By: Amy Hatvany
ISBN: 978-1501161599
Publisher: Atria
Publication Date: 8/14/2018
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: TBR From the “master of creating compelling, beautiful, flawed characters” (Taylor Jenkins Reid) and author of the “brave” (Us Weekly) and “compelling” (PopSugar) It Happens All the Time, comes a seductive, nuanced novel about a seemingly average married couple exploring an unconventional arrangement—but at what cost? You think you know your neighbors. But when it comes to Jake and Jessica Snyder, you have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. Jake and Jessica Snyder are content. At least, that’s what they’ve have been telling themselves. Both successful professionals in their late thirties, they live in a comfortable home in a picturesque Seattle suburb, and are busy juggling their careers and raising two teenagers from Jessica’s first marriage. What more could they want?
But the Snyders have come to realize that contentment isn’t everything. One evening, they conclude a long-overdue date night with a detour into a crowded club, where Jessica is approached by an attractive stranger. On a whim, Jake urges her to dance with him. He watches as this other man touches his wife, seeing with new eyes just how alluring she is. Jessica is shocked by her husband’s response—and even more shocked by the arousal that lingers for both of them. Emboldened, they decide to test the boundaries of their discovery.
Jessica’s friends would never guess the secret behind her renewed marital passion. They have no idea that Jake is encouraging her to sleep with other men, as long as she follows a few agreed-upon rules to protect their marriage and safety. As her sexual confidence grows, her relationship with Jake becomes closer and richer than ever before. That is, until Jessica lets one liaison get out of hand, breaking their most important rule, and threatening to destroy their world forever.
A sexy and insightful look into the shifting definitions of marriage, fulfillment, and the complexities and consequences of desire, A Casual Encounter is a novel that will make you question everything you thought you believed about monogamy, and will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
Praise
“I relished living vicariously through Jessica Snyder on her quest to embrace her sexual identity. You admire Jessica for being in touch with her anxiety, her desire. You watch her blossom, you feel inspired, reflective....And then, Amy Hatvany grins, cracks her knuckles and pulls the rug out from under your feet. But the thing is, you like that too. A sizzling, squirming, thought-provoking story of female growth.” —Caroline Kepnes, bestselling author
"Hatvany expertly navigates beyond the white picket fences of an affluent neighborhood to reveal the secrets that surface when one couple decides to spice up their stale marriage. Boundaries will be pushed. Lines will be crossed. Things will get heated. And one thing is for sure: you’ll never look at your neighbors the same way again." —Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, authors of The Good Widow
"A Casual Encounter is a smart, steamy book that will have readers rethinking sexuality, fidelity, and marriage. Bring it to your book club, preferably with some very cold drinks!" —Andrea Dunlop, author of Losing the Light and She Regrets Nothing
"Riveting, bold, and brilliantly written, I ripped through this, barely breaking for meals." —Carol Mason, bestselling author of After You Left and The Secrets of Married Women
About the Author
Amy Hatvany graduated with a degree in Sociology only to discover most sociologists are unemployed. Soon followed a variety of jobs – some of which she loved, like decorating wedding cakes; others which she merely tolerated, like receptionist.
In 1998, Amy finally decided to sell her car, quit her job, and take a chance on her passion: writing books.
Her background in sociology inspires and informs much of her work as she tackles timely and controversial issues in her novels including mental illness, domestic abuse, and alcoholism. She is published by Washington Square Press/Atria Books, and has been both a Target Book Club and Costco Pennie's Pick.
Amy spends most of her time today with her kids and her second and final husband, Stephan. (Seriously, if this one doesn’t work out, she’s done, kaput, no more husbands!) When Amy’s not with friends or family, she is most likely reading, cooking, or zoning out on certain reality television shows. She eagerly awaits Bravo auditions for the cast of “Top Author.” (“Quick Edit” instead of “Quick Fire” Challenge? C’mon, producers! That’s gripping television!) Read More
