Once and Future Wife

by David Burnett

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

REVIEW: ONCE AND FUTURE WIFE When I read David Burnett’s ‘Those Children Are Ours’ I thought the story was well written and the characters believable. I simply could not get enough. Therefore, when I discovered that there was a sequel I could not wait to get my hands on it. I expected it to be as good as the first book and I was not disappointed.  Once and Future Wife can be read as a stand-alone. However, I would recommend that you read Those Children Are Ours first so that you will better appreciate the events taking place in the sequel.
 
Thomas has moved on with his life, after suffering so much from being abandoned by Jennie and was left to take care of two small children. He had given upon Jennie returning and after several years has found happiness with Emma. However, this happiness was to be destroyed when tragedy struck and Thomas and his children lost Emma.  Thomas was left to care for their newborn on his own.
 
Jennie has gotten her life back on track after recognizing that she had bipolar disorder.  She has been reunited with her children and had regular visits with them. She has a great job and enjoying life like a normal person. One thing, however, has not changed and that was her feelings for Thomas.  As such when she heard that Emma was killed, she began to wonder if there was a chance for Thomas and her to rekindle what they once had.  (This is not to say she was not affected by the death of Emma. They had moved past their and became friends.)  Thomas has come to realise that Jennie was not the same woman who had abandoned her family years ago. He has started to rely heavily on her for help with the newborn. As a result, they grew closer.  Just when things seem to be going great between them, Thomas’ step-daughter Tasha decided that she would destroy Jennie.  Will she succeed in her diabolical plan?
 
Once and Future Wife which I found inspiring and emotional, is a story of love, acceptance, second chances and forgiveness. Once again David Burnett has transported me into a world where I got a first-hand look at the effects of mental illness. He demonstrated the misunderstanding that surrounds it and the daily struggles that sufferers of the disorder face. He also demonstrated the effect it has on their loved ones.
 
If you are looking for a story that will engage you and keep you glued to the pages, then Once and Future Wife would be a good choice.