From the author of the New
York Times bestseller On
the Island.
What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else?
Chris and Claire Canton’s marriage is on life support. Downsized during the recession and out of work for a year, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. When he’s offered a position that will keep him away from home four nights a week, he dismisses Claire’s concern that time apart could be the one thing their fragile union can’t weather. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.
Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. He pulls Claire over during a routine traffic stop, and they run into each other again at the 4th of July parade. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department, her friendship with Daniel grows, and soon they’re spending hours together.
Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire’s marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn’t take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads, and skating close to the line that Claire has sworn she’ll never cross.
What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else?
Chris and Claire Canton’s marriage is on life support. Downsized during the recession and out of work for a year, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. When he’s offered a position that will keep him away from home four nights a week, he dismisses Claire’s concern that time apart could be the one thing their fragile union can’t weather. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.
Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. He pulls Claire over during a routine traffic stop, and they run into each other again at the 4th of July parade. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department, her friendship with Daniel grows, and soon they’re spending hours together.
Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire’s marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn’t take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads, and skating close to the line that Claire has sworn she’ll never cross.
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Four Stars
On the Island is
one of my favorite contemporary romance books. When Tracey
Garvis-Graves announced she was writing something new and that it was
going to be women's fiction, I was rather intrigued. I enjoy reading
books in this genre. I find certain struggles women go through to be
fascinating. Ahhh, but Covet turned out to be so much more.
It turns out anyone...women, men, married, single, young-at-heart or
old can relate to the strong messages conveyed in Covet.
When I first read the
summary for this book, I knew it was going to be hard to read. Did I
really want to read about a crumbling marriage? However, when I was
given the opportunity to read an early copy, I jumped at the chance!
I adore this author's writing, but mostly I was so curious at how she
would handle certain subjects.
The gist of this story
centers around Claire and Chris Canton's failing marriage. When you
meet them in the beginning, Chris is about a month into working at
his new job. The toll the year of unemployment has had on their
marriage is pretty obvious. Now their marriage is tested more than
ever with Chris traveling for work several days during the week.
“We've become like
the proverbial two ships that pass in the night. No time for
connecting, fixing, rebuilding. Just as I'd feared. I wonder how many
marriages are fractured and damaged beyond repair by complacency
rather than any single traumatic event.” loc 2044 eARC
One of the things I liked
about Covet is that we get Claire's, Chris's and Daniel's POV.
Reading about Chris's feelings and struggles just made my heart break
for him. We do get glimpses of happier times which is why seeing
Chris and Claire go through their current situation makes it all the
more difficult. It just made me sad to see a once happy marriage
falling apart, especially when there are children involved. Then
there is Daniel, who is such a genuinely good person and friend to
Claire. I was rooting for his happiness, too!
“Maybe that's how
it starts. You stumble upon something that helps you cope, fills a
void. Makes you feel something different than what you currently
feel. You know in the long run it probably won't be good for you, but
you do it anyway. Tell yourself you can handle it. And before you
know it you're in so deep that you can't find your way back out.”
loc 1339 eARC
I found Covet to be
quite the page turner! Tracey Garvis-Graves has a knack for writing
women's fiction. She handles various topics and emotions with tender
loving care. The heartache, loneliness, and desperation can be felt
throughout the pages. Covet had realistic situations that
many can relate to, and some may even see this story as a wake-up
call with many lessons learned. Covet reminds us all not to
take loved ones for granted. Also, human beings are truly resilient
creatures. We have the strength to adapt and change during hard
times to reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you, Ms.
Garvis-Graves for a very moving and touching story!
* A complimentary copy was
provided for an honest review. *
