Customer Reviews

The Fourth Child: 9 Months Later (Harlequin Superromance No. 917)

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

 

 

Claire and Kirk are a normal couple, with three rowdy daughters. He works hard and long hours, taking frequent business trips. She is a stay-at-home mom, busying with the girls and the house. When a friendship with a coworker goes too far (just short of sex), Kirk believes he has fallen in love with another woman. His timing is exquisite. Unknown to Kirk, Claire is pregnant with their fourth child. Claire throws him out, but now Kirk thinks they should get help to try and put their marriage back together.

The reactions of Claire and Kirk are dead on. It is a story of putting their marriage back together again, but it is still a love story. You learn how both think and regret past errors. Kirk's family history explains why he is struggling with his betrayal of their marriage vows. You can feel his and Claire's pain. Subplots about the eldest daughter's problems and a dear friend's shaky romance lend texture and depth to the story without detracting from the primary focus.

If you like stories with depth and feeling, buy this book. You'll soon be feeling the pain and betrayal and the need for renewal with Claire and Kirk.

This book was wonderful story of how a couple wants to fight for the family they have. It isn't just a baby story......this book focused more on the effects of his loving another woman had on his oldest daughter and his wife. There isn't a quick fix or a kiss "I'm sorry I lied" then she forgives him either, they both have to reexamine their feels about each other and where they make the mistakes. When I tally up the books I've read at the end of the year this book will stick out on the keeper shelf.

This story will tug at your heart-- can a marriage of twelve years regain its excitement, or is it doomed when the husband meets a younger woman? I sped through this story in one day, eager for the hero and heroine to realize how valuable their marriage was. There are many scenes with children in this story, but they were necessary supporting characters. A very good read!

This was a really good book examining two sides in the relationship. It was really hard to get past the fact that Kirk believes he is in love with Janice. Who seemed to not be fleshed out at all. So many questions regarding her, but possibly not relevant to the story. It was very annoying that Kirk thought he could drop the bomb to his wife that he loved another woman and expected things to go on as before as in he could still stay at the house, sleep in the same bed with his wife and pretend nothing had changed. Was very refreshing that Claire put her foot down there.

So the characters seek counseling and later upon some personal reflection Claire comes to realize that Kirk is not the only one at fault here. Sure he participated in some emotional infidelity but then didn't she and hadn't she been doing so for years?

Was nice though that some of the reactions seemed more true to life and that things were handled before they could spiral out of control.

The affair started off innocent enough when Kirk Ridgeway tried to help his fellow worker Janice through a divorce. After pretending to work late a few times, Kirk finally confesses to his wife Claire that he loves Janice. Claire is stunned that her beloved spouse and father of three, make that four since she is pregnant, children could be so unfaithful.

Kirk moves out of the house. Claire struggles to survive while the three children miss their daddy, especially Andie who allegedly is on a business trip. As Claire takes the three children to the cottage for the summer, Kirk has to decide whether he wants to stay married or go off with Janice. If he tries to stay with Claire, he risks his pride because she might refuse to take him back even with a baby on the way.

THE FOURTH CHILD is a well-written contemporary romance that centers on the impact of a male suffering a mid-life crisis. The lead couple and the children make the story line hum as each struggle in their own way with what to do next. C.J. Carmichael turns THE FIRST WIVES' CLUB scenario into a cleverly designed family drama that entertains the reader while providing insight into the aftermath.

Harriet Klausner

Kirk and Claire Ridgeway have been married for 12 years and have three beautiful girls. One day thought changes everything. After getting the girls on the bus to school Claire finds out that she is having baby number four. Minuets later Kirk comes in to tell her that he is in love with a woman that he works with

After finding this out Claire is not sure what to do, but knows that Kirk can't stay with them anymore. A week later school is over and there is a celebration at a local pizza place. Later Kirk and Claire talk about what to do about the marriage, Kirk still in the dark about Claire's pregnancy.

A while later Claire, Andie, Daisy, and Jenna go to the cottage that they have on a lake. Being there calms Claire down because she is able to be with her life long friends.

During the summer Claire and Kirk go to counseling to work on their marriage and while there are some bumps they manage to work on their marriage. This in part is due to their daughter Andie who has been like a different person the previous months and that forces them to talk to each other and find out what is bothering Andie. Clair and Kirk are a family by the October Thanksgiving Holiday and they are able to tell their friends that they are expecting a boy.

The story was well worth the wait and for once the woman put the man out, without missing a beat. The author showed that the infidelity does not have to get physical to hurt. The female came across as cold and complaining in the beginning. The husband did try to blame her, but she set him straight and although his job was stressful, he loved it--he just wanted to feel desired and appreciated. The wife was raising three girls--enough said there. IMO she should have took him up on his offer and gotten a part-time maid. I could have done without some of the characters, but the author hit the nail on the head when she threw in the oldest daughters' alertness to how they were acting, him not really 'seeing' her, and the situation with the counselor. I wish the husband had been smart enough to know the co-worker was a schemer--she saw him, wanted him, and set out to get him--and the lipstick left in the car said it all. But he knew he had kids who would be affected by their actions. Apparently the guy was having sex with his wife at the same time he was falling for his coworker--the author made him suffer enough. He had to win back her trust and I thought the way the author opened his eyes to what he almost threw away was very well done. I was grateful the author didn't leave me hanging on the birth of the baby and the effects of the counseling on their marriage. I would recommend this.