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From a young age, we’re surrounded by books and movies that have us believe that love should be something grand and extravagant—a sweep-you-off-your-feet fairy tale experience. But in Sophie Kinsella’s Love Your Life, one couple discovers that the fairy tale doesn’t last forever.
The story travels to a romance writing retreat in Italy with aspiring novelist and aromatherapist Ava. Ava leaves her friends and her beloved dog, Harold, behind in London, only to find real-life romance when a neighboring martial arts retreat is canceled and a few of the group join the writing retreat instead. To keep the focus on writing, names and personal lives are kept secret, and Ava finds herself falling for a guy she knows only as “Dutch.” But when they both return to London, determined to keep their romance alive, they find the adjustment to their real lives and real personalities challenging.
Love Your Life is the story of what happens to a vacation romance after the vacation is over. Though “Aria” and “Dutch” fell madly, head-over-heels in love in Italy, when they return to being Ava and Matt in London, it definitely changes their relationship. Suddenly, their long, lazy days of writing and exploring and delicious Italian food give way to the stress of work and the pressures of everyday life. They have friends and families and jobs to deal with—and now they find themselves in a committed relationship with someone who’s practically a stranger.
As you might expect, this sudden change causes plenty of frustrations and misunderstandings for Matt and Ava—and they’re forced to face obstacles that are much greater than the typical chick lit conflicts. Both characters can be maddening—but especially Ava, who tries to force her life, her desires, and her neuroses on Matt, whose commitment is tested by both Ava’s jealousy and her shirt-eating dog. It’s clear that neither one is happy. Ava has hopes and dreams that never seem to come true, while Matt is stuck working a job that he clearly hates for his family’s business because his parents won’t let him walk away. The story shows how that unhappiness—along with the characters’ insecurities—can have a damaging effect on even the most committed relationship. And it’s sure to keep readers wondering about how things will ever work out for these two very different people.
From holiday to home again, Love Your Life explores the ups and downs of these characters, their lives, and their relationship. It can be frustrating at times, but it’s still a lighthearted read about the challenges of real-life romance.
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