C.H. Armstrong Books

I love Tuesdays–they’re my favorite day of the entire week! Why? Because Tuesdays mean BOOK BIRTHDAYS! It’s the traditional day of the week for the release of new books!   Today, I’m especially excited because today is the release of Cathy Lamb’s newest novel, THE MAN SHE MARRIED.

In full disclosure, let me first say that I was given a free advance copy of this novel for an honest review. With that said, I’m happy to say that my review is in no way “enhanced” by having been gifted with a free copy.

Now, on to my thoughts on THE MAN SHE MARRIED…

If you’ve followed me for very long, you probably know that Cathy is one of my all-time favorite authors. I fell in love with her books about eight years ago when I ran across her release of SUCH A PRETTY FACE. The title called out to me and, without knowing a single thing about the book, I bought it and devoured it in one sitting. Since then, I’ve managed to read all of Cathy’s books and have fallen irrevocably in love with her characters, their wit, their heartbreak, and their human spirit.

Today I’m happy to report that Cathy’s newest novel, THE MAN SHE MARRIED, is every bit as engaging as her previous novels. In some ways, maybe even more so!

So what’s it about?

Natalie and Zach are the ideal couple who have found their soul mates in each other. But after a tragic accident, Natalie finds herself in a “Coma Coffin.” When she regains consciousness, she struggles to heal and find the woman she once was. But something’s not right. Her husband, Zach, is keeping a secret. A huge one. She knows it, but she can’t quite figure it out and, when she asks him, he’s evasive. But trust me when I tell you the secret is HUGE.

Still, knowing Zach has a huge secret doesn’t detract from his complete likability as a character. Throughout the book, the reader only gets a hint of what the big secret is; and yet it’s completely impossible to resist falling in love with him and hoping that–whatever the secret is–he and Natalie can overcome it and live happily ever after.

Fans of Cathy Lamb are accustomed to finding quirky supporting characters, and THE MAN SHE MARRIED is no different. Aside from the main characters, Natalie and Zach are surrounded by strong, loving, funny, colorful and completely engaging friends and family. It is simply impossible to resist falling in love with every one of the characters.

It is probably with no small amount of shock for those who know me–or those who’ve read any of Cathy Lamb’s novels–that I give THE MAN SHE MARRIED a strong 5-star review! Get it today–you won’t be sorry!

THE MAN SHE MARRIED

Release Date: October 30, 2018
Kensington Publishing
(Synopsis taken from author’s website)

Natalie Shelton is in a coma.
That’s not her only problem.

A little longer summary for those who are curious:

When Natalie Shelton thinks back to how things were before the car accident, she remembers a great marriage. She and her husband, Zack, seem as strong and dependable together as the houses he builds. They live in Portland, Oregon, and Natalie is co-owner of a successful accounting firm. They’re happy, she’s almost sure of it.

Yet as Natalie lies trapped in a coma, unable to communicate though aware of everything around her, she realizes that her husband is hiding something. Zack has always been reticent about his past, which she attributed to an unhappy childhood. Now the strange calls he’s receiving, the apologies when he thinks she can’t hear him, and her fragmented memories from the morning of the accident suggest a deeper secret.

When she finally awakens, Natalie is determined to find out the truth. Sorting through clues as her brain heals, she realizes she has a rare opportunity—to reexamine the life she’s made and the man she’s made it with. But as answers come to light, she faces surprising, heartrending decisions, as well as a danger that could upend her world once again, as Zack’s past finally catches up with them . . .