What do you think?
Rate this book
Seventy-Two Hours
In Seventy-Two Hours… a marriage could end.
When junior Jennifer Sloan fell in love with her high school sweetheart, senior Christopher Gardner, they shared the same hopes and dreams for an idyllic future together living in their small, rural Pennsylvania town. Jen set her sights on a career in education and returned to their old alma mater as a history teacher. Chris, with his strong work ethic and brilliant mind, made a name for himself as a scientific engineer. As Jen’s parents were always quick to point out, kind and generous Chris would always be a good provider for Jen.
Even with the best planning, the future doesn’t always turn out the way people envisioned it. Jen learns this lesson quickly. While Chris has turned out to be the “good provider “ everyone thought he would be, he isn’t available to Jen and their children as much as he should be. Jen finds out a good provider is about being more than a financial provider. Jen’s responsibilities with work, home, and family keep mounting onto her broad, organized shoulders…until she reaches her breaking point.
Feeling alone and unwanted in her marriage, Jen commits the ultimate betrayal. In light of her recent behavior and what drove her to it, she assumes there is no going back. When she decides it’s time to tell Chris she wants a divorce, she finds out he has something else in mind.
A surprise holiday weekend getaway at a lakeside cottage could be the best medicine for their failing marriage. At least that is what Chris tells her his intentions are when the weekend begins. Will this last-ditch effort remind them of why they fell in love or will it only force them to accept the reality of a lost cause? Recent events make their future seem hopelessly bleak. While Jen and Chris endeavor to confront their relationship issues, memories from their past reveal the events that helped shape their lives.
Set in the picturesque Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania and Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes wine country, will Seventy-Two Hours be enough time for two people to fall in love all over again?
When junior Jennifer Sloan fell in love with her high school sweetheart, senior Christopher Gardner, they shared the same hopes and dreams for an idyllic future together living in their small, rural Pennsylvania town. Jen set her sights on a career in education and returned to their old alma mater as a history teacher. Chris, with his strong work ethic and brilliant mind, made a name for himself as a scientific engineer. As Jen’s parents were always quick to point out, kind and generous Chris would always be a good provider for Jen.
Even with the best planning, the future doesn’t always turn out the way people envisioned it. Jen learns this lesson quickly. While Chris has turned out to be the “good provider “ everyone thought he would be, he isn’t available to Jen and their children as much as he should be. Jen finds out a good provider is about being more than a financial provider. Jen’s responsibilities with work, home, and family keep mounting onto her broad, organized shoulders…until she reaches her breaking point.
Feeling alone and unwanted in her marriage, Jen commits the ultimate betrayal. In light of her recent behavior and what drove her to it, she assumes there is no going back. When she decides it’s time to tell Chris she wants a divorce, she finds out he has something else in mind.
A surprise holiday weekend getaway at a lakeside cottage could be the best medicine for their failing marriage. At least that is what Chris tells her his intentions are when the weekend begins. Will this last-ditch effort remind them of why they fell in love or will it only force them to accept the reality of a lost cause? Recent events make their future seem hopelessly bleak. While Jen and Chris endeavor to confront their relationship issues, memories from their past reveal the events that helped shape their lives.
Set in the picturesque Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania and Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes wine country, will Seventy-Two Hours be enough time for two people to fall in love all over again?
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2012
33 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 13, 2013
Really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This journey with Jen and Chris was a very interesting read. A lot more melancholy than my typical read, but totally worth it.
Reading this about a couple's marriage potentially breaking up felt more voyeuristic than in other books. Probably because they were both in such a raw place.
I liked the flashbacks, they allowed you to see all the little cracks that happened in their marriage and how they both contributed to it's breakdown. It also helped to show how in love they once were.
Honestly, this book was a little like therapy for me. A great reminder to be mindful of the little things and always let the people closest to you know how much you care - and sometimes that includes calling them out for bad behavior.
Reading this about a couple's marriage potentially breaking up felt more voyeuristic than in other books. Probably because they were both in such a raw place.
I liked the flashbacks, they allowed you to see all the little cracks that happened in their marriage and how they both contributed to it's breakdown. It also helped to show how in love they once were.
Honestly, this book was a little like therapy for me. A great reminder to be mindful of the little things and always let the people closest to you know how much you care - and sometimes that includes calling them out for bad behavior.
January 21, 2013
I LOVED this book!! It was emotional. Many people find themselves in similar situations and I found the characters in this story to b extremely relatable. I can't count the number of times that I have wanted to throw in the towel on my relationship for many of the same reasons but haven't because of the kids. I found HOPE in this story that even the most neglected relationship may be salvageable.
October 8, 2012
I felt that this book is an absolute must for any couple that has been together long enough to feel alone or resentful in their relationship. It was nice to know that you are not alone. The characters are so easy to relate to. Definitely recommend this book.
February 20, 2017
I would enjoy CP's books so much more if her women weren't such anxiety ridden nags. sheez. But if you like a little shrew in your stories, you'll rate this higher.
January 26, 2015
I read this book not expecting to get much out of it. It was a filler book, i.e. to fill my time. I honestly think the only reason I downloaded it was because I know a lot of marriages go through tough spells, which made it easy to relate to daily life.
HOLY MOLY, was I surprised! This book was A-MAZ-ING. WOW. I don't think I can praise this book enough.
Not only was I completely sucked in, I emotionally connected to the book. The highs, the lows, the teenage angst. Sweet mercy. I typically dislike books that flip-flop between time periods, but this book did it perfectly and flawlessly. You really saw how and why Chris and Jen got where they are, their connections, their disconnections, the drift. It makes you hyper-aware of the events in your life and marriage and how one event could trigger a land-slide of events you weren't anticipating.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Everyone should read it.
HOLY MOLY, was I surprised! This book was A-MAZ-ING. WOW. I don't think I can praise this book enough.
Not only was I completely sucked in, I emotionally connected to the book. The highs, the lows, the teenage angst. Sweet mercy. I typically dislike books that flip-flop between time periods, but this book did it perfectly and flawlessly. You really saw how and why Chris and Jen got where they are, their connections, their disconnections, the drift. It makes you hyper-aware of the events in your life and marriage and how one event could trigger a land-slide of events you weren't anticipating.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Everyone should read it.
December 22, 2014
The plot is one that far too many couples live. The husband get wrapped up in his work and financially providing for his family and the wife takes care of the house, the kids, her work, and all else that daily life with three active boys brings. She begins to feel neglected and ends up betraying her husband. Knowing it is time that she tell him that she wants a divorce he takes her away on what he hopes will be a romantic weekend. But when you have drifted so far apart that you feel invisible to your spouse could seventy-two hours every be enough to bring you back to where you started twenty-five years before?
The characters were relatable, and the plot was realistic. The emotion was raw and palpable. I wasn't sure what to expect from this story and the author was one that I have not read before. Well done, CP Stringham.
The characters were relatable, and the plot was realistic. The emotion was raw and palpable. I wasn't sure what to expect from this story and the author was one that I have not read before. Well done, CP Stringham.
July 3, 2014
I know this author personally. I loved how she used "local" settings and sensibilities throughout this book, but I also loved the emotions it brought forth. There were definitely some "oh no, you're going to make me cry" and "I just can't stop here" spots throughout. Readers are able to connect to the characters through the highs and lows people experience in real life. Some areas hit close to home in a way that let you think about how you have handled similar experiences of your own. While this is "supposed" to be romance, I tend not to read romance novels but would consider this an excellent piece of fiction.
December 6, 2012
hmmmm interesting book about a marriage falling apart (actually at it';s breaking point)
I liked the story and the concept but
1) at times the flashbacks seemed weird
2) I wished for alternating points of view to get a better picture of both sides of the story
3) the ending felt RUSHED and therefore slightly unbelievable
4) weird vocab words thrown in, like author used a thesaurus - distracting
that being said, the concept and story of how and when a marriage starts to fall apart and how both parties contributed to it....was a interesting read.
I liked the story and the concept but
1) at times the flashbacks seemed weird
2) I wished for alternating points of view to get a better picture of both sides of the story
3) the ending felt RUSHED and therefore slightly unbelievable
4) weird vocab words thrown in, like author used a thesaurus - distracting
that being said, the concept and story of how and when a marriage starts to fall apart and how both parties contributed to it....was a interesting read.
April 2, 2013
**4-1/2 Stars**
I happened across this book about a broken marriage and decided to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did! Lots and lots of angst between a couple with years of life and love between them. I read it straight through without putting it down. The only reason for the 1/2 star deduction is that a little more payoff in the romance department in a couple of key scenes would have been nice and effective in conveying the love this couple shared. Look forward to reading more by this author!
I happened across this book about a broken marriage and decided to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did! Lots and lots of angst between a couple with years of life and love between them. I read it straight through without putting it down. The only reason for the 1/2 star deduction is that a little more payoff in the romance department in a couple of key scenes would have been nice and effective in conveying the love this couple shared. Look forward to reading more by this author!
April 6, 2015
It was painful to put down this book so I can face a mountain of laundry - it was that good. The heroine was flawed (and a little annoying), but relatable. The hero had the qualities of an alpha male (the nerdy kind), without being an over the top caricature. The story was one of a love (and marriage) that's by no means perfect, but is hopefully enduring. It manages to make one still believe in happy ever after, even while vividly describing how bumpy the road that leads to it can be.
March 21, 2013
Very well written story. Was expecting a thriller for some reason, but it's a romance. I'm not too keen on romances, but this was actually pretty good. I did shed a tear, I did laugh out loud. I'm more of a horror/thriller/paranormal/sci-fi type of person, but once in a while I can read a romance. This was one of the better ones.
Want to read
February 15, 2016201pgs, contemporary, they were HS sweethearts, went off to college, then married and had a family. He is a great provider, but is not there emotionally. She wants out, but has an affair first. She is going to tell him she wants a divorce, but he has planned a weekend getaway to restore old feelings. Will 72hrs be enough to save their marriage.
February 4, 2013
If I could give this a negative rating I would. This is one of the worst books I have ever read. The main character is a spoiled brat and pretty bitchy... her husband really comes across as a victim. The book is poorly written and the plot is terrible.
April 1, 2013
I give this book a 5 stars. It was a great book to read. It was so life like that it brought up old memories. It was sad to start but it ended just the way I wanted and was hoping it would end! I look forward to reading more from C.P. Stringham.
April 6, 2013
Feeling alone and unwanted in her marriage, Jen commits the ultimate betrayal. In light of her recent behavior and what drove her to it, she assumes there is no going back. When she decides it’s time to tell Chris she wants a divorce, she finds out he has something else in mind.
January 7, 2015
Have had this on my Kindle for a while (probably got it for free or $1.99) Finally read it as the title fit into a book club challenge. Quick and easy read.....OK story, kind of predictable. Nothing really new for me.....just so, so.
October 7, 2012
Wonderful book. So real, raw and compelling. Highly recommend!
October 22, 2012
I liked the story and it was a fast and easy read.
March 24, 2013
Such a good story about how even a great marriage can get away from a couple...
Read
August 20, 2013currently FREE on Amazon ;)
March 21, 2013
Story hit pretty close to home, but in the end, the characters pulled it together and worked out their problems.... (Lucky them). Fast read, good story.
March 20, 2013
Really enjoyed this book...tough topic but very relatable.
March 22, 2013
Hmmmm... A believable book about a marriage falling apart. I hate to say it but you could understand why the infidelity occurred. A tough drama but gripping story.
March 23, 2013
best book. done in probably 4-5 hrs. so in touch with my life and marriage. hits home.
March 29, 2013
This is a very good story. Some editing for grammatical errors would make it a great story.
March 30, 2013
Poorly written with an incredible amount of typos and mispellings. Jennifer was annoying and Christopher was horribly controlling.
April 13, 2013
Free book, quick read. Eh
April 11, 2013
Quick read! could have summed that book up in two chapters.
April 9, 2013
Really good book :)
April 15, 2013
lovely story. !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews