Book Review: Covet by Tracey Garvis Graves

Covet
Author: Tracey Garvis Graves
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Romance/Chick Lit
Released: September 17th 2013
Review Source: Dutton Adult

Tracey Garvis Graves, the New York Times bestselling author of On the Island, returns.

What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else?

Chris and Claire Canton's marriage is on life support. Downsized during the recession and out of work for a year, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. When he's offered a position that will keep him away from home four nights a week, he dismisses Claire's concern that time apart could be the one thing their fragile union can't weather. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.

Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. He pulls Claire over during a routine traffic stop and runs into her again at the 4th of July parade. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department, her friendship with Daniel grows, and soon they're spending hours together.

Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire's marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn't take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads, and skating close to the line that Claire has sworn she'll never cross.

My first experience with Tracey Garvis Graves was when I read her fantastic novel On the Island that had just been picked up by publishers after being a success as a self published novel. I've been patiently waiting for more from Tracey and when I heard she would be at BEA and signing Covet. I was ecstatic. One I would finally get to meet her in person, which I did and second I would get to read more from her. 

Covet surprised me. It's nothing like On the Island, so if you go in expecting that deserted island and hot couple, you will be disappointed. Covet is definitely written for adults. I don't think anyone under the age of 21 will relate with Covet unless they have a family or are married. This novel will hit home for many who will read it. Those readers will be the ones to understand the struggles and issues that the characters experience in Covet. Its not your normal HEA, this is real life at its finest and it shows it takes hard work sometimes to reach your Happy Ever After. 

Claire and Chris are the main couple in this book. They have been married for over 10 years and are struggling after Chris was laid off due to the recession. Chris separated himself from his wife and kids pretty much. Leaving Claire to fend for her family while he isolated himself. When Chris finally acquires a new job, it requires for him to be away for days at a time traveling. Pretty much it still feels like Claire doesn't have a husband and the kids miss their father. This situation in any marriage will hurt the relationship. How can Claire ignore her feelings. I myself would not be able to. So months pass and Claire has a daily routine that when Chris is home she feels he gets in the way. Their is just no passion left in their marriage. Then one day Claire meets a police officer and slowly but surely they develop a "friendship". Claire begins to wonder if this friendship with Daniel is not healthy or if this is what she has been deserving for years now. Just someone that will give her the time of day. For many this is cheating but what is Claire to do when the man she said I do too doesn't acknowledge her.

You do get to understand Chris since his character is one of the 3 point of views Tracey wrote the story in. Daniel and Claire get their own parts too. Covet as I mention will relate to many and this is realistic fiction at its finest. Covet is written in the same beautiful prose as On the Island but the scenario and story are its own entity. You will ask yourself, "Why do I want to read sometime so deep and compacted when I have my won issues I deal with?". I am going to say yes you will want too, because Covet is beautifully written and even though its complicated, just maybe during that time you are reading it your problems might not seems as complicated. Tracey wasn't afraid to touch strong subjects many deal with on an everyday level, she masterfully executed the delivery and show us that in the end you are the only one that can decide what is right or wrong for your life. 

Thank you to Tracey for an amazing journey with these characters as they dealt with their demons and showing us even after the world seems to be closing in on you their is still a light at the end of the tunnel and a Happy Ever After too.

p.s. I HEART Covet's cover. Its beautiful.