One Week
Oh wow, this one definitely goes there. I love Roya Carmen’s willingness to explore marital strife and betrayal. Going in with eyes wide open at times, but also… that unexpected devastating reveal. She brings the agony, the insecurities and total breakdown, to the forefront.
As readers, we’re appalled by some of the choices made, aching with the consequences, judging every character, and yet as humans, witnessing one of our biggest fears come true, it’s hard to look away and to not let it personally affect us.
In just a few seconds, my actions are about to change my life, and set off a chain of dominoes. Just a few taps of my finger are about to turn my world upside down, shake it to its core, bulldoze right through my white picket fence. I just don’t know it yet. Oblivious, I tap away…
You can’t not read this, and not FEEL this. And your feelings will be all sorts of horrible, hurting, and hopeful.
So what’s it about?
Gabriella left her professional career to settle down and make a family with her famous author husband. New York times bestseller, his books were in high demand. Together, the perfect partnership. In love, and living the “perfect” life (2 young children, a gorgeous house, anything her heart could desire), she took care of their home, while he took care of their finances.
But Gabriella has been feeling more and more lonely as her husband’s book signing trips and events have been keeping him continuously occupied, and drained by the time he finally gets home again.
It helps when John is around, but lately, he’s been doing a lot of conferences, signings, and media appearances. A lot more than usual.
I try to be understanding. I know he’s a big shot writer and all, and my friends keep saying how lucky I am to be married to such a perfect man; handsome, successful, and a good husband and father. The perfect man, really. I know all this, but yet… I can’t help feeling a little resentful sometimes, jealous even.
She feels like there’s nothing left for her but an endless routine of taking care of their family… alone. Alone, except for her weekly “journaling” group, and her love of art and painting… and her new artist friend that she makes on Instagram.
He calls me right away, and I check my reflection quickly before I accept his call.
I’m a trollop.
God, he’s gorgeous. And real! This is no stock photo. He shoots me a shy smile. “Hi,” he says.
My stomach goes all topsy-turvy. “Hi,” I reply shyly, and smile back.
And so the connection is made. A very risky one at that, but this is only the start of her life lessons, and personal growth, and well… there’s a lot more to this one, then just her newfound crush.
And then it hits me like a Mack truck. I’m completely blindsided because I never saw this coming.
Oooooooooooh my heart was racing!!! I’ll let you discover the jaw-dropping reveal and subsequent consequences.
My only hiccup? The ending was much too fast considering the magnitude of the issues they were facing. I was so sure it was going to end on a cliffhanger, being so close to the end like that and not feeling there was a resolution yet.
Cliffhanger? No. This one ends on a complete note. That said, the epilogue leads us into quite the shock coming into book #2 (but it’s about a different set of characters in their entourage). 🙂
Oh this is going to my TBR list right now!! And i need to tell you Maryse, last night i finished a book called “Midnight Blue” by L.J Shen (“normal” girl gets a job on a tour by one of the most famous rockstars in the world) and it BLEW MY MIND. Oh the plot twists and the angst!!!! Absolutely loved it! You need to check it out!!
I started this one last night so not going to read the review just yet haha.
Oooh Anne, I 1-clicked Midnight Blue yesterday as it was reduced to .99c (bargain!) – going to start that one after One Week. It sounds goooood!
MIDNIGHT BLUE was delish! Read it right after it came out and really was a fan. 4.5 from me. Going to read this one next.