Customer Reviews

The Secret of Us

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

 

 

The Secret of Us is a story of longing--a story of life. Laura had learned not to voice her longings but hid them behind childrearing and her husband's efforts to build a business. Over the years, she and Donnie had stopped communicating their dreams. Written from each perspective, Henke presents the struggles of more than just Laura. Donnie can't understand why he's feeling guilty. He has no reason to. Yet ... it's so much easier to leave things be--don't "open Pandora's Box."

Henke draws her reader into the Dunn's lives from page one. Henke breaks all the rules and does it with a distinctive flair. Deep characterization, rich descriptions and a storyline that resonates, all add up to a sterling read--one you'll be sorry to see end.

I won't spoil The Secret of Us by revealing the ending, but it's a poignant reminder to keep our dreams and love alive. The Secret of Us receives Novel Reviews' highest recommendation - 5 stars.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
[...]

Roxanne Henke blows away naysayers who rate Christian fiction as sub-par. This story was not mindless entertainment: its sometimes difficult scenes serve as a serious warning to those who allow their marriage to slip right out of their hands and then say, "What happened?". Each partner in two generations of couples must take a hard look at what they have done to contribute to their strife, and begin seeking God for strength to amend their ways before it's too late. In these days where marriage is not championed by many, we need an honest story to help us see why it is worth saving.

In trademark Henke style, three distinct points of view--a newly married daughter and her parents in an empty marriage--interlace their perceptions and stories, chapter by chapter in alternating first person. When the daughter and her fiancé marry, they struggle to find wedded bliss while her parents experience a lengthy dry spell destined for divorce. Readers will identify with the individual concerns and everyday distractions, but the Spirit's leading--spelled out in recognizable thoughts and perfectly scripted--sets this book apart. The precise word pictures are never melodramatic or preachy. As the relationships are tested, the reader glimpses the power of married love from multiple perspectives: God's, male and female, newlywed and established. Well done and thought provoking. Couples and women in particular--young and old--will find the revelations regarding over commitment to "good things," role expectations, and miscommunication insightful. It's possible to recapture love. Conversation Questions included.

Roxanne's Brewster books have always spoken directly to me and The Secret of Us is no different. The characters are so alive; I feel I've met them. I know these people with their very human struggles. I'm one of them. If Laurie were to knock on my door and invite me to scope out some new paintings at the local gallery, I would not be surprised. These folks live on in my heart far beyond the last page.

This book is like a primer on marriage. The Secret of Us paints a realistic portrait of two couples, one at the beginning of the journey and one much further along, who learn the secret to happiness in marriage. Henke's creative twists and turns in the storyline kept me wondering, much like the Ladies Home Journal article I used to read, "Can This Marriage Be Saved?" It's a gem!

Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (4/07)

Sometimes when a couple has been married several years, it becomes too easy to take one another for granted, assuming the other will just always be there. The demands of a job, family, friends and activities begin to take up so much time that the relationship between the married couple may take a backseat to almost everything else that life commands. This is what happened to Laura and Donnie Dunn after 23 years of marriage. While in the midst of planning daughter Stasha's wedding, Laura looks over at a sleeping Donnie and wonders who this person is, if he cares anymore, or even if she cares about him. They appear to have it all--a nice house, a prominent advertising agency and a 21-year-old daughter any parent would be proud of--but a meaningful and intimate relationship is nonexistent, both physically and mentally. It appears the easiest thing might be to just end the marriage and for each to move on to new lives, but that is not the plan God had in mind for us when a marriage partner becomes complacent.

"The Secret of Us" is the story of Laura, Donnie and Stasha, each one taking a turn of sharing with the reader about what they are going through in life, the fears they have, the feelings that are most important to them, and their biggest concerns. Life seems to have gotten in the way of a loving relationship for Stasha's parents, Laura and Donnie. But now Stasha is graduating from college, starting a career, and getting married, and already there are signs that she and her fiancé, Josh, are falling into the downward spiral of destruction her parents are finding themselves currently in. But does anyone realize this?

Roxanne Henke has written a story about the importance of working to keep a marriage strong. Marriage is all about compromise, communicating, standing firm and giving in. It is also about love. While the story is fictional, its meaning is definitely true. Marriage encompasses so many wonderful things, and God has truly given couples a gift when it is treated with the sincerity He expects. I recommend this book to all adults who are in any way affected by the relationship of a married couple. The message is clear. While marriage is all about love for one another and making sacrifices, marriage is work. Marriage is hard work.

"The Secret of Us" is set up to be quite appropriate and beneficial for reading groups and their ensuing discussions.

Book received free of charge

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Secret of Us." The portrayal of a long-standing marriage, as well as a newlywed marriage of those who work too much was very accurate, albeit sometimes painful. It was good that the book was written in three point-of-views so that it didn't just turn into a husband-bashing book, but one where you could see that all took blame (at least partial) for their own faults and mistakes in their marriages. The book also ended on an encouraging note.

Roxanne Henke brings us another unforgettable book with The Secret of Us. The rich theme of love grown stale and replaced by "stuff" is a reality in too many marriages today. Henke has a way with emotion that leaves me wanting more long after the book is over.

I love this author - the books are so down to earth
you feel like it they are about things that could or have happened in your own life.
I would recommend this author's books to everyone

Roxanne does it again...the only problem is that we have to wait again for her next book. What a wonderful book about love and marriage and all that goes into it--and how easy it is to get sidetracked and lose focus on what is important. This should be required reading for spouses in crisis and for those considering getting married. One thing that is really important is how it is really made evident that it takes two to make a marriage work. Great Job! Please read--you won't be disappointed.

The Secret of Us is a beautifully written story about Donnie Dunn, his wife Laura, their daughter, Anastasia (Stasha) and the complexities of marriage.

After 23 years Donnie and Laura learn that distance does not make the heart grow fonder if there is no unity, while Stasha learns what it takes to make a marriage work as a newlywed to Josh Mckay. During these difficult times, each one begins to listen to the "voice" that gently instructs them on patience, trust and the meaning of hope.

Donnie is competitive and a successful owner of an ad agency in Carlton, North Dakota. His goal is to be known as the best ad agency in the Midwest and plans to expand to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is so consumed by the success that his marriage is suffering, unaware of the emotional distance between he and Laura. When his mother becomes seriously ill, Donnie begins to acknowledge his absence has harmed their marriage. But is it too late to make a change?

Laura lost sight of her own dream of opening an art gallery in town. She supported Donnie as he built the ad agency while staying at home to raise their only child. Now she lives in a shell of a marriage that looks great from the outside. To deny her loneliness Laura overloads her schedule with bible study, volunteering and helping her friend Karen open HER art gallery. Torn between her vows of marriage and her unhappiness, Laura relies on God to show her the way toward love through her faith.

Stasha is an only child who is stubborn and immature, blessed with a life of privilege. She has been planning her wedding since she was five years old. Stasha's idea of the perfect marriage is based on her parent's relationship and romance novels. Reality came crashing in when they could only afford a dumpy apartment that did not have the luxuries she grew up with. After they both graduated from college she envisioned a high-paying job that would take them both far away from Carlton. However Josh received three job offers and took the one in town.....Stasha did not receive one. This first year of marriage teaches
Stasha that she cannot go back home to Mom and Dad when problems arise.... home is
with Josh, where the "voice" instructs her that love can persevere in chaos and
disappointment.

Roxanne Henke offers insight into how couples muddle their way through indifference and high expectations in The Story of Us. She reminds us in First Corinthians 13:4-8 and Song of Solomon 8:7 that love is the handmaiden to Grace and that Grace only requires our willingness to accept the universal truth of love's enduring strength.

Armchair Interviews says: Another great book from Roxanne.