The Marriage Sabbatical

May 15, 2025May 21, 2025 by onemoreexclamation

Welcome to the The Marriage Sabbatical by Lian Dolan book tour hosted by Suzy Approved Book Tours.

About The Marriage Sabbatical

Title: The Marriage Sabbatical

Author: Lian Dolan

Released: April 15, 2025

Find it: Amazon

After twenty-three years of building careers and raising kids together, Jason and Nicole Elswick are ready for a break from their daily lives. Jason has spent years planning his dream sabbatical—ditching work for a nine-month-long motorcycle trip through South America. Problem is, that’s Jason’s dream, not Nicole’s. After years working retail and parenting in Portland, Nicole craves the sun of the Southwest and the artistic community in Santa Fe, where she wants to learn jewelry design.

A chance encounter at a dinner party presents a surprising—and intriguing—way out of their dilemma. Over a little too much wine, Jason and Nicole’s married neighbors sing the praises of the 500 Mile Rule: their policy of enjoying themselves however they wish—and with whomever they wish—when they’re temporarily far apart. It seems like the perfect solution: nine months pursuing their own adventures—with a bit of don’t-ask-don’t-tell—and then a return to their shared lives. It’ll be a sabbatical from their marriage as well as their day jobs.

As Jason bikes his way across a continent and Nicole reclaims the art she’s long neglected, they discover the pleasures and pitfalls of the 500 Mile Rule, confronting temptations of all kinds, uncomfortable truths about themselves, and gaining new perspective on their partnership.

But all sabbaticals come to an end…then what?

Review for The Marriage Sabbatical

So, here’s the scoop: Jason and Nicole have been married for 23 years, and instead of slipping into a midlife rut, they decide to go on separate nine-month adventures—he’s off riding motorcycles through South America, and she’s heading to Santa Fe to dive into the artsy life. Very “Eat, Pray, Love” vibes… times two.

Enter the 500 Mile Rule—a spicy little idea their neighbors casually drop. The gist? If you’re more than 500 miles from home, all bets are off. Jason and Nicole laugh it off… until their adventures begin. But don’t worry, no spoilers here.

Told in dual POVs, the story bounces between Jason and Nicole, giving you a front-row seat to their individual journeys. I appreciated the way both perspectives felt distinct yet equally compelling. You get to root for them both, even when they’re making questionable choices.

Now, would I ever try this rule in my own marriage? Absolutely not. But as a concept for a novel? It makes for one heck of a ride. There’s a solid dose of self-discovery, some fun side characters that round things out nicely, and the writing flows like a breezy vacation read.

Bottom line: Even if the rule itself feels more like fiction than feasible, the story makes you think about what it really means to chase your dreams—and how relationships evolve when people change. If you’re into love, growth, and a little drama on the side, this one’s worth the trip

About The Author

Lian Dolan is a writer and talker. She is the author of The Marriage Sabbatical, Lost and Found in Paris, The Sweeney Sisters, Helen of Pasadena, and Elizabeth the First Wife. Lian has written regular columns for O, The Oprah Magazine, Working Mother Magazine, and Pasadena Magazine. She is also the co-creator and producer of Satellite Sisters, an award-winning podcast and online community for women, which she hosts with her four sisters. Lian graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, California, with a degree in Classics and now lives in Pasadena with her husband and grown sons.

Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter X – TikTok – Threads: @liandolan