For Better Or For Granted by Amy R. Anguish

This review is also longer thinking it would go into Clean Fiction Magazine but someone already beat me to it. LOL Popular book. Read on.

First Impressions: For Better Or For Granted is an atypical romance story with strong characters. A well written and biblically based, ‘how to’ relationship/romance book. 

Action: This story is a real-life marriage setting in a small town with day-to-day living, work challenges, friendships, family, and counseling. The writer takes the reader into sports events, school activities, daily work and home activities, bible studies, and counseling sessions.   

Adventure: Scott is a former basketball coach turned principle, and Genevieve is a school nurse in the same school. Convenient? Maybe. In the first year or so, yes, but they don’t see it that way or utilize it anymore. As in every relationship, there are ups and downs, some created by circumstances and others by choice and or neglect. For Better Or For Granted starts off with an ultimatum by Genevieve to her husband of four years, Scott. The marital romance has completely died and all that remains are two ships sailing past each other, drawn away through irritations and neglect. Can they save their marriage, or will they call it quits and walk away?   

Discovery: Blame game and business have created havoc in this marriage, which once stood strong in love, companionship, and faith in God. They lost all of that. Their faith has suffered right along with their relationship. Through advice both solicited and unexpected, they see how they each have pulled the string that unravels the tapestry of love.

Romance: At the beginning, romance is almost nonexistent in this couple’s relationship. The spark is gone. Two people who were made for each other and madly in love have morphed into strangers. Each one sees the other person, not as they once did. Feeling unloved by her husband, a co-worker only makes matters worse for both her and Scott, blindsides Genevieve. Toward the end, romance appears as pretending turns into the real thing. When that happens, the reader can feel the emotion and romance play out on the page. The last scene is sweet, cute, playful, fun, and exactly what we want in romance.   

Religion: There are bible lessons, verses, Christian principles, and prayers. These biblical principles are pointed out, explained, and practiced.  

Sports: There is an appreciation for basketball and competition, but it does not get too entrenched in the workings of the game. I’d like a hotdog from the concessions too.

Final Thoughts: There are references to unwanted sexual advances, and a punch is intercepted, but all tastefully done. Divorce is mentioned and considered. This is a splendid book on the theme of marriage and relationships. As the story plays out, there are almost step-by-step instructions on how to guard your heart and how to get the spark back into your relationship. I enjoyed reading the author’s thoughts as to why she wrote this story and the discussion questions at the end are a plus for book clubs. I enjoyed this book and I think you will also.

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