What a powerful book, a little soapy, but you have to figure I am a grown adult man too. This book could be huge for anyone that has ever went through a divorce, had an affair, had a one night stand, or someone who just plainly made some bad decisions in their lives. This book unfolds and lets us know just what can come of those bad choices and how they can effect our lives and others forever! Just a few minutes or few hours can effect a whole live and possibly a number of lives from one indiscretion! I picked up this book, because like the main characters, I share the same last name Gardner so it intrigued me. Although I was married at one time and now divorced for over 8 years, and even though I wasn't the one that made that choice, this book hit home for me and how lives can come crashing down at any time. The premise is on a night of a bachelor party Tom Gardner made that bad choice and even though he was soon to be married, had a fling with a woman he had an attraction for in college. That night would effect his life in a big way years later down the road when thier paths cross again. Learning he had a grown son from that night, and how when the truth comes out, it can explode and spill over into other loved ones lives. I won't give away any of the story, but its a book if you have ever thought about stepping out or making some of those bad choices you should read and see what some of the consequenices could be. Its a book I would recommend for any man, woman, husband, or wife to pick up and read. This is my first book by LaVyrle Spencer, but may have to look for another that she has penned as I really enjoyed this one. A fast read for me and one that I enjoyed through all the lessons taught and to be learned!!
What happens if in one night of indescretion, at a man's bachelor party, a woman becomes pregnant and never tells the man? The man and woman never really knew each other and there was no reason that they would ever see each other again.The woman raises the child, a son, as a single parent. He's a well adjusted teen -- excels in school and sports. Then, 17 years later, the woman and her son move to a new town and the man who fathered the child is the principal of the high school, his wife teaches honors English and he has a son, the same age as the illegitimate son and a daughter a year or so younger.Revealing this truth could destroy the marriage he's come to cherish despite it's rocky start but events force him t reveal the truth to wife. Especially once he learns that his daughter is interested in dating the boy -- who is actually her half-brother.This is what happens when Monica Arens moves to a St Paul suburb with her son, Kent. The school principal is Tom Gardner and his wife Claire, son Robby and daugher Chelsea. Learning the truth all these years later threatens to drive a permanent wedge into his marriage and destroy the love among the family members.
Do You like book Home Song (1999)?
I am surprised I did not remember this book as I thought I had read all of LaVyrle Spencers books before she retired. Anyway, it was interesting how mistakes made always seem to catch up with you. When Kent Arens becomes a new student at the high school where Tom Gardner was principal it did not take him long to figure out Kent was his son, one that he never knew existed. Because Toms teenage daughter became interested in Kent, Tom was forced to admit to his family that Kent was his son. This was something very hard for them to handle. Sometimes forgiving takes more than just being sorry.
—Dorry Lou
I just came from finishing LaVyrle Spencer's Separate Beds which I really enjoyed. I jumped into this book thinking that there would be a romance story within the plot. There wasn't. No romance. No chemistry. This is a type of love story in which a long-standing marriage is put to the test. I just couldn't get into this storyline. The strength of marriage and family can be beautiful but in this novel, it was boring. The story dragged on and I finished this book just because I had already made it so far. I couldn't connect with Tom or Claire. Claire was way too righteous with her anger and frankly, she was cruel. Tom was way too much of a pushover and for such an "upstanding" guy, it sure took him a while to let the cat of the bag. As for the rest of the cast, they were forgettable. At a minimum, I needed mystery, chemistry or at least some connection to the characters.
—Buscadora
3.5 STARS"High school principal Tom Gardner feels a sense of shock when he sees Kent Arens, a new transfer student. With one glance, Tom can see that this teenager is the son he never knew he had-the result of a one-night stand on the eve of his wedding years before, now grown into an intelligent, athletic, and polite young man. But the boy's presence has a devastating effect on Tom's family.As the Gardners careen toward disaster, they test the foundation of trust and respect that their family was built on-and learn that love leaves no choice but forgiveness." (From Amazon)I enjoyed this contemporary family fiction. Spencer though gets lumped in with Danielle Steel she has plots that are more realistic and better writing.
—Kris - My Novelesque Life
