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The Ever After
In this intricate and enthralling domestic drama the author of the “gossipy page-turner” (Glamour) The Perfect Neighbors goes deep into a marriage in crisis, peeling back layers of secrets to discover where the relationship veered off course—and whether it is worth saving.
Josie and Frank Moore are happy… at least Josie thinks they are. As parents of two young girls in the Chicago suburbs, their days can be both busy and monotonous, and sometimes Josie wonders how she became a harried fortysomething mother rather than the driven career woman she once was. But Frank is a phenomenal father, he’s handsome and charismatic, and he still looks at his wife like she’s the beautiful woman he married more than a decade ago. Josie isn’t just happy—she’s lucky.
Until one Saturday morning when Josie borrows her husband’s phone to make a quick call—and sees nine words that shatter her world.
Now Josie feels as if she is standing at the edge of a sharp precipice. As she looks back at pivotal moments in the relationship she believed would last forever, she is also plunging ahead, surprising everyone (especially herself) with how far she will go to uncover the extent of her husband’s devastating secret.
Josie and Frank Moore are happy… at least Josie thinks they are. As parents of two young girls in the Chicago suburbs, their days can be both busy and monotonous, and sometimes Josie wonders how she became a harried fortysomething mother rather than the driven career woman she once was. But Frank is a phenomenal father, he’s handsome and charismatic, and he still looks at his wife like she’s the beautiful woman he married more than a decade ago. Josie isn’t just happy—she’s lucky.
Until one Saturday morning when Josie borrows her husband’s phone to make a quick call—and sees nine words that shatter her world.
Now Josie feels as if she is standing at the edge of a sharp precipice. As she looks back at pivotal moments in the relationship she believed would last forever, she is also plunging ahead, surprising everyone (especially herself) with how far she will go to uncover the extent of her husband’s devastating secret.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 5, 2018
About the author
Sarah Pekkanen
29 books6,445 followersI'm a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 15 solo and coauthored books, including HOUSE OF GLASS, which is a Goodreads Choice award nominee and Amazon best book of the year.
My upcoming thriller, THE LOCKED WARD, is being hailed by Lee Child as "psychological suspense at its very best."
I'm also the coauthor of four bestselling thrillers: THE GOLDEN COUPLE, THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
I've also written eight novels that are contemporary fiction, not thrillers: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON'T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. My linked free short estories, published by Simon&Schuster exclusively for ereaders, are titled "All is Bright," and "Love, Accidentally."
When I'm not writing or spending time with my three kids, I'm a passionate advocate for rescue animals. I serve as Ambassador of RRSA India, a shelter and sanctuary for abused and injured street dogs and other animals in Anand, India. And I'm the founder of the nonprofit charity IndiaStreetPaws.com.
I also serve on the board of the International Thriller Writers. Readers and writers - come join us at Thrillerfest in NYC every spring!
Please find me on Insta and Facebook for more!
My website is www.sarahpekkanen.com
(Here on Goodreads, my policy is to only review books I really like. If I don't enjoy the book, I won't write about it - it's just my personal policy.)
My upcoming thriller, THE LOCKED WARD, is being hailed by Lee Child as "psychological suspense at its very best."
I'm also the coauthor of four bestselling thrillers: THE GOLDEN COUPLE, THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
I've also written eight novels that are contemporary fiction, not thrillers: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON'T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. My linked free short estories, published by Simon&Schuster exclusively for ereaders, are titled "All is Bright," and "Love, Accidentally."
When I'm not writing or spending time with my three kids, I'm a passionate advocate for rescue animals. I serve as Ambassador of RRSA India, a shelter and sanctuary for abused and injured street dogs and other animals in Anand, India. And I'm the founder of the nonprofit charity IndiaStreetPaws.com.
I also serve on the board of the International Thriller Writers. Readers and writers - come join us at Thrillerfest in NYC every spring!
Please find me on Insta and Facebook for more!
My website is www.sarahpekkanen.com
(Here on Goodreads, my policy is to only review books I really like. If I don't enjoy the book, I won't write about it - it's just my personal policy.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 774 reviews
April 20, 2018
I hate to be so harsh, but this book was painful to read!
The Ever After starts off strong. One morning while sitting in the car while her husband Frank runs into Starbucks, Josie sees an incriminating email on Frank’s phone. She soon discovers that he is having an affair and must decide whether or not to stay in her marriage.
I couldn’t wait to see what Josie was going to uncover about Frank and her seemingly perfect marriage. But shortly after Josie finds out all of the details about her husband’s indiscretions, NOTHING happens. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good book where a character goes on an introspective journey but the moments that Josie reflects on lack significance. She consults with friends and therapists while trying to keep her head afloat. While these moments should be filled with complex emotions, they came off as wooden and banal.
My biggest issue with The Ever After is the writing--this book lacks depth and the dialogue feels strained. To me, it feels incomplete, almost like a first draft. I was prepared to delve into Josie and Frank’s relationship and unpack the nuances of their marriage, but all I found was surface level emotions, stilted dialogue, and tons of clichés. There just wasn’t much substance to what should have been an emotional read.
I am very much in the minority with my feelings about this book, so don’t decide whether or not to read it based on my review. Many readers have expressed their love for The Ever After and saw things that I did not.
I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
The Ever After starts off strong. One morning while sitting in the car while her husband Frank runs into Starbucks, Josie sees an incriminating email on Frank’s phone. She soon discovers that he is having an affair and must decide whether or not to stay in her marriage.
I couldn’t wait to see what Josie was going to uncover about Frank and her seemingly perfect marriage. But shortly after Josie finds out all of the details about her husband’s indiscretions, NOTHING happens. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good book where a character goes on an introspective journey but the moments that Josie reflects on lack significance. She consults with friends and therapists while trying to keep her head afloat. While these moments should be filled with complex emotions, they came off as wooden and banal.
My biggest issue with The Ever After is the writing--this book lacks depth and the dialogue feels strained. To me, it feels incomplete, almost like a first draft. I was prepared to delve into Josie and Frank’s relationship and unpack the nuances of their marriage, but all I found was surface level emotions, stilted dialogue, and tons of clichés. There just wasn’t much substance to what should have been an emotional read.
I am very much in the minority with my feelings about this book, so don’t decide whether or not to read it based on my review. Many readers have expressed their love for The Ever After and saw things that I did not.
I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
September 15, 2018
3.5*
That “dream sequence” walk down the aisle. The sacred vows to live, love and cherish for a lifetime. Isn’t that what we all dream of? The happily ever after.
Well that’s certainly what Josie thought she had. The perfect marriage to her loving, handsome husband Frank.
Then one simple question opens a deep, dark fracture that would ultimately turn her entire life upside down. 💔
Josie is on a one-woman crusade to dig into the past to determine the true extent of the damage done.
Did she really live in a bubble where life’s infidelities couldn’t touch her? Don’t we all want to live in that bubble and believe in the one person we open our hearts and soul to would never betray us.
This was a difficult book to give a rating, never mind review. I’m left with conflicted feelings.
On one side, I had sympathy for Josie and her plight to figure out the future for her and her family. On the other hand, another part of me remained unsettled throughout this book. Why, you may ask? I wish I had an easy answer for that. Was it the indiscretion itself? Or Josie’s reaction to it? Just can’t put my finger on it.
I did enjoy the therapy sessions (perhaps the highlight of the book for me). What left me a little disappointed was the ending...but you’ll have to read it to find out why.
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Sarah Pekkanen for an arc to read in exchange for an honest review.
That “dream sequence” walk down the aisle. The sacred vows to live, love and cherish for a lifetime. Isn’t that what we all dream of? The happily ever after.
Well that’s certainly what Josie thought she had. The perfect marriage to her loving, handsome husband Frank.
Then one simple question opens a deep, dark fracture that would ultimately turn her entire life upside down. 💔
Josie is on a one-woman crusade to dig into the past to determine the true extent of the damage done.
Did she really live in a bubble where life’s infidelities couldn’t touch her? Don’t we all want to live in that bubble and believe in the one person we open our hearts and soul to would never betray us.
This was a difficult book to give a rating, never mind review. I’m left with conflicted feelings.
On one side, I had sympathy for Josie and her plight to figure out the future for her and her family. On the other hand, another part of me remained unsettled throughout this book. Why, you may ask? I wish I had an easy answer for that. Was it the indiscretion itself? Or Josie’s reaction to it? Just can’t put my finger on it.
I did enjoy the therapy sessions (perhaps the highlight of the book for me). What left me a little disappointed was the ending...but you’ll have to read it to find out why.
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Sarah Pekkanen for an arc to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2018
3.25 Stars* (rounded down).
The moment Josie discovers that she has been betrayed by her husband, Frank, her life is shattered. The discovery of an email exchange between her husband Frank, and another woman on his cell phone, changes everything. Trust is gone. Wiped away in mere seconds. Love, destroyed. Their family? Torn apart.
What makes someone cheat? And how does one cope? “The Ever After” is a domestic drama which explores the subject of infidelity in a marriage. Josie’s feelings are both raw and real and the author, Sarah Pekkanen, explores the subject with complete and utter authenticity. In a way, this novel almost reads like a self help book, and while it was a bit predictable, it was a quick, easy read, with relatable characters, whose lives you can’t help but be drawn into. If you like domestic dramas, “The Ever After” might just be right up your alley.
Thank you to Rachel Brenner at Atria Books, NetGalley and Sarah Pekkanen for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads.
The moment Josie discovers that she has been betrayed by her husband, Frank, her life is shattered. The discovery of an email exchange between her husband Frank, and another woman on his cell phone, changes everything. Trust is gone. Wiped away in mere seconds. Love, destroyed. Their family? Torn apart.
What makes someone cheat? And how does one cope? “The Ever After” is a domestic drama which explores the subject of infidelity in a marriage. Josie’s feelings are both raw and real and the author, Sarah Pekkanen, explores the subject with complete and utter authenticity. In a way, this novel almost reads like a self help book, and while it was a bit predictable, it was a quick, easy read, with relatable characters, whose lives you can’t help but be drawn into. If you like domestic dramas, “The Ever After” might just be right up your alley.
Thank you to Rachel Brenner at Atria Books, NetGalley and Sarah Pekkanen for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads.
June 4, 2018
4 dramatic stars to The Ever After! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Sarah Pekkanen is back with the domestic drama, The Ever After. Inspired by a conversation Pekkanen overheard in a coffee shop, The Ever After has the ring of truth throughout, almost as if it is a journalistic study into one woman’s deeply personal experience with a wayward spouse.
Josie and Frank Moore appear to have it all. A Siena van with two adorable young daughters, living life in the Chicago suburbs.
Frank is a devoted, loving father and husband and the envy of Josie’s friends, until one day, Josie borrows his phone and an email pops up. From another woman. There is no denying it. Frank is cheating.
From the start, Frank minimizes the relationship. It was just emails. Then, when pushed harder, only kissing. But Josie will not stop until she uncovers what really happened between her husband and his mistress.
Sarah Pekkanen’s books have a human quality that endears me to them. Josie’s relatable story really could be anyone’s. As Pekkanen points out in her letter to the reader, one in three marriages experience cheating. We all probably know someone affected if we have not been directly impacted ourselves.
I longed for Josie to have a happy ending. She is a strong character, a strong woman, a strong mom, and I was captivated by her story that was brilliantly, dramatically, and sensitively told.
Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, Atria Books, and Netgalley for the ARC. The Ever After will be published on June 5, 2018.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Sarah Pekkanen is back with the domestic drama, The Ever After. Inspired by a conversation Pekkanen overheard in a coffee shop, The Ever After has the ring of truth throughout, almost as if it is a journalistic study into one woman’s deeply personal experience with a wayward spouse.
Josie and Frank Moore appear to have it all. A Siena van with two adorable young daughters, living life in the Chicago suburbs.
Frank is a devoted, loving father and husband and the envy of Josie’s friends, until one day, Josie borrows his phone and an email pops up. From another woman. There is no denying it. Frank is cheating.
From the start, Frank minimizes the relationship. It was just emails. Then, when pushed harder, only kissing. But Josie will not stop until she uncovers what really happened between her husband and his mistress.
Sarah Pekkanen’s books have a human quality that endears me to them. Josie’s relatable story really could be anyone’s. As Pekkanen points out in her letter to the reader, one in three marriages experience cheating. We all probably know someone affected if we have not been directly impacted ourselves.
I longed for Josie to have a happy ending. She is a strong character, a strong woman, a strong mom, and I was captivated by her story that was brilliantly, dramatically, and sensitively told.
Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, Atria Books, and Netgalley for the ARC. The Ever After will be published on June 5, 2018.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
June 13, 2018
Husband cheats. Wife is devastated. I just saved you several hours.
October 18, 2018
The Ever After is a domestic drama high on the drama that examines a marriage in crisis after our main character Josie finds out her husband is having an affair. We are drawn into Josie’s frantic search for answers as she examines her marriage and past. It all became so overwhelming to me and I just wanted to get to the end and close the pages to this story.
May 20, 2018
Josie is a young mother who believes that while her marriage may not be without flaws it certainly is solid. That is until the day Josie and her husband Frank are rushing to get their two young daughters to a birthday party they make a stop at a Starbucks where Josie realizes she forgot her own phone and needs to borrow Frank’s.
Before Frank returns to the car an email pops up on his phone that looks as if Frank has been having an affair. Livid and hurt Josie is more in a state of shock in the beginning but she knows that she needs to find out the details of just what her husband has been up to before she can make any decisions about their future.
The Ever After by Sarah Pekkanen is a domestic drama that takes a closer look at a couple that are experiencing some rocky times in their marriage. While reading this one I found myself quite on the fence with my feelings for the book and going back and forth on it’s merits.
One thing you will find is that Sarah Pekkanen is certainly a talented author as it is easy to move right through the story with her great writing. However, the longer the book went on I found myself thinking quite often, is this it? I just wanted the story to be more than it actually is. There’s certainly drama and the aftermath but I had a hard time with the fact that there really isn’t any answers either although I suppose that would be a realistic approach to a woman in that predicament it felt a let down in a book. When done with this one I know I will certainly read more from this author in the future but this one was just one of those it was ok but forgettable to me reads.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Before Frank returns to the car an email pops up on his phone that looks as if Frank has been having an affair. Livid and hurt Josie is more in a state of shock in the beginning but she knows that she needs to find out the details of just what her husband has been up to before she can make any decisions about their future.
The Ever After by Sarah Pekkanen is a domestic drama that takes a closer look at a couple that are experiencing some rocky times in their marriage. While reading this one I found myself quite on the fence with my feelings for the book and going back and forth on it’s merits.
One thing you will find is that Sarah Pekkanen is certainly a talented author as it is easy to move right through the story with her great writing. However, the longer the book went on I found myself thinking quite often, is this it? I just wanted the story to be more than it actually is. There’s certainly drama and the aftermath but I had a hard time with the fact that there really isn’t any answers either although I suppose that would be a realistic approach to a woman in that predicament it felt a let down in a book. When done with this one I know I will certainly read more from this author in the future but this one was just one of those it was ok but forgettable to me reads.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 9, 2018
Holy crap, was that a waste of time. Literally nothing happened in the entire book. NOTHING. He cheats and she finds out. Then he lies and she’s mad. They go to counseling and they’re all better now! Hell no.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2018
I was a huge fan of The Wife Between Us which Pekkanen co authored with Greer Hendricks but I had never read her solo stuff before. This is very different from TWBU, it’s more of a psychological drama than a thriller, so I just wanted to make sure that you guys were aware of that, because if you’re looking for something similar it’s really not. BUT this was good, just in a totally different way, think less tension, no twists, straight up women’s fiction with an emphasis on Josie’s emotional journey.
I liked the way this was structured, it may even have been my favorite aspect, it was set mostly in the present as Josie deals with the effects of her husband’s betrayal but there are a handful of chapters that go back to important times in Josie and Frank’s relationship. I loved the insight this gave the reader into their history, it added depth and dimension to their characters. Josie was a really relatable character, she’s one of those every woman type of people, you either feel like she could be you or you know someone like her. Her actions, choices and thoughts read as very genuine and raw, I think her behavior was an accurate portrayal of how someone in her situation would act.
My only slight complaint is that it was fairly predictable but not in annoying way, I just knew pretty much exactly what would happen well before it actually did, but as this isn’t a thriller, it wasn’t a huge issue. Recommended for those looking for a well written, insightful read that leans to the lighter side.
I liked the way this was structured, it may even have been my favorite aspect, it was set mostly in the present as Josie deals with the effects of her husband’s betrayal but there are a handful of chapters that go back to important times in Josie and Frank’s relationship. I loved the insight this gave the reader into their history, it added depth and dimension to their characters. Josie was a really relatable character, she’s one of those every woman type of people, you either feel like she could be you or you know someone like her. Her actions, choices and thoughts read as very genuine and raw, I think her behavior was an accurate portrayal of how someone in her situation would act.
My only slight complaint is that it was fairly predictable but not in annoying way, I just knew pretty much exactly what would happen well before it actually did, but as this isn’t a thriller, it wasn’t a huge issue. Recommended for those looking for a well written, insightful read that leans to the lighter side.
November 12, 2018
Well this was the epitome of mediocrity
March 11, 2018
**3.5 Goodreads Stars**
Sarah Pekkanen's The Ever After merges the genres of suspense and domestic drama to tell a story of a husband's infidelity. The lead character, Josie, discovers a salacious text from another woman on her husband, Frank's, phone by accident. The book follows the aftermath of this discovery, peering into the mind of Josie as she struggles to understand why her husband cheated on her. Was her marriage always a sham? Were there signs she missed?
To make matters worse, Josie and Frank have two young daughters. They both do their best to hide the situation from them, but ultimately Josie realizes she needs Frank out of the house to figure out a way forward. The book follows Josie's inner dialogue as she tries to reconcile the many sides of Frank: the loving and doting father, the once caring and adoring lover, the hard-working employee, the solid friend, son, and brother. How could someone who was all those things rip a marriage to shreds?
I struggled with the ending of this book as it felt flat and abrupt. I felt like I truly understood Josie's train of thoughts, but Frank's motivations for the affair still felt unclear to me. In some parts of the book I felt like I was reading a self-help non-fiction book rather than a piece of fiction. The writing is good, but I really struggled to see Frank's point of view in all of this.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria, the author, Sarah Pekkanen, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of The Ever After.
For more of my book reviews visit me here:
Book Review Blog | Twitter | Instagram
Sarah Pekkanen's The Ever After merges the genres of suspense and domestic drama to tell a story of a husband's infidelity. The lead character, Josie, discovers a salacious text from another woman on her husband, Frank's, phone by accident. The book follows the aftermath of this discovery, peering into the mind of Josie as she struggles to understand why her husband cheated on her. Was her marriage always a sham? Were there signs she missed?
To make matters worse, Josie and Frank have two young daughters. They both do their best to hide the situation from them, but ultimately Josie realizes she needs Frank out of the house to figure out a way forward. The book follows Josie's inner dialogue as she tries to reconcile the many sides of Frank: the loving and doting father, the once caring and adoring lover, the hard-working employee, the solid friend, son, and brother. How could someone who was all those things rip a marriage to shreds?
I struggled with the ending of this book as it felt flat and abrupt. I felt like I truly understood Josie's train of thoughts, but Frank's motivations for the affair still felt unclear to me. In some parts of the book I felt like I was reading a self-help non-fiction book rather than a piece of fiction. The writing is good, but I really struggled to see Frank's point of view in all of this.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria, the author, Sarah Pekkanen, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of The Ever After.
For more of my book reviews visit me here:
Book Review Blog | Twitter | Instagram
April 19, 2018
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Genre: Domestic Drama. Women's Fiction.
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
This is the first book I have read from Sarah Pekkanen and I am thoroughly impressed. What an emotional journey this one was. I wasn't expecting to feel like this when I read it but it certainly has taken me on an intense ride. One of the things that was most noticeable about this book (besides the emotion that it evokes) is the way the author builds the characters. This can be a heard feat especially when an author tackles a hot button issue like infidelity, but she is right on the mark with these guys. Josie for instance is extremely realistic. Having been through the trauma of infidelity, she handles the situation as one would expect- she's angry, sad, hurt, and has a hard time trusting. She isn't FORCED to either want to work it out or not, but rather, she takes her time in considering her options while also dealing with the emotion of it all. In some books, the author will either make the infidelity a passive thing- the wife quickly gets over it and forgives- or takes a radical turn and forces the characters to leap ahead with divorce before considering all the options. Well, this doesn't happen here and I love the bravery, and indecisiveness, and the way the problem was tackled. It surely wasn't an easy read, and it broke my heart into a few small pieces, but I feel like it's a healing one. I very much recommend it.
With that, the heart of the story is of course about the repercussions of infidelity within a marriage. Many will feel nervous reading a book like this because the issue is one none of us want to consider. However, as I mentioned above, the author does a fantastic job at weaving a story around it. I can almost guarantee that you WON'T want to jump through the pages and rip peoples throats out (for the most part anyway) but will consider the actions of the characters. You may feel emotional (especially if this has happened to you) but I think many can learn from it too.
Overall, this is a fantastic novel and I really liked it. I didn't love it for the sole reason that it IS about infidelity, but I can look past it because it is told in a realistic way. If you are looking for a domestic drama/women's fiction novel that gets tough with marital issues, this is a good one for you. If you cannot read a book where infidelity does occur, then maybe skip this one. I for one am glad I read it and plan to read more by the author in the near future.
Genre: Domestic Drama. Women's Fiction.
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
This is the first book I have read from Sarah Pekkanen and I am thoroughly impressed. What an emotional journey this one was. I wasn't expecting to feel like this when I read it but it certainly has taken me on an intense ride. One of the things that was most noticeable about this book (besides the emotion that it evokes) is the way the author builds the characters. This can be a heard feat especially when an author tackles a hot button issue like infidelity, but she is right on the mark with these guys. Josie for instance is extremely realistic. Having been through the trauma of infidelity, she handles the situation as one would expect- she's angry, sad, hurt, and has a hard time trusting. She isn't FORCED to either want to work it out or not, but rather, she takes her time in considering her options while also dealing with the emotion of it all. In some books, the author will either make the infidelity a passive thing- the wife quickly gets over it and forgives- or takes a radical turn and forces the characters to leap ahead with divorce before considering all the options. Well, this doesn't happen here and I love the bravery, and indecisiveness, and the way the problem was tackled. It surely wasn't an easy read, and it broke my heart into a few small pieces, but I feel like it's a healing one. I very much recommend it.
With that, the heart of the story is of course about the repercussions of infidelity within a marriage. Many will feel nervous reading a book like this because the issue is one none of us want to consider. However, as I mentioned above, the author does a fantastic job at weaving a story around it. I can almost guarantee that you WON'T want to jump through the pages and rip peoples throats out (for the most part anyway) but will consider the actions of the characters. You may feel emotional (especially if this has happened to you) but I think many can learn from it too.
Overall, this is a fantastic novel and I really liked it. I didn't love it for the sole reason that it IS about infidelity, but I can look past it because it is told in a realistic way. If you are looking for a domestic drama/women's fiction novel that gets tough with marital issues, this is a good one for you. If you cannot read a book where infidelity does occur, then maybe skip this one. I for one am glad I read it and plan to read more by the author in the near future.
January 18, 2019
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**2.5 stars**
The Ever After by Sarah Pekkanen. (2018).
Josie and Frank have been together for over 16 years. They have two young daughters. Sometimes life is monotonous but Frank is a great father and husband. Until one day Josie uses his phone and sees an email that shatters her world. Now Josie is standing on an edge, looking at their history and contemplating their future while trying to work out the extent of her husband's secret.
I wasn't really a fan of this book. I liked the idea of the storyline in that I imagine infidelity would be something really difficult to deal with particularly in a long term relationship but honestly, this book was just boring to me. However, the confusion of Josie about how to deal with this and also re looking at their history did seem realistic. On the other hand, in the edition I read there were clear typos and names that were obviously mixed up (like using the mother's name instead of the daughter when it was clearly the daughter being referred to); this didn't help with trying to get into the story. At the end of the day I felt really blah about the book after I finished it. The reviews are quite mixed on it on Goodreads so it's always worth a go to see if you would enjoy it.
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**2.5 stars**
The Ever After by Sarah Pekkanen. (2018).
Josie and Frank have been together for over 16 years. They have two young daughters. Sometimes life is monotonous but Frank is a great father and husband. Until one day Josie uses his phone and sees an email that shatters her world. Now Josie is standing on an edge, looking at their history and contemplating their future while trying to work out the extent of her husband's secret.
I wasn't really a fan of this book. I liked the idea of the storyline in that I imagine infidelity would be something really difficult to deal with particularly in a long term relationship but honestly, this book was just boring to me. However, the confusion of Josie about how to deal with this and also re looking at their history did seem realistic. On the other hand, in the edition I read there were clear typos and names that were obviously mixed up (like using the mother's name instead of the daughter when it was clearly the daughter being referred to); this didn't help with trying to get into the story. At the end of the day I felt really blah about the book after I finished it. The reviews are quite mixed on it on Goodreads so it's always worth a go to see if you would enjoy it.
July 31, 2018
NOTHING HAPPENS.
July 31, 2023
Sarah Pekkanen (fav author) returns following The Perfect Neighbors (5 stars) with her latest, THE EVER AFTER —an intricate and gripping domestic suspense of marriage and family in crisis and its hidden secrets.
Fortysomething couple Josie and Frank Moore are happy with their two young daughters, Izzy and Zoe, in the Chicago suburbs. Frank was a good father. However, what is on Frank's iPhone shatters Josie's carefully planned life.
The email was from a woman named Dana (married). She confronts him. Someone he met on a business trip. Nine words, "Sighhh...Thought of you this morning in the shower."
Had the neighbors seen them together? Had Frank been having an affair behind her back? The two were pharmaceutical sales reps.
Josie wanted to know all the details. She is obsessed. Frank's iPhone contents completely disrupt Josie's meticulously organized life.
Josie has secrets as well. The hot stay-at-home, Steve. Is she any better?
Could she leave her husband? Were there other women? Does she know her husband?
Her mind swirls with options. Kick him out, get therapy, and try to work it out? Could she ever trust him again? They had been together for sixteen years.
From past to present, we learn more about the couple, their marriage, and the choices they will need to make.
COMPELLING! Sarah is a skilled writer, and THE EVER AFTER is raw, emotional, and thought-provoking. She gets to the heart of the marriage from both sides, with highly relatable characters. I enjoyed the insights which added to the character development, their history adding depth and dimension. I enjoyed Josie's character and her journey.
It is easy to be judgmental in relationships, but until you are faced with the decision, you do not know how you would react. I enjoyed all the emotions and suspense and the author's note about the inspiration behind the novel.
This is my 18th book by the author and a huge long-time fan! I read this book when it came out in 2018; however, I just realized I failed to post my review. I had a lot going on in my life from 2016-2018, so not surprised.
You must read her latest book coming August 1, 2023 Gone Tonight (5 stars). Love the author's work and highly recommend all her books.
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. #CoverLove
Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 5, 2018
My Rating: 4 Stars
Fortysomething couple Josie and Frank Moore are happy with their two young daughters, Izzy and Zoe, in the Chicago suburbs. Frank was a good father. However, what is on Frank's iPhone shatters Josie's carefully planned life.
The email was from a woman named Dana (married). She confronts him. Someone he met on a business trip. Nine words, "Sighhh...Thought of you this morning in the shower."
Had the neighbors seen them together? Had Frank been having an affair behind her back? The two were pharmaceutical sales reps.
Josie wanted to know all the details. She is obsessed. Frank's iPhone contents completely disrupt Josie's meticulously organized life.
Josie has secrets as well. The hot stay-at-home, Steve. Is she any better?
Could she leave her husband? Were there other women? Does she know her husband?
Her mind swirls with options. Kick him out, get therapy, and try to work it out? Could she ever trust him again? They had been together for sixteen years.
From past to present, we learn more about the couple, their marriage, and the choices they will need to make.
COMPELLING! Sarah is a skilled writer, and THE EVER AFTER is raw, emotional, and thought-provoking. She gets to the heart of the marriage from both sides, with highly relatable characters. I enjoyed the insights which added to the character development, their history adding depth and dimension. I enjoyed Josie's character and her journey.
It is easy to be judgmental in relationships, but until you are faced with the decision, you do not know how you would react. I enjoyed all the emotions and suspense and the author's note about the inspiration behind the novel.
This is my 18th book by the author and a huge long-time fan! I read this book when it came out in 2018; however, I just realized I failed to post my review. I had a lot going on in my life from 2016-2018, so not surprised.
You must read her latest book coming August 1, 2023 Gone Tonight (5 stars). Love the author's work and highly recommend all her books.
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. #CoverLove
Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 5, 2018
My Rating: 4 Stars
July 20, 2018
I read the first two chapters then put it down until this weekend. I finished it in two days once I picked it back up but unfortunately for me this novel falls flat. I found the story to be incredibly boring and one dimensional, no surprises. The story follows Josie and her husband, Frank, after she finds a racy email while using his phone. There’s no big drama here, which was a missed opportunity for the author to take us on a super sleuth journey but nope…she just tells her husband she found it and listens to him gravel. Josie then takes time away, complains about being a stay at home mom (while trying to slyly blame it on her husband), complains about her children constantly or just her life overall…hmmmm, wonder why he cheated, right? Lol. Anyway, the rest of the novel is her husband asking for forgiveness, her trying to trust again and lots of gossip and daily life I could’ve done without. My life is boring enough without reading about kids throwing up, throwing tantrums, cleaning houses and gossiping about cheaters whilst hiding from everyone else her husband cheated, then being scared to go at it alone. This book was far too realistic in that it’s every woman’s story and none of the interesting things about crazy ex lovers, devious snooping and mouth dropping evidence. There’s none of that, so don’t get excited folks.
Raging Book Reviews Not Recommended
*won this through Goodreads Giveaway
Raging Book Reviews Not Recommended
*won this through Goodreads Giveaway
July 28, 2018
and a 5 Star gorgeous cover!
Statistics indicate that an affair occurs in one of every three marriages.
Perhaps you know someone who has endured the pain of an affair.
Were you supportive or judgmental of HER decision to split up...or to stay together -with her spouse?
This raw, emotional book about the affair that Josie’s husband Frank had, and the decision, SHE makes, may cause you think twice about how YOU might handle this, or how YOU may treat a friend who is working through this difficult time in her life...I think the author captured the emotions a wife would feel brilliantly!
Sarah Pekkanen was inspired by a conversation she overheard between two women in a coffee shop....
She doesn’t know if this anonymous woman made the same choice as Josie...but in the acknowledgements page, she wanted to mention this woman, and hopes that “whatever fork in the road she chose, it as one that would lead her, eventually to a second chance at a happily EVER AFTER. “
Statistics indicate that an affair occurs in one of every three marriages.
Perhaps you know someone who has endured the pain of an affair.
Were you supportive or judgmental of HER decision to split up...or to stay together -with her spouse?
This raw, emotional book about the affair that Josie’s husband Frank had, and the decision, SHE makes, may cause you think twice about how YOU might handle this, or how YOU may treat a friend who is working through this difficult time in her life...I think the author captured the emotions a wife would feel brilliantly!
Sarah Pekkanen was inspired by a conversation she overheard between two women in a coffee shop....
She doesn’t know if this anonymous woman made the same choice as Josie...but in the acknowledgements page, she wanted to mention this woman, and hopes that “whatever fork in the road she chose, it as one that would lead her, eventually to a second chance at a happily EVER AFTER. “
January 13, 2022
3.25 stars
This wasn’t a dramatic read. There isn’t too much depth but I found I could relate to the h.
It is a story about a wife discovering her husband’s affair after checking his email when he was getting coffee. She had an inkling something was wrong when he hesitated to lend her his phone. That made her suspicious and she started searching.
I have had friends in her situation and they reacted the same way. The constant questioning and investigating and second guessing. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) my friends’ husbands weren’t as willing as the H in this story to make amends or as genuinely remorseful. On the other hand, the H did admit that the affair would have continued if he hadn’t been caught out.
This wasn’t a dramatic read. There isn’t too much depth but I found I could relate to the h.
It is a story about a wife discovering her husband’s affair after checking his email when he was getting coffee. She had an inkling something was wrong when he hesitated to lend her his phone. That made her suspicious and she started searching.
I have had friends in her situation and they reacted the same way. The constant questioning and investigating and second guessing. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) my friends’ husbands weren’t as willing as the H in this story to make amends or as genuinely remorseful. On the other hand, the H did admit that the affair would have continued if he hadn’t been caught out.
July 12, 2018
☀️ Vacation read #2! Tense, taut and so, so raw, this domestic fiction story is marriage distilled to its very essence. So happy @saltwaterreads chose this as their July pick because it pushed me to read it, and I’m so thankful I did. Not a thriller, not a romance, not a comedy. Or maybe it IS a non-traditional romance upturning the entire genre? Because isn’t marriage and its survival ultimately a romantic and hopeful act with an end goal of an HEA?
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I highly recommend this book to readers craving a page turner about the straight up real life, glamour-free, intricacies of a modern marriage and the horrible web of damage that infidelity can wrought.
A great choice for IRL book clubs.....UNLESS one of your members has gone through this ~ then it may be way too close to home for casual “what-if” discussion 😢
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I highly recommend this book to readers craving a page turner about the straight up real life, glamour-free, intricacies of a modern marriage and the horrible web of damage that infidelity can wrought.
A great choice for IRL book clubs.....UNLESS one of your members has gone through this ~ then it may be way too close to home for casual “what-if” discussion 😢
April 1, 2019
This is a novel that
needed
the POV of the "H". This was an expensive book, and I thought long and hard b4 buying, but it's my catnip and I had just taken the chance with the Laura Branchflower books and it had paid off. This one didn't, because I didn't feel a thing. It took me 3 weeks to read.
June 8, 2018
By now anyone who know me is aware I have a problem. An obsession, really, with the most messed up thing: cheating books.
My friends think I’m crazy for it but I can’t get enough of the bitterly painful angst that (ideally) prefaces a rebuild and understanding to an even better relationship. So often, books get this part wrong. Not enough grovel, not enough introspection or believable resolutions.
I honestly believe Frank and Josie will have an HEA rather than a happily-for-now, which is rare. The journey and the slow crawl back to a restarting place was incredibly rough to read about but also weirdly cathartic. I also loved that Josie wasn’t a doormat and made him suffer for his crimes.
But I also like that Josie had self-awareness and culpability in the marital problems that already existed between her and Frank. Though it obviously doesn’t absolve him from his sins, I came away from the book feeling as if there was a reason why he did what he did while in other books it’s often just a reflex because That’s What Men Do and Gosh We’re Just Human.
If you like books about infidelities with lots of groveling and tons of angst, this is it. But if any of this is triggering for you, def stay away.
My friends think I’m crazy for it but I can’t get enough of the bitterly painful angst that (ideally) prefaces a rebuild and understanding to an even better relationship. So often, books get this part wrong. Not enough grovel, not enough introspection or believable resolutions.
I honestly believe Frank and Josie will have an HEA rather than a happily-for-now, which is rare. The journey and the slow crawl back to a restarting place was incredibly rough to read about but also weirdly cathartic. I also loved that Josie wasn’t a doormat and made him suffer for his crimes.
But I also like that Josie had self-awareness and culpability in the marital problems that already existed between her and Frank. Though it obviously doesn’t absolve him from his sins, I came away from the book feeling as if there was a reason why he did what he did while in other books it’s often just a reflex because That’s What Men Do and Gosh We’re Just Human.
If you like books about infidelities with lots of groveling and tons of angst, this is it. But if any of this is triggering for you, def stay away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2024
Josie never suspected. Seemingly content with her married life and two children, she is shocked when she accidentally sees an email to her husband from another woman that suggests they may be having an affair. To what extent will she go to uncover the truth and make a decision about whether to save her marriage or not?
I am a fan of Sarah Pekkanen’s writing, especially her thrillers. This is an earlier novel, a domestic drama, that I missed and wanted to go back and read it. Unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with me as much as the more recent books. I thought the character of Josie a bit naive and the whole account of their situation a bit tedious. It is well written, but I just couldn’t engage with it.
Thanks to #Netgalley and #AtriaBooks for the DRC.
I am a fan of Sarah Pekkanen’s writing, especially her thrillers. This is an earlier novel, a domestic drama, that I missed and wanted to go back and read it. Unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with me as much as the more recent books. I thought the character of Josie a bit naive and the whole account of their situation a bit tedious. It is well written, but I just couldn’t engage with it.
Thanks to #Netgalley and #AtriaBooks for the DRC.
May 21, 2018
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley. It does not impact my review.
What I Liked
*While I could not personally identify with the plight of the main character in this book, I have had a front row seat to someone in a very similar situation for the last several months and I feel like The Ever After will be very relatable to a lot of women. There is a note from the author in the beginning of the book that shares a statistic that an affair occurs in one of every three marriages. There are many reasons I can’t imagine myself ever getting married, but kudos to all you who are because I can not imagine trusting someone enough to do it.
*I do really like Sarah Pekkanen’s writing. This is my third book by her and I find her writing to be very compulsive. Even though it’s a lot of introspection and very little action, I had a hard time putting the book down. Josie’s character development was very well done and if you are a fan of character-driven stories, then I definitely recommend Pekkanen’s books.
What I Didn’t Like
*Josie was kind of hard to like most of the time. I thought a lot of her reaction was normal and justified, but she did kind of stop being a parent to her daughters for awhile and I didn’t think that was ok. I also thought that all of the flashback chapters kind of painted her as a shrew and Frank as the long-suffering husband. I felt like this was to help justify why Frank did what he did (not excusing it, but still a reason for it) and it just didn’t sit well with me.
*I didn’t like the ending (it’s why I’m rating this 1/2 a star lower than I probably would have otherwise). I had a very definite opinion about which way I wanted the story to go and it didn’t go that way. I do think that there will be people that will really support the ending, though. I think it might depend on your own emotional baggage you bring to the book.
Overall
Overall, I did enjoy The Ever After. I really liked the writing and how relatable the story felt to me, even though it’s not a situation I’ve personally experienced. I thought the ending was a little rushed, though. After spending such a long time dissecting Josie and Frank’s relationship, I thought the resolution deserved a little more page time, as well.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 3.5 Stars
What I Liked
*While I could not personally identify with the plight of the main character in this book, I have had a front row seat to someone in a very similar situation for the last several months and I feel like The Ever After will be very relatable to a lot of women. There is a note from the author in the beginning of the book that shares a statistic that an affair occurs in one of every three marriages. There are many reasons I can’t imagine myself ever getting married, but kudos to all you who are because I can not imagine trusting someone enough to do it.
*I do really like Sarah Pekkanen’s writing. This is my third book by her and I find her writing to be very compulsive. Even though it’s a lot of introspection and very little action, I had a hard time putting the book down. Josie’s character development was very well done and if you are a fan of character-driven stories, then I definitely recommend Pekkanen’s books.
What I Didn’t Like
*Josie was kind of hard to like most of the time. I thought a lot of her reaction was normal and justified, but she did kind of stop being a parent to her daughters for awhile and I didn’t think that was ok. I also thought that all of the flashback chapters kind of painted her as a shrew and Frank as the long-suffering husband. I felt like this was to help justify why Frank did what he did (not excusing it, but still a reason for it) and it just didn’t sit well with me.
*I didn’t like the ending (it’s why I’m rating this 1/2 a star lower than I probably would have otherwise). I had a very definite opinion about which way I wanted the story to go and it didn’t go that way. I do think that there will be people that will really support the ending, though. I think it might depend on your own emotional baggage you bring to the book.
Overall
Overall, I did enjoy The Ever After. I really liked the writing and how relatable the story felt to me, even though it’s not a situation I’ve personally experienced. I thought the ending was a little rushed, though. After spending such a long time dissecting Josie and Frank’s relationship, I thought the resolution deserved a little more page time, as well.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 3.5 Stars
July 31, 2018
I'm very torn on how I feel about this book. On the one hand, I love Pekkanen's writing and she was able to so effortlessly evoke pain and trauma.
My issues lie with Josie. She was a very hard character for me to like. And since the book is told from her perspective, and we are supposed to feel compassion towards her, I was never completely immersed in the story. I think I would have felt differently if I was in a long term marriage, or I had kids. But when I first learned what Frank had done, my immediate reaction was, "that isn't even that bad." And it never changed throughout the length of the novel. Again, I probably would have felt differently if I was in Josie's shoes.
What also really bothered me was that Josie refused to let Frank redeem himself. She has been married to him for twelve years and yet she is convinced that a seven week affair is cause for divorce, without thinking of all the ways they could fix the marriage, or all the history they have. She wants him to tell her the truth, and when he does she doesn't believe him.
It is also clear from chapters that reflect in the past, that she doesn't trust him. She was so convinced that he lied when he said he was coming back from his work event that she was going to drive to the hotel just to see what the setup was. Maybe Frank deserved her mistrust, but I just thought she was taking it way too far.
This obviously wasn't the book for me, and maybe those who have been in similar situations will connect with the story, but I just had a lot of issues with how Josie handled the situation. I will say that I enjoyed how it ended.
My issues lie with Josie. She was a very hard character for me to like. And since the book is told from her perspective, and we are supposed to feel compassion towards her, I was never completely immersed in the story. I think I would have felt differently if I was in a long term marriage, or I had kids. But when I first learned what Frank had done, my immediate reaction was, "that isn't even that bad." And it never changed throughout the length of the novel. Again, I probably would have felt differently if I was in Josie's shoes.
What also really bothered me was that Josie refused to let Frank redeem himself. She has been married to him for twelve years and yet she is convinced that a seven week affair is cause for divorce, without thinking of all the ways they could fix the marriage, or all the history they have. She wants him to tell her the truth, and when he does she doesn't believe him.
It is also clear from chapters that reflect in the past, that she doesn't trust him. She was so convinced that he lied when he said he was coming back from his work event that she was going to drive to the hotel just to see what the setup was. Maybe Frank deserved her mistrust, but I just thought she was taking it way too far.
This obviously wasn't the book for me, and maybe those who have been in similar situations will connect with the story, but I just had a lot of issues with how Josie handled the situation. I will say that I enjoyed how it ended.
October 3, 2022
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK, or decent reads
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Poor Zeroine will spend her whole life looking over her shoulder, suspicious that Zero is cheating. She became a detective worthy of being Sherlock Holmes' partner, investigated everything.
Zero admitted that if he wasn't caught cheating he would continue the affair with the other woman and doesn't know how far it would go.
An hour of making out on five different occasions, including at a lover's friend's house and in his car. I highly doubt it was just foreplay, two adults horny for each other. I don't believe.
Zeroine had previous suspicions, but let it go and swept it under the rug. But the suspicion never left her.
I was curious about what happened to the mistress and her husband.
I finished reading it with pity for her.
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S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
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Poor Zeroine will spend her whole life looking over her shoulder, suspicious that Zero is cheating. She became a detective worthy of being Sherlock Holmes' partner, investigated everything.
Zero admitted that if he wasn't caught cheating he would continue the affair with the other woman and doesn't know how far it would go.
An hour of making out on five different occasions, including at a lover's friend's house and in his car. I highly doubt it was just foreplay, two adults horny for each other. I don't believe.
Zeroine had previous suspicions, but let it go and swept it under the rug. But the suspicion never left her.
I was curious about what happened to the mistress and her husband.
I finished reading it with pity for her.
SO THIS IS HOW you discover your husband is having an affair, Josie Moore thought.
When Frank returned, he’d want his iPhone. She wasn’t going to give it back to him yet. But she didn’t want to make a scene in front of the children.
He didn’t ask for his phone back. It was another detail she cataloged. He knows that I know, Josie thought.
“DON’T YOU DARE LIE to me” were the first words Josie uttered.
“Who is she?” Josie asked. She didn’t know anyone named Dana. “No one,” Frank said quickly. “Just someone I met on a business trip.” He was lying, she was fairly certain. But about which parts?
She had practice, after all. Josie had believed him during those other times when her stomach had clenched like a fist and the rising hairs on the tops of her forearms had tried to warn her that she needed to pay attention. But she hadn’t had any evidence back then.
She had chosen to believe her husband in the past. To believe in their marriage.
Those nine words in the email: Sighhhh . . . Thought of you this morning in the shower.
He’d taken Dana out on her birthday? Josie thought back to her own forty-first birthday the previous month, just ten days before Dana’s. Josie had bought herself a Fitbit, along with some running shoes, and had told Frank it was his gift to her, to get her motivated to run a 5K.
Wait—had Frank been seeing Dana even then?
It had come in seven weeks ago. Seven weeks!
Mid-November until now, early January. Yes. Seven weeks. It had been going on for seven weeks. Over her birthday, over Christmas!
Her name was Dana. It had been going on for at least seven weeks. He’d taken her out for her birthday. These were the only truths Josie knew.
How could she leave her children, her home? If anyone left, it should be Frank. Oh my God. Had he brought Dana here?
They’d been together for sixteen years, nearly half of her life. Nearly half of his, as well; at forty, Frank was eight months younger than she. It wasn’t surprising that the early heat had seeped out of their relationship long ago.
If Frank had slept with Dana, it was definitely over. She would never be able to have sex with him again. She’d barely be able to be in the same room with him, to breathe the same air.
By now, Josie had obtained a little more information: Dana was married. She also worked as a pharma rep. She lived maybe twenty minutes away.
Frank had seemed flustered when they’d spoken about their evening plans on the phone, he’d arrived a few minutes late, he’d smelled like beer. And he’d pulled away from her kiss.
Josie also knew these facts about Dana: Dana was a year younger than Josie, and she was married. Josie had even read her wedding announcement. Dana had a husband named Ron who was probably as stupidly unaware as Josie had been just this morning.
“I want you to have not cheated!” she hissed.
She wondered how much Frank had spent on Dana during the course of their affair. Had he paid for those killer margaritas?
“How long have you been having an affair with my husband?” Josie asked.
Dana gasped. Josie felt a surge of satisfaction.
“How many times did you sleep with my husband?” Josie demanded. “I didn’t—we just . . . No, I didn’t sleep with him,” Dana protested. “How many times?” Josie repeated. Her voice was steely and unwavering. “I’ve got all of your emails. Maybe I should forward them to your husband?”
“How many times?” Josie repeated. “Last chance.” Dana took in a long, shuddering breath, then continued. “I only saw him three times.”
Three times. Not twice, as Frank had sworn.
“Frank said it was more than three times,” Josie said. It was a gamble; if she was wrong, Dana would know how little information Josie actually had.
Dana’s voice broke. “It wasn’t . . . It was five. Okay. We got together five times. I’m sorry, I forgot . . .”
“You expect me to believe you just forgot?” Josie asked. Dana was silent. “Are you still married?” Josie asked. “Yes,” Dana whispered. “Good luck with that.”
Five times, she thought. Five.
“Oh, and Frank?” she said. “Yes?” he asked eagerly. “Your girlfriend has a weird voice,” Josie said. “It’s so deep and creepy.”
Frank and Dana together in Atlantic City, in a hotel room much like this one, sharing breakfast in bed amid the rumpled sheets.
And then, as horror rose within her, Josie wondered: Were there others?
“On top of the obvious lies,” Josie said. “Dana and I had a nice little chat today.” Frank’s eyes closed and something swept across his face, tugging his features downward.
“You haven’t shown me a lot of respect, Frank,” Josie said. “Why don’t you start now by telling me the truth.”
“Did you two have fun on her birthday?” Josie asked.
“I didn’t sleep with her,” Frank said. “I’m telling you the truth, Josie. I couldn’t do that to you.” A cold pebble of a laugh shot out of Josie’s mouth. “What integrity you have.”
“Who paid when the two of you went out?” Josie asked. “Um, the first two, it wasn’t— I mean, I think I did. Just for a few drinks.” “That was our money! Not yours to spend on dates with other women!”
“You’re a good salesman. But I’m not buying it.” The venom coming out of Josie’s mouth stunned even her. She had never spoken to anyone like this before, with such cutting contempt. “If you had any kind of decency, any shred of respect for our marriage, you would have stopped it after one time and confessed. But you just kept going. You’d still be having an affair if I hadn’t caught you!”
“Do you have any idea of what the two of you did?” Josie asked. “Two families, destroyed. Hope it was worth it.”
“You say you didn’t sleep with her,” Josie said. “But you kissed her. There’s a lot of room between those two places. What else did you do, Frank?”
“We— I mean, there was a little more than kissing.”
Five times. More than just kissing. She could never trust him again.
Imagining Frank and Dana together—entwined in his car, in her office, in the hotel room—made Josie feel such an intense swell of emotions that she felt as if she were about to explode.
“It was those five nights, that part is true,” Frank said quietly. He met her eyes. “We didn’t have sex but, ah, we did other things. It was purely physical. I didn’t care about her at all.” “How long did you kiss?” Josie demanded. Another pause. “Maybe an hour the first two times, when we were at the hotel,” Frank said. “Less on the other nights.” “An hour?” Josie repeated.
“Where did you go on the other nights?” Josie asked. Frank squeezed his eyes shut before speaking. “We were in my car one time. We went to the house of one of her friends who was out of town the other two times.” “There is something wrong with you,” Josie hissed because she couldn’t scream.
“You just did these things with her, then you came home to me and never gave any indication that anything was wrong! What kind of a person does that?”
“No!” Josie said. “There isn’t any marriage to fix. You would’ve slept with her if I hadn’t found out.” Frank’s features crumpled. “You are probably right.”
An hour of making out, like teenagers who were madly in love and couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
There was one new text. It was from a woman whose name Josie recognized instantly. Melissa was a sales associate Frank had worked with for the past year. Frank had mentioned her several times.
She stared down at the message, feeling her skin prickle again. Fun night. Let’s do it again soon. Had Melissa written more? Only the opening two lines were displayed on the screen. If Josie touched the text, the entire note would appear—but then Frank would also know she had opened it.
“That she had a fun time last night and wanted to do it again soon.”
“Take off your wedding ring,” Josie ordered. “What?” “You touched her while you were wearing that ring. Get it off. Now I don’t ever want to see it again.” “Can I get another one?” Frank asked.
It was the first time they’d touched in two months. Josie had stayed in the present; she hadn’t thought about the way he might have embraced Dana. But she doubted she’d ever be able to make love with Frank ever again without the intrusion of Dana.
His affair hadn’t just ruptured their marriage; it would be a wrenching interference in their future intimacy.
Frank had traded in his Honda Civic for a used Acura at CarMax a few weeks earlier.
June 2, 2018
From the author of The Wife Between Us comes a story of a marriage that one day seemed fine on the outside, and in a matter of a minute a secret will tear it apart. I enjoyed every addicting, fast moving chapter.
Josie asks to borrow her husband’s phone to make a call when she discovers an email that will change her life and marriage as she knows it. Instead of collapsing she takes an investigative approach and is determined to figure out what happened. Throughout the story she will work through memories to find where it all may have gone wrong.
Although she didn’t collapse she was devastated, but she was stronger than she gave herself credit for. She didn’t ask for her marriage to fall apart, but it happened and she is forced to reflect on what she wants – and if she can forgive – on her own terms. She doesn’t know what these terms are and will work through them throughout the story.
I enjoy quick, thought-provoking reads. It may have not gone nitty gritty into Josie’s inner thoughts, but it did make you pause and think. What would I do if I were Josie? What would I do if I were Frank? This would certainly be a good book club discussion.
I received an arc of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
To read my reviews visit: www.saturdaynitereader.com
Josie asks to borrow her husband’s phone to make a call when she discovers an email that will change her life and marriage as she knows it. Instead of collapsing she takes an investigative approach and is determined to figure out what happened. Throughout the story she will work through memories to find where it all may have gone wrong.
Although she didn’t collapse she was devastated, but she was stronger than she gave herself credit for. She didn’t ask for her marriage to fall apart, but it happened and she is forced to reflect on what she wants – and if she can forgive – on her own terms. She doesn’t know what these terms are and will work through them throughout the story.
I enjoy quick, thought-provoking reads. It may have not gone nitty gritty into Josie’s inner thoughts, but it did make you pause and think. What would I do if I were Josie? What would I do if I were Frank? This would certainly be a good book club discussion.
I received an arc of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
To read my reviews visit: www.saturdaynitereader.com
May 8, 2020
2.75 stars rounded up.
This should have been a book that I loved, but sadly, no.
By accident, Josie discovers that her husband Frank is having an affair. Her world is blown up. She becomes obsessed in finding more about the affair and if he has had any others. Frank is truly devastated about hurting her and their family. He’ll do anything to make it right, but Josie is consumed by hurt and anger. Together and apart, they try to figure out if their marriage is worth saving.
I found the characters of Josie and Frank to be superficial. I didn’t feel like I actually got to know them, and what I read of Josie I didn’t like. I totally get her anger and sense of betrayal, but she used her feelings as a weapon against Frank. I found her obsession about learning more about the affair as over the top. Their backstories didn’t really reveal much about them. The characters who I liked best were the therapists they saw. Everyone should find such caring and compassionate people when they need a therapist.
I generally like this author’s books, but this one fell short of the mark.
This should have been a book that I loved, but sadly, no.
By accident, Josie discovers that her husband Frank is having an affair. Her world is blown up. She becomes obsessed in finding more about the affair and if he has had any others. Frank is truly devastated about hurting her and their family. He’ll do anything to make it right, but Josie is consumed by hurt and anger. Together and apart, they try to figure out if their marriage is worth saving.
I found the characters of Josie and Frank to be superficial. I didn’t feel like I actually got to know them, and what I read of Josie I didn’t like. I totally get her anger and sense of betrayal, but she used her feelings as a weapon against Frank. I found her obsession about learning more about the affair as over the top. Their backstories didn’t really reveal much about them. The characters who I liked best were the therapists they saw. Everyone should find such caring and compassionate people when they need a therapist.
I generally like this author’s books, but this one fell short of the mark.
January 14, 2020
This is a good story.
Reread review.
The book starts with the wife accidentally discovering her husband has been receiving emails from another woman.
There are a few things about cheating and recovering from it.
First she accidentally finds out, he doesn't come to her and confess as hes made a mistake and feels guilty.
How long has been going on?
Seven weeks. It had been going on for seven weeks.
There was intimacy but no sex, he claims, around 6 times they had met.
Whether or not you forgive him as a reader, this book explores the issues of cheating well.
The feelings it conjures, the results of lack of trust after.
The couple have a HEA.
Reread review.
The book starts with the wife accidentally discovering her husband has been receiving emails from another woman.
There are a few things about cheating and recovering from it.
First she accidentally finds out, he doesn't come to her and confess as hes made a mistake and feels guilty.
How long has been going on?
Seven weeks. It had been going on for seven weeks.
There was intimacy but no sex, he claims, around 6 times they had met.
Whether or not you forgive him as a reader, this book explores the issues of cheating well.
The feelings it conjures, the results of lack of trust after.
The couple have a HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is well written and keeps your interest. It shows how a marriage can seem perfect until one message shows up on your husband's cell phone from his girlfriend. Everything changes. All trust is gone in an instance. Everyday life turns upside down. Josie reals struggles to ever trust her husband Frank again. She can not help but keep tabs on is cell phone messages and on him. Some messages she finds seem innocent enough but after his affair messages from women seem provocative. I am glad Josie had friends to talk to and I think their advice helped her. Her friend Karin, who cheated on her husband had different advice for Josie then Amanda. I think Josie thought Karin who was her best friend would give her the best advice, but I think in the end Amanda was the wisest of the two friends. I am glad Josie and Frank received marriage counseling separately and together with two different counsels. I was sad when Josie made Frank move out, but I think it helped their relationship in the long run. It made them realize that they missed each other and really loved each other. I felt sorry for the kids, but both Josie and especially Frank tried to keep things as normal as possible for the kids. Eating with them, taking them places, and visiting with them almost every day. This book has a great ending and is full of life lessons. I recommend this book to all my friends and family.
June 7, 2018
I received a free copy of this book from Simon and Schuster Canada for an honest review. This is the story of a seemingly good marriage going to the brink of possibly collapsing. Josie and Frank lead busy lives with their two small children. Sure Josie wishes Frank would help out around the house more but for the most part she forgives him since he is an amazing father and a loving husband. They have both reached a point in their marriage where they take each other for granted and their communication skills maybe aren’t the best but Josie’s world is rocked when she discovers Frank has had an affair. After this discovery and catching Frank in a few lies Josie is shattered. Her pain and anguish depicted seems raw and real for someone in her situation. Josie has to then decide what to do moving forward. Is the marriage salvageable and should it be? Josie wrestles with this decision which is more complicated by the fact they have two small children that love and adore their father. Frank makes some discoveries about himself too. He questions how and why he had the affair and what is says about him. With such staggering statistics about the amount of people that have affairs outside their marriage this book will resonate with a lot of readers. I would give this book 3.5 stars but will round up to 4.
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