I had a hard time finishing this story. I love the premise of it and I love way that the main characters are trying to find themselves during their “year break” from their marriage. At some points I felt like the story was going too fast and at other points it felt like it was going too slow. Overall 3/5 because it was a good story!

I was ready to hate this. It had my "you can't do that" reality back up lol! I don't think you can Just take a break for a year had me in it's initial choke hold. But then I let that go and relaxed into a much more nuanced and sweet book. It.manages to not make that the icky hook. And is just telling a book about love,growth and how sometimes what we see(especially now with the rediculous fakeness f sm posting) isn't what is real. And what IS real is what you make of it together. Between these two I felt tender moment and explorative moments.
A good read. A great holiday read.
Oh and is IKEA seriously going to do something about it relationship dooooom disease,ha.

I can appreciate that this book tests the boundaries of what I've read in your typical contemporary romance. It was unique and I admire the way that the book was written.

I sadly don't think that I was the target audience for this story as I DNF'd at 30% in. I definitely think there is a future in which I would reread this book if the timing is right for me.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of The Marriage Gap Year, and it’s the perfect addition to the shelf alongside I Give My Marriage a Year and other unconventional romcoms. Funny, sweet, and insightful, this book makes for an ideal holiday read—one that puts you right in the shoes of Emma and Rob as they navigate the cracks in their not-so-perfect marriage.

What I loved most was how the story challenges the idea of a "perfect" relationship. As Emma and Rob take their marriage gap year, the novel explores whether one person is ever truly in the right (or wrong) in a partnership, making for a refreshing and realistic take on love, growth, and self-discovery.

The characters feel incredibly real—flawed, sometimes frustrating, but always compelling. This isn’t your typical romance with a neat and tidy love story; instead, it’s an honest, sometimes awkward, and ultimately heartwarming journey of two people finding themselves and each other again.

If you love stories that are as introspective as they are entertaining, this one is a must-read. So grab a cup of tea and enjoy—this book will definitely hit the spot. 💛

Quaint little romance book where actually both characters are a little grumpy lol with a nice happy ending. Romance is just hits right sometimes.

This book had me hooked from the very first scene—because what’s more relatable than a marriage crisis unfolding in an IKEA? Emma’s frustration after 26 years of stagnation is raw and real, and when she suggests a "Marriage Gap Year," I couldn’t wait to see where it led. Rob, on the other hand, is blindsided—he thought their marriage was *fine*, and his struggle to understand Emma’s need for more is both heartbreaking and, at times, hilarious.

What I loved most was how this story doesn’t take the easy way out. Emma’s solo journey isn’t all dreamy self-discovery; it’s messy, surprising, and filled with the kind of reality checks that make you root for her even more. Meanwhile, Rob’s perspective adds depth to the story—it’s not just about Emma finding herself but also about whether they can find their way back to each other. The novel balances humor, heartbreak, and hope in a way that feels incredibly authentic.

By the end, I was completely invested in Emma and Rob’s journey, both separately and together. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Melbourne and the beaches of San Remo, this book is more than just a rom-com—it’s an honest, thought-provoking look at love, marriage, and what it really means to grow. If you enjoy witty, emotionally rich stories about relationships and second chances, this is one you won’t want to miss!

I have ready one of the OG books on this trope but this book felt short for me! I felt a lot of things could have framed and written better

Have you ever wanted to take a break from your marriage? See what happens to one couple in The Marriage Gap Year by Yannick Thoroval.

The Marriage Gap Year initially intrigued me with its unique premise: a married couple of over 20 years, Emma and Rob, decide to take a "gap year" apart to reassess their relationship. However, after reflecting on the book, I found myself less enthusiastic. The concept felt flawed—Emma, the protagonist, unilaterally decides on the break without mutual agreement, and the lack of clear boundaries on romance or affairs during their separation only creates confusion and tension.

While the story is relatable and offers some insights into human relationships, I struggled with the characters. Emma’s stubbornness and lack of growth made her hard to root for, while Rob, who starts as the antagonist, actually showed more growth throughout the novel. The couple’s lack of connection outside of their child made it hard to engage with them as individuals, let alone as a couple.

Though the book provides some interesting reflections on love and relationships, it left me feeling conflicted. I gave it 3 stars but ultimately felt it lacked resolution and depth.

The Marriage gap year tackles a complex and timely theme, but its slow pacing, repetitive narrative, and lack of emotional depth ultimately detract from its potential. While the concept of a marital separation as a catalyst for self-discovery is intriguing, the novel fails to fully explore the nuances of the situation. Readers seeking a fast-paced and emotionally engaging exploration of marriage and self-discovery may find themselves disappointed. This reviewer, unfortunately, falls into that category. While the premise held promise, the execution left much to be desired.

The Marriage Gap Year by Yannick Thoraval is a contemporary romance that delves into the complexities of long-term relationships. The novel centers on Emma and Rob, a couple married for 26 years, who decide to take a year-long break from their marriage to rediscover themselves and reassess their relationship.

What I love about this book is its fast-paced flow, which the author smoothly narrates the events without disrupting the reader's enjoyment. This plays a significant role in bringing out deeper themes like marital stagnation and how a marriage crisis affects children’s lives. The characters are well-developed, with the right depth to make the story even more engaging.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy thought-provoking relationship dramas, contemporary romance with emotional depth, and stories about self-discovery and second chances in love.

This book was an enjoyable read. I like the concept, and i support that it mentions real life situations that are often not talked about, but its so real. However, there are a couple of things that made me less excited. Firstly, it did not feel memorable. Secondly, i dislike the fmc, mostly because she blames all her marital issues on her husband, where this was clearly mostly her problem. You can read about him trying so many different ways to improve, be better for her, and to make it up to her, whereas she has not tried to make it up to him or improve herself at all. This also made the ending a bit anticlimactic, if im honest, because it was missing that resolving part.
The best part of this book was honestly the workfield of Rob, the husband, with plenty of builder women with a good heart, good values, and lots of banter.
I was a bit torn between a 2 and a 3, but as im writing this review, i only feel more bothered, therefore i ended with a 2. I wish i would have loved it, and im sorry for that.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

I really loved this book!

The exploration of love, growth, and relationships was beautiful. Maybe it’s because my husband and I are right at the 10 year mark, but I can easily see how Rob + Emma got to this point the same way that I know we could if we just let life + our relationship happen instead of actively participating in them. It’s SO easy to just exist and try to survive each day, and especially if you’re in a long term relationship, I cannot recommend this book enough.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

I gave up on this fairly early on, and eventually didn't make it past 40%. I liked the premise of the book, which is why I requested it, but as soon as Emma cheated on Rob and then her best friend defended her for doing it, I was done. Why oh why would you hook up with your co-worker's brother? Doesn't anyone at your office know you're married? You might be separated, but you're still married! The whole thing was too icky for me. I didn't like any of the characters at all and thought the story was boring.

This was not a book I got into right away, and in fact I picked it up and put it down a few times. That is definitely a 'me' thing. I started it when I was in the midst of a fluffy rom-com binge, and it was kind of an uncomfortable premise for me to walk into. But there is so much growth along the way. There are happy places along the way and it's worth the journey.

Wow, what a ride! The book brilliantly captures the highs and lows of a relationship on pause, mixing humor, honesty, and a touch of wanderlust. Thoraval weaves a tale that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about love, inviting readers to reflect on how taking time apart can sometimes bring you closer together. If you’re in the mood for a story that feels both modern and relatable, this one’s definitely worth adding to your reading list.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review

While out shopping one day, Emma finally tells Rob that she is no longer happy in their 26-year marriage. She hasn't been happy for a long time - she's tired of feeling bored, frustrated and she wants to get more out of her life than what she's experiencing. Rob is caught off guard when she proposes that they take a year off from their relationship. No contact, no commitment, just one year to find out what they really want out of their lives, and whether they should remain together or apart.

As Rob and Emma embark on their Gap Year, the more time they spend apart, the more Rob and Emma both begin to remember who they were before the kids, the jobs, and their endless responsibilities. But the question is - will they want to remain married at the end of it all?

I thought the book was okay, and the premise was interesting, but I just struggled to relate to the main character. I liked seeing Rob's arc and his character development, but I was just frustrated with Emma and found it hard to see her side. It was an okay story, but not one that I'd strongly recommend.

My thanks to NetGalley and Further Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

I found the premise of the book intriguing. While it has been similar to other books I have read (thinking of "After I Do" by Taylor Jenkins Reid), this book fell a bit short of expectations for me, and was harder to finish. The ending was also a little flat and anticlimactic, considering the premise of the book. Altogether, the author did a nice job of developing his characters and tying in humor within the book quite effectively. However, I would have liked to see more of a developed resolution to all of the scenarios that arose in the book. Overall, a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.

I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. I was expecting both characters to spend their Marriage Gap Year working on themselves, and learning a new appreciation for their spouse. But I didn't feel like that happened at all. I wasn't a fan of either main character, and didn't think either of them was willing to put in the work necessary to become a better person and spouse. It almost seemed as if they enjoyed being miserable. And the ending was very unsatisfying! I will however say that the writing was wonderful. The author captured emotions and wrote with such feeling. It was fast paced and kept me entertained despite the fact that I didn't love the characters or storyline. I feel like that is a true testament to the author's talent! I am thankful to Netgalley and Yannick Thoraval for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it