Journey Durant's father warned her, “Someday you’ll have to lie in the bed you’ve made.” But she didn’t believe him... until now.
She has just received news that her ex-boyfriend is about to be released from prison, and this reformed bad girl can’t shake the feeling that her troubled past is coming home with him. The town of Emerson, Georgia has forgiven and forgotten her involvement in the most publicized tragedy in the town’s history, but only because of her three year absence, her prominent Southern Baptist family, and her marriage to the closest thing her small town has to a superhero.
Bullets and emotions fly, leaving Journey to realize that no matter what penance she has done for her past, the mistakes of her youth still carry unpaid penalties.
Elicia Hyder is a bestselling author of paranormal suspense and contemporary romance. You can get a FREE eBOOK by clicking this link: Get The Detective for FREE.
When I'm not writing, I can be found sipping craft beer in my blow-up swimming pool or beating my children at Harry Potter ⚡ trivia. I am married to a superhero and have two dogs with severe separation anxiety. I suck at CAPTCHA puzzles and firmly believe that heaven will have heavy metal music. ✌
This was like reading a Lifetime movie: it was melodramatic and mushy. I laughed out loud a few times but overall, I didn't like the main character Journey, and I'm unsure why anyone would. If you don't see the very convenient ending coming, you weren't paying attention to the hints being dropped along the way; no red herrings, just very obvious, "this happened so X could happen." If you like Nicholas Sparks movies/books then this is for you.
I'm baffled because I expected blockbuster action to thrust me forward; instead, I got a weak female lead who followed whatever the men in her life wanted her to do. The action came in the last few chapters but by then I was over this tale. Marcus was almost unnecessary, I would've liked to see Journey and David develop a relationship while the tension builds for Steven's release. But you can't always get what you want.
#Spoiler The Bed She Made Epilogue Journey was working on her laptop in the kitchen, sipping a glass of wine, when she heard gravel shifting under the tires of a car in the driveway. She glanced up at the time. It was six o’clock on the dot. A moment later, the front door flew open and her husband jogged into the house, sliding to a stop when he saw her seated at the table. “Did I miss anything?” David asked, trying to catch his breath. She smiled over the rim of her glass. “No. He should be here any minute.” His eyes were wide as he pointed up the stairs. “Is she ready?” Journey used her foot to push the chair across from her out from under the table. “Sit down, sweetheart, before you have a coronary.” David loosened his gray necktie and dropped down into the chair. His cheeks were flushed from running up the driveway and the stairs in the Georgia heat. His hair had a dusting of silver around the tops of his ears and there were a few more creases around the corners of his eyes, but he still looked like a Ken Doll. He caught her grinning at him. “What?” he asked. She sipped her wine. “I’m just glad you made it home.” He looked down at his watch. “Is Marcus home? I told him to be home by six.” Journey shook her head. “He called and said practice ran late and that he’s on his way.” David rolled his eyes. “Practice ran late on prom night? You and I both know better.” He sighed and pointed at his wife. “He’s your son when he pulls crap like this.” She chuckled but kept her mouth shut. “Well?” Genna’s voice from the steps made them both turn and look. At the top of the staircase, Genna did a full turn in her bright blue ball gown. Her dark hair was curled over her shoulder, and it bounced gently as she descended the stairs. David and Journey met her in the living room. Journey felt tears prickle the corners of her eyes. “You look amazing, Genna,” she said. David’s head bobbed up and down, but he didn’t say a word. Journey knew if he did, it would probably come out as a blubbering mess. He sniffled quietly, affirming her assumption. Genna’s blue eyes were sparkling like sapphires. “You really like it?” she asked. Journey nodded and straightened her silver necklace. “I love it.” “Well, I hate it!” David blurted out. He pointed up the stairs. “Go change into something uglier.” Journey laughed and rolled her eyes. “Ignore your dad. Proms make him a little bit crazy.” Genna leaned up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “You paid for the dress, Daddy.” “Shut up,” he grumbled. A car honked its horn in the driveway, and Genna’s eyes doubled in size. “That’s him,” she said with a soft squeal. Journey saw David stiffen out of the corner of her eye when they all turned toward the front door. She smiled up at him as he straightened the Detective badge on his belt and pulled his holster further toward the front of his hip. “Don’t you think that’s a bit much?” she asked as Genna pulled the front door open. David jerked his thumb toward the hallway to their bedroom. “I could go get my assault rifle.” She chuckled and looped her arm through his. Genna pointed at him. “Behave, Dad.” He held up his hands in defense, and his mouth dropped open. “I will if he does!” A handsome, young man named Bryson stepped through the front door in a tux with a vest that matched Genna’s dress. He was visibly shaking as he stretched out his hand toward David. “Hello, Mr. Britton.” David cleared his throat, his face stern and unyielding. “Bryson,” he answered by way of a greeting. Journey clasped her hands over her mouth as the boy slipped a white rose corsage over her daughter’s wrist. “Oh, I forgot the camera!” She jerked her phone out of her back pocket to snap some pictures. “Look at me and smile!” The two kids turned and smiled for the camera. Bryson nodded toward the driveway. “You ready to go?” Genna was beaming as she nodded. “Yes!” David pointed at the boy. “I expect her back here by midnight.” Journey elbowed him in the ribs. “Be home by two.” David scowled down at her, but she just winked at him. Genna smiled back over her shoulder as she picked up the hem of her dress. “Thanks, Mom.” “Thanks Mom,” David mimicked in a snarky tone as he slipped an arm around Journey’s waist. Smiling, Journey hugged her arms and leaned her head against his chest. Bryson opened Genna’s door, and she waved again before getting into his car. David raised his finger toward Bryson again, but Journey pushed it down before he could make any more threats. “Oh, leave him alone. At least he showed up for her senior prom.” David gasped as he looked down at her. “You’re really going to bring that up, Mrs. Britton?” She turned her palms up. “I’m just saying, maybe you’re not the best example for eighteenyear-old boys to follow.” David laughed, and in one fluid motion, bent, grabbed her around her hips, and slung her over his shoulder. He turned toward the door. “Take it back.” “No!” He slapped her on the backside. “Take it back, Journey!” She laughed as he carried her inside. “Never!” Behind them, David kicked the front door closed and carried his wife to their bedroom.
Absolutely loved it. Even though I had a sense of what was coming towards the end, it didn't stop me from getting totally hung up in the story and feeling the emotions with Journey. I can't wait to read additional stories by this author.
This is such a great, easy and creative series. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this series.
Journey Durant is such a fun character to follow. I enjoyed her rebellious 90's grunge days and following her as she grew out of her leather mini skirts and into her leggings. The alternating points of view between Journey and the men in her life really added to the story and helped me connect more with all of the characters. The Bed She Made definitely pulled at my heart strings and even made me shed some tears during certain parts. Even though I predicted where the story would go, it didn't make me enjoy the ride any less or the emotions it drew out of me.
Elicia Hyder is one of my all time favorite Author. The Bed She Made has been a enjoyment to read. I thought I couldn't like any other series as much as I loved Her soul Summoner Series but that changed once I read this series. I literally cried throughout the book. I held off for so long reading this series because I knew it was going to be very emotion as I have had many friend read it and have all said get the tissues ready.
Oh my goodness! I love all Elicia Hyder books, but this one may hold a special spot. I put it off for so long for two reasons 1) I wanted to always have an Elicia Hyder book I could read for the first time when needed and 2) so many people said it made them cry. Did I cry? Yes, like a big baby. I am one of those weird people that thinks a good cry cleanses the soul. But the characters..... loved them to pieces and needed to return to the book to find out where life was going to take them. I feel like I had it figured out towards the end, but I still cried, laughed, smiled, cried some more and laughed some more! So good! Read it!
I really enjoyed this comtempory romance. I received this book free from the author in return for an honest review. A little bit of a spoiler alert, keep tissues handy towards the end. The main character had a lot of growing up to do. So at points, it's a emotional roller coaster. It starts off with a group of kids graduating high school.It takes a lot of kids through growing up. They want to have fun but learn through it. It was interesting to see the different ways that they did. I gave this a 5* rating.
Wow. I could NOT put this down. I got off work and started it and just finished it. Should have gone to bed an hour or two ago, but the book hangover will be WELL WORTH IT! There were so, so, so many feels with this story. I cried... no, I BAWLED like a baby over a part (no spoilers!) but the happy ending made it well worth the puffy eyes and ugly crying face. Worth every penny and I have been singing Elicia Hyder's praises to all my friends and family. New favorite author? HECK YES!
Strong characters make this story of forgiveness and reconciliation flow. I usually don't read young adult fiction, but this one was worthy of the time. One thing that I felt should have been dealt with in Journey's reconciliation with her parents was their part in her life choices early on. In her teen years, they were not really parents to her, rather more concerned about their on lives.
'The Bed She Made' by Elicia Hyder is the 'full novel' of Journey Durant's mid-teens to mid-twenties 'life and loves' and can be read as a standalone, while 'To Be Her First' is the Prequel and stops where 'The Bed She Made' begins and it is NOT a standalone story - it expands on how the characters meet and what they are to each other and their family circumstances, etc.
I read the prequel first and the full novel after (which I think is best) but you can read in any order or only read this full novel.
The prequel is a love triangle with Journey and 2 guys and to be honest I was kind of on the side of Steve, the 'bad guy'. He's had a tough childhood with terrible parents and he can't seem to catch a break. Steve really likes Journey and acts on his feelings for her. David, the 'good guy' has a great life with no hardships. His main problem is that his 'timing', as far as Journey, is bad, but he thinks he has all the time in the world, they're young, and he respects and is mindful of Journey's age.
In 'The Bed She Made', Steve's character is SO different - he really IS the 'bad guy'. This is jarring if you read the prequel and then read this. David is the same 'good guy' with bad timing. BUT there's a 3rd guy!!! I LOVE HIM 💕
I'm not going to say more about that because I don't want to spoil the story.
I knew I was going to cry buckets and I was tempted not to read on but I did continue. I did cry buckets. I really did cry buckets. But imo that's a great sign of an author - that they can make me 'like' characters so much that I cry for them because they are so 'real' to me.
So yes, I definitely recommend this story. It is YA so yes there's angst and drama. Three guys is excessive. Journey does float around rather than stand strong but she wants someone to love her and to be there for her and not leave.
I WILL be reading more from Elicia Hyder.
Thank you to '2BusyMom' for info on Elicia Hyder's Blog of Jan. 6th 2016 - Are parts of this story autobiographical? Very interesting ☺
I really enjoyed this book. This is the tale of Journey, a high school girl, who grows up too quickly because parents travel a lot. An unlikely friendship happens with David. He's the handsome football player and she's a rebel in an entirely different circle than his. They develop an unspoken love for eachother. Since David never tells her how he feels, she ends up with Steven. She makes some really bad decisions. David, Kara and Marcus try to help her, but it isn't until some really bad things happen, before she gets the help she needs. So much happens in this book. You follow the lives of these kids over several years. Journey and David lose contact for years, as he joins the army and is deployed several times. I loved Marcus. He's such a great guy, husband and father. Kara was a great friend and I loved how she and Journey meddled in each others lives. I knew what was going to happen with Marcus and David, but had to keep reading to find out how. I laughed, cried and smiled throughout this book. Because of some of the content, I would rate it as PG-17.
The Bed She Made is an honest story about a girl transitioning from wild child to responsible adult... I think. It seems I've only read half of it - I thought I was reading a whole book, and I was ok with the cliffhanger ending until I came to GR. I read this book on Wattpad, it was my intro to the platform and probably my exit too. I'm extremely aggravated that I didn't know this was a preview - I thought it was the whole book. Based on other reviews on GR I definitely didn't read the whole story, since my version ended with Journey's father telling her "I always said you'd have to lie in the bed you made."
Journey is a young, troubled girl who falls in with a bad crowd. Her loyal friends persistently try to get her back out of the life she's made for herself, largely without success until a fateful event makes her re-evaluate.... And that's all I know. I would have liked to read the real ending, but it seems like it took me too long to get there. I found a note from the author about the move to a published version, which is fine, but the platform should make it easier to realize books are only partial versions.
This is The Bed She Made, the second and final book of the series, written by Elicia Hyder. WOW! What an amazing book! Elicia has a way of sucking you into the story and making you feel the joy and tragic heartbreak of her characters. I have to admit that I probably bawled through the last half of this book. I’ve already gone back and re-read the whole second half because I just couldn’t leave Journey and move on. You will NOT want to miss this one!
OMG this book!!! Journey's story is fascinating, heartbreaking, crazy and happy. It did make me cry the big tears. Especially when her father talks about the bed she made. Journey is that wild girl we all at one time wanted to be. I love how her close group of friends stick by her. I loved this book!!!
I love the story and it made me laugh, cry and smile. Elicia Hyder is wonderful and talented writer. If you like to read like I do, you will never be disappointed with any of books.
This was an enjoyable read. There were some unexpected things that made the story work out but I'm not sure how I feel about it. I believe this is part of a series but this book can stand alone.
So glad I decide to read this. Usually when a author writes O’Hara normal series that all I read of theirs. But cause I loved your books I decided to try your other series and wow I am sooooo glad I did.
Thoroughly enjoyable novel.Basically a romance novel,but with much more going on along the way.Some really nice, but also not so nice characters, make for a very satisfactory goodread.A great job by the author.Recommended.
OMG what a rollercoaster.. I cried and my heart hurt for Journey so badly....her life was turned into so many directions took my breath away so much I couldn't put book down well done Ms.Elicia
You can tell it's a first novel, I've read all of her soul summoners series and you can see the difference, BUT it's still good. had a good storyline, good plot, likeable characters.