Finding Margo

by Susanne O'Leary

Margo Hunter and her husband Alan are driving through France, when she misreads the map and he subjects her to one of his rages. On impulse, Margo seizes the opportunity at a motorway cafe to slip away and hitches a lift with Grainne, an Irish girl-groom, delivering horses to a chateau in the Loire Valley."

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Ebooks, Travel

Paperback

First published February 5, 2010

About the author

Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She's been inspired to represent people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour.

When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up after laughing at a blogpost written by the author. Since she entertained me there, it seemed a good bet that she'd entertain me in her novel too. It was a good call.

I rarely read romance, mainly because it seems to be necessary to the plot to have the woman behave in a way that would make me want to holler at her "NO NO NO! You're doing it AGAIN!" Still, I was determined just to enjoy a fun read (all my friends tell me romance novels are a great escape,) and this story delivered on that pretty well.

Maybe I'm just too practical to enjoy the machinations of a romance novel though. The story opens with Margo making her escape from her verbally abusive husband. Go Margo! The portrayal of how she ended up with the jerk was pretty realistic - a young, naive girl, flattered into an infatuation... it's a common setup, and well chosen because it happens so often in real life too.

But I guess on the rare occasion that I read a romance novel, I want the heroine to figure it out, even if in real life, women like this frequently do not, and end up dating the same kind of man, wash-rinse-repeat.

*Spoiler warning, don't click the spoiler if you don't want to know my objections to the ending. Seriously*

I was quite irritated that the resolution had her falling in love and getting together with another verbally abusive man. A smile and an oopsy does not make that man NOT verbally abusive, it just makes him quicker to go into the apology cycle. The ending that would have made me happy? "Sorry buddy, you used up your one chance to call me stupid. Sayonara!"

There were a couple of odd, dangling plotlines too: the storyline with the almost perfect brother Francios just seemed a bit non-sequitor, and Fiona popping in and out - it would have been nice to have a little more development of her character before dropping her little bomblet, it would have felt a little less too-convenient.

See? This is exactly what I said I wasn't going to do when reading a romance novel - analyse the storyline. I suppose I'll have to spend a little more time practicing reading these novels like watching sitcoms.

[Itsy Bitsy Book Bits · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story that brings to light verbal and mental abuse. Margo has finally had enough of her husband’s attitude, his yelling and his degrading comments. After missing the exit during a road trip, her husband calls her “moron” and “halfwit” and even says “You’re useless. Do you know that? I should have known better than ask you to read a bloody map. You couldn’t direct a child on a tricycle to playschool.”
Then it’s like Margo has an out of body experience and disappears at a petrol/gas station. She can’t even believe she has the courage to walk away from him. While Margo is on her own she becomes a new woman…or actually the woman she has been hiding inside.
Margo first meets a female truck driver named Grainne. While Grainne is an odd character, the two become friends. Margo then meets Milady and becomes her personal assistant. Milady is a temperamental, lonely older lady who gives Margo a place to live and a job. Margo changes her name to Marguerite and gets a hair cut to complete her new life. Margo also Mets Milady two sons, Francois and Jacques. Jacques and Margo have sparks and become friends and lovers while Francois has a secret that may change many things in their lives. Of course it’s not all rainbows and unicorns for Margo once she meets Jacques, after all she is still married to Alan. After discovering some of Alan’s secrets, Margo knows the time has come to stand up for herself. She also knows she is meant to be with Jacques.
“Adieu,” Margo whispered. “I know that in France you only say adieu when you know you will never meet again…” “And when you said it to me, I knew I couldn’t bear it if we never saw each other again.”

I hope there are other stories with these characters. They were fun to read about and I just know Francois can get into more trouble with his secret revealed!

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some may think it as a strange claim, but I see “Finding Margo” as a coming-of-age story. Margo’s emotionally abusive and controlling husband and her efforts to please him have in many ways stilted her growth into adulthood. When she reaches her breaking point and leaves him while in a foreign country she has no plan – she just has to escape. What follows is Margo “finding herself” in all the ways that cliché implies. Margo learns to take care of herself, stand up for herself, and make decisions for herself, all against a cultural backdrop as foreign to Margo as it will be for most readers. An excellent read.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Margo is a story about a unhappily married woman who chooses the unknown over the unhappiness and sets out to start her life over.

When Margo married Alan, she truly loved him. Yet at some point over the course of the last ten years, he started to change. No longer the kind and caring man she married, Alan has become a verbally abusive jerk.. after a particulary bad argument in the car one day, the two stop for gas, and Margo walks away. With little more than the clothes on her back, she decides to risk it, and find more purpose in her life.

Margo finds herself a job, some new friends, and a newfound love for life. As Margo begins to feel her freedom, she also begins to realize how truly unhappy she had been in her marriage.

"Finding Margo" is a story about courage and strength; about listening to your inner heart rather than your brain sometimes. It's about not giving up and not being afraid to take risks. And its definitely chick lit I was entertained, thought a few times I did find my mind wandering. The story was somewhat predictable, though there were a few pieces to the puzzle I didn't put together on my own which is always a good thing. I like surprises...

[Ciclochick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third outing with Susanne. I have read her excellent A Woman’s Place and Sonja’s Story. I love her style. Finding Margo did not disappoint.

The trouble with husbands, Margo finds, despite their skills in plastic surgery, is that they can become snippy, bad-tempered, verbally abusive, and generally a pain in the proverbial. Margo’s husband goes a little too far whilst driving to Cannes for a medical conference, and his reaction to her deficient map-reading skills is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Impulsively, bravely, and perhaps a little uncharacteristically, she leaves her irritating husband of ten years when they stop at a motorway filling station. With no real clue where to go or how to get there, this action marks the start of Margo’s French ‘adventure’ and the path to self-awareness, confidence, and love.

Paris and the French countryside with its majestic and charming châteaus provide the perfect romantic setting. The dishy love interest is, of course, French, and the world of immaculate French ‘chic’ is provided by Monsieur Gorgeous’ mother. A little clichéd, perhaps? Maybe, but Margo’s development, her courage, her tolerance and perseverance, are compelling, and your support for her is unfailing throughout.

There’s a delightful mix of characters – French, English and Irish – each with very individual style and personality. Susanne is a pleasantly easy-to-read author – her style is crisp, clean and sharp.

This is a delightful rites-of-passage, soft and mellow romance, and I thoroughly recommend it.

[Keris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margo Hunter feels trapped. Her husband is sitting beside her in the car swearing at her, calling her a half-wit with venom in his voice and she has had enough. In a split second decision she decides to hitch a lift to Paris, leaving her husband whilst he is sitting waiting his turn for the petrol pump.

Margo and her husband Alan had been driving on the French motorway when he asked her which exit they needed. But Margo hadn’t read the map correctly and Alan goes into his usual rage. This time, however, enough is enough. To be fair, if I had been driving all the way through France and my husband had lost the way I would have been pretty annoyed too. So in that respect I can see where Alan is coming from and I did mentally roll my eyes a little as I assumed what kind of woman I was going to have to read

To read the rest of this review (and more!), please visit Trashionista

[Cindy Stavropoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fun Journey of Self Discovery & Bravery

Margo is such a sweet soul who follows her heart and instincts in a brave manner. Sneaking away at a gas station to rid of a verbally abusive husband is just what she needed. She left behind the life of luxury but also a life of abuse, fear and lies. Her journey is an interesting read and for anyone with a romantic side. It is one of self discovery and a work in progress. The ending is great but left me feeling I needed to learn more about Margo and where her journey leads. A 2nd book would be amazing since she now is getting a 2nd chance. I chose the 5 star because there was never a dull moment. Each page led the reader to yet another discovery or situation. I would consider this as a “feel good” and at times humorous read.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally delightful story of self discovery

This is a wonderful story of a British woman who leaves her overbearing husband and embarks on a voyage of self discovery. As a ladies maid in France her voyage manages to make changes in the lives of the members of the family employing her. Most highly recommend.

[Dick R. McCart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

I was rather critical of another book by this author, but decided to try her again. I'm glad I did. I just really relaxed and enjoyed this story all the way through. One thing - I like is when the main character isn't perfectly beautiful with a perfect body, as this one was.

[Laura Levada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta é a história de Margo Hunter que está viajando de férias pela França com seu marido abusivo. Em um dado momento da viagem, ela interpreta mal o mapa e ele explode com ela.
Revoltada com os abusos verbais dele, ela o deixa num auto posto e pega carona para Paris com Grainne, uma irlandesa muito engraçada e direta que trabalha transportando cavalos.
A partir dai Margo vai viver uma série de aventuras, conhecer novas pessoas, arrumar um novo trabalho, construir uma vida completamente diferente da que ela tinha antes.

Gostei da história! Foi uma leitura dinâmica, com personagens interessantes. Foi ótimo ver a transformação de Margo de dona de casa oprimida, para uma mulher que se valoriza.
A outras surpresas e segredos sobre os personagens que não posso contar sem dar spoiler, mas posso dizer manteve meu interesse até o fim do livro.

[sylvia turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

One off

Enjoy these books for a light read, particularly those that are set in ireland in area I know. Still can never understand how women react to men in the stories seems completely irrational! Same issue in this book but quirky read with a different type of plot

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure how I even found this book. Quite an adventure.

[Miriam Riddles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a bad book by this author. I felt sure it was the first book in Finding Margo but can not find any, help please.

[JWinter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a light, amusing and completely entertaining read!

[Saarah Niña · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worthwhile.....

I enjoyed this book, it featured many surprises along the way. I particularly loved how all the pieces of the metaphoric 'puzzle' came together. The character Margo, 'connected the dots' faster than I ever could. The novel certainly kept me on my toes. And some of the revelations were fairly amusing....
I realise that I'm only really speaking in proverbial phrases, but let that not keep you from purchasing this book.

It's a novel about a woman who is not afraid to break free and who provides an insight to the other characters to feel inclined to do something different, giving them opportunities. I have to say I loved how this book was so unique, there was no real cliché- it was better, more realistic and very unpredictable. At one point, I felt: who knows, maybe Margo and Jacques are related?

The reason I gave it four stars was because I felt it lacked in the background, we were immediately made to hate Alan. I wish we were provided with a more detailed back story, for example a certain traumatic event which kept playing in her mind. I would have liked for us to have seen his exact character, to enable us to judge for ourselves.

[Elizabeth Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the three Susanne O'Leary books I've read so far, this is by far my favourite.

In my view, the author has worked harder in this book to create not only an intriquing plot, but characters who are much more rounded and appealing. The writing is better - more professional - and so is the editing. The French countryside is beautifully rendered, the scenes in Paris are evocative and atmospheric. The themes are slightly more serious than in the other books of hers I have read, a plus, and this helps the book to stand a little higher than the usual chick-lit offerings I see on Kindle. A five star read for me.

[Judio · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

So many twists! Usually, that would mean (for me, anyway), that the book was completely engaging and hands-down great.

However, my feelings after reading this one are mixed - I liked it, in places. It annoyed and irritated me, often. Some pf the characters were superfluous and there was no satisfactory explanation of why exactly Alan wanted Margo to return.

My overwhelming feeling, having finished this one, is that a lot of the plot twists were unnecessary - there were far too many of them.

This book is a little better than 'just okay', but I can't see myself actively searching out another of the author's works. Not for a long while, anyway.

[Lydia Kass · Rating 2 out of 5]

There wasn't enough conflict to keep the story moving forward; or else the secrets weren't mysteriously enough set up to seem to push the story forward. Margo finds out that she no longer needs the abuse to stay with her very rich and successful husband, and so, at a rest stop while on the way to a medical conference for Alan, she impulsively decides to leave him, with no plans or money. She ends up on her feet at the end; and finds out what really matters to her. Or the kind of love that she is searching for, anyway.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn't in the genre that I normally read but I still enjoyed it!
It was a freebie and I normally don't expect much from freebies but occasionally, I am surprised. This is one of those times.
Margo was in a verbally abusive relationship. One day, she finally reached her limit. She walked away. In a way, this is a bit of a coming to age story. We follow Margo in her journey of the unknown, to find herself.
It only took me about a day to read this.

[E.A. Harwik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story it’s a light-hearted, well written, fun read. If you’ve a day to spare, and the sun is shining get hold of, Finding Margo by Susanne O’Leary, sit and read. You won’t learn a thing but you’ll feel better from the experience. You might even find a smile for someone, for no reason at all. Five stars.

[Jean Thiessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Finding Margo

Margo discovers a great deal on her journey to self awareness. Her urgent need to escape her abusive husband enables her to do things necessary for her survival. She learns to not repeat her previous mistakes. Realistically, things probably would have been much worse with the chances Margo took.

[Lauri Tribbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventurous and charming

Margo was tired of being treated like a second class citizen in her marriage so she ran away. She ends up in the most unlikely place and make a decision that forever chances her life with the likes 4 individuals who force Margo down a patch of growth, understanding,determination,lust,love and most importantly independence!!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, interesting story about an English woman who walks away from her verbally-abusive husband at a truck-stop in France. Some predicitable moments, but also some unpredictable ones. Will read other books by this author.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This was an interesting read. Margo runs from her old life to start fresh. I really did not know which way this story was going but in the end I really loved it. I Recommend this book it is worth reading and will have you wanting more.

[Janet Batchelor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Margo(A Contemporary Roma....

Margo a woman with a short time to make up her mind what to do and how. But finding a friend was a gift from heaven that truly worked out for her and the future in the long run . A lifestyle she made for her self.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It started off very promising and raced head-long into gripping. The storyline was believable, the characters real, with warts & all. Closer to the end I found myself laughing out loud at the goings on. Lovely satisfying ending.

[Lauren Aqueous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! The characters were interesting and individual, I had a clear picture in my mind of each one. I loved the interactions between them all and the little mysteries here and there kept me wanting to read more!

[Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it. well written. great character development

[Kathy Burke]

I laughed out loud in places :)... enjoyed the read.

[Kylia Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Defaintly a good read. I would recommend this book.