Reviews

Ten Thousand I Love Yous is the first book I have read by Lisa Slabach. I thought it was a good read. I liked that the author was able to create a romance that is not your average cookie cutter romance. It was different and unique from those I have read in the past. It was refreshing to read something new. I enjoyed Kimberly’s story. I know that so many readers would be able to relate to her and what she was going through. She is a happily married woman just when her world crumbles when her husband wants to leave her. She suddenly has to learn about herself, find a new way of life and finding her new identity. It was inspiring to see how she was able to move forward and find the confidence in herself. Just as she becomes this confident woman, she is once again life turns her world upside down. I admire her strength, bravery, courage and the woman she became. I keep to reading to find out what difficult decisions she has to make.
I am giving Ten Thousand I Love Yous four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading fun contemporary fiction. I would be interested in reading more by Lisa Slabach in the future. I thought this one is definitely worth a read.
I received a paperback copy of Ten Thousand I Love Yous from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Ten Thousand I Love Yous is a women-centric contemporary romance novel written by Lisa Slabach. Kimberly Kirby, a freelance writer, finds her life turned upside down after her daughter's high school graduation. Her husband, Jay Braxton, unceremoniously dumps her, ending a twenty-year-old relationship. Feeling unwanted and lonely, Kimberly goes on a partying spree with her best friend, Valerie. However, she still has feelings for her ex-husband. She meets a handsome fireman with whom she soon indulges in a no-strings-attached physical relationship. Moreover, Kimberly moves to San Francisco and begins writing a sex and dating column for divorced women. But her life becomes further complicated when she has to choose between a talented young sous chef who adores her and Jay, who is desperate to win her back.
Author Lisa Slabach crafts a compelling romance drama about a strong woman who finds herself forced to overcome a crisis of self-doubt when her husband of twenty years leaves her out of the blue. The characters feel well-fleshed out, and Kimberly's inner resolve and choices go a long way in shaping her into the confident woman she later becomes. The relationship between her and Jay is realistic, and their changing dynamic throughout the book provides the narrative thrust to the story. Each character has believable agency to their actions, and it adds authenticity to the narrative. The plot is well-paced, and Kimberly's tale keeps you immersed in the story. If you're itching for some relationship-drama or women-centric romance, Ten Thousand I Love Yous is just the book for you. 

Reviewed by Cayla-Paige Nortje for Readers' Favorite
What do you do when your soulmate walks out on you to live a new life without you? That’s what Kimberly must find out for herself in Ten Thousand I Love Yous by Lisa Slabach. This is the story of one woman’s journey of finding her new normal after her divorce from Jay. With a daughter now starting college, this should have been the time that she and Jay would have grown even closer together, but now she finds herself having to navigate new relationships and romances, as well as re-establishing who Kimberly Braxton is without her other half. But what is life without a spanner being thrown into the works? After a year and a half, Jay speaks of reconciliation, but will she be able to forgive him and his words that tore her heart out? Or will he have to live with the biggest mistake of his life forever and watch her new life unfold from the sidelines?
Lisa Slabach delivers a beautiful rendition of how someone can create a new life after heartbreak in Ten Thousand I Love Yous. This story pulled at every single one of my heartstrings and I often found myself being so involved in the story that I would find myself crying and whooping for joy on Kimberly’s behalf: I believe that this is a testament to her ability to produce an outstanding story. The character development of Kimberly was so realistic because it was ever so subtle that it was more believable. I also enjoyed the fiery temper and pride that Kimberley possessed throughout the book. I couldn’t help but feel the love that Kimberly and Jay shared throughout their 18 years of marriage and found their being apart to be exceptionally poignant. This story reminded me that no matter your age, new beginnings are possible for everyone. 

Reviewed by Joanne Ang for Readers' Favorite
Ten Thousand I Love Yous is a romantic novel written by Lisa Slabach. The story starts with Kimberly Kirby, a young girl who got pregnant with her high school sweetheart, Jay Braxton, whilst still in school. Facing the tough decision between aborting and keeping the baby, the pair decided to face all odds that were thrown at them. Their love was so strong and unwavering, nothing could stop them on their way to eternal happiness. True to Jay’s promises, they watched their daughter grow into a successful young woman heading to UC Berkeley for college. Little did Kimberly know, but Jay had plans to leave her. Abandoned in an empty house that used to be filled with memories of the only one she ever loved, Kimberly finds happiness in a turmoil of heartache and disbelief.
Ten Thousand I Love Yous is a brilliant romance novel by Lisa Slabach. Lisa managed to capture the complicated emotions that go with a divorce, without compromising its intensity. Losing the one you have only ever loved does not stop at anger and sadness. Grief, guilt, jealousy, and wishful thinking are wonderfully expressed in Lisa’s detailed writing. Kimberly’s struggles between juggling to find her new life and identity while taking care of her teenage daughter are scenarios that are realistic and those that find themselves in a similar situation surely will relate to it. I would recommend this book for readers interested in a wild adventure of lust, love, and finding themselves. Ten Thousand I Love Yous is an amazing novel about not realizing the value of someone until you lose them. I loved this book! 

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
Kimberly Braxton was happy with her daughter graduating from high school and heading to Berkeley University to become an attorney. Unbeknownst to Kimberly, her husband, Jay Braxton, was about to make the joyous event become a nightmare. The day after Haley went off to college, Jay told Kimberly, “I don’t love you anymore.” He left her alone in their dream home to deal with her 18-year marriage ending abruptly. Feeling blindsided, she fell into a depression. She looked in the mirror and started making changes hoping to get Jay back. She lost weight and gained employment writing a Divorcee Dating Column. Her friend Valerie shows up and gets her to go to a bar. She meets a fireman who gives her a confidence boost. As she spends more time with Kevin, she begins to forget about Jay and become more open to a serious relationship. Kevin has a secret that she never expected.
Ten Thousand I Love Yous by Lisa Slabach is a dramatic story about personal growth and self-recognition. Kimberly felt blindsided, but as the story progressed, she began to understand that her divorce wasn’t out of nowhere. I like how Ten Thousand I Love Yous shows people the psychological damage divorce causes to everyone involved. Kimberly obviously became depressed at the beginning. Her depression affected her work and even caused Haley to not come home during the summer break. I was furious with how Jay seemed to feel the need to interfere with any relationship that Kimberly tried to have. I was able to connect with Kimberly’s emotions, and I could easily relate to them. The pace of the story was well-balanced, and I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to know what twist was going to be added next. I honestly liked how one of her boyfriends, Joshua, was able to point out how Kimberly still wanted Jay. As young as Joshua was, he was more mature than Jay and Kevin. The end of the story leads Kimberly to make the choice of how she wanted to live her life. I recommend this story to anyone who likes an intense romance novel that takes you down a path you never expect. 

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Ten Thousand I Love Yous is a work of fiction in the women’s writing, interpersonal drama, and romance subgenres. It was penned for the adult reading audience by author Lisa Slabach and does contain some moderately explicit sexual scenes as well as the use of explicit language now and then. We meet Kimberly Kirby and Jax Braxton, high school sweethearts who thought their lives were totally set from the tender age of sixteen. But twenty years later, Jay ups and leaves without warning, and Kimberly determines that she will rediscover what love means without him. Torn between her newfound freedom and the prospect of Jay crawling back to her, what results is an emotive story about different kinds of love.
Author Lisa Slabach offers a novel with surprises at every turn and truly realistic characters that could easily have stepped out of real life to put their truths down on these pages. I found the relationship between Kim and Jay to be highly realistic for a couple that has been together for so long without really exploring the world as adults in their own right, and it was so interesting to see them discover new things about themselves beyond the realms of being partners and parents together. The dialogue was a really big hitter, with resonant emotional lines that cut through pivotal scenes, but also some great funny moments and witty commentary in the narrative voice. Overall, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ten Thousand I Love Yous to readers who appreciate realistic dramas about independence, discovery, and the true meaning of love.