Separate Beds

By: LaVyrle Spencer

Narrated by: Liz Dykhouse

Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Readers have long flocked to the works of LaVyrle Spencer, one of America's most cherished storytellers. From The Fulfillment to Morning Glory to Then Came Heaven, her touching, emotionally charged novels have examined love in all its forms. In Separate Beds, two attractive, headstrong people meet - and fireworks ensue.

Catherine Anderson and Clay Forrester come from two completely different worlds, but one blind date leaves them forever linked. Clay, a handsome law student, and Catherine, a serious, bookish undergrad, experience an evening they will never forget. Fortified by the beauty of the night, as well as a bottle of wine, they share a night together. A few short months later, Catherine discovers she's pregnant. They agree to a marriage of convenience, an arrangement that suits them both - until they begin to fall in love.

Moving and deeply affecting, Separate Beds is a celebration of the healing power of love.

©2004 LaVyrle Spencer (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great book, poor reader

This is a wonderful story and the bonus is that it is unabridged. But the reader is really poor, you can't tell the difference between characters, even male and female is not discernible. Really ruins a perfect love stpry.

Never a miss with Ms. Spencer

Would you listen to Separate Beds again? Why?

I have read this book twice, and listened to it once already. I will definitely keep it in my library to listen again. LaVyrle has such a gift in portraying the thoughts and emotions that we all struggle with. It is very easy to relate to her characters.

What other book might you compare Separate Beds to and why?

I would compare Separate Beds probably to BitterSweet in that it portrays that with each perfect love, there are also choices to make, and unfortunately, pain for oneself and others.

What about Liz Dykhouse’s performance did you like?

Ms. Dykhouse was very consistent with her character portrayals and sensitive in her character insight.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I owuld have loved to listen to this in one sitting.....during breaks for other "life activities" I would mull over the story in my head so that I could pick up where I left off.

Any additional comments?

Any of LaVyrle Spencer's books are definitly worth reading. She captures real life emotions and thoughts as no other contemporary writer. Her books are classics.

An old favorite

I've read many times. Enjoyed the audible version. I can't wait to listen to more. LaVyrle Spencer is my favorite author.

well written period piece

This was an Audible Escape borrow.
I was a big fan of LaVyrle Spencer for many years - since before she retired from writing - and a few of her stories really stuck with me: Family Blessings, The Fulfillment, Bitter Sweet, Morning Glory.
Catherine is so difficult for me to care about because she is her own worst enemy. She has taken her suffering from growing up with Herb and Ada and has magnified it 100 fold. She doesn’t even remotely consider her child and its needs in how she interacts with Clay. Yes, this was written before cell phones, internet, aids or testing for stds, but even then there was social awareness of the importance of a father in his child’s life. And there was no addressing Clay’s time with Jill.
If this was written now in 2020, I would not support any author writing without more emotional intelligence. Different times and awareness. Nostalgic period piece with a HEA.
Dykhouse does a decent job of narration.

Ho hum

Written beautifully, narrated beautifully, the story is just too long with far too little action. The resistance of the heroine is painfully dragged out. Love LaVyrle Spencer, and this book is good, just not noteworthy or one of her better one.

I have read this book several times over the years

One of my favorite books. I have read it a few times over the years. It is still a book that stays with me.

Beautifully Enticing Story

Characters were brought to life so you root for their wins and cry for their losses. Beautiful story and very well read. Highly recommend.

Rang True for the times.

I didn't like this as much as the other books of LS, the narrator was fine, but just didn't get engaged for a while. I felt like I was looking in from a distance a bit on this one. However, in true L.S. style she still managed to draw me in, and her vivid capture of the events and culture surrounding it are spot on. I would have liked just a bit more revealing inner dialogue. No time is ever wasted on an L.S. book! Looking forward to unabridged audible on all your books L.S.!

Just excellent.

I read this years ago in paperback and it was a favorite. I got the ebook and audible to see if it was as good as my memory. It was better. It is a coming into her own type of story for the female and it then sparks similar maturing for the male. It really is so very well written. A must read. The narrator did an excellent job and only enhanced the story. I will listen to this one many times. Just excellent.

Sappy

Characters acted in unrealistic manner. However, I did continue listening until the end. Disappointing from this author.