Covet

Covet #1

by Tracey Garvis Graves

What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else?

Chris and Claire Canton’s marriage is on life support. Downsized during the recession and out of work for a year, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. When he’s offered a position that will keep him away from home four nights a week, he dismisses Claire’s concern that time apart could be the one thing their fragile union can’t weather. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.

Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. He pulls Claire over during a routine traffic stop, and they run into each other again at the 4th of July parade. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department, her friendship with Daniel grows, and soon they’re spending hours together.

Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire’s marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn’t take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads, and skating close to the line that Claire has sworn she’ll never cross.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Audiobook

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2013

About the author

Tracey Garvis Graves is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent 9 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into thirty-six languages, and is in development for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, Cherish, Heart-Shaped Hack, White-Hot Hack, The Girl He Used to Know, Heard It in a Love Song, and The Trail of Lost Hearts. She is hard at work on her next book.

Reviews

[Tracey Graves]

I'm the author of this book.

Women's Fiction. Please note that this book has not yet been released.

[Aestas Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advance Copy Review. Release date: September 17, 2013.

When I first heard that the author of one of my favorite books, On The Island, had written a new book, I didn't even need to know what it was about, I knew I was reading it no matter what. With Covet, Tracey Garvis Graves has once again tackled a potentially controversial topic in a very realistic and relatable fashion. Her writing is vivid and evocative and perfectly portrays each character's side of the story. With Covet actually being classified as 'women's fiction' as opposed to 'romance' though, this was not the kind of book I'd usually read but it was certainly was fun to step outside of my usual genre for a change.

The story is about Claire and Chris, a couple who had been married for several years, loved each other dearly and were building a happy life with their two kids in suburbia. But when Chris was laid off from work, he began to distance himself as it became harder and harder to find new employment. He was a hard worker by nature and not being able to provide for his family was a heavy blow. Despite neither of them saying anything out loud, his distance was pulling them apart and widening the deafeningly silent gap between them.

"I once read an article in a women's magazine that said it's a really bad sign when you and your spouse stop arguing. It means that you've given up and no longer care about saving your marriage. I hope that's not true."

From the outside though, they lead a life of near Stepford-like perfection. But on the inside, they were broken; barely a shadow of the joyous, happy couple who had started a family together.

"We're the Cantons. Sun-kissed, all-American, picture-perfect. By all appearances, we're the ideal suburban family. As long as you don't look too closely."

Then one afternoon, Claire is pulled over by a gorgeous cop, Daniel, and something about him brings her a few moments of... happiness. They begin a casual friendship and with the stress of Chris' constant travel for his new job and his continued disconnect at home, she finds herself relishing the small exchanges she has with Daniel - enjoying the freedom that came with being able to have something as simple as a conversation without the worry of saying the wrong thing.

"I realize that these are not the thoughts of a happily married woman, but at the moment I am not very happily married."

Everything in this story happens very quietly. It moves along at a steady but slow pace. It's not angsty, but rather shows you everyone's struggles in a very honest way truly reflecting the real progression of life. There was no grandiose life changing event, no huge trauma, or anything life that. It was all about the subtle changes; little adjustments beyond their control that began to pile up - little mistakes, a lack of communication, and an ever-growing distance.

"I can almost handle that Chris is gone all the time. It's his job and I understand that. But what I struggle with is that even when he's home, his time is not his own. The kids take whatever he can give them - as they should - and then there's me, hoping to lay claim to whatever's left. But there is never anything left."

The story is told primarily through Claire's POV although we also get pieces of both Chris and Daniel's too. While there aren't direct flashbacks, we do see the past through Claire's memories showing us the path to how they got to where they were. We see how passionate Claire and Chris' love once was and so despite where they had fallen to, it gave us something to hold on to and a place we could hope they'd make their way back to.

But please don't think that Chris was the 'bad guy' here because he really wasn't. He was stressed out and worried sick leading him to make mistakes - he didn't communicate, didn't keep her included in his struggle and didn't allow them to face it together and as such he pushed her away when his only true intention was to just try and fix things for her and his family. He was a wonderful father and truly loved Claire - that much was never in doubt. He wanted to be the one to give her a better life, and when events outside of his control made that nearly impossible, he just didn't know how to handle it.

"In all the years we'd been together, I'd never experienced anything quite as heartbreaking as watching the lights of my golden boy fade."

The whole book had a very quiet vibe to it. If you're looking for a fast-paced, action-packed read, this is not it. You could really feel Chris' quiet desperation and Claire's growing loneliness despite the fact that she kept largely quiet about it. There were no extreme acts of any kind but sometimes the silent suffering can feel the loudest.

"I wonder how many marriages are fractured and damaged beyond repair by complacency rather than any single traumatic event."

I want to address the cheating aspect of this book because it might not be quite what you're expecting. There was nothing huge that kick-started it -- no intense connection, or butterflies, or anything like that. Claire's friendship with Daniel developed very naturally. She was offered a graphic design job for the Police Department and met Daniel for lunch one day. There was no flirting, nothing 'wrong' in their interaction but even just talking to him made her happy for the first time in a long whole. And you know what? For the first time in the whole book (about 40% in), he even had me laughing. He was quietly charming and it felt good to laugh. It was easy to feel why Claire felt more free around him. His presence brought a welcome measure of relief into her life. But 'one day' turned into 'one' motorcycle ride which turned into days of just spending time together, running errands together, watching movies, talking for hours and becoming more than just friends...  and although there was never any physical cheating, sometimes you don't need to be intimate for it to count as such.

"Maybe that's how it starts. You stumble upon something that helps you cope, full a void. Makes you feel something different than what you currently feel. You know in the long run it probably won't be good for you, but you do it anyway. Tell yourself you can handle it. And before you know it you're in so deep that you can't find your way back out."

With Chris traveling for work for half (if not more) of each week on top of the distance he put between them at home as he struggled to keep up with the mountains of work, the gap between the just kept getting wider and Daniel was there. He was sweet, attentive, and genuinely cared for Claire. He never once pushed her into anything she felt uncomfortable with and never asked for more than she was willing to give. He knew she was in love with her husband and he was fighting his own painful past as well but what they had between them was an undeniable connection and while undefined, they both needed and wanted it.

"I would never cheat on Chris… I still love him. I just don't feel very connected to him right now."

Like everything else about this book, the emotional depth deepened quietly. Daniel began filling in the role that should have been Chris' -- conversations before bed, movie nights, fun evenings out, moral support, everything that should have come from a husband and before I knew it, I was torn. I knew what was 'right' but I also knew what felt 'good'. And that was what Claire and Daniel's 'friendship' was - good, but not right.

"There's a man downstairs who has every right to be in this bed with me, but he isn't interested. And there's a man who doesn't have any right at all, yet he sounds as thought he'd give just about anything for the opportunity. I have never felt more alone."

Despite what was going on between Daniel and Claire, this isn't an angsty book, it wasn't loud or dramatic and isn't meant to put fear into the readers. Rather, it just portrayed a very believable, realistic situation... something that I could easily see unfolding in real life.

I want to stress though that this book isn't "about" cheating and again, there is no actual physical cheating in it either. I understand that being physical with someone isn't the only way you can cheat but the cheating itself wasn't the sole focus of the story but rather a by-product of the situation that developed.

As I mentioned before, Covet isn't actually a "romance" per say despite love and marriage being a very central theme. I was told it was classified as "women's fiction" and honestly that suits it perfectly. Don't go into this expecting something similar to On The Island because that's just not the kind of story this is. Truthfully, I wouldn't normally read this genre but I absolutely love Tracey's writing and dived into this book blind without needing to know anything more than the fact that she wrote that. For me, she is one of those "if she wrote it, I'll read it" authors so I'm looking forward to whatever she has coming next!

The ending of this book is very sweet and we're left with the message that love is powerful, strong and resilient but it needs care, attention and work from all sides to keep it alive. Love also comes in many different forms and sometimes the least expected kinds can end up saving you.

Tracey Garvis Graves has a true gift for taking a potentially controversial topic and making it quite relatable. This is a beautifully written and very realistic story that makes you step back and reconsider every angle. Love, hope, mistakes, forgiveness, all of these are a part of everyone's lives and I think this is the kind of story that many women will be able to either sympathize with or relate to in one way or another. Claire's journey over the course of the book could happen to anyone and I think that's a part of what makes it so powerful.

This is a standalone.

I've purposefully not given away the ending. If you want to know who ends up together, here it is --> Claire and Chris fix their problems and have a HEA. We don't see Daniel's HEA but the ending implies he gets one in a way that makes sense for the story.

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review. Please note that all quotes are from an advance copy and are still subject to change in the final edition.

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[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Beautifully Realistic, Honest & Heartbreaking!

If your marriage was devoid of intimacy or love, would you turn to another for comfort and companionship?

That is the million-dollar question, isn’t it?!

For Claire Canton, the answer is yes. When Claire’s husband Chris finds a new job after being unemployed for almost a year, it seems like a blessing. Chris was despondent for much of the last year and their marriage suffered because of it. Now that he has a new job, she had hopes that it would bring them back together, but that’s not the case. Instead, Chris has to travel 4 nights a week, and being away from home and having to work much of the time when he is around, Claire has never felt lonelier even though she has become solely responsible for their two kids.

When Claire meets Detective Daniel Rush at a traffic stop, their attraction is palpable. When they meet again a few weeks later, and he offers her a graphic design job with the police department, Claire can’t help but be intrigued. Thereafter a friendship ensues. That's all it is, really, friendship, though feelings develop, neither act on them. Their feelings and their want for each other, however, is unmistakable.

That begets the question, is it possible to betray your spouse without sleeping with another? Is an emotional affair cheating?

Daniel Rush is Swoon Worthy. Devastatingly Handsome and extremely careful never to cross the line with a woman he has fallen over heels for. In case it’s not obvious, he had me at hello. (lol).

“Covet” asked many a question and blurred many a line. While I don’t condone cheating, I’m also not one to judge and this book made you wonder whether Claire made the right choice. I guess we’ll never know considering this is fiction after all!

Either way, this was another winner by Tracey Garvis Graves!

Published on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.

[Rachel Feldman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved On the Island. and I cannot believe this is the same author. It was brutally slow and excruciatingly boring. Claire & Chris live in middle america, happily married with two young children and a great group of soccer mommy and daddy friends. But Chris loses his job in the recession, then can't get another for a long time, sinking into a depression that effects the whole family. When he gets a new job, it keeps him on the road 4 days a week. Claire doesn't know that Chris hates his boss and wishes he were home more, but is too afraid to ask for a change. And Chris doesn't know Claire's loneliness and frustration has led her to befriend a cop she's very attracted to (and him to her). Meanwhile, we read how things aren't so great with their friends. One friend is an alcoholic, another has a hubby with a bad gambling habit, and her best friend and hubby want another child but can't seem to have one. Interesting plot lines? Sure, but the characters are not. They're without depth. Claire is BEYOND BORING. So is Daniel the cop. I kept patiently reading, waiting for something to happen, but other than bad rushed dialogue and tons of telling and not showing, The writing was en par with one of those old Harlequin romances novels. Hallmark Channel would read at this and say "it's too sappy for us." Very, very disappointed.

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This an interesting novel that explores the complexities of emotional infidelity. The main characters reactions and motivations felt realistic. The story is told from three different perspectives, providing the reader with much needed insight into the mindset of both male leads. I was equally engaged by all three POVs and didn't want to stop reading. The ending and subplots of this novel were, unfortunately, quite predictable and cliche. Also, all of the side characters felt undeveloped and flat, each having a single, unique "issue".

I listened to this on audiobook, which was great experience. The audiobook had two fantastic narrators for the male and female perspectives, which really enhanced my reading experience.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marriage on the rocks and a good looking police office...what do they spell? You're right...nothing but trouble! Claire's marriage is strained to the limit and she's extremely lonely and even though she knows she shouldn't, she can't bring herself to turn away from the friendship that Daniel offers. I mean, men and women can just be friends, right?

So, the whole reason I read this book was because of On The Island, a book I really enjoyed. I was hoping that this book would be up to the same standards and while it is good, IMO it's not in the same league.

The book starts out a bit slow, setting things up and getting us acquainted with all the characters, including Claire and her family and her friends and neighbors...it takes a while.

Things are rough between Claire and Chris...we definitely don't get to read about a loving relationship but the saving grace is the flashbacks we get so we know there is something there. We also get the three different POVs, Claire's(mostly), Chris' and Daniel's. I really enjoyed that because sometimes even if it was short...it was just what we needed.



I really liked Daniel...and he tried so hard to stay away and be a good person. Claire didn't really make it easy either. The whole time I was saying, "No, no, no," when really all I wanted was more, more, MORE! I had a hard time putting the book down and read it in less than a day.

The one thing I did like about the story was that it seemed very realistic to me. I could definitely see this happening to one of my friends or neighbors. Heck, even Claire's friends and neighbors seemed like real people even if they were a bit stereotyped. The diabetic storyline was interesting and a bit scary with what they have to go through.

I did enjoy the story even if the ending was a bit predictable. I thought Chris' reaction was a bit too mild? And I wasn't happy with who showed up for Daniel. I really felt he got the short end of the stick. All in all, a good read and I will definitely read whatever TGG puts out next.


Favorite quotes:

♦ "Can men sense when a woman is sexually frustrated? Maybe it’s like those high- pitched whistles only dogs can hear."

♥ “If things had been different, I would have given my whole heart to you.”

He nods and gives me a smile. “I know.”

♥ “I never stopped wanting you, Claire,” I whisper. “Never.”

[Bibi · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I were to ascribe a color to this book it would be beige. Not eggshell, not brilliant white. Beige. For how effing colorless and bland it was. Whoosh.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covet was a compelling and engrossing read. It felt like a realistic slice of suburban life complete with all the trying obstacles the average family and married couple face. Parts of this story were very emotional to me, and felt very true to life.

Claire married the love of her life, Chris. Chris feels the same, but unfortunately life gets in the way and being imperfect they don’t deal with it in the best of ways. Chris loses his job and that deals a blow to his family and his marriage. Feelings of inadequacy and doubt in his ability to be a good provider and protector send Chris into a depression. Instead of letting Claire be a support and confidant, as she desperately wants to be, he shuts her out, leaving her lonely and on her own. His despair turns into her despair and feelings of neglect for both her and her kids consume her. For once, she’s not sure their beautiful little family will be able to weather the storm, which breaks her heart and mine. It’s at this vulnerable time that Claire meets Daniel, a sweet, handsome and attentive cop who comes into her life after a traffic stop.

Thanks to some expertly crafted flash backs I was able to see how passionate Claire and Chris’s love was at once, making it so easy to root for them as a married couple. You don’t have something that beautiful and just throw it away. Plus, whenever there are kids involved, I’m always hoping a couple patches things up and sticks together.

With all that said, my heart would sway every time Daniel came into the picture. Very torn, that’s how I felt. Thankfully, Tracey Garvis Graves handles this situation in an expert way so that I still liked each and every character. My understanding of their feelings made it easy to empathize and hope for the best. I will say I held Chris more responsible for the situation they all find themselves in, but I felt a lot for him, too. The feelings of inadequacy overpowered him so much that he couldn’t see the forest for the trees. It made his goal of having a job, no matter how much time it took away from his loved ones, his main passion. Chris shut Claire out when she could’ve been such a help and they could’ve weathered the storm together.

The situation and feelings conveyed in this story were very authentic to me, and I this is coming from a person married for quite some time. I think it captured some of the inevitable lows and the wonderful highs experienced in a marriage.

Covet was an emotional and poignant, but it was also filled with hope, love, and a sweet ending.

A copy was provided by Dutton Adult in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Jessica's Book Review · Rating 2 out of 5]

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This is going to be a hard review to write. First let me say I am a giant Tracey Garvis-Graves fan; On The Island was one of my favorite novels of 2012 and I could reread it over and over again. When I found out Tracey was going to have a new book coming out in September 2013 I was jumping for joy, I couldn’t wait to read Covet.

Covet is a story about a couple that have been married for about 10 years, have two children but are going through a rough couple of years. Claire & Chris had a wonderful marriage until Chris lost his job and went into a deep depression and shut out his wife. Now Chris has a new job that has him traveling Monday-Friday and when he is home, he’s in his office working. They do not make love or have any alone time. They do not even sleep in the same bed anymore. It’s very sad to read about, especially when Claire reminisces on happier times. It’s during this time Claire meets Daniel, a police officer who she begins a friendship with. Daniel has a past of his own and is not in the healthiest mind set either. Both Claire & Daniel are in need or something more then what they have in their life.

I will first say that I found this story to be completely realistic, sad, emotional, depressing…. It was a real story and I can appreciate that. I think the story of Chris & Claire’s marriage is real and many women can identify with Claire. I liked the character of Daniel a lot; I wish we were able to get to know him better. I felt like there is so much to him we do not know. I also love that the story was told in three perspectives, mostly in Claire’s but you get very short (too short) chapters in Chris & Daniel’s point-of-view as well.

So, why would I give Covert just two stars? I hate to do it, I really do but the story was SO BORING! I think the only reason I kept reading was because I kept thinking something would happen, something between Claire & Daniel would finally happen… I just waited and waited and for NOTHING! Daniel and Claire definitely crossed emotional lines but I was expecting more between them. The ending wrapped up quickly considering the rest of the book was very slow. The story was mostly about a sad marriage that seemed to go in circles and not a relationship between Claire & Daniel. I guess I was expecting a hot steamy affair and this was not it.

The writing was superb just like On The Island and I still will continue to read more of Tracey’s book but this just fell flat for me. I never was able to connect with the characters or story and I kept wanting to skip ahead just to get to the drama, which never came.

I give Covet 2 Stars.


ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We're the Cantons. Sun-kissed, all-American, picture-perfect. By all appearances, we're the ideal suburban family. As long as you don't look too closely."

On the Island was one of my top favorite reads last year, so obviously I was super excited to red Covet, plus the fact that Tracey Garvis-Graves is one of my favorite authors made me even more psyked. And was I disappointed? No, I wasn´t. But I´m gonna be honest and say that I loved her debut novel more. It is pretty hard to top that one. It was so good. But Tracey´s writing flows just as beautifully in this one, and it is really hard to put it down. There is something about her writing that makes you feel for, and that you really know her characters. Claire could be you, your sister, your daughter or your friend. This book really applies to all women. Marrid or not. This novel is written realistically and could really happen to anyone in real life. Don´t expect a fairytale love story with a passionate affair, or you will be severly disappointed.

"I would never cheat on Chris… I still love him. I just don't feel very connected to him right now."

Clare and Chris has the ideal marriage, with two beautiful kids, a dog and two cars. They live in a suburn on a street filled with lonely housewives and working husbands. Claire and Chris are happy and in love. But when Chris loses his job, everything starts to fall apart. He starts to shut out Claire, and they´re beginning to drift apart. Chris eventually gets a new job, but their marriage is still shaky.
And so one day, Claire gets pulled over for speeding. The officer, David Rush, and Claire, immediately notices eachother, and he starts to persue her. Claire is lonely and depressed, so she lets him into her life. But she vows not to break any lines with him. But that is not exactly eacy.

Tracey has done an excillent job with this book, and kept the reader in suspense to the last page. Who will she end up with. Her remorseful husband or her new, exciting love interest? She wrapped up the ending great and beautiful. A tear may, or may not have been shed through the book. I have rarly felt so connected with Claire, as I have with any fictinal character. I had a great time with her. Because I really felt I was in her head. And what I think really added to this book was that we got the chanse to know David and Chris too.

This is a stand alone.

"There's a man downstairs who has every right to be in this bed with me, but he isn't interested. And there's a man who doesn't have any right at all, yet he sounds as thought he'd give just about anything for the opportunity. I have never felt more alone."

[Heidi R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to win an advanced copy of Tracey Garvis Graves' new novel, "Covet". I just received it in the mail this morning and hadn't planned on reading it until tonight...but, as all books do, it was calling to me and I started reading it and couldn't put it down.

This is a story about a marriage on the brink of disaster. It's about the struggle of a husband (Chris) dealing with downsizing, unable to find a job for a year and then finally being hired by a company that has him traveling all the time. It's about his wife (Claire) trying to hold her family together while dealing with immense loneliness. It's about communication in a marriage... something that is sorely lacking in theirs. Throw in a handsome police officer and, well, things could get dicey.

Ms. Graves has written a story that will make you think, "What would I do in this situation?" It made me question what my feelings would be and how I would handle things, given the circumstances of everything that occurred.

Thank you to Dutton and Goodreads for picking me as a winner of this ARC! I loved "Covet" and commend Tracey Garvis Graves on writing a truly great story.

[Sophie's Reading Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Maybe love is like a pendulum. It swings back and forth, slowly, steadily, and sometimes you don’t know where it will come to rest."

Shit If I know how to rate this one! When I started it I thought it wouldn't take more than a 3 from me. When I finished it I wanted to give it 5, so now I think it's fair to take 4 stars.

This story was definitely a roller-coaster of my emotions. I was feeling worried, angry, sad, compassionate, comprehensive, happy, heartbroken, excited. So many emotions, I was all over the place! I'll admit that I cried a little.



I knew since the beginning that it would be a story that would really trouble me. I'm not a fan of cheating stories, so I was really worried when I realized that it was about a family with kids. Usually, I believe that when things are broken between a couple it's better to finish things, than be unfaithful. But what are you doing when there are kids in the middle? You can't finish simply like that a marriage, right? [Those were my thoughts by the way, so don't get discouraged by those words.]

Let's get to the story now.

We have Claire and Chris. A married couple that has been drifted apart, since Chris had been unemployed. He had shut his woman out and even though he still remained a wonderful father, he acted like Claire wasn't worthy of his time. He wouldn't talk to her, he wouldn't speak to her or sleep with her. At first I didn't like Chris. Even though he was never abusive or anything like that, he seemed like a shitty husband.

But then we see his POV and we can see his pain. He loves his family, he wants to spend time with them, even though now that he found a new job which holds him many days apart from them. He is praying that Claire will hold onto waiting for him, until they get over every obstacle in their way.

Meanwhile, Claire meets a good looking cop, Daniel. She starts hanging out with him and he becomes what she needed from Chris and didn't have it all this time. She finds companionship with him and she feels less lonely when she's spending time with him.

“I have no right to say this, and I’d never ask you to leave him. But I wish you were mine.”

I really can't say how frustrated I was because I couldn't stomach the possibility of crossing the lines with him. I rooted for Chris the whole time, even when he wasn't a good husband to her. All he cared about was to be the one who would provide financially his family. I could understand Claire though. I could somehow feel her pain and how lonely, rejected and uncertain she felt with Chris.

“Do you still love me?” I ask suddenly.
“Of course I do.” He looks confused and hurt, as if my words have cut him to the bone.
“Why would you ask such a thing?”
“Because you haven’t said it in a long time. And sometimes I still need to hear it to know that it’s
true.”
“I love you, Claire. I always will.”
“I love you, too.”

I'm not going to say anything more, because I don't want to spoil anything. I'm just going to say that it's certainly NOT what it looks like, I enjoyed the writing , even though it had me chewing my nails & feeling frightened of what would happen with each page I flipped.

I think that it's a really worth reading story. Hard to read maybe, but I believe that in the end it was worth it.

PS1: Chris was my favorite character, hands down. Especially when I read the flashback with their first dates, it had me immediately rooting for him. And then the hospital scene, it simply killed me.

PS2: Completely random, but it was my first diabetic female protagonist & I could relate as a diabetic myself. ^_^ I love when books let people know about diseases, raise awareness about health issues or other issues that were on this book, such us her friends' problems (gambling,alcoholism etc.). It showed that every family deals with issues, some more difficult than the other & nothing is as peachy as it appears sometimes. You just need to overcome them & work for them.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second novel by Tracey Garvis-Graves and she can take me into a world she has created anytime! Her stories are real, thought provoking and wonderfully captivating. Covet is a novel I didn't want to end and couldn't put down.
As a wife and mother I could understand and empathize with Claire, one of the main characters. In Covet, Claire's husband has lost his job and as a result suffers from depression. Once he is employed again he is constantly travelling. When he is home he focuses on the kids and work with no time left for Claire. What was once a solid marriage is now falling apart.
Claire becomes friends with local police officer Daniel Rush. A friendship that flourishes emotionally and one that Claire keeps from her husband.
Covet puts the test to love and marriage. It's a very emotional, realistic and relatable story. I'm glad in the end that it all worked out the way that it did. However, I was deeply saddened not knowing what was to come for one of my favourite characters and had to read "Cherish" (a novella that follows) to tie up a few loose ends.
This story packs an emotional punch and will stay with you for a long time!

[Hildy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win an ARC of Covet and when it finally arrived in the mail I had a few other books lined up so I thought I’d wait. It was just so new and gorgeous that I decided to just sneak a peak at the first page but it sucked me in right away and I finished it by the next day. It was hard to put down.

Now, let me explain that I’m completely ‘anti-spoiler’ so I didn’t really know what the book was about, other than it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out a few things from the title. I didn’t read the description, even though it was calling to me with pretty little red flowers. Nope. I didn’t go there. I was a little worried, I’m not going to lie. I was worried for my heart but also worried because I’ve gotten to know the author during the last year and I thought, “What if this sucks? How the heck am I going to write an honest review?” Luckily it didn’t suck. Yay! In fact, it was a really great story that I’d highly recommend.

I don’t believe in rehashing the plot in reviews so I’ll just touch on a few things. First of all, I think Tracey Garvis Graves has a gift for writing about potentially controversial topics. She makes you think about things in a new way even though we think we already know how we’d feel about the situation. It was not a long book and yet it felt like the story was not rushed and completely believable. I never felt uncomfortable, I just really cared about everyone. That’s another thing, TGG writes about characters that seem like they could be living next door. She never takes character traits to the extreme. I’ve read enough books lately with the unbelievably ridiculous ex-girlfriend, the over-the top pompous rich guy, or extremely mean High School students. She doesn’t do that. Even if her characters are flawed, I never disliked them. She describes the setting and situation so well that I felt like I was there.

I will absolutely be telling my friends to read this. I guess I just have a little warning, and that is, if you expect non-stop action then you might be disappointed. That’s not to say that it won’t stir up a lot of emotion. I would recommend just sitting back and enjoying the story as it unfolds very realistically.

http://thebookbosses.blogspot.ca/

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story!!

First off, let me point out that I struggled to review this book without being a bit spoilery, so please proceed with caution. I don’t give away the ending, but it’s hard to review this story without giving it the proper insight into several of the events that occurred. I’m typically better at this, but this novel just wouldn’t quit my mind and I had so much to say… So, you’ve been warned…

So now that I’ve got that out of the way, let me just say WOW! Just… WOW! Covet clearly offers a new perspective to Graves’s writing ability from her previous novel On the Island. With Covet, she delivers a poignant and dramatic story that’s both emotional and surreal. This book felt extremely realistic and I came to truly care for the cast of characters as their journey unfolded, and they battled the different issues that were affecting their lives. In Covet, Graves includes a myriad of hard hitting topics such as losing employment, financial struggles, gambling issues, infertility and several other problems people face in today’s day and age; and what impressed me most was how Tracey Garvis Graves covered these topics with care and grace that is signature to her expert writing style. She shot up to the top if my fave authors with her debut novel, but she cemented her standing with Covet.

In this story, we meet Claire who is a wife and mother of two young children that suddenly finds herself without the emotional support of her husband Chris. As the main provider of the family, Chris took a hard hit to his ego and mental stability when he lost his job that was the main source of supporting their comfortable suburban lifestyle. After a year of searching for work, he begins to battle depression and distances himself from Claire. When he finally stumbles upon a job, he throws himself into his work as an attempt to rebuild the stability they once enjoyed.

Despite his new job, Claire can’t seem to shake the feeling that she still doesn’t have her husband back. He continues on with the medication that’s helped him deal with his depression resulting in physical aftereffects, and when he’s not constantly traveling for business, he’s home locked in his office trying to catch up on the demands of his new job.

Unfortunately, it’s Claire’s loneliness that forces her to invest some deep feelings in a friendship that can break her marriage. When she meets Officer Daniel and begins a graphic design project for his unit, they become fast friends, which ultimately leads them to developing feelings for one another. Daniel has his own demons which he battles on a daily basis and spending time with Claire affords them both comfort and emotional strength that they each come to depend on.

There are so many considerations this novel forces you to entertain. Some of the questions I considered as I read Covet were: Can you blame a partner for seeking emotional and psychological support somewhere else when your home becomes an empty nest? If your partner falls in love with another person, is it considered cheating if they never act on it physically? Who’s to blame for a failed marriage when outside factors destroy the security and stability your family depended on? Before this novel, I truly felt I had my own opinions that were set in stone, but when you throw emotions and outliers and people you begin to feel sympathetic for, those answers go flying out the window leaving you conflicted and emotional.

Like I said, this novel had me completely conflicted! As much as I came to care for Daniel and I truly felt Claire’s struggles, I just couldn’t condone a physical or emotional relationship between these two. Don’t get me wrong, Chris was not absolved of his duties as a husband. Part of me was angry with him for not seeing the signs that his family was falling to pieces, but another part was breaking for him because I could just image the pressure and desire he battled with to care for his family. Who was wrong or right in this situation? I have no clue.

In addition, I have to mention that I truly admired Daniel for never taking advantage of the situation. He did not want to be the reason for breaking up Claire’s family, but at the same time, he couldn’t deny the comfort he found in her company. If the situation was different, and I really don’t know what variables would need to change, I would have hoped that Daniel and Claire would have found a way to make their relationship work. But, there were children and a husband involved and I just didn’t want to see that fall apart without a good, honest attempt by Claire and Chris to make it work.

If you think the novel is heavily weighted with Claire and Chris’s issues, let’s not forget that there were three other families and their problems intricately weaved into this surreal portrayal of modern suburban life. The steady drama that unfolded as the novel progressed was constant and kept me at the edge of my seat. This book will stay on my mind for quite some time!

Overall, Tracey Garvis Graves impressed me with Covet because of the unique voice she exercised in this novel. I appreciated the honesty and truth in this story, and I hope she entertains the possibility of revisiting some of the characters she created in Covet. I feel a few are worthy of their own story and I hope to see it come to fruition. Well done Tracey! Well done!

[Lise *friends don't flag* · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I am lonely stars...


I have two blond headed kids and a blond headed husband, I also have blond hair; the all American family living in the burbs in an all American town in Kansas surrounded by a bunch of other all American families.

We all are trying to hide how messed up, issue laden, secret keeping, and depressed we are.

I meet a hot cop...


I start to meet up with Daniel. He is fun to be with, talk to, rides a motorcycle and oh yeah… did I mention he is gorgeous. There is something sad and lonely about him too.

We Are Just Friends… Really. But I kinda want more, but am afraid. I love my husband… my kids… I am happily married… but- I’m So Damn Lonely

AL righty readers I think you get the gist. I was trying to get the gist the entire time I was reading this very well written novel by Tracey.

Now that I have had a few days to think about this one, I realize the reason why I became captured and engrossed in the story is because I kept waiting for the something to happen I thought would happen, but it did not play out like I thought it would and that is okay.

The story played out the way it should and I can’t explain it without spoilers. I will simply say that this one for me, was bittersweet and although touching and nicely written, it left me feeling melancholy…

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So when I found out that Tracey had another book coming out my reaction was probably a bit like this.



It's no secret how much I loved On The Island... but then I got the warning... "It's women's fiction, so keep that in mind." and I was all, well what the hell is women's fiction... I'm a woman, I like fiction... why wouldn't I like this book?

And I will freely admit that in between staring at the cover and fawning all over how pretty it is, I read the summary. And my heart skipped a beat and I told my BFF that 'omg this one might hurt me.' But I dove into it. And I didn't put it down except to cook meals and tend to my child. And it did hurt... not like gut wrenching OMG TRACEY HOW COULD YOU kind of pain, but little twinges here and there that all add up to a sort of broken feeling that you don't know how to fix.

What I found is that this story isn't just for women or just people who have been in relationships or married for many years. As someone who's never ever been married I can tell you I felt every little slight or pain that Claire did.

Claire has been married for years. Two kids, a nice house in a wonderful neighborhood, a dog, and a husband who takes care of them.... that is until he loses his job and their life comes to a screeching halt. Oh the first few months aren't bad, it's when Chris starts to think he won't ever be able to take care of his family again when things take a turn for the worse for them. Luck finally turns for Chris and he's offered a job, but it means he'll be on the road for 4 out of 5 days a week. Claire struggles with the idea that the mess that their marriage is right now will survive him not being there.

The kids are a safe topic, and politely exchanging information regarding their whereabouts and well-being has become our fallback method of communication. Neither of us raises our voice. I once read an article in a women's magazine that said it's a really bad sign when you and your spouse stop arguing. It means that you've given up and no longer care about saving your marriage. I hope that's not true, but I worry that it probably is.

A chance traffic stop for Claire brings someone new into her life, someone who's taken an interest in her and what's going on in her life and someone who actually pays attention. She's been lonely and Daniel Rush suddenly fills that void.

The friendship between Daniel and Claire is gradual. Chance encounters and a job opportunity for Claire bring them together but then they eventually find themselves seeking each other out.

Daniel himself has lost quite a bit in the past few years, and as his story unfolds you can see why and how he would reach out to Claire even knowing that she is married. Neither one of them had or have bad intentions and in fact they both come clean up front... they are just looking for friendship.

Which then brings up the age-old question... Can men and women just be friends? Which I think in this situation becomes a very complicated situation.

What I loved about this story is that it isn't just about Claire. Yes, she's our main heroine and I think the person we're meant to connect with the most, but we also get to see little bits from both Daniel and Chris's point of view. I'd read how lonely and sad Claire was that her husband wasn't home or that he didn't get a chance to call and be shaking my fist at him mentally saying "see it's your fault this is happening!" but then in his point of view we'd see how much he loves Claire and how hard he's working just to make sure his family has an income and the life he want's for them and he missed them profoundly.

Remember that perfect neighborhood they live in... well it's not so perfect. And I think that something this book reminded me is that things may look perfect and wonderful on the outside, but underneath that false image there can be a lot of pain and quite a few secrets and while we may be jealous of the life that someone might have, we certainly don't know exactly what their struggles are.

We're the Cantons. Sun-kissed, all-American, picture-perfect. By all appearances, we're the ideal suburban family.

As long as you don't look too closely.

In the end, I loved the evolution of this story. The sneaks we would get of Claire remembering the months that Chris was out of work and how the stress impacted them not only as a couple, but also as family really pulled me in, but we also got glimpses of what their life was before he lost his job... how they met, how they connected ... how happy they were. Which made the current stuff so hard to swallow and accept.



I know the big question everyone is going to have is OMG IS THERE CHEATING??? I don't honestly know how to answer that...
It absolutely depends on your definition of cheating. For those of you who care, there is no sex had between Daniel and Claire, but there is absolutely a kind of emotional cheating that happens here. As unintentional as it might have been, Claire stopped leaning on her husband for certain things because he wasn't there for her. So, physical cheating... no.

If you're looking for a story filled with action and some major big reveal or something, this isn't going to be it. Life isn't all explosions and fireworks - Instead what you'll get is incredible writing, wonderful dialogue and a story that feels true to life and like it might have happened to any of my neighbors if I looked close enough.

The characters are easily relatable and incredibly realistic and I think that is what reached out and grabbed a hold of me most with this story.

If you don't have this book on your 'to read' list yet, I can't stress how much you need to put it there. And not just you women either. Anyone who needs a life lesson in not taking things and people in our lives for granted could definitely get something out of this story.

Thank you to Dutton & Tracey for the advance copy for an honest review.

This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:


**please note that quotes are taken from an advance copy and may change**

[caren · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some books you stumble across that are easy to read. Light. Fluffy, even. This book is not one of them.

As a married woman whose own life has recently suffered some turmoil, I found it difficult to start. I even had to put it away for a couple of days and build up the nerve to dive back in when I felt more emotionally prepared.

Though I don’t think I could have prepared myself to read this. It was heartbreaking and real and really, I don’t have the words to describe it. Tracey Garvis-Graves has such a simple way with words. She tells her stories without any fanfare or unnecessary bells and whistles. Her books aren’t about shock value or pushing the limits, they’re about the characters and their true to life situations. Which is what makes them so fantastic.

To anyone on the outside looking in, Claire Canton’s life is perfect. She lives in a big house in the suburbs, has two great kids, a husband who provides for her and a little dog, too. But behind the doors of that perfect home exists a woman who’s lost. And a husband who’s just as mixed up on the inside. Marriage takes work, and if you stop trying—if you take it for granted—it can slip away from you so quickly that you don’t even realize it’s happening until it’s too late.

That’s exactly what happens to Claire and her husband Chris.

After losing his job, Chris falls into a downward spiral that Claire finds herself powerless to get him out of. She does what she can to make it better, but it seems everything she tries to do for him, he fights her on. It’s his home, and his job to take care of his family, and to have her threatening that causes tension in their marriage that builds to a level that almost ruins them both.

When Chris lands a new job that requires him to travel four days a week, things don’t get better as she’d hoped. If anything, to Claire, they get worse. She’s lonely. She’s lost without the man she built her life with.

She just wants someone to be there for her for once.

And after a routine traffic stop by Officer Daniel Rush, that’s exactly what she finds. A friend. A very attractive male friend who has issues of his own. These two form a quick bond. One that blurs the lines and begs to ask the age-old question about whether men and women can ever actually be friends without it becoming more.

The answer is no. They can’t. Not truly. There will always be lines that get crossed and emotions that shouldn’t be in play. But when two people are searching for something they aren’t finding elsewhere, sometimes the temptation of that escape is too great to deny.

For Claire and Daniel, their friendship provides something they’ve both lost. It makes them feel whole again in a way they haven’t felt in far too long. Is it wrong? To outsiders, yes. To them? No. It’s a slippery slope. They’ve both made it clear that friendship is all they want, but it doesn’t take long for Daniel to want more, or for Claire to want to give it to him.

Until she, as a type 1 diabetic, suffers a DKA episode that lands her in the hospital and shows her that no matter how distant Chris has been recently…he still loves her.

He just forgot how to show her.

And she forgot how to show him, too.

You probably know a handful (or more) of couples who have faced this same kind of predicament. Temptation is everywhere, but as the book jacket suggests, these characters have to decide what’s more important…temptation, honor or love. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s one I feel is worth reading. And no, it’s not just those of us who are married that can understand. I think anyone can identify with the feelings these characters experience. Young or old, man or woman…give it a shot. Especially if you’ve ever felt desperate enough to do something you know you might regret...

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most beautifully real and simplistic read. There were no dark and damaged, out of control characters, or over-played angst - however, there is a true and organic story about life in modern suburbia. It's intentional low-key style only made it more realistic and something that I could most definitely see happen...to just about anyone.

I really liked where Garvis-Graves took me because I was seriously sucked in the second I began reading, with each time having to stop becoming increasingly more difficult. This story also takes it's time evolving...but, evolve, it did - and the thing that made it so intriguing was the fact that real choices, good and not so good, weren't taken lightly. They were handled with a clear adult and conscience perspective. I could easily relate...and I could also feel the issues from each protagonist's points of view - which is bliss for a reader.

If you read the blurb you'll get the information you need so I'm not going to spoil this by telling you what takes place...and honestly, I think it will surprise you. I am also delighted with the outcome and my interpretation of it's message.

Regret is what's left over when you realize you didn't do everything you could to prevent it.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graves is climbing on to my must read list. This is my second book by her and I am looking for my next read from her.
This was a unique read. And it was a fast read.
Grab a copy and kick back and enjoy. I recommend it.

[Naoms · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally Posted on Confessions of an Opinionated Book Geek


I’ve never thought that a book was not for me based on the fact of my age, or social economic status, but COVET wasn’t written for me. I am from a generation whose future will look drastically different from the current middle agers and I am from a neighborhood that could never afford that kind of living.

There are moments in this book where I just couldn’t empathize. There is a reason many books end at the wedding, because marriage isn’t something you understand unless you’re married. I have never even come close to it. I have never had to watch myself drift away from the person I am supposed to love for the rest of my life.

I understand loneliness and temptation though. I also understand a confidence crushing stint of unemployment. Still, this book wasn’t written for a 24 year old single girl from the Bronx. It was written for suburban wives in their early 40s. The crowd who was initially drawn to that Desperate Housewives TV show.

I feel bad for Chris and Claire. I am sorry for the fact that life has separated them, but then there are moments where it is so obviously partially their own fault. Who takes a vacation to Hawaii after being laid off? Claire even says that things have always gone perfectly for Chris his entire life. So, they have lived charmed lives, get a string of bad luck and fall apart. I don’t care about characters like that. I like fighters. Survivors. Not privileged people who fall into despair when life throws them a curve ball. This book would be more interesting if it took place during the unemployment and not after Chris got a new job.

At the end of the day this book didn’t interest me. Just did not care. It was about privileged people who had a slow turn and just couldn’t handle it. Who wants to read about people like that?

[[~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥]

DNF at 50% (I really tried!)

I'm so sad I couldn't get into this :(





Claire and Chris are married. But life gets in their way with the stress of unemployment and money worries. Which leads to Chris' depression and the couple drifting apart.

I miss my kids and my house...I miss Claire

Then, Daniel enters the picture and forms a friendship with Claire. I couldn't connect with Claire but I think a lot of women can relate to her situation of going through a rough patch in a marriage.

I made it halfway and thought 'is anything exciting going to happen?' After looking at a few other reviews, I got my answer.

Had I finish the book, it would have probably be a 3 star. So, it wasn't for me. But if you like a realistic portrayal of a wife/mother dealing with a marriage going wrong, you should give this one a go x

ARC received from NetGalley

[Leea · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re the Cantons. Sun-kissed, all-American, picture-perfect. By all appearances, we’re the ideal suburban family. As long as you don’t look too closely.

I'm not going to lie and tell you that I didn't find this eerily odd connection to Claire (even writing that brings up some deep emotions within me) to the point where I found myself up in the wee hours of the morning to finish Covet. To say I was simply moved would be an understatement. When you think of infidelity you always imagine that you would hate the wife or the boyfriend, that you would be upset or let down by someone in this dysfunctional triangle. You know that guy who just couldn't keep it in his pants. That's just not the case with Ms. Garvis-Graves second book. I was moved by each character, I enjoyed the story progression and the ending was simply perfect.

In all the years we’d been together, I’d never experienced anything quite as heartbreaking as watching the lights of my golden boy fade.

Covet is written from the point of view of each character, Claire, Chris and Daniel. It's the heartbreaking story of a marriage and love that is slowly unraveling and neither Claire or Chris are able to prevent this systematic breakdown of affection and connection. Claire is a work at home mom to Jordan and Josh, she gets the kids to school, takes care of the house all while Chris is away for weeks at a time working. Underneath it all Claire is lonely, so deeply lonely and she misses the once connection she and Chris used to share. To watch the breakdown of their love was almost unbearable to read, It broke my heart at every turn but I have to say that I understand why Claire started her friendship with Daniel.

It took me a bit to get used to the alternating POV's but once I did it fit the story perfectly. I loved being inside each of their heads and knowing what they we're each thinking of the same situation. Claire, her heartbreak and pain with regards to her marriage was really difficult to read. She is not the kind of woman that has an affair. That's just not who she is, she's reliable, stable, a thinker and loyal. slowly she starts up a friendship with Daniel and even she can tell at times that she's crossing the line and having an emotional affair. Meanwhile, Chris is in his own prison, taking a job that requires so much more travel and he hates being away from his family. He knows his marriage is in trouble but he's just getting out of a deep depression and he's focused on keeping himself mentally healthy. He doesn't know the extent of the loneliness that Claire feels. How she misses just him holding her hand or just sleeping in the same bed together. Chris just puts one foot in front of the other in order to care for the family he loves so much. Daniel, a police officer is available when ever Claire needs him, he's fun, honest and handsome. He keeps his distance with Claire and what starts out as lunch a few times a month soon leads to hanging at Daniels house while the kids are at school. He's attentive, considerate and never pushes Claire to be anything other than friends.

I set the phone on the nightstand and take a deep breath. There’s a man downstairs who has every right to be in this bed with me, but he isn’t interested. And there’s a man who doesn’t have any right at all, yet he sounds as though he’d give just about anything for the opportunity. I have never felt more alone.

What I enjoyed most about Covet was the amazing detail that Ms. Garvis-Graves wrote each character and action. The suburban housewife lifestyle may be coveted by some but for others is a suffocating blanket that leaves many feeling lonely and unworthy. They're caught between what they want to do and what they should do and Graves demonstrates that within Claire but also within all her seemingly "perfect" neighbors.

Maybe love is like a pendulum. It swings back and forth, slowly, steadily, and sometimes you don’t know where it will come to rest.

In conclusion, this was an outstanding second book for Ms. Garvis-Graves. I was blown away by the depth of emotion Claire, Chris and Daniel's journeys evoked in me. Covet is a moving story of love, lose and the ability to start over again. That even though you've taken some steps in the wrong direction people can still find their way back to one another. It's a beautiful journey.



ARC courtesy of PENGUIN GROUP Dutton via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All quotes were taken from the pre-published book and should be viewed accordingly

[Erin Arkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book – that is really the best way for me to put it. Yes, this is a story about a marriage but it is more than that. It is also about life, love, friendship, and how we deal with disappointments. Tracy Garvis Graves has written a story that is moving and tackles some heavy topics in a real way. While I was reading I had the butterflies…you know what I’m talking about here. How when you read a story and everything seems so real and you are invested in what happens with each and every one…those butterflies. The highs and the lows had such an impact that I felt all them all right alongside the characters and I honestly couldn't put this one down.

We follow the three main characters Claire and Chris who are married and Daniel who is Claire’s friend. The big question here is whether men and women can be friends without the idea that the friendship would turn into more and I honestly don’t think there is a yes/no answer here. In this case, there was more to it than that but in the end, this is one of the major things that Claire is struggling with.

Garvis Graves moves the story mostly through Claire’s point of view and does a wonderful job of integrating flashbacks into the present time to show us how things have gotten to where they are today. There was just enough to show us how much Claire and Chris really do love each other but also how those little (and not so little) things started to change their relationship.

I loved reading Claire’s point of view and found her to be a likable character. She truly does love Chris and went into her friendship with Daniel with good intentions. It was clear she was lonely and she really just wanted someone to spend time with her. Daniel did that – he paid attention and made her feel important and not just like an afterthought. She really tried to help Chris through the challenge of losing his job and unfortunately there wasn't really anything she could do to make it better no matter what. The loss of Chris’ job was hard on her too and although he didn't see it, Claire struggled. It was hard for her to see him so angry and at times, defeated. One of the best lines that illustrated this (in my opinion) was:

In all the years we’d been together, I’d never experienced anything quite as heartbreaking as seeing the lights of my golden boy fade.

There were times where I was super frustrated with Chris because I really liked him too. He is hard working, loyal, and loves his family. It is clear he is willing to do whatever he has to in order to keep them afloat but it really hit him hard when he lost his job and wasn't able to find a new one as quickly as he expected. And when he does find something, he has to deal with someone he doesn't really respect but puts up with the issues because he doesn't want to fail. Another part of the problem is that he doesn't talk to Claire anymore – at least about anything of any consequence, and the disconnect just creates a larger and larger gap between the two.

I really don’t believe there is a “bad guy” in this story. Daniel has his own losses and issues he is trying to get past and when he meets Claire he gravitates to her because she reminds him of someone. From there, the friendship develops into more and I had mixed feelings. The evolution of moving from acquaintance, to friend, to more was well done and I loved watching it happen. With that said, I knew this wasn't going to end well and I also felt his pain when the day he knew was coming, came.

As usual, I am sure that my review doesn't even come close to doing this book justice. Because of that I recommend you just go out read this when you can. If you are looking for a real story that brings out all the feels, this is it.

[Ezi Chinny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book put me on blast as a hypocrite :D
I can see why people were up in arms about this one but I loved it. I believe you can love 2 people at the same time. You have to choose which one you want to be with, but you can love them both.
I get Claire, I really get it and the writing was so visceral to me. I have been sleeping on Tracey Garvis-Graves, but not anymore.

Chris Canton lost his job and it took a toll on his self-esteem and eventually his marriage. His wife Claire tried to be supportive, but as the period of unemployment went on, Chris isolated his feelings and himself. Soon, their marriage lacked communication and intimacy. I have heard someone describe marriage as a flower than needs tending. It needs sunlight and care or it will wither away and die. Sometimes married people forget that because Chris said to Claire "I thought you would always wait for me."

But the period of loneliness gave way to a friendship with police officer Daniel Rush. It was clear they were aware that their new friendship was becoming inappropriate, but both were in pain and so lonely. thus they were so hungry for the littlest attention. In this relationship, 3 became a crowd and Claire had to make some tough choices.

The writing had a good pace. I loved the flawed characters in this one. I loved the juxtaposition with the friend who was a ray of sunshine and the husband was a cloudy day. I couldn't put this book down because I felt the realness of this story. It ended well, but even if it didn't, I could see both sides and thus didn't feel as judgmental of their positions. I honestly liked both men and would have been happy with either choice!

[Sue Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sign of a good book to me, is one that I think about when I'm not reading it or after I've finished it. Covet starts out slow and to be honest, I had to really work mid-way through to keep going. However, I'm so glad I did. The beauty of the story can't be fully realized until you read through the whole book.

This is different from other recent contemporary romance novels because frankly, there isn't a lot of action. It's about the demise of an ideal marriage that occurs slowly overtime. The marriage starts going south when Claire's husband loses his job as a result of the 2009 recession. Over the course of the next 18 months or so, Chris, her husband struggles with depression, his identity, and what truly should matter in life. Through this slow demise, Claire finds comfort with Daniel and ends up having to make some difficult choices. Most of this is told through Claire's POV, but the author also provides POV's from both Chris and Daniel, which both help to develop their own characters. Both men are inherently kind, responsible, good men.

I won't spoil it and say what happens in the end. But I think the reason this story resonated so well with me is because this was a story truly rooted in reality. This could easily be me or any of my friends. So many of the contemporary romance books today are NA or completely off the top characters -- billionaires, rock stars, or alpha males. The characters are often immature and unrealistic and it's all getting very old for me. Covet had mature, thoughtful, real characters in their thirties. It reminded me a little of that Thirty Something show that was on TV in the nineties (or was it eighties)?

I liked On the Island, but I read it and put it in the pile of decent contemporary romance novels. I never really thought twice about the writing. But I think Covet is very well written. This book surprised me and qualifies as one of the top 10 books I've read this year (and I read A LOT!). If you're looking for a thought provoking book with realistic and mature adult characters, this is a really good one.

[Britany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Garvis Graves captured my heart with her debut On the Island and I keep picking up more books by her hoping for that same feeling.

Covet is a book based on a normal marriage where the husband gets depressed and loses his job, finding a new one and traveling almost 90% of the time, and when he's home he's so exhausted he hardly interacts with his wife or his kids. The neighborhood friends were very realistic and I got a little bored with all the daily activities and tidbits from daily life as Claire operates more as a single parent with her two kids and type 1 diabetes. She meets a hot cop named Daniel and soon they start hanging out all the time because Claire is lonely. The tension between these two is what Garvis Graves does best, but the payoff never came.

Rating this right down the middle because I still don't really understand the point of this book.

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The set up
Claire and Chris had a wonderful marriage until he was laid off from his job. They were financially secure with solid savings but it took Chris a year to find another job and things got tough. Their relationship changed because He turned inward and completely shut Claire out, even sleeping on the couch every night so as to not "disturb" her by coming to bed late. She works from home as a freelance graphic artist and they have two young children. And, they live in a neighborhood where those outward symbols of your standard of living seem to make a difference.

The issues
While they didn't tank financially, their marriage is now on life support. Both believed that when Chris got a job they'd begin to repair their relationship but the new company required him to be on the road at least four days a week. The distance between them just kept growing into this seemingly insurmountable chasm with no visible sign of a bridge for either of them to cross. To complicate matters, Claire begins a friendship with a very handsome and available police officer who isn't shy about giving her the attention she's craved the last eighteen months.

What worked about the story
With so many impacted by the economic downturn these past few years, the exploration of the toll taken on relationships was timely and thought provoking. Neither Chris or Claire were positioned as the "bad guy" as both points of view gave rich insights as to their motivations, fears and true feelings. They're both really likable, devoted to their children and committed to somehow figuring out a way to get back to each other. Even Daniel, Claire's new "friend," was a good man and respected the marital boundaries. The author's use of alternating points of view was well placed throughout the book, each chapter indicating whose voice we were hearing.

Cheating is one of my deal breakers in a story so I was very much afraid to start this story, needing some assurances from many of my friends that I wouldn't end up throwing my iPad across the room. Without spoiling the story, I can safely say my iPad is still intact.

What was tough for me
I'm on a slippery slope here and may not convey my issues clearly so as to avoid telling too much. While I really, really, really understood Claire's loneliness and feelings of abandonment, I wasn't happy with how she seemed to use Daniel. In the end, there was a situation that made me extremely sympathetic to him. I'm not talking about how close she may or may not have come to the physical boundaries. It was her emotional disconnections that set me adrift. Also, one of her friends clearly had a serious problem and Claire failed to intervene in any way. It caused me to question her sincerity and values. I want a follow up book!!!

The bottom line
This really is a perfect book to read and discuss with friends and/or book groups. I can imagine that there will be proponents of and detractors against each character (Chris, Claire and Daniel) and I'm ripe for a discussion. Thankfully, I'm in a group that selected this as the October book of the month and I cannot wait to get started. Perhaps this alone makes it a real winner of a story, that it can provoke so many opinions about a situation many couples are finding themselves in today. It certainly has me energized. I'm glad I read it.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Taboo Stars

Claire is a mother and has been married to Chris for over a decade. Chris has been laid off for a year, but recently landed a new job, which takes him away from the family five nights a week. Claire is lonely and Chris isn’t the easiest person to talk to. So, when police officer Daniel opens a friendship with Claire, she’s hesitant, but too lonely to not pursue the relationship.

Disclaimer to the book: I do not like cheating in books and if it wasn’t for a Garvis-Graves read, I probably would have not read Covet. To my surprise this was an emotional read I enjoyed.

The thing that I liked so much about Covet was how realistic everything was. I totally understood Claire. She’s a super mom, her world revolves on the kids and she wants to be happy with her marriage, but it’s difficult with a husband who works all the time. Even though Chris has many faults, you can’t help but feel for him too.

Chris works crazy hours, sometimes through the night and because of his sleeping problems, it’s easier for him to sleep on the couch downstairs. When Chris is home from traveling, he spends most of his time with the kids to make up for lost time. He doesn’t want to work so much but after being not employed for a year, he can’t quit his current job.

Then there’s Daniel, the cop with issues too. He’s lonely and finds something special with Claire, but doesn’t want to cross the line, no matter how much he’s drawn to her. I enjoyed the tiny POV moments from Chris and Daniel. You feel their pain and in all honesty you don’t know who to root for.

What Covet worked for me is the emotional cheating level. I never understood the “lust” aspect of cheating, but with emotional cheating, I just get it. It’s so easy for husbands and wives to have an emotional connection with another person of the opposite sex. There’s a fine line Claire and Daniel play on and you wonder if either of them will ever cross it.

Covet isn’t for everyone because it’s more about Claire, Chris and Daniel’s issues. Claire kind of tells us a story of how she feels and why she feels it. I however, enjoyed it and just know it’s not a happy book, but it gives you another look at cheating.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

AMAZON

For more reviews, http://jacquelinesreads.blogspot.com

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good grief! I can't believe I read the entire book. After reading and loving "On the Island," I really believed that Tracey Garvis-Graves' new novel would be just as good. Boy, was I ever wrong. Unlike so many other readers who thought "Covet" was amazing, I found it disappointing and utterly BORING! I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen. Turns out not much of anything happens - unless you enjoy reading novels that detail every minute occurrence that takes place every second of every day.

"Around eleven, after I've had a chance to shower, shave, and respond to several e-mails that need my immediate attention, I take the kids to the pizza parlor near our house. It has an indoor arcade complete with bumper cars, inflatable bounce houses, slides, and a rock climbing wall. The kids would happily spend every Saturday here if Claire and I let them. When we get back home I mow the lawn and toss the football with Josh while Jordan plays in the sandbox. I'm deliriously tired and running on fumes. Claire returns from the bake sale around four and tells the kids to come in and take showers."

What? No description as to the time and place each kid did Number 1 and 2 before going to bed? When they brushed their teeth and washed their face? Blah, blah, blah, blah - blah!

"My schedule is flexible enough that I can spend my daytime hours any way I want, and I don't mind working at night after the kids go to bed, because it gives me something to do.

Sometimes we meet for lunch and sometimes we run errands together. I helped him pick out new carpeting for his living room."

So riveting! I'm surprised the carpet didn't catch fire with all the sexual heat sizzling between them. (Too many eye-rolls and now my head hurts.) If you think that's great, you're in for a treat as there's 21 intriguing pages dedicated to Claire and the kids all having the stomach flu, and of course, all the vomiting they do. Very captivating indeed.

The end result from this entire novel is a plot that's flat, boring and mundane; with characters that are also flat, boring and mundane; characters that are devoid of any emotion. I didn't feel any attraction between Claire and Daniel, or the love between Claire and Chris either. Here's a married couple who don't even have big loud arguments - they're that boring. Instead of dealing with their crumbling marriage, or acknowledge how neglected his wife feels, Chris is more upset because Claire bought clothes from T.J.Maxx instead of Gymboree or Gap. Really? This is what you want to bitch about?

Considering I didn't like any of the characters, I'd have to say I detested Claire the most. I just didn't find her likeable or to be a smart lady. I thought she was a flake, a complete idiot. I mean seriously, instead of telling Chris that her friend's husband is constantly hitting on her, or trying to figure out a way of dealing with the matter, she figures why rock the boat - she's more concerned that they all remain friends. So what does she do? She lets the douche-bag kiss her neck and fondle her breast. Instead of calling him on it, she chalks it up to alcohol. Sorry guys but if that was me I'd have told my husband right after I twisted the guy's balls so hard he couldn't walk. We're also to believe that Claire is a very caring person, which I'd have to disagree with. She appeals to the city for a speed limit sign for the street so that all drivers will slow down in concern for the safety of others. But when it comes to her neighbour and friend who's clearly an alcoholic, she says nothing to her or the woman's husband about her concerns and the possible ramifications, all the while knowing that the said woman gets behind the wheel completely wasted. Caring? Nope, an idiot in my books.

Then we have the supposed "friendship" between Daniel and Claire. Seriously now, how the hell does she expect to stay friends with Daniel, or convince Daniel that they can only be friends and nothing else if she continuously shows up at his house, sits on his bed, watches movies with him on his couch, lets him hold her, and touches him inappropriately?? If anything I'd say she's a tease leaving him with a bad case of blue-balls.

In the end I didn't care for the whole "woe is me" story, or any of the characters. The whole thing was a total disappointment. I'd like to tell you to just skip this one but I won't. I'll leave it up to you should you decide to give this one a read.