Results May Vary by Bethany Chase Published by Ballantine Books Publication Date: August 9th 2016
Pages: 336
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She never saw it coming. Without even a shiver of suspicion to warn her, Caroline Hammond discovers that her husband is having an affair with a man—a revelation that forces her to question their entire history together, from their early days as high school sweethearts through their ten years as a happily married couple. In her now upside-down world, Caroline begins envisioning her life without the relationship that has defined it: the loneliness of being an “I” instead of a “we”; the rekindled yet tenuous closeness with her younger sister; and the unexpected—and potentially disastrous—attraction she can’t get off her mind. Caroline always thought she knew her own love story, but as her husband’s other secrets emerge, she must decide whether that story’s ending will mean forgiving the man she’s loved for half her life, or facing her future without him.
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.
Wow. That’s what I have to say about discovering your husband is having an affair with a man. In Results May Vary, that’s exactly what happens to Caroline and in a kind of public way. Ouch. Had I known Adam & Caroline in “real life”, I would’ve been suspicious of their marital bliss. I am leery of people who seem to have a perfect relationship. In my mind, if it appears too perfect, there’s more to the story.
Since readers know going into this book that this is what happens, you may wonder how Bethany Chase can surprise you. I found that Chase accurately portrayed the roller coaster ride a relationship takes when something like this happens. Just when you think Caroline has got it figured out (can she forgive him & weather the storm of staying together as her mom encourages her to do? Will she never speak to Adam again and take him to the cleaners?), she realizes it’s not as simple a decision as it seems. Many of us will say we know exactly what we would do in Caroline’s position, but Chase manages to present other characters and scenarios that make Caroline (and I think the readers) look at this from other perspectives. This book is written in a way that takes readers along on this roller coaster ride with Caroline.
I appreciated that this story wasn’t always predictable. As I stated, Caroline goes through various stages throughout the book, truly struggling with coming to terms with her life as she knows it after this “revelation”. She develops a new sense of herself professionally, and in new relationships as well as nurturing existing ones. Caroline’s struggle was portrayed very authentically—missing her husband, hating him, being angry, sad, forgiving, nostalgic, furious, shocked, resigned…Chase takes readers on Caroline’s journey of acceptance and moving on and it is a rough ride.
Many readers will be able to identify with Caroline’s story. Even if the specifics are different, the pain of a betrayal and/or a break up is universal and you can’t help but feel for Caroline. You will want to pour her some wine and let her cry on your shoulder—and maybe crack Adam in the head with the bottle!
