Customer Reviews

In Between Men

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Between Men is the sophomore novel for San Culberson. After reading this book and her first novel, In The Nick of Time, I have become a fan. Culberson writing style demands that she not be pigeonholed into one genre. In Between Men is a more serious and dramatic story.

Hope Williams seems to have it going on. She is married with two children. She has a good job as a loan officer at a bank and a nice home in the suburbs. Sex between she and her husband is great. Hope knows that her husband loves her,even though he can be distant and demanding. With all this going for her, Hope is missing something. Maybe a compliment now and then, a meaningful conversation with the hubby, or feeling like she could make a difference at work could get Hope out of the doldrums.

Hope meets Anthony Bolden at a party given by her husband's boss. Anthony immediately picks up on Hope's disenchantment with life and begins to flirt with her. When Hope and Anthony run into each other again, he again picks up on her frustrations and the innocent flirting becomes not so innocent. All the things Hope felt she was lacking at home, Anthony is able to fulfill, so much that Hope throws caution to the wind and begins a relationship with him, the result of which could prove to be devastating.

Culberson explores what can happen when couples become complacent in their marriage. Things get stale and if you do not watch out, someone or something can easily enter and unfavorable results can occur. There are some touching moments that happens between Hope and her friends, Hope and her husband and Hope and her family. At times, the story lagged a little, but overall it was a very good read, one I think readers will enjoy.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

Married mother of three, Hope Williams is at a crossroads in her
life. Her husband Ray wants her to leave her job as a bank
supervisor to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. Hope, however, has
doubts about leaving her job, even though it is unfulfilling. A
friend introduces Hope to Anthony and all hell breaks loose.

Unlike her husband, Anthony showers Hope with attention, affection
and compliments, something Ray has long since stopped doing. After
they cross the line between friendship to lovers, Anthony demands
more of Hope's time and wants her to leave her family to be with
him. Will Hope gain control of her situation before she loses
everything she holds dear.

IN BETWEEN MEN is an excellent expose of a woman on the brink of
losing everything. In Hope, San Culberson has created a character
that is reminiscent of the struggles many married women encounter.
IN BETWEEN MEN also examines the psychological, emotional and
spiritual effects of infidelity has on all parties involved.
Although Hope is a likeable character, I found some of her decisions
and rationale to be silly, even though I understood the dilemmas she
faced. Drama filled and educational, IN BETWEEN MEN is San
Culberson's best novel yet.

Reviewed by Katrina
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Hope Williams is a married mother of three who works as a supervisor in the bank. Hope's husband Ray works hard. Hope doesn't have to work, she wants to work. If Ray had things his way, Hope would be home. With so much pushing and pulling about the day-to-day things, Hope finally sees that her dream life isn't so fulfilling after all.

Just as Hope decides to work on her career, she meets Anthony, a friend of a friend. He pays attention, complements her, makes her smile and in Hope's mind, her life seems different around him. When their close knit friendship crosses the line and he starts demanding her love, Hope now has to choose. Will it be at the cost of her family and the life that she's known? Has Hope allowed life's little frustrations to shatter her world?

San Culberson is on the brink of becoming one of my favorite authors! In Between Men is a comprehensive read about a woman in crisis whose life gets checked by reality. Chocked with passion, tears, sex and wisdom, I found myself unable to put the book down. I highly recommend this read and can't wait to see what this author has next.

Reviewed by Nardsbaby
for Urban Reviews

Hope Williams lives a life of privilege - to some. She has a handsome, sexy husband that provides well for his family. She is the mother of three adorable sons. She has a luxury home and works outside of the home by choice. Hope should be ecstatic, but instead she feels overworked and unappreciated. And then she meets Anthony Bolden, a man who provides an escape from her mundane life. But is the grass truly greener on the other side? Is Hope willing to risk it all to find out?


San Culberson delivers another fun yet serious story that is significant without being too heavy. She tells her tale well, peppered with witty dialogue. Her novels are grounded in truth and laced with humor. San Culberson is two for two and I look forward to what's next.



Reviewed by: Toni

Be sure to also check out The Nick of Time

This is my 1st book that I have read by this author and it will not be my last. This book is well written and anyone who has had to deal with something like this can really relate.

I thought "In Between Men" was simply excellent. San Culberson has truly gain a fan in me. Although I didn't really like Hope and the topic was difficult, she delivered an excellent, thought compelling story.

Hope is a restless, self-indulgent wife and mother of three boys. She appears to have it all (the handsome husband, beautiful well adjusted children, nice home and cushy job as a Senior Loan Officer), but something is missing. Hope feels unappreciated at home, bored at work and basically discontent with her life. She tries talking to her husband Ray, but he seems to blow off her concerns. Ray has done what most people do, he has become comfortable, complacent and ungrateful. He feels all of Hope demands are self-inflicted, after all he provides an wonderful home for her and his children. She really doesn't have to work and he feels their problems would be solved, if she would just quite her job and be a homemaker. Being raised by a single mother, Hope was raised to never depend on a man. This I could relate to and I believe most women will also, if they are honest. The difference is how you handle the situation.

Hope meets Anthony at a party she attends with her husband. The instant he comes on the scene you know temptation has entered the building, but it takes a while for their paths to cross again. Its obvious that Anthony Bolton has more than a passing interest, when he was bold enough to say "I'd still like to talk to you more about the banking industry, among other things." I was surprised when Ray never made a comment, but that was the first real clue that he was not tuned in on his relationship.

Hope attends a networking conference in Houston. She crosses paths with Anthony again. This time they do get to spend time talking and they discover they seem to click. They start emailing and Anthony soon becomes Hope's confidante. Hope's friend Stephanie tries to warn her that she is threading into dangerous territory, but she won't listen. Ray and Hope are growing further apart. After a heating argument, Ray takes the boy's camping. (In walks opportunity) Anthony just happens to be in town that weekend, and they hook up for dinner. Anthony expresses his feelings for Hope and in a moment of anger, discontent and vulnerability, she sleep with him. What Hope intends to be a one-time thing turns into a full-fledged affair.

Hope makes arrangements to spend the weekend with Anthony, in Houston, by telling Ray she's going to a lady's conference. All hell break loose, when Lisa (the wife of one of Ray's friends) accidentally on purpose slips up about seeing Hope with their mutual friend, Anthony. She lets it slip that Anthony also lives in Houston. Hope comes home to her worst nightmare. Ray asks her point blank, if she is sleeping with Anthony and she tells the truth. Ray and Hope are now strangers living under the same roof. Ray has moved to the guest room, but he hasn't left the home physically. Hope's stupid butt continues to see Anthony and runs into Lisa at the house of Anthony's friends. Once again, Lisa accidentally on purpose lets it slip that she saw Hope with Anthony. This is the final straw for Ray. He is not only livid, he is extremely hurt.

Hope's life continues to spiral out of control and she slips into a deep depression. She was given a visitor's card to visit the church of a lady she help get a loan and decides to attend. Help comes from an unlikely source, the wife of Tony's Pastor friend. Hope begins counseling from Ellen, who does mince words and makes her face some cold hard truths about herself.

We are left wondering if Ray and Hope are able to repair the damage to their marriage. I truly hope they were, because you do come to realize that Ray truly does love Hope. He is just severely hurt by her betrayal. This is truly a thought provoking book, that explores the consequences of making the wrong decision. Although Hope will make you angry, you will feel her remorse and find yourself hoping for a happy ending. I truly enjoy San Culberson's writing style it is so fresh and real. This book definitely will not disappoint.

This book was slow at first but it did start to pick up. It taught a good lesson, never take what you have for granted. Hope had to learn this the hard way. I would like to see a sequel. Keep up the good work.

HOPE HAS WHAT MOST WOMEN WOULD DIE FOR. SHE HAS A SUCCESS, SEXY & HANDSOME HUSBAND, 3 BEAUTIFUL BOYS, A BEAUTIFUL HOME, A GREAT PAYING JOB, AND GREAT FRIENDS. YET, SHE'S STILL NOT HAPPY...LIKE I WOULD SAY LOTS OF MARRIED WOMEN ARE..NOT HAPPY. THEN COMES ANTHONY WHO DOES AND SAY ALL THE THINGS RAY HER HUSBAND DOES NOT. IS HER LOVE FOR RAY AND HER KIDS STRONG ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND THE TEMPTATION OR WILL SHE RISK IT ALL TO BE WITH ANTHONY THE MAN SHE THINKS IS EVERYTHING RAY IS NOT. THIS BOOK HELP ME PUT SOMETHINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE ABOUT MY OWN RELATIONSHIP. A WONDERFUL AND INSIGHTFUL STORY...IT ALMOST MAKES YOU THINK THAT SAN MAY HAVE SOMEHOW DEALT WITH THIS TYPE OF SITUATION FIRST HAND TO HAVE THE STORY FLOW LIKE IT DID. THIS WAS MY FIRST READ BY THIS AUTHOR, BUT DEFINITELY NOT MY LAST.

Hope Williams is doing what alot of married couples have done in the past, present and will do in the future, cheat. Reading this book was like watching a T.V. movie of the week.

Oh my this book is definitely a page turner!!!I read the book in 2 days...the story hits home in most marriages!! I actually chose this book for our next bookclub meeting and I am hoping San Culberson is available to join us as we (Sisters at the Roundtable") discuss this steamy and oh so true novel!! ( The book is so good I am reading it again!!)I have ordered "In the Nick of Time" I hope it is as good as the other novel. Keep up the good work San!!!