The Bright Obvious

by Beth Wilson

In the four years since his divorce, Grant hasn’t taken dating seriously, but he still craves the family his ex-wife never wanted. Then he runs into her best friend at a coffee shop. Jennifer is fun, flirty, and still married to her high school sweetheart. She claims that relationship has been dead for years, but Grant isn’t sure if she’s ready to abandon it.

Until she’s free, Grant intends to keep their friendship light. But, the more time they spend together, the harder it is to pretend he’s succeeding. To be together, Grant and Jennifer know they both have to make some tough decisions, but a shocking family secret leads to complications neither of them could have imagined.

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2016

About the author

Beth grew up and spent most of her adult life in Oklahoma, a fact that has influenced the settings of many of her stories. She has been a grocery store clerk, a housekeeper, a tutor, a librarian, and a freelancer writing and editing internet content, articles for local publications, and more. Currently, she works at West Sound Treatment Center, an addiction treatment nonprofit, managing the website, social media, promotional materials and some fundraising. When she’s not at work or writing novels, she is spending time with her family or reading, doing crafty things, or working out.

Reviews

[Allyson Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Grant after his split and divorce from his wife. He is picking up the pieces of his shattered life, using work as a means to escape reality and finding little time to dwell on his past.
One day he meets an old female friend of his and his ex wife and even though she is still married (albeit unhappy), they start meeting on a regular basis. Although a good proportion of this story is how they build their relationship, this book has a lot more than that to offer.
There is a lot going on in the background, with family issues, friends and guilt of enjoying a clandestine relationship, knowing that it could rip friendships and families apart. Eventually it all catches up with Grant and he packs up and leaves town. I am not going to do a spoiler, but the story has some great characters and you can imagine them. as part of your family or people you know. There are different family issues with siblings and parents, all very topical of today. And definitely worth a read.
It was the title and cover that drew me to this book. They intrigued me by not screaming romance like other cotemporary stories do and now I know why. It's not just about love, romance and sex. It is about all the normal issues that everyone deals with.
I also didn't realise this book was the second book by Beth Wilson to feature Grant. Therefore, I can say happily you can read it without having read the first in the series; but I may just read it anyway to find out about Jude: Grant's ex wife.

[Heather Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic Read

The thing that struck me about this book is that it is realistic. The characters seem to be real people with real, everyday flaws. Grant has an affair with a married woman and falls in love with her but when she decides not to leave her husband at all, and his brother threaten to divulge their secret, he runs away. He meets another woman who he falls in love with. Grant is a pleasant guy. I didn't feel very connected with the characters as I would have liked. I enjoyed the fact that his conversation and relationship with Libby wasn't over the top but normal. He didn't instantly fall in love but it happened gradually. I didn't fellas connected to Libby as I was with Jennifer though and for a good portion of the book, I somehow wanted Grant and Jennifer to be together.