First of all, has anyone else seen this cover and thought it was a Christmas novel? Just me? K. 🤣 Well I'm SO excited I got to read this new NON Christmas novel by Lauren K Denton
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Thank you thank you to @netgalley and @thomasnelson for this complimentary copy. Obviously, these views are my own as always 👌
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I'll start by saying that this novel is very different then any other Denton novels I've read. The writing was different, the story was, and the plot moved faster then normal. All these were very GOOD differences for this reader!
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I had no idea the type of drama this family was about to go through, but I am all about the drama and I was HERE for it!!! Lots of questions that needed answers kept me not able to put this down until all was laid bare.
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I will say that for a minute there, I was worried this story was not going in a direction that I'd be able to enjoy. Thankfully things turned around and to say I was happy with the ending would be an understatement. I was in tears 😭😭
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So so happy with this one, definitely recommend picking it up 😁
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Lauren Denton's books are always clean. This one had a bit more content then usual, but none that even came close to a bedroom scenes. Also, if there was any language, I don't remember it. Be aware that teen pregnancy and all the difficulties that go with it are here. And I think that part was written and handled so well

"The One You're With" is a well-written story of a seemingly perfect marriage colliding with a 20 year old secret. Mac and Edie have the perfect life, the perfect marriage, until a secret from the past shows up on Mac's front door. What unfolds is a story of learning what to do when everything in your life is under inspection. Can a marriage and family build a new foundation when the one they've been living on shifts? I found both Mac and Edie to be likeable but not believable as emotional characters. I felt like we were told of their feelings, not shown. The ending gave me hope for their family and their new
"stretched to fit" life.

Edie, Mac and Graham are best friends and then Mac and Edie become childhood sweethearts. During the summer between junior and senior years in college they break up. Mac is working on a dock and has a fling with a young woman and at the end of the summer realizes he wants to spend his life with Edie.

I thought the characters were well-developed and I didn't like Edie much but you need to decide that for yourself. The story was very readable and flowed but I had the feeling I had read this story before by another author and it all seemed predictable.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is not my usual genre of book, but the blurb caught my eye. It was enjoyable, and it probably would've been the perfect book to read outside.

I did find Edie to be insanely irritating, though. The whole Ross/Rachel "We were on a break" thing doesn't look so good on middle aged adults with teenage children and without the comic relief.

I have to confess. After not liking Denton’s very first novel that well and steering clear of the others, I was a little on edge about what to expect for this one. I didn’t know if my feelings would be the same as the first novel or if I would like it, so I was a little nervous in the beginning of this one. However, once I pushed through and kept on, I was glad that I did!

Reading as a clean fiction, this novel is filled with secrets, and a couple that will stay with you long after you close the book. Mac and Edie truly came to live for me. I followed their story on pins and needles, alternating between the past, the present, and what could be for the future. I stayed up long into the night trying to hang on, feeling their emotions, asking the questions that asked, and feeling the unsureness of it all.

Beautifully written, this story is poignant and truly captivating. This women’s fiction novel will not soon be forgotten and I think I will go back and give the other books that Denton has written a try. Definitely a great 4 star read!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*

Here is my review from my book account:

I know they say not to judge a book by its cover, but I always do, and this gorgeous red-door beauty did not disappoint. If you’ve followed me for a bit, you know I’m a book snob, but I definitely do feel that our reading habits should be just like well-rounded eating—good protein, healthy fats, energy-providing carbs, mineral-rich fruits & veggies, and delicious desserts. This book falls in the dessert category—it’s a quick read that pulls you into the story of this southern couple and is a thoroughly enjoyable treat. The subject matter isn’t light, but it’s not a difficult read—I was totally sucked into the story and read it in about a day, which says a lot because as much as I love to read, I rarely get through an entire book in 24 hours.


Sounds great, right? If you’re looking for a clean, wholesome love story, this book is for you! Denton has created some excellent characters for whom I wanted good, and I really enjoyed getting lost in their stories.

This was my first book from Denton and I’m looking forward to reading more from her. I found myself thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading the book (always a good sign!), wondering what choices they were going to make and how their choices would affect themselves and those around them. Lots of soul searching going on. The ending really ties everything together in a nice way.

This was published by Thomas Nelson and is, therefore, clean fiction. However, there was little reference to faith except to mention going to church or a few desperate prayers during trying situations. I would recommend this book.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Very well written characters. I knew where the story was going from the start. I didn’t love some of the choices made by the characters but guess that’s what makes it more realistic and relatable. Overall a great read.

I really liked this book! This is the story of Edie and Mac Swan, high school sweethearts now married with a family and successful careers. A surprise new arrival in town throws their whole world off kilter, as they have to examine their pasts, secrets kept, and what their future might hold. The novel is very well written and the story drew me right in and held me captive. Sometimes these dual timeline/multiple narrator books can go very awry, but this one was quite well done and I liked the addition of the back story. Definitely a recommended read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 ⭐️‘S
There is no doubt that Denton is a very good writer. This book centers around a marriage, past mistakes and roads not taken. While I enjoyed this book for the most part, it really brought nothing new to the table and there was not much left to the imagination as everything was quite easy to figure out. The drama surrounding “the secret” felt a little overly dramatic, but all in all Denton’s writing carried it through to a more than satisfying ending, even if it was predictable 🙂

Lauren Denton is an author that when I see her name I try to get her books. She is a great writer, writing clean fiction novels. The One You're With is also well written, with great character development.

The One You're With is a story about marriage, the choices we make, and not taking love for granted. Denton writes with a clear voice and the message becomes apparent as you get further into the story.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I loved that it was about a couple that was already married, instead of meeting and then dating like so many other books right now. I appreciated the depth of the writing, and the struggle that Mac and Edie endured. While they always appeared perfect, even "perfect" couples have bumps in the road at times. I also appreciated the conversation between Edie and Avery about not being perfect.

I struggled a bit with this book, especially at the beginning. It was predictable and I had a difficult time picturing a couple that was as close as Edie and Mac were supposed to be, keeping such big secrets about their summer apart. My husband and I have been married twenty-two years, and this was just unbelievable to me and colored the first half of the book. Once I got past that I could appreciate the messages and the writing better. Also, as it is labeled "Christian" fiction, I would have loved to have seen a faith element in the book.

I would recommend this book to those who love realistic contemporary fiction, with a bit of drama. The book is a clean read and the messages are good.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The perfect marriage is not always what it seems. After settling into a happy life, Mac and Edie Swan have a wrench thrown into their lives. It shakes their marriage, puts the family at risk of losing it all. A young woman appears and shares a secret, a HUGE secret and it affects everyone.

I found The One You’re With an easy read. The story moved at a good pace that kept me entertained but did not skip any important parts. I got to know the characters and understand their thoughts. I loved how real they were. Their reactions, feelings, and personalities are how people in my life would react if put in the same position. The pain, the love, and the respect for each other was strong and showed the love they have for each other.

Edie was my favorite character. She was put in an extremely difficult position and instead of letting it push her under, she pushed through found strength that she did not even know she possessed and kept her family together. As a mom I could relate and understand her pain, her reactions, and her love for those important to her.

The One You’re With is a book of family dynamics and messiness but also of strength and love of a family.

Lauren K. Denton is a go-to author for richly layered stories with emotionally engaging characters. The One You’re With is a powerful story about regrets, choosing love and forgiveness, and the effects our choices have far into the future. The book alternates between Mac and Edie’s story in the present day and the summer that changed both of their lives in ways they never fully realized. Their family is confronted with the consequences of both the choices Mac made and his decision to keep those choices from Edie, and those consequences bring major upheaval to their lives.

Commitment is not something our society places a high value on, but it is the focus of this book, which I found refreshing and compelling. The story moves at a slower pace, taking the time to develop the characters fully and bringing the reader on the journey with them as they ask, “What if?” I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, especially to fans of Katie Ganshert and Rachel Hauck.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The One You’re With is fiction that spans the time between 2000 and present day. It is a story of high-school sweethearts and best friends, Mac, Edie and Graham, and the choices they made earlier and how they have affected their lives. This is a well written story that focuses on the outcome of choices the three made while in college, especially Mac’s summer romance. This story is so realistic in the sense that Mac and Edie’s marriage has change through the years as their children have grown and their careers have become successful.

I enjoyed reading this book, there is sadness, struggles and acceptance. I enjoyed reading how Mac’s family worked through accepting his daughter and the relationships they all developed. I appreciated the decision Edie made with changes to her career and doing something for herself. This story grabbed me right from the start and stayed with me after finishing. There is so much substance in this story, that at times it felt real. While this is published by a Christian publisher, there is only the mention of attending church.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing. This is my honest review.

Lauren Denton is quickly becoming a go-to author of mine. Each of her books (that I have read) offers a unique family drama with a little romance - this book was no different. Out of all of the books I have read by her, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 might just be my favorite. I love to read about family dynamics, marriages, and real-life situations. ⁣
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Each character felt realistic and the dialogue was believable. The story is told from the perspective of both Mac & Edie in both the past and the present. Both characters work through their own set of regrets and dreams for the future. There are always those times when you ask yourself what could have been “if only” you had made a different decision. This is a theme Denton touches on throughout this book.⁣
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Marriage is often depicted in literature as all swoony romance, steamy sex, or fairy tale weddings. It is rare that an author dives into the hard work and sacrifice it takes to make a marriage last. I feel like this book reflects that forgotten, but vital aspect of a marriage relationship. I also appreciated that this book was life-affirming, yet didn’t shy away from the real struggles that Riley faced as a teen with an unplanned pregnancy. I would have loved a few chapters from Riley’s perspective.⁣
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I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a quieter family drama.

Absolutely fantastic!!! I adored this Denton book, and I have been recommending it to everyone. It is the perfect Southern fiction, summer time reading. Denton did a fantastic job developing her characters, creating an engaging story line, and I"m so grateful to be able to read and review this book.

Edie and Mac have been together since high school and are living a picturesque life, raising two wonderful children and being beloved members of their community. Everything is perfect until one day, a young woman walks into Mac's office and threatens this perfect life. Mac and Edie will be forced to confront the past they had long since buried and figure out what the future holds for them or if they will be doing it together or apart.
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I have never read a Lauren Denton book and was pleasantly surprised to be selected to be part of the @uplitreads campaign. This was a fast-paced book I read in two sittings during a rainy weekend. I was drawn into the love triangles of Mac and Edie's past and found myself drawn to all of the characters. Edie's parents seem like a real hoot though, so I wish we had seen more of them. Maybe in the next book! Thoroughly enjoyed getting caught up in this book.
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Well written family drama about the "perfect" family, living the perfect life in a perfectly beautiful town. That is until a bombshell is dropped into their laps and they must negotiate their new future - together or separately. Realistically told story that really makes you think.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Nelson for this ARC!

This story could have been depressing but it was not. I say this because of the way that Edie reacted when she learned shocking news from Mac. Which I am not blaming her for her reaction as I would have had the same reaction and feelings. It just is the fact that Edie could have been the bitter wife through out the story but she did not become that person.

Thus in turn I was not turned off by anyone and embraced them all. This book may be fiction but it felt real. This shows that I really embraced the characters and the story. It was such an easy read for me because of these factors. Readers will like this book. I know I did and want to read more books by this author.

Honestly I wasn't sure how I felt about this book when I started reading it. It didn't grip me like some books can yet I couldn't put it down.
Written in both the present and the past we view the lives, actions and decisions of the main characters approximately twenty years apart. And the consequences.
Edie and Mac are high school sweethearts and college sweethearts except for the summer they broke up. This is the past. Fast forward a couple decades they are married with kids living their life until the past comes knocking.
I loved the development of the characters from the past to the present and well as and especially during the present. With everything that happens both Edie and Mac grow and learn. I love how this is conveyed. There was no magic bullet, reconciliation, forgiveness, growth, understanding, renewal and moving forward takes time. This book took the time to handle everything that came up.