FOREVER, INTERRUPTED tells the story of a young woman who elopes after a whirlwind romance and then must face the sudden death of her adoring husband. She must come to terms with his loss while forming an unlikely relationship with his mother – who didn’t know she existed. Daphne showed up with two eggs Benedicts and my iced tea. She put them down in front of us, and I didn’t realize how hungry I’d been until the food was staring me in the face. I dug right in.

In this book, Elise, becomes a widow after a brief marriage of less than two weeks to a guy she had barely known for six months, Ben. Despite her brief time with Ben, he was the love of her life. The novel depicts her grieving and healing process. We also meet Elise's new Mother-In-Law, Susan; We follow Susan's grief, as well as her road to accepting Elise - she didn't know Elise existed or that her son was married! Ana nodded, chewing. When it started to look like she could speak without spitting food, she added, “I mean, if I meet someone and fall in love, sure. But until then, nobody’s getting in here.” She made an x in the air with her utensils. When it started raining, I knew I’d been right to stay inside. Ana called a few hours later asking what I was doing. The plot of Forever, Interrupted isn’t strictly linear and, instead, alternates between Ben and Elsie’s courtship and Elsie’s mourning. How did this affect your reading experience? Why do you think the author made this narrative choice? I really didn’t think this was going to happen. I thought bad things only happened to people with hubris. They don’t happen to people like me, people that know how fragile life is, people that respect the authority of a higher power. But it has. It has happened to me.” Taylor Jenkins ReidThis is a beautiful story. It’s emotional but not as maudlin as I thought it might get. The book alternates between tracing the course of Elsie and Ben's relationship and the present day, as she navigates her new reality. No matter how strong you are, no matter how smart you are or tough you can be, the world will find a way to break you. And when it does, the only thing you can do is hold on.” Taylor Jenkins Reid

An entirely fresh and new perspective on what can happen after the "happily ever after”’ Jen Lancaster I enjoyed how the story progressed and though it was obviously sad and poignant, there were moments of humour and hope too. Forever, Interrupted Book Review: SummaryA tale of grief and heartache, and learning to live again. Elsie meets Ben in a pizza shop on New Year’s Day. They instantly connect and go on a daylong date the following day. After a six month whirlwind romance, they get married - because when you know, you know. What neither of them knew is that just nine days later, Ben would be hit by a car and not survive. Leaving Elsie a widow after just nine days of marriage. Taylor Jenkins Reid has written a poignant and heartfelt exploration of love and commitment in the absence of shared time that asks, what does it take to be the love of someone's life? New York Times bestselling authors - Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus Starred Review. Touching and powerful...Reid masterfully grabs hold of the heartstrings and doesn't let go. A stunning first novel." - Publishers Weekly

Pretend you are casting the film version of Forever, Interrupted. Who would play Elsie and Ben? Susan and Ana? What about Mr. Callahan? Ah. Okay, well, we’ll make this easy on you. Two eggs Benedict and I’ll have an iced tea like she has,” I said. My body calms. My eyes dry. My face freezes, and my gaze falls onto a scaffolding and stays there. My arms feel numb. I’m not sure if I’m standing or sitting. This reading group guide for Forever, Interrupted includes discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book. Sweetheart, I’m telling you, you love someone like that, you love them the right way, and no time would be enough. It doesn’t matter if you’d had 30 years, it wouldn’t be enough”When Elsie Porter meets Ben Ross on a rainy New Year’s Day, their chemistry is instant and electric. Within weeks, the two are head over heels in love. By May, they’ve eloped. I loved how you split the chapters between now and then, but I wasn’t really hooked until you got to the NOW...and that’s because Elsie isn’t a character I enjoyed. I get that she’s going through pain and sorrow, but she is a BRAT! I didn’t care for her (or frankly, even Ben) until after he died and Elsie started getting close to Susan. Forever, Interrupted weaves a beautiful love story with a terrible tragedy. Told in alternating timelines, each chapter progresses sequentially from two different arcs: one of a blooming, forever love and another of overcoming a sudden, inexplicable loss. Each storyline moves effortlessly and seamlessly through the connected stages, while also emphasizing the strengthening of old friendships and the forging of new ones. Whether told in past or present voice, Reid’s debut is a superb read from start to finish!” Forever, Interrupted weaves a beautiful love story with a terrible tragedy. Told in alternating timelines, each chapter progresses sequentially from two different arcs: one of a blooming, forever love and another of overcoming a sudden, inexplicable loss. Each storyline moves effortlessly and seamlessly through the connected stages, while also emphasizing the strengthening of old friendships and the forging of new ones. Whether told in past or present voice, Reid’s debut is a superb read from start to finish! Romantic Times