REVIEW: Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2-stars)

 “Forever Interrupted” by Taylor Jenkins Reid was a tough read — not because of the subject matter, but because of the protagonist and the writing itself. I pushed through to the end, but it felt more like a chore than a journey.

Elsie, the main character, is emotionally unstable, manipulative, and often deeply unlikable. Her grief is understandable, but the way she treats others — and the way the narrative seems to excuse it — made it hard to empathize. At times, I wondered if her husband’s tragic accident was less tragic and more symbolic.

There are unsettling undercurrents throughout the book, particularly around body image and disordered eating. Grief is repeatedly used as a justification for not eating, losing weight, and even vomiting — all described in unnecessary detail. The fixation on weight gain (especially while staying with her mother-in-law) felt gratuitous and tone-deaf.

The pregnancy scare subplot was bizarre and overwrought. The level of anxiety and projection that unfolded over a few days felt implausible and melodramatic.

I also found the book to be disappointingly whitewashed and overly enamored with wealth — a recurring theme in Reid’s work, but more glaring here without the complexity or nuance of her later novels.

I enjoyed "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," but this debut left me wondering what exactly I saw in it. Maybe it’s a case of an author growing into her voice — but this one didn’t work for me.

REVIEW: Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid  

RATING: 2-stars

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