Book Review: The Perfect Marriage

The Perfect Marriage
Kimberla Lawson Roby


From the outside looking in, the Shaws seem like a dream couple. Derrek, a hospital administrator and Denise, a prestigious nurse, have power, connections, money…and a serious drug problem. The Shaws think that they can just quit when they’re ready, but they soon find out that quitting is easier said than done. As their lives spiral out of control, they are forced to confront family secrets, deep emotional wounds and family tragedy in order to survive the toll that the drugs have taken on them.

The Perfect Marriage, the newest literary offering from popular African-American author Kimberla Lawson Roby, is a wonderfully engrossing read that shows that all people, no matter how successful they may appear, have their own personal struggles that they must endure. Mrs. Roby is the author of the enormously popular Curtis Black series of books, but she announced last year that she would continue to publish stories outside of the series. This book, while a stand-alone title, also tackles tough topics and issues within families that have made Mrs. Roby’s Curtis Black series books so popular. Coming in at under 200 pages, this book is the perfect quick read to take along on a vacation or to curl up with on a rainy day.

While most of Mrs. Roby’s following eagerly awaits the release of each new book in her Curtis Black series, this novel proves that the author is capable of realistically writing about serious and timely topics that appeal to everyone.

Submitted by Pam Jessie
Woodlawn Library