Review: The Story of Us by d. Nichole King

One of my favorite lines here is this: "....happy endings don't happen without unhappy middles." I'm a realist. Though, I believe in happy ever afters, I still want to know what happens after you say, "I do." The Story of Us takes a couple, Alieya and Maverick, from their first chance meeting, to their first kiss, and then to their "I dos." It opens a curtain to the reality of a marriage - the first fight, the first hurdle, and the first heartache.

I like how simple d. Nichole King's format is. It's told in entries; in series of flashbacks that take us back to the present. I love how she examines that moment between life and death; the waiting period. The period where we are bargaining to God, to ourselves, to the people we love, and making promises to do better and be better people, if only.

If only we could have just a few more moments.

A few more memories.

But some memories and regrets invade our thoughts until we're consumed with what-ifs and if-onlys playing over and over in an endless loop. 

One of the things that got to me was how vivid the colors were used throughout the book. I could see the color of a first kiss. If I could paint, I could tell you what colors to use to paint our grief. Did you know you could paint your brokenness? Actually put an image of what haunts us?

It was pretty intense reading material, let me tell you. Maybe I'm made of more softer materials, but I cried all the way through. I remember all the unhappy middles in my almost 12 year fairy tale, and those lessons, regrets, and tears have strengthened my marriage. 

If you're looking for a little romance, a dose of marital reality, with a fun couple who, aside from the lawyer and artist thing, could very well be every couple you've ever met...even you and your spouse! I recommend this book for you. 

This is a story of two ordinary people; just a girl and a guy - and how they fell in love. 
It's a story of knowing, understanding, and accepting, who we are, before and during our marriage.
It's what happens when we let people go, that makes room for someone else to come in. 
It's a series of moments and lessons that make us.
It's a painting of our memories; in sunsets, and sunrises; in shades of pastels or charcoals.
It's the story of choosing love over grief.
This is The story of us.