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In Between Men
One Moment . . . Hope Williams doesn't know what happened-the dream life she worked so hard to get suddenly feels like a trap. Her successful husband wants her to be wife-and-mother 24/7, her solid career is becoming a rut, and none of her friends get why "everything" isn't feeling like much to her. Only Anthony understands. One Night . . . A successful colleague, Anthony sees Hope's frustrations and the unfulfilled person trying to find out who she is. Although his low-key sensitive ways and good looks are so sexy, Hope is sure they can keep their relationship strictly friendship-until they spend a sizzling night together. Now she can't resist the incendiary passion Anthony promises. One Chance . . . But Hope is fast finding out that too much of a good thing may not be nearly enough. With her marriage shattered and her life in turmoil, she'll have to decide what she's willing to lose . . . and how much more she dares to risk. San Culberson has been an avid reader her entire life and feels privileged at the opportunity to share her imagination with others. She shops, writes, and lives in Houston, Texas.
320 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2007
3 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 22, 2018
The book was okay just a slow read for me and the fact that it didn't end right really made me feel some type of way. The author writing style is good, though. I thought I would be able to like Hope but the more I read this book I found a strong dislike in everybody everyone had their own flaws but still went hard on Hope. I hate the fact everyone lives went back to normal but not Hope's nothing was resolved in my opinion
-Ray didn't have to answer to being a crappy nagging husband.
-Hope took the blame for everything the voice in her head was more outspoken than she was smh
-Tony came along at the right time but when he flipped the script and wanted more I had to shake my head at his a** he himself agreed to only be there when she wanted why couldn't he keep his word!
-Lisa pissed me off her marriage must not be up to par if she has to be in the next bihh business I wish her and Hope would've just fought already the way Tony left her hanging at that party would've made me want to cut him off forever smh . . .
-Stephanie was a sh*tty friend only thing made me happy was she apologized
-I would've liked to see Ray's abusive ass confront the man who made his wife happy when he could not; then have Tony bring his narcissistic a** down with his words making Ray want to be a better partner to Hope and take the blame for the problems in their marriage. The ending really pissed me off Hope should've stuck to her plans instead of trying to get her damn stubborn husband back. . . She was just too submissive for me.
-Ray didn't have to answer to being a crappy nagging husband.
-Hope took the blame for everything the voice in her head was more outspoken than she was smh
-Tony came along at the right time but when he flipped the script and wanted more I had to shake my head at his a** he himself agreed to only be there when she wanted why couldn't he keep his word!
-Lisa pissed me off her marriage must not be up to par if she has to be in the next bihh business I wish her and Hope would've just fought already the way Tony left her hanging at that party would've made me want to cut him off forever smh . . .
-Stephanie was a sh*tty friend only thing made me happy was she apologized
-I would've liked to see Ray's abusive ass confront the man who made his wife happy when he could not; then have Tony bring his narcissistic a** down with his words making Ray want to be a better partner to Hope and take the blame for the problems in their marriage. The ending really pissed me off Hope should've stuck to her plans instead of trying to get her damn stubborn husband back. . . She was just too submissive for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2022
This book vexed my spirited. I didn't like the main characters Hope or her husband Ray. It was predictable at times. I appreciate the fact that they included getting counseling. Overall an ok read. I felt it was better than 3. I would really rate it a 3.75 if I could.
September 21, 2024
This book is the boom plot twisted and very interesting
June 21, 2012
I thought "In Between Men" was simply excellent. San Culberson has truly gain a fan in me. Although I didn't really like Hope and the topic was difficult, she delivered an excellent, thought compelling story.
Hope is a restless, self-indulgent wife and mother of three boys. She appears to have it all (the handsome husband, beautiful well adjusted children, nice home and cushy job as a Senior Loan Officer), but something is missing. Hope feels unappreciated at home, bored at work and basically discontent with her life. She tries talking to her husband Ray, but he seems to blow off her concerns. Ray has done what most people do, he has become comfortable, complacent and ungrateful. He feels all of Hope demands are self-inflicted, after all he provides an wonderful home for her and his children. She really doesn't have to work and he feels their problems would be solved, if she would just quite her job and be a homemaker. Being raised by a single mother, Hope was raised to never depend on a man. This I could relate to and I believe most women will also, if they are honest. The difference is how you handle the situation.
Hope meets Anthony at a party she attends with her husband. The instant he comes on the scene you know temptation has entered the building, but it takes a while for their paths to cross again. Its obvious that Anthony Bolton has more than a passing interest, when he was bold enough to say "I'd still like to talk to you more about the banking industry, among other things." I was surprised when Ray never made a comment, but that was the first real clue that he was not tuned in on his relationship.
Hope attends a networking conference in Houston. She crosses paths with Anthony again. This time they do get to spend time talking and they discover they seem to click. They start emailing and Anthony soon becomes Hope's confidante. Hope's friend Stephanie tries to warn her that she is threading into dangerous territory, but she won't listen. Ray and Hope are growing further apart. After a heating argument, Ray takes the boy's camping. (In walks opportunity) Anthony just happens to be in town that weekend, and they hook up for dinner. Anthony expresses his feelings for Hope and in a moment of anger, discontent and vulnerability, she sleep with him. What Hope intends to be a one-time thing turns into a full-fledged affair.
Hope makes arrangements to spend the weekend with Anthony, in Houston, by telling Ray she's going to a lady's conference. All hell break loose, when Lisa (the wife of one of Ray's friends) accidentally on purpose slips up about seeing Hope with their mutual friend, Anthony. She lets it slip that Anthony also lives in Houston. Hope comes home to her worst nightmare. Ray asks her point blank, if she is sleeping with Anthony and she tells the truth. Ray and Hope are now strangers living under the same roof. Ray has moved to the guest room, but he hasn't left the home physically. Hope's stupid butt continues to see Anthony and runs into Lisa at the house of Anthony's friends. Once again, Lisa accidentally on purpose lets it slip that she saw Hope with Anthony. This is the final straw for Ray. He is not only livid, he is extremely hurt.
Hope's life continues to spiral out of control and she slips into a deep depression. She was given a visitor's card to visit the church of a lady she help get a loan and decides to attend. Help comes from an unlikely source, the wife of Tony's Pastor friend. Hope begins counseling from Ellen, who does mince words and makes her face some cold hard truths about herself.
We are left wondering if Ray and Hope are able to repair the damage to their marriage. I truly hope they were, because you do come to realize that Ray truly does love Hope. He is just severely hurt by her betrayal. This is truly a thought provoking book, that explores the consequences of making the wrong decision. Although Hope will make you angry, you will feel her remorse and find yourself hoping for a happy ending. I truly enjoy San Culberson's writing style it is so fresh and real. This book definitely will not disappoint.
Hope is a restless, self-indulgent wife and mother of three boys. She appears to have it all (the handsome husband, beautiful well adjusted children, nice home and cushy job as a Senior Loan Officer), but something is missing. Hope feels unappreciated at home, bored at work and basically discontent with her life. She tries talking to her husband Ray, but he seems to blow off her concerns. Ray has done what most people do, he has become comfortable, complacent and ungrateful. He feels all of Hope demands are self-inflicted, after all he provides an wonderful home for her and his children. She really doesn't have to work and he feels their problems would be solved, if she would just quite her job and be a homemaker. Being raised by a single mother, Hope was raised to never depend on a man. This I could relate to and I believe most women will also, if they are honest. The difference is how you handle the situation.
Hope meets Anthony at a party she attends with her husband. The instant he comes on the scene you know temptation has entered the building, but it takes a while for their paths to cross again. Its obvious that Anthony Bolton has more than a passing interest, when he was bold enough to say "I'd still like to talk to you more about the banking industry, among other things." I was surprised when Ray never made a comment, but that was the first real clue that he was not tuned in on his relationship.
Hope attends a networking conference in Houston. She crosses paths with Anthony again. This time they do get to spend time talking and they discover they seem to click. They start emailing and Anthony soon becomes Hope's confidante. Hope's friend Stephanie tries to warn her that she is threading into dangerous territory, but she won't listen. Ray and Hope are growing further apart. After a heating argument, Ray takes the boy's camping. (In walks opportunity) Anthony just happens to be in town that weekend, and they hook up for dinner. Anthony expresses his feelings for Hope and in a moment of anger, discontent and vulnerability, she sleep with him. What Hope intends to be a one-time thing turns into a full-fledged affair.
Hope makes arrangements to spend the weekend with Anthony, in Houston, by telling Ray she's going to a lady's conference. All hell break loose, when Lisa (the wife of one of Ray's friends) accidentally on purpose slips up about seeing Hope with their mutual friend, Anthony. She lets it slip that Anthony also lives in Houston. Hope comes home to her worst nightmare. Ray asks her point blank, if she is sleeping with Anthony and she tells the truth. Ray and Hope are now strangers living under the same roof. Ray has moved to the guest room, but he hasn't left the home physically. Hope's stupid butt continues to see Anthony and runs into Lisa at the house of Anthony's friends. Once again, Lisa accidentally on purpose lets it slip that she saw Hope with Anthony. This is the final straw for Ray. He is not only livid, he is extremely hurt.
Hope's life continues to spiral out of control and she slips into a deep depression. She was given a visitor's card to visit the church of a lady she help get a loan and decides to attend. Help comes from an unlikely source, the wife of Tony's Pastor friend. Hope begins counseling from Ellen, who does mince words and makes her face some cold hard truths about herself.
We are left wondering if Ray and Hope are able to repair the damage to their marriage. I truly hope they were, because you do come to realize that Ray truly does love Hope. He is just severely hurt by her betrayal. This is truly a thought provoking book, that explores the consequences of making the wrong decision. Although Hope will make you angry, you will feel her remorse and find yourself hoping for a happy ending. I truly enjoy San Culberson's writing style it is so fresh and real. This book definitely will not disappoint.
December 14, 2008
You Say He's Just a Friend
Hope Williams lives a life of privilege - to some. She has a handsome, sexy husband that provides well for his family. She is the mother of three adorable sons. She has a luxury home and works outside of the home by choice. Hope should be ecstatic, but instead she feels overworked and unappreciated. And then she meets Anthony Bolden, a man who provides an escape from her mundane life. But is the grass truly greener on the other side? Is Hope willing to risk it all to find out?
San Culberson delivers another fun yet serious story that is significant without being too heavy. She tells her tale well, peppered with witty dialogue. Her novels are grounded in truth and laced with humor. San Culberson is two for two and I look forward to what's next.
Reviewed by: Toni
Be sure to also check out The Nick of Time
Hope Williams lives a life of privilege - to some. She has a handsome, sexy husband that provides well for his family. She is the mother of three adorable sons. She has a luxury home and works outside of the home by choice. Hope should be ecstatic, but instead she feels overworked and unappreciated. And then she meets Anthony Bolden, a man who provides an escape from her mundane life. But is the grass truly greener on the other side? Is Hope willing to risk it all to find out?
San Culberson delivers another fun yet serious story that is significant without being too heavy. She tells her tale well, peppered with witty dialogue. Her novels are grounded in truth and laced with humor. San Culberson is two for two and I look forward to what's next.
Reviewed by: Toni
Be sure to also check out The Nick of Time
February 25, 2009
Sigh. I'm trying. A book like this usually takes me a few hours, a day at the most. I've been working on this one for 2 weeks and keep stopping to read other stuff because it's so slow it hasn't held my interest.
Update 2/24/09. Well, I got through it. It was slow and kind of boring. Got better in the middle, but like someone else said, the ending was very real....no sunshine and daisies at the end of this one, LOL. I didn't have a problem with that, but this woman got on my last nerve. Yes, her husband was a pain in the ass, but SHE was part of the problem too, and didn't face any of that until the end. Women like that I just want to smack, so I guess that's why this one was so hard for me to get through.
That said, it wasn't HORRIBLE, just kind of not very interesting.
Update 2/24/09. Well, I got through it. It was slow and kind of boring. Got better in the middle, but like someone else said, the ending was very real....no sunshine and daisies at the end of this one, LOL. I didn't have a problem with that, but this woman got on my last nerve. Yes, her husband was a pain in the ass, but SHE was part of the problem too, and didn't face any of that until the end. Women like that I just want to smack, so I guess that's why this one was so hard for me to get through.
That said, it wasn't HORRIBLE, just kind of not very interesting.
July 16, 2013
I REALLY tried to like this book but it was sooooo long, drawn out, and predictable and I absolutely hated the ending. I have never read a book by this author before so it just was not what I was expecting. The cover and title made me think it would be A LOT more exciting than it was. I mean there were no twist. i was actually making up twist in my head that I thought might happen just to keep me interested in the book but nope just the same story kept dragging on. i didn't hate the book and it might be great to others. It just did not meet my expectations of african american fiction I've read in the past.
April 9, 2015
It makes me think about the devastating effects of having an affair. Hope was a happily married mother of three who started to feel unappreciated. Some career frustration led to discontent at home. The fling with Tony wasn't worth losing her job, home and children. Advice: If busted, never tell your Husband what you did with another man. Never.
June 19, 2008
Very, very good story. It did start off slow, but it picked up toward the middle. I did NOT like the ending. It was too REAL lol, when reading fiction, I like a "happy ever after" ending lol.
September 5, 2013
It was good. I found myself feeling sorry for her at the end.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews