What do you think?
Rate this book
The Next Best Thing
The irresistible new novel from the author of And What Do You Do?
At thirty-five, Jane, a freelance translator, realizes something rather disturbing. She thought she had her life perfectly working from home allows her to be financially independent, spend time with her daughter, and escape office politics. But somehow, instead of combining a glamorous career with parenting, she’s combining falling asleep over her laptop with putting in another load of washing.
For Jane’s partner, Will, a travel writer, things are working out just right. The fact that Jane takes care of the housework while bringing in an income means he can indulge his politically correct objections to employing a cleaner. And, converting the best part of their house into a “galleria” for himself, his books and his all-important thoughts, suits him down to the ground.
Then there’s Lydia, editor of London’s glossiest magazine. She knows exactly what she wants from a glittering career, a husband with a large income and a stately home. Her fiancé, The Banker, has a lucrative job and a whole page to himself in Burke’s Landed Gentry… but it’s just possible that he wants more out of life than that. So when he and Jane meet, all four of them are in for a bit of a shock.
At thirty-five, Jane, a freelance translator, realizes something rather disturbing. She thought she had her life perfectly working from home allows her to be financially independent, spend time with her daughter, and escape office politics. But somehow, instead of combining a glamorous career with parenting, she’s combining falling asleep over her laptop with putting in another load of washing.
For Jane’s partner, Will, a travel writer, things are working out just right. The fact that Jane takes care of the housework while bringing in an income means he can indulge his politically correct objections to employing a cleaner. And, converting the best part of their house into a “galleria” for himself, his books and his all-important thoughts, suits him down to the ground.
Then there’s Lydia, editor of London’s glossiest magazine. She knows exactly what she wants from a glittering career, a husband with a large income and a stately home. Her fiancé, The Banker, has a lucrative job and a whole page to himself in Burke’s Landed Gentry… but it’s just possible that he wants more out of life than that. So when he and Jane meet, all four of them are in for a bit of a shock.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 22, 2005
79 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Long
42 books22 followersSarah Long worked in publishing before giving it all up to move to Paris with her husband and three children. She is the author of And What Do You Do? and The Next Best Thing. Following several years of the Parisian experience, she now lives in London.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 11, 2015
This book took a while to get started, it wasn't till about a third of the way through that it got interesting. I love the relationship between Jane and Rupert and little Liberty. By the end it felt like a good easy read. I really despised Will but that was the a Authors intention so I'd say she did a pretty good job.
April 5, 2019
Jane's dithering drove me nuts as did her relationship with Will.
July 19, 2016
Confusing novel. Written in chicklit language but the level of seriousness of topics covered would have been more suitable in a drama format. The first twenty or so percent of the book were slower than snail pace and I almost gave up on it. Sparks should have been flying much sooner. Will is a self-absorbed, pompous ass and I felt like smacking him numerous times. Jane is acting very plain indeed from time to time. Lydia is just annoying and I can't comprehend why Jane as adult accepts the doormat style still. Rupert I would love to see in faded jeans, he sounds solid and yummy. The story itself was so predictable, too, but if you want lighter entertainment than real drama, this is it.
April 21, 2013
Took too long to get going and so I lost interest. Did not finish.
June 4, 2020
Very predictable as the title suggests .However knowing this and staying with the book,it picks up pace and I found it a quick enjoyable read. Even though you guess the end, it doesn't stop you being drawn in to the complex relationships and just how the end is going to come about.
I've read the reviews and it's a mixed bag of reviews for this book, but I'm in the 'enjoyed it camp'
I've read the reviews and it's a mixed bag of reviews for this book, but I'm in the 'enjoyed it camp'
June 17, 2020
Fun summer read. Some reviews here have reviewed the wrong book if you check closely, they are moaning about another book that Sarah Long did not write with a similar title.
July 7, 2021
To many typos in the ebook I gave up halfway through.
March 1, 2012
(Spoilers)
With it's pretty slow and boring start, I did not expect this book to build up on characters and the plot the way it did. From the second half of the book I really started anjoying it. The plot is interesting, and the main character, even though she's annoying and pathetic, is also strangely likeable and realistic. Her wannabe husband, Will, though - I imagined punching in the face everyime I read a line featuring him or his dialogue. While I recently reviewed a book about a wife leaving her husband to go "find herself" and bashed on this whole idea as selfish, in THIS book the author made you pray to God that Jane leaves Will finally, since he was ridiculous.
With it's pretty slow and boring start, I did not expect this book to build up on characters and the plot the way it did. From the second half of the book I really started anjoying it. The plot is interesting, and the main character, even though she's annoying and pathetic, is also strangely likeable and realistic. Her wannabe husband, Will, though - I imagined punching in the face everyime I read a line featuring him or his dialogue. While I recently reviewed a book about a wife leaving her husband to go "find herself" and bashed on this whole idea as selfish, in THIS book the author made you pray to God that Jane leaves Will finally, since he was ridiculous.
April 25, 2016
A bit depressing, considering I expected a light chick flick, but still pretty good and very real in a way of getting into people's heads. Even though it should be pointed out that all the characters can be divided into two cathegories; depressed or full of themselves. Also, what annoyed me a bit, was the amoint of typos. It was quite tiresome.
July 28, 2015
Fun read about people trapped in their lives and what happens when illicit connections are made. The partners of the main characters are pretty one dimensional but this suits this book and is not too jarring.
January 10, 2008
Funny book about a fat girl going on a weight loss reality show so that she can be skinny before she meets her internet boyfriend. Very humourous and mindless! Good read to pass time.
September 2, 2009
Vacation/Beach Reading
May 1, 2011
So far, this is such a boring book. I am only forcing myself through it because I bought it for 25 cents.
September 25, 2011
Generally boring, the main character, Jane, was so pathetic and hard to sympathize with. The book had a few good lines and ended well.
July 31, 2012
Pretty good
March 2, 2013
Listening to this as an audio book read by Jilly Bond.
An enjoyable read
An enjoyable read
June 3, 2016
How true?
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews