The Perfect Marriage

By: Kimberla Lawson Roby

Narrated by: Shay Moore

Addiction. Deception.

Pretty pictures hide ugly secrets.

The perfect marriage...

Denise and Derrek Shaw are the perfect American couple. Happily married for 15 years, they have a wonderful daughter, Mackenzie, successful careers, and a beautiful house in a posh Chicago suburb. They are attractive, respected...and hiding a shocking secret: a dangerous addiction to drugs.

It started innocently enough. Denise occasionally used prescription drugs to help her deal with the long hours and demanding nature of her job. Derrek, also under pressure at work, began using cocaine socially with some of his colleagues.

They can quit whenever they want to. At least, that's what Denise would like to believe....

As her job becomes more stressful, Denise can no longer get through the day without a fix. Derrek realizes his harmless habit has become anything but, and desperately wants to get clean. However, his attempts are derailed when there is a sudden family tragedy. Once soul mates, now this husband and wife are quickly losing the immense love that had been the cornerstone of their marriage. With her parents spiraling out of control, Mackenzie makes an unexpected move to take matters into her own hands. Is her sacrifice too late - or is there still hope? Is there a final chance to save the Shaw family?

©2013 Kimberla Lawson Roby (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Best one yet

Where does The Perfect Marriage rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the first audiobook I've listened to in awhile, and it is the best one I've heard so far.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the realism of the characters, and the way she brings drug addiction to the light..the seemingly good, and the consequences.

Which character – as performed by Shay Moore – was your favorite?

Denise is my favorite character...it disappoints me when she gets hooked on cocaine.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not yet, as a child whose parents struggled with addiction, I could relate to the characters, especially the daughter.

Any additional comments?

I hope that I am able to get all of Kimberla Lawson Roby's books on audio.

Familiar Story Line

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Define characters a little more.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Nothing really.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

It was ok.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Any additional comments?

Could have been a little more dramatic. It was just familiar with other stories I have read in the past.

Solid storyline from one of my fave authors

Would you consider the audio edition of The Perfect Marriage to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I imagine doing so would have allowed my to fill in the blanks regarding what the characters may sound like.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that the story was very descriptive about the family and their background, which helped the audience to understand how they became dependent on certain substances. I also liked that this seemed very realistic; I am sure there are many "functioning" addicts in the world who need help.

Which character – as performed by Shay Moore – was your favorite?

Denise - mainly because the voice fit her since the narrator is a woman. I think she also did well with Mackenzie and relatively well with Derrek, although it was annoying at times when she tried to deepen her voice to sound like a man. Nonetheless, I liked her reading voice and thought she maintained a good rhythm.

If you could rename The Perfect Marriage, what would you call it?

What's Done In the Dark...

I would recommend this book

I enjoyed reading / listening to this book. The struggle the characters went through and what caused them to finally realized what was important....wow

I am never disapointed by anything that Kimberla.

If you could sum up The Perfect Marriage in three words, what would they be?

This book kept me going. I went to shock to anger to sorrow, back to anger and shock all over again.. then finally i was relieved.. wonderful book!!

What did you like best about this story?

The Denial. so many folks have these problems but just dont own up to them.

What about Shay Moore’s performance did you like?

Shay is wonderful. I think i've heard other books from her! She left nothing to be misunderstood. Love Love Love her!

Nice Book but kind of typical

Would you listen to The Perfect Marriage again? Why?

I wouldn't listen to it again, there was few things surprising or thrilling about the story line. For the most part I could tell what was going to happen before it happened.

And for me I always enjoy a good plot that has me gasping with disbelief at some point.

Would you recommend The Perfect Marriage to your friends? Why or why not?

Sure, it was an okay book. but I kind of expected more from this author.

What about Shay Moore’s performance did you like?

The narrators performance was pretty good, she had good rhythm and flow. and her voice was not monotone which is always good.

Who was the most memorable character of The Perfect Marriage and why?

There really weren't any, all of the characters kind of were equally, there wasn't one that was especially bad or deliciously good.

Speechless

I love this book to the fullest. I cry when the daughter took a overdose. 😞

Good read with a couple of twists

I enjoyed the book very much on its own - but I still couldn't help wishing for Rev Curtis Black to make an appearance!

Captivating, I finished it one day. Great story!

Captivating, I finished it in one day. Great story! It further helped me understand addictions.

A downward spiral

Great and eye opening story of a marriage that crumbles due to drug use! Family background can dictate how your life will end up as..