One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

One True Loves

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Named a Best Book of Summer by Cosmopolitan * InStyle * Redbook * Us Weekly * PopSugar * Buzzfeed * Bustle * Brit+Co * Parade

“No one does life and love better.” –InStyle
“Earth-shaking…you will flip for this epic love story.” –Cosmopolitan
“Reid's heartwrenching tale asks if it's possible to have multiple soul mates.” —Us Weekly

From the author of Maybe in Another Life—named a People Magazine pick—comes a breathtaking new love story about a woman unexpectedly forced to choose between the husband she has long thought dead and the fiancé who has finally brought her back to life.

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.

Reviewed by whisperingchapters on

5 of 5 stars

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This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.


I had predicated my life on the idea that I wanted to see everywhere extraordinary but I’d come to realize that extraordinary was everywhere.

Emma and Jesse met in high school and ever since then, they've been joined at the hop, hopelessly in love. They both get married and over the course of their marriage, they travel a lot for their travels. On the day of their anniversary, Jesse had to travel to Alaska and that's when Emma lost the love of her life. Emma doesn't know what to do with her life and she mourns for over 2 years. Now, she's reunited with Sam, someone who used to work at her parent's book store. Sam loved Emma then and he still loves her now. Giving herself the chance to find love again, she starts dating Sam and learns to love him. One day, she gets a phone call from Jesse saying he's alive and will be home soon.

Good things don’t wait until you’re ready. Sometimes they come right before, when you’re almost there.

I was so beyond conflicted over this story. I had no idea which way to go, what to think—my thoughts were a mess! Hell, I was a mess of emotions! I had no idea what to expect since I've never read a book by this author. Obviously, I need all of her books.

And then, slowly, day-by-day, minute-by-minute, at such a snail's pace that you can barely register that anything is happening at all, you find a life's purpose again.

I don't know why when I read adult books with these type of stories, they feel slow. This was so not the case with ONE TRUE LOVES. I felt like I read it in one sitting, which didn't happen because I read it over the course of 3 days (I was at a cruise). I was so invested, so attached to the characters, living their experiences with them, feeling what they were feeling, getting my heart-broken when theirs was broken... This story is very thought-provoking and very original. With all the marvelous quotes, there's one that spoke to me, which is the definition the author gave to "true love". You have to read this book to find out ;)

This is my first book by this author and it certainly won't be my last. I have a feeling that TJR's books are life altering. I say these because I feel like I've gotten a lesson with this story, which led me to reflect on my life, and cherish every moment.

It is hard to be so honest, so vulnerable, so exposed. But I find that it always leads you someplace freer.

I received an ARC for review from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.


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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 17 May, 2016: Finished reading
  • 17 May, 2016: Reviewed