It's Not the Flowers — Sandy Appleyard

A selfish birthday wish. An undeserved new life. A tragic lesson. An important final prayer.Is the grass ever greener on the other side? Raelynn asks herself that....and then spends months trying to figure out how to take it back. Raelynn is a successful dietician. She is a hard-working mother of two girls, and is married to Kevin, an equally hard-working man who is a loyal and devoted husband and father. On the surface, their fourteen-year marriage looks fine, until Kevin's father accidentally sets fire to his workshop, and the family is faced with unexpected trauma.Suddenly under a microscope, Raelynn sees Kevin as emotionally unavailable among other subpar labels, and in her eyes, her marriage becomes that which would be favorable only to a money-hungry therapist. What's worse is that her dearest friends seem to be reveling in above-average relationships, namely her best friend, whom Raelynn has envied for as long as she can remember. After Raelynn makes a birthday wish, seemingly tying a knot at the end of her rope, in a desperate plight to wish herself out of her misery and alienation, she realizes the next morning that she should have been more careful with what she wished for.In a heartbreaking and triumphant tale, 'It's Not the Flowers' is a unique look at long-term relationships, something that we all tend to do at one time or another when placed in one. Based on a true story, the author gives readers a very personal glance at a part of her life that had such an impact and was so pivotal, that it has changed the course of the author's marriage forever, and therefore it was worth telling in this original way. This book is a standalone novel and is the final instalment in the 'Magic at Cog Hill' series. All the books in this series can be read in any order. Pick up your copy today!I'm reading this book on my 5 year anniversary while my two littles sleep. I love the look into marriage and life it gives. It also highlights, in real life, what many people face through social media about thinking everyone else's life is perfect or greener on the other side. There was some magic involved, just like one of those movies such as 13 going on 30. I liked the characters and watching all they went through physically and emotionally. It was a very well put together book. - 5 Stars from Michaela, Amazon reviewer This book contained a huge lesson on not wishing for a different life until you've literally walked in the other's shoes. I hadn't read anything about the book before I read it, and I just started reading, so I didn't know where it was going! Raelynn truly missed and appreciated what she'd had, but she made the most with what she was given. I loved everything about this story! I didn't see the end coming, and I loved it! - 5 Stars from Anna, Amazon reviewer This story made me feel so many emotions and had me in tears. There are twists and turns that have you turning the pages to see what happens next. Be careful what you wish for because the grass may not greener on the other side. You will know what that means after reading this book. This book is so real to our normal lives and makes you stop and think what could happen and it was so well written and addictive and definitely worth reading. - 5 Stars from Jean, Goodreads reviewer All of Ms. Appleyard's books are wonderful reads. All her plots really make you think. This is a book about be careful what you wish for. - 5 Stars from Ellen Hogan, Amazon reviewer Another great read by this author. The story just seemed to flow for me throughout the book. I had a great connection with the characters and they really worked well in the story. - 5 Stars from Sheryl, Goodreads reviewer