Jason and Nicole are set to go on the trip of a lifetime motorbiking around South America; Jason’s trip of a lifetime, that is. Nicole is dreading it, and is brewing her own getaway to Santa Fe, to follow her dream in jewellery design. But how to make Jason come around to the idea of nine months apart? A dinner invite to neighbours they barely know gives Nicole the key to the puzzle; these neighbours regularly take time apart invoking the 500 Mile Rule where, within certain parameters, anything goes. 

While the 500 Mile Rule is the element that adds the sizzle to this story (in theory, but ultimately it’s not a prominent aspect of the novel), and we do get chapters from Jason’s point of view to add perspective, the real heart of this novel is Nicole’s own soul-searching and journey of self-discovery in Santa Fe. Going back and forth in time, the novel reveals Nicole and Jason’s backstory, how they got together and grew as a couple, in contrast to their decisions in the present, and the separate journeys they are now taking. Married for 23 years, and with grown children off enjoying their own adventures in different corners of the globe, one of the themes explored is the sacrifices primarily women often make when children come into play, from pulling back on their careers, to never putting themselves first in the daily grind of family life. Nicole now has a chance to put her creativity and her passions first in a new environment, challenging herself and gaining insights, about herself and her marriage, along the way. Dolan conjures a wonderful picture of Santa Fe as a vibrant, creative community with a colourful and interesting cast of characters, also on their own journeys and each in their own way encouraging Nicole to live her most authentic life. 

Although the premise of the novel is a sabbatical from a marriage, and Dolan does explore themes of growth, change, sacrifice, and lack of communication within marriage, as well as how Jason’s own experiences have impacted their relationship, it’s Nicole’s personal journey that emerges as the most compelling part of the novel. Watching her find herself again as the novel unfolds, slowly but surely, is a pleasure.

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The Marriage Sabbatical was published by William Morrow in April 2024. Thank you to Wunderkind PR for the DRC.

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Lian Dolan is a writer and talker. She’s the USA Today Bestselling author of The Marriage Sabbatical, a People Magazine Best Book of the Week, published by  William Morrow in April 2024.  Her other books are Lost and Found in Paris, The Sweeney Sisters, Helen of Pasadena and Elizabeth the First Wife – all LA Times bestsellers. She’s written regular columns for O, The Oprah Magazine, Pasadena Magazine and Working Mother Magazine. She’s also written for TV, radio and websites. Full bio here.