Customer Reviews

Happily Ever Now (Urban Christian)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Meet the Thomas family. Married young, two sons, and well, the happiness, it appears to have dried up some time ago. You know how it is; husband and wife seem to be slowly drifting apart. Resentment, anger and lack of communication have allowed Renee, the wife, to be absorbed in work. Dedicated to her newfound success, she's a hard worker, and while she's great at being a mother, she's lost her drive for being a wife. Jerome, the husband, is about the same. He's one of those men who feel he's unwanted because the wife is making more money and climbing the corporate express. Instead of trying to better himself, he allows alcohol and Taylor to soothe and comfort him. Their house is far from being a home. Is there anyway these two people can become one again, or has too much happened?

`Happily Ever Now,' written by Nicole S. Rouse, is a good first read. While the drama isn't as thick as I would've preferred, and there are some editing issues, `Happily Ever Now' is a refreshing look on love, forgiveness and hope. I look forward to reading more from this author and soon.

Sisters, God is truly able!

Reviewed by: Crystal

Happily Ever Now by Nicole S. Rouse is a contemporary, Christian novel that realistically looks at a marriage in trouble and many of the reasons why. Renee and Jerome have been married almost seventeen years, since high school. Though no one believed they should be married they thought love would be enough. The years brought major success for Renee and mediocre accomplishments for Jerome. To deaden the feeling of inadequacy he turned to alcohol and eventually another woman. For years, Jerome and Renee have been living in a home divided.

Taylor has looked for Mr. Right for years and not finding him she is trying to find love in the arms of another woman's husband. Jerome has convinced her he is going to leave Renee but never does. Though she has friends to talk to she tries to keep the relationship, even when she discovers that Jerome is attached to his wife. A series of embarrassing situations and even a new man does not stop her from longing for Jerome.

Ms. Rouse has a wonderful way of revealing what these characters are going through and how they are struggling to make proper choices. I loved the way she dealt with a common issue of how men feel when their wives is more successful. She also allowed us to see that the relationship outside the marriage is never quite as simple as it may seem. Though we can see how allowing God to work in their lives is the best way to handle complicated relationships, a few twists allow us to know it is never as easy as just believing.

Happily Ever Now is recommended for all who love a realistic, well-told story.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

I am an avid, yet VERY picky, reader of just about everything - mostly fiction. So when I heard about this book I figured I'd add it to my long list of books to read. I was in for quite a ride!
Nicole Rouse is a fresh new talent on the Christian Fiction scene who is an incredibly gifted storyteller.
Happily Ever Now is a fictional tale (or is it?) about Renee, a married woman whose marriage is slowly falling to pieces as her husband Jerome breaks his marital vows and has an affair with another woman, Taylor. Renee's dilemma, as a Christian woman and mom of two boys, is how to handle this traumatic situation as God would have her to handle it.
This book is told from the points of view of jaded wife Renee, her cheating husband Jerome, and the scandolous mistress Taylor.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way Nicole weaves such a magnetic story together and had me up late at night, turning pages and needing to know what happened next. Her characters come to life and you can truly identify with their feelings.
Nicole has a gift and I'm anticipating more from her in the future!

It felt good to read a story that portrayed the life of "real" people. I laughed, cried, and shouted along with the characters as they tried to handle the events in their lives.

Many people grow up with the idea that getting married will solve so many problems associated with being single. That is not always the case. There are many ups and downs in a marriage and the only way to get to the happily ever after fairy tale is through patience, compromise, and a whole lot of prayer!

This was truly an inspiring story and I look forward to the next one!!!

Renee and Jerome have been married since high school, even though everyone thought they were too young to marry. They thought that love would be enough. Throughout their marriage, Renee has been very successful in corporate America, and Jerome has not. During this time, Jerome has become very comfortable with alcohol and sleeping around on Renee. For some time, Renee and Jerome have been living separate lives. Will Renee and Jerome become one again or just go their separate ways?

Taylor has been looking for her knight in shining armor. Lately she's been sleeping with someone else's husband. Taylor believes that soon and very soon Jerome will leave Renee for her. Her friends have tried so many times to tell her that he's not going to leave his wife for her, but she won't listen. Taylor soon finds out that Jerome is not going to leave his wife. She ends up making a total fool of herself, and still, she doesn't want to let him go.

Nicole Rouse has done a wonderful job of telling the story of these two women. It makes you look at how adultery is not always an easy way out, and the Lord makes sure you see this. She takes you through different events in the story that makes you second guess if you're in a relationship. It makes you ask yourself: Is this the right person for you?

Reviewed by Jackie
for Urban Reviews

I read this book in one day! It is the selection of our church's women's book discussion and I am so happy we picked it. At the end I literally screamed out loud OH HECK NAH!!!! I can not wait for the next book, I HAVE to find out what happens with this 3 some.

Kandice E
ROA Women's Book Group

I absolutely loved this book and could relate to Renee on so many levels. I knew exactly how she felt and felt her pain. Putting your faith in God really does work miracles. I literally did not want this story to end and I am hoping there will be a sequel. I am dying to find out what happens with Jerome, Taylor and Renee. I have a feeling this story is not over yet. I highly recommend this book. Keep up the good work!!!

An incredible book designed to entertain the reader and show that what is good for you is worth waiting on. Nicole Rouse is a literary voice that can not be denised. HAPPILY EVER NOW is one of my favorites.

Happily Ever After by Nicole Rouse


Can you imagine being in love at a young age and marrying? How about if you are woman and you have better career then your spouse, do you think he could handle it? Nicole Rouse novel Happily Ever After had the perfect title to it because life isn't a fairy tale and the characters in this book will learn that first hand. This book does have some drama and reality will hit you as you read about the life of Renee who is in distraught after finding out her husband is a cheat. The story isn't your typical book of drama as you will discover a woman's struggle with her faith, love, and emotions. As a woman I can feel what Rouse was trying to depict in her novel. Life isn't a happily ever after you have to work at it daily. I recommend this as a great read not only because it is relatable but you get hit with reality when the book ends in a way you wouldn't believe.

Tamika Newhouse
AAMBC Book Reviewer

I really enjoyed Happily Ever Now, the characters were believable and well-written. The main female characters of Renee (wife) and Taylor (the "other woman") dealt with issues of selfishness, bitterness, jealousy and revenge and the consequences of letting these feelings take over your life. They learned how to open the door to forgiveness and healing. The plot was entertaining and thought-provoking, and it flowed nicely, making it an easy read. I appreciated that the author showed the strengths and flaws of both women, and didn't try to just demonize the "other woman". There were lots of twists and a totally unexpected ending, but it also showed the characters struggling with submitting their will to God's will. I think that is a battle all Christians can identify with.

Although some readers have expressed dissatisfaction with the ending, I thought it reflected the fact that in life, we don't always make the right choices. I mean, who among us hasn't chickened out when faced with a dilemma we aren't willing (or able) to deal with. I'm looking forward to the sequel of this book which will hopefully resolve the cliffhanger.