Mine, Not Hers
From the True Love series, volume 1
by Betsy Anne
A passionate marriage is tested when a wife suspects her husband of infidelity in Anne’s debut erotic thriller.
Katie Barnett’s life changes forever the moment she meets Jason Weber. She’s a quiet, reserved high school student starting her junior year at a new school with few friends, except for fellow new-girl Colleen. Jason’s a gregarious, handsome football standout. Despite their differences, they fall in love and become inseparable sweethearts. After college, they marry and move into their dream house in the upscale town of Glencoe. He becomes a successful physical therapist, specializing in treating professional athletes, and she trains as a nurse. After 10 years of marriage and two children, their emotional and physical connection remains strong and passionate; however, Katie suspects that Jason may have a secret life. She has a series of erotic dreams involving Jason and another woman that soon escalate into real-life suspicion—especially after she spots her husband with a woman who resembles the one in her dreams. Her discovery of mysterious receipts and photos lead her to conclude that he’s having an affair—but things may not be what they seem. Anne’s chronicle of a couple facing the ultimate test of their relationship offers a plethora of erotic thrills and promising characters. Each chapter is told from the first-person perspective of Katie, Jason, or Cynthia, a mystery woman from Jason’s past. This strong structure allows Anne to reveal the same events from different points of view, heightening the novel’s intrigue. The frequent sex scenes are also effective, showcasing Katie and Jason’s enduring attraction. The pacing, however, is problematic, as the action unfolds so quickly that it often reads like a summary of events instead of a fully developed story. As a result, it frequently glosses over chances to give readers more insight into the leads’ motivations.
Despite some genuinely erotic moments and clever narrative devices, this novel misses opportunities for significant character development.