After a family tragedy, Bronte, her husband Aden, and their two children are forced to give up their winery and relocate across the country. Bitter over losing his dream job, Aden struggles to adjust to the move, becoming resentful and releasing his frustrations on his wife.

When Aden’s new job sends him to Dubai for three months, Bronte embarks on a new career as a writer and forms a bond with a fellow writer online. Luther, unhappily married and living in another country, becomes a confidant, prompting Bronte to question her own marriage.

Bronte eventually proposes a polyamorous relationship, and the three main characters grapple with jealousy and animosity as they attempt to navigate their new normal.

While the book began with an engaging premise and drew me in immediately, several aspects of the story ultimately detracted from my overall enjoyment.

Strengths:

The storyline had an engaging premise that captured my attention from the start. It set the stage for an exciting narrative with great potential.

Luther’s mother was a highlight of the story for me. Her supportive and positive relationship with Bronte added warmth to the narrative and was a refreshing dynamic amidst the more fraught relationships.

I enjoyed Bronte’s first meeting with Luther and found the resolution of their initial tension amusing. The humor in that scene brought a lighter tone to the story and made it a standout moment.

I appreciated the layers in Luther’s character development, as he initially felt relatable and sympathetic. However, he quickly revealed a more bitter and childish side, particularly after Bronte shared aspects of her past. His detached response (“Thank you for telling me”) felt emotionally insufficient, diminishing my connection to his character, but paving the way for his arc.

Areas for Improvement:

I noticed errors such as missing speech marks and random capital letters within sentences. These disruptions affected the flow and readability of the story. A thorough edit would enhance the book’s presentation.

While the historical tidbits about Queensland houses, Muslim prayers, Cleveland Point lighthouse, and Mt Glorious were interesting, they felt extraneous to the storyline. Their inclusion often disrupted the narrative flow and made it difficult to stay focused on the main plot.

Aden’s quick descent into an unlikeable character felt deliberate, seemingly to justify Bronte’s actions. However, his behavior—especially after his father’s funeral—did not excuse how he treated Bronte. His lack of genuine apology left his character unresolved, even with his moments of self-reflection later in the book.

Bronte’s use of polyamory as an excuse to cheat undermined her likability. This made it difficult to empathize with her, and I didn’t feel connected to her even by the end of the book.

Till Marriage Do Us Part began with promise, offering an intriguing concept and moments of humour and warmth. With refinement, particularly in character arcs and emotional exploration, this book has the potential to resonate more strongly with readers.

This is a captivating contemporary romance that explores the complexities of love, identity, and personal ambition. Bronte relocates to Brisbane and struggles with her marriage and the collapse of her family’s winery. While there, she begins to reconnect with her long-forgotten writing dream. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Luther, an indie author, becomes enamored with Bronte after discovering her on Twitter. As her marriage with Aden deteriorates, Bronte is pulled into an emotional dilemma between her husband and the alluring Luther. As she seeks to redefine her marriage and explore new relationships, the story dives deeper into the challenges of maintaining love and personal growth. The author does a nice job of portraying Bronte’s struggle for self-definition. She’s not only trying to navigate her love life but also grappling with her identity as a writer, a wife, and a mother.
Overall, with well-drawn characters and a thought-provoking plot, this story is a refreshing take on the exploration of love’s evolving boundaries, the pursuit of personal dreams, and the sacrifices we make in the name of happiness. It’s a perfect read for anyone interested in modern love stories that challenge conventional norms.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I was not adequately prepared for this.

The story commences with Bronte and Aden's family facing the necessity of relocating to Brisbane due to the enforced closure of their winery. Aden, struggling to cope with this abrupt misfortune, has adopted a confrontational demeanor toward his wife, creating a significant rift in their relationship. At the same time, he receives a professional opportunity in Dubai, leaving Bronte to manage their children alone. Seizing this chance, Bronte reawakens her passion for writing and subsequently connects with Luther, a fellow writer, through Twitter.

With her husband away, Bronte’s constant communication with Luther evolves into a deep emotional connection. Meanwhile, Aden experiences a transformative moment in Dubai and resolves to mend their marriage, unaware that his wife has already formed an emotional bond with another.

I approached this book out of curiosity, not anticipating the profound impact it would have on me. Coming from a conservative background, I found certain aspects challenging to digest. This is my second encounter with the theme of polyamory, but this narrative resonates differently due to the familial elements involved. While attraction to another individual during marriage is certainly conceivable, the idea of sharing a partner is undeniably daunting. Although it was refreshing to explore the complexities of non-traditional relationships, I experienced a spectrum of emotions while reading: frustration towards Bronte for her perceived selfishness, yet admiration for her tenacity in pursuing her ambitions in both career and love. I felt a blend of sadness and pride for Aden, who displayed an extraordinary level of love and understanding toward his wife. As for Luther, I found his character engaging and charming, though he ultimately revealed himself to be rather cowardly.

In sum, this novel provokes deep contemplation on the intricacies of love, relationships, family and self-discovery.

Final rating: 3.75 stars

Thank you NetGalley and for the publisher for this copy!

Till Marriage Do Us Part is a compelling novel that explores the complexities of love, marriage, and personal growth through the eyes of Bronte, a woman caught in a tumultuous emotional landscape. After facing financial ruin with her husband Aden at their winery in Australia, Bronte relocates to Brisbane, where their marriage begins to unravel. While Aden mourns the loss of their dream life, Bronte seizes the opportunity to pursue her long-suppressed passion for writing.

As Aden takes a job in Dubai for three months, Bronte finds herself increasingly drawn to Luther through social media interactions. This connection forces her to confront her feelings and desires, leading to a profound internal conflict about whether to remain committed to her family or explore this new relationship. The narrative delves into themes of polyamory and the redefinition of traditional marriage as Bronte seeks ways to maintain both relationships without sacrificing her own identity.

Ultimately, Till Marriage Do Us Part presents a thought-provoking exploration of modern relationships, encouraging readers to reflect on their beliefs about love and commitment while following Bronte’s emotionally charged journey toward self-realization.

Great book. I would read another book this author. Great plot development and good characters. I could Not put this book down.

I just finished the most interesting book. till Marriage Do Us Part was such an interesting book that I couldn’t put it down.