I was absolutely gutted by this book. I normally don’t like books that make me cry, but I just had to keep going and I’m glad I did

Cannot believe this was TJR’s first published book. This does not read at all like a debut novel. This work is more mature than some of her later work that I’ve read, so I really was surprised to find that this was her traditional publication debut. It is a brilliant and beautifully crafted study of the relationship between not only a husband and wife separated too soon, but between a motherless child and a childless mother and how they both needed each other to heal and relearn how to be after enduring such tragedy and loss. A haunting romance, a sweet story of the enduring love of a good friend, and the healing love between two women who seemingly have nothing in common but actually share everything that matters. 

Taylor Jenkins Reid knows how to write layered characters and make you love them. 

🍕This is a heartbreaking story about a woman, Elsie who loses her husband, Ben 9 days into their marriage. It is harder when she meets Ben's mother who knew nothing about her, her relationship with her son or their marriage. While the two women did not get off to a great start they slowly find solace in one another through their love for Ben.

🍕Elsie is desperate for love and a family. Reid writes an honest story about grief and loss. It is truly sad and yet, while Elsie as a character is so raw and true, I don't find her or Ben lovable. I tried to care about either of them but I couldn't. I couldn't believe in their love when I read it and that affected my ability to believe anything else (which I know sounds very harsh but it is how I feel).