read

This story is narrated from the POV of Avery Chambers, the unconventional therapist and Marissa Bishop, the wife who cheated on her husband, Matthew Bishop. The story alternates between telling the story of the Bishops and that of the therapist.

Avery Chambers received her Master's degree in Social Work married to Paul who was an author, 20 years her junior and dies from a seizure caused by an aggressive brain tumor. Avery has her own ideas about how to help her clients and developed a 10-step therapy session program. This practice swayed from the traditional practice she was licensed to practice. After she loses her therapist license she decides to practice by her own rules. She is a woman who isn't afraid to push the limits or boundaries to get the results she seeks with her clients and in her personal life.

Marissa and Matthew Bishop are trying to reconcile after it is revealed that Marissa had an affair with a man at her gym. Matthew is a partner in a DC law firm sleeping in the guest room when he agrees to seek counseling when Marissa suggests they see Avery. Marissa owns a boutique shop called Coco where she sells unique, specialty items and has Polly working as an assistant for her so she can care for their 8 year old son Bennett. The Bishops agree to the unusual therapy techniques of Avery Chambers but aren't convinced that this will work and don't completely reveal the depths of their marital issues. Meanwhile, Avery is dealing with her own personal drama which distracts her focus and provides her own problems.

This is a tumultuous ride of some very flawed characters who are juggling deceit and lies with trust and forgiveness. Will they be able to resolve jealousy and betrayal and find a family worth saving? ( )

Marissa and Matthew are often referred to as 'the golden couple" so why are they going to see a therapist? Because Marissa has a confession to make and she anonymously received an article about Avery, the therapist, and her unconventional methods. Of apparent little to no concern to Marissa is the fact that Avery is no longer a licensed therapist, she just hopes Avery can help their marriage.

There is something that connects Avery to Marissa and Matthew but you don't realize what it is until the end of the book (unless you figure out beforehand). ( )

Avery, a maverick therapist who lost her license due to controversial methods, agrees to help golden couple Marissa and Mathew Bishop overcome Marissa's cheating, setting all three of them on a collision course because the biggest--and most dangerous--secrets have not yet been revealed.

Avery’s method didn’t seem plausible to me but it was entertaining. Besides the problems with Marissa’s cheating, Avery had problems with a pharmaceutical company threatening her because she called in information about serious problems with one of their drugs which she learned about from a client. There were many twist and turns. Although not compelling, it kept me interested. ( )

3.5 ( )