Few novels explore love, loss, and the heart’s impossible choices with as much emotional depth as Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves. The story follows Emma Blair, a woman torn between her presumed-dead first love, Jesse, and her present fiancé, Sam. Full of heartbreak, introspection, and moments of joy, the novel dives into the complexities of human relationships and the ways our pasts shape our futures. Get ready to explore what makes this story compelling, fast-paced, and impossible to put down.
📖 Quick Overview
One True Loves – Taylor Jenkins Reid
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.
📌 TL;DR
A heartfelt romance about love, loss, and impossible choices, following a woman torn between her past and present relationships.
💥 Hook
“What if the life you thought was over suddenly returned?”
💬 The Big Idea
The novel lingers on the question: Can we truly move on, or are some loves meant to shape us forever? It’s a story about timing, love, and the difficult decisions that define our hearts.
🧠 What’s it About?
Emma Blair, presumed widowed after a helicopter crash, rebuilds her life and becomes engaged to her childhood friend Sam — only to discover her first love, Jesse, is still alive. She must navigate the impossible choice between her past and her present.
🔍 Why It’s More Than Just the Blurb
It’s not just a love triangle; it’s an emotional exploration of grief, loyalty, and the complexities of human connection. Taylor Jenkins Reid dives into how love evolves and tests our capacity for commitment, honesty, and self-discovery.
🔍 Deep Dive
The story moves between past and present, showing the depth of Emma’s love for both men while exploring her personal growth. Reid captures the emotional intensity of real-life dilemmas, where the heart wants multiple, conflicting things. The narrative examines love as fluid, complicated, and deeply personal, highlighting the tension between societal expectations and genuine emotional truth.
📚 What’s Inside? (Spoiler-Free Breakdown)
- A compelling protagonist grappling with impossible choices
- Exploration of grief, healing, and personal growth
- Emotional realism and romantic dilemmas
- Thoughtful depiction of how past relationships influence present ones
- A balance of heartfelt romance and introspective storytelling
Full Review By Jasmine
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
One True Loves is a beautifully written exploration of love’s complexity. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s prose is immersive, making Emma’s dilemma feel intimate and real from the very first pages. You quickly understand the depth of her relationships with both Jesse and Sam, and the weight of every choice she faces becomes palpable. Reid’s storytelling makes you really live Emma’s conflict — you can feel the heartbreak of her past love, the comfort and stability of her present, and the impossible pull between them. It’s the kind of story that makes you pause and wonder: if you were in her shoes, which path would you take? The novel draws you into this moral and emotional puzzle so naturally that you can’t help but engage with it personally.
The pacing is brisk and effortless, making it a fast, page-turning read despite the emotional intensity. Reid balances high stakes with approachable, flowing prose, ensuring that the story never drags even while delving into difficult questions about love, timing, and commitment. The novel shines in its portrayal of life’s unpredictability – Emma’s journey is heartbreaking, hopeful, and always grounded in authenticity. Love isn’t neat, and Reid doesn’t pretend it is; instead, she captures its messiness with nuance, honesty, and tenderness.
Ultimately, One True Loves is a deeply affecting romance that balances emotional intensity with thoughtful storytelling. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after you finish, making you reflect not only on Emma’s choices but also on your own relationships, memories, and the decisions that shape who you are.
🎭 Mood & Matchmaker
Heartfelt, emotional, and introspective — perfect for fans of contemporary romance and character-driven narratives.
🌈 Vibes Check
What kind of vibe are you in for? Let’s break it down:
✍️ Writing Style: Intimate, lyrical, and emotional
💔 Emotional Stakes: High — love, loss, and difficult decisions
🧠 Thoughtfulness: Reflective and character-driven
🕰️ Pacing: Balanced, alternating between past and present
🔄 Mood Matches
If you liked:
- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
- Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
💔 Finished One True Loves and craving more emotional, romantic reads?
Check out our list of heartfelt romance books that explore love, loss, and second chances.
🧃 Emotional Map
💔 Heart-wrenching — 8/10
💖 Romantic tension — 9/10
🧠 Thought-provoking — 8/10
😊 Hopeful moments — 7/10
🎯 For the Right Reader
This is for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance with emotional depth, character-driven stories, and the exploration of love, timing, and difficult choices.
📦 Who Will Love This?
- Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Readers drawn to romantic drama and emotional storytelling
- Anyone fascinated by love, loss, and the dilemmas of the heart
🧭 Where I Found It
I have been slowly making my way through all of Taylor Jenkins Reid novels and the premise for this book sounded so intruiging!
💡 Extra Curiosities
Got some quick questions about One True Loves? Here are a few things readers often wonder:
What is the book One True Loves about?
One True Loves follows Emma Blair, who is presumed widowed after a helicopter crash kills her husband, Jesse. As she rebuilds her life, she reconnects with her childhood friend Sam, and they develop a deep bond, eventually becoming engaged. Just as she starts moving forward, she receives the shocking news that Jesse is alive. Emma is then faced with the impossible choice between her past love and her present, exploring the emotional turmoil of loving two people at different times in her life.
What is the theme of the book One True Loves?
The main themes of the book are love, loss, timing, and personal growth. It examines how relationships shape us, the complexities of moving forward after grief, and the challenges of making decisions that honor both the past and present. It also explores the idea that love isn’t always simple or logical — sometimes the heart must navigate impossible choices.
Is One True Loves a standalone?
Yes — One True Loves is a standalone novel. You don’t need to read any other books to understand the story, and it’s a complete, self-contained narrative.
👋 Final Thoughts
One True Loves is a deeply affecting and thought-provoking romance that lingers long after the final page. Taylor Jenkins Reid masterfully portrays the tension between past and present, the difficulty of moving forward after loss, and the heart-wrenching choices love can demand. It’s a novel that invites reflection, empathy, and even self-questioning — making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates emotional depth, character-driven storytelling, and the messy, beautiful reality of love.