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Living Apart Together #1
Living Apart Together
How far would you go to change your life?
What do you do when the man you've been married to for forty years makes a decision that will change the course of your life forever?
After nearly forty years of marriage Sylvie's comfortable life with John is about to fall apart after some unexpected news. As they try to pick up the pieces in the aftermath, John has a plan that takes Sylvie by surprise. Is this really a plan for their future together or is this the beginning of the end of their marriage?
All at sea over what the future holds, Sylvie makes a plan of her own. She sets a chain of events in motion that lead her on a journey to discover it's never too late to start over and meet the man you were meant to spend the rest of your life with.
A tale of family secrets, second chances, and finding the courage to follow your dreams – wherever they might lead.
Book 1 in the series Living Apart Together. Please note: The events in this book precede those in the follow-on novels, Living Apart Together Books 2, 3 and 4. This series should be read sequentially in order to enjoy the story arc as it was intended.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2015
375 people are currently reading
1042 people want to read
About the author
Elise Darcy
30 books71 followersElise Darcy grew up in North London in the 1970's, the daughter of two baby boomer school teachers. Her love of books began at an early age when trips to Regent's Park always culminated in a visit to Foyles, the legendary independent bookstore in Charing Cross Road. She has fond memories of exploring a veritable Aladdin’s cave of books; a magical place with winding staircases, old creaking lifts, and cosy corners in which to settle down and lose herself in a good book.
After university Elise Darcy worked in London before embarking on her writing career. She now lives in an apartment in a picturesque market town in Suffolk where she writes her novels.
Find out more at www.elisedarcy.com
After university Elise Darcy worked in London before embarking on her writing career. She now lives in an apartment in a picturesque market town in Suffolk where she writes her novels.
Find out more at www.elisedarcy.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 7, 2017
Excellent argument for doing as the title says. All empaths should read this book! It provides the rationale (if you need one) to do what suits the needs that are often particular to empaths - privacy, quiet, personal space.
September 24, 2015
A funny, moving and compelling story which was both entertaining and well written keeping the reader hooked to the end.
I really enjoyed this book because it was different inasmuch as the main characters were approaching their 60's. Set against the backdrop of a leafy London Suburb it follows the story of a couple, Sylvie and John.
Sylvie acutely aware of the passage of time after receiving news that her mother had passed away, decides to make some changes in her own life before its too late. Being a wife, mother and grandmother, Sylvie realised she has spent the last forty years of her marriage to John pleasing everyone else and in the process has lost her own sense of self. John, a creature of habit, is quite happy with the comfortable lifestyle that they have built together during forty years of marriage. However, Sylvie can see that soon they will both be retired and she wants some fun, adventures and different experiences now their three daughters are independent. John appears disinterested in making plans together for their twilight years. He doesn't like change and won't accept the inevitable, that life moves on, and is ill-prepared when something happens in their lives.
This story is quite thought provoking and it really touched on how one persons life-changing decisions can affect many other people.
I really enjoyed this book because it was different inasmuch as the main characters were approaching their 60's. Set against the backdrop of a leafy London Suburb it follows the story of a couple, Sylvie and John.
Sylvie acutely aware of the passage of time after receiving news that her mother had passed away, decides to make some changes in her own life before its too late. Being a wife, mother and grandmother, Sylvie realised she has spent the last forty years of her marriage to John pleasing everyone else and in the process has lost her own sense of self. John, a creature of habit, is quite happy with the comfortable lifestyle that they have built together during forty years of marriage. However, Sylvie can see that soon they will both be retired and she wants some fun, adventures and different experiences now their three daughters are independent. John appears disinterested in making plans together for their twilight years. He doesn't like change and won't accept the inevitable, that life moves on, and is ill-prepared when something happens in their lives.
This story is quite thought provoking and it really touched on how one persons life-changing decisions can affect many other people.
April 10, 2016
I love, love, love this book. Funny.
In referring to her husband of almost 39 years, "Sylvie couldn't remember the last time they had sat down and shared their hopes and dreams, and made plans for their future." She is unhappy, and has a plan to make some changes in her life.
This book was so good that I just had to read it twice.
In referring to her husband of almost 39 years, "Sylvie couldn't remember the last time they had sat down and shared their hopes and dreams, and made plans for their future." She is unhappy, and has a plan to make some changes in her life.
This book was so good that I just had to read it twice.
October 22, 2018
Great plot idea somewhat spoiled by repetitive and waffling style.
A story about how a married couple encounters problems when they find themselves unexpectedly retired at the same time seemed intriguing enough to tempt me to start reading this book. All too soon I found some irritations like unnecessary details about, say, cups of tea being made and repetition of information about the couple's offspring which had already been explained in sufficient detail in preceding pages. However, I did read the whole book and found it continued to irritate and amuse in almost equal measure. I do think anyone who considers herself a serious writer should know the difference between pastimes and past times, for example. The narrative occasionally takes confusing leaps in time and big events like a garden being destroyed are lightly touched upon while descriptions of minor things like furnishings are gone into ridiculous detail. This book could have done with a more radical editing and maybe more reliance on dialogue to show how the protagonists relate to each other. I couldn't even decide if this was meant to be a serious novel or a comedy, some episodes being very funny. I recommend that you only read this book if you can get it cheaply.
A story about how a married couple encounters problems when they find themselves unexpectedly retired at the same time seemed intriguing enough to tempt me to start reading this book. All too soon I found some irritations like unnecessary details about, say, cups of tea being made and repetition of information about the couple's offspring which had already been explained in sufficient detail in preceding pages. However, I did read the whole book and found it continued to irritate and amuse in almost equal measure. I do think anyone who considers herself a serious writer should know the difference between pastimes and past times, for example. The narrative occasionally takes confusing leaps in time and big events like a garden being destroyed are lightly touched upon while descriptions of minor things like furnishings are gone into ridiculous detail. This book could have done with a more radical editing and maybe more reliance on dialogue to show how the protagonists relate to each other. I couldn't even decide if this was meant to be a serious novel or a comedy, some episodes being very funny. I recommend that you only read this book if you can get it cheaply.
December 23, 2021
I rated this a 3.75. It was nice to read a book about an older couple (60's) for once. John and Sylvie have been married over 30 years. They have a huge 4 story house that they raised their 3 daughters in. Sylvie is starting to feel like she is stuck in a rut. She decides to retire from her job of 18 years as a secretary, as she never really liked her job. She was looking forward to spending time by herself because her husband, John, was quite bossy. The day after she gives her two week notice at work, her husband comes home after being let go from his job. So Sylvie's precious alone time in no longer viable. John decides that they should split up their home into two separate apartments, and have income from the second apartment. At this point Sylvie has decided to sleep in the second bedroom while the renovations are being done. After the garden apartment is finished, Sylvie settles in and begins enjoying her life - making her own decisions, having a party, and just having fun. John thinks it is a temporary situation. I'm rooting for Sylvie, that's for sure. The only thing that bothered me about this book was the many typos I found.
June 29, 2020
I hate cliff-hangers! Elise Darcy has written a very good story, except there is no resolution for the two main characters. Boo! Her writing is fairly error free and it contains no bad language or explicit sexual content. Her characters are well developed - a very controlling husband and a wife who would rather agree than fight, until she doesn’t. Can she really spend the rest of her life with a man who cares nothing about her feelings, preferences or opinions?
I will never know because Elise stopped the story basically in what I would say is about twenty-thirty pages short of a good ending. This is a shame because she could have used one of the peripheral characters for the main plot of her next book. Now I am so irritated about the cliff-hanger, I will not read the next one.
This book was given to me by the author. The opinions are my own.
I will never know because Elise stopped the story basically in what I would say is about twenty-thirty pages short of a good ending. This is a shame because she could have used one of the peripheral characters for the main plot of her next book. Now I am so irritated about the cliff-hanger, I will not read the next one.
This book was given to me by the author. The opinions are my own.
February 3, 2018
Enjoyed this
This is a story of a late life crisis . The couple have both hit retirement age and have now discovered that they have little in common .Story revolves around what they actually want from life and each other and it's seems like it doesn't include each other .Can the controlling husband take a step back and realise his ways or does the wife's new found freedom mean she actually enjoys her life just the way it is ?
This is a story of a late life crisis . The couple have both hit retirement age and have now discovered that they have little in common .Story revolves around what they actually want from life and each other and it's seems like it doesn't include each other .Can the controlling husband take a step back and realise his ways or does the wife's new found freedom mean she actually enjoys her life just the way it is ?
April 12, 2018
It’s an interesting concept, and a very real look at marriage. Having just celebrated our 40th anniversary, and just beginning an extensive remodeling/redecorating project on our home in preparation for retirement, I found the scenarios relatable. The gap that exists between a couple’s interests and tastes shifts back and forth; never static. Seeing John and Sylvia tackle their gap in such a dramatic, daring way was both interesting and thought-provoking.
January 22, 2020
I enjoyed the witty, charming, characters in this book. It was a good book for me, a little slow, but did intrigue me enough to get the rest of the series. Now I need to know what is going to happen? Who stays, who goes where, and if they end up in the same house still? This story can relate to many marriages of all ages not just retirees. People go through changes in there marriages, and they have to become a ew couple, can they weather the storm?
June 28, 2021
i think i am new to Elise ... love her writing style. great book covers ...such a fan. i love a book that holds my interest ...do u ever go through times where finding a book that will do that is just plain tough. i mean come on .. i guess every once in a while u just run into moments where u have a fall of no cool reads ... i guess that is only normal ...but thankfully i found this read in KU ... i will read more from Elise ... she rocks. i enjoy her writing style ...
April 22, 2019
Ok, I finished it. I almost didn't because it was too close to home.
Not a great book. It had a lot of potential but kept going on and on without any TaDah! I was disappointed.
I think it is tacky to leave everything hanging at the end. Seems like a sneaky way to make you buy the rest of the series.
Not a great book. It had a lot of potential but kept going on and on without any TaDah! I was disappointed.
I think it is tacky to leave everything hanging at the end. Seems like a sneaky way to make you buy the rest of the series.
October 22, 2017
I found this an enormously entertaining book about a couple, who had been married 39 years and suddenly both find themselves at home together without a job or daily routine. The result is chaos and extremely entertaining.
December 29, 2017
I had seen an advert on Facebook for this book and so I downloaded it. It was quite interesting. Altogether I found John incredibly irritating However it will be interesting if the next book favours John more.
April 15, 2023
Living Apart Together (Book1)
What a blast of a book, I can imagine a lot of Married couples will read this and think, there but for the grace of God go I. I laughed all the way through it, you must read this series of books. I am going on to book no 2 now!!
What a blast of a book, I can imagine a lot of Married couples will read this and think, there but for the grace of God go I. I laughed all the way through it, you must read this series of books. I am going on to book no 2 now!!
February 5, 2018
terrible book im desp to get to end of final book book 4!!!!!
July 18, 2021
A funny well read story about a couple where the husband takes over making all the decisions. I wanted to smack him, but laughed as it all backfired on him as his wife started to live her own life.
July 19, 2021
Entertaining
This book describes what happens, if a couple does not communicate. And the husband is a self-righteous male misogynistic chauvinist.
This book describes what happens, if a couple does not communicate. And the husband is a self-righteous male misogynistic chauvinist.
September 3, 2021
Great Book!I
This was a new author for me. Great story line, characters and setting. I read this in one setting as I couldn't put it down. Now I am on to book 2.
This was a new author for me. Great story line, characters and setting. I read this in one setting as I couldn't put it down. Now I am on to book 2.
March 23, 2022
Good read
Enjoyed every minute, not my normal read but really enjoyed it. Will definitely read the rest in this series just to see what happens
Enjoyed every minute, not my normal read but really enjoyed it. Will definitely read the rest in this series just to see what happens
June 11, 2022
Loved it
This book is funny, poignant and thought provoking. I am so looking forward to reading the continuing saga of Sylvie and John and their interaction.
This book is funny, poignant and thought provoking. I am so looking forward to reading the continuing saga of Sylvie and John and their interaction.
July 24, 2023
Lovely read
A great read, lovely storyline. I loved how she has taken a stand and doing things that make her feel better.
Look forward to reading what happens next.
A great read, lovely storyline. I loved how she has taken a stand and doing things that make her feel better.
Look forward to reading what happens next.
August 16, 2025
2025 Popsugar #48 A book that features a married couple who don't live together
May 26, 2020
This book is written well and has great characters, I have to say that the stuff the husband gets up to makes my skin crawl, he is inconsiderate, and a control freak and although the wife could make herself in some ways clearer when making her thoughts and needs to her husband in all honesty I would have divorced him years ago.
Although I suppose in a way the sheer thoughts I had about the man is tantamount to the quality of the authors writing, my feelings about him were so strong that at one point in the book I decided that I was not going to read anymore because he was driving me mad. But low and behold, I had to get the next one, then the next one and even the last one.
I cant say that I became anymore endeared to him throughout all four books, but can see how his wife could.
All four books are full of humour, wickedness and some thought provoking happenings and a family that are all at odds with one another and the expectations of the children of their parents and their siblings.
I can see how you can fall into the way a married couple live and how they worked in a supposed harmony until bad luck befalls them.
Highly recommended. If you feel like me in the first book, please persevere with it and get the next four they are an excellant read.
Although I suppose in a way the sheer thoughts I had about the man is tantamount to the quality of the authors writing, my feelings about him were so strong that at one point in the book I decided that I was not going to read anymore because he was driving me mad. But low and behold, I had to get the next one, then the next one and even the last one.
I cant say that I became anymore endeared to him throughout all four books, but can see how his wife could.
All four books are full of humour, wickedness and some thought provoking happenings and a family that are all at odds with one another and the expectations of the children of their parents and their siblings.
I can see how you can fall into the way a married couple live and how they worked in a supposed harmony until bad luck befalls them.
Highly recommended. If you feel like me in the first book, please persevere with it and get the next four they are an excellant read.
October 31, 2016
A couple face retirement but not in the way that they anticipated. John saw himself working for another 5 years in his “plan”. Sylvie fancied a change as she felt things were not quite right in her life and so handed her notice in at her part time job, just as John faces “early retirement”. They can’t stand being under each other’s feet and what transpires is an unsettled time for them both.
This is an interesting story albeit quite a long one. A life not lived and a life very much planned. At times you want to bang their heads together as all they need is to talk and listen. Something that it appears they have never been able to do in quite the right way. I’m afraid at times it reminded me of the “Janet and John” books- “Are you hungry said Sylvie? John nodded. John was famished”. A disappointing ending but an interesting premise. Not sure if this is really my sort of thing but a light entertaining read nevertheless.
This is an interesting story albeit quite a long one. A life not lived and a life very much planned. At times you want to bang their heads together as all they need is to talk and listen. Something that it appears they have never been able to do in quite the right way. I’m afraid at times it reminded me of the “Janet and John” books- “Are you hungry said Sylvie? John nodded. John was famished”. A disappointing ending but an interesting premise. Not sure if this is really my sort of thing but a light entertaining read nevertheless.
September 25, 2016
I get really angry when a book leaves you with NO resolution. I understand it's a part of a series, but each installment can at least feel like a self-contained story. This one left me hanging. Unfortunately, I don't think I care enough about either of the main characters to want to find out how their story ends.
March 21, 2016
Loved this book
Loved the way the characters camed together. It was so funny in places I shook with laughter. As I read this book it was so easy to visualize the characters and situations. The only thing was the ending. It left you with wanting more and wondering WHATS NEXT?
Loved the way the characters camed together. It was so funny in places I shook with laughter. As I read this book it was so easy to visualize the characters and situations. The only thing was the ending. It left you with wanting more and wondering WHATS NEXT?
June 4, 2016
I enjoyed the story, very different. The husband didn't have a clue what was going on and even when he was staring point blank at it. Have to read the next book to see if he finely sees what the problem is.
September 2, 2016
Was intrigued by the blurb but found this was a case of a short story being made long! I was interested in the various characters but really think the story was dragged out way too long. Not sure I will continue with the series.
September 8, 2016
Woman's struggle for identity
Captures woman's coming of age upon retirement. Husband's rejection of her independent. Battles for control. Too stressful to continue with the series at this time.
Captures woman's coming of age upon retirement. Husband's rejection of her independent. Battles for control. Too stressful to continue with the series at this time.
April 3, 2020
It has some things to recommend it, but was frustrating for the most part. I thought it was good seeing the wife take her life to the point where she was healthy, but she failed to communicate well and her husband was a jerk and oblivious.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews