So how do you rate a book that almost mirrors your life?  Okay, not really, but trust me, there are similarities–I will get to that.  Let’s get the “negatives” out of the way.  There is some profanity in the book, and the sex scenes are rather descriptive.  The profanity wasn’t too prevalent, and the sex scenes were necessary–due to the entire message of the book.  But do approach this book with the knowledge that this is an adult book.

The cover alone is hauntingly beautiful.  Even my students today found it pretty and commented on it.  And my response was that I agreed, but it was sad.  And it is.  I had no idea until I read this book that marital rape was even considered a crime.  I guess that is a piece of information that I will tuck away for a later time.

As I read about Danielle’s marriage, I understood.  It was hard to read.  I was married for ten years to a controlling husband, and I divorced him before he became violent.  Let me blunt here.  He raped me once, and I let it happen.  I remember it very clearly even to this date.  I submitted so that I could go see a movie–talk about feeling like a prostitute.  And I remained in the marriage for several years after that and even brought my beautiful daughter into the world.  I was glad that my ex was nicer than Jacob, but there were still enough similarities that portions of the book were rather emotionally charged for me.

This book is expertly written, and it is hard to believe that it is written by a man.  I am always amazed when men can create convincing female protagonists in books, and even in first person!  This is Benjamin Berkley’s first novel, but I hope it won’t be his last.  I think I need to look up his non-fiction based on this book alone.  It is clear that he is quite an expert on this topic.

I found it absolutely genius on the author’s part to tie a Holocaust survivor’s story to the current story of the book.  This added just the right amount of intrigue, and of course, the ending of the book is quite powerful in this “side story.”  I would have even liked this portion of the book to be developed in more detail.

I believe that any woman who feels they can handle the subject and content of this book should read this book.  I can also recommend it to men, too, as it is not some “chick book.”  Oh, and by the way, there is some romance in this book–for all those romance lovers out there!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

From as far back as he can remember Benjamin Berkley was always fascinated by law. Growing up in Long Beach, New York his daily schedule revolved around grainy black and white reruns of Perry Mason, who with the help of Della Street, solved the most complicated of crimes imaginable – wining cases for their all but convicted clients. So it was no surprise to his family and friends that upon High School graduation, young Ben Berkley chose law as his career path.

After years of intense study Benjamin Berkley earned his Juris Doctorate degree and has practiced law for over forty years, specializing in Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Social Security Disability Appeals.

In addition to being admitted to the State Bar of California, he is also licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He maintains his office in Fullerton.

Ben always enjoyed writing but never seemed to have the time to pen the book he wanted to write. His days were filled with building his law practice and spending time with his wife and two children. It wasn’t until Ben’s uncle became ill that he realized how important it was for him to write “MY WISHES, A PLANNING GUIDE FOR THE INEVITABLE.”

Since writing “My Wishes,” he has written three other self- help books: “The Complete Executor’s Guidebook, Winning Your Social Security Disability Case, and Before You Say I Do Again, A Buyer’s Beware Guide to Remarriage, as well as his first novel, “Against My Will,” which was published in 2012.

Ben’s second novel, “In Defense of Guilt,” scheduled to be released in the early fall of 2018, is the life changing novel about Lauren Hill, a driven defense attorney who has never lost a case. Representing a man accused of throwing his wife overboard on a cruise, chic, elegant and sophisticated Lauren begins to artfully present her case. But as Judge Howell morphs into God, (seen through Lauren’s eyes only) her life of infidelity, poor parenthood, and self-absorption is questioned by the Almighty as he charges Lauren with committing the seven deadly sins. But is this real or fantasy? Is Lauren on the edge of a nervous breakdown or is God presiding and ultimately deciding Lauren’s fate? “In Defense of Guilt” is a story of survival, self- discovery, justice, and ultimately about love.

Ben is also a contributing writer for the Huffington Post.

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