Suburban Renewal

That Business Between Us #3

by Pamela Morsi

After 25 years of marriage and two children, Sam and Corrie Braydon are finally on their own and looking forward to the future. With their anniversary approaching, they take the unorthodox step of really looking at their marriage to determine if they should renew their wedding vows--or call it a day and get a divorce.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Pamela Morsi was an American writer. She was the author of 29 romance novels, beginning in 1991.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read recently where every other chapter was written from the hero/heroine point of view. this book piqued my interest, because like the couple in the book, my husband and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.

So many romance novels end with the start of "happily Ever After" that it was refreshing to read what happens next. The book flashed back 25 years and told the tale of their entire marriage set against the background of events that impacted their lives, the Challenger disaster, the AIDs epidemic, Princess Diana and Mother Theresa deaths, that allowed the reader to identify/place where they were at the same time.

It wasn't all sunshine and roses, but with humor, and trust, they keep going.

[Linda Larsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very unpleasant book. You can see the problems coming a mile away. The protaganists are very stupid. And the events that happened in real life at the time of the storyline, which predict to the letter what is going to happen to the characters, are way off. The internet was not fully developed and available to everyone in 1993, for instance. Don't bother.

[Aurélie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly did not understand how Corrie could talk to her husband in that way in the beginning. Though their marriage had a rocky start, Sam did take care of and supported Corrie and her life’s dreams. It’s true that it did not transpire overly much that they took care of their marriage and made sure on a regular basis that their unity stays strong, but obviously, they were strong enough to weather life’s challenges. And even when Corrie all of a sudden threatens a divorce, Sam, though hurt, takes it well enough to prove his love to Corrie. I don’t really have patience for characters like Corrie, she is extremely selfish and spoiled. However, it was admiring to read that Sam never took Corrie for granted. Together, they were a couple their children saw as strong and loving no matter the circumstances, which gave them hope to build a lasting relationship themselves.

[Elektrice]

Impossible to rate...I must warn readers that this is not a romance. It is very gritty and doesn't have what I would call and HEA, or much romance at all, even if it is ultimately a book about love. It's more about a familial type of love, even within romantic relationships. There's so much death and violence and you wouldn't know it from the pretty cover or the blurb. It's also efficient advertising for contraception as even at the end, I was convinced that if every woman in this book (who were smart, but very dumb about this) knew how it worked, they would have probably led a happier life with more deserving men (yes, even Sam with his adoration for his wife and his work ethic made for a terrible husband and father at times). It is very well written, but expecting a romance and reading this book was like biting in a chocolate cake and realizing it's made of dip tobacco.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I choose you...

What a beautiful saga! Corrie and Sam have a rough go of it from the start, but through the ups and downs of life, they persist and grow. This book is just so wonderful, and not what I expected - but in the best way. Highly recommended.

[Jeff Lyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An oddly intriguing look at a 25-year marriage by the wife who is not sure it was successful. The story rolls through the many ups and downs of the couples' relationship together changing points of view often to emphasize the contrast between the male and female perspectives.

[Barbara Cryer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing wrong with it.... it just never grabbed me.

[Marinella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a family, but also about all the ties, lies, mediocrity, regrets, fears and gifts, self-giving times, hopes, reassurance and strength that every family is. The book is also interesting for the long time period in which the characters are followed, so it's like reading a summary of american history from the '70 to the '90, and it's a bonus for me.
Beautiful ending, with the revelation of a mistery, that brings the most tortured character to accept a glimpse of hope and develope a new understanding of himself.
And as in all the books of Pamela Morsi, deep insights and significant revelations appear in day-by-day life, from the mouths of people that are like us, for better or for worst.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Corrie & Sam Braydon reflect on 25 years of marriage. Found the writing uneven and klunky in spots. Thought the his/her view thing would be good (a la the black and white in the Sela Ward program), but it really dragged in the middle. Decisions regarding kids didn’t seem realistic. Floyd a custodian in a school?—he was a paroled felon.

Romances are all about the journey to the inevitable HEA—this journey was too long and tedious.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very uplifting novel about how important marriage is. It was interesting that the novel took place at my parent's generation and lived in some of the same places I lived. I remember the OK City bombing and a lot more that the book references. It's interesting that so much has happened in the last few decades. This is a story about your next door neighbor. I highly recommend it.

[stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should have been called "a couple's marriage journal". It took you through the 25 years of a couple's marriage so far, but it kept my interest. It was a pleasant novel and it was so detailed about their life that it was like we were an extension of the family. A book I would recommend to those who like novels about families.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was continually surprised by this book. From the blurb and the first few pages I wasn't sure I even wanted to read it, but I'm glad I did. It was very well written. Although at times I didn't like Corrie too much.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first chapter of this book grabbed me, but the rest of the book didn't hold me. It was a nice story and that's about it.

[Neome Czarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so inspiring. :) good one Pamela

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really outstanding book. A story of what a real family is like, filled with painfully flawed characters that are still lovable. Some profanity

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent family saga about the ups and downs of a family over 25 years. Intriguing.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pamela Morsi's books just draw you into the character's lives. Hard to put down. Great examination of 25 years of marriage.