The Better Half

by Sarah Harte

Anita is a wife on the edge. Thanks to her husband Frank's success in business she has lived a lavish lifestyle at the heart of the city's elite. However, now that the economy is in freefall, it seems the days of boozy lunches with 'the girls', glittering charity balls and competitive designer shopping are over. Still, though the banks are breathing down their necks, and their marriage is far from perfect, Anita had believed she and Frank would pull through. After all, they came from nothing. That was until she heard news that shook both her marriage, and the family she thought happy and secure, to its foundations. As she faces meltdown, Anita is haunted. Why did she walk away from her one chance to prove herself on her own terms? What happened to the love that was once so overwhelming? And how did she let herself get lost in an empty high-rolling lifestyle? Anita has to find herself again ... but how do you do that when you're just someone else's better half?

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2011

Reviews

[Dem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, easy to read.

[Aileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a debut novel. Anita Lawlor is 45 years old, married to Frank
who is a successful Property Developer, he provides for her lavish
lifestyle, they have 2 grown up children, and Anita has dedicated her
life to Frank and the children. However what happens when she finds out
Frank has been having an Affair? Can Anita start a new life for herself?
This book is told in 2 parts, it started fine, and I managed to keep up
with the story, however after the first chapter, I had trouble
following the book, I did managed to pick the story up again, an ok
read not sure I would recommend.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because of an article I am working on on Celtic Tiger literature. I figured it would be appalling based on the tag line on the front. I mean, this is no great work of literature, and the ending is ridiculous, but the portrayal of the Celtic Tiger and its demise was pretty on par with the Dublin I experienced while living there from 2006-2013. The concerns of the characters are very real, and Anita, the narrator, is really quite likeable. This is the smart woman's "chick lit" and I would suggest it if you're looking for something a bit on the lighter side but something that also isn't vapid.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. Having gone through a similar experience, I could relate to how in the blink of an eye your whole world can be turned upside down. The hopeful ending I found inspiring, and I loved the British slang which added wit to the writing.

[Judi Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written novel.A sort of Irish The Housewives of transplanted to Dublin.But more interesting and dealing with the rich during the ression and collapse of wealth

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was an ok book but I found the story a bit too drawn out and I started to get bored after a while, I've read better books, but I've also read worse :-)