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

The Marriage Gap Year follows the relationship of Emma and Rob, or rather, their break from each other after, for one year. While this is classified as a romance, its not your regular romance novel. It touches on the deeper connections within a relationship, the aspects that bind a person with another, including the physical, emotional, shared-experiences, common values, and feelings of respect and safety, and more. The author has some astute observations on life and human relationships that were reflected within these characters' experiences, including romantic, parent/child, work/colleague, and friendships. It is a fun and easy read, with very relatable feelings. I enjoyed reading this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the e-ACR.

I am so happy to get the chance to read this book. I really liked this book. It had a great plot, I just couldn't put the book down!
Really recommend this if you like cute little romance books! (like books from Emily Henry)

The premise was fine but the story just didn't grab me fully, although it did pick up as it progressed. Neither Rob nor Emma seemed all that likable or sympathetic in the beginning (although as the story went on I liked Rob more than Emma, I did not ever warm up to her). There are dual 3rd-person POVs, which was helpful, and the supporting characters were written well. But it came down to how much I really cared about the fate of Emma and Rob, both individually and together, and I just didn't like either of them enough to be all that interested in the outcome. Ultimately this was not the book for me, but I think it will appeal to readers who aren't looking for a cut-and-dried HEA, as well as readers who like some relationship angst in their books. This is more general fiction than a romance, so fair warning. Also fair warning, the cover of the book makes it seem like a much more light-hearted story than it is. The book is described as hilarious, which it most decidedly is NOT. Dramedy is more accurate, but even that is stretching things.

I enjoyed the first part of this book and the last half however the middle didn’t completely sit right with me. I feel this book would be more suited to people in a similar situation to Emma and Rob.
The premise was extremely interesting as Emma takes a year off from her marriage with Rob. I thought the execution was done very well too however it wasn’t for me.

The premise of this book was intriguing. I enjoyed it but never felt compelled to care about either of the characters or whether they got back together after their gap year though.

What a wonderful story. I really enjoyed the character development and seeing the hardships that are faced in marriage. As someone who has only been married for 2 years this book was eye opening!

I really found the premise for this book to be extremely intriguing! However I did not like the main character and I felt so so bad for her husband. It took an effort to finish this book and the ending felt very rushed.

I just couldn't really get into this. The main character was so unlikable.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

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!