Clash of the 7-Year Itch: A Review of The Write Choice

Book: The Write Choice
Author: Allie Samberts
Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶
E-Book
Dual First Person POV

Disclosure: I want to assure my readers that this is not a paid review, and all opinions expressed here are my honest and unsolicited thoughts on the book. If you have any queries or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly.

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Katie, a free-spirited and independent artist, thrived in the vibrant New York art scene, enjoying wild nights out with her gallery friends. However, a unexpected pregnancy from a fling with a younger man named Brandon, abruptly shifts her focus from city lights to the joys of motherhood and marriage. As the years pass, Katie grapples with her identity and battles her inner demons as a recovering alcoholic, facing the challenges of the infamous 7-year itch.

As if juggling the responsibilities of being a stay-at-home mom to her two young children while Brandon worked late nights at the office wasn't challenging enough, Katie was taken by surprise when he revealed he had bought them a house in suburban Illinois.

I found Katie to be so incredibly selfish. Although Brandon had the best intentions, considering their children were now of school age and assuming Katie would appreciate being nearer to family and friends, Katie couldn't muster any excitement for the unexpected news of the impending move. Instead of taking the move to be something good, she had to give Brandon a weak promise to "try" to find some sort of enjoyment with the move (as if a nice house completely furnished with everything including her own art studio since Brandon knew how important her art was to her wasn't enough) or else she would move back to New York with the kids.

It seemed like everything had to be on her terms, while Brandon went above and beyond to cater to her and their children's every need. Despite his efforts, Katie continued to mistreat him. 

I think Katie had unresolved post-partum depression and in my opinion her therapist did very little to help her. Sure Katie's use of alcohol may have been excessive at one point but I really don't think that should have been the complete focus of this book. 

Yes, juggling the demands of raising two young kids and coping with Brandon's long work hours was undoubtedly challenging, but Katie seemed to thrive on complaining. She frequently whined about not having any friends, blaming those she did have for triggering her desire to continue drinking. Instead of seeking solutions or trying to improve her situation, Katie seemed to find comfort in her grievances, using them as a crutch.

Brandon, on the other hand, constantly swooned over his wife, cherishing every little bit of her, including her flaws. He showered her with love and attention, hoping to alleviate her misery. However, this adoration often translated into him being a doormat, absorbing her constant frustrations and complaints. Katie unleashed her unhappiness on Brandon, treating him as an outlet for her discontent. Despite his efforts to be the perfect husband, Brandon's love and support were never enough to satisfy Katie, who seemed perpetually dissatisfied with her life.

While the author attempted to make this book more of a romantic comedy, I found this to be more inline with being more drama than anything else. Samberts does try to convince us readers that Katie really isn't that bad and is just misunderstood as she was an independent individual prior to shifting into domestic life. Honestly, it just fell super flat. 

Had it not been for Katie's constant complaints and 'Debby downer' demeanor, I would have enjoyed this a lot more. Instead I was left with a horrible taste in my mouth and a reassurance that if Katie was a real person, I probably would not have been her friend nor would I have any nice words to say to her. 

Despite Katie's insistence on not sharing a room with her husband due to her anger towards him, there were still some steamy and passionate scenes that added a hint of spice to the story. 

While not a standout book, it was still a decent read. Despite the frustration caused by Katie's character, I managed to enjoy my time with the story, even if it did lead to a few frustrating hair-pulling moments.