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Unraveling
Unraveling
Zion has been sleepwalking through his marriage for years. Between the office, bills, life with kids and the comfortable numbness of routine, he's stopped truly seeing his wife, Gina, or connecting with his three young children. When an ambitious coworker begins paying him attention—flattering him, understanding him in ways Gina no longer seems to—Zion finds himself drawn into a dangerous fantasy. He surrenders to temptation completely, abandoning his family for a passionate affair that promises excitement and validation. He watches himself walk away from the house, the school pickups, the bedtime stories, the woman who stood by him through everything.
As he lies beside the sleeping Gina, he sees her not as the tired, familiar stranger she's become, but as the woman he promised to cherish. He thinks of his children's faces, of all the moments he's missed while chasing something hollow. In that moment of raw vulnerability, Zion understands that this is his second chance to choose what actually matters before he destroys it all. Now he has to prove he's worthy of it.
A powerful story about the fragility of marriage, the seduction of fantasy, and the redemptive power of recognizing what you're about to lose before it's too late.
Zion has been sleepwalking through his marriage for years. Between the office, bills, life with kids and the comfortable numbness of routine, he's stopped truly seeing his wife, Gina, or connecting with his three young children. When an ambitious coworker begins paying him attention—flattering him, understanding him in ways Gina no longer seems to—Zion finds himself drawn into a dangerous fantasy. He surrenders to temptation completely, abandoning his family for a passionate affair that promises excitement and validation. He watches himself walk away from the house, the school pickups, the bedtime stories, the woman who stood by him through everything.
As he lies beside the sleeping Gina, he sees her not as the tired, familiar stranger she's become, but as the woman he promised to cherish. He thinks of his children's faces, of all the moments he's missed while chasing something hollow. In that moment of raw vulnerability, Zion understands that this is his second chance to choose what actually matters before he destroys it all. Now he has to prove he's worthy of it.
A powerful story about the fragility of marriage, the seduction of fantasy, and the redemptive power of recognizing what you're about to lose before it's too late.
111 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 30, 2026
I actually liked the idea of this—it felt like a different take on the cheating husband storyline. But it didn’t fully work for me.
The book is really short (under 200 pages), and I think that’s part of the problem. Everything felt rushed, especially where it actually mattered.
My main issue was how much focus was put on Trina. Even though the affair wasn’t real in the end, it felt real because we spent so much time with them. There were multiple scenes, emotional and physical, and in the dream he even says he loves her. Meanwhile, there’s barely any mention of how he feels about his wife during all of that. That just didn’t sit right with me.
So when it’s revealed to be a dream, it doesn’t undo anything emotionally. I did like the concept of the dream showing him what his life would turn into. Seeing him leave, lose his kids, end up alone and full of regret—that part hit. And when he wakes up, you can feel how shaken he is. The regret is there, and I liked that he realises how badly he’s been messing up.
But again, because the book is so short, the resolution just felt flat. He wakes up, decides to do better, they go to therapy, make more effort… and that’s kind of it. After everything we saw with Trina, it just wasn’t enough. Even their intimacy scene fell flat.
Also, their relationship didn’t feel strong enough for me to believe in it. They’ve only been together around five years, but it’s written like they’ve been together forever. I didn’t really feel the love between them, and honestly, it came across like if they didn’t have kids, he probably would have left.
I understand he was overwhelmed—three kids in four years, pressure, no time for themselves—but it felt more like he wanted an escape than that he truly valued his marriage.
Overall, the writing was good and the idea had a lot of potential. I just wish there had been less of Trina and more depth when it came to his relationship with his wife, especially after the wake-up call. It had the bones to be really good, it just didn’t quite get there for me.
The book is really short (under 200 pages), and I think that’s part of the problem. Everything felt rushed, especially where it actually mattered.
My main issue was how much focus was put on Trina. Even though the affair wasn’t real in the end, it felt real because we spent so much time with them. There were multiple scenes, emotional and physical, and in the dream he even says he loves her. Meanwhile, there’s barely any mention of how he feels about his wife during all of that. That just didn’t sit right with me.
So when it’s revealed to be a dream, it doesn’t undo anything emotionally. I did like the concept of the dream showing him what his life would turn into. Seeing him leave, lose his kids, end up alone and full of regret—that part hit. And when he wakes up, you can feel how shaken he is. The regret is there, and I liked that he realises how badly he’s been messing up.
But again, because the book is so short, the resolution just felt flat. He wakes up, decides to do better, they go to therapy, make more effort… and that’s kind of it. After everything we saw with Trina, it just wasn’t enough. Even their intimacy scene fell flat.
Also, their relationship didn’t feel strong enough for me to believe in it. They’ve only been together around five years, but it’s written like they’ve been together forever. I didn’t really feel the love between them, and honestly, it came across like if they didn’t have kids, he probably would have left.
I understand he was overwhelmed—three kids in four years, pressure, no time for themselves—but it felt more like he wanted an escape than that he truly valued his marriage.
Overall, the writing was good and the idea had a lot of potential. I just wish there had been less of Trina and more depth when it came to his relationship with his wife, especially after the wake-up call. It had the bones to be really good, it just didn’t quite get there for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2026
A man on the verge of cheating sees what his life will look like if he goes ahead.
May 6, 2026
Unraveling was about 28-year-old Zion, an accountant, and his wife, 26-year-old Gina (she worked outside the home, but the specifics weren't given).
Zion and Gina had been together for 7 years, had been married for 5 years, and had 3 kids: 4-year-old Zia, 2-year-old Flynn, and 10-month-old Daisy. While they both still loved each other and their kids, Zion had been checking out of the marriage, leaving Gina to drown under the load of responsibility in keeping the family afloat.
When a female co-worker, 25-year-old Trina, started paying attention to him, Zion began to perk up and "feel alive" for the first time in a long time. Although she knew he was married with kids, she was the one who initiated the flirting (she got his number from the company records...he didn't give it to her, and she started messaging him without his permission. She was also the one who started asking personal questions), he not only allowed it, but he flirted back, even while knowing he was wrong to do so. This went on for a while, and then Trina invited him out to the bar one Friday night with her and some of their other co-workers...although he spent all that time talking to, touching, and flirting with Trina. He was even sharing things with her about his marriage and kids that he hadn't shared with Gina. (Gina knew about Trina, but only in the way that she knew something was beginning. She didn't know how far things had gone.)
It was the same night he went to the bar with Trina that Zion's nightmare began... literally. After everyone else had finally calmed down and gone to sleep, including Gina, Zion tried to rest. However, after falling into a deep sleep, his entire life played out before him in a dream... a nightmare in which he chose to leave his family for Trina. The dream lasted long enough that he watched as their children grew up, forgetting about him and giving their love and devotion to another man, someone his wife found happiness with, showing him what he would be throwing away for a fantasy relationship with Trina.
While this was a very short story, it had everything that would be included in a full-length novel. The angst, the drama, the spicy scenes, and the emotional rollercoaster. The only difference was that, although it was a dual POV, it was mainly told from the POV of the MMC. The FMC simply had a couple of meaningful chapters.
This book had the same type of plot as the TV show Bob Newhart, and the movies Scrooge, Peggy Sue Got Married, and perhaps a touch of Groundhog Day. The entire life of the MMC flashed through his nightmare and showed him what would happen if he gave in and had an actual physical affair with Trina.
What I didn't like about the story was that it focused too much on the fantasy affair and not enough on Zion and Gina's relationship. After all, it was ALL in the dream. Nothing physical had ever happened in reality. The author wrote multiple explicit, spicy scenes between the "affair partners", but when she described a single scene between Gina and Zion, it was bland, vanilla, and nowhere near as explicit.
Both of the main characters were well developed and mature, but there wasn't any real growth shown in the story. Yes, the MMC stepped up and began helping around the house, but the author didn't show what he was doing to rebuild the trust between him and Gina.
I gave this book a three-star rating, mainly because of the somewhat unique way of portraying the story. It had the potential to be so much better, but it definitely needs tweaking before it reaches that point.
Zion and Gina had been together for 7 years, had been married for 5 years, and had 3 kids: 4-year-old Zia, 2-year-old Flynn, and 10-month-old Daisy. While they both still loved each other and their kids, Zion had been checking out of the marriage, leaving Gina to drown under the load of responsibility in keeping the family afloat.
When a female co-worker, 25-year-old Trina, started paying attention to him, Zion began to perk up and "feel alive" for the first time in a long time. Although she knew he was married with kids, she was the one who initiated the flirting (she got his number from the company records...he didn't give it to her, and she started messaging him without his permission. She was also the one who started asking personal questions), he not only allowed it, but he flirted back, even while knowing he was wrong to do so. This went on for a while, and then Trina invited him out to the bar one Friday night with her and some of their other co-workers...although he spent all that time talking to, touching, and flirting with Trina. He was even sharing things with her about his marriage and kids that he hadn't shared with Gina. (Gina knew about Trina, but only in the way that she knew something was beginning. She didn't know how far things had gone.)
It was the same night he went to the bar with Trina that Zion's nightmare began... literally. After everyone else had finally calmed down and gone to sleep, including Gina, Zion tried to rest. However, after falling into a deep sleep, his entire life played out before him in a dream... a nightmare in which he chose to leave his family for Trina. The dream lasted long enough that he watched as their children grew up, forgetting about him and giving their love and devotion to another man, someone his wife found happiness with, showing him what he would be throwing away for a fantasy relationship with Trina.
While this was a very short story, it had everything that would be included in a full-length novel. The angst, the drama, the spicy scenes, and the emotional rollercoaster. The only difference was that, although it was a dual POV, it was mainly told from the POV of the MMC. The FMC simply had a couple of meaningful chapters.
This book had the same type of plot as the TV show Bob Newhart, and the movies Scrooge, Peggy Sue Got Married, and perhaps a touch of Groundhog Day. The entire life of the MMC flashed through his nightmare and showed him what would happen if he gave in and had an actual physical affair with Trina.
What I didn't like about the story was that it focused too much on the fantasy affair and not enough on Zion and Gina's relationship. After all, it was ALL in the dream. Nothing physical had ever happened in reality. The author wrote multiple explicit, spicy scenes between the "affair partners", but when she described a single scene between Gina and Zion, it was bland, vanilla, and nowhere near as explicit.
Both of the main characters were well developed and mature, but there wasn't any real growth shown in the story. Yes, the MMC stepped up and began helping around the house, but the author didn't show what he was doing to rebuild the trust between him and Gina.
I gave this book a three-star rating, mainly because of the somewhat unique way of portraying the story. It had the potential to be so much better, but it definitely needs tweaking before it reaches that point.
April 25, 2026
Wow this put me through it. I felt for the fmc and I wanted more chapters with her POV. I wanted more than the gloss over apology from mmc and the quick forgiveness of the fmc bc while his ass was playing with fire she was holding down the fort. And that ow can kick rocks for all I care, but I blame the mmc for allowing this escape from reality bc life got too hard for him boo hoo. So bc this got me angry and hit buttons 3.5 stars. I’d love for more authors to explore this type of drama in marriage in trouble books-the hardships of being parents, the sacrifice of losing oneself during the madness of raising young littles, feeling alone at times amongst the chaos, and wanting to escape — it’d resonate for many I’m sure.
March 14, 2026
Different
This was a unusual book as the mmc realises his life being a father and husband is not just tiring but he feels stuck in a relentless rut and his wife who has 3 very young children is feeling alone managing the family,They are both feeling unloved ,no gratitude or love towards each other and definitely drifting apart and whe a young girl in the office starts noticing Zion he thinks about a different life ,away from his wife and children ,instead of fighting he thinks how easy it would be to leave that life all behind ,no spoilers , its not a simple cheating husband story and its different ending to one I imagined whilst reading it
This was a unusual book as the mmc realises his life being a father and husband is not just tiring but he feels stuck in a relentless rut and his wife who has 3 very young children is feeling alone managing the family,They are both feeling unloved ,no gratitude or love towards each other and definitely drifting apart and whe a young girl in the office starts noticing Zion he thinks about a different life ,away from his wife and children ,instead of fighting he thinks how easy it would be to leave that life all behind ,no spoilers , its not a simple cheating husband story and its different ending to one I imagined whilst reading it
March 28, 2026
Better
Yes, I read another one by this author. This was a departure of the cookie cutter storyline like her other books. Not bad. Didn't feel the connection between the spouses as much as the author had us feel it between him and the "OW". Should have toned that down a bit and upped the marriage more. Could have had the wife be a little more concerned about how far he went that scared him. Just saying. A bit repetitive towards the end but can overlook that. The book starts with a dual point of view but it is mostly him.
Yes, I read another one by this author. This was a departure of the cookie cutter storyline like her other books. Not bad. Didn't feel the connection between the spouses as much as the author had us feel it between him and the "OW". Should have toned that down a bit and upped the marriage more. Could have had the wife be a little more concerned about how far he went that scared him. Just saying. A bit repetitive towards the end but can overlook that. The book starts with a dual point of view but it is mostly him.
April 3, 2026
Great read
Fast paced story story about choices and their consequences. Zion is bored with his life and drowning in family obligations and expectations. Gina is drowning and overwhelmed by motherhood to her children. She's very much like a single parent except her husband is there not helping and hiding in his office or in his head. Zion sees choices and what the consequences of those choices could be. This was a great take on marriage in trouble.
Fast paced story story about choices and their consequences. Zion is bored with his life and drowning in family obligations and expectations. Gina is drowning and overwhelmed by motherhood to her children. She's very much like a single parent except her husband is there not helping and hiding in his office or in his head. Zion sees choices and what the consequences of those choices could be. This was a great take on marriage in trouble.
March 20, 2026
Zion abd Gina
This is the story of a young couple with 3 kids overwhelmed with their life.
Zion checked out on his marriage leaving his young wife with the load of carrying the responsibility of 3 young children, house, work, life.
Until Zion saw what would happened if he continued in the path he had taken; he would lose everything he held dear.
Recommended
This is the story of a young couple with 3 kids overwhelmed with their life.
Zion checked out on his marriage leaving his young wife with the load of carrying the responsibility of 3 young children, house, work, life.
Until Zion saw what would happened if he continued in the path he had taken; he would lose everything he held dear.
Recommended
April 15, 2026
Cheating = H is getting closer to a co-worker, flirty texts, lunches, coffee, etc. Then he has a dream about where his life could take him and it turned out to be a nightmare. He falls out of limerence and dedicates himself back to his wife and kids. So not exactly full on cheating, but the H was going that way.
March 15, 2026
unraveling
The novel was very interesting and inspiring, it focus on a husband dream or rebirth due to his bad choices that he lost his family. He wakes up and decides to change his future. The ending was about making better choices.
The novel was very interesting and inspiring, it focus on a husband dream or rebirth due to his bad choices that he lost his family. He wakes up and decides to change his future. The ending was about making better choices.
April 6, 2026
😲😲❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Man wouldn’t it be nice if we all had dreams before we made bad decisions. I loved this book. I loved how the dream woke Zion up so he could rebuild what was crumbling.
Man wouldn’t it be nice if we all had dreams before we made bad decisions. I loved this book. I loved how the dream woke Zion up so he could rebuild what was crumbling.
April 9, 2026
Plot Twist
I did not see the plot twist coming. I’m relieved that Zion learned from the plot twist before he blew up his life. A good quick read.
I did not see the plot twist coming. I’m relieved that Zion learned from the plot twist before he blew up his life. A good quick read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews