Be Careful What You Pray For

I inadvertently joined a book club this year!  The first book of the year being "Be Careful What You Pray For", by Nicole Rouse.  I thoroughly enjoyed the book.  However, on a scale of 1-5...I'd have to give the book an overall 3 or 3.5.  It was predictable.  So predictable in fact, that I knew the ending of the story by the middle of the first chapter.  I read it in its entirety only, in part, because of the book club discussion.  There were some reader's guide questions at the end of the book that I'm going to discuss and answer as part of my review of the book.  They're also good questions for you to ask yourself whether you're in a relationship or not:
In the book, the main protagonist, Maya, was in a relationship for thirteen years.  The question is; how long should a couple be in a relationship before they consider marriage?  I personally think it depends on your age.  Back when I was in high school or maybe even college I could easily say a few years...like, no more than, four or five.  But...now that I'm older I think no more than 2 years...and really after the discussion with the book club 9 months will suffice.  9 months is a significant amount of time to bond and build a relationship, and it's certainly enough time to know (at my age and yours) if I can see myself with you long-term!
After her relationship ended due to her man of thirteen years, not wanting to get married she begins dating a man from her job that takes an active interest in her.  The question being; does Maya enter into her new relationship too soon?  I think she did.  I'm an avid supporter of moving on and dating and getting to know many people, but at the same time; her motive was all wrong.  Her initial intent was to just date and hang out...but her motive in the beginning was to find (or be sent) a man that was ready for what she wanted (marriage and family) and I think that motive alone, clouded her vision of what she was supposed to be doing and that's...having fun! She couldn't see past what she wanted!  (like honestly, most of us can't) 
The next question asks do I believe in love at first sight?  I can't say that I do or don't.  I believe in love...I believe that you may see someone and become infatuated with them immensely, but I've never experienced love at first sight.  I have to say, I think (if I'm being brutally honest) love at first sight, on my behalf, would terrify me.  That's an overwhelming feeling (love) and to have it at first sight, has to be brutal!  Someone once told me they fell in love with me at first sight (hmmm, I wonder).
....I haven't even begun to give you the meat and potatoes of this book.  It get much deeper and so much more tumultuous.  To read such great lengths of a woman in love, wanting love and trying to salvage love...well; you'd just have to read it yourself honey!  So today, maybe I've inspired you to go and pick up this book by Nicole Rouse...maybe not.  Whichever the case....please; be careful what you pray for!
XOXO,
http://www.nicolerouse.com/