The Good Wife. Jane Porter

The Good Wife
Jane Porter
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Date: 2013
Format: Kindle ebook
Pages: 432
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Own book

Always considered the beauty of the family, the youngest Brennan sister, Sarah, remains deeply in love with her husband of ten years. Boone Walker, a professional baseball player, travels almost year-round while Sarah stays home and cares for their two children. Her love for her husband is bottomless—so much so that her sisters say it will end up hurting her.<

Living apart most of the time makes life difficult, especially since Sarah often wonders whether Boone is sharing his bed with other women on the road, even though he swears he’s been true to her since his infidelity three years ago. While she wants to be happy and move forward in her life, Sarah constantly fears that Boone will break his promise. Now with Boone facing yet another career change, tension rises between the two, adding more stress to an already turbulent marriage. Emotionally exhausted, Sarah can’t cope with yet another storm. Now, she must either break free from the past and forgive Boone completely, or leave him behind and start anew . . .

The third book in the Brennan Sisters - I again loved this last one.  This is Sarah's story, however we catch up with the rest of the family as well and I liked that.  Even getting to know more of Sarah's Dad was satisfying.  The book pretty much opens where the second one - The Good Daughter left off.  There is one expected sad event taking place - and very soon after another one takes place.

This second event leaves Sarah remaining on with her family on the West coast, instead of rejoining her husband who is travelling around playing baseball.  They have  true love for each other, except that Sarah finds it very hard to let go and forgive Boone for being unfaithful three years ago.  It is a constant struggle for her to forgive and trust again.  I began to be annoyed with her, but of course as the reader I was given Boone's side of it as well - so it was easy for me!  Sarah was a young, very confident, competitive young woman when she and Boone first met, yet now she seems to be just the home holder, caring for the children and the home while Boone is away often.  I felt perhaps her final resolution came a little quickly towards the end - but then again it was satisfying and just the first step, and a very important one; I believe lasting one.

Boone was a very likeable man, - not perfect but very loving and strong.  He is near the end of his career, and almost at the end of his tether with coping with Sarah's constant niggling and lack of trust. I like how he handled it, strong and loving.  He didn't always get it right - at times he didn't really 'hear' what Sarah was saying, for example her worry about their son Brennan and his hyperactivity. However he got it right where it counted.

Out of the blue another character, Lauren appeared, she had a back story but at first I didn't see why she was in the book - however there was meaning eventually and an important one, so I was reconciled! 

We were given updates on Meg and Kit, the first was a surprise and the second was delightful.  Brianna still has a story to be told and so does Cass - the sisters sister-in-law.  I was pleased to hear that this just might happen and another book will be written in this series.

This book explored difficult emotions, loss and grief, worry and distrust, fear, love and the difficulty of forgiveness and trusting again.  It made me think of how difficult it is for couples who are separated often because of one partner away often as a professional sportsperson.  Usually the male! Also how important it is for the female, not to lose sight of herself and her dreams in a marriage.  A great read.  I have loved all three books in this 'trilogy' and have felt strongly about the characters.  I have liked how they have explored infidelity and the impact on the partner and family.