Forever, Interrupted was the debut novel by New York Times bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid and was released back in 2013.
I’m currently working my way through the Taylor Jenkins Reid back catalogue. I loved her more recent and well known hits such as Daisy Jones and The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I hadn’t heard much about her earlier works so I was keen to seen if they were as good as her bestsellers.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Plot
On one rainy New Year’s Day, Elsie Porter goes to collect a pizza from her local takeout. Expecting a quiet night, Elsie doesn’t realise her life is about to change forever. Also collecting a pizza for one, is Ben Ross. Ben is charming and irresistible and the two have an instant connection and spark.
This chance encounter marks the start of a whirlwind romance. Ben and Elsie fall head over heels in love and by May of the that same year, the two have eloped. Neither Ben or Elsie could be happier.
Just nine days after their wedding, on his way to pick up a treat for Elsie, Ben is knocked off his bike and killed on impact. When Elsie arrives at the hospital she finally comes face to face with Susan, Ben’s mother. The two women have never previously met, and Susan isn’t even aware of Elsie’s existence.
As both Elsie and Susan try to navigate their grief and try to find a way forward, they learn to accept they weren’t the only person to love Ben Ross.
Forever, Interrupted Book Review
I honestly don’t think Taylor Jenkins Reid could write a book I don’t like! I just love how she writes. There’s always such tenderness in her writing and her books never fail to move me.
Forever, Interrupted is a powerful story of love and loss and I just adored it. I really liked Elsie as a main character and I grew to love Susan too. I enjoyed the interweaving of Elsie and Ben romance with Elsie and Susan’s attempts to heal.
I also really liked the supporting characters, particularly Ana and Mr Callaghan. I also liked Elsie’s love of the library and her work there and how the book highlights the importance libraries can have on a community.
I found the book tackled grief really well and the emotions felt raw and authentic. As a mother and a wife I found myself empathising with both characters and couldn’t imagine the heartbreak of losing either my husband or child.
I enjoyed how the story progressed and though it was obviously sad and poignant, there were moments of humour and hope too.
Overall I really enjoyed Forever, Interrupted. It’s a powerful novel that really tackles genuine human emotion. It’s perhaps not in the same league as Taylor Jenkins Reid latest works in terms of the writing style but I do find I like the subtlety of her earlier books. They seem quieter and understated but just as captivating to the reader.
What to read next
If you enjoyed Forever, Interrupted I’d definitely suggest reading more Taylor Jenkins Reid books. I’d personally recommend some of her earlier works, such as One True Loves and After I Do.
This book is featured on the following list:
Related Books
