Reviewed by JoAnne
ebook provided by Turquoise Morning Press

This was a novel that surprised me with its depth at times and other times at the shallowness of the two main characters, especially Tracy. It was a little confusing how the author kept going back and forth to their earlier life and then the present especially when Tracy would go back to the past in her thoughts in a present day chapter. Tracy didn't seem happy from the beginning of their relationship but she always acquiesced and did what she thought others wanted her to do. When she finally had enough of losing who she was as a person (or so she thought) she lost it and made everyone's life around her miserable until she came to her senses towards the end of the book. She didn't want Sean anymore but wasn't willing to give him up by divorcing him either. What others would have thought was a good life with a loving husband, 3 good kids, family, friends, a nice house, a job she sometimes loved became a ball and chain to Tracy and never seemed to be enough especially when she thought of all the lists and plans she made over the years that went unfulfilled or didn't match her original timetable. How Sean put up with it as long as he did surprised me no end but at times it seemed his love for Tracy made him weak where it should have made him strong loving her as much as he did. It shook her up when she met Sean and Tom's dad at her mother in law's wake and found out the reason he left her and his kids all those years before. Her friend Maggie gave her an earful and also got Tracy to see her life differently than she was picturing it after Maggie heard how she was treating Sean. All in all this was an enjoyable read. It kept my attention through many twists and turns - some expected and others not. There was also laughter and some tears. I like the way the book ended but would have liked a few more chapters to see if Tracy and Sean could really get back the love that was buried so deeply by both of them. I haven't read books by this author before and would be interested in reading others.

Favorite Quote: "Not happy, contented. Happy sounded better. No, contented is better. Happy is fleeting. A new scarf or handbag makes you happy, at least, until you see another one Trust me, contented is much better because when you are content, you want for nothing else."

"Tracy sat back in the chair, her eyes still fixed on the screen, and let the words sink into her skin. Content. I want to be content. I want to want for nothing more. Happiness is a choice."

"Happy doesn't last. Happy can be too easy." ( )