I had a stressful dream.

I was getting married to my girlfriend (hi Lucy) and I was mortified. I mean, seriously, marriage at a ripe eighteen years of age? That’s almost more humiliating than wearing white after Labor Day. On top of that, I was starting a new job at Buffalo Exchange, and my roommate, Leah, tried to steal my paycheck. All in all, I was panicking.

The reason I say this? I read a new book all about marriage and its struggles. Ana Huang took a new approach with King of Greed, focusing on a couple’s marriage that falls apart rather than the typical lead-up to the epilogue proposal I usually read. I delayed reading King of Greed for a few months because I was worried Huang’s attempt at a new trope would fail. I’m happy to report I was really, really wrong.

Alessandra and Dominic Davenport have been married for ten years. They met in college at Huang’s fictional Thayer University (a throwback to the Twisted series!) where Alessandra was assigned to be Dominic’s English tutor. But, when Dominic misses yet another anniversary dinner, Alessandra realizes that their marriage isn’t working anymore. She’s stuck on the idea of what they could be and not what they truly were. 

Dominic values work and money over everything– he’s determined to prove his hometown bullies wrong. His dyslexia forces him to work two times harder and he feels like his disability constantly puts him at a disadvantage. His true motivation, though, is to continue to provide for Alessandra. When their relationship first started, they lived in a dilapidated apartment and exclusively ate Top Ramen. That’s the most heartbreaking fact of their divorce– Dominic wanted to remain the best he could be for her, to provide her with his growing wealth, but his actions and continued ignorance of her proved otherwise.

So what does he do? What every man should do– he fucking worked for it. 

Alessandra took some time off to travel with her brother, Marcelo, in their native country of Brazil. And Dominic thought to himself, You know what is totally sane and normal? If I also go to Brazil and stay at the house next to my ex-wife’s. 

Before you ask, yes it’s awkward. And yes, they have sex. 

I didn’t realize how much I would love watching a man so focused on work change his entire prerogative in favor of winning his woman back. Alessandra was resistant to Dominic’s charms because– what do we say ladies– men don’t change! But this is a fictional story so, in this case, we can believe Dominic when he tells her that he’s grown.

This book is a testament to love and what it takes to keep your relationship healthy, happy, and vibrant. As someone in a committed relationship, there are times I want to tell my girlfriend to get out of my face! Like when she tries to cuddle me in the California summer heat. Get away from me! But, as always, I apologize for being sassy because, to be a good partner, you have to admit when you’re wrong. And Dominic is the poster child for admitting when you’ve fucked up.

The “Enemies-to-Readers” Sex-o-Meter reading is pending… please hold… it’s two out of five, folks. There’s smut (don’t worry you dirty-minded reader) but the plot focuses on the intimacy of romance rather than the intimacy of our private parts. And honestly, it was a nice break from last week’s Virgin Boot Camp.

I hope you remember to never give a man a second chance unless he’s a billionaire. Then maybe. And only if you bring me with you on your private jet.

See you next read,

Charlotte

Photograph: Pinterest