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One True Loves

One True Loves is a 2016 novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

One True Loves is a 2016 novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It follows Emma Blair, whose husband is presumed dead after a helicopter crash, only for him to reappear years later after she has become engaged to another man. The novel explores grief, identity, and the difficult question of how love changes over time.

Plot

The novel follows Emma Blair after the presumed death of her husband, Jesse Lerner, in a helicopter crash. Years later, just as she is engaged to Sam Kemper, Jesse is found alive, forcing Emma to confront competing versions of her life.

Themes

The story explores love, loss, and whether people can remain the same after major life changes. It also considers identity, family expectations, and the meaning of commitment.

Publication

One True Loves was published in 2016 and is commonly identified as a romance novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Characters

The central characters are Emma Blair, Jesse Lerner, and Sam Kemper. Emma’s emotional conflict drives the novel’s narrative and its central choice.

Key facts

  • The novel centres on Emma Blair, who must choose between a presumed-dead first husband and a current fiancé when her first husband returns alive.
  • Jesse Lerner is lost in a helicopter crash and later reappears after being believed dead for years.
  • Emma builds a new life after Jesse’s disappearance, including a relationship with Sam Kemper.
  • The book examines themes of soulmates, family expectations, identity, grief, and changing relationships over time.
  • It was published in 2016 by Washington Square Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
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Canadian context

Taylor Jenkins Reid is widely read in Canada, and One True Loves is part of contemporary North American popular fiction commonly available to Canadian readers through major bookstores and libraries.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote One True Loves?
It was written by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
When was One True Loves published?
It was published in 2016.
What is One True Loves about?
It is about a woman whose husband is presumed dead, only for him to return years later after she has become engaged to someone else.
Who is the main character?
The main character is Emma Blair.
What genre is One True Loves?
It is a romance novel.
What themes does the novel explore?
It explores love, grief, identity, family expectations, and how relationships change over time.

References

  1. SuperSummary — https://www.supersummary.com/one-true-loves/summary/
    Supports: Author, publication year, central premise, and thematic overview.
  2. Cynthia in the Wild — https://cynthiainthewild.com/one-true-loves-by-taylor-jenkins-reid-book-review/
    Supports: Plot details involving Emma, Jesse, Sam, and the central relationship conflict.
  3. Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27189194-one-true-loves
    Supports: Plot summary, characters, and basic setting details.
  4. Sam Still Reading — https://samstillreading.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/review-one-true-loves-by-taylor-jenkins-reid/
    Supports: Publication year, page count, publisher, and setting.