When I got into this book, I was reminded of a movie I saw in the early 1980s called A Small Circle of Friends. The premise was pretty much the same between the movie and the book, but Lauren K Denton's take on the situation was handled with much grace and aplomb.

Mac and Graham are friends who both love Edie, and Edie loves both of them--but differently. Mac and Edie have dated since junior high school with the exception of one summer when Mac goes to work at a marina on the beach and Edie goes to New York for an internship. Their lives are intertwined early on, but for a number of years Mac and Edie haven't interacted with Graham. When Edie is asked to do the interior design for a house of a client, she comes back into contact with Graham. About the same time, Mac's summer on the beach comes back to haunt him in the person of a daughter he didn't know he had.

Lauren takes this very real situation and works through the ins and outs of saving relationships, building a solid foundation for a family, and giving grace and mercy where it's needed most. She also takes on working life in that there is more to life than grinding out the work hours: there is giving back, there is fulfilling basic creativity, there is finding satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment in the job.

There is a sense of wanting a do-over among the characters, even though some things can't be "done over.," while at the same time there are choices and chances to be taken every day.

Lauren makes her novel one of enjoyment, yes, but at the same time there are aspects that can lead the reader to personal growth. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a chance to make the right decision.

Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a emotional southern novel set in Alabama about family drama, secrets, friends, forgiveness, and learning to live with past mistakes. Ms. Denton has given us a fabulous novel that pulls you in and holds your interest until the very last page. As with all of her books, I loved it. Thanks to author Lauren K. Denton, publisher Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for an honest opinion.

This was an absolutely lovely and poignant story of love, friendship, forgiveness, and hope. The plot was well-paced and captivating to the very end. This is a new favorite and I look forward to more from Lauren K. Denton. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Edie and Mac are high school sweethearts. They both have successful careers and two great teenagers. One day, a young woman shows up at Mac's office and with the very first look at her, Mac knows that his life is about to change drastically. The book does flip between current day and a period of time 19 years earlier when Mac and Edie had gone their separate ways for a summer. As the story develops, Mac & Edie face some difficult decisions and reflect on past decisions.

The blurb caught my attention. I’m not keen on stories revolving around marriage struggles. I had other stories to read, but I was so curious about how this one would play out and if my heart could take it, I put the others aside and started. I was not disappointed and thoroughly pleased. Some parts pained me, but others made me very happy.

Edie Everett and Mac Swan had a bright future ahead of them yet they decide to take a summer apart before their senior year of college. Was it for the best? Almost two decades of marriage later that may still be the question. Marriage is both a beautiful commitment and hard work. There can always come a time when one questions choices and decisions though. Both Edie and Mac do this. Especially when things get tough. When the bomb is dropped, I feel the devastation. I’m with Edie all the way. I’m heartbroken and angry. I’m all over the place with my feelings for Mac. I’m immensely impressed with his determination to do his own thing. I hate the consequences of some of those actions though. But once he has accepted those consequences, I love way he handles himself and his dogged determination to make things right, especially with his wife.

As they both go through the stages to work towards getting their life back on track it’s all there - hurt, anger, sorrow, doubt, longing, desire, love. The emotions ran the gamut. And the questions too. Can I do this was prevalent and I found myself wondering the same thing. The hurt and forgiveness was huge. Edie was a much stronger, and dare I say, more compassionate person than I could ever be. It was not a perfect marriage but what marriage is? They both had their faults but what was important was they communicated once trouble hit. Their strength was in their love for each other and their family and doing what they thought was best for them.

In the end this was a wonderful read that I couldn’t put down for many reasons and well worth putting off the others so I could read this first.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Mac and Edie met in high school. They got married after college and had two kids. Mac was a pediatrician and Edie was an interior designer. Mac gets a visitor at the office claiming to be his daughter. He is not sure how Edie will take the news. I enjoyed the different characters.

The One You're With by Lauren K. Denton. Family relationships, realistically portrayed with well developed relatable characters. Mac and Edie are willing to work through past consequences that have recently come to light. Refreshing to read about characters who love and respect each other, and are committed to one another, their marriage, and family.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

THE ONE YOU'RE WITH by LAUREN K DENTON is an enjoyable romantic novel with a great story and interesting characters.
When Riley Mills, pregnant and afraid, goes for help from pediatrician Mac Swan, things are uncovered that threaten to break up his family.
In 2000 Mac and his girlfriend of seven years, Edie Everett, take time apart for three months during the summer break. When they get back they pick up where they left off and get married, have two children and seventeen years later it seems as though they have the "perfect" life.
We see love tested to the limit, which is due largely to them keeping secrets from one another. Will they be able to save their marriage and their family, or will they each go their separate way?
I recommend The One You're With to anyone who enjoys romantic fiction.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.