This is a romance novel written in first person from the male POV, and the novelty thereof probably covered a few demerits. I admit I was diverted. Also, the intimacy of the narration made me more sympathetic to the hero than was probably warranted. I made it through most of the book before realizing, "Wait a minute--YOU'RE A DOUCHEBAG, AREN'T YOU?" Needless to say, I felt rather foolish at that point. However, this book does impart some important life lessons. Lesson one: Don't commit adultery. It's way more trouble than it's worth. Lesson two: Don't marry young. Either you end up divorced, or one of you gets cancer, which is even worse. Lesson three: Give a man enough milk for free, and eventually he'll decide that he actually does want to buy the cow. But only if stealing someone else's livestock turns out to be too much trouble. One quibble: "Thou shalt not covet" is number 10, not number 8. Research, people! I was torn about this one. Although I liked it I felt that it had several unanswered plot lines and some statements/conversations that I wondered why they were even in the book. They didn't lead anywhere and they had no bearing on the story at all. The story was slow until about the 60% mark, not enough that I would put it down, but it had it's moments. The story, Christian English teacher Luke, widowed, has a friend with benefits (Holly) relationship (can it be called a relationship) and then he starts an affair with a married woman (April). It really makes you cheer for one or the other and right from the start I was cheering for Holly. The book walked through the choices that were made and the way that the male mind was working through the choices. Anyway, the ending left it open either to your imagination or to a sequel. I can't really tell. I was expecting another chapter but it just ended with a WTF moment. I didn't love it & I didn't hate it, I just thought that some things were written for filler, that lead nowhere. I'd read a sequel if one was written though.
What do You think about Thou Shalt Not (2000)?
Awesome book!!! I was shocked by the ending but it was great even though it's a cliffhanger!
—Kita
