Title: Just the Two of Us
Author: Jo Wilde
Genre: Romance
Published On: April 12 2022 (US Edition)
Publisher: Forever
Source: digital (Books Forward)
Pages: 320
Synopsis:
A couple on the brink of divorce after 35 years of marriage gets a second chance to rediscover their love now that a pandemic lockdown has forced them to spend more time together.
Julie and Michael Marshall have stayed together through thick and thin, through better and worse — and, for the last few years, it has mostly been worse. As their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary approaches, Julie realizes something: she doesn’t want to pretend anymore.
Divorce papers at the ready, she’s just about to have The Talk with Michael when everything changes. Lockdown begins and Julie and Michael face the greatest terror they can imagine: uninterrupted time with each other. But, when stripped of all distraction and forced to meet eyes across the dinner table, could it be that Julie and Michael might find a way back to where they first began?
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
A quiet, simple love story that is oddly rejuvenating and comforting for a pandemic novel. When I was invited to read this sweet second chance romance, I already had a list of advanced copies I needed to get to for the month, but I couldn’t say no to the intriguing premise. I haven’t been successful with pandemic or apocalyptic books the past few years, but the idea of a book where something good comes from the pandemic?? And a romance?! It sounded refreshing, and I wanted to give it a try.
I’m so very happy that I did. I read Just the Two of Us quickly, not wanting to set it down. Happily immersed in the simplicity of the hyper-focused story. The pandemic is just a backdrop, an inciter to Michael and Julie’s story.
We meet this couple as the world is shutting down, as their town is entering lockdown. After almost thirty-five years of marriage and three children, Michael and Julie have grown apart as they became empty nesters, even sleeping in separate rooms for the past two years. Unbeknownst to Michael, Julie has picked up divorce papers. When suddenly they discover they’ll be stuck at home alone together for the foreseeable future, Julie can’t bring herself to give the papers to Michael just yet.
As the story progresses through that strangest spring of 2020, we discover what has gone wrong between this couple. Through dual point of views and flashbacks, we meet these characters and their family. We learn how they’ve changed and how they still love each other very much. But both parties have said and done hurtful things—those things that may seem small on the surface but lead to big feelings.
“Maybe bit by bit, over the last five years, she’d withdrawn into things of her own and not left enough room for them both.”
Jo Wilde Just the Two of Us
And as someone who is approaching their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, I could empathize with those little things that chip away at couples, like they do in the novel. Those things we leave unsaid because we think they’re silly or won’t matter. When we feel like someone we’ve been with for so long should just know what we’re thinking and feeling without being told. But that isn’t always the case. People are complicated and we never truly know what the other person is going through without clear communication.
This novel also reminded me of how in the early days of the pandemic, life became so much more simpler again. Peaceful in a strange way. As long as we were healthy, had food and toilet paper, we had the time again to focus on each other, on creating, on nature. And it made me nostalgic for the time. Not that I want to repeat it, but it’s nice to look back and know something good came from such a dark time.
I would love for this gentle story to get the attention it deserves. It’s hopeful and sweet, an inspiring tale about the enduring power of love—in everyday life, as well as when the world around us is in chaos.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Books Forward for providing me with an advance copy.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
Rating:
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About the Author
A Song For A Book
Every time I picked up this book, the title had me singing “Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers, which yes, probably shows my age. So it seems only fitting that it’s the song I highlight in my review. And the lyrics are pretty perfect for the book, as well. I also couldn’t resist making a playlist since the author mentioned several songs and artists. You can find it below! 🙂
I see the crystal raindrops fall
And the beauty of it all
Is when the sun comes shining through
To make those rainbows in my mind
When I think of you sometime
And I wanna spend some time with you
Just the two of us
We can make it if we try
Just the two of us
(Just the two of us)
Just the two of us
Building castles in the sky
Just the two of us
You and I
We look for love, no time for tears
Wasted water’s all that is
And it don’t make no flowers grow
Good things might come to those who wait
Not for those who wait too late
We gotta go for all we know…
Have you read Just the Two of Us? Did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
This sounds interesting. I know what you mean about the early days of the pandemic narrowing focus and making things simple. (Though it was also really scary. I don’t want to do that again, even while I do kinda miss the simplicity.) I’ve been able to enjoy stories where COVID is the backdrop, so it’s good to know this is one of those. I don’t think I could handle one where it was the focus of the story.
Exactly! I was invited to read Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult, and I knew I wasn’t ready for it. I’m only sticking to positive stories that include the pandemic. This one was a charmer! 🙂
Oh man, I just looked up the plot of the Picoult book, and that is NOT one I would be ready for. I think you made a good choice in your criteria!
Yes, it’s a heavy one!
I just love that it’s a positive story about COVID and lockdown. And I do enjoy when it’s a married couple that have to find a way back to each other.
Yes! I do have a fondness for stripped down stories. There’s something so comforting when the focus is only on a love story. Especially when it’s a second chance one. 🙂
As much as I have poo-pooed having the pandemic being part of my fictional world, I love the idea of two people with that much history falling back in love during lockdown.
Yes! I was the same way, so when I was offered to read this twist, I had to give it a try just to test myself. 😉 So glad I did!
Oh, geez–This sounds so good. As someone who’s been married for almost two decades I think I could relate to this story! LOVE this review!
Yes! Same here. So much to relate to. Such a quiet and sweet book.
This sounds absolutely delightful, Dedra. Divorce lawyers were kept very busy during the pandemic, so it sounds wonderful that this book is the reverse. I am going to add this to my TBR. Now to listen to your playlist.
Yay! I hope you get to pick it up soon and share your thoughts. I hope you enjoy the playlist! <3
I very much enjoyed the playlist. Now to see if I get approved for it. 🤞
Oh, I hope you do!