Not To Us: Contemporary Romance Novel [Kindle Edition]

Katherine Owen (Author)

Book Description

There are all kinds of ways for a relationship to be tested, even broken, some, irrevocably; it's the endings we're unprepared for.

Ellie's perfect world unravels. 

A best friend's betrayal ends her marriage.

An alarming diagnosis threatens her life. 

Yet. 

It all leads to Michael... 

But, fate soon tests their perfect union. 

And, begs the question: if you get a second chance, do you take a different path? 

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The emotional roller coaster ride that is the story of Not To Us will surprise you with its unexpected twists and turns. This is edgy fiction that explores controversial topics including: infidelity and betrayal. If you have any reservations, please read the sample first.

PRAISE for Not To Us

"Strong characterizations and intriguing plot lines kept me riveted to this novel. The storyline of couples facing midlife crisis that tears them apart and still brings them together is very moving..." Marta Hartman BookRooster 

"This book was the epitome of an emotional rollercoaster, and I say that with a smile on my face...I read through this book rather quickly, because it captivated me so much..." Stephanie Goodreads

"Rather you have been divorced, are the child of divorce, have had cancer of any kind, or a family member of a cancer patient, this book is for you...Wonderful storyline, very detailed characters. Just keep a box of tissues nearby." Crabtree4194

 

"... I have to say I loved it. It is the story of how a woman's life falls apart from one day to the next and how she keeps it together. Or not..." pj "pj" Bookrooster 

Award-winning author Katherine Owen delivers with her second novel, "Not To Us"... 

BEST SELLER! Amazon Kindle & Books in American Drama, Literary Fiction

If you enjoy the inevitable twists and turns in story lines and the emotional journey when a woman takes a chance in starting over, you are going to LOVE "Not To Us"! 

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If you were looking for Katherine Owen's latest release in contemporary romance/women's fiction, simply search under WHEN I SEE YOU. 

If you were looking for Katherine Owen's first release in contemporary romance/women's fiction, simply search under SEEING JULIA.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...not your average quick-read romance, but a book to be read at leisure so as to enjoy every moment...It touches you...and forces the reader to face many truths; that we have no control over our lives, no matter how hard we try. What makes the difference though, is how we deal with it." Ellen Fritz - Books4Tomorrow

"Not To Us is an astonishing story with many unexpected twists and turns. It is about one woman's wishes, discovering the strength she didn't know she possessed, forgiveness and understanding, but most importantly, learning to love herself..." Cheles Bells - A Belle's Tales

"...From the first chapter, Ms. Owen hooked me with her characters and I was rooting for them through the whole story. One twist after another, you'll think that you know what's coming but...you won't." Elena Aitken - author of Nothing Stays In Vegas

From the Author

I have the perfect life complete with one boy, one girl, one husband, two cats, and the ashes of one golden retriever who was perfect and loved well. I have both friends and family that are a bit on the dysfunctional side which tend to lend themselves to my active imagination quite nicely and provide me with concrete examples for my fiction. I spent a long while in high tech sales, spent money like Evian water, and racked up useless stock options. In pursuit of a long-held dream, I gave up the high life and now devote myself to writing fiction full-time. Thanks to The Writers Studio's advanced fiction classes and said family and friends identified previously; I write pretty well and have managed to win the Zola Award for my debut novel Seeing Julia and have written and released two more: Not To Us and When I See You. All three have hit the Amazon Best Seller Lists and are available as e-books or trade paperbacks. I write love stories that tend to be edgy and dark and #Iwillmakeyoucry. If you're not offended by the gentle sprinkling of the f-word at what I feel are 'necessary junctures', we're bound to be best friends. This way, darling, come to my world, here on Amazon, or at my website: katherineowen(dot)net. xoxo KO 

Shorter version: Novelist ♥ #Clooney #coffee #vodka. The glass is half-empty #contingencyplansinplay. My #novels=$ of latte ♥ edgy, angsty #reads? This way: bit.ly/KObuymereadme

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 531 KB
• Print Length: 322 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: The Writing Works Group; First edition (April 30, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004YWMO4A
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,131 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful new author!! May 11, 2011

By Melissa

Format:Kindle Edition

Katherine Owen creates a heartfelt story of a young woman stuggling with not only with her husband's infidelity but also with a tragic diagnosis of breast cancer. We watch as her main character not only learns to deal with these hardships in her life but to prevail and find happiness in the end. This story is perfect in length and Katherine does a beautiful job of helping us fall in love with all her characters.
I look forward to more novels written by Katherine Owen in the near future!!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read! Amazing Story and Beautiful Writing!! March 1, 2012

By ChelesBells1

Format:Paperback

Those who know me know my love for all things paranormal and supernatural. It is my favorite genre of books and movies alike. On occasion though, I do enjoy great chick-lit or women's fiction. I usually find myself nearly through with the book, realizing that I am still anticipating some supernatural creature to jump out from around the bend. It makes it difficult for me to change gears when switching to a different genre. This, however, is never the case when it comes to Katherine Owen's superb writing and story telling. Because for 347 pages, my thoughts, not once, wandered to monsters or mythical creatures. For those 347 pages, I became Ellen Kay "Ellie" Bradford and was lost in the world that Katherine created for her readers.

Ellie is a devoted wife, adoring mother, selfless best friend and flourishing editor. Her life is a hectic one, but a much loved one. She and her husband, Robert, have been best friends with Carrie and Michael since their college days. Ellie and Robert's eldest son, Nick, is not-so-secretly in love with Carrie and Michael's beautiful daughter, Elaina. Their friendships and get-togethers have become their favorite past-time, until the day Ellie discovers that her best friend and confidant has been having an affair with her husband, Robert. As if that were not horrific enough, she finds out mere weeks later that she has breast cancer. And the doctor that delivers the devastating news? None other than the gorgeous Dr. Michael Shaw, Carrie's husband and Ellie and Robert's closest friend. Michael is determined to save Ellie's life. Not because she is his patient. Not because she is his and his wife's best friend. But because he loves her and has been in love with her ever since their college days. And that is only the tip of the iceberg for Ellie's life changing events.

Many have described this book as a roller coaster ride. To me, that is like referring to Leonardo da Vinci as "the guy who really knew how to draw." The significant shortage of Kleenex at my house is proof of the emotional journey Ellie's story takes the reader on. A marriage ended, friendships tested, a life threatening illness, a love discovered, a tragic loss, and an unexpected pregnancy that interferes with a most needed cancer treatment are all now a part of Ellie's day to day routine.

I love Ellie's courage, I understand her insecurities and I admire her stubbornness. I love the way Katherine Owen could have me in tears one moment, only to have me laughing out loud at Ellie's sense of humor the next.

I adore Ellie's children. The detail the author provides made me fall in love with each one of them. Any mother will appreciate this gem:

"I take one final glance in the mirror and start toward the door, only to find Emily standing there, regarding me with the uninhibited enthusiasm only kindergartners possess. 'You look beautiful, Momma,' she says, breathless. How does this child know how to give away such gifts?"

I don't think I've ever read a book that felt so personal. Almost as if I was prying by reading things I had no business reading, but yet couldn't tear myself away in order to find out what happens next.

I know this: I will read anything and everything that Katherine Owen writes. She can turn the most ordinary words into a beautiful work of art. I love to put those little sticky flags in the books I am reading to mark my favorite passages in a story. My copy of Not To Us looks as if a packet of those flags exploded between its pages. I could hardly turn a page without reaching for them. I imagine even Katherine's grocery lists to be rhythmical and inspirational. Seriously, this author's writing is amazingly beautiful.

I'll stop there as to keep this review spoiler-free. Not To Us is an astonishing story with many unexpected twists and turns. It is about one woman's wishes, discovering the strength she didn't know she possessed, forgiveness and understanding, but most importantly, learning to love herself. I'll be counting down the days to Katherine's next novel, When I See You.

"There are all kinds of ways for a relationship to be tested, even broken, some, irrevocably; it's the endings we're unprepared for."

Full review can be found at:[...]

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping & emotionally taut story.... December 1, 2011

By BJ

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This author weaves a gripping, and emotionally taut story. Robert & Ellie's perfect marriage is suddenly destroyed by infidelity. Ellie's world comes toppling down on her as she battles breast cancer, anger, resentment and betrayal.

If that wasn't enough, more things come at Ellie that shake her to her very core. Ellie's breast cancer is not the main issue here. It's about healing, forgiveness, and learning to trust again. This story is not predictable by any means and there are several twists that I did not see coming.

The author does an outstanding job fleshing out these characters. They seem real and I truly cared what happened to every one of them. The dialogue is well-written as is the interaction between the characters. The book flows at a steady pace and does not get bogged down in it's own plot. Be warned though, this is a two-hanky book.

It's an excellent read!

More About the Author

Here's what I know to be true: relationships are tested in all kinds of ways so that's what I love to write about; you can never have enough shoes; always pack your make-up in your carry-on; if your glass is half-full, you've got to ask for more; and lastly, go with the adage "never believe your own press" because too much ego or too little doesn't serve you either way.

For future release dates for my novels and general anecdotes about trust, love, and fate, go "like" my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/KatherineOwenauthor or stop by my amazing website bit.ly/KObuymereadme or http://www.katherineowen.net (same links, but the first is obviously cooler/memorable/awesome...Okay, stopping).