Member Reviews
This is a emotional southern novel set in Alabama about family drama, secrets, friends, forgiveness, and learning to live with past mistakes. Ms. Denton has given us a fabulous novel that pulls you in and holds your interest until the very last page. As with all of her books, I loved it. Thanks to author Lauren K. Denton, publisher Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for an honest opinion.
Edie and Mac are high school sweethearts. They both have successful careers and two great teenagers. One day, a young woman shows up at Mac's office and with the very first look at her, Mac knows that his life is about to change drastically. The book does flip between current day and a period of time 19 years earlier when Mac and Edie had gone their separate ways for a summer. As the story develops, Mac & Edie face some difficult decisions and reflect on past decisions.
The blurb caught my attention. I’m not keen on stories revolving around marriage struggles. I had other stories to read, but I was so curious about how this one would play out and if my heart could take it, I put the others aside and started. I was not disappointed and thoroughly pleased. Some parts pained me, but others made me very happy.
Edie Everett and Mac Swan had a bright future ahead of them yet they decide to take a summer apart before their senior year of college. Was it for the best? Almost two decades of marriage later that may still be the question. Marriage is both a beautiful commitment and hard work. There can always come a time when one questions choices and decisions though. Both Edie and Mac do this. Especially when things get tough. When the bomb is dropped, I feel the devastation. I’m with Edie all the way. I’m heartbroken and angry. I’m all over the place with my feelings for Mac. I’m immensely impressed with his determination to do his own thing. I hate the consequences of some of those actions though. But once he has accepted those consequences, I love way he handles himself and his dogged determination to make things right, especially with his wife.
As they both go through the stages to work towards getting their life back on track it’s all there - hurt, anger, sorrow, doubt, longing, desire, love. The emotions ran the gamut. And the questions too. Can I do this was prevalent and I found myself wondering the same thing. The hurt and forgiveness was huge. Edie was a much stronger, and dare I say, more compassionate person than I could ever be. It was not a perfect marriage but what marriage is? They both had their faults but what was important was they communicated once trouble hit. Their strength was in their love for each other and their family and doing what they thought was best for them.
In the end this was a wonderful read that I couldn’t put down for many reasons and well worth putting off the others so I could read this first.
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Mac and Edie met in high school. They got married after college and had two kids. Mac was a pediatrician and Edie was an interior designer. Mac gets a visitor at the office claiming to be his daughter. He is not sure how Edie will take the news. I enjoyed the different characters.
The One You're With by Lauren K. Denton. Family relationships, realistically portrayed with well developed relatable characters. Mac and Edie are willing to work through past consequences that have recently come to light. Refreshing to read about characters who love and respect each other, and are committed to one another, their marriage, and family.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
THE ONE YOU'RE WITH by LAUREN K DENTON is an enjoyable romantic novel with a great story and interesting characters.
When Riley Mills, pregnant and afraid, goes for help from pediatrician Mac Swan, things are uncovered that threaten to break up his family.
In 2000 Mac and his girlfriend of seven years, Edie Everett, take time apart for three months during the summer break. When they get back they pick up where they left off and get married, have two children and seventeen years later it seems as though they have the "perfect" life.
We see love tested to the limit, which is due largely to them keeping secrets from one another. Will they be able to save their marriage and their family, or will they each go their separate way?
I recommend The One You're With to anyone who enjoys romantic fiction.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.