Wendy Swallow

There were many negative reviews on Amazon.com about this book, but I thought it was well written and soul baring: This review (found on amazon) sums up my thoughts very well: Wendy Swallow chose a very descriptive title for the wrenching story of her divorce. Breaking Apart is a well written, frank account of her marriage, and the factors leading to its disintegration. She writes with sympathy about her ex-husband's breakdown, gives him credit for his devotion to their boys, portraying him as a loving father. With the help of a mediator and counselors,Ms Swallow and her ex-husband worked together to forge a custody arrangement that would preserve the emotional stability of their sons. Both parents were determined that the future of their boys not be tainted by parental discord, an all too common byproduct of divorce. From this candid memoir, those who find themselves in similar marital straits might find possible solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems.… (more)

After reading Breaking Apart, I had to read Ms. Swallow's sequel because I wanted to lift my heart to her happiness. I felt a kinship with her in the first book, and I wanted nothing more than to read about her newfound love and marriage. I wanted to read her happy ending and she didn't disappoint me. I have frequently picked up my copy to reread parts of it, especially when I was feeling hopeless and that there were only losers left out there. (Sorry guys.)She has given me hope that I'll someday have a triumph of love, too.… (more)

I'll freely admit that while I was going through my painful divorce after 24 years of marriage, I was drawn to this book. I needed to find solace in someone else's story, and Wendy Swallow provided that for me. I was struck at how similar our stories were, and sometimes found myself wanting to contact her to ask her how MY story was going to play out. Crazy, I know, but sometimes you connect with someone you don't even know, and this was the case while I read this book. She probably didn't intend for anyone else to read that much into it. I didn't feel so utterly alone when I read her book.… (more)