The Ex-Wife's Survival Guide

by Debby Holt

Right before Sarah Stagg's teenage sons leave the nest, her husband, Andrew, the star of their local dramatic club, leaves her for his twentysomething leading lady, Hyacinth. Sarah, a freelance artist, quickly discovers that the path of a discarded wife is strewn with hazards and humiliations. Her neighbors and friends treat her like she has the plague. And her soon-to-be-ex wants to sell the house she's spent years turning into her dream home.

Her best friend Miriam offers one concrete piece of Sarah should keep busy -- and with Andrew and Hyacinth on a sabbatical from their acting group, what better distraction than the theater? To Sarah's horror, she is promptly given the starring role intended for Hyacinth. She wonders if she should write a survival guide for ex-wives. Her first chapter could be titled "How to Invite Utter Humiliation to Your Life in Front of an Entire Town and Watch Your Heartbreak Magically Melt Away." Then Sarah runs into the biggest crush of her youth. Now Sarah has more -- better -- advice to add to the Confront your past. Revel in the present. Be open to romance. But despite her new love interest, Sarah wonders if she's actually dealing or just having fun dreaming up sage words for women scorned. Will she ever truly understand what it means to live wisely and independently?

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Debby Holt lives with her husband in Bath. She started writing short stories when her five children were small. She wrote her first novel, The Ex-Wife’s Survival Guide in 2006. Since then, she has written three more: Annie May’s Black Book, The Trouble with Marriage and Love Affairs for Grown-Ups. Having been a spectacularly useless teacher in the past, she is fully aware of how lucky she is to be doing something she loves.

Reviews

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I've thought, as Sarah is more than pleasant and some other characters, including Miriam, Martin, Antonio, even Andrew are at least decent. There is an epic thread and some lessons to be taken, the humour is less British-style, therefore more enjoyable. Not a bad book at all...

[Jess Van Dyne-Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really familiar - woman gets dumped, woman seeks to get man back, finds interesting adventures along the way.

BUT - the characters were interesting, the situations nicely orchestrated, and the snarling dog? A nice touch.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright. Well written with a few funny moments and a couple of heartfelt ones, but I wasn't captivated by the story at all. I only finished it because I felt I had to -- I'd already started reading it and I hate to give up on a book.

[Beril · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sıradan bir yakışıklı koca tarafından terk edilen kadının zayıflayarak gerçek aşkı bulmadı hikayesi.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfect read if you’re looking for something fun and lighthearted.

[Coyney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this one. Nice to read a book regarding a slightly older lady

[Laura-Jane & Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down hooked me from the start.

[Tammy Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah has been happily married for over 20 years, to Andrew, they have twin sons, who are about to leave for backpacking in India, before they leave Andrew tells sarah hes leaving her , he been having an affair, then the boys leave and suddenly shes all alone.
She ends up been roped into a leading part in a play and her sons have arranged for her to have a dog, she hates this dog and he seems to hate her. but shes happy with her leading partner Martin.
Andrew's a bit of her prick and keeps ringing sarah and being condescending,
Lots of things happen in this book that keep you turning the pages, theres some real lol moments.
I enjoyed this but i do think Debby could have taken the Sarah and Martin storyline futher, still enjoyable.

[Louise Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

their is so many of these type of books abt u always feel read one read the lot !!! but did like the humour of the author but it was all to predictable !!!! and half way through just went a bit silly like and to far fetched but suppose good to relax and the titles of the chapters rose a smile !!!

[Tamsyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this is genuinely 3.5 stars. It is way better than i thought it would be, but it's still exactly what you think. No surprises but it's relatively intelligent and the characters are engaging.

[Rebecca Skinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good, light-hearted read. Predictable and average but still comforting when you’re in a bit of a slump or stressed!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, happy ending!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read from Debby, grabbed by the title, fun book with good story.

[Sosa Coleone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Find a good man then it's a marriage

[Kisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story but it loses 2 starts for the amount of time the main lady wished death upon a dog...it worked out in the end and the dog is ok and happy but still.

[Vrsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and relatable to every woman, married or otherwise.

[Andrea Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and funny

[UKEXPAT74 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. Boring but expected ending. Women‘s magazine material.

[John johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazingly good reading

What a talented writer never a dull moment. I intetend reading more of her books my wife asks me why I am reading women's books , have got tired of blood and gore,

[Nishita · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Ex-Wife's Survival Guide" by Debby Holt is a delightful and heartwarming read I stumbled upon during a recent train journey.

Sarah Stagg's journey as a discarded wife is both relatable and inspiring. Despite facing hazards and humiliations, she finds solace in the theater and discovers unexpected romance. The author, Debby Holt, skillfully balances Sarah's heartbreak with a lighthearted tone, making the book an adorable and comforting read.

The supporting characters add depth and warmth to the story, immersing readers in a familiar and inviting world. While the plot may follow some predictable tropes, it doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment. Knowing the general direction of the story adds a sense of anticipation and satisfaction.

More here.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a book of two halves... The first half was such a wonderful story - funny, warm, and an exploration of what it means to have to start over at a later stage in life. The second half was farcical and the pacing was all wrong, way too quick, no gentle unfolding of the story as there had been in the first half. So would have been a four star read, but settled as a three star. Definitely willing to read more books by this author.

[Sue Lauzon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lighthearted read (total fiction) about a woman's experience after her husband leaves her for a younger woman. Written in a style that is somewhat like a self help book or guide if you will. I loved the names of some of the chapters especially the one that was called "If You're Lying on the Ground, You Can't Fall Over..." followed by the next chapter called "But It Might Take You Awhile To Get Up Again". Perfect for those who like a lighthearted romantic comedy!!

[Krishna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to read something fun when picked this book, and i would say i was not disappointed. It's a romantic-comedy, fun to read (wanted to give it a 4 star rating) though it does get predictable towards the end with an ending where you always have to find the mr right. (hence, 3 star rating)
Quick, fun to read. won't mind reading another book from the author

[Anne Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It's a top-notch and sassy romantic comedy for the older woman and I couldn't put it down. The main character, Sarah Stagg, is just fabulous and I loved reading her story. It's sharply and wittily written, as well as being a lovely slow-burn romance, and I will definitely be reading more from this author. Oh, and the ending definitely had me cheering! You go, girl.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book. English swear words crack me up by the way... My favorite part of the whole book was the chapter titles. They made me laugh and reminisce about certain phases leading up to and immediately following my divorce.

[Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun, very easy chicklit read. I enjoyed the chapter titles and the various situations that Sarah Stagg finds herself in. I like that she realizes she's in charge of her life and that she can learn to be on her own.

[Nettle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The theme of "woman finding herself after divorce" is not new, but the deft, three-dimensional characterizations give the story dimension. I believed in the relationships as they developed and completely enjoyed the story.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good chick lit.

[L A]

great. the best thing that could have happened to elinor was her trip to majorca. that you dont have to stay in a relationship because that is what you know.

[Fatma · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was funny book great for who wants some light humour.