Lost: One Pair of Rose Colored Glasses

by Shay Ray Stevens

Emily Swanson has finally married her knight in shining armor, but there's just one problem: she seems to have lost her pair of rose colored glasses.

Can Emily survive the first year of marriage without them? How can she endure the (mis)communication of hint language or the in-laws who forget to knock? Is it possible to still love a man who can't follow a shopping list? And how in the world did she end up with someone who won't cut down a Christmas tree?

Emily struggles to stay lovely and sweet while dealing with a late honeymoon, her husband's new puppy, and the newfound paranoia that everything makes her look fat. But with tricks from Mother and the Cult of Married Women (along with a whole lot of sass), Emily soon learns how to keep her sanity and carry on.

Kick off your heels, grab a glass of wine, and laugh along as Emily Swanson discovers the realities of life together in marriage that are quickly revealed when the rose colored glasses come off.

Genres: Contemporary, Chick Lit

118 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2013

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am single. I've never been married and I don't know the first thing about out it, but this book has enlightened more than any old wives tales ever could. My mom demanded that I this book, as a 24 year she knew that this book would come in handy eventually. Everything was so.. true. Although I've never witnessed it firsthand, I have seen these trivial things occur between my parents. The gas tank is always on empty (which drives my mom insane!) and there all always socks all over the house. My mother will be the first to tell you though that she is still as much in love as the day she got married. This book was so eye opening and down to earth that it actually made me laugh out loud more than once. I will definitely recommend this book to all of my female friends. I loved it!

[Brandy Corona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, did Shay Ray read my mind? She seriously hit the nail on
the head with this brilliant novel on the woes of the first year
of marriage (actually marriage in general, because I'm still
dealing with issues lol)
This is a GREAT read and will have you laughing so hard!!
Brilliant writing and two phenomenal characters!

[Jes Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads

This is one book that definitely lives up to it's title. A book about the first year of marriage, the issues that may come up for a newly wed couple and realizing that it may not be the fantasy you thought it would be.

I believe this is a good book to read for any person in a relationship, whether you are dating, newly wed or have been married for years because it touches on common issues that arise when you have a significant other.

[M.K. Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light-hearted, sometimes bittersweet tale of newly weds first year. It tells of learning how to cope with living with someone fulltime, who appears to have developed habits you never knew existed, not to mention being naked in the kitchen when your brother-in-law arrives, and you realise there is no sex on demand. This story is a familiar tale for those of us who are married, and will temper the expectancy of those about to tie the knot. Thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Brandee Tilton mcguire]

Loved this book. I got a signed copy from the Author, the day it come in the mail i sat and read this book. I smiled and thought to myself how some of this played into my own marriage! It was a great book and cant wait to read the next one!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chuckled, giggled, laughed out loud, and nodded my head through this book :) Well done Shay Ray Stevens!

[Scott Burtness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in awhile, I read a book I would have never picked out for myself. In this case, it was serendipity. The author found me on Twitter, I checked out the description of her book and a few of the reviews, and decided I'd give it a whirl. Sometimes, a guy just needs a break from aliens and space marines, right?

Imagine my surprise. Despite being as far from my usual genres as Mars is from Venus, I thought this book was fantastic!

The story is told by Emily, a newlywed trying to reconcile her expectations of married life with reality. Most married women will find it easy to relate to Emily as she deals with not only her new husband, but her family, the hubby's friends, hunting season, getting a dog, dogs, dogs and a cat, their first holiday season as a married couple, the belated honeymoon and all the mishaps in between. It's skillfully written. The main character's voice makes you feel like she's in the room with you telling you the story, and it feels authentic from the first page. So yeah, I expect plenty of married women would empathize as Emily's adventures unfold.

What really surprised me was how Stevens handled the main character's husband, Ben.

I took a women's lit course in college, and I was the only guy in the class. It was... eye-opening. So I went into the story cringing, just waiting for Ben to 1- be a cliche idiot, and 2- get his painful but inevitable comeuppance. Instead, Ben was actually a well-developed character that was also really easy to relate to. Sure, he has his, "Dude, did you really just do that?!?" moments, but you also see that he's a solid guy who adores his wife, and is going through his own struggles adjusting from 'dating' to 'married.' Even though you only see him through Emily's eyes, Ben was every bit as well-developed and genuine as Emily.

While the book is probably marketed more toward women, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to any of my guy friends. If they're already married, they'll get a kick out of it. If they aren't married, they should really read this book to prepare.

Funny, warm, very human and very real, well-written, good plotting, nice pace, and again, funny! I'm more than happy to give Lost: One Pair of Rose Colored Glasses five stars.

(I'm going back to space aliens for a bit, but then I'm grabbing the sequel!)

[Michele Breaux-Rowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book on the recommendation of a friend, as I don’t often read this genre of book. I am ever so glad I did! I am not quite sure how Shay Ray Stevens did it, but I think she got into the minds of every newly married woman (and those of us who have been forever) in America. I loved that it was light hearted and humorous, and while eye opening to women of all ages and marital status, it was not nasty or condescending. Written from a woman’s perspective, this book poignantly captured the emotions and the struggles of the first year of marriage from adjusting to living with another person, to finding your place in his family, to the financial struggles, and even caring for the pets. I find that Emily’s character was totally relatable, in fact, I kept thinking, when did she meet my husband? I believe that Miss Stevens hit a home run with this book and I am anxiously anticipating starting the second in the series! I have to know what happens with Ben and Emily next!
XOXO
~Michele
Book Geeks Unite!

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book during a giveaway. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but let me tell you..... I absolutely LOVED it! I could hear it all going on in my head and visualize it. It had me thinking back to my time as a newly (nearly 12 years ago!) I remember so many of those conversations. My favorite part was when Emmy and Ben went to the store. She had her precise list. The shopping trip that ensued has happened to me on many many occasions. I do my best, even now, to leave my hubby at home when it is shopping time! I sat down and read this story with ease. Check it out for a light hearted and fun read....and be prepared to laugh!

[N. Kuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute and left me wondering how the author know's my husband! This is a funny story about the first year of marriage. I kept reading things I know I've said or thought, and this just puts it all into perspective. Though I've been married five years, there's so much I can relate to in this book. It's a great story for any newlywed, single woman or even us ladies who are part of "The Cult" as the author put it. The imperturbable married women!

[Andrea Dillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok...this book was funny and true on many levels but honestly I would hope one would know each other a little better before getting married. of course my husband and I have been together since we were in Jr high so we pretty much knew it all by the time we were married. Cute.

[Courtney Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a very cute short story about the first year of marriage. I know marriage is not easy and I believe this whole story was true. if u love each other u will stay together through it all.
loved this book.

[Courtney Whisenant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute story and right on point! If you're about to get married, this will give you a great perspective of what your first year will be like.

[Raelee Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious and hopeful account of the pitfalls of newlywed life. An easy read with lots of unexpected charm. Enjoy!

[Kimberly Mckinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny. This one made me laugh so hard I woke up my poor husband who was sleeping beside me! The character made me feel like I was talking to my best friend about married life.

[Cate Ellink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I had this when I first got married. It's hilarious and also a bit sad. Funny that marriage is similar for so many people. Very clever story, great voice.