Poignant and bittersweet, “The Empty Nesters” by Carolyn Brown looks at the sad side of military life, specifically military wives. Always at home and raising their children while their husbands are deployed or on missions, the military wives are the unsung heroes of keeping our country safe and free.
Unfortunately for dear friends and army wives Diana, Carmen and Joanie, they lived in that dark side. With one of them already divorced, thanks to a husband with wandering eyes, they survive and lead happy lives thanks to their friendship.
With their children enlisting at the same time and Carmen served with divorced papers that came from left field, a road trip with an elderly neighbor and her nephew at the wheel was godsend. It was on the road that their stories were told.
***SPOILER ALERT*** Anything below this line is a spoiler so please stop reading if you don’t want to know.
First, my heart went to Carmen. Her cheating husband really is an A-hole. And the other woman too was just too much. She was never “on camera” in a manner of speaking, but she is an itch with a capital B in front.
As the story went, I was hoping that Carmen’s husband would get what was coming to him. But, he did not. He got away with everything – cheating on his wife, kept his pension without even giving Carmen the half that she was entitled to and their daughter so cavalier, even nonchalant that her father was cheating on her mother.
And that’s why I was so disappointed. I was waiting for a letter from a lawyer saying that he or she would make sure that Carmen gets everything she is entitled to, including her ex paying for her health insurance. I know I sound bitter in this review, but I really cannot stand cheaters.
Diana’s arc was a little better because at least she got a new love. But, again, her ex-husband just got away with everything too. I was waiting for something to show him that he was a total jerk. Then again, nothing.
Joanie was the only one who came out unscathed. And that at least is the saving grace.
***END SPOILER ***
The Empty Nesters is Rated T for Teens. Parental guidance strongly advised due to talk of divorce and cheating.
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Story
The Empty Nesters
Poignant and bittersweet, “The Empty Nesters” by Carolyn Brown looks at the sad side of military life, specifically military wives. Always at home and raising their children while their husbands are deployed or on missions, the military wives are unsung heroes of keeping our country safe and free.
Title: The Empty Nesters
Author: Carolyn Brown
Release Date: August 20, 2019
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Summary
Dear friends and army wives Diana, Carmen, and Joanie have been through war, rumors of war, marital problems, motherhood, fears, joy, and heartache. But none of the women are prepared when their daughters decide to enlist in the army together. Facing an empty nest won’t be easy. Especially for Carmen. With emotions already high, she suffers an even greater blow: divorce papers. Diana understands the fury and tears. She’s been there.
With nothing to lose and no one at home, the girlfriends impulsively accept an unexpected offer from their elderly neighbor. The recently widowed Tootsie has an RV, a handsome nephew at the wheel, and an aim for tiny Scrap, Texas, to embrace memories of her late husband. Still grieving, she can use the company as a balm for her broken heart. So can the empty nesters.
Embarking on a journey of hope, romance, and healing, Diana, Carmen, and Joanie are at a turning point in their lives. And with the open road ahead of them, it’s just the beginning.
Image credits: RV photo by Jill Wellington on Pixabay; Soldier’s photo by Skeeze on Pixabay; Three women photo by Ben White on Unsplash.
