A Time to Mend

Safe Harbor #1

by Sally John

An unopened gift. A broken vow. A tragic fire. Sometimes there are wounds that even time can't heal.

Max and Claire Beaumont seem to have the perfect marriage. They live in a beautiful home, have four wonderful children and everything else that success and money can buy. Yet beneath this picture-perfect exterior, Claire's life is falling apart. She can no longer hold her peace and keep up appearances.

After all the silent years, she must speak the truth.

As their lives unravel, deep needs and even deeper hurts are revealed. Not only the wounds between husband and wife, but family wounds as well. Will this time of soul-searching and conflict bring them closer together--or tear their marriage apart?

It's a strange irony to leave home in search of a safe harbor. Yet that is often where the journey begins . . . especially when it is time to mend.

A Time to Mend is the first novel in the Safe Harbor series. Drawing on the insights of best-selling marriage expert Gary Smalley, the series explores the joys and struggles of marriage, family, and faith.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Relationships, Inspirational

402 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Sally John is the best-selling author of twenty novels, including the Side Roads series, the Safe Harbor series (coauthored with Gary Smalley), The Other Way Home series, The Beach House series, and In a Heartbeat series. A three-time finalist for the Christy Award, Sally writes contemporary stories that offer hope to readers in their own relational and faith journeys. She enjoys teaching writing workshops and spending time with her husband, adult children, and grandchildren. An Illinois native, Sally and her husband, Tim, live in southern California. Visit her Web site at www.sally-john.com.

Reviews

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Re-read today on accident and didn't remember until the end. On re-read I hated it more just because they were both very selfish people. She had more of an emotional affair when she was younger. They never slept together but they kissed. I hated the husbands thoughts when he was thinking of cheating with the skank. I just didn't like all the angst and both of them wanting other people just not for me. I am removing it from my Account so I never accidentally read again.

Okay this just was not what I was expecting. She had had a brief affair early in their marriage but she broke it off. He is always gone working and never around. She leaves. He said he loved her but then one of his employees at work started hitting on him and he was into her so they went on a picnic once and then went to dinner (at his wife's favorite restaurant) and he kissed her. He wanted to sleep with her just to get back at his wife for leaving him but he changed his mind. Meanwhile there was a fire near his parents place and she called him and asked him to come be with them and her and her daughters, but of course he didn't. He was with the OW wining and dining and kissing her and the fire ended up being bad and he realized He loved her and how awful he had been to her and his parents and kids. And he was. She has trauma and the fire brought it back and they had to hide in an old gold mine and it was frightening for her and the family and firemen but they made it. So much angst and betrayal. He really did love his wife but he was an emotional robot. And honestly she really annoyed me. Even knowing her background and about his maybe-wanna be cheating, I still didn't like her. Even at the end. She was mean. Just not my type but I love marriage in peril stories, but only if there is NO cheating. On either side. This did only have the kiss (or kisses) between the husband and the HO but I still wish he wouldn't have. And the book floored me when I found out she'd cheated earlier in their marriage, but before the book. It sucked me out!!! Just say no! Not for me please but I read it and now I am staring at my husband while he's sleeping and want to wake him up and interrogate him about who he works with!!! Lol. Just kidding but man I have green eyes for a reason!!! Poor guy!

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there were good parts in the story and it moved along rather well, I found it difficult to understand why Claire was laying so much of her unhappiness on her husband Max. She was a doormat to him by her choice and her beliefs of what submission was suppose to look like. Sure Max basked in it and for the most part, she came off as enjoying her role, never creating waves in their happy-on-the-surface marriage. Max was left clueless to discover she felt the way she did.

As we move through the book, we get to see some of Max' negligence of her and their children as it relates to putting his business first. We learn that he shows up late or not at all for events. His best friends are a few of his employees.

While this is going on, Claire encourages her daughter Jenna to take a look at the way her own husband treats her and for her to not make the same mistakes she made. Max doesn't like the "new" take-a-stand-for-herself Claire and makes only token gestures to win her back despite his saying that he would do anything to make amends. He then "amends" that statement by saying "almost anything." Then he threatens to walk out on her although they aren't exactly together. They're a couple of whineys.

The ending tied up too nicely with the reconciliation being too quickly remedied -- at least from a reader's viewpoint. We don't get to see any struggle from Max as he starts the reconciliation process. Like as soon as his dad makes a suggestion, Max is now an ace and automatically knows exactly what Claire needs. He magically turns from "The Putz" to super hero.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was too good. Couldn't put it down until it was finished. A lot of lessons in there. Made me think.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book brought me to tears so many times.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters and story of this book. I did not like that it had a ton of religion thrown in - if it wasn't in the last third of the book, I may have put it down and not finished to find out what happens.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Husband and wife separate after many years of marriage. About learning how to mend a relationship with years of stored hurts.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eerily similar to my own marriage. My hubby, like Max, is also a workaholic. Caught my interest enough that I'm starting book 2 tonight.

[Charity Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I happened to find this one just randomly on a library shelf. The fact that Gary Smalley helped write it intrigued me since I had read his books he had collaborated with Karen Kingsbury on. I was also interested in trying a new author and seeing how she wrote about a woman wanting to divorce her husband. At first, I really wasn't sure what I thought about it or if I liked the characters. The author did a good job of making all the plot come together. She also did a good job at showing raw emotions and problems a lot of couples have. Both times Gary has co-authored with someone a very traumatic incident happens in the book. So far in life, I have not personally observed that happening to change people's minds about wishing to split. The author did talk about God and weaved it into the characters' lives, but no bible verses. No super deep thoughts. They did admit to needing God and working on themselves before they could work on their marriage....but it seemed to me it was more like their decisions that changed their life than God. The author did do a good job of showing how our actions and splitting affect more than just ourselves. I think she tried to make both sides equally at fault...I'm not 100% sure totally accomplished the goal. It wouldn't have been an easy subject to write about though. I dont agree with 100% everything in the book (though it did end better than I thought it would at first), and I am sure this book would evoke some strong opinions and emotions from people...so I have tried to figure out if I recommend it. I dont plan to own it or reread it, but I do plan to read the rest in the series. It is more certainly a different fictional read and I appreciate the fact.

[Ella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriously couldn't warm up to Claire. She blamed Max for everything, she had an emotional affair years before, she blamed him, she started to have another one with a fireman who was with her during a fire, she blame Max for that too. He wasn't perfect but she had issues. Won't read this book again.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic Christian fiction book. I've been acquainted with Gary Smalley and the 5 Love Languages for almost 30 years. This book definitely had themes of forgiveness, restitution, and resolutions. I've already started reading the next book in the series. I was able to borrow this book from my local library. All opinions are my own.

[Meredith Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a bit slow, this will-they-won't-they is a nice escape from the cliche and explores a marriage falling apart and coming back together admidst trauma and old wounds from a Christian perspective, while recognizing that people have to take responsibility so that true forgiveness and reconciliation can occur.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has 95 chapters, but they are very short chapters.

Not particularly my favorite book. I found myself not liking the main characters for their selfishness, though I was thankful that everyone was safe from the fire and that all couples finally got back together.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a decent book. No big surprises in the story line and how it ended.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book spoke to my heart from page one.. it was déjà vu the whole time. my story inside out. Opened my eyes.. Thank you.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very tedious reading for quite a few chapters but worth continuing. Good lessons on co-dependency and enabling and trusting God for our safety and security.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually a 3.5

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian

[Jennifer Collins]

DNF

[Terri Wallis · Rating 4 out of 5]

All relationships have problems and issues. This was an interesting story of how people struggle, and can conquer, issues at various stages of life.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book that explored the difficulties of marriage. Didn't like Claire much but still finished the book.

[Kimberly Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The message regarding marriage and how partners need to provide emotional safety was good. The vehicle was altogether way too sappy for my personal taste. I like my literature to unfold and I like to figure things out for myself. This one is preachy and is akin to being hit over the head with a frying pan. I am consoled by the fact that it was a gift, not something I picked out myself. If nothing else, it drives home my preference for character development and a compelling plot. Everything was so trite and obvious that I had absolutely no connection to any of the characters...they just said their lines, as predictably as possible. Well, not a total waste. I know which series (A Safe Harbor Novel) to avoid.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max and Claire's marriage falls apart and Claire moves out. This is a good story that reflects on how many couples struggle.

The difficulties are realistic. The characters certainly have their flaws. I liked how the perceptions of a situation are so different between men and women. This story has depth that digs into the root of how a marriage can collapse and how it affects the whole family.

I'm looking forward to the second book in the Safe Harbor series to see what the Beaumont family will face next.

[Natasha Hagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the outside Max and Claire are living the perfect happy life with a great marriage. On the inside Claire feels like she has been swallowed whole. She is in search of a safe place as home doesn't feel the same to her anymore.

She goes on a life searching journey trying to rediscover who she is and where she came from.

This book tells you all about marriage and real life situations that people face everyday.

[Anita Scholtens · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok book. I would not recommend it. It was about a couple and their midlife crisis. You know - man works and it is his life line and woman stays at home and feel neglected... blah blah blah - get a hobby.

[Vicki Lanzendorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one quickly, due to sitting in hospital waiting room and being on vacation. Started second in series as soon as I finished this one! Makes one think about complacency and "settling" in a marriage and family.

[Mcw · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of the day, it was a good read. I usually love and devour all that Sally John writes, but this one was really sloooow to get through. The characters were all not likeable and I just couldn't get in to it at all.

[Alora]

Excellent book! I could relate at so many levels. This book explores topics that most Christians and most pastors don't want to touch. The Church has not done a good job of helping women in loveless and/or abusive marriages.

The book has a happy ending. However, not all marriages can be saved.

[Lisa]

Safe Harbor series / book one

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad but it seemed to move too slowly.