Heartstrings

Cedar Island Tales #2

by Kate Vale

Veterinarian Joel Taylor is deeply in love with his wife, Angela Wright, a family physician. At a conference, he has a drunken one-night fling with an old girlfriend—the biggest mistake of his life. Ridden with guilt, he plans to confess to Angela, mother of their 8-year-old twins, but she finds out first.

He is desperate to preserve their marriage, begs for forgiveness and insists Angela can trust him. But months later, when she discovers that she’s pregnant again—at 45!—she continues to wrestle with her doubts. Will Joel be tempted to cheat again, perhaps with one of the women he sees in his veterinary clinic? Is Roxy really out of the picture? And does Joel really love Angela, or does he simply want to stay married for the sake of their children?

When her pregnancy is fraught with problems, Angela sinks into depression, convinced she no longer can control her own body, much less her relationship with Joel. An emergency cesarean birth saves the baby but spins her deeper into her illness. Joel enlists the assistance of her obstetrician and the marriage counselors they’ve been seeing. But have they reached Angela in time?

Genres: Chick Lit

Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2012

About the author

My mother said I wrote my first book when I was five--after I carefully copied the words in one of my favorite stories. A favorite children's book I still have is a first edition, signed by the author, of MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE, perhaps one reason I included reference to it in my indie-novel, PACKAGE DEAL.

Counting my current work as a novelist, I think I've experienced at least five different careers, the first four providing lots of grist for the mill of what my characters do or would like to do. One example? Olivia Brown in GRANDDAD'S HOUSE is a realtor. I was one, too! And realtors show up again in CHOICES and in a new book not yet ready for publication.

I hope you enjoy my stories. I love to hear from readers.

Reviews

[restorationreader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. I have no problem with reading a book about cheating--as long as it's handled, addressed, the cheater grovels, etc. While reading this book, I was, at times, irate and underwhelmed.

The husband has a one-night stand, the wife finds out, doesn't kick him out, gets pregnant (she's 45), has pregnancy-related complications, and is diagnosed with depression. Okay, that's all fine and good as far as plot line, but then the couple enters into counseling (which is great to see written into these types of novels) and here's where I became irate: The therapists (a married male/female team) focus all of their time on the wife and essentially blame her for the breakdown of the marriage. Yes, I am generalizing, but there's only one time that the male therapist says that he's not excusing the husband's behavior (big of you) and both the husband and therapists tell the wife that the one-night stand essentially forced the husband to have sex with her. She came after him, and yes, he relented (bad dog!), but he was almost powerless against the one-night stand's womanly wiles.

The husband truly can't understand why his wife can't get over his indiscretion, because, although he did have sex with the other woman, he didn't love her. Yet, (another irate moment) he is instantly jealous of a man whom the wife didn't even sleep with when they younger AND NOT MARRIED.

Irate moment number three: The wife's friend and OB/GYN, knowing the husband cheated, tells her to get over it because the husband is successful and attractive and can find someone else who won't get mad at him all the time.

I felt so sorry for the wife. All of these plot points could have been interesting, but I kept thinking (about the wife): with friends like these, who needs enemies?

[Lidia's Romance]

DNF @ 30%

It started out exciting but like many books lately, it quickly fizzled out. Another cheating book bites the dust. Boohoo.

The H had no consequences for the cheating (one time with an ex, while drunk-ish in Vegas during a work conference). Marriage in trouble.

I got the ebook from Hoopla and it shows a page number of 580. I can't imagine how it could be that long. Not even halfway in and...😴😴😴😴😴

[Cc · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/18

I re-read for the fourth time and didn't skim, any book that can do that for me is getting 4⭐️'S.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

You know, I'm going to go against popular opinion on this one. First, I'll list the undisputed things. K. V. Is an excellent writer, the book had an interesting premise and something that we don't find in books where cheating is involved: a realistic timeline as well as an accurate response from the heroine. (Apparent acceptance, going on with life, but all that simmering tension underneath that needed to be dealt with.)

But.....I felt A LOT of victim (woman) blaming and shaming here. I can't help it, I just feel that way. I'm sure the author didn't intend that, but it was kind of overwhelming to me.

[Tia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this novel. I found it a bunch of bullshit. The man seemed to turn it all around to the woman, yet he was the one who slept with another woman. It was fucked up that he cheated and somehow it was her fault. I don't care how it turns out in the end, the author should be slapped for even writing this trash.

[Jana · Rating 1 out of 5]

“She grabbed me and I—Angie, please. Roxy gets to me. I don’t know why. It’s like I can’t not rise to the occasion, if you get my drift.” His voice trailed off and he looked at her, wanting her to understand, to forgive him”🙄

“Passion happens, Angie. You, of all people, should know that.” Brooke’s smile lit up her voice. “Or his sperm were sneaky. Knowing Joel, that’s probably what he’d tell you. Men seem to delight in being able to beat a contraceptive.”🙄

“I never told Angie, but I’ve always felt Roxy took advantage of me. That I had no control. It was like I couldn’t not fuck her—sorry about my language, but that’s how it seemed to me.”🙄

What did she call you, if you don’t mind my asking?” “Ridge,” Joel said, his voice almost a whisper. “What? I don’t think I heard you.” “Ridge—for what happens when she gets near me—when I’m wearing pants.”🙄

🙄🙄🙄

[Elin · Rating 1 out of 5]

just the worst! good lord the husband cheats and the wife is forced into marriage councel with 2 idiots who teach her all about how everything is her fault! like saying in your vows you promised faithfullness but you know i wouldnt blame my clients for missing one appointment so why should you be mad that he cheated once, oh and lets not fotget the other woman used her sex as a weapon he was just a defenceless man....... i could go on ranting cause jesus christ wtf was that book!

[Veronica WordsAreMyDrinkOfChoice · Rating 2 out of 5]

How is any woman meant to respect a man who cheats and just can’t help but get an erection for a woman he hasn’t seen for years? He was pathetic, then he was painted as a victim of the OW, even though he willingly slept with her? Please, put the blame where it belongs.

[JP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m surprised at the low ratings. This author is an excellent writer and it was a good angsty/emotional read for me. The husband has a one night stand with his ex at a veterinarian conference and gets caught by the wife when she comes to the hotel to surprise him the next day(he has scratches all over his back from his night with the ow). She is pregnant at age 45 and falls into depression and the book deals with her illness and the couple working through their marital issues through counseling.

I always admire authors who tackle the subject of cheating and this was done well. 1 star off because too many counseling sessions and the ex called the hero Ridge. Yuck. Made me think if he had better sex with the ex than the wife.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars! I don’t mind cheating in romance books but when there is no consequences for the cheater and life just goes on with the only person who changes, suffers and is shoulders all the blame is the non-cheater, I can’t deal with that. The cheater needs to be a little less selfish and should have to leave for a while not just help out with his own damn kids and tell his wife to get over it and stop bringing up his lapse in judgement/lust. Hell no!!!

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

cheater scumbag

[Book · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hubby cheats with ex while out of town. Wife is mid-40s and discovers she pregnant with another child. And as is usual in these kind of novels, the burden of forgiving and forgetting is placed on the wife.

[Angela Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book!! This book felt very real to me. I guess the low ratings are because women don't like reading about cheating. I love to read books about cheaters when written right and this author did that.

[Debbie "Buried in Her TBR Pile" · Rating 3 out of 5]

too much couples therapy. 2.5 rounded stars.

+++++++++++++
3/12/2017 update: I received a very gracious note from the author thanking me for my rating/comment on this book. I do appreciate the time Kate Vale took to reach out and discuss her work. I will read other works by this author.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

This is one of the best books I have read in years. Excellent character development, strong story line, everything excelled. This author has captured my attention. The writing and story telling skills were amazing.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting that this book hasn't received better reviews. I thought it was excellent -- I found the characters true to life and Angela's reactions to what happens (don't want to give it away) very much the reactions of a type A personality -- and a woman in particular. I could see myself doing much of what she did if I were in the same situation.

I've read several of Kate's other books -- a couple of others in this series, and I found this one the most compelling. Was it a fun storyline? No, not at all....but life isn't always a fun storyline....

Good work, Kate!!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartstrings

This book was very thought-provoking and truthful. Kate Vale did an excellent job of expressing what a lot of couples go through in their married lives. She handled the topic very well! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading the next in the series! Great job Kate!

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading through my highlights of this book, I wonder if I was super cranky when I read it?! I clearly had an ax to grind with the H! 😅 this book has great sustained angst, and other tropes I adore, so I’m bumping it a star.

[Nerissa]

I think some people would like this as it gives a very in-depth emotional journey of what’s needed to overcome infidelity. I read a number of reviews that thought the H was Unremorseful and blaming the h. I completely disagree. I think he owned his failure and was extremely remorseful.

My reason for a DBF was because I found it boring. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it was almost to o much detail of their journey to recovery and I lost interest. I got bored.

[wrkatreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

low 3 ⭐️s

Low three stars. The story started out promising but then too much therapy for me. I get for a marriage to survive infidelity it helps to talk to a counselor that can help. For me a reader who likes the cheating trope I just need to see the grovel and the husband making me feel like it was a mistake. This book didn’t make me feel that way.

[Serialbookstarter:Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

H sleeps with college ex at Vegas conference. Confesses to wife of 10 years. Both Mcs are Docs. They have 8 yo twins. He’s really sorry. She’s mad as hell. They are 45. Fmc winds up pregnant and clinically depressed. They eventually get counseling. Traumatic Birth, more depression. Lots of trouble and depression brought about by stupid ons.

[Jena]

Avoid.

- The H/husband had a one night stand with his ex at a veterinarian conference and gets caught by the wife when she comes to the hotel to surprise him the next day (he has scratches all over his back from his night with the ow). The wife/h doesnt kick him out or dump his ass.


This is what he says about the ow-

"“She grabbed me and I—Angie, please. Roxy gets to me. I don’t know why. It’s like I can’t not rise to the occasion, if you get my drift.” His voice trailed off and he looked at her, wanting her to understand, to forgive him”🙄"


"“I never told Angie, but I’ve always felt Roxy took advantage of me. That I had no control. It was like I couldn’t not fuck her—sorry about my language, but that’s how it seemed to me.”🙄"


The h gets pregnant (shes 45), has pregnancy-related complications and has depression.

Then the couple enters into counseling, and the therapists (a married male/female team) focuses all of their problems on the wife and blames her for the breakdown of the marriage, and the irresistible ow for seducing the poor guy.


This author hates women and herself.

[ANTC · Rating 1 out of 5]

WOW. 0 stars. Terrible. This quote by the hero pretty much sums up how bad this book is:

“I never told Angie, but I’ve always felt Roxy took advantage of me. That I had no control. It was like I couldn’t not fuck her—sorry about my language, but that’s how it seemed to me.” The word rape kept coming to mind, but he kept it to himself. Could a man really be raped by a woman? And if he admitted that was how he’d felt, would it make him less of a man?”

LOL. The hero thinks the OW may have raped him because she was super hot and ofc he couldn't resist (he even says whenever the OW comes within 10 feet of him he can't help but get an erection).

Just to be clear, the OW did NOT rape the hero...she seduced his cheating dumb ass.

[Shannon Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not impressed

This book cost me actual money. I took a risk, gambled and lost. My money is gone like I just pulled the slots and lost it all. The only difference is I didn’t get the high from the chance of almost winning. This book started out great then went downhill fast. They went to counseling, but because she was preggers,the second chance part was completely skipped. Like it just got glossed over in pregnancy hormones. Le sigh...next time I want to gamble, I’m just going to go to casino.

[Eliana]

Oldies

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this more on the 2nd reread.