The Life & Times of a Book Addict: Covet by Tracey Garvis-Graves

Publication: September 17, 2013

Publisher: Dutton Adult

From the author of the New York Times bestseller On the Island.

What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else?

Chris and Claire Canton’s marriage is on life support. Downsized during the recession and out of work for a year, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. When he’s offered a position that will keep him away from home four nights a week, he dismisses Claire’s concern that time apart could be the one thing their fragile union can’t weather. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.

Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. He pulls Claire over during a routine traffic stop, and they run into each other again at the 4th of July parade. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department, her friendship with Daniel grows, and soon they’re spending hours together.

Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire’s marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn’t take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads, and skating close to the line that Claire has sworn she’ll never cross.

Though I had heard a lot of good things about Tracey Garvis-Graves, this was the first book by her that I had read.

I’m glad that I decided to give this book a go, because I ended up liking it.

This is one of those books that, even though you may know where things are headed, it still feels very much real; all of the characters and their situations. And I couldn’t help but keep turning pages to find out what would happen next.

The book is told from three POV’s; Claire, Chris, and Daniel, though there is more from Claire’s side than the others.

From the outside it first appeared to Chris and Claire’s friends that they had the perfect marriage, but inside things are not that great.

After losing his job, home life becomes strained for Chris and Claire. And when he has no luck finding another job quickly, he becomes withdrawn from her and the family. Claire hopes that when he finds another job, things will improve, but they don’t. Chris’s new job requires him to travel often, which makes Claire feel even more alone than she previously was.

Enter Daniel, who is a police officer that pulls Claire over one day, and after that moment, they keep running into each other at different places. A new friendship between these two begins to form. Their attraction towards each other slowly builds the more time they spend together.

I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. I know I have already said it once, but I will say it again…This story felt like a real and relatable story. It’s something that I believe can happen to anyone. It had me wondering…how wise is it to befriend someone you’re attracted to and how much time is too much time together. This book is filled with lots of drama and emotion, but nothing over the top. I really liked it.

If you are a fan of Tracey Gravis-Graves or just looking for a good contemporary adult read, I recommend giving this book a try.

RATING: 4 OUT OF 5.

** I received this book of behalf of the publisher, in exchange for nothing except my honest opinion. Thank you. **

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