I really enjoyed this book. The characters were warmly portrayed and believable. The two main protagonists were likeable and their lives were brought to life in alternating short chapters. Would like to read more books from Reyna Gentin. She has a great knowledge of family court. My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for the opportunity to find this author and to read this lovely book.

This was a lovely surprise. It is perfect for people who like novels with a little romance and a lot of well articulated women’s issues. Starting out as a story between two adults, living together in a seemingly fine relationship, it soon devolves into something quite different. Jackie and Lou have to deal with unexpected changes in their relationship and lives.

Jackie is a family court judge, finding her way as she begins a difficult job, while Lou believes himself to be an author. They plan on a life, without children and a shared future. There are twists and Lou makes a decision that upends their lives.

As a reader, I liked all the characters. Gentin has managed to make every character sympathetic and attractive. Though this is not a traditional romance, it has a sweetness that will please a wide swath of readers. There is nothing cloying or hard to believe in this book. I really enjoyed this little jewel.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me discover this charming novel.

I have received a digital review copy via Netgalley and voluntarily provide my honest opinion. Thank you!

2.5 stars - Not a fan of the characters, who kind of ruin a premise with potential

Jackie has worked hard on her career and is a newly appointed judge in family court hoping to impress her supervisors. She is in a relationship with Lou, an aspiring but not terribly driven writer, who moved in with her. However, one day Lou has an epiphany regarding his writing ambitions and walks out on her out of the blue, determined to make some changes to his life. Jackie in return is left wondering about Lou's reasons and starting to question her life decisions.

I feel like this could have been a solid, entertaining reflection on the decisions we make in life and personal development, but it fell seriously flat due to unlikeable characters and a plot that I just could not relate to.

To begin with, I was not a fan of the premise. Just walking out of a relationship without talking to your partner and just leaving some measly note is so cowardly and low. Lou's decision is apparently being triggered by his reflections how most of his friends think that he is gay (which would be terrible, right?) and make fun of him as being a kept man (gasp!) - poor guy. This really did not make me sympathize with him whatsoever. And the way Jackie reacts by clinging to every straw of hope to "win" Lou back, to take him away from her rival, Lou's ex-wife. I'm sorry, but are we in 10th grade, or something? I really disagree that this is how healthy relationships should work.

Also, Jackie, despite working as a judge, displays an almost shocking lack of empathy in court. She also does something so incredible unprofessional and unethical in the second half of the book that I sort of could not believe it and found incredibly off-putting.

In addition, I disliked basically all secondary characters (with the exception of Lou's daughter Bryn), who were at least sometimes jerks or plain creepy. E.g. Lou's ex-wife Tara calls him fat for gaining all of 10 pounds after leaving Jackie. Jackie's sister spouts gems like "Men don't like to be with women who are smarter than they are, or out-earn them, or who have more prestigious jobs. It makes them feel inadequate and weak."
Oh, and let us not forget Mike, who works in court and who seriously tells Jackie, the judge, "I'm probably not supposed to say this - all that sexual harassment training they make us take - but you look terrific". Seriously?!
I was also reather annoyed by the general superficiality of basically everyone in this story. I guess this is just a world I didn't really enjoyed spending time in ...

In conclusion, I just did not connect to this story, but I can say that it was well written and easy to read.

. The story was good, a little on the short side but enjoyable. The author was a lawyer turned writer and I enjoyed the main character also being a lawyer/judge. It had a very real and believable feel to the main character. I felt for Jackie, it’s hard to be the other half left behind when you had begun to think of that person as the one. I was satisfied with the ending and felt the book was a quick read. I loved all the tidbits of Lou’s background and the story involving his dad and the chalkboard. There were several items in both of the main characters I identified with and it made the story fun to read.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

An ok read. It was a bit slow for me.

What happens when you have the opportunity of your lifetime to be appointed to a prestigious position as a Manhattan family court judge at the same time the love of your life, a man named Lou, suddenly leaves you and moves back in with his ex- wife and teenage stepdaughter because he feels like he’s living in your shadow? If you’re 39-year-old Judge Jackie Martin, you implode in the most dramatically disastrous way possible. The story opens on Jackie’s first day as a judge. In her first hearing, an angry and overwhelmed mother of two young daughters goes ballistic as the police and a social worker take her children into protective custody in Jackie’s courtroom. She screams obscenities and threats at Jackie who then finds her in contempt and orders the police to handcuff her and take her into custody. Her day gets even worse when she arrives home to find a note from Lou: “Jackie, I know this is cowardly. You deserve so much better. But I have to go. Lou.” As the days pass, it only gets worse for Jackie, personally and professionally - until it all ends happily for both Jackie and Lou, although not in the way you likely expect. Marder Gentin’s major strength is in creating complex, interesting and intelligent characters the reader will can truly care about. Despite - or perhaps because of - their flaws, the major characters are sympathetic and relatable as they go about their jobs and personal life as best they can. If you are interested in quality women’s fiction at it’s finest, you will love reading Both Are True.
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Judge Jackie Martin passes judgment in Manhattan's Family Court and seems to have the master plan of her life completely in place, but her live-in boyfriend didn't get that memo. While Jackie is polished and successful, Lou struggles to feel worthy. Unfortunately, Jackie's solid ground wavers when Lou walks out on her with no explanation. Through this turn of events in Jackie's master plan, both Leo and Jackie find true happiness.

Rayna Gentin's book is a cute read. If you are looking for something light, I would definitely recommend Both Are True.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this light, entertaining book in exchange for my honest review.

The pace felt a touch erratic as it was slow in parts, faster in others, it was overall enjoyable. You may have control in one aspect and the others are completely out of control.

A thought provoking book. It started off a bit slow paced but gathered pace later. At first I felt pure anger towards Lou for leaving Jackie especially as it seemed as there was no particular reason that he could pin point as the reason to leave her. But looking at the way, Jackie seemed to have accepted Lou’s decision (which is the right way), it seemed to have appeased me. Towards the end of the book, the reader is able to make a strong relation with the characters and we feel like having a little more glimpse of Jackie’s and Lou’s life, mainly Jackie’s life.

Both are True is a fine enough read. I felt if fell flat and disappointing at times. The plot has a good premise but just fell short of enough connections. It felt like two different books in which characters cross, barely have a relationship and go on to cross again.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.