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The Real Thing
Linda Rettstatt, author
Jane and Mitch Devereaux have had what appeared to be an unshakable marriage--until now. Jane's sudden success as an author and Mitch's dissatisfaction with the changes in their life drive a wedge between them. When Jane uses their sex life to practice scenes for her novel, it's the last straw for Mitch. He doesn't intend to stay away, just spend the night somewhere else. But his injured ego won't let him walk back through the door. Jane is confused by his departure; Mitch only wants to have things back to the way they were. Their marriage teeters on the edge of disaster until they realize that sometimes love can be found in the most unexpected place--right where you left it.
Reviews
Rettstatt’s short, smart contemporary keeps readers engaged with a candid look at what happens when simmering anger reaches a boil. Jane and Mitch Devereaux have a perfect marriage. He’s an advertising executive. She’s a successful romance novelist. They’ve spent 20-odd years raising two great kids and supporting each other’s careers. But lately sex has become a problem. It’s not that it’s gotten rote—quite the opposite. Jane has been pushing Mitch to be more and more sexually creative so she can turn their bedroom antics into scenes for her novels. Finally, he gets fed up with a love life that’s devolved into a series of literary research projects. Rather than hashing things out with Jane, Mitch stalks out the door, gets his own apartment, and then can’t quite figure out what comes next. Mitch’s wounded ego and Jane’s total bafflement at his actions are completely believable, thanks to Rettstatt’s skill at crafting characters that readers will care about and cheer for. There are no villains here, only two well-meaning spouses trying their very best to be true to themselves and keep their flame burning. (BookLife)
