Alright folks, buckle up, because this is my official review of the book One True Loves. You ever pick up a book and immediately know you’re in for a wild ride? Well, that happened to me, and let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster. I read this one while ignoring actual life responsibilities (sorry, laundry pile!) and have so many thoughts—good, bad, and a few that made me question my own romantic decision-making. Let’s get into it and see if this book really lives up to the hype, or if it should stick to Instagram posts of latte art with sappy quotes.
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Book Summary
In a nutsheel
“One True Loves” is a heartfelt romance novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It’s part love story, part journey of self-discovery, and a bit of “oh-no-what-would-I-do.” The book follows Emma, who must choose between her lost husband and her new fiancé. Talk about awkward family dinners!
This book packs a punch with themes of love, loss, and finding your own path (even when it’s bumpy and has potholes). Reid explores big questions about second chances and what it means to truly love—and be loved. If you like contemporary romance that makes you think as well as feel, this one might just be your jam.
Love Triangles and Romantic Tension: The Heartbeat of ‘One True Loves’
Ah, the love triangle. It’s like the chocolate chip in your cookie—sometimes amazing, sometimes you just want more dough. In ‘One True Loves’, the love triangle is the beating heart of the book. Emma, our main character, finds herself torn between two men from different chapters of her life. One is Jesse, the spontaneous adventurer she married straight out of college. The other is Sam, her old friend turned steady and supportive love interest. I found myself switching loyalties chapter by chapter, much like how my dog can’t decide if he prefers bacon or cheese treats. (Spoiler: it’s always both.)
The romantic tension in this book is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife—if only feelings were that easy to slice. The author, Taylor Jenkins Reid, really keeps you guessing. Will Emma choose her lost-and-found husband, or the new-but-old flame? I kept texting my group chat every few pages—”Guys, who do you think it will be?!” No one agreed, and honestly, neither did I half the time.
The pros? This triangle feels real. There’s no random jealousy or over-the-top drama—just messy, human feelings. The con is, if you are not a fan of indecision, you might want to yell at Emma through the pages. (I sure did.) Still, it’s what keeps you reading at 2 am, even when you know you’ll regret it at work.
Next up, let’s talk about how these tangled hearts lead to some serious character growth and self-discovery—get ready for some personal confessions!
Finding Yourself—Even When Love Gets Messy
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from reading One True Loves, it’s that growing up isn’t just about aging out of your high school jeans. It’s about looking in the mirror and realizing the person staring back isn’t exactly who you planned, but maybe who you need. Emma, the book’s heroine, eats a whole buffet of life’s tough choices, and boy, does this girl grow. I say this as someone who once spent two hours stuck in a revolving door of indecision over ice cream flavors. Her level of soul-searching puts my dessert issues to shame.
At the start, Emma is the queen of comfort zones. She plays her part as a wife, daughter, and friend, but you can see she hasn’t figured out what truly makes her happy. As the story unfolds, with some wild plot twists (seriously, I won’t spoil them, but wow), Emma has to start asking herself big questions. What do I want? Who am I without anyone else’s labels? The book shows that sometimes, losing everything can help you find your real self. I related a little too much—like that time I found inner peace after losing my WiFi for 24 hours. Desperate times.
Now, don’t get me wrong—Emma’s growth isn’t perfect. She stumbles, makes some iffy decisions, and I sometimes wanted to yell, “Emma! Read your own diary!” But that’s what makes her feel real. It’s that awkward, hopeful, sometimes ugly process of growing up that had me rooting for her through every messy step. Next up, let’s get our tissues ready and talk about how the book grabs your heart and doesn’t let go—it’s time for the emotional impact and relatability!
Why ‘One True Loves’ Will Sucker Punch Your Feelings (and Why That’s a Good Thing!)
If you’re anything like me, sometimes you read a book and feel like the author reached through the pages and poked you right in the mushy center of your heart. One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid is that kind of book. I read it while munching on a grilled cheese (as you do), and right around page 150 I found myself tearing up, nearly dripping cheese tears onto the book. Not my best look, let me tell you!
The thing that really got me? How relatable Emma’s emotional roller coaster is. I mean, sure—I haven’t had a lost spouse show up at my front door (my life’s not that dramatic, thank goodness). But who hasn’t had to make a tough choice between two good things? Or felt like their life changed so much that they didn’t even recognize themselves anymore? Emma’s confusion, guilt, and hope all felt real. Honestly, I wanted to jump into the book and hand her some tissues. And maybe a cup of tea. (Do fictional characters like tea?)
Another thing: Even the side characters are dealing with their own stuff. They’re not just standing there, holding signs that say “Plot Device.” They get frustrated, sad, and even crack the occasional joke. I really saw myself and my friends in their honest, sometimes awkward reactions. And isn’t that the magic of a good book? You see pieces of yourself, even when the story is nothing like your own life (unless you also like camping in Alaska, then…you go!).
Coming up next: get ready as I try to keep up with Taylor Jenkins Reid’s words-per-minute and talk about the writing style and pacing of One True Loves—no speed reading goggles required!
Writing Style and Pacing: How ‘One True Loves’ Keeps the Pages Turning
If I had a dollar for every time I thought, “Just one more chapter,” while reading One True Loves, I’d have enough to buy myself a fancy coffee and a slice of cake. Taylor Jenkins Reid writes with a style that feels like sitting across from your best friend. The words flow easy—there’s no getting lost in a jungle of big, fancy sentences. I really appreciate that, because my brain checks out when things start to sound like a college lecture.
The pacing is a real winner. The story doesn’t drag its feet (like I do on a Monday morning). Instead, it moves along at a nice, steady clip. There are flashbacks, but they always make sense and help you understand why everyone is making the choices they do. I never felt confused, and trust me, I get lost in Ikea more often than I’d like to admit. Even the slow parts seem to set up the next big twist, so there’s always a reason to keep reading.
But, I have to admit, the last chunk of the book tries to wrap up everything a little too neatly. I wanted to feel more surprise, and maybe a bit of chaos. Still, the writing made me care about Emma and her wild romantic rollercoaster. So, if you want a book that’s easy to read, moves along quick, and keeps you invested the whole time, I’d say One True Loves is worth your time. Just be ready to stay up past your bedtime. Highly recommend, but maybe don’t start it on a work night!
Conclusion
Well folks, that’s a wrap on my review of One True Loves. This book by Taylor Jenkins Reid packs a punch with its wild love triangle and real, messy emotions. I found myself rooting for everyone, even when I wanted to shout at them. The writing is easy to read and the story zips along, though the ending ties things up a bit too neat for my taste. Still, if you want a moving story about love, loss, and trying to figure out what the heck you want in life, you can’t go wrong here. Just make sure you have tissues ready. Thanks for hanging out with me—now go read something fun!
