After Our Divorce, I Still Wore Your Jacket

My Thoughts on After Our Divorce, I Still Wore Your Jacket

"After Our Divorce, I Still Wore Your Jacket" is a drama-heavy yaoi novel that dives into the complexities of long-term relationships, divorce, and second chances. It's a story about Yuan He and Fang Shao Yi, a celebrity couple navigating the messy aftermath of their split. I went in expecting fluff, but what I got was a mature, often bittersweet, exploration of love, loss, and the entertainment industry.

First Impressions

The initial chapters hooked me. The premise of a divorced couple forced to participate in a reality show together is rife with dramatic potential. The flashbacks to their past relationship were well-integrated, creating a "how did we end up here?" kind of atmosphere. I was intrigued by the characters and their dynamic. I was prepared for angst, and I got it, but there was a surprising amount of sweetness woven in. I was immediately invested in seeing them find their way back to each other or, at least, find peace.

What Works Well

The author excels at portraying the nuances of a relationship that has spanned many years. The story felt believable and mature. Many readers appreciated the realistic depiction of the entertainment world, showcasing the darker side of the industry, the compromises people make, and the pressures faced by those in the spotlight. The characters felt flawed and human, which made them relatable. I particularly liked the proactive nature of the MC, Yuan He. He knows what he wants and isn't afraid to pursue it, which is a refreshing change from some of the more passive MCs I've encountered. The novel explores how communication, or a lack thereof, can erode a relationship over time. Both characters grow and learn from their mistakes, making the journey feel worthwhile.

Areas of Concern

While I enjoyed the novel overall, some aspects didn't quite resonate with me. The pacing felt slow at times, and the reason for the divorce, when revealed, felt somewhat anticlimactic to me. I can see why some readers found the ML's behavior frustrating. His actions sometimes felt petty and vindictive, creating an imbalance of power in the relationship that was difficult to stomach.

Final Verdict

Despite its flaws, "After Our Divorce, I Still Wore Your Jacket" is a compelling read. It's a mature and nuanced story about love, loss, and the challenges of maintaining a long-term relationship. If you're looking for a fluff-filled romance, this isn't it. But if you're willing to delve into the complexities of human relationships, with all their messiness and heartache, you might find this novel as precious as I did. It's not perfect, but it's real, and that's what makes it special.