Steve does nothing but work, work and work some more. Brenda is faced with nothing to do as the children grown and gone. He doesn't listen to her and she doesn't take an interest in his work. Two people who used to be so in love and into to each other are now so far apart from each other. While this book is billed as a empty nest story, it really is much more than that. It's how to get two people to reconnect after drifting so far apart.The story is set in the small town of Tranquility, Missouri, a beautiful town in the heart of the Ozarks. We meet a cast of characters that include Brenda and four other local neighborhood women, who form the TLC, a group that helps each other, the community and meets weekly at the local beauty shop. Throw in a handyman, a mentally challenge homeless man/boy and a owner of a rod and tackle shop.Throw in some humor, some emotion, wrong attraction, a little antagonism, and some honest, real life dialogue and you have not only a fictional story, but a scene out of someone's actual life. How many couples can say they have never experience a time like what was present in It Happens Every Spring by Gary Chapman & Catherine Palmer? Very few I would imagine as every couple goes through a period of winter when one, the other or both spouses feel a little bit dead inside. While the situation might not be exactly the same, the feelings and emotions most definitely are.After being married for 20 years, I can totally relate to this story. Every marriage, including my own, has gone through the various seasons. In my eyes, this story is totally believable and shows that no matter what the season, anyone can weather it as long as they make an effort.
This book was such a wonderful surprise! I started reading it and could not put it down. The story is about a couple in their mid-forties dealing with the empty nest syndrome. Brenda Hansen who is married to Steve Hansen, is dealing with anger, depression and loneliness that sets in when the children are gone. Steve Hansen owns and operates a Real Estate business that is taking his time and attention away from his marriage. His wife, Brenda, focuses her "empty nest" feelings towards her husband Steve for his lack of interest and support in her needs. Steve is unwilling to admit that he is partly at fault for the direction their marriage is headed and blames it all on his wife. A young man with slight mental disability shows up on Brenda's door step one day and brings with him a belief in God and being a good Christian. Several ladies in town with varying ages gather together at the hair salon and form the "Ladies Tea Club" to meet once a week to be helpful and do good Christian things.This story brought back so many memories and feelings for me as I was reading. Maybe, if I had read this book many years ago when I was dealing with all the same feelings and emotions, the path I eventually followed would have been a different one. The author, Gary Chapman, is a marriage counselor and this book is the first in a series that is based on his "The Four Seasons of Marriage". I am so looking forward to reading his next book.This is a heart warming Christian story that every Christian should pick up and read. Especially those who are finding themselves dealing with an "Empty Nest".
What do You think about It Happens Every Spring (2007)?
This is the story of several different marriages set in small-town America. There's a newly-married couple, an older, retired couple, a blended family with twins, and the main couple of the story, Brenda and Steve who are recent empty-nesters. Plus Patsy who owns a beauty salon, and where much of the conversation happens. It's light, and the characters aren't particularly well developed, but the writing is good and the story interesting. I found some of the argument scenes almost painful in their realism, although the points about different love languages and lack of communication were made rather too obviously at times. Written with advice from Gary Chapman in conjunction with his book about recurring marriage 'seasons'; I downloaded it free for my Kindle and am still undecided about whether to buy the other three in the series. Perhaps three and a half stars.
—Sue
Kindle freebie. I tried this book because I had heard how poor the counseling in the five love languages book was, but I had never read the book. I wanted to see what Chapmans approach to a broken marriage was. This was an interesting read. I could see so many of these women after personally living in and being married to a pastor in missouri (where this is based). But I have to say that this book was just okay. Not much talk about the gospel. The scarlet Thread by rivers is MUCH better and more biblical (although this novel had many scripture verses thrown in). I did not really see much counseling happening from any of the characters. The pastor never once visited or addressed the issues with Steve and Brenda, of which he was in full awareness. The friends tried hard to just hope they were giving good advice and try and distract the depressed character. The women were afraid to pry, but Brenda was falling very fast into a very, very dark place. I am not sure how one can really align this book with biblical truths, but it certainly reflects the state of the american church with acuracy. Not a fabulous read, but culturally relevant and very educational about the way most church people view their lives and problems.
—Larissa
I picked up this book one day at the library after seeing that Chapman had written it. Being I am a fan of his other books I figured I would give this fiction book a try. I LOVED the whole series. I was sad when the series was over as I fell in love with the characters. I love the style in how the books were written. Not too heavy and comfortable. Good for the heart and soul that's for sure. Each book displayed real obstacles Christians face in everyday life and how the characters in the books handled themselves. I love the display of Christ's love throughout the books. Highly recommend!
—Elizabeth
