The Marriage Sabbatical is the story of Nicole and Jason who after twenty three years of building a life together, raising a family, and working hard in careers, find themselves at a crossroads. After a profound loss Jason decides to take a year off, sublet their home, and plans a largely off grid travel itinerary. As the day draws closer Nicole is less sure she wants to go. An unconventional agreement is made. Jason will take the trip he dreamed of, Nicole will go to Santa Fe to learn jewelry making. They institute the ‘500 mile rule’, a ‘what happens while we’re gone stays there’ policy.

Dolan does an amazing job taking us back in time to when Nicole and Jason first met, through compromises, struggles, celebrations, and loss, giving us strong insight into how they got where they are, what each may be seeking, and if they truly intend (or should) return to one another. We watch as they travel, transform, and struggle with the decision to partner with someone else. I especially loved Nicole’s Santa Fe setting, a city I adore. Dolan brings us into the local art culture, the community traditions, and we feel less a visitor and more a newly welcomed resident.

My very dear friend, Angie, is a creative that lives in Santa Fe. She’s an artist, jewelry designer, and author. Angie’s journey mirrors the main character Nicole’s, coming to the SW for rebirth, reinvention, finding her passion later in life. I was living vicariously through the main character, Nicole as she spread her wings in Santa Fe.

I highly recommend for lovers of her previous books, those that appreciate smart, thoughtful women’s fiction, and what to travel vicariously to the desert SW. If you haven’t read her previous books The Sweeney Sisters and Lost and Found In Paris I highly recommend as well!

I received an early copy from my friends at William Morrow.

The Marriage Sabbatical is a captivating tale that effortlessly navigates between weighty themes and lighthearted moments. It takes readers on a journey across continents while delving into the complexities of relationships.

At first I was unsure that this book would appeal to me, but I was pleasantly surprised! The concept of Nicole and Jason, married for 23 years and facing an empty nest agreeing to take a sabbatical from their marriage was done in such a classy way. Instead of joining her husband on an active trip to Patagonia and Argentina, Nicole decides to follow her dreams of learning silversmithing in Santa Fe. Giving each other the room find themselves was less to do about sex outside of their marriage, and more about a refresh in their lives. Highly recommend this novel. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I guess I’m really old school, so I initially struggled with the open marriage premise of this book. However, I appreciate what Nicole’s friend Tessa said about the idea of monogamous marriages being the result of the Puritans’ influence and the Eisenhower administration’s focus on the “perfect American family myth.” Historically, marriages were mostly political or business alliances rather than love matches and, as long as children were produced and a wife fulfilled her other duties, fidelity was a non-issue. Of course, for the better part of history, people didn’t live long lives, so even loving couples rarely had to be concerned with boredom and monotony in a marriage.

In Nicole and Jason’s case, they decide on a 9-month marriage sabbatical after hearing of the Five Hundred Mile Rule from their neighbors. When Nicole backs out of a grueling motorcycle trip through South America following by months on a beach surfing (which Jacob had planned to take with his best friend before he tragically died) and tells Jacob she wants to go to Santa Fe to learn silversmithing and jewelry-making instead, he’s understandably upset. She is the one to suggest that they sleep with other people with a few rules and the understanding that they’ll reunite at the end and keep their dalliances to themselves. As they exchange weekly emails where she signs off with hugs and kisses and his are devoid of any affection, I couldn’t help thinking it’s a risky thing for a long-time couple who love each other. What’s the point of taking the chance of catching feelings for someone else when it’s just a 9-month separation?

So, I had to put my personal feelings about cheating aside (is it still cheating if both parties give permission?) and evaluate the book on its merits. Dolan, using flashbacks that fill the reader in on the things that initially drew Nicole and Jason together and the struggles and milestones they shared, gives readers a vivid picture of the strength of their marriage and commitment to their family. It also becomes clear that both Nicole and Jason’s plans (hers to learn to create beautiful, but difficult pieces of wearable art and his to write a mystery thriller) are better in their heads than in reality. Their time away, however, gives them the experiences and confidence to reevaluate what they want from life (with their kids due to graduate college, with her long-time job in retail a casualty of the pandemic, and with his demanding job in publishing keeping him away from his family far too much). It also gives them the opportunity to meet a varied and unique cast of characters (including an adorable mini poodle, Bardot) who enrich their experiences and helped them realize that the end of the sabbatical doesn’t have to mean going back to the same life that was no longer satisfying.

Overall, this was a very good depiction of a modern marriage in which the husband and wife love and respect each other but acknowledge that they need a break. If you’re looking for a love story featuring mature characters, this one is worth considering.

Fair warning: If you’re Covid-conscious and acknowledge that the risks of infection are still with us, it may be triggering to read about a family who goes back to “normal” even knowing that Jason’s best friend, an ER doctor, died driving home after a grueling shift in the early days of the pandemic.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from William Morrow through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Nicole and Jason are happily married with almost grown children. They have been planning a year of adventure when both their kids leave home. Nicole finally confesses that she doesn’t want to spend a year adventuring and instead want to spend a year learning jewelry making in Santa Fe. She convinces Jason on this plan by throwing in marriage sabbatical.

The Marriage Sabbatical is a fresh story with unexpected twists and turns throughout.

As a fan of Dolan's writing, I knew it would be well-written but otherwise, I didn't know what to expect when I opened the book. A marriage sabbatical is an amusing idea; the story could take so many possible directions, and the one it did was as surprising as it was satisfying.

The story introduces a married couple with a newly empty nest.

They are about to embark on a sabbatical trip together when the wife decides she doesn't actually want to subject herself to her husband's extreme dream trip. She sets out on her own adventure, but not before the two craft some unconventional ground rules for the long separation. Jason jets to Patagonia and Nicole journeys to Santa Fe.

The book tells the story from both Nicole's and Jason's perspectives on two disparate sabbaticals.

Two separate intriguing paths leave the reader to wonder if the paths lead back to each other.

Thank you william morrow books and Net Galley for the ARC of this book

I love Dolan’s writing style and enjoyed her previous title immensely. This was another great, light read that was perfect for spring/summer beach reading. Definitely recommend.

I enjoyed this, though I was a bit worried where it was headed for awhile. A married couple (20+ years) is dealing with life changes and an empty nest and decides to take solo trips for 9 months, agreeing to enjoy and experience life however it comes, including possible other relationships. I loved the settings of Portland, Sante Fe, & Patagonia, & the thoughtful way they supported each other as they reimagined their lives. So good! Releases 4/1.

This was an interesting book about taking a break from your marriage to pursue some of your dreams. Nicole and Jason spend nine months apart with a 500 hundred mile rule which you have to read the book to get all the details of their pact. The author uses their past history to tell the story of their present lives and reveal all their feelings which had led them to this sabbatical. It was interesting to observe their growth and understanding of themselves as they examine their lives together. Lots to discuss for a book club. #TheMarriageSabbatical #LianDolan #NetGalley

This has quickly shot to the top of my Lian Dolan list. I loved the concept of this book and the Marriage Sabbatical did not disappoint!! I loved Jason and Nicole both together and apart. I was so excited to see how this would unfold and was pleasantly surprised!

I loved it! I was expecting a stereotypical love story about a middle aged married couple, but it wasn’t that! This book had twists and turns with relationships that I loved and think everyone could relate to.

The main couple takes a year apart from their marriage and participates in a 500-mile-rule. Now… this isn’t my cup of tea, but the lessons learned in this story are relatable, funny, heartwarming, and make you routing for the main characters.

I love how in romance books you can expect the next thing (and they aren’t always realistic) but I thought this WAS realistic! Which made it more enjoyable.

I read this in about a week just peaking away at it. It was a quick and easy read that didn’t include any hot and heavy spice. Perfect read for a plane ride, solo travel weekend, or even just while your honey is watching basketball this month.

Book comes out April 2,2024!

The Marriage Sabbatical
by Lian Dolan
Pub Date: April 2,2024
Thanks to the author, publisher, and netGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
What if you could take a vacation from your marriage? A couple decides to give it a shot in this fun, adventurous novel by Lian Dolan, the popular author of The Sweeney Sisters and Lost and Found in Paris .
My expectations were high for this one. Unfortunately I just did not love it.
Doran’s writing is richly detailed, but the narrative is mostly exposition and telling instead of showing. Scenes from the past help develop their story and characters and inform the present. We have a direct feed into the heart and minds of both characters due to the omniscient point of view, which I found less exciting and in the moment than action and dialogue, or even alternating points of view. The author literally hits the reader over the head with the denouement that Nicole is not having a midlife crisis but a midlife triumph.
4 stars

“But it doesn’t mean you can’t learn from the process, even if the outcome isn’t what you expected.”

Who hasn’t yelled at the top of their lungs or screamed in their heart, “I need a break!” A break from a job, a break from obligations, a break from your kids. How about a break from your marriage?
In Lian Dolan’s latest novel, she explores the idea of taking a vacation from your marriage. With some pre set rules they also take the rings off in this closed door romance. This interesting premise appears on the surface to be a provocative experiment, but became more about a deep dive into connections: familial, professional and connection to oneself.

As Nicole and Jason send their kids off on respective college senior year study abroad programs, the opportunity of a 9 month professional sabbatical opens up for Jason. Nicole reevaluates if joining him on a motorcycle trip across Patagonia is really for her and decides to do her own thing - a jewelry making course in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A cast of lovable characters stretching from New Mexico, South America and back to home base, Portland, Oregon, made this a fun and whip smart read.

Following Ms. Dolan’s writing research (via her Satellite Sisters podcast) really enhanced my love for all the Santa Fe references and I plan on taking a trip there in the near future!

For those who enjoy the happy and thoughtful writing of Emily Henry and Katherine Center, this one is sure to be a hit for Spring/Summer readers.
Thanks to Net Galley and William Morrow for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!!

I enjoyed this book! The characters are great and endearing. The love story is great also. I enjoyed every bit of this book!!

As mentioned in my “2024 Books I Can’t Wait For” post, I just love Lian Dolan’s voice, and that remains true with her latest. The exploration of the different forms a marriage can take and what people need for themselves as individuals versus as a couple was all very interesting. A good chunk of the book was set in Santa Fe and I’m now totally yearning to go there. Some fun side notes: the dog in this book was so so cute and there is a character loosely based on Ali MacGraw who was, of course, super cool! I always love a chic older lady character.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The Marriage Sabbatical
Author:  Lian Dolan
Source: NetGalley
Pub Date: April 2, 2024

Jason and Nicole have reached mid-life, but after 23 years of marriage, they need a break. The kids are out of the house, they are working long hours, and it is time for them to take a sabbatical. In The Marriage Sabbatical by Lian Dolan, the issue becomes that this loving and happily married couple don’t have much in common anymore, and their idea of vacation could not be more different. Jason has booked a vacation hiking, camping, and motorbiking through South America, while Nicole wants to take art classes to learn silversmithing in New Mexico. After dinner with new friends, they find out that giving their partner a break is a refresher for the relationship, and anything-goes activities more than 500 miles apart are accepted with some stipulations. Jason and Nicole rent their home, and the family agrees to stay in touch via texting while Jason and Nicole go separate ways to “find themselves.” Now, I will tell you how much I love Lian Dolan and her stories. Her romance books are unlike others. While I don’t think this idea would get the thumbs up from my family, it was a different premise, and, in the end, the couple rediscovers themselves and each other, and the bond is…well, you will have to read it. Well done, Ms. Dolan. You keep writing, and I’ll keep reading. #TheMarriageSabbatical @liandolan @netgalley #netgalley @williammorrowbooks #romance #marriagebreak #separateVacations #adult #opendoor #path #goal #family #life #love #reunion #fiction #chickLit
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I received a complimentary copy of this ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this novel. Pub. Date: April 2, 2024
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#book #books #bookAddict #BooksOfInstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #reader #booklove #bookreader #reader #reviewer

Book Review
The Marriage Sabbatical
By Lian Dolan
Pub Date: April 1, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Jason and Nicole have been married for twenty-three years and are still in love.
They are planning on taking a sabbatical to South America while their kids are away in college and studying abroad. The idea of the sabbatical is Jason’s dream not Nicole’s. So, when she suggests that they take separate sabbaticals, he is not too happy about it. While Jason tours South America, Nicole wants to go to New Mexico to study jewelry making.
While nine months seems a long to be away from each other, they get an idea from their neighbors about a marriage sabbatical. The sabbatical works like this: if they are at least 500 miles away from each other, they can do whatever they want with the understanding of no pregnancies or diseases.
While they were away, they appreciated their time away so they could fully immerse themselves in their experiences without feeling like they were dragging the other along.
This book kept my interest simply because it’s something I would never do. Home for them was in Portland, OR; a city I have been to often and I could just picture their craftsman style home. I felt they were taking a huge risk, but it wasn’t like they were newlyweds. They had built a life together and had many happy memories. What this story showed me is that only you and your partner define your marriage and if communication is open anything is possible. My only question is could they return to from their sabbaticals and bounce back to their normal lives?

My fav trope done right! this book was so so good i cant wait to read it again, loved the fmc and all the little nuances of her personality

I really enjoyed this entertaining story of a couple who find themselves wanting different things after many years of marriage and making it work. Jason is ready to go on the trip of a lifetime to fulfill a dream that he had with a friend who died before they could make it happen. His wife, Nicole, had planned to go along unenthusiastically. After a dinner with their neighbors, where they find out the neighbors have a 500 mile rule which means they can cheat on their partner if they are 500 miles apart, Jason and Nicole rethink their commitments to their trip and decide to take time away from each other. He will go on the planned trip and she will fulfill her dream of going to Santa Fe to design jewelry. I really enjoyed the story and the way the couple grows and how they work out their relationship. This is a great story about interesting characters and I highly recommend it. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book in return for my honest review.

This book is a fairly easy and entertaining read. At times it lost my interest, but overall the characters are endearing. Offers an uncomplicated look at marriage and agreed upon infidelity. Would have appreciated more nuance, but overall I recommend, if you’re looking for an easy, lite read this one doesn’t disappoint.