Customer Reviews

Private Affairs

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

 

 

I couldn't put this book down. I was so enthralled. I suggest this be a movie. I am astounded how these two authors bring such detailed, captivating experiences together. WONDERFUL story. I am looking forward to reading more books by Judith Michael. Thank you for 'taking me away' to another world. :)

I applaud this husband and wife team. BRAVO

This book is incredibly interesting in that it deals with the changes (and curveballs) that life throws at people. It follows the journey that happens day in and day to real people. People don't always understand themselves let alone those around them which is a lot of the story here. (yes, I'm a counselor. sorry for sounding analytical) The characters behaviors stayed true to themselves as well which is harder and harder to find these days. The fact that its written by a male and female is evident and I believe is exactly what adds the realism and richness to the story. They are very likable people going through changes that they didn't expect to have to face.
One of the reviewers gives a very surface look which doesn't take into account how true to form the characters are behaving. This is a book I keep in my library and have read many times. Well worth getting hold of a copy.

I have read this one twice and couldn't put it down. It was wonderfully romantic. I was sorry when it ended.

Matt and Elizabeth had big plans in the beginning but something terrible happened to his father before they even went on their honeymoon. So right from the start of their marriage life happens and they don't seek their dreams but another's instead.
As their lives move on they seem to be pulled in different directions. He seems to want something else while she is still trying to live their dreams. They get involved with other people. Him first though. His little fling seems to become something more. It becomes emotional as well as physical and she doesn't embark on that until later on and then it is with someone who seems to be obsessed with her.
He wanted to gain a name for himself at the price of losing his family then when he realized that what he wanted also lost him some of his integrity he decided he wanted his family back. But first you get to listen to him talking to his mistress and you really do get the feeling that he would have stayed with the mistress if she wanted to stay with him as he tried to go back to what he originally wanted for his life. Only she didn't want that. She needed a powerful man to define herself she wasn't like Elizabeth who could define herself with herself. I so didn't believe a HEA. Perhaps for their careers but then I didn't read the story to read about newspapers, political ambitions, and all the corruption that entails. I wanted to read about a love lost then found once again with a true HEA knowing that both parties were sorry and ready to accept their flaws and build again BUT only after discussing things and getting back to laying the ground work of a stronger marriage. I just didn't feel that with this book. Kind of made my skin crawl too! Tony, the man obsessed with Elizabeth, was her little fling and it really didn't last that long. I don't think she wanted much with him except some comfort in dealing with all that she had found out about her husband and his little mistress. Elizabeth breaks it off because she couldn't make herself love him; however, you feel like Matt could love Nicole, his mistress, just that she couldn't love him if he wasn't powerful. Then you have Holly, Matt and Elizabeth's 17-18 year old daughter that Tony sleeps with for over 3 weeks after he and Elizabeth had broken up. Tony was her first and he was 48!! And I seriously thought EEEWWWWW!! Especially when all he was thinking was Elizabeth and he even says this to Elizabeth when she catches the two of them together.
Elizabeth doesn't tell Matt about Tony and Holly either when they get back together. Things did not seem to be resolved. They just didn't talk about the "affairs" towards the end, of course they claimed that they loved each other but I didn't feel like they did.

I'm sorry to say I didn't care for this book. I kept reading it in the hopes that it would become better but no such luck. I didn't feel the main characters showed that undying love that we as romance readers love. In a way I was disappointed in the end because of everything that happened thru out the book seemed to be forgotten in the end. The whole story seemed to be about a mid-life crisis and its affect on the family. For those who aren't looking for a fairy tale romance this is the book for you, it definitely doesn't have a main male character you would hope of finding for your life mate.

I really enjoyed this book. It is about the seduction of power ,money and trying to recapture a youthful dream. Both the husband and wife are very selfish, especially the man ,but they finally discover the important things in life. I would like a sequel.