The Other Woman

by dickey-eric-jerome

He works days, she works nights - the central couple in this novel are rapidly drifting apart, instead of growing together. When she finds out about his affair, and starts her own one, the delicate fabric of their marriage is torn irrevocably asunder, or is it?

Genres: Fiction, African American, Romance, Erotica, Audiobook, Drama, Urban

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2003

Reviews

[Diane (IF U'RE PRIVATE, PLEASE SKIP ME!!!) Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous read! descriptive,eloquent,edgy,distinctive,great characters and good writing (paperback!)

[sometimesrobinreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When asked what is my favorite Eric Jerome Dickey book, 9 times out of 10 I'm going to say The Other Woman. I have read this book countless times and it never gets old. I truly don't think there's another male author who writes black women as authentically as Dickey.

[LaToya Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️
Welp, Charles! Listened to the audiobook for this one and it kept my attention from start to finish.

[SassyMama · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Read From E.J.D. Collection

The books description states, "She works nights. He works days. Their sex is routine. Conversations are empty. Something's got to give. It does, when she discovers her husband's affair. But an unforgivable betrayal is about to yield unexpected results, as a husband and wife face a challenge of trust, faith, and the staying power of love..."~~~~~~~This book breaks all the rules of the norm. Eric Jerome Dickey has definitely managed to WOW me. I could not put this book down after reading the first sentence. The book took me on an emotional roller coaster ride; I went from LOL, to being teary eyed, to gasping for air screaming OMIGOSH! I found myself reading it everywhere that I could sit or stand. He made the relationships come to life. He made the affairs so real that I could feel the emotion in every exchange. Definetly a MUST READ!

[Crystal Belle · Rating 2 out of 5]

so i took a break from what i was reading to read this. trashy fiction with a cliche story line about two married people who have an affair. it was a bit too simplistic and trashy for me, but i did have fun reading. some symbolism at points that made you think, however, it was coupled with trash and very mediocre writing. now i know why i only read his books when i was a teenager.

[Deja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heart wrenching tale of love, lust, and betrayal. Dickey weaves this story from beginning to end in first person. An intimate position from the wife's perspective allows the reader to share a POV that is slightly more appealing, different, and invigorating. All events happening in less than 72 hours and you walk in on a world full of secrets. Two marriages become the epicenter of a catastrophic world. The characters in this novel are flushed out into a fluent existence. Their characteristics are believable and you may find yourself identifying with each aspect of their foundation. All in all, you feel deeply for all these star crossed lovers trapped in a love triangle or square rather. At the core of the novel, the reader feels a deep sense of sadness for all parties towards the end. Just when you think Eric is done, he hits you with a draw dropping finale that leaves you floored. Disheartened, shocked, and sad at least I felt this way. The ending was one word: bittersweet but this novel was suspenseful. I read it in all of 3 days. Eric makes you a believer all the time and I believe that he is truly a master of his craft! Phenomenal read!

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well I finished it, but it was one of those books where you finish it hoping something might happen, or it might start getting better. This one didn't. I didn't really like any of the characters. Any sympathy I had for the main female character (spoiler alert) was gone when she had an affair with her husband's lover's husband. And there was far to much explicit sex in this book - which was kind of creepy because it was written by a man, but in the voice of a female character. Just unnecessary really.

[BrownBookNerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I still can’t get over how this ended 😳

[Delaney Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't read an EDJ book in a while. This one reminded me of how good he is! It started kinda slow, but as the story unfolded, the crazy came out. So did all the emotions and pain of the characters as they dealt with adultery. I felt so bad for the heroine. The story was twisted, realistic, and quite the roller coaster.

The romantic in me wanted an HEA, but I had to accept this was not a romance. It was, however, about love - loving yourself. Something the heroine learned to do after the drama in her life ended.

I feel drained, but absolutely loved it!

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so boring that I went straight to the end to see how it ended.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd heard amazing things about the work of EJD, so I popped on here to find a book of his to start with. The Other Woman got such high reviews, so I picked it up from the library.

I started it late at night and didn't think much of it, picked it up on my lunch break the next day and couldn't put it down. Here I am 24 hours later, finishing it over the next day's lunch.

This book is so raw, both emotionally and sensually. Passionate and erotic in ways I haven't read before, sometimes you read an erotic scene and you feel embarrased. Not this time. While the emotions and actions of the characters was raw to extent, they seemed so real.

I hope the heroine finds happiness (we never learn her real name, just a nickname 'Freckles'). Maybe EJD will re-vist her in another book. This book is unforgetable.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What. A. Novel.

Granted this book came out more than 10 years before “Decadence,” but what a redemption after coming from that to this!!

I fully did not expect the twists, the turns, and the insane plot twist!

I found myself rooting for Charles??? Then rooting for our main character?? Then rooting for DL???

But in the end, my support fully goes to our main character.

What a powerful novel. It deserves a film. Truly.

EJD did it again.

[Pamela qp_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately it was the passing of this legend that brought me back to his writing. EJD did not disappoint in this story of marriage, workplace stress, infidelity, and resulting trauma it brings to the main character. EJD’s written legacy will endure.

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t been a fan of EJD since the 90s, but I decided to give this a chance because someone I admire kept suggesting it.....so here we go!
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This was really good to me. I don’t know if it’s because I’m going above and beyond reading into certain situations and behaviors, but that Freckles was something else and I do not for one second believe she is as innocent as she wants us all to believe.

[April Snowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I was hooked from beginning to end. My first EJD book, but it won’t be my last.

[Tynika Reads 🌺 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me entertained from the beginning to end. I love that this book got straight to the point with storyline. I could relate to the emotions & drive of Freckles to be successful at work & at home. Even her feelings of not being enough when her husband’s infidelity was revealed. The ending shocked me. I was not expecting David to do what he did but the secret that was not shared with him was too much for him to bare after everything else & I understood his pain but not his actions (this statement will make sense once you read the book).

[Jasmine (bookswithjazz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“Sometimes I think about all I do, how I’m trying to be a career woman, a good wife, trying to be everything to everybody and nothing to myself, and I feel overwhelmed, scared, sadness covers me, makes me want to cry. But I don’t, not with tears.”
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•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫/ 5 stars
•Page Turner
•Unpredictable plot, TONS of plot twist
•A story of the ultimate affair between husband and wife. Love. Revenge.
Hurt. Lust. Ambiguous truths.
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•This was my first introduction to Eric Jerome Dickey. And it did not disappoint. Dickey takes your emotions on a rollercoaster ride, leaving many questions, many thoughts. This story makes for a great discussion. Who is truly at fault? A husband neglected. A career driven wife. Two people co-existing. Neither properly communicating. Acting off unmet needs or an inappropriate response to wrong. Really good story.

I will be diving into either Drive Me Crazy or Naughty or Nice soon. 🖤

[T Billi Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. If there's a husband/wife on this earth who can not or do not understand what a man/woman goes though when infidelities are concerned, they need to read THIS book. I forgot this book was even written by a man, it was THAT thorough of the pain a woman feels towards her husband, the other woman and herself. The book was about cheating spouses, neglected marriages and poor communication, but it was mostly about honesty.

Charles is a coward who deserved that bullet. Even when he was caught, he was disregarding his wife's plea for his honesty and he STILL chose not to tell her. She had to go find it herself. He couldn't save the situation from getting even worst if he had just told her before she got a hold of the IMs between him and Jessica. I blame everything on him. I blame every other person's action and reaction on him. I even blame David's death on him.

[Lennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freckles and Charles exist in a difficult marriage in which one works days and the other one works nights. While both enjoy their own successful careers, they don't spend a lot of time together and eventually they drift apart. When Freckles finds out that Charles is having an affair, she seeks revenge and starts her own affair with the mistress' husband. Although this book is a work of fiction, I feel the author has a talent for writing stories that deal with real-life situations. It seems like nowadays, couples have the stress of trying to juggle work and marriage and you have to wonder at what cost can you have it all? I thought this book was interesting to read and it held my attention all the way through.

[Wanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love me some Eric Jerome Dickey, but this was not one of his best. It was more sensational and salacious than anything, and I know he can do better in regards to content. I felt like the focus was more on the sex versus anything else, and if I wanted to read all that, I would have picked up a tacky Zane novel.

[Dorel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Eric Jerome Dickey books. I thought from the description it sounded really good, so I decided to read it. The storyline was slow & boring. The characters was okay. The story could have had more drama. The ending was shocking & surprising to me. I thought the ending was the best part of the story.

[Mileena · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

Wow. This man has always been one of my favorite authors and every time I pick up a new work from him it’s solidified. This was so well done. It’s a character study. One that dissects obsession and relationships, not being able to let people go. This could at face value be written off as just an age old story about infidelity. But it was so much more. These were all complicated messy people, but I don’t believe any of them were truly bad people.

Charles and Jessica were neglected people looking to feel again but still loving the people they come home to. Our narrator still needed to find herself and give herself permission to grow outside her marriage. David Lawrence is such a tragic character and while he ended up being his own undoing I do feel for him and how he ended up there.

But this was immaculately written and all of the people felt real and personable. I can already see myself rereading this even though I just closed the book and even though I know it probably won’t happen I would love to see this translated to film. Would recommend if you’re a fan of messy romances or literary fiction that gets under your skin.

[Diane Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this book, I was pretty sure what I was getting into, but just over halfway through, I was proved wrong.

This book is about a strong independent career and family-driven woman who thought her marriage was strong until her husband weakened it by having a long, drawn-out affair. When things seem to start coming together after other major events turn their lives upside down again.

The Other Woman was written well, and I enjoyed the voice actor.

[Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte' · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? Even better the second time around. I didn’t remember anything so it was very much like a first time read. Dickey’s writing is so timeless and you feel each emotion the characters bring to the table. This is a story about hurt people and I am just speechless. I am a sucker for a strong plot and a character driven novel and I definitely believe this is about to be in my top 3 of the year. Easy… Hands down… I may be a little biased because he puts me in a chokehold every single time he mentions Alabama in any aspect.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal is never simple. It’s complex and ugly and raw. Just when you think you know what is happening, a new revelation comes and you’ll find yourself saying “Oh my god!” just like I did. This was a great read with some unexpected turns.

[Tammy Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.6⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Jerome Dickey has done another amazing job with his novels. I would say that I personally felt a deep connection with this particular novel (especially the female POV). Just for a quick summary, "The Other Woman" is a novel gripped by infidelity--between two rocky marriages but EJD brought both rocky marriages to create a revenge-like relationship between the black female POV and her new lover. Dickey did a wonderful job by weaving back and forth while keeping the reader's main attention focused on the how, when, where, and why for the reason of infidelity in the novel. I would mention that I felt a deep connection with this novel because of Dickey's style of writing as well as I resonated with the black female POV's changing throughout the novel when she discovered her husband's infidelity.

Overall, "The Other Woman" is a must-read if you have an interest for black literature or you enjoy reading about infidelity in a relationship or marriage. Trust me, you will enjoy this book. So, grab a copy at your local bookstore and enjoy the novel. Be sure that you go and get other copies of other Eric Jerome Dickey's novels too!

Happy reading!

[Travious Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I respect and appreciate Dickey’s writing style, conversational tone, descriptions, connections to Black culture, and his knack to surprise the reader. This book was no different.

The unnamed narrator is married to a school teacher she’s known for several years; their lives are polar opposites, she works nights as a news anchor and comes home right before he’s off to teach middle school social studies, and this makes room for him to have an affair at work. It’s filled with laughs, “if this were me” moments, and head shakers. Like his other novels, this books is not dated, though it’s over 20 years old. Dickey writes to invite the reader into this fanciful world and place ourselves in the shoes of the characters and in our time.

The eroticism takes a backseat to the overarching story being told, which can be welcoming for those interested in reading without an abundance of graphic scenes. They are few between and serve a purpose in the telling of the story and what unfolds. Moral of this story: don’t cheat.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

(FROM JACKET)In his newest novel, Eric Jerome Dickey strides boldly over the minefield that is modern marriage. The central couple's biggest challenge is timing: He works days; she works nights. Instead of growing together, they're rapidly drifting apart, coexisting on stolen phone calls from work, punctuated by occasional bedroom encounters that leave them both feeling even emptier and more alone. When she finds out about his affair-and starts her own-the delicate fabric of their marriage is torn irrevocably asunder. Or is it? In Dickey's expert hands, what begins as a seemingly unforgivable betrayal segues into the sexy and searing story of a man and woman at a pivotal turning point in their relationship. Only time will tell whether they'll let it all go...or whether they can hold on to the love that drew them together in the first place.