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Recipes for Life
Walking away from the love of her life after his betrayal was the hardest thing that Odette has ever had to do, but it wasn't just about her anymore. It was about her daughter, Lux. It was about showing her what she deserved out of this messy thing called life. But what if your past won't give up? Do you forgive and forget, or do you forgive to move on?
This is a cheating and redemption novel, this will be triggering for some, please read the detailed authors warning at the beginning.
This is a cheating and redemption novel, this will be triggering for some, please read the detailed authors warning at the beginning.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2025
444 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Kris M. Davey
6 books85 followersHi all!
New indie author here,
I write betrayal and grovel tropes with HEA
My work isn’t for everyone, I’m good with that, are you?
If not, that’s cool too!
It’s a welcome mat for most, and those are my people!
-most of my stories have triggers, mind them, or don’t, either way, I’ll still be here-
Happy reading, or happy rage.
😉
New indie author here,
I write betrayal and grovel tropes with HEA
My work isn’t for everyone, I’m good with that, are you?
If not, that’s cool too!
It’s a welcome mat for most, and those are my people!
-most of my stories have triggers, mind them, or don’t, either way, I’ll still be here-
Happy reading, or happy rage.
😉
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
dnf
June 28, 2025DNF @ 65%
I love ‘marriage in trouble’ stories with cheating or OW drama…but many of these new ones I find boring or predictable. Maybe it’s me and this never ending reading slump. Whatever the case, any little angst there was faded quickly for me. This one reminds me a lot of Elise Camden’s cheating stories (which are very formulaic). ‘The Hotel Room’ comes to mind, but any of those books would be similar to this.
I love ‘marriage in trouble’ stories with cheating or OW drama…but many of these new ones I find boring or predictable. Maybe it’s me and this never ending reading slump. Whatever the case, any little angst there was faded quickly for me. This one reminds me a lot of Elise Camden’s cheating stories (which are very formulaic). ‘The Hotel Room’ comes to mind, but any of those books would be similar to this.
June 20, 2025
Second chances
Ok, so this is a book with on page cheating. However, it is not a cheating book. Huh? Bear with me…There are 39+ chapters in this book…the act of, and the discussion of the cheating is maybe 3 -4 chapters? So what does the author do with the other 36+ chapters of the story? She writes a beautiful story about anger, divorce, regrets, remorse, change, heartbreak, redemption, and 2nd chances. I bought into the HEA for the couple. When I read a story about a cheating spouse(and yes it is usually the husband as it is in this case) The thing I most need to know, or the thing the author needs to convince me, is “Was the hero remorseful?” “Did he take the steps to change for the better?” In the end, I have to
believe he will never ever take the love he has for heroine for granted ever again. That HE will cherish her, look out for her, and love her with all his heart! I think Kris M Davey accomplished that. She also made a strong heroine out of Odette. Discovering her husband cheating in such a brutal way, had her leaving the hero right away. She also did attempt to move on with new relationships. It took them 3 years to reconnect again. Oh they coparented in those 3 years, but they rarely did the handoffs and discussions were kept to their child. It took a missed phone call, and a sick child to bring them back into each other’s orbit and reconnect. Make no mistake, Odette loved Murphy, she lost Murphy(or really he lost himself and in doing so he lost his wife), and now they have reunited, both changed from who they were before, and even though the old love is still there, they now have an even stronger love that will get them through “this life and the next!”
STOP🛑SPOILER ALERT🛑 SPOILERS ARE COMING AT YOU NOW!!!🛑
Ok so hear are the spoilers: Do not read them if you plan to read the book, but if you are anti cheating and are curious, then this may appease you and maybe you will take a chance on it anyway. 🛑
Odette and Murphy married young and got pregnant early in their marriage. Murphy worked for a prestigious law firm with lots of cocksure young lawyers like himself. He had an apartment in the city for those longer nights of files and cases. Yeah, you know where this is going. He starts spending more late nights out with the “clients” who are basically the other young buck lawyers with some pretty PA’s and paralegals thrown in. They like to flaunt their testosterone, power, and good looks. They indulge in booze, drugs(most likely), and women! I mean they work hard so why not blow off some steam. Their wives should be so lucky to have such successful men in their lives. Well, Murphy who comes from a good background, and has his own beautiful wife and child at home, gets caught up in this fancy free world. I mean all he has ever known is Odette. They lost their virginities to each other. He felt he deserved to experience raunchy no strings sex with another woman. I mean everyone else does it….
Odette deciding it was time to surprise her husband who she has been missing a lot, surprises him at the apartment. She walks into a scene that signals the end of their marriage. Odette was a true champ! She got angry. She got disgusted. She asked the ow questions. Then she walked out. She kept walking. The next time she faced her faithless husband it was on the other side of a table with divorce lawyers. Murphy at this point is in denial. He loves his wife, not the ow. She was just a good time. Divorce granted!!! We do get to see Murphy’s thoughts about the ow and their sex session the night of. His thoughts about the ow will not endear him to you. He liked the animalistic sex and he was carrying on with Helen for about 3 months(sex 6-7 times). Had he not been caught, he would have continued. However, getting caught and losing Odette in the end saved Murphy. Lawyer hedonistic Murphy died the day his divorce was official.
After the fallout and divorce, the book fast forwards 3 years(30 percent in). The rest of the story is about Odette and Murphy gradually finding their way back to each other. Murphy is not the same person he was 3 years ago. He is an involved loving parent. He quit his high powered job to work on something he was passionate about. He lamented over losing the love of his life, and has been leading a life of celibacy since that night. He would do anything to make his ex wife happy even if it meant she would be better off with someone else. She has dated over the years and is in a relationship with someone, but there is always something missing.
Anyhoo I loved seeing Murphy’s redemption. More importantly, I believed in him. He made me a believer of learning and growing from your mistakes. They eventually give each other another chance and the author gives us a wonderful wrap up with a beautiful epilogue. His parents, their daughter, and Odette’s best friend Wynn were great supporting characters. Wynn will be getting her own story some day.
If you don’t like cheating stories then maybe this isn’t for you. But for those who believe in real change and have hope that people can be better. That love can be tested, stifled, and reborn, then you should give this is a chance.
Ok, so this is a book with on page cheating. However, it is not a cheating book. Huh? Bear with me…There are 39+ chapters in this book…the act of, and the discussion of the cheating is maybe 3 -4 chapters? So what does the author do with the other 36+ chapters of the story? She writes a beautiful story about anger, divorce, regrets, remorse, change, heartbreak, redemption, and 2nd chances. I bought into the HEA for the couple. When I read a story about a cheating spouse(and yes it is usually the husband as it is in this case) The thing I most need to know, or the thing the author needs to convince me, is “Was the hero remorseful?” “Did he take the steps to change for the better?” In the end, I have to
believe he will never ever take the love he has for heroine for granted ever again. That HE will cherish her, look out for her, and love her with all his heart! I think Kris M Davey accomplished that. She also made a strong heroine out of Odette. Discovering her husband cheating in such a brutal way, had her leaving the hero right away. She also did attempt to move on with new relationships. It took them 3 years to reconnect again. Oh they coparented in those 3 years, but they rarely did the handoffs and discussions were kept to their child. It took a missed phone call, and a sick child to bring them back into each other’s orbit and reconnect. Make no mistake, Odette loved Murphy, she lost Murphy(or really he lost himself and in doing so he lost his wife), and now they have reunited, both changed from who they were before, and even though the old love is still there, they now have an even stronger love that will get them through “this life and the next!”
STOP🛑SPOILER ALERT🛑 SPOILERS ARE COMING AT YOU NOW!!!🛑
Ok so hear are the spoilers: Do not read them if you plan to read the book, but if you are anti cheating and are curious, then this may appease you and maybe you will take a chance on it anyway. 🛑
Odette and Murphy married young and got pregnant early in their marriage. Murphy worked for a prestigious law firm with lots of cocksure young lawyers like himself. He had an apartment in the city for those longer nights of files and cases. Yeah, you know where this is going. He starts spending more late nights out with the “clients” who are basically the other young buck lawyers with some pretty PA’s and paralegals thrown in. They like to flaunt their testosterone, power, and good looks. They indulge in booze, drugs(most likely), and women! I mean they work hard so why not blow off some steam. Their wives should be so lucky to have such successful men in their lives. Well, Murphy who comes from a good background, and has his own beautiful wife and child at home, gets caught up in this fancy free world. I mean all he has ever known is Odette. They lost their virginities to each other. He felt he deserved to experience raunchy no strings sex with another woman. I mean everyone else does it….
Odette deciding it was time to surprise her husband who she has been missing a lot, surprises him at the apartment. She walks into a scene that signals the end of their marriage. Odette was a true champ! She got angry. She got disgusted. She asked the ow questions. Then she walked out. She kept walking. The next time she faced her faithless husband it was on the other side of a table with divorce lawyers. Murphy at this point is in denial. He loves his wife, not the ow. She was just a good time. Divorce granted!!! We do get to see Murphy’s thoughts about the ow and their sex session the night of. His thoughts about the ow will not endear him to you. He liked the animalistic sex and he was carrying on with Helen for about 3 months(sex 6-7 times). Had he not been caught, he would have continued. However, getting caught and losing Odette in the end saved Murphy. Lawyer hedonistic Murphy died the day his divorce was official.
After the fallout and divorce, the book fast forwards 3 years(30 percent in). The rest of the story is about Odette and Murphy gradually finding their way back to each other. Murphy is not the same person he was 3 years ago. He is an involved loving parent. He quit his high powered job to work on something he was passionate about. He lamented over losing the love of his life, and has been leading a life of celibacy since that night. He would do anything to make his ex wife happy even if it meant she would be better off with someone else. She has dated over the years and is in a relationship with someone, but there is always something missing.
Anyhoo I loved seeing Murphy’s redemption. More importantly, I believed in him. He made me a believer of learning and growing from your mistakes. They eventually give each other another chance and the author gives us a wonderful wrap up with a beautiful epilogue. His parents, their daughter, and Odette’s best friend Wynn were great supporting characters. Wynn will be getting her own story some day.
If you don’t like cheating stories then maybe this isn’t for you. But for those who believe in real change and have hope that people can be better. That love can be tested, stifled, and reborn, then you should give this is a chance.
June 17, 2025
flawed characters
I loved it! Betrayal, angst and redemption, and boy did the hero need too! Heroine strong so that was great.
I loved it! Betrayal, angst and redemption, and boy did the hero need too! Heroine strong so that was great.
September 14, 2025
The first half of Recipes for Life was full of that painful angst you can only get with a book in this trope (cheating). Our FMC Odette receives great news and of course wants to surprise her husband, who’s staying at their apartment in the city, with the news. Oh poor Odette. There’s something that hits me harder reading on page the cheater being caught in the act. Hurts your heart more as a reader and this reveal was no less hard. I felt for her and her total loss as to what to do at that moment was written honestly. Thankfully she has a bestie who offers her safe refuge. Cheating husband Murphy pissed me off (not surprisingly) with his flippancy of the affair. The ‘it was only sex’ bit was typical man math and I appreciated there wasn’t a deeper meaning as to his why. You’d be surprised at how often boredom is the justification, right, wrong or indifferent. There was a 3 year time jump which I never like in stories. During this time Odette and Murphy don’t interact in person, only by an app on her phone, and only about their daughter. Something happens and they are forced to see each other again and those old sparks are still there, and the pain and anger lessen. I don’t know… with the time jump with got to read about his redemption arc after it’s done and he’s a perfect man again so they can start over. I’d have rather read those 3 years worth of working on personal growth.
November 5, 2025
Була б непогана книжка, але наразі це невідредагована чернетка, яку чомусь опублікували як готовий твір.
June 19, 2025
Devastating and beautiful love story!
Phew this book has been on my mind from the first time I read the first couple chapters on wattpad and I knew Kris had a gift boy did she ever! This story brought so many emotions out of me I cried my heart ached I was angry sad and I felt love just all the feelings that this type of love story can bring you and let’s be real this is a love story yes it’s angsty it’s raw it’s hurtful it’s so achingly familiar to something I went through and I’m sure tons of women have gone through but it’s also healing and even if it is fiction it’s nice to see Odette’s happily ever after. This story in my opinion is a masterpiece of literature and it’s one I will reread over and over.
Phew this book has been on my mind from the first time I read the first couple chapters on wattpad and I knew Kris had a gift boy did she ever! This story brought so many emotions out of me I cried my heart ached I was angry sad and I felt love just all the feelings that this type of love story can bring you and let’s be real this is a love story yes it’s angsty it’s raw it’s hurtful it’s so achingly familiar to something I went through and I’m sure tons of women have gone through but it’s also healing and even if it is fiction it’s nice to see Odette’s happily ever after. This story in my opinion is a masterpiece of literature and it’s one I will reread over and over.
June 21, 2025
Warning ⚠️ Cheating on page... p.s sorry for the rant/ spoilers ahead 😅
* Murphy(H) & Odette(h) have been together for 10 years. They’re childhood sweethearts (got together at 16) they were each other's first everything (side note: I hope the heroine fucks someone else... make that shit even).
*Murphy had been Cheating on Odette for 3 months with a colleague's receptionist Helen(OW) as well as confiding in her that he's bored with his marriage and regrets having Lux (their daughter) young. (Side note:he slept w/her 6-7 times. Always at the apartment)
*Odette finds out about the affair in a gut punching way; she walked in on her husband midfuck with OW... that was brutal 😭. I strongly believe he would have never stopped the affair if it wasn't for his wife catching him on the act. Read how he thinks of OW: Helen was hot, like dirty hot, fake tits, probably fake ass, and a waist that made me salivate.
Want more prove? Here's another one: I love her, but I hate to say that I'm bored. I want the excitement Helen gives me, the passion. She knows this is a temporary thing, that I was feeling restless in my marriage, and that we had Lux young, so it changed the course of our dreams. I wouldn't change having my baby girl for anything, but I worked hard, and I deserved to let off some steam. Helen knew the score—that I was married, and I was never leaving my wife. She knew once the passion faded, we would part and go our separate ways with no strings attached. But you been messing around for months and the "passion" hasn't fade!?
So yeah reading that, and especially the description s3x w/ OW makes me think he would have still continued the affair... shit, maybe he would've gotten Helen pregnant at some point. Just read the s3x between them. Here's a sneak peek 👀: Any appetite I had was gone as my mouth was salivating with the thought of her. I quickly took off my tie, settled behind her, flipped her around so she was bent over the kitchen table, and grabbed my half-hard cock, stroking it. "Please, please, fuck me, Murphy. I need you," Helen moaned, pushing back into me. She knew what I liked. "Beg," I demanded. I was a dominant person in general, and it came out full force during sex. "Please, I need your thick cock in my pussy. I'm so wet for you, can't you feel it?" I plunged two fingers into her dripping wet cunt and started forcefully fucking her while she moaned and writhed around them, her cunt desperately seeking to be filled with more. I applied pressure to her clit with my thumb, and her legs started shaking, signaling she was close. "Ah ah, not yet, my good fucking slut. Should I let you come on my fingers or my cock?" "Your cock, please, please, please..."
And that was them barely starting the first round... he gets caught in round two.
*After the finding out about the affair Odette left to stay Wynn (her foster sister) I loved that she was really supportive and helped her file for divorce ASAP. During the divorce- mediation it was angst infused, the heroine stayed strong. Murphy thought he was Gods gift to earth and his submissive wife would never leave him, it was fun watching the consequences of his actions hit him in the face.
*After trying to win his wife back with no success Murphy signed the divorce papers then there was a 3 year time skip.
* Odette doesn't stay celibate... she slept w/ other men including Benji a guy she was dating.
* Murphy hasn't been intimate with anyone since the night Odette caught him. He also quite his job, and starting going to therapy. In his therapy sessions he admits why he cheated on Odette: He resented her and their kid for preventing him from having the fast life that came with the fancy job. He wanted to live the debauchery lifestyle his colleagues were living. After his wife walked away that's when the rose-tinted glasses fell off and he realized that he didn't know anything about her or his daughter. He only cared about himself and his job. This absolute cheeky bastard thought his family owed him something for being a provider. He thought he deserved to get his rocks off with someone who wasn't his wife because she (OW) meant nothing to him. He goes on to explaining that he thought he could separate the two. In his eyes it was just s3x, so what did it matter?
*How it end with the OW? After he threw her out of the apartment. There was no huge confrontation, Helen called him a few times, but he ignored her. She texted him, and he told her to fuck off. He ran into her in his last day of work, she tried to talk him out of leaving, but he told her she was the worst mistake he's ever made and looking at her made him physically ill. He never heard from her again after that. So, if you're expecting some epic comeuppance for the OW, you'll be disappointed 😞. #zerokarma
*Does Murphy grovel? Yes. I honestly believe this man won't cheat again. He learn his lesson.
* During the reconciliation. After they slept together the heroine said something in her rant I don't agree with. Odette saying: " I think there will be times i bring up the past as an excuse to hurt you because you hurt me, and I don’t think it will be easy."
That’s not how it should be. You either fully forgive him (like you said you had) move on and start fresh... or you don't. There shouldn't be a between, where one foot is in the past reopening old wounds, and the other foot in the present/ future trying to rebuilt your new relationship. Hero is already in therapy. And, I think the heroine need therapy, too. Just my own opinion 🤷♀️.
Final thought: I really enjoyed their story, it was well written. I truly believe Murphy deserved that second chance, he was regretful and remorseful, and worked really hard to better himself. I'm happy they got their HEA! Rate 4 🌟s
P.s Can't wait to read their short story on July 3rd 💛
* Murphy(H) & Odette(h) have been together for 10 years. They’re childhood sweethearts (got together at 16) they were each other's first everything (side note: I hope the heroine fucks someone else... make that shit even).
*Murphy had been Cheating on Odette for 3 months with a colleague's receptionist Helen(OW) as well as confiding in her that he's bored with his marriage and regrets having Lux (their daughter) young. (Side note:he slept w/her 6-7 times. Always at the apartment)
*Odette finds out about the affair in a gut punching way; she walked in on her husband midfuck with OW... that was brutal 😭. I strongly believe he would have never stopped the affair if it wasn't for his wife catching him on the act. Read how he thinks of OW: Helen was hot, like dirty hot, fake tits, probably fake ass, and a waist that made me salivate.
Want more prove? Here's another one: I love her, but I hate to say that I'm bored. I want the excitement Helen gives me, the passion. She knows this is a temporary thing, that I was feeling restless in my marriage, and that we had Lux young, so it changed the course of our dreams. I wouldn't change having my baby girl for anything, but I worked hard, and I deserved to let off some steam. Helen knew the score—that I was married, and I was never leaving my wife. She knew once the passion faded, we would part and go our separate ways with no strings attached. But you been messing around for months and the "passion" hasn't fade!?
So yeah reading that, and especially the description s3x w/ OW makes me think he would have still continued the affair... shit, maybe he would've gotten Helen pregnant at some point. Just read the s3x between them. Here's a sneak peek 👀: Any appetite I had was gone as my mouth was salivating with the thought of her. I quickly took off my tie, settled behind her, flipped her around so she was bent over the kitchen table, and grabbed my half-hard cock, stroking it. "Please, please, fuck me, Murphy. I need you," Helen moaned, pushing back into me. She knew what I liked. "Beg," I demanded. I was a dominant person in general, and it came out full force during sex. "Please, I need your thick cock in my pussy. I'm so wet for you, can't you feel it?" I plunged two fingers into her dripping wet cunt and started forcefully fucking her while she moaned and writhed around them, her cunt desperately seeking to be filled with more. I applied pressure to her clit with my thumb, and her legs started shaking, signaling she was close. "Ah ah, not yet, my good fucking slut. Should I let you come on my fingers or my cock?" "Your cock, please, please, please..."
And that was them barely starting the first round... he gets caught in round two.
*After the finding out about the affair Odette left to stay Wynn (her foster sister) I loved that she was really supportive and helped her file for divorce ASAP. During the divorce- mediation it was angst infused, the heroine stayed strong. Murphy thought he was Gods gift to earth and his submissive wife would never leave him, it was fun watching the consequences of his actions hit him in the face.
*After trying to win his wife back with no success Murphy signed the divorce papers then there was a 3 year time skip.
* Odette doesn't stay celibate... she slept w/ other men including Benji a guy she was dating.
* Murphy hasn't been intimate with anyone since the night Odette caught him. He also quite his job, and starting going to therapy. In his therapy sessions he admits why he cheated on Odette: He resented her and their kid for preventing him from having the fast life that came with the fancy job. He wanted to live the debauchery lifestyle his colleagues were living. After his wife walked away that's when the rose-tinted glasses fell off and he realized that he didn't know anything about her or his daughter. He only cared about himself and his job. This absolute cheeky bastard thought his family owed him something for being a provider. He thought he deserved to get his rocks off with someone who wasn't his wife because she (OW) meant nothing to him. He goes on to explaining that he thought he could separate the two. In his eyes it was just s3x, so what did it matter?
*How it end with the OW? After he threw her out of the apartment. There was no huge confrontation, Helen called him a few times, but he ignored her. She texted him, and he told her to fuck off. He ran into her in his last day of work, she tried to talk him out of leaving, but he told her she was the worst mistake he's ever made and looking at her made him physically ill. He never heard from her again after that. So, if you're expecting some epic comeuppance for the OW, you'll be disappointed 😞. #zerokarma
*Does Murphy grovel? Yes. I honestly believe this man won't cheat again. He learn his lesson.
* During the reconciliation. After they slept together the heroine said something in her rant I don't agree with. Odette saying: " I think there will be times i bring up the past as an excuse to hurt you because you hurt me, and I don’t think it will be easy."
That’s not how it should be. You either fully forgive him (like you said you had) move on and start fresh... or you don't. There shouldn't be a between, where one foot is in the past reopening old wounds, and the other foot in the present/ future trying to rebuilt your new relationship. Hero is already in therapy. And, I think the heroine need therapy, too. Just my own opinion 🤷♀️.
Final thought: I really enjoyed their story, it was well written. I truly believe Murphy deserved that second chance, he was regretful and remorseful, and worked really hard to better himself. I'm happy they got their HEA! Rate 4 🌟s
P.s Can't wait to read their short story on July 3rd 💛
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2025
Loved this
When you have a book on cheating ,it's hard to forgive the H. But this book has done it.. I hated Murphy ...nd then I didn't. I will not add spoilers but this is well worth the read. Cheating happens! Its where you go from there that matters...
When you have a book on cheating ,it's hard to forgive the H. But this book has done it.. I hated Murphy ...nd then I didn't. I will not add spoilers but this is well worth the read. Cheating happens! Its where you go from there that matters...
June 29, 2025
4.5⭐️
July 27, 2025
I think it was a little better than the leaving road, but man I still have issues with this.
So full disclosure there’s on page detailed cheating by the H.
H+h are married and have been together for a long time. Like since they were teenagers and they were each other’s first and everything. They have a young daughter. He gets sucked into his lawyer job and gets caught in the fast life. He starts hanging around his sleazy work colleagues and cheats on his wife.
She goes to surprise him one night and catches him literally in the act with OW. H is gross, sleazy , and unremorseful. He tries to talk to her and calm her down. She leaves him immediately and goes to stay with her friend/basically sister. Starts divorce proceedings and basically refuses to interact with H, they use the in laws as intermediaries for exchanging the daughter. H doesn’t want a divorce and tells h that it was just sex and he never loved OW (makes it so much better). She tells him he threw away his wife for “just sex”, and I don’t know I guess this is what makes this remorseless, self obsessed man crumble? Like he genuinely thought she’d never lol. He stops giving her a hard time and they divorce.
There’s a time jump and it’s been a few years. She doesn’t talk to H or about him with family members. They’re co-parenting their daughter. She’s dated around and slept with OM, but nothing really sticks. She currently has a boyfriend who she’s not really into (looks like he’s gonna be the H in a story with the bestie/sister). H is celibate during separation. For some reason, he was happy slinging it around before the divorce but now he realizes h is the only woman for him. He leaves his job. Everyone hates him including his parents. Woe is him. Oh and he goes to therapy.
Long story short, they get back together. She realizes he hasn’t really moved on from her and he’s changed (?). Fair warning, the sex scene after they get back together is SO CRINGE, I skimmed most of it. Especially knowing he called his wife boring in the cheating POV, I felt like this scene needed to be REALLY well done, so the readers feel something for this couple. Because the whole time I’m thinking just throw this man away. He’s a total pig and went on about how hot and sexy OW and her fake tits were in the beginning.
I still don’t like the H at the end and I don’t think most readers will. He never felt guilty and never intended to come clean. Until h walked in and literally saw him inside OW 🤮. I just don’t see any coming back from that. They are separated for several years and she’s with other people. I felt like the redemption just wasn’t there after she literally witnessed the act. And his POV of the cheating really didn’t help his case either, because you see how he clearly doesn’t care, even when his wife tells him she loves him.
When they finally talk, he claims that he was never dating OW. They just hung out in a group after work and started flirting, then eventually it lead to sex. Supposedly it was a max of 6-7 times across 3 months. But if she hadn’t seen anything, would he have told her? I doubt it. OW clearly wanted more from him. He was delusional and thought it wouldn’t hurt his wife for some reason? Then he’s all woe is me after she leaves him. What did he think was gonna happen? He talks about separating from OW when the passion fizzles out in his cheating POV. So would he have never told his wife and moved on to cheating with different women? That’s the vibe I was getting.
I just don’t think building tree houses and therapy was enough to redeem this man after the depth of his betrayal. I guess my vengeful heart doesn’t think he suffered enough. Overall, again I think the writing is pretty good but the execution is off. The cheating genre is just really hard to do because no matter, you’re gonna have angry readers who don’t want to forgive H.
So full disclosure there’s on page detailed cheating by the H.
H+h are married and have been together for a long time. Like since they were teenagers and they were each other’s first and everything. They have a young daughter. He gets sucked into his lawyer job and gets caught in the fast life. He starts hanging around his sleazy work colleagues and cheats on his wife.
She goes to surprise him one night and catches him literally in the act with OW. H is gross, sleazy , and unremorseful. He tries to talk to her and calm her down. She leaves him immediately and goes to stay with her friend/basically sister. Starts divorce proceedings and basically refuses to interact with H, they use the in laws as intermediaries for exchanging the daughter. H doesn’t want a divorce and tells h that it was just sex and he never loved OW (makes it so much better). She tells him he threw away his wife for “just sex”, and I don’t know I guess this is what makes this remorseless, self obsessed man crumble? Like he genuinely thought she’d never lol. He stops giving her a hard time and they divorce.
There’s a time jump and it’s been a few years. She doesn’t talk to H or about him with family members. They’re co-parenting their daughter. She’s dated around and slept with OM, but nothing really sticks. She currently has a boyfriend who she’s not really into (looks like he’s gonna be the H in a story with the bestie/sister). H is celibate during separation. For some reason, he was happy slinging it around before the divorce but now he realizes h is the only woman for him. He leaves his job. Everyone hates him including his parents. Woe is him. Oh and he goes to therapy.
Long story short, they get back together. She realizes he hasn’t really moved on from her and he’s changed (?). Fair warning, the sex scene after they get back together is SO CRINGE, I skimmed most of it. Especially knowing he called his wife boring in the cheating POV, I felt like this scene needed to be REALLY well done, so the readers feel something for this couple. Because the whole time I’m thinking just throw this man away. He’s a total pig and went on about how hot and sexy OW and her fake tits were in the beginning.
I still don’t like the H at the end and I don’t think most readers will. He never felt guilty and never intended to come clean. Until h walked in and literally saw him inside OW 🤮. I just don’t see any coming back from that. They are separated for several years and she’s with other people. I felt like the redemption just wasn’t there after she literally witnessed the act. And his POV of the cheating really didn’t help his case either, because you see how he clearly doesn’t care, even when his wife tells him she loves him.
When they finally talk, he claims that he was never dating OW. They just hung out in a group after work and started flirting, then eventually it lead to sex. Supposedly it was a max of 6-7 times across 3 months. But if she hadn’t seen anything, would he have told her? I doubt it. OW clearly wanted more from him. He was delusional and thought it wouldn’t hurt his wife for some reason? Then he’s all woe is me after she leaves him. What did he think was gonna happen? He talks about separating from OW when the passion fizzles out in his cheating POV. So would he have never told his wife and moved on to cheating with different women? That’s the vibe I was getting.
I just don’t think building tree houses and therapy was enough to redeem this man after the depth of his betrayal. I guess my vengeful heart doesn’t think he suffered enough. Overall, again I think the writing is pretty good but the execution is off. The cheating genre is just really hard to do because no matter, you’re gonna have angry readers who don’t want to forgive H.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
2.75 The first 30% was angsty. The fmc catches the H in the act. She throws a lamp and a chair at him and the ow. The ow says some hurtful Things. The stuff from
The H’s pov about how great he thinks the ow is brings some angst too. So you have this good set up but then you get the dreaded 3 years later fast forward. This is the second book in a row. About cheating that this happened in and let me tell you it’s a death knell. With that time jump suddenly the H is fixed. He turns into a different character and we miss Out on all that chaos.—-And the book becomes incredibly boring.This book might as well have ended at 35%.- it loses its zing and just becomes the same Ole story I just read in another book- Mercy Lake -I swear authors who write cheating books need to carry through. You can redeem a character without a time jump.
The H’s pov about how great he thinks the ow is brings some angst too. So you have this good set up but then you get the dreaded 3 years later fast forward. This is the second book in a row. About cheating that this happened in and let me tell you it’s a death knell. With that time jump suddenly the H is fixed. He turns into a different character and we miss Out on all that chaos.—-And the book becomes incredibly boring.This book might as well have ended at 35%.- it loses its zing and just becomes the same Ole story I just read in another book- Mercy Lake -I swear authors who write cheating books need to carry through. You can redeem a character without a time jump.
June 19, 2025
They have been together since they were teenagers. They are now married and have a little girl. The FMC found out she passed her PA exam. Went to surprise him at the apartment they have for his work and found him having sex with someone else. The OW said they have been together 3 months. She immediately leaves him and starts divorce proceeding. The MMC was an attorney he was jealous of his coworkers that were not married and have a different girlfriend all the time. He felt like he got married too young and his life was boring.
Caught in the act - Yes
There is a 3 year separation after divorce - she has had a few partners but he was celibate during this time.
Change of heart from MMC after he realized what he did and the ramifications
Caught in the act - Yes
There is a 3 year separation after divorce - she has had a few partners but he was celibate during this time.
Change of heart from MMC after he realized what he did and the ramifications
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2025
This was a gut wrenching but beautiful story. I loved both of the main characters (though Murphy had to earn it). Watching him go from arrogant and selfish to a man who took not only responsibility but actively worked at being a better version of himself.
Odette's journey was equally satisfying. I loved that going against the trend it was the H that stayed celibate during the separation. I love that they got their HEA
Odette's journey was equally satisfying. I loved that going against the trend it was the H that stayed celibate during the separation. I love that they got their HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2025
Second chance romance with MMC who cheats.
It’s beautifully written. It’s focused on the aftermath of a cheating scandal, the mental health crisis that happens after that trauma. But not only on the person being cheated on but also on the cheating party. And the consequences on their entourage.
I really enjoyed it and read it in less than 12 hours.
It’s beautifully written. It’s focused on the aftermath of a cheating scandal, the mental health crisis that happens after that trauma. But not only on the person being cheated on but also on the cheating party. And the consequences on their entourage.
I really enjoyed it and read it in less than 12 hours.
July 3, 2025
Reconciliation after cheating romance
I thought that this was a well written book that dealt with a second chance or marriage reconciliation after the husband cheats on his wife, she walks in on. It and runs. She laye files for divorce. Thr reconciliation isn't until 3 years later when their daughter was 6. By then Murphy, the Mmc had gotten therapy and understood his why. He hadn't moved on from his ex Oddette and had been celibate.
Odette was trying to move in and was in a budding relationship with a colleague. She forgives Murphy and there is a HEA.
I felt like Murphy was a little soft post cheating his words seemed unrealistic at times but I really liked how strong Odettes' character is. She didnt make forgiveness a easy task.
I thought that this was a well written book that dealt with a second chance or marriage reconciliation after the husband cheats on his wife, she walks in on. It and runs. She laye files for divorce. Thr reconciliation isn't until 3 years later when their daughter was 6. By then Murphy, the Mmc had gotten therapy and understood his why. He hadn't moved on from his ex Oddette and had been celibate.
Odette was trying to move in and was in a budding relationship with a colleague. She forgives Murphy and there is a HEA.
I felt like Murphy was a little soft post cheating his words seemed unrealistic at times but I really liked how strong Odettes' character is. She didnt make forgiveness a easy task.
June 24, 2025
The s*x scene with the mistress is even hotter and better described than the s*x scene between the FMC and the cheater husband.
If you are a masochist who really loves cheaters and takes them back then this is for you.
If you are a woman that was cheated on and has a steel and strong spine then this is not for you.
MMC is just simply a weak man, a cheater at his very core. The so called grovel is so passive it is very much pathetic, it's not really a grovel cause the FMC supposedly cant be genuinely happy with other men unless its with the cheater MMC.
The cheater MMC is frankly so disgusting, he is like "woe me I cheated, but really liked f*cking that other woman cause she is so hot, oh that's right I have a wife at home and a daughter even but who cares I still just really enjoy the sex with my affair partner.."
If you are a masochist who really loves cheaters and takes them back then this is for you.
If you are a woman that was cheated on and has a steel and strong spine then this is not for you.
MMC is just simply a weak man, a cheater at his very core. The so called grovel is so passive it is very much pathetic, it's not really a grovel cause the FMC supposedly cant be genuinely happy with other men unless its with the cheater MMC.
The cheater MMC is frankly so disgusting, he is like "woe me I cheated, but really liked f*cking that other woman cause she is so hot, oh that's right I have a wife at home and a daughter even but who cares I still just really enjoy the sex with my affair partner.."
August 13, 2025
The heroine will be cheated on again by the hero. I read a lot of cheater books and I don’t always believe that the hero will cheat on the heroine again. However, in this book I do. The heroine says she is a strong woman but I feel she is a doormat. She was all talk.
June 22, 2025
Murphy and Odette are fairly young, nonetheless Murphy is incredibly weak. His so called friends encourage him to cheat on his wife because he deserves some fun. When Odette literally finds out, she throws him out and arranges instantly to divorce him. I loved how strong she was and I really despised Murphy for the first 40%.
While Odette had a couple of relationships in the three years before they met again he was completely celibate; he gave up his toxic job, went to therapy and completely changed his life around. And I went from chuck him out he doesn't deserve you to actually wanting the ending we got.
Another great novel from Kristen Davy. it does however explicitly state there is cheating, so if you don't like cheating just don't read.
While Odette had a couple of relationships in the three years before they met again he was completely celibate; he gave up his toxic job, went to therapy and completely changed his life around. And I went from chuck him out he doesn't deserve you to actually wanting the ending we got.
Another great novel from Kristen Davy. it does however explicitly state there is cheating, so if you don't like cheating just don't read.
June 19, 2025
Cheers to love!
The devastation of a marriage following infidelity affects everyone. I loved how the characters grew and changed because if the event, but especially the happily-ever-after.
The devastation of a marriage following infidelity affects everyone. I loved how the characters grew and changed because if the event, but especially the happily-ever-after.
June 27, 2025
I find myself quite captivated by a well-crafted narrative of infidelity and subsequent reconciliation. I eagerly anticipate reading such stories as they become available.
Odette, who appears to be around 24 years old, is a wife, a mother, and a Physician's Assistant.
Murphy, her husband, is approximately 24 or 25 years old. He is a father, a lawyer, and a junior partner in a law firm.
Lux, their daughter, is three years old.
Susan, MIL to h, mom of H, grandma to Lux
Wynn, h's sister, not biological, but by choice. Both she and h are orphaned and met in Foster care.
The couple has been together since the age of 16, and they were each other's first love. Odette discovered she was pregnant at 21, and she is now 24 or 25. She has recently earned her PA certification after dedicated effort.
"Holding this letter in my hand made it all worth it: all the late nights, all the date nights that never happened."
"Murphy was spending the night in the city since he had to wine and dine with some clients this weekend."
"It made sense, getting an apartment in the city, since his hours could be unpredictable."
His face was etched into something that looked like pure bliss.
"How dare he find paradise in someone else? How dare he do this to me? How dare he be happy while I'm falling apart over here. How could he do this to Lux?"
"He was tainted now, like that last margarita you shouldn't have drunk, so you spent the night throwing up in your toilet."
H POV
I worked hard, and I deserved to let off some steam. Helen knew the score—that I was married, and I was never leaving my wife. She knew once the passion faded, we would part and go our separate ways with no strings attached.
,Lawyer? What fucking lawyer? She wasn't leaving me; I just needed to talk to her. She’d understand...she had to understand. I love her, only her. This wasn't about that.
She had filed paperwork before I could even get my thoughts together.
"all I see is you slamming in and out of her. I hate you more than I love you. You can't save this."
"Please, Odette, don't leave me. I thought our life was boring; I don't want to tell you this, but I have nothing left to lose, so I might as well be honest. I was wrong...so wrong,"
H to his Therapist:
"I held a grudge against my wife because I started this new fancy job, where people didn’t have kids or families at home, and if they did, who cared?"
"I resented my fucking wife and kid for preventing me from having that."
Overall, this was one of the best well-written, betrayal and redemption I've read. 🤩
Odette, who appears to be around 24 years old, is a wife, a mother, and a Physician's Assistant.
Murphy, her husband, is approximately 24 or 25 years old. He is a father, a lawyer, and a junior partner in a law firm.
Lux, their daughter, is three years old.
Susan, MIL to h, mom of H, grandma to Lux
Wynn, h's sister, not biological, but by choice. Both she and h are orphaned and met in Foster care.
The couple has been together since the age of 16, and they were each other's first love. Odette discovered she was pregnant at 21, and she is now 24 or 25. She has recently earned her PA certification after dedicated effort.
"Holding this letter in my hand made it all worth it: all the late nights, all the date nights that never happened."
"Murphy was spending the night in the city since he had to wine and dine with some clients this weekend."
"It made sense, getting an apartment in the city, since his hours could be unpredictable."
His face was etched into something that looked like pure bliss.
"How dare he find paradise in someone else? How dare he do this to me? How dare he be happy while I'm falling apart over here. How could he do this to Lux?"
"He was tainted now, like that last margarita you shouldn't have drunk, so you spent the night throwing up in your toilet."
H POV
I worked hard, and I deserved to let off some steam. Helen knew the score—that I was married, and I was never leaving my wife. She knew once the passion faded, we would part and go our separate ways with no strings attached.
,Lawyer? What fucking lawyer? She wasn't leaving me; I just needed to talk to her. She’d understand...she had to understand. I love her, only her. This wasn't about that.
She had filed paperwork before I could even get my thoughts together.
"all I see is you slamming in and out of her. I hate you more than I love you. You can't save this."
"Please, Odette, don't leave me. I thought our life was boring; I don't want to tell you this, but I have nothing left to lose, so I might as well be honest. I was wrong...so wrong,"
H to his Therapist:
"I held a grudge against my wife because I started this new fancy job, where people didn’t have kids or families at home, and if they did, who cared?"
"I resented my fucking wife and kid for preventing me from having that."
Overall, this was one of the best well-written, betrayal and redemption I've read. 🤩
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
The switch between cheating on her for 3 months then instantly regretting this and having panic attacks was weird and not convincing and accordingly for me, it was a very forced groveling trope. I’m all for forgiveness but there wasn’t any character development for the mmc he just pressed a button and he’s a good guy again!
July 25, 2025
just the fact that she had to comfort him when he was the one cheating is insane to me, gag bye
September 9, 2025
Summary: Second Chance romance with cheating. Spoilers/trigger warnings (if any) and final thoughts can be found below.
This story follows Odette and Murphy. They are married, high school sweethearts, seemingly in a loving and committed relationship. He’s a lawyer who works in the city and often stays over due to late nights, etc. The FMC has never questioned this. One night she goes to their city apartment and finds him with someone else.
She leaves and seeks comfort from her sister, stating she wants a divorce, and her sister jumps right into action making some calls to get that going. Initially the MMC fights it, but ultimately he gives in.
The story jumps to 3 years later. We get a brief catch up from both character’s chapters regarding that 3 years. The MMC is incredibly remorseful for his past and has spent this time trying to work on himself to be the man his daughter and he hopes, Odette, needs.
Not aware of what has really been happening with the MMC, Odette begins to recognize the changes in him while dealing with feelings that have begun to resurface within her.
One dinner and conversation allows the MMC to open up and share everything with the FMC and they start working toward a place where she can fully trust him and consider giving a second chance as he is her one true love. And that’s exactly what happens.
⚠️SPOILERS/DETAILED TRIGGERS⚠️
*On page cheating caught in the act.
🌶️: 1/5
Final thoughts: I loved this book. The writing was so good. I initially did not know how the MMC would end up redeemable, but the author did a really good job of providing such an in-depth character analysis for him, that me as the reader was able to come to a place where I could forgive him for what he did. He literally was the most redeemable MMC I think I’ve ever read.
Both of the characters were just so well written. This was a great second chance romance as it truly epitomized what that means. I absolutely recommend this book.
This story follows Odette and Murphy. They are married, high school sweethearts, seemingly in a loving and committed relationship. He’s a lawyer who works in the city and often stays over due to late nights, etc. The FMC has never questioned this. One night she goes to their city apartment and finds him with someone else.
She leaves and seeks comfort from her sister, stating she wants a divorce, and her sister jumps right into action making some calls to get that going. Initially the MMC fights it, but ultimately he gives in.
The story jumps to 3 years later. We get a brief catch up from both character’s chapters regarding that 3 years. The MMC is incredibly remorseful for his past and has spent this time trying to work on himself to be the man his daughter and he hopes, Odette, needs.
Not aware of what has really been happening with the MMC, Odette begins to recognize the changes in him while dealing with feelings that have begun to resurface within her.
One dinner and conversation allows the MMC to open up and share everything with the FMC and they start working toward a place where she can fully trust him and consider giving a second chance as he is her one true love. And that’s exactly what happens.
⚠️SPOILERS/DETAILED TRIGGERS⚠️
*On page cheating caught in the act.
🌶️: 1/5
Final thoughts: I loved this book. The writing was so good. I initially did not know how the MMC would end up redeemable, but the author did a really good job of providing such an in-depth character analysis for him, that me as the reader was able to come to a place where I could forgive him for what he did. He literally was the most redeemable MMC I think I’ve ever read.
Both of the characters were just so well written. This was a great second chance romance as it truly epitomized what that means. I absolutely recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2025
I love this story!!!
I have read a ton of betrayal books and a lot of the time I feel unsatisfied with how the MMC grovels because he is really pushy and the change doesn’t feel genuine.
But that is not the case for this book!!!!
In the story you start with the betrayal. The FMC walks in on the MMC with another woman. Cue gut punch!
I love how the FMC moves on, is dating other guys and fulfilling her work dreams. And the MMC is kinda stuck in the past, but he’s been HUMBLED which I love.
I love that he doesn’t push her for a reconciliation, he doesn’t bombard her with messages and tell her that she can’t move on. So many times I read where the MMC is pushing and pushing the FMC for forgiveness but like he could’ve chosen to be that diligent in the first place and not cheated ya know? But Murphy doesn’t push, he doesn’t say oh I’ve changed take me back. He lets his actions speak louder than his words and it is honestly beautiful. You can feel the change and it is such a joy to read!
I have read a ton of betrayal books and a lot of the time I feel unsatisfied with how the MMC grovels because he is really pushy and the change doesn’t feel genuine.
But that is not the case for this book!!!!
In the story you start with the betrayal. The FMC walks in on the MMC with another woman. Cue gut punch!
I love how the FMC moves on, is dating other guys and fulfilling her work dreams. And the MMC is kinda stuck in the past, but he’s been HUMBLED which I love.
I love that he doesn’t push her for a reconciliation, he doesn’t bombard her with messages and tell her that she can’t move on. So many times I read where the MMC is pushing and pushing the FMC for forgiveness but like he could’ve chosen to be that diligent in the first place and not cheated ya know? But Murphy doesn’t push, he doesn’t say oh I’ve changed take me back. He lets his actions speak louder than his words and it is honestly beautiful. You can feel the change and it is such a joy to read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
Amazing
I loved this book! I love a beautiful redemption story. Murphy, Odette and sweet little Lux. Murphy made a choice that hurt his wife Odette and he truly paid for it. I was rooting for him the whole time! Odette has Wynn, her sister, as as strong support. I just wish I was better at expressing myself so I could give a better review. It truly was amazing!
I loved this book! I love a beautiful redemption story. Murphy, Odette and sweet little Lux. Murphy made a choice that hurt his wife Odette and he truly paid for it. I was rooting for him the whole time! Odette has Wynn, her sister, as as strong support. I just wish I was better at expressing myself so I could give a better review. It truly was amazing!
June 18, 2025
Heartbreak and Redemption
This books brings out all the feels! You can just feel how much both characters love each other and how devastated they are by Murphy’s actions! I was happy to see the heroine attempt to move on and not be depressed and alone the whole separation. Their reconnecting was beautiful!
This books brings out all the feels! You can just feel how much both characters love each other and how devastated they are by Murphy’s actions! I was happy to see the heroine attempt to move on and not be depressed and alone the whole separation. Their reconnecting was beautiful!
June 17, 2025
Wow!
This story has strong emotional impact. The subject of infidelity and divorce were handled with such care giving the view point of each that I felt emotionally engaged in the process of healing and choices made.
This story has strong emotional impact. The subject of infidelity and divorce were handled with such care giving the view point of each that I felt emotionally engaged in the process of healing and choices made.
June 21, 2025
Gotta know your strengths!
I was not expecting this strong MFC . I loved that she knew the H her husband was her kryptonite and did what had to be done to protect herself. The self induced groveling was well worth the read. This was my first read by this author and I'm so looking forward to more. Thank you for this beautiful b story of redemption Kris M Davey
I was not expecting this strong MFC . I loved that she knew the H her husband was her kryptonite and did what had to be done to protect herself. The self induced groveling was well worth the read. This was my first read by this author and I'm so looking forward to more. Thank you for this beautiful b story of redemption Kris M Davey
June 19, 2025
second chance romance
It was an enjoyable second chance romance. At times, I felt Murphy’s self-loathing and constant apologies dragged on a bit too long, but overall, it was a solid read.
It was an enjoyable second chance romance. At times, I felt Murphy’s self-loathing and constant apologies dragged on a bit too long, but overall, it was a solid read.
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