From the author of the New York Times bestseller On the Island.
What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else?
Chris and Claire Canton’s marriage is on life support. Downsized during the recession and out of work for a year, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. When he’s offered a position that will keep him away from home four nights a week, he dismisses Claire’s concern that time apart could be the one thing their fragile union can’t weather. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.
Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. He pulls Claire over during a routine traffic stop, and they run into each other again at the 4th of July parade. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department, her friendship with Daniel grows, and soon they’re spending hours together.
Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire’s marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn’t take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads, and skating close to the line that Claire has sworn she’ll never cross.
What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else?
Chris and Claire Canton’s marriage is on life support. Downsized during the recession and out of work for a year, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. When he’s offered a position that will keep him away from home four nights a week, he dismisses Claire’s concern that time apart could be the one thing their fragile union can’t weather. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.
Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. He pulls Claire over during a routine traffic stop, and they run into each other again at the 4th of July parade. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department, her friendship with Daniel grows, and soon they’re spending hours together.
Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire’s marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn’t take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads, and skating close to the line that Claire has sworn she’ll never cross.
Tracey Garvis-Graves is the author of On the Island and Covet. She lives in a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa with her husband, two children, and hyper dog Chloe. She blogs at www.traceygarvisgraves.com using colorful language and a snarky sense of humor to write about pop culture, silly television shows, and her suburban neighborhood. You can e-mail her at traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com. She’d love to hear from you.
This was a slow methodical read for me. The book revolves around 3 specific couples, all neighbors, but the main focus is on Chris and Claire. A young couple with children, the ups and down, depression.
Life is grand for Chris and Claire and their children, great neighborhood, school, a solid loving marriage. Who could ask for more? Then one day it all starts to crumble. Chris loses his job. Confidence remains high, and as time goes by it wangs and slowly begins to disappear. It is something I'm sure alot of us can relate to. Chris begins to withdrawl, the unemployment affects him his confidence, his marriage. Month after month. Then as things look to turn around another stumbling block. His job keeps him away from home, his wife and children. His wife becomes friends with someone. They start spending time together, lunches, dinners, going for rides on the motorcycle.
Life takes a turn for the worse, Claire is sick, and as she gets out of the hospital it hits Chris. How could he live without the one woman whom he has loved what seems to be his entire life. Things ccome out in the open, and just when you think things couldn't get worse.
Life is not always about happy endings, this book shows you that. It takes you through life's ups and downs. it takes you through the heartache, the love, questions and yes even answers.
Cheers,
Steph
Book rating: 3.5 stars
