Category: Adult Fiction 18+
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Literary, Humor
Publisher: Wren Park Publishing, 264 pages
Release date: July 2021
Content Rating: PG for the subject matter of adult relationships/marriage/divorce, but there is no bad language or explicit sex scenes.
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Espouse: (v.) to take in marriage; to make a marriage permanent by court decree; the court-approved process by which couples may stay together beyond the legal 15-year term.
In the contemporary world, fifteen years is considered the legal life cycle of a marriage. If a couple wants to stay together (married), they must hire a lawyer and petition the court to become Espoused.
After 14 years of marriage, Sara and Thomas Healy are still in love. Their decision to go to court to be espoused permanently is a source of great embarrassment for their children. Avery is ready for the benefits of uncoupling, and Sam really doesn’t need the social stigma of parents who decide to stay together, on top of everything else. Lame! Their espouse attorney, Gwen Stevens, has other problems. The judge for the Healy case is her nemesis, Carly Abraham, also known as “the Wicked Witch of the Bench.” Judge Abraham was previously married to Gwen’s husband Dennis, from whom she uncoupled after the allotted 15 years. She hates espouse lawyers on principle, and seems to have an extra dose of dislike for Gwen personally.
While the Healys struggle through the espouse experience—trial separation, uncouple counseling, and ongoing financial burdens—Gwen has to deal with the judge and her own struggles at home. In this fight for love, who has the answers?
Unique Story-Line with Wonderful Characters. Growing up in a small town as a child with divorced parents--during a time and place when divorced parents were rare--I could certainly identify with the children traumatized by "espousing" as the author presented them in the novel. The author does a beautiful job creating her characters, developing their personal stories and relationships--and showing the challenges and struggles of the families facing the unpopular decision to espouse. Readers will become so drawn to the characters and their futures that it is impossible to put the book down.
The Novel Shares Many Views on the Plot at Hand. The author's writing style perfectly develops her story through her characters and their personal experiences with the laws regarding marriage & espousing. By showing many sides of the same debate--she can present many aspects of emotions, love, marriage, and life. The author flawlessly moved between characters and families to tell the "whole" story and keep readers engaged on every page. There was never a point where the novel slowed or became confusing.
Would I Recommend Espoused by Jean Marie Davis? When I first read the novel's description--I doubted that I would find the story "real" or relatable. I was expecting a satirical look at love, divorce, and marriage. While it is presented humorously and turns the concepts of long-lasting marriage and divorce around for readers, it is so well written and the characters so well-drawn that it is still possible to relate, sympathize, and root for them throughout the novel. If you enjoy contemporary fiction, romance, and family dramas--with a twist--this is the perfect book for your reading list.
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Jean Marie Davis was born and raised in Huntington, New York. After graduating from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, she moved back to Long Island where she worked in the Marketing Research industry for over 30 years. She currently lives in Centerport, New York close to her daughter and son.
Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads
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Angela, thank you so very much for hosting my book and for the wonderful review! I'm so happy you enjoyed the characters and found them to be engaging. I love to hear what people have to say about the concept and thank you again for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
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