Christine Pride’s solo debut novel arrives with the weight of expectation, following her successful collaboration with Jo Piazza on “We Are Not Like Them.” While “All the Men I’ve Loved Again” delivers on its promise of exploring love’s complexity, it wrestles with the ambitious scope of spanning two decades and two timelines in ways that both elevate and occasionally burden the narrative.
The novel centers on Cora Belle, a character who evolves from a sheltered, anxious college freshman in 1999 to a forty-something woman still grappling with questions of identity and belonging. Pride’s greatest achievement lies in creating a protagonist whose journey toward self-discovery feels both universal and deeply personal, even when the path becomes predictable.
The Dance Between Past and Present
The dual timeline structure serves as both the novel’s strength and its most challenging element. Pride navigates between 1999 and 2021 with commendable skill, using Cora’s college years to illuminate the roots of her adult struggles. The 1999 sections pulse with authentic late-90s energy, complete with TLC references and Y2K anxieties that ground the story in a specific cultural moment.
However, the constant shifting between timelines occasionally disrupts the narrative flow. Just as readers begin to invest emotionally in young Cora’s college romance with Lincoln, the story jumps forward to her present-day reunion with Aaron. This structure, while thematically appropriate for a story about cycles and repetition, can feel jarring and prevents deeper immersion in either timeline.
The Men in Question
Pride’s character development shines brightest in her portrayal of the central love triangle. Lincoln emerges as more than the typical “safe choice” archetype—he’s genuinely caring, successful, and devoted, making Cora’s eventual rejection of him feel like a real loss rather than an inevitable plot point. His privilege and controlling tendencies are subtly woven throughout, creating a character who is both admirable and frustrating.
Aaron, the artistic photographer with kidney disease, represents the road not taken. Pride avoids making him a perfect romantic hero, instead crafting someone whose struggles with illness and self-worth create genuine barriers to love. His reluctance to burden Cora with his health challenges adds layers of complexity to their relationship that transcend typical romance novel obstacles.
The supporting cast, particularly Cora’s college friends Neisha and Kim, provides crucial emotional anchoring. Their friendship feels lived-in and authentic, with the kind of easy intimacy that comes from shared history and mutual understanding.
The Weight of Choice
Where Pride truly excels is in her exploration of how we become ourselves through the choices we make—and don’t make. Cora’s journey from people-pleasing college student to self-aware adult unfolds with psychological realism. The novel’s central question isn’t simply “which man will she choose?” but rather “who will she choose to be?”
The letters between Cora and Aaron serve as a particularly effective device, revealing their deep connection while highlighting the barriers that kept them apart. These epistolary elements showcase Pride’s ability to capture different voices and emotional registers, adding texture to the narrative.
Where the Novel Stumbles
Despite its emotional intelligence, the novel occasionally falls into predictable patterns. The “choosing between two men” premise, while given depth through Pride’s character work, still feels somewhat familiar. Additionally, the resolution, while satisfying, arrives with a sense of inevitability that diminishes some of the story’s emotional impact.
The pacing suffers in places, particularly during the middle sections where Cora’s indecision begins to feel repetitive rather than psychologically revealing. Some readers may find themselves wanting to shake the protagonist and demand she make a decision, though this frustration mirrors the character’s own internal struggle.
The Prose and Style
Pride’s writing demonstrates the polish expected from someone with her editorial background. Her prose is clean and accessible, with moments of genuine beauty that don’t feel forced. She has a particular gift for capturing the specific textures of memory and nostalgia, making the 1999 sections feel authentically lived-in rather than simply researched.
The dialogue rings true, especially in the conversations between Cora and her friends. Pride captures the way people actually speak to each other, complete with interruptions, misunderstandings, and the comfortable shorthand of long friendship.
Cultural and Social Context
One of the novel’s most valuable contributions is its honest portrayal of being a Black woman navigating predominantly white spaces. Cora’s college experience, her relationship with Lincoln, and her professional life all carry the weight of racial dynamics that Pride handles with nuance and authenticity.
“All the Men I’ve Loved Again” also addresses class differences, mental health struggles, and the particular challenges of loving someone with chronic illness. These elements feel integral to the story rather than added for representation points.
The Verdict
“All the Men I’ve Loved Again” succeeds as both a romance and a coming-of-age story, despite its structural challenges. Pride has created a protagonist whose journey toward self-acceptance feels earned and meaningful. While the novel may not break entirely new ground in the romance genre, it offers enough psychological depth and cultural authenticity to distinguish itself from more conventional offerings.
“All the Men I’ve Loved Again” works best for readers who appreciate character-driven narratives and don’t mind a slower pace in service of emotional development. Those seeking a straightforward romance might find the psychological complexity and dual timeline structure more challenging than satisfying.
Similar Reads and Recommendations
Readers who enjoyed “All the Men I’ve Loved Again” might appreciate:
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Another dual timeline story about love and identity
“Conversations with Friends” by Sally Rooney – Explores complex relationships and self-discovery
“Queenie” by Candice Carty-Williams – A Black British woman navigating identity and relationships
“The Proposal” by Jasmine Guillory – Contemporary romance with depth and cultural authenticity
“Such a Fun Age” by Kiley Reid – Explores racial dynamics and personal growth
Final Thoughts
Christine Pride has crafted a thoughtful, emotionally resonant novel that tackles universal themes of love, identity, and self-discovery. While “All the Men I’ve Loved Again” may not achieve the seamless execution of a perfect romance, it offers something more valuable: a genuine exploration of what it means to choose not just whom to love, but who to become. For readers willing to invest in Cora’s journey, the novel rewards patience with insights about the complicated nature of love and the courage required to be authentic.
“All the Men I’ve Loved Again” stands as a solid foundation for Pride’s solo career, demonstrating her ability to create complex, relatable characters while addressing important cultural and social themes. It’s a novel that will likely find its devoted readership among those who appreciate romance with substance and aren’t afraid to grapple with life’s messier emotional realities.