Review: Desire Extinguished (Warning Spoilers)
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 07 15, 2013
Making It Last is described as "desire reinvented." This is inaccurate and misleading. This story is not the sensual escapist fantasy that it is advertised to be. Instead, Making It Last is a despondent and realistic depiction of a stale marriage and reads more like a cathartic couples therapy exercise than a contemporary romance.(Warning: Spoilers Below)Thirteen years of marriage and three boys later, Amber's and Tony's relationship has stalled. Amber is overstressed, depressed and drifting. Her family, witnesses to her despair, gifts her with a few extra days to herself in Jamaica hoping it's what she needs to mend her broken spirit.With every page turn, I was desperate to be rewarded for reading Amber's dismal and never ending inner monologue as she mulls over her discontent with her life and husband. I was waiting for and expecting a monumental and sexually explosive re-connection with Tony that would save their marriage and, frankly, the novella. Unfortunately, there is no cataclysmic-romance-reborn-sex in this story. The very little actual passion and sex that does transpire between the couple is constantly interrupted by distractingly sad tangent thoughts that completely douse any fire that may have been kindled. Amber is reduced to quiet tears as Tony is gently told to finish by "taking what he needs". How depressing.I think the icing on the frustrating cake had to be when Tony and Amber are back home in their bed. The set up is all there for sex. They've both showered, the kids are in bed. They are solidly in love. Amber is touching him, Tony has an erection and...... the book ends.Desire Extinguished. Pass.Complimentary copy courtesy of Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.