9 1/2 Couples Author:Wendell Scales From first-time novelist Wendell Scales comes this remarkable novel about how communicating your true feelings can bring redemption and, ultimately, salvation to a troubled relationship. 9½ Couples takes readers on a journey through the delicate issues that besiege the lives of nine unforgettable couples who—to stay together—must overcome the to... more »ughest relationship challenges. It is a story about the intimate and emotional situations and catastrophic changes that result when couples fail to communicate. The story begins with Dr. Jean-Paul Lefervre, a psychiatrist, feeling ineffective and frustrated as a therapist, and guilt-ridden since the death of his wife, Simone. Jean-Paul needs desperately to become more effective as a counselor and to make peace with Simone, who was his "all and everything." Armed with his new "journal therapy," Jean-Paul is determined to prevent other couples from making the same mistake in their relationships that he made in his. An underlying story emerges as the couples reveal to Jean-Paul their trials with impotence, menopause, infidelity, abuse, forbidden love, and other issues. It is the story of the devastating mistake Jean-Paul made, the inevitable consequences that led to the bittersweet secret of his marriage, and the yoke of regret he carries for not allowing his wife to say, "Jean-Paul please forgive me." 9½ Couples is a brilliant and memorable work from a talented artist with immense insight into the human psyche.« less