4.5 stars This is the third Taylor Jenkins Reid book I've read, and I have to say that it's my favorite, by far. I had no idea what it was about when I started listening to the audiobook at the beginning of a long drive. And to be honest, when I realized it was about a couple on the brink of divorce, I wasn't exactly excited about it. But as I kept listening, I was surprised by the thoughtful nature of the book and its characters.

What I liked:

1. The writing. This book is written primarily in first person present tense. Now, I don't usually tend to like stories told in present tense. For some reason, it seemed to really fit this book. I also didn't find the dialogue as inauthentic as Maybe in Another Life. There were far fewer moments where I found myself thinking, 'people don't actually speak that way in real life.' The dialogue wasn't as expositional as it was in MIAL.

2. The use of letters to occasionally get Ryan's POV was important, I thought. It was what really helped me root for them as a couple. I like when books use letters, emails, journals, etc. to further a narrative, and this was done really well.

3. Side characters. I loved Lauren's family. I loved her relationship with her sister and also enjoyed her brother's arc.

4. Discussions about marriage, commitment, communication, growth, etc. There were so many moments in this book that were familiar to me. I've been married for 17 years as of the writing of this review, and that has not come without arguments and disagreements and resentments building up before they overflow. I feel like all of that is a part of the growing pains of marriage. Learning how to communicate clearly and kindly, standing up for yourself and what you want, picking your battles when something really isn't that important. It doesn't just come naturally. It takes hard work and patience. It takes a willingness to admit when you're wrong. It takes a willingness to want to stay together. I also loved the idea that no one way is more right than another. Some people know each other for five years before they get married, some just a matter of months. Some have kids before marriage, other's are perfectly happy never adding children to the mix. Some choose to live together without being married.

5. Even though Ryan and Lauren didn't spend much of the book actually together, the beginning of their relationship and the emails they wrote had me rooting for them to get their collective shit together and work it out. I loved their banter and the fact that Ryan was beloved by her entire family.

6. I loved that this book was just as much a book of self-discovery as it was a romance. They couldn't come back together until they were able to accept themselves and really be honest about the things that were important to them.

What I didn't like:

1. The ending felt rushed.

I wish we'd seen Ryan and Lauren's reuniting a little more developed. I was definitely happy they were able to work it out, but I wish we'd had a few more scenes with them working things out, maybe deciding to go to a therapist or something.

I am so happy I can finally make a spot for myself on the TJR bandwagon after being underwhelmed by the first two books I read by her. I'm hoping the next book is just as compelling!