Home Song

Rating:
Summary: Another great book by Lavryle Spencer
Review: HOME SONG by LaVyrle Spencer

One of my favorite books by LaVyrle Spencer so far, HOME SONG is the story of a family torn apart by an indiscretion from the past.

The Gardners are the perfect family. Tom is the principal of the local high school, his wife Claire is an English teacher in the same school, and their children Chelsea and Robby attend the high school in this closely-knit town. They are a happy family, and everyone knows it. Tom and Claire are 100% devoted to their children, and Chelsea, a cheerleader, and Robby, a football player, are well-rounded well-behaved teens that love their parents very much.

Right before the school year starts that September, Tom is introduced to a new student, Kent Arens, and after a second look at Kent's mother, Tom realizes Monica Arens was the one-night stand he had a week before he married his wife Claire. And it is obvious to him that Kent was the result. Kent is the spitting image of Tom at that age. Tom had never had a need to let Claire know about his fling, because it happened before he made his wedding vows, and he did not think he'd ever see Monica again. There was nothing between them, no emotional ties. They meant nothing to each other, then or now.

What happens the next few months is something out of Tom's worst nightmare, as he struggles with keeping this a secret or letting his wife and family know about the affair. Their world is torn apart as slowly, the rest of the school finds out who Kent really is, a student that was embraced by the student body and as popular with them as Chelsea and Robby.

HOME SONG deals with the theme of infidelity and how it impacts a family that seems too strong to be torn apart. LaVryle Spencer as usual creates real characters with real feelings, characters that are also likable and authentic. This reviewer's only complaint is the Hollywood-type ending, but over all, this was another excellent book by Spencer. She has a knack for writing stories that will shock the reader, yet does so in a very realistic manner that makes her stories believable. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Another great book by Lavryle Spencer
Review: HOME SONG by LaVyrle Spencer

One of my favorite books by LaVyrle Spencer so far, HOME SONG is the story of a family torn apart by an indiscretion from the past.

The Gardners are the perfect family. Tom is the principal of the local high school, his wife Claire is an English teacher in the same school, and their children Chelsea and Robby attend the high school in this closely-knit town. They are a happy family, and everyone knows it. Tom and Claire are 100% devoted to their children, and Chelsea, a cheerleader, and Robby, a football player, are well-rounded well-behaved teens that love their parents very much.

Right before the school year starts that September, Tom is introduced to a new student, Kent Arens, and after a second look at Kent's mother, Tom realizes Monica Arens was the one-night stand he had a week before he married his wife Claire. And it is obvious to him that Kent was the result. Kent is the spitting image of Tom at that age. Tom had never had a need to let Claire know about his fling, because it happened before he made his wedding vows, and he did not think he'd ever see Monica again. There was nothing between them, no emotional ties. They meant nothing to each other, then or now.

What happens the next few months is something out of Tom's worst nightmare, as he struggles with keeping this a secret or letting his wife and family know about the affair. Their world is torn apart as slowly, the rest of the school finds out who Kent really is, a student that was embraced by the student body and as popular with them as Chelsea and Robby.

HOME SONG deals with the theme of infidelity and how it impacts a family that seems too strong to be torn apart. LaVryle Spencer as usual creates real characters with real feelings, characters that are also likable and authentic. This reviewer's only complaint is the Hollywood-type ending, but over all, this was another excellent book by Spencer. She has a knack for writing stories that will shock the reader, yet does so in a very realistic manner that makes her stories believable. Highly recommended!

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Summary: Tom felt like he was looking at his image of 25 years ago.
Review: I first had mixed feelings about reading this one, but then I decided I needed to give it a chance- and now I am glad I did. It's a really good read! Now about the story... Tom Gardner is the principal at the local high school, happily married with his first wife, Claire of 18 years, who teaches English at the same high school and they have 2 good kids of whom are both at the high school. Things change when Kent Arens walks into Tom's office as a transfer student. Tom's first reaction to Kent is like looking at himself 25 years ago. Kent is accompanied with his mother, Monica whom Tom recognizes from college days. And then Tom starts getting a sickening feeling. There was that one night- the night of his bachelor party, the night before his wedding to Claire when he made the fatal mistake of getting drunk and making-out with the pizza delivery girl. He has always felt guilty of that night- the one time he was unfaithful to Claire. And then it was because he had felt cornered into getting married. Claire had come to him and told him that she was pregnant. He had just graduated from college and had been looking forward to having a time of fun and freedom but now he was being tied down. It had been purely an act of rebellion. He had never told Claire but had tried making it up to her by being a good and loving husband... and they were the happiest they had ever been. How could this have happened? Was it possible for him to have another son the same age as his present son that he had with Claire? What was this going to do to his family? How would they react? And what would people there at the school say? Tom was so well thought of and Tom and Claire were thought to have the ideal marriage. What about Kent? He was the ideal son-great grades, out-standing athlete, well-liked and thought of, and his mother's life. He had never known his father-had no idea who he was and what the situation was between his mother and father. How was he going to take having a father step into his life now? The story is so realistic... you can't help but feel for the characters involved, you really feel their hurt. Once again LS makes you really think and get involved in the story. It's a good story and I highly recommend it.

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Summary: My first Spencer book
Review: I like to read for relazation after a busy day at work. This was my first Lavyrle Spencer book and was given to me by my wife as a Christmas present. Since I'm in my late 40's, I found the possibility of this happening very real. A couple who has been married 18 years suddenly finds out that the husband has an illegitimate son, he knew nothing about, that is the same age as one of his children. It's a story about how all involved handle, or mishandle, the situation. A wonderful story and I plan to read many more of her books.

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Summary: YET ANOTHER TERRIFIC STORY BY LAVYRLE!
Review: I loved this book - I had a hard time putting it down! I really felt sorry for Claire. When she found out a terrible secret after 18 years of marriage and two children, it broke her heart and mine, too! I really liked how LaVyrle created this story, and I was very happy with the ending! This is a terrific, must-read story!

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Summary: This book is actually a zero!
Review: I read this book years ago and was saddened by her retirement after "Then Came Heaven." I can't say I have read a book of hers I didn't like. She has a special gift and insight into peoples feelings and the one thing she does best is make you feel like you personally know her characters. The one poor review listed here got my dander up when she recommended passing this one up - I just went out and bought the hardcover today because I want this one for my permanent library. There is a lot to be learned here about handling life's difficulties and unexpected circumstances. Some of the advice given here to some of the individuals you will want to write down and have your answers ready in case your kids ever ask you a question like this. I loved this book and would not hesitate to lend my copy out (the paperback) I am keeping the hardcover under my watchful eye. We miss you LaVyrle... hope you are enjoying your retirement! I have wanted to visit Minnesota ever since I read my first book by you "Morning Glory" - another keeper! Thank you for your contributions to the literary world. Gloria Bernal

Rating:
Summary: DELIGHTFUL READ
Review: Lavyrle is one of those gifted story tellers that keep you turning pages. Although I've enjoyed every book she's written, so far, Endearment and Home Song have been my favorites. I'm not alwyas looking for "the great American novel", and after a long day of work, I just want to be entertained - not challenged. Lavyrle tells wonderful stories and at the end of them all, you can't help but continue to think of the characters; how you might have handled the situation or what you might have said. Home Song posed the difficult question as to how an entire family was asked to handle news of infedelity, and a child that another woman bore, and will now have to be acknowledged both emotionally and financially. The end of the story cleaned up a lot like a one hour television drama, but I don't feel that in any way negated the rest of the book. Don't be afraid to purchase this one. It's a keeper.

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Summary: Expect this one to be a little different....
Review: Simplistic and often poorly written, Home Song ranks in the lowest echelon of Spencer's works. Featuring a heroine whose reason for holding a grudge is shaky at best; a trio of teenagers straight out of Dawson's Creek; and a hero who keeps losing his level-headed approach to life whenever the script demands it, there's not a lot in this book about which to rave.

The high point would be the achingly realistic way Spencer portrays Tom's emotions when he learns of the son he never knew he had.

All in all, Home Song will fill time on a flight or bus ride, but if you're looking for something of substance, look elsewhere.

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Summary: Is this for real?
Review: This book made me so angry, I just had to vent. The way that Claire is treated by her husband Tom and her spoiled rotten kids was hideous.

Tom tells her that not only did he cheat on her before they were married, but that he fathered another child. A young man that she has to see every day. A kid who was dating their daughter. Claire is (justifiably) angry at him for this. She (understandably) loses her trust for him. She asks him for a separation. So what happens?

Everyone dumps on her. How can she be so cruel? How can she not forgive him and welcome his former lover (one night stand) and illegitimate child into her heart?

HE cheated on her, and SHE'S the bad guy. HE publically humiliates her by bringing his illegitimate kid into the home, and SHE'S a terrible woman for not being delighted. She's a bad woman for not instantly being delighted at the existence of her "stepson".

Tom, the jerk, plays the wounded victim to the core. "Why do I have such an unreasonable wife?" Considering his violent reaction when a man FLIRTS with Claire, Tom is also a hypocrite.

And her kids. "You are breaking up the family!" Huh. Why don't they tell Dad, "Why didn't you keep your pants on?"

No. They have to act out, so that they can lay a guilt trip on Mom. "You broke up the family, and our lives are going to be ruined!" Huh. These kids are in High School, that's a little old to be playing traumetized child of divorce.

If I had been Claire, I would have dumped all of them. They deserved each other.

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Summary: First Read Made Great Impression
Review: This was the first book that I read by this author, boy was it great. The characters were wonderful....Tom the husband who finds himself coming face to face with a past indiscretion...Claire who plays the wounded wife a little to well...Kent the illegitimate child....and their children who seem rattled and confused that their happy little family isn't so happy anymore. The book got into the story right away and just kept right on going....I couldn't but the book down...except when I needed to get Claire and her melodramatic character out of my head....seeing as how I would get so angry at this fictional women the author has but together a very interesting, entertaining and well written book together....Borrow it, buy it but just read it somehow...I promise it is not a let down.