I am writing a review of The Husband Hour by Jamie Brenner. I read this novel in one weekend! It was that good. The story involved a timely topic while also examining the relationships within a family. It is a great read for me when I am still thinking about it days later. This book will have you reading late into the night. Kudos to the author!! I received this novel free and in return I wrote this honest review. It would be great to see this novel turned into a movie.

My heart was just filled with emotions as I was swept into this story of Lauren, a young widow who was lost in grief and frozen in her ability to move ahead. Her husband Rory was a professional hockey star and a war hero who was killed in Iraq. There are so many layers to this story, research into behaviors and consequences due to concussions, TBI's, sustained by athletes, PTSD from trauma in the Military that effect the plot of this book and keep you guessing. Lauren has a complicated history with her sister Stephanie, her nephew Ethan, and guards shocking secrets. Lauren has secrets she can't even acknowledge to herself, or fully comprehend about her husband. She meets Matt a documentary film maker who wants to do a feature on Rory, and Lauren although very reticent is finally pulled into agreeing and is led down a journey that is heartbreaking, suspenseful and yet so compelling I didn't want to put this book down. I loved this book and recommend it highly!

This book is a genuine look at how none of us are perfect, woven with the complexities of losing a spouse, who was in the military, and also an NHL star. There are so many layers to this book, I was constantly engaged in what was happening and went on a roller coaster of emotions through Rory's death, Lauren trying to find her way back to herself, while also reconnecting with her family. There were several plotlines going at once, though they were all well developed and worked together. I think this is a rare feat to accomplish, and really made this book enjoyable.

The Husband Hour is about family secrets; past, and present, and what they can do to the future. A good story with a timely topic woven in.

This novel explores the complexity of marriage after a loved one unexpectedly passes away. Lauren's husband, Rory, was a NHL hockey star turned soldier who died in the line of duty. Lauren lives the four years after Rory's death in obscurity and out of the media spotlight, until filmmaker, Matt, tracks her down in a New Jersey beach town determined to tell Rory's story. We learn that Rory was more than superstar athlete turned war hero, and Lauren begins to once again live life after losing the man she loved.

I loved this book so much! Such a well written story with relatable characters that I fell in love with! Every page got better and I never wanted to put it down!

After her hockey star turned soldier husband dies, Lauren Adelman cannot seem to move her life forward. She moves into her family's summer house and works as a waitress--until her family and a filmmaker converge one summer and revelations are made that force her to take action. This was an engaging, entertaining book

My favorite part of Jamie Brenner's book was the location. The Jersey shore is familiar and one of my favorite places to be, I could relate to the location and the location almost felt like a character in the book to me.

I am sorry I did not read this book on the beach in the summer. This book had a little of everything, romance, sibling rivalry, family dysfunction, empty nester angst and the timely issue of athletes brain injuries. I like when I learn from a book while being entertained and I do feel like I learned about athlete concussions and the dire results.

Rory and Lauren's love story was interesting enough. The journey of Lauren's healing was also enough to keep the story interesting and the pages turning.

I will recommend this book to my many friends who visit the Jersey shore for the summer and are avid readers, this book defines beach read.

The Husband Hour is set at the Jersey Shore, which is enough to make me fall in love with it. But, oh, it is so much more than that!

In less than 400 pages, this novel tackles so many important topics: traumatic brain injury, the culture of sports and athletes, grief, moving on, guilt, relationships, learning and accepting truth, and even more. As readers, we get a glimpse into the life of an athlete's wife, a glimpse into the life of a military wife, and a glimpse at the life of someone who just can't move on from her past.

The book is centered on Lauren Kincaid, a widow of five years who has no desire to move on from being Rory Kincaid's wife. When a documentary filmmaker enters her life and tries to get her to talk about Rory, and then challenges what she believes about Rory, she is opened up to an entirely new truth. It's nearly impossible to not get engrossed in Lauren's emotions - you can feel them through the pages. Her grief, her anger, her guilt. And then her relief, her happiness, her readiness to move forward.

Jamie Brenner did an incredible job telling Lauren's story, while also telling the story of her mother, Beth, her sister, Stephanie, and even Rory. I found myself rooting for all of the characters, hoping they all get over their current struggles. And, beyond the characters, Brenner highlights issues that we see today - the expectation that athletes recover quickly and get back in the game, our ignorance as athletes and coaches and supporters to the possibility of permanent damage, and how people are flawed, but systems are also flawed...and it shouldn't always be about fixing the person, when the real issues rests with the system.

I read this in two days and think I would've read it in one if I didn't have other commitments. It's a great weekend read, or beach read, or plane read. Just read it! You won't regret it.

Review will be posted week of 5/17/18

Lauren Kincaid married her high school sweetheart who is an up and coming hockey star. After dating all through high school and college, they decide to make it official and get married. At this point, Rory, her significant other, is playing professional hockey, but after a few rough hits and some benching he is wondering if there is anything more out there for him than hockey super stardom. Meanwhile, Lauren is pursing her dreams of being a journalist, but it's hard to do this when she is following Rory around and sometimes she takes jobs that are less than stellar. To complicate matters further, Rory has confided in Lauren that he wants to enlist and serve his country. Obviously, this terrifies Lauren as this is not the future she envisioned for herself and her hockey star husband. When Rory is killed in action while serving in Iraq, Lauren's world is turned upside down not to mention all the media coverage has her freaked out since Rory's was a professional athlete. She retreats to her parents' shore house at the Jersey Shore and pretty much goes off the grid. After years of hiding out at the shore, she comes to find out that a filmmaker would like to do a documentary on Rory and despite Lauren's insistence that she doesn't want to work with him, he keeps showing up just about everywhere and has even interviewed her sister and others. Matt thinks there is more to Rory's story than just a hockey star turned army hero and deep down Lauren knows there are many secrets, some that she isn't willing to tell. Or is she? Jamie Brenner's The Husband Hour is a delightful beach read that not only has the amazing setting of the Jersey Shore, but it also examines grief, family secrets, and essentially the idea of picking yourself up after tragedy and moving on.

Lauren is the kind of character you immediately feel for in The Husband Hour. She has been through a lot and has sort of folded into herself using the backdrop of the Jersey Shore to hide out even further. I mean the shore in the winter is pretty much deserted, which is exactly what she wants. Her hermit status falls to the wayside when her parents and her sister decide to spend the summer at the shore house. What will become of her plans to be isolated with just her memories, her running routes, and her waitressing job? Also, the arrival of Matt, the filmmaker, also complicates things, especially when he starts digging and doesn't take no for an answer.

Slowly Brenner shares with readers flashbacks to Lauren and Rory's life as high school students as well as experiences throughout their relationship. I simultaneously fell in love with their relationship as well as despised it as it evolved slowly into something complicated. I think Brenner does a good job showing how things aren't always as they seem and relationships, although they appear to be perfect, sometimes aren't. As we scratch the surface of who Rory actually is, readers can piece together a major issue just waiting to bubble over. It's sort of heartbreaking actually.

I truly adored the setting of the Jersey Shore in The Husband Hour. You guys know that I have been going to the shore my whole life and I loved Brenner's depictions of Ventnor, Margate, and other shore landmarks. She truly brought to life a Jersey Shore town and I wanted to hide out with Lauren as well, running on the boardwalks in the early morning with only the sounds of her footsteps, seagulls, and the crashing waves. I loved it! Also, her flashbacks to Lauren's childhood in Lower Merion also tugged on my heartstrings as I grew up not far from there and was able to recognize many landmarks. Local readers will love this!

I also liked Brenner's portrayal of a family staying together at a shore house all summer long in The Husband Hour. Her parents also had issues they were dealing with along with her super complicated sister and her sister's son. It definitely kept me entertained!

If you like your beach reads filled with family drama and secrets that slowly rise to the surface, throw Jamie Brenner's novel, The Husband Hour, in your beach bag this summer.

After Lauren's husband died she moved herself to her families beach house. She worked and had some friends, on the island, but she hid herself well. Now years later her whole family is coming to the island and so is a stranger who is going to turn her life upside down.

This is a emotional roller coaster, reading about the trials this family has been through. The betrayals and how they pull together is endearing.



** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

"When a young widow's reclusive life in a charming beach town is interrupted by a surprise visitor, she is forced to reckon with dark secrets about her family, her late husband, and the past she tried to leave behind."

While this sounds like a typical beach read" , the story contains more substance. Traumatic brain injury from playing years of hockey is also explored within this novel. The Husband Hour explores the emotional aspects of dealing with a death of a husband and exploring life after grief. The story line moves at a good pace and keeps the reader engaged. The characters are flawed but for the most part, likable. While some parts of the storyline were very predictable, sometimes that is comforting, particular in a storyline that can bring sadness.

I think #NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Husband Hour by Jamie Brenner was definitely one of my most anticipated reads for April, and I'm so excited to have finally read it. I read Jamie's previous book, The Forever Summer, last year, and really enjoyed the story. So, of course, I was really looking forward to reading this new book by her as well!

The story is about a young widow named Lauren, who lost her high school sweetheart/star hockey player husband after he enlisted in the Army and died in combat overseas. I found myself relating to Lauren over and over again as the story went along, and I imagine I would react much the same way she did if I were ever in her shoes. You can definitely feel her pain, and I couldn't help but grieve with her as the story went along. I have to say, I kind of love Lauren's family. They are so far from perfect, but that strong family bond is still there, which is something that I also loved in Jamie's previous book as well. And then there is Matt, the filmmaker that turns Lauren's world upside down. I did not expect to like Matt as much as I did, but he definitely grew on me over time. So many well written characters in this story.

The storyline for The Husband Hour was a bit sadder than that of the previous book I read, but was still engrossing nonetheless. (Again, I can't even imagine being in Lauren's shoes, though I'd probably react much the same way she had if that ever happened to me.) I liked that the story is told in both previous and past tense, and by different narrators as well. (I love books that have multiple narrators!) This story has quite a few twists and turns along the way, a few that I probably should have seen coming, but didn't, and that definitely kept things interesting. I also really loved the setting for the book. Books set at the beach have recently become favorites of mine, and I'm glad that winter is coming to an end so that I can add these books back into my TBR.

Overall; I think Jamie Brenner has another hit on her hands with The Husband Hour! The book has great characters, an engrossing storyline, and a wonderful setting. I really enjoyed it, and I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for more new books by Jamie in the future!

Happy Reading!!

A beautiful story of a widowed sister trying to come to terms with the loss of her hero husband and her estranged sister and how they now need each other and need to resolve their issues and heal together.

Another great story told by Jamie Brenner! Brenner is quickly becoming a favorite author for me. This book is a fantastic beach/summer read that should on your TBR list! Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. #jamiebrenner #thehusbandhour #netgalley

The cover of The Husband Hour would make the reader think that it is a light fun beach read. It is so much more than that - it's about sports, the military and family. It does take place at the beach - the Jersey shore to be exact and its a wonderful well written book.

Lauren has been a widow for 5 years after her husband Rory dies in the middle east during combat. They met in high school - he was a star hockey player and she was a quiet student. When he was drafted by the NHL after college they got married. After several bad hits in the head, his personality began to change and he joined the Army. When Rory dies in combat, Lauren is left devastated, alone, and hounded by the media. She runs away to her parents beach house at the Jersey shore and becomes a loner. When she finds out that there is a documentary being made about Rory's life, she is infuriated and tries to stop Matt from filming anyone in her family.

The author did significant research on traumatic brain injuries suffered by athletes and I learned a lot about the issue. Overall, this is a wonderful story about learning to overcome grief and learn to live life again after a loved on dies.

The Husband Hour was a fast paced story about a grieving widow, Lauren Adelman, who can't move past the devastation she experienced losing her famous NHL playing husband, Rory Kincaid. Lauren is forced to deal with family secrets, unexpected relationships, and guilt while she retreats at her grandmother's beach house. As a documenter, Matt Brio, uncovers buried information about Rory, he seeks out Lauren to confirm and add to his findings. His presence complicates her "safe" haven even more.

Jamie Brenner did it again! This is a must read for anytime of the year.

The Husband Hour Jamie Brenner

This is a compelling novel about two young people, falling in love in high school and never wanting to be apart. But outside factors seem to always work against them.

Lauren Kincaid is a grieving widow at twenty-four. Her husband Rory Kincaid was killed in combat. He was a professional hockey player, who quit hockey to enlist in the Army and became a Ranger. Their love story on the surface seems idyllic, but after he is killed, Lauren escapes to her family’s home on the Jersey shore. Four years later, much to her Mom’s dismay, she is still there, leaves the house only for a 12 mile run daily and working for a diner in town called Nora’s. She loves the solitude, a small number of friends and the ocean. Family and friends tell her she has to start a new life, but she has no desire too. She avoids anything to do with her husband’s death.

Matt Brio is a former war correspondent, now documentary filmmaker. He is intrigued by Rory Kincaid and his story of his living the high’s of pro hockey, and pushing it aside to serve his country. He has interviews with coaches, fellow players and even Army buddies, but the one person he really needs is his widow, Lauren. She won’t even speak to him.
The more he researches he learns about Rory’s injuries in high school, and his pro career. Suddenly concussions have an impact on what’s he is seeing. He desperately needs to talk to Lauren to see if he had exhibited any symptoms of CTE.

He eventually finds Lauren and slowly but surely convinces her the need to tell the real story of Rory Kincaid. In the process a lot of secrets are revealed, affecting Lauren, her sister, and even her parents. But Matt is pulling her out of her “safe zone” and Lauren begins to feel emotions she felt were gone forever. With Matt’s help, she decides it’s time for the real story. But, can Lauren handle the deep secret that comes with the real story?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the privilege of reading and reviewing this very thought provoking story.
Pat Fordyce

4.5 Stars!

Wow! I loved this book so much. It was not like anything that I was expecting but it was incredibly well executed and I'm so happy I read it!

We start out with Lauren, Rory and Stephanie. Lauren and Stephanie are sisters that have typical sister fights. Lauren is writing for the school newspaper because she wants to be a journalist one day. She has to interview the lead hockey player: insert Rory. One night Stephanie has a party and Rory is there. He comes out of Stephanies room and Lauren can't help but know what just happened however she develops these strong feelings for him anyway.

Fast forward many years and we are at Rory's funeral and Lauren is seen as Rory's widow. He was the all American hero. He was a superior Athlete and sacrificed his life for this country in combat. Their marriage was perfect and they were in love high school sweethearts...right? As the story unfolds we find out A LOT of secrets. Some more predictable than others but still they were good. I think this book really brings up the question of 'Just because you have a lot going for you does it mean you'll make the perfect spouse, teammate, brother or even man?'

This book also covers the topic of military PTSD. I don't want to go too much into it as that's part of the story but it's a very real part of this story and I personally found it interesting.

There's so much more I want to add but I certainly don't want to give anything away.

The thing I really loved most about this book was that it totally transported me to the beach. Even with all the other issues going on with the characters I just imagined being by the beach, in that warm air, on the boardwalk - maybe i've just been stuck in this Chicago winter too long!

This book published yesterday and I highly recommend it! Well done to Jamie Brenner!

In the Husband Hour, we met Lauren who has recently lost her husband Rory who was NHL player and military man. Lauren moves back home to New Jersey to get away from it all and from everyone who wants to know her and Rory’s story. After some time a filmmaker named Matt comes in search of her hoping to have her blessing in making a movie about her husband. Matt’s presence soon shakes up everyone's lives and secrets that didn’t think would surface comes up and people are hurt and lives could be ruined forever. This will either break Lauren forever or it will heal her in a way she never thought possible, all because of Matt.

I really enjoyed this story, at first you think this is just the story of Rory and Lauren which it is but I see it more of Lauren trying to get her life back. She has loved Rory since they were teens so when he passed away it broke Lauren to pieces he was her world so it was understandable that she would try and save this reputation but she soon finds out things about him that will break her image of him. I also loved how her family played a huge role in the story. Her parents had a subplot in this which was also interesting and the dynamics between Lauren and her sister was also very interesting and we get to see how their relationship plays a role in all of this.

The Husband Hour is another winner from Jamie Brenner who gives us characters with such depth that you can't help but get invested in their lives. She gives us a story of love, loss, forgiving but most important one of rebuilding. To pick yourself up after something so devastating takes more courage than anything and that’s what makes this read so wonderfully page turning. Do yourself a favor and take the time to fall into this great novel.