Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier

By: Pam Evans

Narrated by: Becky Parker

Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the intriguing true story of Pam Evans, who has been married and divorced more times than she wants to admit and has lived to tell the tale - with honesty, humor and a heartfelt message for her readers.

Pam isn’t shy about revealing that her many treks down the aisle eventually led from the altar to the divorce court. During a 13-year hiatus from saying, "I do," Pam used this time to reflect on her past relationship choices and often hasty decisions. Her discoveries about her personality type and how it influenced her actions helped her gain new knowledge and take responsibility, allowing her to finally break her multi-relationship and marriage pattern. Pam says, "Some people get lucky when it comes to relationships and marriage! But, luck isn’t a strategy." She coaches her clients to first envision the life they want and then integrate their desired partner into their flexible plan.

©2014 Pamela E. Evans (P)2014 Pamela E. Evans

A message anyone can learn from

What did you love best about Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier?

I loved that I could apply Ms. Evan's message to nearly any problem or personal issue in my life. Although I am not a multiple marrier (happily wed for nine years now), and don't plan to be, the idea of looking back at choices, learning from them and then moving on is great advice for anyone!

What did you like best about this story?

Her advice to "analyze, strategize and actualize" was perfect for me. I thought her stories were lighthearted and also serious when she talked about how several of her previous marriages could have been salvaged if she'd known herself, and how to make herself happy, and how to negotiate and compromise at that point in her life. She was funny and engaging, while remaining relatable to someone who has never been in her shoes (married multiple times). Her quizzes at the end were the icing on the cake, and allowed me to do some soul-searching about my own relationship.

Which character – as performed by Becky Parker – was your favorite?

Pam Evans

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

You can end a marriage, but will marriage find you again?

Any additional comments?

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I read it with a friend in mind and will likely recommend it to her if she finds her way to walking down the aisle again!

True Confessions

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Whether a friend has one divorce or multiple divorces, I would definitely recommend this book just so my friend would realize they are not alone.

What did you like best about this story?

The author gave a very open and honest description of her multiple marriages and divorces. There was no hiding anything. Pam Evans also had stories of others who had multiple divorces, letting readers know they're not alone.

What about Becky Parker’s performance did you like?

Becky Parker has a very pleasant reading voice. She reads slowly enough that the listener can understand every word, but not so slowly that the listener gets bored. The reading was pleasant to listen to and easy to follow.

Any additional comments?

While I enjoyed this book, there is a more specific audience I believe this is meant to reach...those with multiple marriages/divorces. That being said, I do have a better understanding of people who have multiple marriages, and what happens in their lives. I'm grateful that I had the chance to read this book. I received a free copy of this audible book in exchange for an honest review.

Comical Approach to a Life With Multiple Marriages

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to a friend who has been married multiple times and would like someone to relate to on this topic. This book is a very niche topic.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the delivery of each topic; it was comical and borderline cynical.

What does Becky Parker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Becky Parker has excellent cadence; her inflections fit the story perfectly too.

What did you learn from Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier that you would use in your daily life?

It reemphasized how important an honest relationship is if you want one that is going to last.

Just say, "I Don't!"

Would you consider the audio edition of Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier to be better than the print version?

As I haven't read the print version of Ring EXchange, I can't definitively answer as to whether the print is better or not.

What other book might you compare Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier to and why?

When I think of Ring EXchange, I don't think of another book. I think about that old adage, "If you love it so much, why don't you marry it?"

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved it when Pam finally had her epiphany! Yes, our childhoods do effect our adult relationships.

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

I listened to this book as I worked around the house, and it sure made all those chores fly by. And I didn't want to turn it off until the very end. For me, it would have been like turning off a movie.

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Marriage is tricky...even with experience

What made the experience of listening to Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier the most enjoyable?

I thought this was one of the better marriage self-help books for the reason that the author was in the situation many times. This sounds silly because if the author had many issues in her marriages how could it help me save mine or pick my right guy? Well, because in each relationship that Ms. Evans had, she was able to look back and see mistakes and what she learned from each relationship. Sometimes it is hard to see these things while you are in it but once you are out, you can see things, you can see the big picture. She was able to share her experience which may help others see and avoid things before they become too big of an issue. She also interviews others and so it is not solely her perspective that you are listening to. I am married and only once, but there are lessons that I learned in this book that assist me in noticing things that I can avoid in my marriage and how to solve issues that may arise. The underlying message is that marriage can be tricky, even if you have experience in it. There are things that are going to arise but you have to understand who you are and what you want before you can go about being with someone else in a marriage. Marriage is uniting two people, two lifestyles, two characteristics, two different personalities, two futures and making it fit into one. You have to be ready to adjust, be strong, be flexible, and etc.

Any additional comments?

I received a copy of this book (audio) in exchange for an honest review.

Find your own sunshine!

The Ring Exchange is a funny self help book in which Pam Evans walks us through her experience with 4 failed marriages and what she has learned from them. This is my first audio book, and although I prefer to physically hold a book it was nice to be able to multi-task while listening to Pam's story narrated by Ms. Parker.

I loved Pam's stories and her take-aways from each situation. From going out to lunch in California vs New England to each of her ring exchanges, she provides us with humor and insight into what she (and others) may be thinking as they traverse the road of life and multiple marriages. And she after each chapter she even sums it up with "Lessons Learned."

I am happily married (1st marriage) and plan to stay that way for a long time, but I know several people who could have used this book before they went running down the isle towards marriage. This book though, can be for anyone, single, married, remarried, remarried again... The main thing, and what I loved best was, although it took her many years to learn, what we all need to know before we marry, is ourselves. If you don't know yourself, who you are and what you really want, then a partner is only going to complicate that and you may find yourself on the other side of the ring ex-change.

Learning from other's experiences

Would you listen to Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier again? Why?

Pam Evans audible book is engaging and asks important questions. At this time I do not find a need to re-listen. I was able to get what I needed from it during the first round.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier?

I enjoyed how the author explains how personal experiences from childhood can greatly impact one's relationships to others as an adult. By using the past as a blessing instead of running away from it, I enjoyed how Ring Exchange highlighted this using actually experiences instead of discussing themes in broad statements.

Have you listened to any of Becky Parker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I do not recall listening to Becky Parker's work before however I find her performance enjoyable. She is is able to capitalize on her talent to capturing an author's voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Lord of the Ring EXchange.

Any additional comments?

Ring EXchange has a lot of heart. It's inspirational and uplifting. By sharing her experience and strength, the reader is given hope that they can learn and find what what makes them happy in a partner as well as one's self.

Enlightening Journey

What made the experience of listening to Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier the most enjoyable?

I absolutely loved listening to the author's vulnerability. Being able to open up about her past marriages, failures, and discussing what she felt was the breaking point was rather inspirational. I think that being able to discuss some of the most vulnerable points in your life, open up to others and show/teach them what you have learned yourself is incredibly powerful. As many agree, learning from our mistakes is one of the greatest aspects of learning.

What other book might you compare Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier to and why?

I have not read any other books that are like this at all. I did find it refreshing to have a book that discusses the fact that some people marry more than once. It is no longer a taboo subject.

Which character – as performed by Becky Parker – was your favorite?

There was not much variety between the characters within this audio book, but I did enjoy listening to Becky Parker perform this book. It is definitely more of the author speaking about her experiences so I did not anticipate other character inflection. Ms. Parker speaks fluently and enunciates clearly. I did not have any difficulty being able to follow along.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier?

I think that a major take away from this book is that it is okay to remarry and it is okay to admit your failures. Though not all of us will be married, will remarry, or will find our identical flame, we can certainly all be kind to one another on these individual journeys.

Introspective with a dash of humor!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The most pivotal moment in the book for me was the loss of the author's mother and the subsequent move with her father to her grandparent's home. The family dynamic, while not particularly unusual, seemed to have a higher rate of divorce. Since this event occurred in the author's formative years, it no doubt shaped the author's view of marriage. I'm always intrigued how events so long ago can leave an impact on the way we live our lives well into adulthood.

Any additional comments?

I was excited to listen to this book as I am also guilty of having been married more than once. If you ask me how many, I'll tell you "more than one, but less than five", as per the author's advice!
Although this is meant to be an introspective look into why some marry more than once, I enjoyed how the author kept it upbeat and humorous. The author attempts to strip some of the stigma away and get to the heart of the matter, how to change this behavior some of us find ourselves in. I enjoyed this was from a woman's perspective as we are the ones left with the "Scarlett Letters" on our chest after a name change, or two. Men can go on with their life with no paper trail, so to speak.
I would recommend this book to anyone, married, single, serial monogamist, happily married as the author, through trial and error, does have some sound relationship advice.
My only complaint was I felt the book was a bit redundant in places, but overall a fantastic, enjoyable read!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An honest and enjoyable read

Where does Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy and pleasant to listen to. It would rank very highly as I did not really notice or think about it being an audiobook. I felt like I was listening to someone talking to me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ring EXchange: Life Lessons From a Multiple Marrier?

I think the most memorable part is that the author tells her stories with humor and introspection. What resonated was the open minded hope that she still has for marriage.

What does Becky Parker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Becky Parker has the right voice for this book. She was able to portray the humor, but also read at a pace that was easy to listen to. I felt like she was really the author reading me a story.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

I think that the most profound thing that I took from this book was to look within yourself before walking down the aisle. There is a level of self awareness that one needs before committing to another in marriage if you hope to not be a multiple marrier.

Any additional comments?

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.