through, when she started doing things for herself. To me she seemed petty, especially after her first email to Ryan, and very self-unaware. In my opinion her blaming Ryan for things like non-satisfaction in bed - when she never once talked to him about it - is immature and unfair. I liked Lauren when she was more involved with her family and having a no-strings relationship with the other guy. It felt more real and natural than her relationship with Ryan.

I really didn't like all of the "romance dies" talk. Yes, the lust part of it does, but the only reason romance dies is because people stop making it happen! I'm as guilty of this as the next person, but it really misleading to make that statement. This to me falls into the "people don't try much anymore" conversation.

I was disappointed overall in the ending, because it seemed their reunion and decision to get back together felt rushed. I do love that they compromised on the dinner decisions, but I feel like the reader was cheated with the rest of their compromises and talks after getting back together. (hide spoiler)]

This felt like a story written early in someone's career. I didn't hate it, but I felt it could have been much more than it was. I have Maybe in Another Life on my kindle, but since it was written a year prior to After I Do, I doubt I will read it anytime soon. Her newer stuff, though, I'm all in!

[Laura]

Brooke wrote: "Laura wrote: "Did either of you notice that Greer Hendricks is Reid's editor?"

I didn't notice that either! But like Geri, I'm eager to read the next book. I've read the first 2, and I liked [book..."

I was the opposite I enjoyed [book:An Anonymous Girl|39863515] more then the Wife Between Us. I don’t think I’m as eager to read the new book... but I think you both enjoy mystery and thriller more than me.

It will be interesting to see what Reid writes next.

[Brooke]

I probably would have liked this more if I hadn't read Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones first. They set such a high bar that there was no way this could have stacked up. She showed us how well she can write and how creative and experimental she can be. I want more of that! :-)

[Laura]

That's true

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "Okay, I finished last night, and since I wasn't in front of a computer for most of it I didn't get a chance to break down my thoughts into the parts. I have a lot of thoughts and opinions, so I'll ..."

I agree we missed out on really seeing how Lauren and Ryan got back together. I think Reid took on too much with Lauren’s family showing other lifestyle choices. She should have focused on the MCs only. Then, I may have liked it more.

[Geri]

So is anyone interested in buddy reading You Are Not Alone?

[Brooke]

Geri wrote: "So is anyone interested in buddy reading You Are Not Alone?"

I'm game! I wonder if it is going to be a BotM choice in Feb or March since they have been known to repeat authors. I got An Anonymous Girl via BotM in Dec 2018 (I think).