So Much for My Happy Ending

by Kyra Davis

When her boyfriend of three months, Tad Showers, proposes, twenty-six-year-old April thinks that everything in her life is finally falling into place. Between her flaky, tree-hugging mother and her she-devil boss, marriage seems like the place she'll find love and security. Tad's exactly the kind of man April wants: smart, ambitious and wildly romantic.

But soon after they're married, the honeymoon ends. Tad's crazy, extravagant gestures are starting to look less romantic and more…well, just plain crazy. Is it normal for her husband to never mention his family, rack up secret credit card debt and get less sleep than your average insomniac? Are you still supposed to stand by your man, even if it turns out he isn't who you thought he was? When she promised "for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health," this isn't what she pictured. But sometimes you don't get the life you imagined. And sometimes you have to figure out how to write your own happy ending.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Contemporary, Adult

408 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

New York Times bestselling author of JUST ONE NIGHT, DECEPTIVE INNOCENCE, the Sophie Katz mysteries, SO MUCH FOR MY HAPPY ENDING and the upcoming DANGEROUS ALLIANCE, JUST ONCE MORE and JUST ONE LIE (July 28th, 2015).

Reviews

[Plus Size Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I felt an emotional connection with the main character and was able to sympathize with what she was going through. I was surprised after reading this book to see so many low ratings and bad comment. I can't fault people for their opinions. I believe it's possible that someone who is a Sophie Katz fan may have come into this book expecting something different. This is not a murder mystery, chick lit, day at the beach read. This was a book about mental illness, personal strength, and self discovery. A lot of people seemed to believe that April should have seen the signs that something was off with her husband right away. I disagree. My mother is bipolar and she went undiagnosed and unmedicated for 20 years. People like to write off someone's unexplainable behavior with words like flighty, ditzy, passionate, different. People are scared to put a mental health label out there. Also it's hard for some to believe that someone accomplished and educated could suffer from such a mental illness.But the truth is most brillent minds are a little off. My husband suffers from depression and anxiety. His mother has a chemical imbalence so it makes sense that he could have one too. There were scenerios in this book that were exact replicas of my relationship. My husband is NOT bipolar. Unlike April his erratic behavior at times were stress related and we were able to work through them early in our relationship and are going 12 years strong. Everytime April reasoned things and stood by her man it's not because she was dumb or blind it's because she wanted to be that woman who was the backbone and able to keep it together through the storm so that she could enjoy the rainbow afterwards. And if you want to point out the fact that he stole from her, keep in mind that drug addicts and gamblers have stolen from loved ones and with their forgivness were able to work through their issues. Money is material if you love someone that would not be a deal breaker. A painful betrayal yes but not a deal breaker with your soulmate. NOT if you believe he/she is worth fighting for. But that's just my opinion on this book and that situation.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've enjoyed previous books by Kyra Davis, and was looking forward to reading this book. There were some aspects of the book that I did like, and I thought it was very well written. It kept my attention and most of the characters were well written.
However - I thought that the main character was pathetic, and that the plot was poorly written.
In my opinion, there was nothing subtle about this plot -- it beat you over the head with some of the points it was trying to make, then made a big deal about how everything was so subtle that the heroine didn't pick up on it. She repeatedly allows herself to be victimized and put down. She allows her husband to steal from her, lie to her, manipulate her, etc -- and even when she acknowledges that these things are happening, she doesn't leave him, because she wants to "give him another chance" or she because of her commitment to him. The author rarely shows up any signs of what it was that made her want to trust him or make a commitment to him. We have little idea of why she would put up with these things. Finally, it's not the fact that he hits her, threatens her, lies to her, steals from her or hurts her family (all of those things she thinks that they can work through) but that fact that he sleeps with another girl, that makes her leave.
I think that the premise of this book could have been really interesting, but the author failed dramatically. The main character's husband has little, if any, redeeming character -- making him a very uninteresting person to read about.
I would continue to read the series about Sophie Katz, but I would definitely hesitate before reading aother non-series book by this author.

[Melissa Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kyra Davis - So Much For My Happy Ending
Myra Books, 2006

Of all Kyrs Davis' books, So Much For My Happy Ending is the least entertaining. It is her only book thus far that strays from the "Sophie Katz" series, which may very well be where her mistake lies. The story is extremely difficult to follow at times and hard to get through. This could be due to the lack of connection between character and reader. In a character series, the reader forms a bond with the main character. In this book, however, no such connection is made. Through reflection, it is evident that enough criteria is met to create a great novel, but the presentation of this material is lacking. This is definitely a book to read once through all of her other books, while waiting for the next to release.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

So i totally loved this book. I can somewhat relate to this story but not totally, my boyfriend is bipolar but nothing like Tad. lol... i loved the story and Kyra is my favorite author. So i would reccomend this book to anyone.

[Megan Noveron-Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Its not like the your normal romance book. I found it funny and enjoyable. I myself connected to the charactor over her miscarrage. I myself just went thru a similar situation and it was something that really made me apprechiate the book more.

[Creativeuser15 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book, I couldn't put it down! It was filled with drama and the storyline never died down. It was an easy read, sarcastic, and I enjoyed every minute of it!

[Marey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is definitely not your typical chick lit type of story. However, if you go into the story knowing this fact, it will help your perception of it, and you will be rooting for the main character to get her ‘not-so-perfect-ending’. The book helped me understand some of the things my divorced friends have gone through in VERY similar situations. It reaffirms women that they are not crazy and to go with their gut. Would’ve loved a prologue at the end giving us more info on where the main character is 1 year from now. Just wanted a chance to champion her more on her life choices.

There are some definite trigger warnings in the story: abuse, pregnancy loss, suicide

[Stephanie Moyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. I could have used a little bit more thoughout the middle of the book. Moved along a bit slow for me, but got really good at the end. By the end of the book I was wanting more! Lots of emotions throughout with a tough subject that seldom gets talked about.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good story. I did not expect the changes in their relationship, despite the title. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book. I really like this author.

[Kristy Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhhh I actually really liked this book. I thought the main character was easily led into making the wrong decisions and all her work talk bored me to tears.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, but far more serious than expected

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited for this book the first few chapters, but I was hoping for a better connection to the main character and that did not happen. I couldn't visualize her at all. I like to be able to have a mental picture of the characters while I am reading, hair color, eye color, physique etc. You did not get that in this book. The book was fast paced from them meeting and three months later getting engaged and then married and then everything went to hell. I can deal with the mental issue of bipolarness, but what I could not stand was how April just let everything that Tad do just slide off her shoulders like it was no big deal, she would start a fight with him, then they would not talk to each other than they would act like it was no big deal and then another issue would arise. I started losing the connection with April towards the last quarter of the book when she started falling for Jeremiah. I mean your marriage is a mess, your husband is becoming a psychopath and you are thinking of another man. If you are so emotional distressed as she says she was, the last thing she would be thinking of is another man. I got so bored of hearing about her job everyday, like I could not stand to here her anymore with her daily tasks! her manager, the store, everything just irritated me.

I wanted the ending to be different, I do not know what I expected, but to just fall into someone else's arms after emotional turmoil just was dumb for me to digest.

The funny thing is though there was parts of the book I really liked so that is why I kept on reading.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm usually no into "this" kind of book (I can't really classify the genre) but I loved this. I picked it up at 2 am thinking I'd read a chapter and get the feel of the book before going tp bed, but ended up staying til four to finish it off, rereading sections in disbelief.

Parts of this book seemed like a horror fic in the making, twisted into a psychological thriller. In reality, against her better judgment April marries a man she loves but has only known for three months. Soon after she starts noticing these tremendous shifts in his behaviour -from a doting loving husband to a completely listlessness to barely suppressed rage and acts of violence. She often awakes to the sound of him clawing at the wall. He later goes on to describe he feels a dark force trying to 'claw' ti way out of him...

Without her knowledge or consent, he opens a credit card account in her name and begins making charges on it: renting the Ritz for their wedding which she had refused but he had insisted upon. clearing her bank account. Lying about his family (he claims they were racist that refused to accept her, when in reality he had a mother and sister and was half black himself). Lying about how well his business was going when in reality he had been stealing money from his business partners. Claiming rent on their house was only 2500 when it was well over 3000. Getting her to hire a SoCal Blonde (who weasels her way into April's position at the dept. store) but has an affair with her.

In reality, he is bipolar. I thought it'd be something way more on a limb than that (not saying that bipolar disorder isn't serious). He was just way too creepy.

I was pleased with how the story ended and happy April and Jeremiah had their little fling at the end (thank God).

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a woman who gets married after 3 months of knowing the guy, and after marriage, his behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Following the honeymoon from hell, she discovers that he doesn't sleep, his spending is out of control, he lies to her, and he's getting more and more violent. It ends up that he's bipolar, and she's very unhappy with him, but when you've said your wedding vows, and really want to mean them, when do you decide that enough is enough?
I knew someone in college who had an abusive boyfriend, and I saw a lot of her behavior in this book: being freaked out right away after a situation, but after the fact, mentally downplaying what had happened, and wondering if you were actually to blame for it.
It is hard for the lady in the story to know when to call it quits, and she sticks around a lot longer than I would have if I was her.
If you're looking for a romantic comedy type of book, but with 90% of the comedy traded for drama, than I would recomend this book to you. But, if you're looking for a light romantic comedy, than this isn't the book for you.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

April, the main character and protagonist of this juicy novel, officially has the Worst Husband Ever. There is no contest. Sure, he may or may not have an undiagnosed mental disorder. But that does not excuse what an awful, awful character he is. Tad becomes a completely different person after they marry, and just when you think he couldn’t get any worse (or any crazier), he absolutely does. April tries to stand by her man, even though…God, she shouldn’t. I am totally embarrassed that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. It wasn’t really like anything I’ve ever read before - it read like silly chick lit, but the plot points seemed like soap opera storylines. It was dramatic and insane and maybe a teensy bit predictable and far-fetched, and I loved every second of it. Although sometimes I sort of wanted to beat April over the head. I understand wanting to stick with a marriage, but…come on. You’ll understand after you read it.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the Sophie Katz series, but this book was not so good. It was too long and the main character was not so smart. I can't even remember the main characters name, but there was something about her that I didn't like. She's been dating this guy who seems super sweet, but won't share very much of his past with her. She's only been dating him for 3 months when he asks her to marry him. She doesn't really want to marry him, but says yes anyway hoping they'll have a long engagement. I won't go into the whole story, but they get married pretty quickly and things go downhill from there.

I pretty much skimmed the last 200 pages because I felt like I started reading the same paragraph over and over.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fanatastic book about marriage and choices that we think we make for ourselves when others that we trust are really making them for us. April is a believable character that represents at l;east 60% of women in America and their need for a normal life and a normal marriage...both cases rarely come true!
Cheers to Kyra Davis for breaking away from Sphie - though we love her so - and giving us this poignant novel about life, marriage and the choices we make which ultimately may seem safe, but can turn out to be just the opposite of what we think they are!

[Christi Tollinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book. It was a very good read. The story is basically one where the couple only knows each other for a short period of time and become engaged and married within 6 months. The woman in the story thinks she has the perfect husband and perfect marriage. It shows us all that we must not judge things from the outside and that sometimes the ones with think we know have dark deep secrets. I enjoyed this book because it was an easy read but also shows us that we must be strong and that we can not be drawn into another persons life and have that life destroy us.

[Nancy]

Random library selection, found in the romance section, It should have been in the boring chit lit part of the fiction section. Not a romance novel. Rather boring and unrealistic to me. She should've walked and dumped him on his butt the 1st time he went nutty. Who's so blind? Who puts up with that crap? Who pays off the credit card bill instead of filing a police report? Didn't make sense to reality. Characters were wooden and stale. I think Jeremiah was supposed to be the hot bad boy, but it didn't work that way. It's a pass

[Avid Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book though it was well written. The female lead, engaged to a guy after 3 months of dating, ignores all the signs that something is wrong with him mentally. The signs were HUGE and she was in denial. He was a liar and sociopath and I got tired of her giving in to him and doubting herself. She also gives in to friends, her mother, her boss, etc.

This is my first book by Kyra Davis and probably my last.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just happened to read the back of the book just to see what it was about, and decided to reas it because it seemed pretty interesting. After I started reading it, and saw how the main character (April) could marry someone after just 3 months of dating, it wasn't that hard to figure out that her "Mr. Right" was truly "Mr. WRONG". Great book, but I just wished it had a better ending.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was like a really long public service announcement for mental health. I half way expected there to be a 1-800 hotline number at the end of the book. Other than the forced nature of the portrayal of mental health symptomes, I liked the book. I actually enjoyed some of the supporting characters more then the main characters (some of them seemed a little flat).

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not as good as the Sophie Katz series but still enjoyable. The characters were intetesting, however, it was predictable. It was a little drawn out and at some points a bit over the top. The main character is whitty like Sophie Katz and that is part of Kyra Davis' writing style I have come to love.

[Regina Malone]

When I first start reading about April Silverperson I couldn't warm up to her but continue reading thinking I would in time.
It never happen when she found out her husband Todd crazy behavior was due to he was bipolar and not wanting him after he couldn't be fix....
Wish I hadn't brought the book.

This was the first book of Kyra Davis I read not sure if I want to read another.

[Krystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning of the book just made me mad because April lets Tad screw her over time and time again. However, I kept reading and found it hard to put the book down. It was definitely an entertaining ending but a little far fetched and soap opera inspired.

[Loida · Rating 5 out of 5]

You must not read this thinking of Kyra Davis' character Sophie Katz. This is a very different book but it's a book that really makes you think. It's not a comedy/mystery like the Sophie Katz series but it is very good and very well-written.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was nothing good about this book. It truly had potential, but at about the halfway point, it just went all downhill. I was so aggravated with the main character, and the way Kyra Davis just so abruptly "ended" the book.

[Emily Jane Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

DO NOT READ when you need a pick me up. This one left me a little sad, but the characters were great, and I believed I was reading the story of a real marriage build on dishonesty. This was much darker than Davis' other books, but still a great, easy read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I identified with this book on some level and the way her life was spinning out of her control. I too have a husband show has gone on manic shopping sprees. I thought the ending was a little too pat, but satisfying none the less.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

It just seemed strange. I couldn't follow where the writer was trying to take me with the story, so I just stopped trying & will return it to the library. I really love her mystery series, so I will stick with it.