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The Living Room
What would you do if the dream you had last night came true today?
Legal secretary Amy Clarke is a budding romance novelist with an active imagination. However, unlike other writers, the inspiration for her books doesn’t come when she’s awake; it happens while she sleeps. Amy knows that the interpretation of dreams plays a significant role in the Bible. Could God be trying to tell her something?
Amy’s mother made her promise never to talk about her dreams back when she was a young girl. Now that she’s a wife and mother of two teens, the images are more disturbing. And instead of receiving them in dreams, the visions come when she’s wide awake. Staying quiet is no longer an option.
As her involvement in a high-stakes case at work exposes Amy to threats from unexpected places, her fourteen-year-old daughter, Megan, gets tangled up in rumors. Then Megan seeks solace in what only seems like a safe place.
Dreams, writing, and visions converge in unfolding events that threaten her career, but more importantly, the safety of her family. Faith and courage are the tools Amy must use to triumph in the end.
Legal secretary Amy Clarke is a budding romance novelist with an active imagination. However, unlike other writers, the inspiration for her books doesn’t come when she’s awake; it happens while she sleeps. Amy knows that the interpretation of dreams plays a significant role in the Bible. Could God be trying to tell her something?
Amy’s mother made her promise never to talk about her dreams back when she was a young girl. Now that she’s a wife and mother of two teens, the images are more disturbing. And instead of receiving them in dreams, the visions come when she’s wide awake. Staying quiet is no longer an option.
As her involvement in a high-stakes case at work exposes Amy to threats from unexpected places, her fourteen-year-old daughter, Megan, gets tangled up in rumors. Then Megan seeks solace in what only seems like a safe place.
Dreams, writing, and visions converge in unfolding events that threaten her career, but more importantly, the safety of her family. Faith and courage are the tools Amy must use to triumph in the end.
432 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
About the author
Robert Whitlow
38 books860 followersRobert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four children. They make their home in North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 30, 2020
For most of my life, I've believed that my dreams had meanings. After I'd have ones about whoever or whatever, I'd ask my friends and family, "What does it mean?" I was probably subconsciously remembering the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis.
With that kind of background, you'd probably expect me to like this story...and I did!
With that kind of background, you'd probably expect me to like this story...and I did!
June 3, 2014
The whole time I read this, all I could think was "what kind of parents let their daughter have such an inappropriate relationship with a teacher?" How could Amy and Jeff not see that Mr. Ryan was a creep? I have read several Robert Whitlow books and will continue to read more, as I like his writing, but I was really surprised at how naïve the main character was.
August 3, 2013
I was really looking forward to Whitlow's new book, but it disappointed me. It just wasn't like his other novels. The fact that the parents allowed the relationship between their teenage daughter and a single male teacher was just not believable. In this day and time what responsible Christian parent does that?
May 9, 2013
Amy has, from a young age, visited a place in her dreams called the “Living Room”. This is a room that she has drifted to in her sleep that provides her with peace and comfort over decisions in her life. That is, until now. Amy has used these visits to help her with her writing and has successfully written two novels. The money from these books help, but aren’t enough for her to give up all thoughts of working a second job. When her replacement at her old law firm leaves on a maternity leave, Amy is asked to come in and work just while she’s gone. Knowing the extra money will help, Amy agrees. As Amy begins writing her third book, her trips to the “living room” take a different twist in the fact that some of them can be directly linked to happenings around her. Her best friend’s son is saved when Amy suggest that her best friend attend a field trip and keep him safe. She sees a vision of a client from the law firm but doesn’t act on it. When it winds up that she should have, she becomes more confused. Meanwhile, back at home, her daughter is swooning over a new teacher at school. Amy and her husband pursue every angle with the new teacher, trying to find any ulterior motives he may have with the students. Throw in a nasty inheritance case at the firm that may or may not involve a new friend of Amy’s and her life begins to unravel. Will she finish her 3rd novel? Will she have to make concessions to her faith background to get the book published? Are the attentions given by the new teacher truly innocent? Can the friendship that she has started be saved or will the inheritance case put it at risk? Tons of questions and no answers from me until you GO BUY THE BOOK!
DISCERNMENT - 1: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure : skill in discerning. 2: an act of perceiving or discerning something
I think this one word does a great job of summing up this book. We all practice some form of discernment when it comes to thoughts, feelings, dreams, etc. Can we use that to help us or to benefit us in our everyday life? Mr. Whitlow does a fantastic job of wrapping this story up as a lesson in discernment. He has written his novel in a way that is very fluid and transparent. While Amy seems to “have it all figured out”, her husband struggles with his day-to-day walk. Both of the parents, though, model a great Christian home in the fact that when there is turmoil, the both pray it and talk it through first. Again, Mr. Whitlow provides us a glimpse into how to use discernment in shaping our every day lives. We must be diligent in our thoughts and prayers and remember to focus on He who provides us with the discernment.
Is this a "guy's book"? There aren’t any overtly “guy” themes in this book. There aren’t dangerous car chases, city-leveling explosions or OK Corral gun fights. What this book does have, though, is an honest look into a typical family and how they work around all the different decisions and changes that come their way. I know that while I was reading it, it made me stop and reflect on how I may not always interact with my wife the way that I should. For that reason alone, I feel this is a book that every man should read.
DISCERNMENT - 1: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure : skill in discerning. 2: an act of perceiving or discerning something
I think this one word does a great job of summing up this book. We all practice some form of discernment when it comes to thoughts, feelings, dreams, etc. Can we use that to help us or to benefit us in our everyday life? Mr. Whitlow does a fantastic job of wrapping this story up as a lesson in discernment. He has written his novel in a way that is very fluid and transparent. While Amy seems to “have it all figured out”, her husband struggles with his day-to-day walk. Both of the parents, though, model a great Christian home in the fact that when there is turmoil, the both pray it and talk it through first. Again, Mr. Whitlow provides us a glimpse into how to use discernment in shaping our every day lives. We must be diligent in our thoughts and prayers and remember to focus on He who provides us with the discernment.
Is this a "guy's book"? There aren’t any overtly “guy” themes in this book. There aren’t dangerous car chases, city-leveling explosions or OK Corral gun fights. What this book does have, though, is an honest look into a typical family and how they work around all the different decisions and changes that come their way. I know that while I was reading it, it made me stop and reflect on how I may not always interact with my wife the way that I should. For that reason alone, I feel this is a book that every man should read.
March 2, 2014
The main character, who is a writer asks, "if readers didn't care about the characters, why would they want to spend time finding out what happened to them?" This is a good question and here are answers:
1. Because the reader has read and enjoyed all the writers previous books and expects the same of this book.
2. Because the reader spent the effort to go to an actual store and buy the book and thought the read would be worth the time/money.
3 Because the reader is an optimist who believes the book has to get better or at least has a spectacular ending.
I read and kept reading to the last page. This book is dreadful. When I was 50 or so pages into the book, I went back and looked at the cover thinking perhaps I had made a mistake and had accidentally bought a book by someone else. Whitlows name is on the cover but his talent is not on these pages. I was ambivalent about every character. There is no plot. And the whole dream thing--God can certainly send his children dreams but there is no basis in Scripture for the future foretelling/medium type of lifestyle of the main character.
July 27, 2013
I have read all of Robert Whitlow's books and very much enjoyed them. I preordered this one, but was very disappointed with it. It read very contrived, and sometimes I felt that I was enrolled in a class for writers. It was somewhat boring. I'm disappointed.
October 30, 2015
This book was so beautiful. I really related to Amy because she is a writer and so am I. Although Amy's constant nagging with her kids did annoy me some, but it wasn't a big deal. I enjoyed reading about whether she wanted to return back to work or not. The minor plot in the story also served a purpose. I also like that there were a number of subplots to keep the story flowing. I want to pick up more of Robert Whitlow's book soon.
July 26, 2017
I made it through three hours of this, but couldn't really connect to any of the characters. Apart from the over-the-top dreams from God, the other Christian ideas seemed forced and overly self-conscious.
November 12, 2013
This was such a weird book. I felt like I was reading two separate stories-- a semi-exciting law novel, and an in-your-face Christian propaganda essay-- that were combined to give the book length or depth or... something. Honestly, the best part of the story revolved around the law office, and even that fizzled out toward the end, as if the author ran out of ideas or hit his word limit and had to wrap things up fast.
The characters were so unrealistic! Every single thing about Amy drove me crazy. In fact, I felt that way about all the characters. Who prays with someone seconds after meeting them? And then spends the remainder of the visit fantasizing about what their parting prayer will be like? In what universe would you let your 14-year-old daughter attend a party at her teacher's house? And what about the times he showed up to watch her dance, or drove her to and from the studio? What kind of father encourages a 30-something teacher to take his daughter out for lunch, and then gives her money to pay for it? Was I the only one who saw what was coming? Because neither parent had a clue. They were all so awkward with each other, I had to stop reading several times to roll my eyes in frustration and annoyance.
Whitlow would have written a better story if only he followed the advice given to Amy by the publishing house: no supernatural cop-outs, no shoving religion down the readers' throats, and no flat, one-dimensional characters. What a disappointment!
The characters were so unrealistic! Every single thing about Amy drove me crazy. In fact, I felt that way about all the characters. Who prays with someone seconds after meeting them? And then spends the remainder of the visit fantasizing about what their parting prayer will be like? In what universe would you let your 14-year-old daughter attend a party at her teacher's house? And what about the times he showed up to watch her dance, or drove her to and from the studio? What kind of father encourages a 30-something teacher to take his daughter out for lunch, and then gives her money to pay for it? Was I the only one who saw what was coming? Because neither parent had a clue. They were all so awkward with each other, I had to stop reading several times to roll my eyes in frustration and annoyance.
Whitlow would have written a better story if only he followed the advice given to Amy by the publishing house: no supernatural cop-outs, no shoving religion down the readers' throats, and no flat, one-dimensional characters. What a disappointment!
June 16, 2014
If this is your first Robert Whitlow book...put it down. Pick up JIMMY or MOUNTAIN TOP. Read this one only if there's nothing else on your shelf.
Very disappointed in this lackluster story. Throughout most of it, I seriously doubted that Whitlow was the author. The writing is sophomoric, the characters very one-dimensional, and there was no suspenseful story to hold the attention. The most pressing challenge for writer/legal secretary Amy Clarke is her 14-year-old daughter. YAWN! The legal thriller that Whitlow usually does so well was hidden in the "drama" of a dream world that may or may not reveal future events...or the plot of Amy's next novel.
Perhaps there's just too much crammed into the 418 pages: friendships, money troubles, a kid's broken arm, a missing man found in the bushes, a Nigerian oil deal, a children's book, and a contested will...in addition to the drama with the teen-aged daughter. Perhaps if only one of these stories had been the focus, I may have cared about "the living room."
Very disappointed in this lackluster story. Throughout most of it, I seriously doubted that Whitlow was the author. The writing is sophomoric, the characters very one-dimensional, and there was no suspenseful story to hold the attention. The most pressing challenge for writer/legal secretary Amy Clarke is her 14-year-old daughter. YAWN! The legal thriller that Whitlow usually does so well was hidden in the "drama" of a dream world that may or may not reveal future events...or the plot of Amy's next novel.
Perhaps there's just too much crammed into the 418 pages: friendships, money troubles, a kid's broken arm, a missing man found in the bushes, a Nigerian oil deal, a children's book, and a contested will...in addition to the drama with the teen-aged daughter. Perhaps if only one of these stories had been the focus, I may have cared about "the living room."
February 27, 2019
While this book did have some good moments it was definitely not one of my favorite Robert Whitlow titles. What I liked; 1) that God will speak to you through dreams 2) the insight into all that it takes for a writer to write and try to get published and 3) how Amy and her husband interacted. What I didn't like was the completely unbelievable storyline concerning the daughter and her teacher. At first I thought "maybe it's a just different way races parent their children, but upon reading other comments I see no it wasn't that it's just that was too unbelievable. And these were supposed to be Christian parents. Also how an established legal firm would suddenly start to make decisions based on the dreams of a legal secretary seemed like a really far-fetched idea.
February 5, 2021
Ooomf. A lot of mixed feelings for this one. I knew I didn’t like Greg from the very beginning.
September 28, 2022
I have several books by Robert Whitlow. This is the first one I’ve read. I enjoyed reading it but it is a long way from the books I normally read. That’s a good thing. I normally enjoy psychological thrillers and have been feeling a need to tone it down a bit since my mind ended a break from all the tension that genre gives.
The Living Room is a story about Amy who is a Christian romance writer. She finds inspiration for her books when she sleeps. When she sleeps, she sometimes goes into a place she calls the Living Room. It’s a place of acceptance, comfort and God speaks to her there. When she starts having dreams in the Living Room that start coming true, she’s starts searching for meaning in the images she sees. Is it a warning for something more dangerous than what she understands? She meets an older lady that is like her in that way and the older lady becomes a mentor to her. Things are not what they seem and Amy learns this just in time.
The Living Room is a story about Amy who is a Christian romance writer. She finds inspiration for her books when she sleeps. When she sleeps, she sometimes goes into a place she calls the Living Room. It’s a place of acceptance, comfort and God speaks to her there. When she starts having dreams in the Living Room that start coming true, she’s starts searching for meaning in the images she sees. Is it a warning for something more dangerous than what she understands? She meets an older lady that is like her in that way and the older lady becomes a mentor to her. Things are not what they seem and Amy learns this just in time.
February 17, 2021
Another good book by Mr. Whitlow! His formula changed a bit for this one and was refreshing. However, I did see the villain right from the beginning. There were lots of twists and turns, adding other detours. I truly enjoy the real life characters and day-to-day life.
This story is about a family and some true grit that real families go through. To me, this story is very much like a diamond as it has many facets. It's not a perfect stone but who's family life and daily interactions is.
It took me longer to read (listen) to this book as I was out of town with friends. I can tell you, I missed these new friends, so once back at home without all the distractions, I read as though quenching a thirst! Now, on to another one of his books!
This story is about a family and some true grit that real families go through. To me, this story is very much like a diamond as it has many facets. It's not a perfect stone but who's family life and daily interactions is.
It took me longer to read (listen) to this book as I was out of town with friends. I can tell you, I missed these new friends, so once back at home without all the distractions, I read as though quenching a thirst! Now, on to another one of his books!
October 23, 2017
Terrible read. The female point of view/narration was poorly written and showed clearly that a man who does not understand a woman is trying to write a female character, and who also thinks he understand fully how she thinks and would react naturally, and none of these reactions in this book are natural for a woman. I would know. I am one. Then I could barely identify the climax of the story and it was a dry read in general. I do not recommend this book. It's a Christian fiction which is hit or miss anyways and it felt like the author was trying to convert people through this book. Sorry But this was pretty bad.
March 12, 2018
The Living Room has a very unusual plot dealing with spiritual dreams and visions. The main character is a Christian author, wife, and mother who gets inspiration for her books from dreams. As her life changes and very tough trials come, she seems to be warned about some future events. I enjoyed the family dynamic between Amy, her husband and two children. She works at a law firm during the story, and several questions come up about who to trust. This book was different, but I really enjoyed it.
May 22, 2022
Strange. The characters were not very believable. I can’t imagine attorneys making decisions based on something an administrative assistant saw in her dreams. The meeting with the elderly lady seemed contrived. Just not my cup of tea.
June 4, 2023
Interesting how a man can write a story about a woman, and capture her so well - her thoughts, feelings, dreams and worries.
Slower paced, but it suits the book.
Nice little turns and mysteries, but more subtle.
I like the idea of God allowing things for a reason, very true, and interesting.
Slower paced, but it suits the book.
Nice little turns and mysteries, but more subtle.
I like the idea of God allowing things for a reason, very true, and interesting.
February 12, 2018
Usually love books by this author, but this one wasn't for me. Stopped before the end.
June 18, 2019
I'm not sure what I think about dreams and messages from God in dreams, but this was an interesting look at them in the life of one Christian.
February 25, 2020
I like the dream parts because that has always interested me, but that single male teacher was too big a red flag to be ignored by a conscientious parent, even a self absorbed one.
August 16, 2022
I have read 5 Whitlow books in a week. I think this one is my favorite! God's love and mercy shown so beautifully.
December 14, 2018
Maybe I didn’t give this book enough of a chance, but I gave up at the beginning of Chapter 5. I’m not one to give up on books that easily, but I was plain bored. I was rolling my eyes at the little day-to-day details like wrinkled shirts, what coffees were ordered, and what was being watched on TV. Nothing is happening!
The dream thing is just weird and didn’t capture my attention.
And why didn’t the mom say something to the daughter right away when she started talking about how cute and awesome her new teacher was? That was a red flag right there. And now he’s interested in seeing her dance? Something is wrong with this guy.
I am also a legal secretary and was hoping for an enjoyable legal novel, but couldn’t even get that far.
I was listening to the audiobook and found the narration annoying. Not sure if it was the narrator himself or the writing style.
This was my first book by this author. Do I dare try another? Based on some other reviews maybe I should give him another shot, but which book?
The dream thing is just weird and didn’t capture my attention.
And why didn’t the mom say something to the daughter right away when she started talking about how cute and awesome her new teacher was? That was a red flag right there. And now he’s interested in seeing her dance? Something is wrong with this guy.
I am also a legal secretary and was hoping for an enjoyable legal novel, but couldn’t even get that far.
I was listening to the audiobook and found the narration annoying. Not sure if it was the narrator himself or the writing style.
This was my first book by this author. Do I dare try another? Based on some other reviews maybe I should give him another shot, but which book?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2024
Disappointing
Scripture and prayer, not dreams reveal his will. I'm shocked that Mr. Whitlow wrote this book. This is not good doctrine. I would love to hear his reasoning for writing such a book.
Amy did seem like a psychic as someone asked her about in the book. Her so called "gift" is more along the lines of palm reading and tarot cards which is not Biblical.
I was hoping that in the end, Amy would see the fallacy of this telling others what was going to happen because she dreamed it.
Hebrews chapter 1 points us to Christ, not the various means God used before He came.
Scripture and prayer, not dreams reveal his will. I'm shocked that Mr. Whitlow wrote this book. This is not good doctrine. I would love to hear his reasoning for writing such a book.
Amy did seem like a psychic as someone asked her about in the book. Her so called "gift" is more along the lines of palm reading and tarot cards which is not Biblical.
I was hoping that in the end, Amy would see the fallacy of this telling others what was going to happen because she dreamed it.
Hebrews chapter 1 points us to Christ, not the various means God used before He came.
December 30, 2019
Quite interesting and a little mystical for a Christian novel. The story focuses on a woman's dreams that often come true. It's certain God uses our dreams in some way, for He would not have given them to us if not for some purpose. A professor in college had a theory that God uses our dreams at night to clear our mind of garbage. Interesting to think about.
December 29, 2022
Homerun!
Robert Whitlow is a true "dream weaver" when it relates to a suspenseful story with spiritual and psychological foundations. Any parent reading this book could probably identify with the parents portrayed therein and the dilemmas they encounter while trying to be loving parents grounded in the Christian faith and their unconditional love for their children.
Robert Whitlow is a true "dream weaver" when it relates to a suspenseful story with spiritual and psychological foundations. Any parent reading this book could probably identify with the parents portrayed therein and the dilemmas they encounter while trying to be loving parents grounded in the Christian faith and their unconditional love for their children.
May 24, 2019
Good Read
Robert Whitlow is one of the authors I always enjoy. This was a bit different storyline than other books of his I’ve read. I enjoyed it a lot. He always has good character development and interesting storylines.
Robert Whitlow is one of the authors I always enjoy. This was a bit different storyline than other books of his I’ve read. I enjoyed it a lot. He always has good character development and interesting storylines.
April 17, 2023
My first Robert Whitlow book to read. This was an intriguing book that made you want to fight for the characters and engrain yourself into their life. At times some of the wording was a little choppy if I had a negative.
June 13, 2024
Intriguing
For the most part I loved the book and its spiritual overtones. But I didn’t care so much for all the legal jargon about the cases in the law firm but I guess they were necessary. Love this author though!
For the most part I loved the book and its spiritual overtones. But I didn’t care so much for all the legal jargon about the cases in the law firm but I guess they were necessary. Love this author though!
July 8, 2018
WOW! I enjoyed this story! I was immediately drawn into the story. It's well written and nicely paced. I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews