Real Marriages Can Gain from Fictional Marriage Stories
The Woman He Married
Julie N. Ford
It's been a while since I shared an in-depth book review here! I might be a little rusty... And I'm going back to my old stand-by for book reviews. a classic love story.I have reviewed a Julie Ford book before - With No Regrets - and I have to say, I'm feeling the same way about this book.
Story Overview
Josie has found herself as the typical stay-at-home mom, who really wants to do something else with her life. While she loves her children, there is a part of her that feels like a career is needed in her life now, as years ago she was an attorney who loved the business. The stress of a wife to a man who is on a fast-track to becoming a judge only cements in her mind how much she misses actually being in the game, and not always sidelined to do the domestic side.
John is a driven attorney who fell in love with Josie because of her passion for her work. As his career zoomed forward, and his personal goals of a family were achieved with Josie, he never looked back. Before he knew it, he was living the life he always dreamed of, with an election on the horizon to become a judge. Yet, he wanted something more...
This husband and wife are struggling to find the time to reconnect, to communicate, and to help each other reach their shared goals while still maintaining the life they always dreamed of. Who knew it could all spiral out of control so quickly?
Personal Likes
I enjoyed this book, especially being able to see the story through both Josie and John's perspectives. Since we know that in a marriage, there are always two versions of the story, and neither is one hundred percent true, it was wonderful to see it through both sets of eyes. It also allowed me to not really pick a side. When Josie was telling the story, I tended to side with her; when John was telling the story, I totally saw his struggle too. And that made the story interesting.
It was nice to see such a real life story in a contemporary fiction book. This is something that I could see any suburban married couple struggling with on some level - granted I do not know too many couples going through elections...
It was nice to see such a real life story in a contemporary fiction book. This is something that I could see any suburban married couple struggling with on some level - granted I do not know too many couples going through elections...
Personal Dislikes
While I did enjoy the real feel to this, it also was a little boring because of the realness of it. I wanted more action through most of the book. There are small little jolts with some action, but for the most part, it's slow and steady.
I also just wanted to reach through and strangle both characters often for not just talking! Come on, how hard is it to just have a conversation with your spouse? Obviously, if we use this book as the standard, it is next to impossible. In fact, only once a divorce is on the table is it possible to really start saying what you think and feel. Not good!
I also just wanted to reach through and strangle both characters often for not just talking! Come on, how hard is it to just have a conversation with your spouse? Obviously, if we use this book as the standard, it is next to impossible. In fact, only once a divorce is on the table is it possible to really start saying what you think and feel. Not good!
Reading List Rating
I'm giving this book a three heart rating. I enjoyed it, I didn't love it. I doubt I'll read it again. But for a vacation read, this could be a good pick if you want a clean, contemporary romance.
My Suggested Audience
This is an adult contemporary romance - so there are adult topics. There is an extra-marital affair and the lying that is needed to keep up such a charade. There are also tons of scenes with gossip and bashing of people verbally.
Plus, Ford does a good job of writing love stories without making it all about the physical or the lewd. Yes, there are a few scenes that make this a PG-13 book, but nothing that would make me give out a straight out warning.
Plus, Ford does a good job of writing love stories without making it all about the physical or the lewd. Yes, there are a few scenes that make this a PG-13 book, but nothing that would make me give out a straight out warning.
Wondering Questions to Consider
I have to say, overall, throughout the entire book, I just wanted to yell at these characters to grow up. If they only took one night out, alone, and actually talked to each other, at least ninety percent of their issues would have vanished before they found themselves in such a horrible spiral. But isn't that how the statistic of 50% of marriages ending came about? When we take the time to read these fictional stories, we need to take a moment to reevaluate our own marriages and make sure we are being honest with our spouses. If we want to beat the stats and treat marriage as vow, not just a fleeting thought, communication is essential. There is no room for worry of embarrassment over being honest with your spouse. Just make the time, and put in the effort that a vow requires.
The opposite of Love is not Hate, it's Indifference. #TheWomanHeMarried @Reading_List1
Are you a Julie N Ford fan? Are you a contemporary romance fan? Do you allow literature to refocus your real life, learning the lessons from characters, at least for a short time?
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**** Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from ebooks for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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