"A powerful and moving novel!"

This powerful and moving novel held me enthralled and had me up far too late at night reading just one more chapter. Once I started reading, I simply couldn't stop until I'd finished.

At first glance the Fallons are a typical family. Bob is a congressman; Leigh, a stay at home mother who illustrates children's books as a hobby; and their children, Mark, Melissa and Aaron. Mark is in college and talks his parents into hosting a Scandinavian exchange student for a year. This is the beginning of the end of the perfect family.

Erik Haukeland is a twenty-seven year old friendly young man who is working on his Psychology degree. He fits in very well and tries hard to get along with everyone. Leigh starts having fantasies about Erik and is appalled at herself. When she finds a box of condoms in her husband's travel bag, she has to reevaluate her relationship with her husband as she's had a tubal ligation years before. Erik walks in on Leigh just as she finds the condoms. In retaliation toward her husband, Leigh starts an affair with Erik, knowing it is morally wrong. They have no way of knowing that their affair will be much more than that. It will literally tear a family apart.

One moment I was laughing and the next crying in this highly emotional book. It most definitely is a must read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and eagerly look forward to Carole Bellacera's next book.

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted May 30, 2002

Read an Excerpt

He was a guest in their home. He was forbidden. He was...irresistible.

Summary

Kayleigh: Love-starved wife of workaholic congressman, Bob Fallon,wants nothing more from life than to be a good mother and practice her cherished career of illustrating picture books.

Bob: A congressman too consumed with Washington politics--and his attractive legislative aide--to see his wife as more than an elegant centerpiece.

Erik: A charismatic Norwegian who enters their carefully ordered lives and turns them upside down. He makes no secret that if Bob can't give Kayleigh the love she so desperately needs, he will.

For the first time in years, Kayleigh sees desire in a man's eyes, but she tells herself she must be faithful to Bob. Until she finds the packet of condoms in her husband's overnight bag--and realizes the truth about Bob's betrayal. And she asks herself...what does a wronged woman do now?