Review: The Perfect Marriage by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Title: The Perfect Marriage Author: Kimberla Lawson Roby Publisher/Publication Date:  Grand Central Publishing, January 8, 2013 Format/Source:  Hardcover, Library Genre:  Adult Fiction Amazon      Barnes & Noble   Book Summary from Goodreads   ADDICTION. DECEPTION. PRETTY PICTURES HIDE UGLY SECRETS. Denise and Derrek Shaw are the perfect American couple. Happily married for fifteen years, they have a wonderful daughter, Mackenzie, successful careers, and a beautiful home 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 . . . Read More   My Thoughts   After reading Secret Obsession by Kimberla Lawson Roby, I was eager to read The Perfect Marriage.  I was intrigued by Roby’s skillful depiction of real life problems, consequences, and solutions. Yeah some of the events were a little unrealistic, but I like the fact that the outcome of drug use wasn’t glamorized.   The story is centered on Denise and Derrick Shaw who appear to have it all. They both admitted that they used drugs, but struggled with believing that they were drug fiends. The story begins as Denise and Derrick are at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. It wasn’t Denise’s choice to be there, because she only took “Vicodin nightly for relaxation purposes” (1).Well, using Vicodin, a pain pill, for relaxation is a bit unconventional, so early on I could foresee that the story would entail their struggles with addiction.   As is true with Secret Obsession, The Perfect Marriage is a real page turner as Denise and Derrick Shaw deal with their drug addiction and risk losing everything. If you like engaging stories that present real life issues filled with drama and twists along the way, then this is one story you won’t want to miss!   Rating 5/5