Is it truly the end?

Synopsis

Spouses Without Benefits – how can you move on without moving out?

Freya and Joe’s marriage has fizzled its way to the end, but for financial reasons, and to support their daughter in her final year of school, they decide they need to keep living together for six months.

They know it won’t be easy, but for Joe at least, it provides creative rewards: a struggling sitcom writer, he has found his new project. Why not write about his own situation? And the network loves it.

There is just one problem – Freya doesn’t know.

Can Freya and Joe navigate the six months together and might they find out something new about their relationship?

A relatable second-chance romcom perfect for fans of Mike Gayle and Beth O’Leary.

My review

Freya and Joe have been married for many years. Unfortunately, things aren’t anymore the same as they were at the beginning, with a separation the only solution. But for financial reasons, and not wanting to disrupt the last year of school of their daughter, they decide to keep living together for those last six months.
With strict rules and agreements made, Freya and Joe are trying to live according to the new arrangements. Easier said than done of course, because this is new territory for everyone. And how can Joe tell Freya that he finally found new inspiration for a new sitcom, but that it is all based on his experiences with the separation? And what will happen when those six months are over?

As this was my first encounter with this author, I didn’t really know what to expect from this book. So in my mind, I had expected more action, more nasty and sneaky backstabbing, with actual heavy fights.

Yet I positively surprised when realization dawned that this isn’t the kind of story where a separated couple want to see each other’s blood, but are trying to keep things amicable, and want to do their best to be honest, fair and respectful towards each other. I think that many people in a likewise situation could learn from reading this book.

Obviously this isn’t a story where the new changes are accepted easily, and everything just goes smoothly. No, because both Freya and Joe need to adapt to this changed interaction, this new situation for them. And it is not without trial and error that they move forward.

What I liked about this couple, is that it isn’t that there was this big incident that means the end of their marriage. But it’s just a matter that perhaps the spark has gone, and they both have changed over the years. They still deeply care about each other, but it is not that their marriage is filled with excitement and fireworks.

And while it is perhaps for the wrong reasons that they are both staying in their home of the coming six months, beside the financial matters, it was also rather sweet to read how they put their daughter first, and don’t become selfish.

In a way, I pitied Joe in this story. Because he is somehow in a downward spiral since his last sitcom wasn’t the success he expected. Since then, he clearly lacks confidence and inspiration. Also the fact that he is very closed off about expressing his emotions and feelings, makes his struggles not only even more painful, but also very realistic. Because let’s be honest, men used to grow up with learning not to take about such ‘stuff’…

And unfortunately, him not speaking out, also creates awkward situations with Freya, especially when he starts to use his own experiences as inspiration. Of course we all know beforehand that Freya won’t be all that thrilled with Joe’s latest writings…

Not only Joe is struggling with all the adaptations, also Freya is. So this isn’t absolutely a case of a bad person vs. a good person. It is all circumstantial, and in a way even necessary.

Freya has and always will be supporting Joe, and she never has and never will blame him for his struggles, work-related and otherwise.  But I can understand her when she feels that there should be more in a marriage to survive than the marriage she is in now.

While of course a separation is unfortunate, it also gives Freya the chance to find herself again. During their marriage, it is clear that during the whole process, Freya lost herself a bit. Ans seeing this Freya who is freer, was just amazing to see.

That doesn’t mean of course that she just does as she pleases, as she still takes Joe’s feelings in account, and she keeps wondering if despite the missing sparks, a separation is the right solution.

This is truly a journey for both Joe and Freya, trying to figure out where their future lays. There are several downs, but also so many ‘ups’ as they both try to do their best to make it all go as smoothly as possible. And that is truly inspiring, to keep the bigger picture in mind, no matter what happens.

I found this a great book to read, as it gives you not only an idea what it is to go through a separation, but also the emotional turmoil the couple can find themselves in. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, because what is the right thing to do truly? 

As a first encounter with this author, it for sure was a great one! The struggles and the pain felt so real, but also the happier moments kept putting a smile on my face! What looked as a painful story at the start, turned into a great, sweet, even funny, heartwarming story!