True (The Story of Us) Paperback – January 23, 2015

Oh boy do I have a bone to pick!!! Alex has one heck of a nerve treating his wife that way he did when come to find out he’s been working with his ex and traveled with her out of state three times!!! Yes Court made a mistake but I understand where she was coming from. His sins were worse to me. He even says that when he would travel for some sick reason he wouldn’t call her. He knew it hurt her when he didn’t but he just kept doing it. Now you tell me who wants to hurt their spouse for absolutely no reason?! And FYI this is before Courtney ever messed around with OM. He was awful. Just to be clear Courtney did not sleep with OM either. Oh and when Alex divorces Court, low and behold….. all of a sudden he doesn’t have to travel for work anymore. Seemed like he only tried with Court when she began moving on with her life. I kinda liked him but close to the end when we find out he’s been working with his ex for three years and keeping it from Court… well that went out the window. Snotty ex Erica even talks bad about Courtney and Alex just ignores it. Erica even says at one point….. if I wanted you Alex, I could have had you. So is that true??? He never responded to that statement. You ask me…. Alex should have had to grovel, just like Court had to do with him. Oh and Erica is the same ex Court walked in on making out with Alex when they were young. Oh and his explanation for that…. I just had to see if I felt for her what I feel for you. Yeah right!!! Well since it’s ok for him to stay friends with Erica after that, maybe Courtney should still be friends with OM Justine!!!! Ok rant over 😂. Although Alex ticked me off to one end, I adored Courtney. She’s a strong and lovable heroine. I love me some angsty romance and this book definitely delivered.

"True," a well-written novel of two people who find themselves searching for the love they once shared before there were children, before they were married. However, life has moved on and we see how far apart they are, both wanting the same thing but neither really listening to each other. The lack of communication naturally turns into never-ending arguments making them resent one another and question everything in their married lives. It’s only when it’s too late that both realize they’re about to lose what they cherish and love the most.I knew going into this novel that it was about a married couple trying to find their way back to each other and capture the love they once shared. That being said, it didn’t sit well with me when the story turned its focus on Courtney, for her supposed affair, everything she did or didn’t do throughout their marriage, and how she’d do anything to get Alex back. What happened to everything Alex did or didn’t do throughout their marriage that had her questioning her marriage in the first place? That had her contemplating having an affair? It was like that didn’t matter anymore. He never texted or phoned her when he said he would, instead ignoring her when all she wanted to know was if he’d reached his destination safely as he’s always on business trips. He made it seem her job wasn’t as important as his. He accused her of always making everything about her and never him when he does the exact same thing. He then puts the house on sale without her knowledge and announces they’re all moving without even discussing it with her. Excuse me? And he has the gall to divorce her? Whatever her feelings were about her husband, it seems it all changes once he leaves as she tries everything to get her husband back. Did she not remember everything she bitched about? He doesn’t even come clean that he’s been in contact with his ex-girlfriend and not just over the phone, but having met in person several times. What a bloody hypocrite! And Courtney? She just came across as weak and needy. So disappointing. And the ending? Definitely did not like how it ended, especially since I was hoping for a different alternative.So why the four stars? “True” is a well-written novel that solicits emotions as I read the ups and downs of the married couple, all of which made the couple more realistic. You can’t help but question their feelings and actions, all of which I found most relatable. It’s just sad that it takes a major event in their married lives to realize how much they love one another and all they’ve taken for granted.

This is the book 2nd book in all my years of reading where I wanted to wrap my arms around the heroine and sob with her. The author pulled me into this spectacular fairytale romance, and then reminded me how easy it is to lose it all.“You always think you are the best someone has ever had. What happens when it looks like they’ve found even better.“My overall feeling about True is Oh My God, That Fairytale just Broke My Heart! I knew this plot was about a cheating spouse, and as a wife, I hate real-life and fictional cheating spouses. But this is book is…different. It’s more than the act of cheating. Their story, minus the cheating, is reality for most married couples. You know how it goes. Man steals woman’s heart; they wed, purchase their dream home with the white picket fence, and have children. (OK, it’s not that easy, but you get the point.) Then one, or both, wake up and realize the repetitive life demands have replaced the nonchalant, but very important touches of affection. It doesn’t mean that love is lost, or that they don’t adore their children. This story is the possibility of what can happen if/when a relationship is placed on the back burner for too long. This is most couple’s nightmare come true.“Love was never a problem between us. It was everything else.“This story teeters back-and-forth from past to current. It’s the perfect method to emphasize how dreamy the relationship started, then the present creeps up and you are reminder how things have changed. I felt every emotion as this story played out. As the passion in this marriage decreased, the insecurities increased, mix in selfishness, and you have a disaster.He came at a time of weakness.Their past is the beginning of their relationship. It’s a fairytale that is easy to get lost in, and I guaranteed it will give you butterflies. The present is earth shattering and raw. All characters in this situation are affected in different ways, and each feeling is difficult to experience.As a true romantic writer, Gwendolyn ends this story with a bang. I’m not saying every character will be satisfied, but these characters will definitely know who their one and only is. Life doesn’t always happen as we plan; sometimes paths change. While being true to our relationships is critical, being truthful to yourself if priority.-Savy, Let’s Misbehave Book Review (Facebook blog)

This is a relatively short novel but does provide honest insight to the impact of affairs, how they come to occur and the aftermath.

I was in a book slump and wasn't really sure what I wanted to read next when I found this on my Tbr list.I'm so glad I started reading it although I've now got a book hangover. True is exactly that. A true story that will have your heart racing then plummeting at the turn of a page. It's well written, extremely sexy, (Alex is HOT!!! ) and full of emotion and angst. It doesn't matter that it's 1am on a work night I'm diving straight into Forever True a continuation Novella of Court and Alex and I highly recommend that's what you do where this book is concerned. A must read