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We Take This Man
Dwight and Tracey Wilson are living the ideal life with their two children in a brand new home in Florida. They are both excited when Dwight is offered a promotion at work, but the downside is that the job is located in Maryland.
After much discussion, Tracey decides that she does not want to leave their new house. Dwight makes the decision to accept the position and return home on weekends.
Alicia Dixon has spent her life hating and not trusting men after her father mistreated her mother, but she can't help but fall for the new guy in her company... Dwight.
They both try to fight their attraction to one another, but it proves to be a losing battle-Alicia is everything that his southern wife is not.
When Alicia ends up pregnant, Dwight decides to end things with Tracey, but the process proves not to be as easy as Dwight had hoped.
After much discussion, Tracey decides that she does not want to leave their new house. Dwight makes the decision to accept the position and return home on weekends.
Alicia Dixon has spent her life hating and not trusting men after her father mistreated her mother, but she can't help but fall for the new guy in her company... Dwight.
They both try to fight their attraction to one another, but it proves to be a losing battle-Alicia is everything that his southern wife is not.
When Alicia ends up pregnant, Dwight decides to end things with Tracey, but the process proves not to be as easy as Dwight had hoped.
312 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2008
12 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
About the author
Candice Dow
15 books91 followersCandice Dow is a native of Baltimore, MD and graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Johns Hopkins University. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a Senior Software Engineer. It was her lifelong dream to write a novel and after toying with the idea for over five years, Candice made a commitment to herself to finish, Caught in the Mix; a story she had sporadically worked on.
Shortly after, Candice retained a literary agent and within two months was offered a two-book deal from Kensington Publishing. In 2005, she stepped out on faith and quit her six-figure job, one month prior to the release of her debut novel, Caught in the Mix. In her subsequent novels, Ain’t No Sunshine, A Hire Love and Tappin’ On Thirty, Candice continues to tackle relatable topics and create intriguing characters with stories that speak to the soul.
Candice currently resides in Maryland and is at work on her next novel. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Rho Xi Omega Chapter in Baltimore. Candice is a frequent traveler and loves to analyze love, life, and relationships, and seeks to expose the answers in works of fiction.
Shortly after, Candice retained a literary agent and within two months was offered a two-book deal from Kensington Publishing. In 2005, she stepped out on faith and quit her six-figure job, one month prior to the release of her debut novel, Caught in the Mix. In her subsequent novels, Ain’t No Sunshine, A Hire Love and Tappin’ On Thirty, Candice continues to tackle relatable topics and create intriguing characters with stories that speak to the soul.
Candice currently resides in Maryland and is at work on her next novel. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Rho Xi Omega Chapter in Baltimore. Candice is a frequent traveler and loves to analyze love, life, and relationships, and seeks to expose the answers in works of fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 23, 2011
WTH?!
This book should have been called, "We drive this dumb dude crazy", or "We stupid women", or "We Blind Mice", or any such fodder. While it opens the door for some riveting conversation about polyamory and marital compromise, it did not do the most simple task entertainment has: Satisfy and take care of its audience. I was angry and frustrated at all of the characters from the beginning to the very end, and as a reader, that disappointed me. Even the victories and semblances of good sense and triumph left me feeling blah. I was extremely disappointed in what this book said about both women and men! Both sexes appeared to be morons. It made women out to be treacherous and misguided, and made men out to be blindly driven by honor and loyalty with no personal conviction. WOMP.
The book also made no attempts to find solid footing for any of its blow-ups and it had no clear ending.
Stylistically, these two authors did an amazing job of producing a riveting drama that was full of turns and shock values. It was a page-turner if nothing else. However, being intriguing and being satisfying are two different things.
This book should have been called, "We drive this dumb dude crazy", or "We stupid women", or "We Blind Mice", or any such fodder. While it opens the door for some riveting conversation about polyamory and marital compromise, it did not do the most simple task entertainment has: Satisfy and take care of its audience. I was angry and frustrated at all of the characters from the beginning to the very end, and as a reader, that disappointed me. Even the victories and semblances of good sense and triumph left me feeling blah. I was extremely disappointed in what this book said about both women and men! Both sexes appeared to be morons. It made women out to be treacherous and misguided, and made men out to be blindly driven by honor and loyalty with no personal conviction. WOMP.
The book also made no attempts to find solid footing for any of its blow-ups and it had no clear ending.
Stylistically, these two authors did an amazing job of producing a riveting drama that was full of turns and shock values. It was a page-turner if nothing else. However, being intriguing and being satisfying are two different things.
January 28, 2009
Very early in, I saw that this man's wife was a spoiled, petty diva and needed a dose of reality. Three quarters of the way through the book (which I am MAKING myself finish), I see that this is a ridiculous, completely unrealistic and STUPID idea for a book. Maybe not a stupid idea, but not very good execution. At all. But like I said, I am making myself finish it becuase I just don't like leaving a book unread. I don't even care what happens to any of the people in it at the end of the story, I just don't want to leave a book unread.
UPDATE: Finished it. That's all I can say. I finished it.
UPDATE: Finished it. That's all I can say. I finished it.
January 10, 2018
This book was a disappointment beginning to end. There wasn’t a character with any sense or even the vestige of any morality. First we have Dwight, who, through no fault of his own, (yeah, right), finds himself first in love with and then married to two women, though not legally. Then you have the two women who decide to placate Dwight and stay in his life by both being wives to him. They all think this is the best and really only solution to their problem. And trust me, Dwight isn’t complaining. And then you have the grandmother who finally tells the first wife that she should do whatever it takes to get rid of the second wife and get custody of her child. Whew! No one gives two hoots about anyone else in this tale; they are all self-centered. I was hoping for something along the lines of the novels written by Kimberla Lawson Roby, but these authors fall far short in comparison to Roby’s creative writing talents.
November 5, 2011
Not. A. Good. Book. The main characters were supposedly intelligent women but the way the book was written, the characters came across as individuals with disjointed thoughts, crass, and quite boring. I could not even finish this book and that is unlike me. Would not recommend this to anyone.
October 21, 2019
Dwight and his wife Tracy have just moved into their dream house, along with their two children. Just when they’re completely settled in, Dwight gets a promotion...in another state. Being the spoiled diva that she is, Tracey refuses to go with her husband.
Along comes Alicia, a single career driven woman, who finds herself attracted to the new guy at work. One thing leads to another, and they end up living together, pregnant and...MARRIED.
Everything comes to a screeching halt when Tracey decides she wants her husband back, and relocates her family to Maryland.
This collaboration by @dspbooks and @candice_dow is a 💎💎💎💎💎 page turner that I highly recommend to the reader who loves drama.
Along comes Alicia, a single career driven woman, who finds herself attracted to the new guy at work. One thing leads to another, and they end up living together, pregnant and...MARRIED.
Everything comes to a screeching halt when Tracey decides she wants her husband back, and relocates her family to Maryland.
This collaboration by @dspbooks and @candice_dow is a 💎💎💎💎💎 page turner that I highly recommend to the reader who loves drama.
January 22, 2009
The Grass May Be Greener
Dwight met Tracey when she was thirteen, and he was fourteen. They’ve been together twenty years. Dwight has a nice and secure job. He enjoys not only spoiling the women in his life, but spending time with them as well. Dwight is a rare breed. Tracey is appreciative, though sometimes she may need reminding.
Dwight’s job has offered him a job he can’t possibly turn down. Along with it being a substantial increase in salary, he’d be able to give his family that much more. Tracey refuses to consider moving from Jacksonville. She finally has her dream home. She and the children are comfortable with their routine and she’s good at her job. While she understands that Dwight’s only other option would be to look for another job making less money, she’s decided that’s that!
Selfishly Tracey has allowed Dwight to make the move alone. She’s certain that she knows her husband well and he’ll be unable to love them from a distance. Whenever she can, Tracey drills in Dwight’s head that he needs to quit his job and come back to Jacksonville and not just for weekend visits. When Tracey sees that her words aren’t being as effective she decides to up the ante and stops interacting with Dwight, treating him harshly and refusing to allow him in their home. Then she puts the icing on the cake when she tells him that she wants a divorce.
Alicia works very closely with Dwight since he is her boss and she ran the department before he transferred in. Without any friends or family in Maryland, Dwight is lonely and begins to go out with Alicia and her girls. Soon Dwight and Alicia are sharing laughs, spending more and more time together and Dwight finds that Alicia and he have lots in common. With things awry with Tracey, he begins to wonder if maybe he and Tracey were ever really right for one another.
Now that Alicia is in the picture, Dwight is changing. Will Tracey be able to reconcile with her husband before it’s too late? Or have Alicia and Dwight taken it to the next level?
‘We Take This Man’ is a must-read that I honestly enjoyed reading. I would definitely recommend to others.
Dwight met Tracey when she was thirteen, and he was fourteen. They’ve been together twenty years. Dwight has a nice and secure job. He enjoys not only spoiling the women in his life, but spending time with them as well. Dwight is a rare breed. Tracey is appreciative, though sometimes she may need reminding.
Dwight’s job has offered him a job he can’t possibly turn down. Along with it being a substantial increase in salary, he’d be able to give his family that much more. Tracey refuses to consider moving from Jacksonville. She finally has her dream home. She and the children are comfortable with their routine and she’s good at her job. While she understands that Dwight’s only other option would be to look for another job making less money, she’s decided that’s that!
Selfishly Tracey has allowed Dwight to make the move alone. She’s certain that she knows her husband well and he’ll be unable to love them from a distance. Whenever she can, Tracey drills in Dwight’s head that he needs to quit his job and come back to Jacksonville and not just for weekend visits. When Tracey sees that her words aren’t being as effective she decides to up the ante and stops interacting with Dwight, treating him harshly and refusing to allow him in their home. Then she puts the icing on the cake when she tells him that she wants a divorce.
Alicia works very closely with Dwight since he is her boss and she ran the department before he transferred in. Without any friends or family in Maryland, Dwight is lonely and begins to go out with Alicia and her girls. Soon Dwight and Alicia are sharing laughs, spending more and more time together and Dwight finds that Alicia and he have lots in common. With things awry with Tracey, he begins to wonder if maybe he and Tracey were ever really right for one another.
Now that Alicia is in the picture, Dwight is changing. Will Tracey be able to reconcile with her husband before it’s too late? Or have Alicia and Dwight taken it to the next level?
‘We Take This Man’ is a must-read that I honestly enjoyed reading. I would definitely recommend to others.
October 31, 2012
This book started off a bit slow. With all the fighting going on between Tracey & Dwight in the beginning I almost lost interest very early on, but it really started to pick up and get very interesting once Dwight made his move. I thought his and Alicia's relationship started off well as friends. Immediatley I knew Dwight was not attractive, for one Alicia kept mentioning it, and him being referred to as a caramel Jay-Z with a pot belly didn't make the heat factor go up for him at all. He was though a good man who took care of his family and I could see why Alicia fell for him. The story got really interesting when they all moved in together. At first I though this is unbelieveable, but when things started to unfold I thought to myself I could see how this type of situation could work in real life. Kudos for these authors for writing this type of story and getting me thinking. I though did not enjoy the ending. It was a bit far fetched what Alicia convinced Dwight to do. He did seem like he had a backbone throughout the story, but that all went out the window in the end, and I lost all respect for him. The story did end a bit abruptly and I was looking for a bit more closure in the end. Overall this is a pretty good read, and a bit thought provoking. A lot of things I didn't like, but the likes out weighed them.
March 14, 2016
A little far fetched at one point but the turn after was a little believable of a woman fed up and desperate to get what she wants. Overall it was a pretty good story, I enjoyed listening to the drama in this love triangle. I didn't really care for either woman much in this story, I felt sorry for both at different parts in the story. As weird as it sounds I didn't really hate Dwight, but I viewed him as weak. He just happened to get what some men would wish for. I felt sorry for the kids being involved in the confusion as well. All I know is, it couldn't be me! If you like drama and don't mind it being a little over fictionalized in some parts you'll really enjoy this book.
April 29, 2011
Review by Jamaica Layne
I have to say I was somewhat skeptical when I picked up this book. First, I'm usually not a fan of books that are tag-team written by two authors. In my experience, books that have multiple authors are usually a muddle of different voices working against each other. Plus, book is about a three-way marriage----and the book's cover makes no secret about its subject matter, with a tuxedoed groom with a white-gowned bride on each arm. I'm not usually a fan of the love-triangle story, so I went into this book waving a lot of red flags around. But Dow and Poole's tight, focused writing, along with their very original take on the old love-triangle theme, make this book well worth a read.
The plot centers around Dwight Wilson, a successful software executive, his longtime wife Tracey, and his newfound love Alicia, whom he meets when he has to move away from his home in Jacksonville, Florida to Washington DC as part of a job transfer. Tracey is settled into her life in Florida and refuses to move to Washington, forcing Dwight to enter into a long-distance marriage. The marriage begins to fall apart, and Dwight begins romancing Alicia Dixon on the side. Dwight files for divorce, and he marries Alicia when his divorce is final so they can both begin a new life in Washington---or so he thinks. But unbeknownst to him, back in Florida Tracey contests the divorce at the last possible second and it doesn't go through---making Dwight a bigamist. All manner of shenanigans occur, to the point that when Tracey and Dwight find out that their "husband" is simultaneously married to two different women, they decide to try out a "three-way" marriage arrangement so they can both keep their man. But guess what? It doesn't work. The whole arrangement falls apart in the most catastrophic way possible.
Dow and Poole made clever use of their different writing styles and author voices by having the narrative switch back and forth between the two women in the love triangle. This works very well. Each chapter is dedicated either to Tracey---the longtime, settled wife and mother----or Alicia, the "other woman" who becomes a wife and mother herself---offering the reader a chance to get inside both women's heads. Though the plot becomes more and more implausible---almost soap-opera-like at times----Dow and Poole's unique voices and strong characterizations keep the reader hooked at all times. Perhaps the book's greatest strength is its snapshot-like ability to capture the nuances of upper-class African-American society, along with its biting social commentary on some of that segment of society's traditions, taboos, and unspoken rules of love and marriage.
We Take This Man is a complex-yet-satisfying tale that asks a lot of tough moral questions, and resolves those questions in ways that you probably won't expect. Authors Dow and Poole make up a unique and memorable writing team. Definitely pick this one up---you won't regret it!
I have to say I was somewhat skeptical when I picked up this book. First, I'm usually not a fan of books that are tag-team written by two authors. In my experience, books that have multiple authors are usually a muddle of different voices working against each other. Plus, book is about a three-way marriage----and the book's cover makes no secret about its subject matter, with a tuxedoed groom with a white-gowned bride on each arm. I'm not usually a fan of the love-triangle story, so I went into this book waving a lot of red flags around. But Dow and Poole's tight, focused writing, along with their very original take on the old love-triangle theme, make this book well worth a read.
The plot centers around Dwight Wilson, a successful software executive, his longtime wife Tracey, and his newfound love Alicia, whom he meets when he has to move away from his home in Jacksonville, Florida to Washington DC as part of a job transfer. Tracey is settled into her life in Florida and refuses to move to Washington, forcing Dwight to enter into a long-distance marriage. The marriage begins to fall apart, and Dwight begins romancing Alicia Dixon on the side. Dwight files for divorce, and he marries Alicia when his divorce is final so they can both begin a new life in Washington---or so he thinks. But unbeknownst to him, back in Florida Tracey contests the divorce at the last possible second and it doesn't go through---making Dwight a bigamist. All manner of shenanigans occur, to the point that when Tracey and Dwight find out that their "husband" is simultaneously married to two different women, they decide to try out a "three-way" marriage arrangement so they can both keep their man. But guess what? It doesn't work. The whole arrangement falls apart in the most catastrophic way possible.
Dow and Poole made clever use of their different writing styles and author voices by having the narrative switch back and forth between the two women in the love triangle. This works very well. Each chapter is dedicated either to Tracey---the longtime, settled wife and mother----or Alicia, the "other woman" who becomes a wife and mother herself---offering the reader a chance to get inside both women's heads. Though the plot becomes more and more implausible---almost soap-opera-like at times----Dow and Poole's unique voices and strong characterizations keep the reader hooked at all times. Perhaps the book's greatest strength is its snapshot-like ability to capture the nuances of upper-class African-American society, along with its biting social commentary on some of that segment of society's traditions, taboos, and unspoken rules of love and marriage.
We Take This Man is a complex-yet-satisfying tale that asks a lot of tough moral questions, and resolves those questions in ways that you probably won't expect. Authors Dow and Poole make up a unique and memorable writing team. Definitely pick this one up---you won't regret it!
January 1, 2021
What would have to happen for you to agree to share your husband or boyfriend with someone? Is there any circumstance that would make you decide to push your dreams aside, and unselfishly share your man with someone else?
Alicia and Tracey are both faced with these questions and come to the conclusion that the only way that they can hold onto their man and the only way that their kids can have both parents around is to share Dwight. It was interesting to see how this decision affected their relationships with each other and with those who found out about their arrangement.
We Take This Man really reminded me of a soap opera with the drama and fights between Dwight and Tracey, and the powerful love affair between Alicia and Dwight. I was frustrated with both women and their unwise decisions.
It was a quick read and held my attention, but this book is not for the easily offended. It does deal with real life issues such as infidelity, trust, and polygamy, but some of the content is pretty graphic. There is a good deal of swearing, and some crude descriptions of sex scenes.
I had a really hard time relating to either of the women in this story. Tracey, Dwight's wife, was so selfish, and I couldn't understand why she was so attached to her house that she wouldn't move with her husband. I thought she was justifiable in her anger at her husband when he took a new job without telling her, but her stubbornness in staying behind was frustrating.
I could understand Alicia's actions a little bit more. She knows she is getting involved with a married man, but "knows" that he is separating from his wife.
I really didn't like Dwight though. I could understand that he wasn't feeling loved in his relationship with his wife, and that he needed someone to comfort him, but it really came down to him making a decision between the two ladies and it seemed like he wasn't willing to make a decision if he didn't have to.
Towards the end of the book I just wanted to take them to task and ask them what they thought they were doing. They all had faults and flaws and their relationships were complicated. The whole section of the book where they are sharing Dwight made me feel frustrated and sad for those ladies. I could never live under those circumstances and I have a hard time understanding how anyone would voluntarily sit by while someone else was messing around with their husband or boyfriend. Of course the guy was okay with it - he had two women competing to meet his every need.
Overall I came away from this book not liking any of the characters. The subject matter did provoke a lot of thought though.
Alicia and Tracey are both faced with these questions and come to the conclusion that the only way that they can hold onto their man and the only way that their kids can have both parents around is to share Dwight. It was interesting to see how this decision affected their relationships with each other and with those who found out about their arrangement.
We Take This Man really reminded me of a soap opera with the drama and fights between Dwight and Tracey, and the powerful love affair between Alicia and Dwight. I was frustrated with both women and their unwise decisions.
It was a quick read and held my attention, but this book is not for the easily offended. It does deal with real life issues such as infidelity, trust, and polygamy, but some of the content is pretty graphic. There is a good deal of swearing, and some crude descriptions of sex scenes.
I had a really hard time relating to either of the women in this story. Tracey, Dwight's wife, was so selfish, and I couldn't understand why she was so attached to her house that she wouldn't move with her husband. I thought she was justifiable in her anger at her husband when he took a new job without telling her, but her stubbornness in staying behind was frustrating.
I could understand Alicia's actions a little bit more. She knows she is getting involved with a married man, but "knows" that he is separating from his wife.
I really didn't like Dwight though. I could understand that he wasn't feeling loved in his relationship with his wife, and that he needed someone to comfort him, but it really came down to him making a decision between the two ladies and it seemed like he wasn't willing to make a decision if he didn't have to.
Towards the end of the book I just wanted to take them to task and ask them what they thought they were doing. They all had faults and flaws and their relationships were complicated. The whole section of the book where they are sharing Dwight made me feel frustrated and sad for those ladies. I could never live under those circumstances and I have a hard time understanding how anyone would voluntarily sit by while someone else was messing around with their husband or boyfriend. Of course the guy was okay with it - he had two women competing to meet his every need.
Overall I came away from this book not liking any of the characters. The subject matter did provoke a lot of thought though.
May 6, 2013
I read this book in less than 48 hours. It literally had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The love triangle in this novel was jaw dropping and I found myself thinking I was dreaming because the plot was so unreal. Two amazingly beautiful successful black women fall for a man who wants to have his cake and eat it too. Needless to say, ties are drawn and these women practically battle for one prize: Dwight. Add in family values and you've got the fireworks. I can't pinpoint who I empathized with the most: Tracey or Alicia. I will admit Dwight had me under his spell the first half of the novel but when his true colors started to show I was disappointed. Both women in this affair have their flaws and draw backs but love can bring out the most malicious intent in people. All I have to say about this one is that it really is a riot and it will leave your heart aching, stomach dropping, and eyes watering. This book took me through all the works! I wish the ending was more satisfying for the reader as it did not expose what happens to the other parties of this crazy affair but I will tell you one thing: never count on a man to make the right decision.
February 12, 2009
Babies and fools...
Two’s company and three is definitely a crowd. Just ask Dwight, Tracey and Alicia. To make a long story short – man meets woman. Man marries woman. Man and woman separate. Man meets new woman. Man marries new woman. And then there were three!
The premise of the story was interesting and I was curious as to what Candice and Daaimah were gonna do with it. WE TAKE THIS MAN will most definitely hold your attention as love turns into drama and then more drama. It was enjoyable, though it dipped into insanity at one point. All I can say is, “H*ll to the naw!” and “Ain’t no way!” But at the same time, it’s what kept me reading and got me over here writing a review.
I recommend WE TAKE THIS MAN for any book club. It will make for a lively discussion. I hope the authors consider picking back up with this story in the near future.
Two’s company and three is definitely a crowd. Just ask Dwight, Tracey and Alicia. To make a long story short – man meets woman. Man marries woman. Man and woman separate. Man meets new woman. Man marries new woman. And then there were three!
The premise of the story was interesting and I was curious as to what Candice and Daaimah were gonna do with it. WE TAKE THIS MAN will most definitely hold your attention as love turns into drama and then more drama. It was enjoyable, though it dipped into insanity at one point. All I can say is, “H*ll to the naw!” and “Ain’t no way!” But at the same time, it’s what kept me reading and got me over here writing a review.
I recommend WE TAKE THIS MAN for any book club. It will make for a lively discussion. I hope the authors consider picking back up with this story in the near future.
February 23, 2013
Whew. This is one of those stories that makes you want to jump into the pages and smack the sh*t out of someone. Either to give them some sense (1st half) or rid them of stupidity (2nd half). It is a good read that evokes thought and makes you really wonder if there is a solution to that age old issue of infidelity.
March 30, 2009
Every man fanatasy! Living with both of his wives and his three children. Until first wife Tracy can't take it any longer and turns Dwight against second wife Alicia. Kidnaps Alicia son and leave town. Really enjoyed the read!
June 22, 2010
I found this book to hard to stomach. It was too hard to believe that two woman would have been that understanding of a cheating husband. Let alone that a mother of a wife would be that understanding. I was very disappointed.
February 27, 2017
This book was something else! It really catered to the delusions that women find themselves in after its way too late. Each woman who's read this nearing her mid/late twenties has probably read a line in this book and shook her head at the moment in her past where she too, blinded herself to an obvious disaster in the making.
I don't want to give away too many spoilers but the story takes you along the ride! From husband theft to baby theft! Some plot twists were predictable in a sense, and some were flat out unthinkable. The authors even have a question/answer section after the story has ended for book clubs and reading circle discussions.
Great read. I even pulled my husband aside to discuss the book with him and tell him all about the storyline as if it were a daytime soap opera. He shook his head and blew air of pity for Dwight, making a joke that having one wife was enough. He hadn't ever turned one page and felt sorry for the guy.
**Don't scroll if planning to read, spoiler alert**
I personally took a disliking toward Tracey from the very beginning. What married woman with a highly successful husband and two young daughters stays behind with the children while your husband accepts a 40k promotion in another state because you just moved into your "dream house". The whole time I was screaming at her as to why she presumed she couldn't have a brand new dream house built in Maryland with Dwight! Tracey's whole approach to her role as a wife was beyond me. She was all about playing games from the beginning to the end and her resulting plight was entirely her fault! I'm married, and my husband's job requires him to be in Japan. And guess where I am? Japan! Fact of the matter is, family first! Not the scanty details that surround where your family is! Kudos to the authors for giving me such a deep opinion on a fictional character! The stunt Tracey pulled at the end had me wanting to Bruce Lee kick her in the throat!
Alicia on the other hand, what a bad way to go and find yourself at the short end of the stick! I feel bad for her, but her moves weren't the smartest either. Men aren't as solid and established in their emotions at any given time like we think they are, and she allowed that man to marry her in the rebound! Set up for major cataclysm, and thats exactly what happened! Pure chaos! I feel bad for her because she tried to remain as true to self as possible the entire time, but her determination to do better than past generations and break a chain is what took over her judgment. Cant say my thought process hasn't visited that road before. All in all, I hope Alicia learned once and for all, dealing with a married man is a slippery slope and there's no such thing as winning (98% of the time. I mean, we all won't end up like Gabrielle Union and A. Keyes) Dwight's situation was just too unstable and poor DJ is who was really the victim of it all.
Dwight was operating in his own medium of selfishness if you think about it. As endearing and strong of a man that he is - which is why both women showed the worst of themselves to be with him - he was unable to make hard decisions by the deadlines that life placed before him. I know from experience how good men can lack the backbone needed to prevent a kitchen flame from creating a forest fire. Dwight is the prime example of this! Sweet as he wanted to be, he should've been able to keep it real with his wife about how he felt and the toll it was taking on his marriage. She may've wisened up out of her delusional dramatics and realized it really was not a game. He should've also ben true to his doubts and explored them a bit more before deciding on making things official with Alicia. Baby or not, if you want to put a ring on it wholeheartedly, then when the ish hits the fan that's who you standby. He went back on his vows to Alicia like a B.I.T.C.H. Immediately! I think overall, his wanting her company and inviting warm conversations aside their work relationship was a selfish thing and both of them were too caught up in the euphoric feelings of right now to ask themselves the hard (yet clarifying) questions to separate right from wrong.
Would I say the storyline was realistic? In many ways. Others, I'd have to do too much research to find out (Can you sign and officiate a marriage in one state without your divorce being final in another? Wouldn't the court records of the other state locate an existing marriage prior to the ceremony? If not wouldn't this mix up happen more often? Can a falsified custody document uphold in court? etc etc) so we'll say they were real and gripping enough!
I know I was turning the pages sometimes just to see how much more of a hole each character was digging themselves into knowing that they were carrying on completely against the will of their heart of hearts. Oh boy, this book does examine the games we play. I was actually enraged in real life by some of the actions involving their children. Adults can be so damaging in their own interest when it comes to sex, marriage, and relationships.
I don't want to give away too many spoilers but the story takes you along the ride! From husband theft to baby theft! Some plot twists were predictable in a sense, and some were flat out unthinkable. The authors even have a question/answer section after the story has ended for book clubs and reading circle discussions.
Great read. I even pulled my husband aside to discuss the book with him and tell him all about the storyline as if it were a daytime soap opera. He shook his head and blew air of pity for Dwight, making a joke that having one wife was enough. He hadn't ever turned one page and felt sorry for the guy.
**Don't scroll if planning to read, spoiler alert**
I personally took a disliking toward Tracey from the very beginning. What married woman with a highly successful husband and two young daughters stays behind with the children while your husband accepts a 40k promotion in another state because you just moved into your "dream house". The whole time I was screaming at her as to why she presumed she couldn't have a brand new dream house built in Maryland with Dwight! Tracey's whole approach to her role as a wife was beyond me. She was all about playing games from the beginning to the end and her resulting plight was entirely her fault! I'm married, and my husband's job requires him to be in Japan. And guess where I am? Japan! Fact of the matter is, family first! Not the scanty details that surround where your family is! Kudos to the authors for giving me such a deep opinion on a fictional character! The stunt Tracey pulled at the end had me wanting to Bruce Lee kick her in the throat!
Alicia on the other hand, what a bad way to go and find yourself at the short end of the stick! I feel bad for her, but her moves weren't the smartest either. Men aren't as solid and established in their emotions at any given time like we think they are, and she allowed that man to marry her in the rebound! Set up for major cataclysm, and thats exactly what happened! Pure chaos! I feel bad for her because she tried to remain as true to self as possible the entire time, but her determination to do better than past generations and break a chain is what took over her judgment. Cant say my thought process hasn't visited that road before. All in all, I hope Alicia learned once and for all, dealing with a married man is a slippery slope and there's no such thing as winning (98% of the time. I mean, we all won't end up like Gabrielle Union and A. Keyes) Dwight's situation was just too unstable and poor DJ is who was really the victim of it all.
Dwight was operating in his own medium of selfishness if you think about it. As endearing and strong of a man that he is - which is why both women showed the worst of themselves to be with him - he was unable to make hard decisions by the deadlines that life placed before him. I know from experience how good men can lack the backbone needed to prevent a kitchen flame from creating a forest fire. Dwight is the prime example of this! Sweet as he wanted to be, he should've been able to keep it real with his wife about how he felt and the toll it was taking on his marriage. She may've wisened up out of her delusional dramatics and realized it really was not a game. He should've also ben true to his doubts and explored them a bit more before deciding on making things official with Alicia. Baby or not, if you want to put a ring on it wholeheartedly, then when the ish hits the fan that's who you standby. He went back on his vows to Alicia like a B.I.T.C.H. Immediately! I think overall, his wanting her company and inviting warm conversations aside their work relationship was a selfish thing and both of them were too caught up in the euphoric feelings of right now to ask themselves the hard (yet clarifying) questions to separate right from wrong.
Would I say the storyline was realistic? In many ways. Others, I'd have to do too much research to find out (Can you sign and officiate a marriage in one state without your divorce being final in another? Wouldn't the court records of the other state locate an existing marriage prior to the ceremony? If not wouldn't this mix up happen more often? Can a falsified custody document uphold in court? etc etc) so we'll say they were real and gripping enough!
I know I was turning the pages sometimes just to see how much more of a hole each character was digging themselves into knowing that they were carrying on completely against the will of their heart of hearts. Oh boy, this book does examine the games we play. I was actually enraged in real life by some of the actions involving their children. Adults can be so damaging in their own interest when it comes to sex, marriage, and relationships.
September 8, 2024
3.75 Stars Rounded Up
Babyyyyy… That Tracey wasn’t nothing nice!!
I could never allow my man to move across states without me. Either divorce him or move with him. But no she did some wild ish and played her cards wrong and got dragged for filth. Instead of taking it like a woman, she became a certified liar and manipulator. She was literally the worst to me. As a wife, I normally cheer for wives but Tracey didn’t deserve anything good because she was no good.
On the flip side, Alicia was such a dumb smart person. She should’ve just left that married man alone! But she couldn’t and she fell deep and yeah it came to haunt her. She had to swallow alot of hard pills and endure a lot of hard lessons.
I wish we got Dwight’s pov. I wanted to know what his weak behind was thinking. Because this polyamorous situation was anything but healthy and dysfunctional and is disrespectful to the people who follow this lifestyle.
I’ve read a few books on polyamorous relationships and this one was by far the worst example of the lifestyle to me but it was really good for entertainment purposes. I was glued to this story! I devoured it. I only wish it ended better. It was abrupt and felt rushed and I needed more closure on everything. It felt like they ended the story like they couldn’t write anymore words. I’d say it was still worth the read.
Babyyyyy… That Tracey wasn’t nothing nice!!
I could never allow my man to move across states without me. Either divorce him or move with him. But no she did some wild ish and played her cards wrong and got dragged for filth. Instead of taking it like a woman, she became a certified liar and manipulator. She was literally the worst to me. As a wife, I normally cheer for wives but Tracey didn’t deserve anything good because she was no good.
On the flip side, Alicia was such a dumb smart person. She should’ve just left that married man alone! But she couldn’t and she fell deep and yeah it came to haunt her. She had to swallow alot of hard pills and endure a lot of hard lessons.
I wish we got Dwight’s pov. I wanted to know what his weak behind was thinking. Because this polyamorous situation was anything but healthy and dysfunctional and is disrespectful to the people who follow this lifestyle.
I’ve read a few books on polyamorous relationships and this one was by far the worst example of the lifestyle to me but it was really good for entertainment purposes. I was glued to this story! I devoured it. I only wish it ended better. It was abrupt and felt rushed and I needed more closure on everything. It felt like they ended the story like they couldn’t write anymore words. I’d say it was still worth the read.
April 4, 2020
I don't know if this book was so bad it was good or so good it was bad. I didn't like any of the characters, they didn't seem to have any redeeming qualities. Tracey so dumb for sending her husband off. Dwight was dumb for cheating. Alicia was dumb for falling for a married man AND believing Tracey that they could all coinhabit. It was a whole shit show. And the way Maryland women love to trash southern women rang so true, I lived in Maryland for eight years and they don't seem to get they are under the Mason/Dixon and can be country at times too lol. But we are talking about Florida (I live there now) they are a different breed. I don't know if parts were supposed to make me laugh or not but a did cackle a time or two at the pick me antics of the female characters and Dwight with his "woe is me, I'm a black man" thought process. And when the kids referred to Tracey as the maid and she went along with it, baby I screamed lol. The maid! And Tracey's friends *eyeroll* they couldn't be friends of mime. The writing was fine, the characters just turned me all the way off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2020
Wow. That was a crazy story and, while it had its moments, I really hate how it ended leaving so much unexplained. This story had potential. But the ending felt rushed and incomplete. A prologue might’ve been nice. I just hate when some books leave things so seemingly unfinished. Maybe I’m too accustomed to books that wrap things up neatly in a tidy bow. This certainly was not that. But all in all, it was an emotional and disturbing ride that I couldn’t put down. Hence the three stars. I recommend if you are okay with really emotionally manipulative and dysfunctional romantic situations where no one really cares about anyone. Which, for many, is pretty realistic.
May 13, 2023
I wanted Alicia to win so bad because she’s beautiful, highly capable and watching the authors make her live out her insecurities and make her accept it was upsetting to say the least.
The endless descriptions were uummm “smooth butter skin” what does that even mean
Overall it kept my attention and I finished it same morning, but I wish Alecia had gotten more of a win she left her job for Dwight, her dignity and self image shattered the confident and capable woman in the beginning was gone when she passively accepted Tracey’s offer to be the other woman. Also disliked how Dwight was portrayed as a helpless man in love who will just be
The endless descriptions were uummm “smooth butter skin” what does that even mean
Overall it kept my attention and I finished it same morning, but I wish Alecia had gotten more of a win she left her job for Dwight, her dignity and self image shattered the confident and capable woman in the beginning was gone when she passively accepted Tracey’s offer to be the other woman. Also disliked how Dwight was portrayed as a helpless man in love who will just be
October 26, 2019
So it had a nice flow to it. I was good with the book, thinking everyone was crazy as hell to go on with this charade of an arrangement to make the husband happy! I found this book funny because it was ahead of its time, I would say it was unrealistic but hell look at the days we are living in now. Overall good read, nice flow, I wish some thjgn had a little bit more detail and I wish Tracey would have paid for that little stunt she pulled and her husband would have found out she fabricated most of that foolishness!
June 24, 2023
This was a well written novel. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is the ending left me hanging a bit. That and the custody document would never stand up as real without it being witness/notarized. Plus I don't see how Dwight would agree to moving back to Florida without asking Alicia for some explanation of the things Tracey accused her of.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2019
The action of the women was a little unrealistic. But my hubby and I have joked about polygamy and I can see how women could fall into this. 4 stars because the writing was good but the storyline was a little unrealistic and the last chapter left a little to be desired.
July 26, 2023
Wow this book was crazy. Tracy played too many games and
Dwight was too gullible. How in the world did they allow that to happened. Is there a part two? He was so quick to believe Tracy and turn his feelings off from Alicia without question. What’s next?
Dwight was too gullible. How in the world did they allow that to happened. Is there a part two? He was so quick to believe Tracy and turn his feelings off from Alicia without question. What’s next?
January 2, 2020
Mediocre at best
June 12, 2023
An entertaining romantic drama with a good ending. 10/10, would recommend!
June 4, 2024
This book was infuriating. It drags everything out & then “resolves” super quickly. It over explains everything throughout & then explains nothing in the end. I’m annoyed.
June 30, 2012
How much is a woman willing to give -- or give up -- for love? That is the question at the center of the book We Take This Man written by Candice Dow and Daaimah S. Poole. The tale of two wives of a successful software executive, We Take This Man is entertaining yet a little too unbelievable and dramatic.
Dwight and Tracey Wilson live a very stable life in a suburban neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida with their two daughters Jordan and Destiny. When Dwight is offered a promotion at work, Tracey couldn’t be happier until she finds out their family has to move to Maryland for the new position. Dwight explains that his options were to either take the promotion and receive forty thousand dollars more per year or decline the promotion and take a thirty thousand dollar pay cut.
Although Tracey is adamant about not moving to Maryland, Dwight decides to accept the position anyway in order to make a better life for his family. Needless to say, Tracey is not happy with his decision because they just moved into their house and they would be moving too far from their family. Eventually, they decide Dwight will live and work in Maryland during the week and return home every weekend.
When Dwight moves to Maryland he meets Alicia Dixon. Alicia is a single, thirty-something software team leader who works at the same company as Dwight. At first, Alicia is not attracted to Dwight in the least bit. But, as time goes on and Dwight and Tracey grow further apart, Alicia and Dwight end up falling in love with each other. When Alicia becomes pregnant, Dwight decides to divorce Tracey and marry Alicia, but the divorce process proves not to be as easy as Dwight had anticipated.
To me, this book falls short on a few different levels. Although it started out good, I didn’t really identify with or come to love the characters. Tracey seemed too selfish and stubborn to me. Plus, I think it was rather absurd for her to let her husband live in Maryland so long by himself and play the games that she played. I was happy when her little scheme “Operation Bring Husband Home” failed. Basically, she was trying to give Dwight his freedom and live his life as a single man in Maryland. Well guess what? That’s exactly what he did.
Also, this book didn’t have too much complexity and detail to it. I kept looking for the redeeming portion of this book but it never came. I won't give anything away, but the ending was ridiculous. I got to the ending thinking, that's it?
What did you like about the book?
The title grabbed me and there were some parts where I was laughing out loud. Also, the concept of the plot was good but I was expecting a little more substance.
What did you dislike about the book?
I did not like how easy it was for Tracey and Alicia to come to the compromise they did when they realized they were both married to Dwight. I don’t know many women that would be so willing to do what they did. Also, there were many parts in the book that were not believable to me.
What could the author do to improve the book?
I would have liked to have the story told from Dwight’s point of view as well. The story is only told from Tracey and Alicia’s perspective. I found myself wondering what Dwight was thinking or who he truly loved the most – Tracey or Alicia.
Dwight and Tracey Wilson live a very stable life in a suburban neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida with their two daughters Jordan and Destiny. When Dwight is offered a promotion at work, Tracey couldn’t be happier until she finds out their family has to move to Maryland for the new position. Dwight explains that his options were to either take the promotion and receive forty thousand dollars more per year or decline the promotion and take a thirty thousand dollar pay cut.
Although Tracey is adamant about not moving to Maryland, Dwight decides to accept the position anyway in order to make a better life for his family. Needless to say, Tracey is not happy with his decision because they just moved into their house and they would be moving too far from their family. Eventually, they decide Dwight will live and work in Maryland during the week and return home every weekend.
When Dwight moves to Maryland he meets Alicia Dixon. Alicia is a single, thirty-something software team leader who works at the same company as Dwight. At first, Alicia is not attracted to Dwight in the least bit. But, as time goes on and Dwight and Tracey grow further apart, Alicia and Dwight end up falling in love with each other. When Alicia becomes pregnant, Dwight decides to divorce Tracey and marry Alicia, but the divorce process proves not to be as easy as Dwight had anticipated.
To me, this book falls short on a few different levels. Although it started out good, I didn’t really identify with or come to love the characters. Tracey seemed too selfish and stubborn to me. Plus, I think it was rather absurd for her to let her husband live in Maryland so long by himself and play the games that she played. I was happy when her little scheme “Operation Bring Husband Home” failed. Basically, she was trying to give Dwight his freedom and live his life as a single man in Maryland. Well guess what? That’s exactly what he did.
Also, this book didn’t have too much complexity and detail to it. I kept looking for the redeeming portion of this book but it never came. I won't give anything away, but the ending was ridiculous. I got to the ending thinking, that's it?
What did you like about the book?
The title grabbed me and there were some parts where I was laughing out loud. Also, the concept of the plot was good but I was expecting a little more substance.
What did you dislike about the book?
I did not like how easy it was for Tracey and Alicia to come to the compromise they did when they realized they were both married to Dwight. I don’t know many women that would be so willing to do what they did. Also, there were many parts in the book that were not believable to me.
What could the author do to improve the book?
I would have liked to have the story told from Dwight’s point of view as well. The story is only told from Tracey and Alicia’s perspective. I found myself wondering what Dwight was thinking or who he truly loved the most – Tracey or Alicia.
January 25, 2009
Transitions
Dwight and Tracey were high school sweethearts now married ten years. Life for them is picture-perfect - two daughters, a nice home filled with love. While Florida may be where the heart is, Dwight’s job has changed the address. Tracey is adamant about staying put. Unable to convince Tracey to make the move, it’s decided that Dwight will be acquiring plenty of frequent flyer miles.
Displeased with her husband, the money is plentiful. Unfortunately, she learns that being a single mother is hard work on a daily. Day by day her loathe for her husband grows. She decides that he’ll come home and sets out to force his hand.
Alicia Dixon is not pleased with her work situation. Instead of promoting her, they’ve hired an outsider and she’s not looking forward to having to go through the steps of teaching someone the job she already knows. Reluctantly, she gives her new boss a chance. Quickly she learns that he is a good guy, who’s just as efficient, if not more. It’s not long before the two make a bond.
Dwight’s loneliness is piling up. Tracey’s all about the plotting. Alicia appears to be in the right place at the right time. When emotions go into overload, the two become three. Will it be the best of both worlds? Or will the epidemic of infidelity corrode their lives?
WE TAKE THIS MAN, co-written by Dow and Poole, tackles a taboo relationship. Though I was captivated by the idea, I had serious concerns. I agree that the book is well written, drama filled and makes you laugh easily, but it’s also very inconceivable, especially when we’re speaking about two strong-minded women. I’m certain like my own, curiosity is definitely going to not only get people to read the book, but incite plenty. WE TAKE THIS MAN is without doubt a conversation piece.
Reviewed by: Crystal
Dwight and Tracey were high school sweethearts now married ten years. Life for them is picture-perfect - two daughters, a nice home filled with love. While Florida may be where the heart is, Dwight’s job has changed the address. Tracey is adamant about staying put. Unable to convince Tracey to make the move, it’s decided that Dwight will be acquiring plenty of frequent flyer miles.
Displeased with her husband, the money is plentiful. Unfortunately, she learns that being a single mother is hard work on a daily. Day by day her loathe for her husband grows. She decides that he’ll come home and sets out to force his hand.
Alicia Dixon is not pleased with her work situation. Instead of promoting her, they’ve hired an outsider and she’s not looking forward to having to go through the steps of teaching someone the job she already knows. Reluctantly, she gives her new boss a chance. Quickly she learns that he is a good guy, who’s just as efficient, if not more. It’s not long before the two make a bond.
Dwight’s loneliness is piling up. Tracey’s all about the plotting. Alicia appears to be in the right place at the right time. When emotions go into overload, the two become three. Will it be the best of both worlds? Or will the epidemic of infidelity corrode their lives?
WE TAKE THIS MAN, co-written by Dow and Poole, tackles a taboo relationship. Though I was captivated by the idea, I had serious concerns. I agree that the book is well written, drama filled and makes you laugh easily, but it’s also very inconceivable, especially when we’re speaking about two strong-minded women. I’m certain like my own, curiosity is definitely going to not only get people to read the book, but incite plenty. WE TAKE THIS MAN is without doubt a conversation piece.
Reviewed by: Crystal
July 30, 2013
I was really enjoying this book and interested in how it would wrap up. I'm not happy at all with how Tracey chose to rid herself of her competition. I feel slightly cheated that Dwight was so easily swayed especially by the wife who didn't even care enough to relocate out of state with a husband she is supposed to be so happily married to. It makes absolutely no sense to me considering 1) she sold real estate (she was one of the best so what's the big deal about finding another fabulous house in another state) & 2) his job was going to pay $40k more if he went but $30k less if he stayed.
Dwight was the quintessential "good catch" but you know how that goes...if it seems to good to be true it probably is. This dude sat back and played the background as two women did everything in their power to not hold him responsible for the choices he made or in this case not make. He didn't have to choose bc they decided they would decide to not force him to choose between them.
Alicia allowed the relationship to develop despite the alarms going off in the back of her mind. She was the love em and leave em queen but allowed herself to get caught up in his words; to believe what her instinct beckoned her to acknowledge.
Tracey was so caught up in playing a juvenile game of chicken with her marriage and then suddenly has an epiphany that she needed to drive 11 hours to save her marriage.
If Dwight had a honorable bone in his body he would've told Tracey the truth when she showed up at the house and he would not have flipped on Alicia but told her the truth that night as well.
Truth be told each woman was afraid of not being chosen and ultimately prolonged the inevitability of the need to either let him choose or walk away thereby reducing the risk of merely being chosen by default if the other woman surrendered first.
Interesting read and concept nonetheless. Recommend
Dwight was the quintessential "good catch" but you know how that goes...if it seems to good to be true it probably is. This dude sat back and played the background as two women did everything in their power to not hold him responsible for the choices he made or in this case not make. He didn't have to choose bc they decided they would decide to not force him to choose between them.
Alicia allowed the relationship to develop despite the alarms going off in the back of her mind. She was the love em and leave em queen but allowed herself to get caught up in his words; to believe what her instinct beckoned her to acknowledge.
Tracey was so caught up in playing a juvenile game of chicken with her marriage and then suddenly has an epiphany that she needed to drive 11 hours to save her marriage.
If Dwight had a honorable bone in his body he would've told Tracey the truth when she showed up at the house and he would not have flipped on Alicia but told her the truth that night as well.
Truth be told each woman was afraid of not being chosen and ultimately prolonged the inevitability of the need to either let him choose or walk away thereby reducing the risk of merely being chosen by default if the other woman surrendered first.
Interesting read and concept nonetheless. Recommend
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