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Espoused
(v.) to take in marriage; to make a marriage permanent by court decree; the court-approved process by which couples may stay together beyond the legal 15-year termThere is no such thing as divorce. Fifteen years is the legal life cycle of a marriage. If a couple wants to stay married, they must hire a lawyer and petition the court to become espoused.After 14 years of marriage, Sara and Thomas Healy are still in love. Their decision to go to court to be espoused permanently is a source of great embarrassment for their children. Avery is ready for the benefits of uncoupling, and Sam really doesn’t need the social stigma of parents who decide to stay together, on top of everything else. Lame!
Their espouse attorney, Gwen Stevens, has other problems. The judge for the Healy case is her nemesis, Carly Abraham, also known as “the Wicked Witch of the Bench.” Judge Abraham was previously married to Gwen’s husband Dennis, from whom she uncoupled after the allotted 15 years. She hates espouse lawyers on principle and seems to have an extra dose of dislike for Gwen personally.
While the Healys struggle through the espouse experience - trial separation, uncouple counseling, and ongoing financial burdens - Gwen has to deal with the judge and her own struggles at home. In this fight for love, who has the answers?
Scroll up and grab a copy today.
Their espouse attorney, Gwen Stevens, has other problems. The judge for the Healy case is her nemesis, Carly Abraham, also known as “the Wicked Witch of the Bench.” Judge Abraham was previously married to Gwen’s husband Dennis, from whom she uncoupled after the allotted 15 years. She hates espouse lawyers on principle and seems to have an extra dose of dislike for Gwen personally.
While the Healys struggle through the espouse experience - trial separation, uncouple counseling, and ongoing financial burdens - Gwen has to deal with the judge and her own struggles at home. In this fight for love, who has the answers?
Scroll up and grab a copy today.
Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2021
9 people want to read
About the author
Jean Marie Davis
1 book38 followersJean Marie Davis was born and raised in Huntington, New York. After graduating from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, she moved back to Long Island, where she worked in the marketing research industry for over thirty years. She currently lives in Centerport, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 18, 2021
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Espoused is a very different story line than anything I have read before. There are lots of characters to keep up with, which was difficult at first and it slows the pace of the story, but this got easier as you learn more about all of the different people. Imagine if you could be uncoupled after 15 years of marriage. And if you want to stay together, be Espoused, this is when you have to go to court to stay together. This is what you will find in this debut fiction from Jean Marie Davis.
This is a fun read but it all seems so bazaar at times. Especially everything a couple has to do to be Espoused. The judge seems to add enough to their lives to make them want to uncouple. I really like the Healys, and it was difficult to see them following all of the rules that was thrown at them, and I didn’t really care for the way they turned out in the end. There were, however some surprises during the Healys final court day. One thing interesting was that over 50% of the couples that were married were wanting to be espoused. This book is Four Stars for me. Espoused is different and an entertaining read. I encourage you to check it out.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Espoused is a very different story line than anything I have read before. There are lots of characters to keep up with, which was difficult at first and it slows the pace of the story, but this got easier as you learn more about all of the different people. Imagine if you could be uncoupled after 15 years of marriage. And if you want to stay together, be Espoused, this is when you have to go to court to stay together. This is what you will find in this debut fiction from Jean Marie Davis.
This is a fun read but it all seems so bazaar at times. Especially everything a couple has to do to be Espoused. The judge seems to add enough to their lives to make them want to uncouple. I really like the Healys, and it was difficult to see them following all of the rules that was thrown at them, and I didn’t really care for the way they turned out in the end. There were, however some surprises during the Healys final court day. One thing interesting was that over 50% of the couples that were married were wanting to be espoused. This book is Four Stars for me. Espoused is different and an entertaining read. I encourage you to check it out.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
August 27, 2021
Espoused is a very unique concept. What if the law only allowed marriages to last fifteen years? Then you became "uncoupled" and, to stay together, had to fight in court to become espoused.
The entire premise of this book is mind-blowing. It turns the concept of marriage and divorce on its head. Instead of fighting to divorce, a couple is tasked with convincing the courts that they should remain married. Would people battle as hard for marriage as they do for a divorce? Would stigmas be placed on children of espoused couples? The possibilities are endless.
Not only is this a thought-provoking tale, but there are several subplots of unrequited love, regrets, teen angst, and finding yourself in the maddening world.
Above all, I think this is a novel about the power of love. It has the power to heal or destroy. It's up to each individual to make love work for them in the best of all ways.
I quite enjoyed reading this book as I found so much uplifting in the stories between the covers. The last few chapters had me in tears of sorrow and laughing with joy. So I am happy to recommend Espoused to all lovers of great speculative fiction, as well as love stories.
I read the book through the Amazon Kindle Unlimited program. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.
The entire premise of this book is mind-blowing. It turns the concept of marriage and divorce on its head. Instead of fighting to divorce, a couple is tasked with convincing the courts that they should remain married. Would people battle as hard for marriage as they do for a divorce? Would stigmas be placed on children of espoused couples? The possibilities are endless.
Not only is this a thought-provoking tale, but there are several subplots of unrequited love, regrets, teen angst, and finding yourself in the maddening world.
Above all, I think this is a novel about the power of love. It has the power to heal or destroy. It's up to each individual to make love work for them in the best of all ways.
I quite enjoyed reading this book as I found so much uplifting in the stories between the covers. The last few chapters had me in tears of sorrow and laughing with joy. So I am happy to recommend Espoused to all lovers of great speculative fiction, as well as love stories.
I read the book through the Amazon Kindle Unlimited program. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.
August 13, 2021
I have to admit that at first, I was not sure if I was going to enjoy Jean Marie Davis’s newest release, Espoused. Once I got through the first chapter, I knew that I was going to be in for a treat. The author’s writing style is so very good. I loved the unique plot that she had created. It was great to let out some much-needed laughs for a change. There are a lot characters to keep up with but not overwhelmingly so. I was surprised how easy it was to read without being confused. I felt as though I was part of each of their lives. I loved every single page of this book.
I will be giving Espoused a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading a fun, delightful and humorous book with a new type of story line. I would love to read more by Jean Marie Davis in the near future. I have to see where else her imagination will take her readers. This one would be a perfect book to read on a rainy or a cold, snowy day. I am adding it to one of my favorites I have read for the year and placing it on my limited keeper shelf to read again and again.
I received a paperback copy of Espoused from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I will be giving Espoused a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading a fun, delightful and humorous book with a new type of story line. I would love to read more by Jean Marie Davis in the near future. I have to see where else her imagination will take her readers. This one would be a perfect book to read on a rainy or a cold, snowy day. I am adding it to one of my favorites I have read for the year and placing it on my limited keeper shelf to read again and again.
I received a paperback copy of Espoused from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
July 26, 2021
Unique and Different – Loved it!
Imagine a world where everyone assumes a marriage will end after 15 years and Divorce didn’t exist. The premise of Espoused is very unique and you get everyone’s POV, the main couple wanting to stay together, or Espouse, the judge, the lawyer, the kids, even the best friends. It allows you to see different perspectives and really helps you to understand the choices people make. The setting is Long Island, New York so if you are from there that adds a sense of familiarity that I greatly appreciate, the details are awesome! The writing is refreshing and you are emersed in this new and different world. Even though this is a complete book, I wasn’t ready for it to end and wanted to know what happened next for everyone in the book. I’d happily read another book by this author!
Imagine a world where everyone assumes a marriage will end after 15 years and Divorce didn’t exist. The premise of Espoused is very unique and you get everyone’s POV, the main couple wanting to stay together, or Espouse, the judge, the lawyer, the kids, even the best friends. It allows you to see different perspectives and really helps you to understand the choices people make. The setting is Long Island, New York so if you are from there that adds a sense of familiarity that I greatly appreciate, the details are awesome! The writing is refreshing and you are emersed in this new and different world. Even though this is a complete book, I wasn’t ready for it to end and wanted to know what happened next for everyone in the book. I’d happily read another book by this author!
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August 25, 2021I loved the premise of this book. What would life looked like if all first marriages dissolved after 15 years? What if couples had to prove that they wanted to stay together longer than that?
The world building is the core of this book. The story follows the Healys, who want to stay married. This is embarrassing for their children who are singled out by their school for counseling because of their unusual home life. Their children's friends are so for them that they won't get to have two houses, two Christmases, and two birthdays. Can you imagine being so deprived? Why are their parents being so selfish?
Their lawyer Gwen has been married for 26 years to a man who was previously married to the judge in the case. The judge hates people who want to get espoused and she really hates Gwen. She decides to make the Healys follow the letter of the law to see if she can convince them to uncouple.
The judge's clerk and his wife are due to uncouple soon. Both want to apply to be espoused but can't quite bring themselves to say it outloud.
Another couple recently uncoupled but are starting to spend more and more time together. That's not normal behavior.
Each of these groups decide what their lives and marriages are going to look like during the course of the Healys' trial separation and counseling. Meanwhile their children are all trying to deal with parents who are going against the norms of society.
I enjoyed this book. I liked seeing how she decided what this world was going to look like. The end result is a fun satire of marriage and divorce.
Giveaway:
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This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
August 19, 2021
4.5 stars I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
In the real world, married life has no time limit. Some people stay together for decades, months, weeks, or even a few days. No one dictates how long you have to stay married. It’s all in the hands of a couple. However, Espoused by Jean Marie Davis has changed all the marriage rules. In this novel, couples stay married only fifteen years. Then, they must start the process of becoming uncoupled. I mean, it’s the law. Of course, they could choose to remain married, but the process is lengthy and a royal pain in the keister. There’s a trial separation, counseling for the kids, couple counseling, and TONS of paperwork. Plus, court check-ins — all in the name to stay joined. See, A PAIN IN THE BUTT!
Unlike in real life, the majority of children in Espoused want their parents to become uncoupled. They want the two Christmases, parties, and separation gifts. In a conversation between a child and their parents, the child thought it was his fault the parents wanted to stay married. WOW, talk about a bizarro world!
Espoused stated parents who stay together are considered “freaks.” Children of espoused parents are the laughingstock of the school.
Espoused uniqueness is what drew me in and kept me turning the pages. It’s a book I will be recommending to others!
Content Rating: PG for the subject matter of adult relationships/marriage/divorce, but there is no bad language or explicit sex scenes. For those who have cancer or have lost someone to cancer, some scenes might be a trigger for you.
(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
September 2, 2021
Unique Story-Line with Wonderful Characters. Growing up in a small town as a child with divorced parents--during a time and place when divorced parents were rare--I could certainly identify with the children traumatized by "espousing" as the author presented them in the novel. The author does a beautiful job creating her characters, developing their personal stories and relationships--and showing the challenges and struggles of the families facing the unpopular decision to espouse. Readers will become so drawn to the characters and their futures that it is impossible to put the book down.
The Novel Shares Many Views on the Plot at Hand. The author's writing style perfectly develops her story through her characters and their personal experiences with the laws regarding marriage & espousing. By showing many sides of the same debate--she can present many aspects of emotions, love, marriage, and life. The author flawlessly moved between characters and families to tell the "whole" story and keep readers engaged on every page. There was never a point where the novel slowed or became confusing.
Would I Recommend Espoused by Jean Marie Davis? When I first read the novel's description--I doubted that I would find the story "real" or relatable. I was expecting a satirical look at love, divorce, and marriage. While it is presented humorously and turns the concepts of long-lasting marriage and divorce around for readers, it is so well written and the characters so well-drawn that it is still possible to relate, sympathize, and root for them throughout the novel. If you enjoy contemporary fiction, romance, and family dramas--with a twist--this is the perfect book for your reading list.
The Novel Shares Many Views on the Plot at Hand. The author's writing style perfectly develops her story through her characters and their personal experiences with the laws regarding marriage & espousing. By showing many sides of the same debate--she can present many aspects of emotions, love, marriage, and life. The author flawlessly moved between characters and families to tell the "whole" story and keep readers engaged on every page. There was never a point where the novel slowed or became confusing.
Would I Recommend Espoused by Jean Marie Davis? When I first read the novel's description--I doubted that I would find the story "real" or relatable. I was expecting a satirical look at love, divorce, and marriage. While it is presented humorously and turns the concepts of long-lasting marriage and divorce around for readers, it is so well written and the characters so well-drawn that it is still possible to relate, sympathize, and root for them throughout the novel. If you enjoy contemporary fiction, romance, and family dramas--with a twist--this is the perfect book for your reading list.
August 19, 2021
Reading through the first pages you are introduced to Gwen and know about her husband who’s battling with cancer. You are immediately introduce to ‘Espousing’ which was someone I was unfamiliar with so I enjoyed the knowledge this book provided. Even went back and forth between google. This then intrigued me to know what will unfold throughout the whole book.
Every chapter is told from a different characters Pete give whether it was the Healy’s children, the judge or Gwen etc. That got me even more hooked every chapter I finished and started. Every different perspective got me more engrossed with ‘Espousing’.
The entwining relationships throughout the book had me on the edge with like ‘oh no’ thoughts and ‘this is going to be interesting’. I thoroughly enjoyed the write up of this book. The way the chapters flowed and bought everything closer piece by piece.
I did however have a massive dislike towards judge Abraham and Kadir in some ways. But that was just their perception on espousing. It got me thinking imagine being married to the love of your life for fifteen years and having to split or fight to stay together. Talk about relationship stress. Anyway I absolutely loved this. It was incredible and completely different.
Every chapter is told from a different characters Pete give whether it was the Healy’s children, the judge or Gwen etc. That got me even more hooked every chapter I finished and started. Every different perspective got me more engrossed with ‘Espousing’.
The entwining relationships throughout the book had me on the edge with like ‘oh no’ thoughts and ‘this is going to be interesting’. I thoroughly enjoyed the write up of this book. The way the chapters flowed and bought everything closer piece by piece.
I did however have a massive dislike towards judge Abraham and Kadir in some ways. But that was just their perception on espousing. It got me thinking imagine being married to the love of your life for fifteen years and having to split or fight to stay together. Talk about relationship stress. Anyway I absolutely loved this. It was incredible and completely different.
August 31, 2021
Imagine a world where the legal term of a marriage is 15 years. Once you’ve been married 15 years, you Uncouple, but all the logistics have already been worked out in the years leading up to the uncoupling time. But if you and your spouse feel that you’re still in love or still need to be together, you must get Espoused and go in front of a judge to plead your case. Sara and Thomas still love each other and don’t want to go through the Uncoupling process, so they hire Gwen to be their Espouse lawyer. Unfortunately for all involved, the judge they’re assigned is Judge Abraham, who was previously married to Gwen’s current husband. What a mess. This is a fun read imagining how the world would be different if marriages had legal time limits. It’s an easy read that I flew through in a day. You also get to see what the children of the parents seeking to be espoused think and how they feel about their parents wanting to stay together. Thank you so much to iReadBookTours and Jean Marie Davis for my copy!
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August 15, 2021
I must admit, Espoused is one of the most unique, surprising books I’ve ever read. How creative! How novel! With a premise of a marriage’s legal life cycle being fifteen years and there being no such thing as a divorce—becoming espoused instead (going to court to stay married) this book is highly imaginative!
It takes little effort to sink into this story and fall in love with the Healys. And it’s a bit mind boggling to reverse my brain into thinking opposites (in a sense) in marriage and divorce. (Describing what I mean is even more boggling, so skip over that previous sentence if you so desire.)
All the twists in this winding story of love, espousement, lawyers, kids, and counselors is fun and has me a little dizzy. I enjoyed this story and it got quite a few chuckles out of me. The various perspectives and one-of-a-kind plot made this story fun, full, and totally unexpected.
Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ
It takes little effort to sink into this story and fall in love with the Healys. And it’s a bit mind boggling to reverse my brain into thinking opposites (in a sense) in marriage and divorce. (Describing what I mean is even more boggling, so skip over that previous sentence if you so desire.)
All the twists in this winding story of love, espousement, lawyers, kids, and counselors is fun and has me a little dizzy. I enjoyed this story and it got quite a few chuckles out of me. The various perspectives and one-of-a-kind plot made this story fun, full, and totally unexpected.
Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ
September 3, 2021
Marriage is always a battle between two people in love or fall out of love
This book is an opening for me and my marriage. It is always a battle between two people in love or falls out of love. I will admit I like the uncoupling when couples are not happy being in love. Divorced is the last hurray for every marriage. We should try to spend time with ourselves even if we are married. The "Me" time is very important like spending time with your friends or just go shopping or drink coffee by yourself to have peace in your life when everything is in chaos.
I felt bad for the kids but sometimes you have to do what is right for your marriage. It does not matter if you are espoused or uncoupling.
This story is so emotional. I cried in that specific chapter. Working in a nursing home, I have experienced so many scenarios like that. In the end, love always wins. It does not matter if you are espoused or uncoupling.
This book is an opening for me and my marriage. It is always a battle between two people in love or falls out of love. I will admit I like the uncoupling when couples are not happy being in love. Divorced is the last hurray for every marriage. We should try to spend time with ourselves even if we are married. The "Me" time is very important like spending time with your friends or just go shopping or drink coffee by yourself to have peace in your life when everything is in chaos.
I felt bad for the kids but sometimes you have to do what is right for your marriage. It does not matter if you are espoused or uncoupling.
This story is so emotional. I cried in that specific chapter. Working in a nursing home, I have experienced so many scenarios like that. In the end, love always wins. It does not matter if you are espoused or uncoupling.
May 18, 2022
Certainly different
In the near future, marriages in the USA are automatically "uncoupled" once 15 years of marriage are reached. The view is that this is the standard lifecycle of a marriage and any spouses wisheling to stay together must seek out a lawyer, undergo counseling and a grueling legal process. Sara and Tom are beginning this now, they are in love, their kids are embarrassed they are doing this and their lawyer is jaded and tired of the whole dog and pony show. While this was an interesting story and plot, it was quite hard to get into and the story seemed to drag on. The pacing wasnt fast and I found Gwen's dissatisfaction to be very frustrating and depressing. Not truly my cup of tea.
In the near future, marriages in the USA are automatically "uncoupled" once 15 years of marriage are reached. The view is that this is the standard lifecycle of a marriage and any spouses wisheling to stay together must seek out a lawyer, undergo counseling and a grueling legal process. Sara and Tom are beginning this now, they are in love, their kids are embarrassed they are doing this and their lawyer is jaded and tired of the whole dog and pony show. While this was an interesting story and plot, it was quite hard to get into and the story seemed to drag on. The pacing wasnt fast and I found Gwen's dissatisfaction to be very frustrating and depressing. Not truly my cup of tea.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews