In The Marriage Gap Year, Yannick Thoraval presents a refreshing take on love, marriage, and personal growth, exploring what happens when a couple decides to hit pause on their relationship to rediscover themselves. This premise sets the stage for a journey that dives into identity, companionship, and the inevitable highs and lows of redefining a partnership outside traditional expectations.

Thoraval’s characters are vibrant, each with a distinct voice, making the reader invested in their struggles and triumphs. The “gap year” concept allows the couple to experience a year apart while still tethered to one another, creating tension and curiosity. Thoraval skillfully guides the reader through both partners’ inner worlds, and the alternating perspectives add layers to the narrative.

What truly stands out is Thoraval's nuanced portrayal of relationships. This isn't a typical romance novel; it's a raw, insightful look at the ways relationships evolve, regress, and ultimately force us to confront our deepest fears and desires. There’s a satisfying complexity here that feels realistic and relatable, particularly in the moments where the characters grapple with what they truly want versus what they’ve always been told to want.

The Marriage Gap Year is a poignant read for anyone interested in character-driven stories that examine life’s in-betweens. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the only way forward is to step back.

When you feel the marriage blues, just suggest a year off. It always looks greener on the other side. After 20 plus years of marriage Emma wants to take a break and see what else might be out there. So they decide to take a break, no calls, no texts, will they survive and come back stronger for this? Yannick Thorval is a new author for me thanks to NetGalley. I really enjoyed this one, it is a different spin on the rom com genre. 4.5 stars

I adore second chance romance and it's even better when the couple is older. We see the lives they live and it's just so heartwarming

This was such a unique novel. I loved following Emma fb Rob as they take a gap year from their marriage. This novel explores such deep aspects of human relationship, identity of self, and the complexities of desiring different things than your spouse. I flew through this novel. It’s was brilliantly written.

Yannick Thoraval's novel "The Marriage Gap Year" follows Emma, a woman who decides to take a year-long break from her marriage after 26 years. This "gap year" serves as a fresh start for Emma and her husband to reflect on themselves and their relationship, allowing them to explore what they truly want out of life. Thoraval combines humour with heartfelt moments, making the story relatable for anyone familiar with the ups and downs of long-term relationships.

The novel dives into themes like personal identity, friendship, and the societal expectations around marriage. As Emma explores life outside of her marriage, she faces questions about self-fulfilment and redefines what relationships mean to her. The Marriage Gap Year has received praise for its thoughtful and emotionally engaging approach, balancing comedy with the deeper issues of love and commitment. This blend of lightheartedness and introspection has made it a favourite among readers who enjoy stories about modern relationships.

4⭐️

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the narrative it took on different relationships.
Starting the book off with an argument in IKEA hooked me in straight away.

I enjoyed being able to read Rob and Emma's journey through life as they take one year apart to look for new opportunities. This book was well paced and I found myself highlighting a lot of quotes.

I do recommend this book. I am not someone who has ever been married but being able to read about Rob and Emma's journey and their marriage actually taught me a lot.

Thank you Netgalley and Yannick Thoraval for my arc copy

The concept of this book is so intriguing but it’s written in such a way that by the end not a single character is likable or relatable. Major let down for me unfortunately. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy, all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. There was complexities to the relationship that I found very relatable. I would definitely recommend to others

Dnf at 10%
I did not see myself finishing this. The start premise to have relationship break in IKEA was fun but then everything that followed….wasnt.
I needed more context of who they are before the break. And even though I DNF’d it i skimmed ahead and yea i didnt love what i saw

This was a cute will they won't they love story with a twist (as in it's more will they won't they get back together story), well written, the perfect holiday beach read!

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.

I am sad to say that this book, which promised warmth, romance, and comedy was cold, sad, and aggravating. The conclusion felt unearned, the character growth was half-baked at best, and I found myself openly cringing and rolling my eyes at the internal monologues of the main couple. Emma in particular. One should at least be able to root for the leads, no?

EMMA LEARNED NOTHING. AT LEAST ROB SORT OF OWNED UP TO HIS MISSTEPS.

“The Marriage Gap Year” sounded like it could be an interesting read—26 years of marriage, and then Emma wants a full year off with no contact. But by 16% in, I was honestly struggling. The cover doesn’t match the vibe of the characters at all, which threw me off right away. I usually take cues from the cover about what the characters might look or feel like, but here, it felt like a mismatch.

Emma and Rob each go off on their own paths, but neither is especially likable, so it’s hard to get invested in either side. The story moves pretty slowly, with so much time spent in their heads that it starts feeling repetitive. Around the 25% mark, Emma starts an affair, which just drags things out more. They don’t have the conversation you’d expect until the very end, making the whole “gap year” feel frustratingly drawn out. The pacing felt off, and by the rushed ending, it didn’t feel like the story truly paid off its premise.

The story revolves around a marriage that has been standing the test of time. In the case of this couple, they have been together for 26 years. Yet as what people usually say, love feels overwhelming especially once it starts but love sometimes fades. So, marriage is not solely because of love but commitment towards your partner and in order for it to last, it takes teamwork to make the dream work! Sometimes one just needs time alone but at the end, the time alone is just a time for you to reflect and realize that the person you love most is the one you've been with all along :)

The story of this book is a bit meh. It's a bit dragging and the ending did not match my expectation since it was a bit confusing for me. Nonetheless, thank you NetGalley for accpeting my request to read this book :)

I did not find this to be well paced or very romantic. It was a struggle to get through because I lost interest in the characters.

I have always been fan of the marriage or relationship in trouble kind of rope and that is what caught my eye with this book. I really enjoyed the plot of this book. Since most people are either happy after marriage, with some experiencing ups and downs, others quitting and being divorced, or simply cheating, I found the plot to be really intriguing. The idea of taking a year off from their marriage, similar to a year out from school, was really eye-opening for our couple because they both discovered how much they truly wanted to stay married.

While, The Marriage Gap Year is a remarkable book because of its emotional depth, character development, and genuine depiction of love, even though it may not neatly fit into the conventional romance genre box. This novel will undoubtedly make an impression if you're searching for a romance that feels authentic, complete with all the deep feelings and complications that accompany it.

Yannick W. Thoraval's The Wedding Gap Year is a refreshingly authentic take on romance, offering a blend of raw emotions and real-life complexities that set it apart from the typical romantic novel. The character development stands out as one of the novel's strongest aspects. Both protagonists are multifaceted, with their personal growth woven into the story in a way that feels genuine and unforced. Their journeys are imperfect, marked by both beautiful moments and tough realities, which makes them relatable and human.

The romance itself feels authentic and grounded. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable, with moments of tenderness and vulnerability that will resonate deeply with readers. Their connection is not just about the initial sparks, but about building something more meaningful over time, filled with bumps along the way. Thoraval doesn't shy away from the messiness of love—making the characters' relationship all the more compelling.

However, calling The Wedding Gap Year a straightforward romance is complicated by its ending, which doesn’t follow the typical "happily ever after" formula. The conclusion leans more into realism than fantasy, and while it may not provide the conventional closure that some romance readers might expect, it feels true to the story Thoraval has told. This nuanced approach leaves readers contemplating what love means in different stages of life, making it a more thoughtful and layered experience.

Overall, while The Wedding Gap Year may not fit neatly into the standard romance genre box, its emotional depth, character development, and authentic portrayal of love make it a standout read. If you're looking for a romance that feels real, with all the messy emotions and complexities that come with it, this book will definitely leave an impact.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

I was really intrigued by this story based on the description. As a married women myself, I was interested in how the gap year came about and what that dynamic looked like for the two characters. I was surprised that there wasn’t counseling or anything prior to this decision or even really a clear reason why things weren’t working out.

Wow, this was very different from what I usually read. I thought the plot was very interesting because most people after they get married either are happy with some having their ups and downs, others who call quits and divorce, or those who just cheat. The plot of taking a gap year from their marriage like a gap year from school was for sure eye opening for our couple because they both learned about themselves and how much they truly if they want to be in this marriage still. If you are looking for a story that will make your think about your main characters on if they were make it through this arrangement, then this book is for you!

4/5 stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really struggled with this book. The reasons Emma wanted a "break" were not explained well in the beginning and there were no other efforts for a resolution, like counseling. This really bothered me. Toward the end of the book, there was a much better explanation given, but it should have been at the start of the book. Totally a misplaced chapter.

The rest of the book alternates POV between the husband and wife, but neither of them are likable, and their lives were rather boring. Definitely not a lot of growth and the rest of the book is filled with random events. There is one brief romantic interest, but it came out of nowhere and was like the author was trying to copy the book/tv show "Younger" for a brief moment and then gave up. I honestly felt bad for the husband and the resolution at the end was disappointing. It just didn't tie together for me.

Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote a book years ago titled "After I Do". Similar idea with a year-long break, but really excellent growth, romance, and a cute storyline.

I really liked the idea of this book. I thought it sounded interesting but it ended up not being for me. I couldn't relate with any of the characters and I really disliked the main characters. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.