The Marriage Gap Year originally enticed me because of a unique plot: a couple married for over 20 years decides to take a "gap year" away from each other to find themselves and reassess their relationship.

This was a novel that I was eager to finish, and gave it 3.5 stars off the bat. However, after thinking more about it, I realized that I really did not enjoy this book much. The first thing that stuck out to me was that it wasn't a joint decision: the marriage gap year was decided by Emma, the wife and protagonist, who sprung it on her husband, Rob. Next was the lack of ground rules; the only information was that the couple was separating and living apart with no specifics regarding romantic relationships, affairs, or flings outside of the two of them. Without these specifications, the couple arguably sets themselves up for failure in the long run due to the blurred lines of cheating.

Beyond the flaws in the concept, I found the main characters to be incredibly annoying. Emma is very stubborn and "woe is me," and never really had a character arc or any resolution that suggests introspection. She has a tendency to blame others, but doesn't adjust or reflect when her friends, fling, child and husband call her out on it. Rob, who is originally painted as the antagonist, shows much more growth throughout the story, which makes his gruff exterior much more palatable.

Throughout the novel, I found myself wondering how these two would ever reconcile, as they did not seem to have any connections or common ground outside of their child. It was weird to root for characters on their own in a "romance," rather than as a couple.

I did enjoy the writing style and the pace of the book, as well as the setting and dual perspectives, which motivated me to finish the book quickly despite not liking the characters. Overall, I'd give it 2.5 stars rounded up.

The Marriage Gap Year by Yannick Thoraval is a refreshingly honest exploration of love, partnership, and self-discovery. Thoraval masterfully captures the complexities of marriage and the personal growth that comes from stepping back to re-evaluate life’s most intimate bonds. Thought-provoking and deeply human, this book is a must-read for anyone curious about the challenges and beauty of relationships.

Personally needed to drag myself to finish this one it just didn't catch my interest just couldn't fall in love with any of the characters,

This was unfortunately a DNF for me at 27%. I started off thinking I would really relate to the FMC, as a woman who is recently divorced. But I just couldn’t relate to her seemingly petty reasons for doing what she did. This just wasn’t for me!

The Marriage Gap Year has a refreshingly different premise. What if a longtime married yet unhappy couple take a "gap year", where they are still married but living apart and not speaking to each other? What would it be like to be alone after 26 years of marriage? Thoraval's main characters are unhappy in their marriage, so Emma asks Rob for a temporary separation. His depiction of apathy and lack of feeling between the couple was really accurate and quite depressing. The characters separate and set out on a path of solitary living. For each character, in different ways, this path alone presented a lot of challenges. For Rob especially, he was very isolated and lonely while living in a model home. Spoiler alert, at the end of the book, the characters decide to continue their separate lives but stay together. I found this ending to be disappointing because I hoped they would make a more final decision about their marriage. Both Emma and Rob were complex characters, and Thoraval writes both with authenticity. This book has an interesting premise, but I found it quite depressing.
Thanks to Further Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

What a lovely book and an interesting thought. I truly enjoyed this book and found the characters and the plot quite lovely. An enjoyable read throughout! Loved it.

Yannick Thoraval’s *The Marriage Gap Year* is a bold and introspective novel that explores relationships, self-discovery, and the delicate balancing act between individuality and partnership. It takes an honest, often unflinching look at what happens when a couple steps back from their marriage to rediscover themselves, offering a refreshing twist on the familiar themes of love and commitment.

The story follows Louise and Alex, a couple who decide to take a year-long break from their marriage in an unconventional attempt to salvage it. What unfolds is a deeply personal journey of self-exploration, missteps, and revelations, as both partners grapple with what it means to live apart while remaining connected. Thoraval’s writing is sharp and insightful, capturing the nuances of their emotional struggles with raw authenticity. This is not your typical love story—it’s a layered, thought-provoking examination of the choices that shape us as individuals and as partners.

What makes *The Marriage Gap Year* so compelling is its willingness to challenge traditional notions of marriage and selfhood. Thoraval asks difficult questions: Can a relationship survive when its foundations are shaken? How do we reconcile personal growth with shared commitments? And what does it truly mean to love someone while honoring your own needs? These questions linger throughout the novel, and while the answers are never simple, the journey toward them is rich and rewarding.

The pacing of the story is deliberate, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the emotional complexities of Louise and Alex’s lives. Their experiences apart—whether filled with awkward missteps, moments of triumph, or quiet realizations—are described with vivid detail, making their individual journeys feel as real and impactful as their shared history. Thoraval excels at crafting relatable characters whose flaws and vulnerabilities make them achingly human.

The narrative strikes a balance between humor and heartache, with moments of levity that offset the heavier themes. Thoraval’s prose is both sharp and lyrical, weaving together deeply introspective passages with dialogue that feels natural and engaging. The story is rooted in its emotional honesty, acknowledging the messiness of life and relationships while celebrating the hope and beauty that can emerge from difficult times.

*The Marriage Gap Year* is an insightful and emotionally resonant novel that will appeal to anyone who has ever questioned what it means to be part of a partnership—or simply enjoys stories that dig deep into the complexities of human connection. Yannick Thoraval delivers a narrative that’s as thought-provoking as it is engaging, making this a standout exploration of love, growth, and resilience. It’s a journey worth taking, full of moments that invite readers to reflect on their own relationships and the delicate art of balancing togetherness with individuality.

I requested this book hoping it would be similar to "After I Do" by Taylor Jenkins Reid because the premise is similar. However, this book left me quite disappointed. I did not understand the reasons for their gap year to begin with. The couple attempted no other strategies to get their marriage back on track, so the gap year seemed very random. Why not couples' therapy? I found both main characters incredibly unlikable, which would have been fine if they had grown and changed over the course of the year but found there to be very little change. Emma specifically rubbed me the wrong way, I found her selfish and hard to root for. The cheating was also a major no for me, and the enabling from the best friend was simply crazy. Overall, I thought the writing style was quite good but just didn't connect to this story or the characters.

This book is a raw and real look at marriage and personal growth. It follows Emma and Rob, a couple who take a “gap year” from their marriage after their son heads off to college. Emma feels stuck and wants space to figure herself out, and Rob, not sure what else to do, agrees.

I was hooked by the concept—it’s such an interesting idea—but I found it hard to connect with their story at first. There’s not much backstory to show how they got to this point, so it felt like I was thrown into their lives without really knowing them. But as the year went on, my feelings about the characters shifted.

At first, I understood where Emma was coming from. Marriage is complicated, and who doesn’t feel stuck sometimes? But her choices during the gap year felt selfish, and honestly, she was hard to like. Rob, on the other hand, really grew on me. He wasn’t perfect, but he worked on himself in a way that felt real and relatable. Their son, Will, also added a lot to the story, especially when he called Emma out—I couldn’t help but agree with him.

Thoraval’s writing is funny, sharp, and reflective. There were moments that made me laugh and others that made me stop and think. It really challenges what we expect from marriage and whether there’s ever a “right” or “wrong” person in a relationship. That said, the ending left me feeling a little let down. I wanted more closure or maybe some growth from Emma, but it felt like Rob was the one putting in all the effort.

This isn’t your typical romance—it’s messy, bittersweet, and real. If you like stories that dig into the complexities of relationships, this one’s worth a read.

TW: Infidelity.
Thanks to NetGalley and Further Publishing for the ARC.

Rating: 3.75⭐ (rounded up to 4⭐)

Read if you enjoy:
- Stories about self-discovery
- Adult romance
- Exploring complicated marriages

I really loved the concept of this book! It dives into a relatable yet unique topic, told from an interesting perspective. I finished it in just three days, which shows how hooked I was!

The fast-paced plot and Emma’s journey during the marriage gap year were especially captivating. Watching her try out new things and navigate her emotions felt so relatable at times, making me want to see how everything would unfold between her and Rob.

The story is told chronologically, giving readers a clear view of the challenges and realizations the characters face during their year apart. Emma’s character stood out to me the most—her charisma makes her hard to forget, even though her stubbornness can be frustrating. She’s vibrant and dynamic, which made her journey enjoyable to follow.

That said, some of Emma’s decisions didn’t always make sense to me, but they felt intentional to drive the story. While I was thoroughly invested in her POV, Rob’s perspective fell flat for me. It felt more like a side note to balance the narrative than an essential part of the story.

Overall, I found The Marriage Gap Year fast-paced and engaging, with plenty of drama and tension to keep me hooked. While not every part resonated with me, I think it’s a solid read for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories about self-discovery and the complexities of marriage!

I was intrigued by the premise of a long marriage plateauing and trying a gap year in their marriage after becoming empty nesters.

The main characters pursued their own questions of their default normal and tried making different choices.

The pace was too slow for me and it never picked up. I don’t mind when some books end unexpectedly or open ended when I feel like there were a lot of growths in the characters but that was not the case for this book.

Unfortunately, this was not what I expected and I did not enjoy it.

DNF @ 13%. I don’t think third person omniscient POV is necessarily for every reader. Based on the description of this book I expected it to be a romance but quickly realized that is not the case. Did not find either main characters relatable.

I think for the right audience this could be a good read but it needs to made clear this is not the cute romance it looks like.

DNF not bad, but I didn't really connect well with the characters or story. The writing was also not my preference as I felt like there was too much exposition, especially with the female protagonist.

The Marriage Gap Year is a book I know I’ll think about long after I post my review. This book was insightful and brought me to really think about the lives we build and what makes us happy.

In the Marriage Gap Year, Emma is married to Rob. But the marriage isn’t turning out to be what she hoped for, or necessarily wants. She proposes a gap year to Rob, who is not keen about it. They rent out their house and each finds accommodations without the other. Their son, Will, is perplexed, but in his own world with his own issues. As the novel progresses we see what each spouse does with their gap year, their growth, their questioning and their journey.

Pros:
-Reminded me of a TJR book that I swooned for
-The prose is so gorgeous it should be studied for centuries
-We all know IKEA kills relationships so nice to see it here
-This feels so modern. This idea would have never existed years ago

Cons:
-I liked them better apart
-The humor was hit or miss, largely hit
-While funny, the initial premise of missed comms for twenty years is ugh

Overall, a fun read and I would def reccomend but more fiction than romcom - and that’s fine!

Such a credible story, it focusses on relationship dynamics and te complexity of human emotions.
We get to see how each character handles their year apart and how they grow separately. It was a breath of fresh air to see that they tried to mend their relationship by taking a break from their marriage, instead of inmediatly divorcing. However I'm more of a; I'll fight for you until i die type of girl.
I must say that I was a bit fooled by the cover, this is not a typical romance book. It's more of a dramedy, not really the light-hearted read I had in mind.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for gifting me this ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed The Marriage Gap Year. It was an interesting concept and an intriguing way to avoid divorce. Spending a year apart from my spouse probably wouldn’t be my cup of tea. But I do like how the author portrayed Rob and Emma’s time apart. I think it resonated with them how important it was to take time and put effort into their relationship. And that it does take both parties in a relationship to make it work.

This was a fun read and really well written too. I look forward to reading more from this author.

***Thank you Netgalley and Further Publishing for an ARC copy in return for an honest review***

*contains spoilers*

1.7 Stars
One Liner: Ugh, why?

During a trip to IKEA, Emma blurts that she wants space from Rob and their twenty-six years of marriage. Rob is not sure what the problem is but he agrees to Emma’s condition –a year of separation with no contact between them.
As they go their separate ways for a year, both realize a few things and make some decisions. Can their marriage survive the Gap Year?
The story comes in Emma and Rob’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
NGL, I’m not the target audience for the book, but the premise was so good that I had to read it! I went expecting two outcomes—they would realize their mistakes, recognize their love, and get back together, or accept that they grew apart too much and end the relationship as mature adults. What I got was a mess with a WTF ending.
The first chapter has the IKEA scene from both POVs. It establishes the setup right away and the gap year starts soon afterward. So far good. It seems like both have made mistakes and need to sort things out.
Then, we get alternate chapters from Emma and Rob’s POVs. Guess what? It took very little time to dislike Emma and the feeling worsened as the story progressed. Did she make even one right decision about her life? No!
Rob sounds like a typical complacent middle-aged man happy with his stagnancy and would rather be an ostrich than have a meaningful conversation. However, he starts to accept his flaws and makes an effort to become better. Moreover, he loves Emma (and stays loyal). 2 stars coz his arc was at least a bit realistic, and the cover is the best part of the book.
Now, our heroine… what do I say about her? I don’t know if she is supposed to be an inspiration or an example. We sure could learn what not to do and how not to be. For someone who claims to have standards and integrity, she doesn’t display them even once throughout the book. In fact, she thinks she’s some flawless perfection and refuses to even acknowledge that she may also be responsible for the dampening of her marriage. Twice her friend tries to make her see her truth but nope. How dare someone judge her when she is the only one supposed to judge others? The audacity of it! And there’s infidelity as well.
Despite the slow pacing and the unsuccessful attempts at providing backstories, I continued to read hoping for a decent ending. By the way, I skipped all that gyan by Dr. Priya.
Nope, cheated again! What the heck is that even? What’s the purpose of the story? Where is the FMC’s growth? Whatever little changes she made could have been done even when she was with the hubby. Makes no sense! The whole thing reminds me of badly written Reddit AITA posts. *shudder*
The best way to define the FMC would be a pre-menopausal judgmental woman who wants the perks of being single without losing the status of being married. Wonder what she has against divorce?

To summarize, The Marriage Gap Year should have been an introspective and heartwarming read about character growth, self-discovery, and love. However, it is none of these (and definitely not hilarious as stated in the blurb). You might like it better if you belong to the women-can-do-no-wrong-and-men-are-always-wrong category.
Thank you, NetGalley and Further Publishing, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
Sadly this was not for me.
im not wasting my time reading about hypocritical characters who cheat during this gap year without discussing seeing other people beforehand. At least the cover is pretty and I enjoyed them living in australia but that was it for me.