The Secret of Us

by Roxanne Henke

Housewife Laura Dunn and her workaholic husband, advertising executive Donnie Dunn, have been married for 23 years. As Donnie's business thrives and their daughter, Stasha, plans her wedding, Laura longs for new possibilities. Could the dreams God planted in her heart years ago like to become an artist still be part of her purpose? Is there a new life of faith on the other side of this struggle?

This story about a womans longing for meaning will resonate with readers of all ages.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Book Club, Fiction

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Tracie Momie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this one out from the library and I'm glad I didn't buy it! Typical story of a marriage falling apart due to the husband spending too much time at work to maintain a certain lifestyle and the wife becoming bitter because she gave up her life for him/the marriage.

I was actually surprised that they ended up back together especially after he wasn't there for his mother when she died. I didn't feel there was any real love between the- they had been married for 23 years and I got the feeling they just didn't want to start over with anyone new.

The best part of the book was when Laura left Donnie (albeit briefly) and their daughter, Stasha showed up distraught and contemplating leaving her new husband and her mother wouldn't let her in, she told her to "go home".

Stasha ended up going home to her husband and they started seeing a therapist to help them work on their issues right away so that they wouldn't have issues festering in their marriage like her parents.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that this book had each chapter from a different character's viewpoint. There are three main characters...Donnie (husband and father), Laura (wife and mother), and Stasha (daughter). It is interesting to see how each character assumes the other family member is feeling/thinking a certain way. They base all of their feelings on assumptions. And this obviously creates a lot of misunderstanding and angst.

There are other minor characters in the book but they manage to contribute to the emotional upheaval in the lives of the Dunns.

I hope as people read this book, if they see themself, they will grasp what actions and feelings and assumptions they need to sit back and take a long look at and what needs to be changed.

But in the end, have things gone on so long that the relationships are irreparable? What would it take to heal the rift in the marriages?

[Hanau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

The Secret of Us is a reflection on how difficult it can be to keep a relationship alive and how easily a love can get lost in the monotony of everyday life, habit and work and all that goes with it. And how important communication is.
I want to say it is beautifully written but the story of Laura, Donnie and Stasha is heart wrenching and reading it I felt all of the emotions they were going through. So yes, it is beautifully written.
It is my first novel by Roxanne Henke and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books. And I can practically hear my TBR pile groan...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating after my third or fourth read-through. What struck me this time was that the conflict, via both a lot of inner and external dialogue, seemed kind of contrived and predictable. I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed the lessons taught about working on one's marriage, but it wasn't *quite* as good as I'd remembered. Still valuable for someone who is struggling in their marriage and thinking it's all their spouse's fault.

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was frustrated reading this book. I just wanted them to communicate with each other.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was an interesting look at a troubled marriage and the steps that were taken to get a positive outcome. Well done.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

All this book was a couple complaining about each other but doing nothing to fix it until the end.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite a realistic portrayal of marriage. The book was told in alternating points of view: Laura, a 40 something married woman; Donnie, her similar aged husband of 24 years; and Stasha, their 21 year old daughter, who in the beginning of the book is engaged. The time period goes from a couple of months before Stasha and Josh's wedding to a bit less than two years later. Laura is unhappy in her marriage; Donnie is a workaholic and clueless to how she is feeling. Stasha thinks her parents are happily married and wants a marriage like them. She and Josh are very much in love but soon find out that with the pressures of work and barely seeing each other because of their work schedules, problems arise. Besides all of this, they deal with the declining health of Donnie's mother. With all the pressures and insanely long hours of his ad agency, Donnie thinks the one constant in his life is Laura. She will always be there. But what happens when she's had enough? There were times the story made me cry, a few times it made me laugh. It would be a good book to discuss with a book club.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this book shared the points of view of 3 people: Laura, who is disillusioned with her marriage and tired of her husband never being home; Donnie, the husband who is 'just trying to provide for his family' but isn't ever home to enjoy their company; and Stasha, the daughter who is planning her wedding with stars in her eyes and dreams of having a marriage as perfect as her parents'. Having all 3 perspectives really helped move the story forward, and reminded me that my own perceptions of a situation aren't going to be completely accurate unless I know the entire story from ALL points of view.
The book also gave me some good 'food for thought' about what it takes to make a good marriage great. And on that note, I'm off to give my sweetheart a kiss and thank him for being awesome!

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at Goodwill, not knowing anything about it. I skimmed over the description on the back quickly. So I didn't realize this was a Christian fiction novel. I've read some from time to time and enjoy them if done right. The author talked about praying and God and stuff, but didn't make it seem awkward or like she was pushing the topic too much. All the religion seemed to fit into the book, not like it was just in there just to be there.

Some of the characters annoyed me from time to time. Stasha especially. When we were able to read her thoughts when she was annoyed or frustrated with Josh drove me crazy. She sounded so spoiled and stuck up and didn't sound like she even cared about him, let alone love him.

Overall it was a good book, I would check out other books by this author.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked out this book (for the beach) because I had just finished Henke's Becoming Olivia and wanted to read more by this author. The writing and structure are essentially the same but this book deals with the subtleties of marriage. It is about a woman married to a man who is a workaholic. Their only daughter is a newlywed and there are a lot of interesting comparisons between "new" and "mature" love.

Again, this book describes a Christian view of marriage, but not in a let's-just-not-talk-about-it, unrealistic way. It fleshes out a lot of the day-to-day problems that can erupt in a marriage. For me, it was reassuringly realistic. It dealt with difficulties but maintained a tone of hope.

[Beth Peninger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked how Henke wrote the book from the perspective of the mains, she did it really well. Nothing felt missing from the story because of the back and forth between each main character. What really bothered me about the book was the selfishness of everyone. Maybe I'm delusional or maybe I am extremely blessed but the selfishness of the characters made me sick. My husband and I would never dream of treating each other so poorly or even of entertaining the selfish thoughts each of the characters did. Truthfully, it angered me. I almost didn't finish the book because I was so disturbed by the selfishness. I feel like Henke maybe overdid it in that regard. Or maybe I live in too sheltered of a world and people can really be THAT bad. Regardless, the book wasn't my favorite.

[Larisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our lives, plans. EVERYTHING we are - is not about what we want, but what our Father, God knows is best!!

Roxanne Henke so beautifully interweaves into this story the Spirit's leading--spelled out in recognizable thoughts and perfectly scripted--sets this book apart. The precise word pictures are never melodramatic or preachy.

As the relationships of the characters are tested, the reader glimpses the power of married love from multiple perspectives: God's, male and female, newlywed and established. Well done and thought provoking. Couples and women in particular--young and old--will find the revelations regarding over commitment to "good things," role expectations, and miscommunication insightful.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, but the one thing that bugged me was that the flashbacks to "better days" seemed really confusing. It would be talking about the present, then one or two words would be said, and it would jump back to a memory. Then all of a sudden, it would jump back to the present. I had to reread things so many times. Other than that... REALLY good book!

[Gail Sams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is patient, love is kind... it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs... (Love) always protects, always trusts, always hope, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13:4-8

[Kristin Esser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, nice story

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good book about marriage. I highly recommend it. I liked it so much I emailed the author and I even got a response!

[Idawati Wiguno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows that any working relationship requires just that: hard-work. And of course: love. Two thumbs up!

[Aetuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice true to life story about marriage and how hard it really is. Sort of a two generation story with trouble in both a young and a not so young marriage. Quick read and I'd recommend it.

[Ellie Revert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this story--but man, it took SOO long for the protaganists to sort it all out! A good Christian bent.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book. This is great for anyone in a relationship, especially if it has hit the stale, tired stage.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Christian romance/marriage novel examining two couples and how they work through their issues with help from their beliefs.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book of married love - even in difficult times.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Spoke lots of truths to me too.

[Kathy Biederbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Christian novel which shows how good marriages can go bad - from selfishness, pride, lack of effort - and how a change in perspective can bring couples back together. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book! A reminder that marriage isn't perfect. It's something that needs nurtured every day.

[Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

ND author.

[Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

ND author.