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The Two Mrs Lloyd #1
Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman
For twenty-five years, Rose Lloyd has juggled marriage, motherhood, and career with remarkable success. It has been a life of family picnics, books and wine, a cherished house, and her own exquisitely designed garden—sunny and comfortable. But then the carefully managed life to which Rose has become accustomed comes crashing down around her when—over the course of a few days—her marriage and her career both fall apart. Can Rose, whose anguish is barely softened by the ministrations of friends and grown children with their own problems, ever start over? Not easily. But it's amazing what prolonged reflection, the slimming effect of a lost appetite, a new slant on independence (and a little Parisian lingerie) will do. Especially when an old flame suddenly reappears. Full of humor, clever insight, and a whimsical sense of the absurd, Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman is an irresistible and finely written fantasy for anyone who ever wondered what a certain age would look like from beyond the looking-glass-and who will find it ripe with promise that the best days are yet to come.
341 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2002
207 people are currently reading
2492 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Buchan
51 books307 followersElizabeth Buchan began her career as a blurb writer at Penguin Books after graduating from the University of Kent with a double degree in English and History. She moved on to become a fiction editor at Random House before leaving to write full time. Her novels include the prizewinning Consider the Lily – reviewed in the Independent as ‘a gorgeously well written tale: funny, sad and sophisticated’. A subsequent novel, Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman became an international bestseller and was made into a CBS Primetime Drama. Later novels included The Second Wife, Separate Beds and Daughters. Her latest, I Can’t Begin to Tell You, a story of resistance in wartime Denmark, was published by Penguin in August 2014.
Elizabeth Buchan’s short stories are broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in magazines. She reviews for the Sunday Times and the Daily Mail, and has chaired the Betty Trask and Desmond Elliot literary prizes, and also been a judge for the Whitbread First Novel Award and for 2014 Costa Novel Award. She is a patron of the Guildford Book Festival and of The National Academy of Writing, and sits on the author committee for The Reading Agency.
Elizabeth Buchan’s short stories are broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in magazines. She reviews for the Sunday Times and the Daily Mail, and has chaired the Betty Trask and Desmond Elliot literary prizes, and also been a judge for the Whitbread First Novel Award and for 2014 Costa Novel Award. She is a patron of the Guildford Book Festival and of The National Academy of Writing, and sits on the author committee for The Reading Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 696 reviews
September 23, 2015
I really enjoyed this book and found myself cheering the main character along as she navigated the loss of her marriage and her job and yet never gave in to nastiness or spite. She achieves her revenge in a much calmer, mature manner and in the end she is the winner of it all. I really like the way Elizabeth Buchan writes and the way she can summon up a complete picture in words. Her characters are real and the way they interact is the way we are in real life, always slightly flawed and often self serving. My favourite character was Parsley. One day I must get myself another cat!!!. Altogether a nice, reassuring book with which I passed a few very pleasant hours.
September 14, 2010
I've occasionally been foolish enough to make disparaging comments about chick-lit and Elisabeth finally cornered me. Either I shut up, or I read a few. I've always had problems shutting up, so I chose the other option.
I certainly enjoyed Bad Manors , a light comedy. This one's darker in tone, but I liked it too. Well, how could I not like a novel whose heroine reviews books for a living, speaks French and is fond of cats? I was on Rose's side before we'd finished chapter one, and I'd be prepared to guess that more than a few women on this site will feel the same way - particularly if they've ever suffered though the unpleasant experience of being dumped in favour of a younger rival. The book almost comes across as a textbook on how to cope with this kind of crisis, and, since it's a first-person narrative, I often felt I was listening to a friend who'd been through it and come out relatively unscathed on the other side.
At the start of the book, Rose's whole world falls apart within the space of a few days. Her husband, Nathan, comes home from work and tells her that he's leaving her after 25 years of marriage. He's found someone else. She's still reeling from the blow when she receives the next one: the other woman is Rose's assistant. She's furious, and immediately calls her boss to say that he has to fire Minty, or at the very least move her somewhere else. No way can she continue to work with her. But on Monday the boss calls Rose into his office, and says he's been thinking about it. They want a new look for the books page, and they think Minty can give it to them. Since Nathan works for the same company, the logical solution is to let Rose go. It'll simplify everything. So Rose has lost both her husband and her job to a woman that she'd thought was her friend.
Obviously, it's not going to get much worse than this. I admired the way Rose dealt with her problems; here, in a few bullet-points, are what I thought were her most valuable pieces of advice.
- At first you'll be in so much pain that you'll wonder how it's possible to live though it. After a while, it will get better all by itself.
- Don't expect to be able to understand exactly why your husband left you. He probably doesn't know either, even if he believes he does.
- It's natural to hate your rival. It's more constructive to think of her as greedy and thoughtless.
- You may believe your rival has taken your whole life. In fact, though, you've spent decades with your husband and had many good times with him. Your rival can never gain access to those years, and they will eventually leave her feeling excluded. She'll come to realise that you understand him better than she does.
- Your children will spontaneously take your side and bitterly blame your husband for leaving you. This will hurt him far more than anything you could say or do, so you might as well not bother.
- Your rival may well want to start a new family. Your husband most likely doesn't. This will create tension between them.
- Don't even consider killing yourself. If you fail, you'll really wish you hadn't tried. If you succeed, the people who matter may not actually think that well of you afterwards.
Follow Rose's rules, and my guess is that you'll end up agreeing with her. Though I do think it's slightly optimistic to expect all of the following to happen:
- Your chic French friend will take you for an afternoon of shopping at the best designer boutiques in Paris, after which you'll suddenly have a wardrobe that transforms you into a svelte, head-turning siren.
- Shortly after acquiring your new outfit, you'll meet a handsome, successful old flame and be photographed with him in the daily papers.
- Your rival will turn up uninvited at your daughter's wedding and proceed to make a fool of herself by hanging creepily around wishing that she was part of your wonderful family.
- Your former boss will fire your rival from your old job because she can't do it, and ask you if you'd like to have it back.
- Immediately after that happens, you'll meet your rival and notice that she's put on weight and looks terrible.
Well, I understand that these are the conventions of the chick-lit genre and I won't criticise. In fact, I liked it enough that I think I'll read the sequel. Go chick-lit!
I certainly enjoyed Bad Manors , a light comedy. This one's darker in tone, but I liked it too. Well, how could I not like a novel whose heroine reviews books for a living, speaks French and is fond of cats? I was on Rose's side before we'd finished chapter one, and I'd be prepared to guess that more than a few women on this site will feel the same way - particularly if they've ever suffered though the unpleasant experience of being dumped in favour of a younger rival. The book almost comes across as a textbook on how to cope with this kind of crisis, and, since it's a first-person narrative, I often felt I was listening to a friend who'd been through it and come out relatively unscathed on the other side.
At the start of the book, Rose's whole world falls apart within the space of a few days. Her husband, Nathan, comes home from work and tells her that he's leaving her after 25 years of marriage. He's found someone else. She's still reeling from the blow when she receives the next one: the other woman is Rose's assistant. She's furious, and immediately calls her boss to say that he has to fire Minty, or at the very least move her somewhere else. No way can she continue to work with her. But on Monday the boss calls Rose into his office, and says he's been thinking about it. They want a new look for the books page, and they think Minty can give it to them. Since Nathan works for the same company, the logical solution is to let Rose go. It'll simplify everything. So Rose has lost both her husband and her job to a woman that she'd thought was her friend.
Obviously, it's not going to get much worse than this. I admired the way Rose dealt with her problems; here, in a few bullet-points, are what I thought were her most valuable pieces of advice.
- At first you'll be in so much pain that you'll wonder how it's possible to live though it. After a while, it will get better all by itself.
- Don't expect to be able to understand exactly why your husband left you. He probably doesn't know either, even if he believes he does.
- It's natural to hate your rival. It's more constructive to think of her as greedy and thoughtless.
- You may believe your rival has taken your whole life. In fact, though, you've spent decades with your husband and had many good times with him. Your rival can never gain access to those years, and they will eventually leave her feeling excluded. She'll come to realise that you understand him better than she does.
- Your children will spontaneously take your side and bitterly blame your husband for leaving you. This will hurt him far more than anything you could say or do, so you might as well not bother.
- Your rival may well want to start a new family. Your husband most likely doesn't. This will create tension between them.
- Don't even consider killing yourself. If you fail, you'll really wish you hadn't tried. If you succeed, the people who matter may not actually think that well of you afterwards.
Follow Rose's rules, and my guess is that you'll end up agreeing with her. Though I do think it's slightly optimistic to expect all of the following to happen:
- Your chic French friend will take you for an afternoon of shopping at the best designer boutiques in Paris, after which you'll suddenly have a wardrobe that transforms you into a svelte, head-turning siren.
- Shortly after acquiring your new outfit, you'll meet a handsome, successful old flame and be photographed with him in the daily papers.
- Your rival will turn up uninvited at your daughter's wedding and proceed to make a fool of herself by hanging creepily around wishing that she was part of your wonderful family.
- Your former boss will fire your rival from your old job because she can't do it, and ask you if you'd like to have it back.
- Immediately after that happens, you'll meet your rival and notice that she's put on weight and looks terrible.
Well, I understand that these are the conventions of the chick-lit genre and I won't criticise. In fact, I liked it enough that I think I'll read the sequel. Go chick-lit!
September 30, 2016
BLURB
My comments
Rose did not join 'The First Wives'club, neither did she venture off to Greece like Shirley Valentine.
No, Rose was much too level-headed for that. In a typical British dignified way she stepped aside and slowly but surely approached her new beginning in joyful realism. The feelings of the rejected middle-aged woman, flowing sheepishly along on the gulf of shock, bitterness, pain, anger and finally freedom, are explored, and then the joy comes of being born into a new life with new perspectives. And with every birth, the darkest hour is always the one just before the new day is born.
There's not much else that can happen in the circumstances so the plot is kind of predictable. However, I loved reading this book. It's a feel-good experience, with nostalgia for what was, and dreams for what is to come, all blended into one concept.
With enough drama and eye-rolling incidences, the plot roles to a happy ending.
Oh just a great inspirational good read. For women of all ages, actually. Especially those who optionally plan to grow up while growing old.
Get ready to cheer for Rose Lloyd, a woman of young middle-age who proves that starting over doesn’t have an age limit. After twenty-five years spent juggling husband, career, and kids with admirable success, Rose suddenly finds both her marriage and her career in unexpected ruin.
Forced to begin a new life, she is at first terrified, then energized, by her newfound freedom — it’s amazing what prolonged reflection, a little weight loss, a new slant on independence, and some Parisian lingerie will do for the psyche!
Witty, insightful, and emotionally resonant, Buchan’s novel will strike a chord with anyone who has ever wondered what Middle Age would look like from the other side of the looking glass (answer: much better than you could ever expect).
My comments
Rose did not join 'The First Wives'club, neither did she venture off to Greece like Shirley Valentine.
No, Rose was much too level-headed for that. In a typical British dignified way she stepped aside and slowly but surely approached her new beginning in joyful realism. The feelings of the rejected middle-aged woman, flowing sheepishly along on the gulf of shock, bitterness, pain, anger and finally freedom, are explored, and then the joy comes of being born into a new life with new perspectives. And with every birth, the darkest hour is always the one just before the new day is born.
There's not much else that can happen in the circumstances so the plot is kind of predictable. However, I loved reading this book. It's a feel-good experience, with nostalgia for what was, and dreams for what is to come, all blended into one concept.
With enough drama and eye-rolling incidences, the plot roles to a happy ending.
Oh just a great inspirational good read. For women of all ages, actually. Especially those who optionally plan to grow up while growing old.
July 18, 2008
So, I was prepared to find some tough gutzy women in this book, but I was disappointed. Maybe its because the author is english and their "all stiff upper lip" and what not, or maybe its because the author really doesn't like women even though she is one, but she made every woman in the book either bitter, bitchy, wimpy, weepy or wounded. I didn't find a single female character that I could really say, "yeah, you go girl". The main character is far too motherly, rubbing eczema cream on his scaly hands while pleading, please don't throw all we have away, while the husband; who leaves her for her younger woman assistant-after he's carried on an affair with her for over a year, has the nerve to blame their marriages problems on his obsession that she was in love with someone before they got married. Please, give me a break. Where is the revenge? Come on, we middle-life women need more of a role model than this wimpy simpering bit of nonsense. She loses some weight and buys some french underwear. Big deal.
July 16, 2012
A better title would be...No Revenge for a Door Mat. Bleh!
December 22, 2008
"Revenge of the tired cliches", like most in the "Revenge of" genre, is a story of the heroine being pursued by hordes of half dead, rotting menaces, threatening to either do her in, or turn her into one of them. In this case it is the latter. And although our heroine, Rose Lloyd, seems at first to have resources that might be enough to save her, in the end she is overwhelmed by the sheer number of half-dead cliches stumbling around ravenously, and is unable to escape. As the first scene opens with our unsuspecting Rose going about her lovely peaceful life as a book editor at a newpaper where her husband, Nathan, is deputy editor. The ominous foreshadowning music cranks up
as she states that "she liked to think she had won her job on her own merits." Her perky, quirky assistant, Minty (wait was that a fang?) works energetically at her side as they bond with girl-talk confidences.
After her injurious encounter with the 'middle-aged husband leaving for a younger woman' cliche, she staggers straight into the 'seemingly loyal assistant/friend takes your man and/or job', the 'pining away for the lost guy and not eating', and the 'therapy by lingerie purchase' cliches. At this point she is mortally wounded and manages to crawl away, only to be attacked by a horde of yet more ferocious
cliches, hungry for blood. In the horrifying conclusion, we see our heroine/victim rising from the dead to join the 'reconnecting with first love' cliche as the cliche hordes proceed on their rampage.
"Revenge" also has many terrifying moments of sickly-sweet niceness and frighteningly passive 'redemption by giving everyone what they want'. Having the heroine be a book editor, was an especially nice touch that added to the horror of it all. If you want a book that makes you jump out of your skin with every new cliche attack, you could do worse than this horror-chick-lit masterpiece.
Those who prefer their feminist revenge with a bit of style and bite, would be advised to go with Fay Weldon's "Life and Loves of a She Devil" which also explores the 'give everyone what they want' theme.
as she states that "she liked to think she had won her job on her own merits." Her perky, quirky assistant, Minty (wait was that a fang?) works energetically at her side as they bond with girl-talk confidences.
After her injurious encounter with the 'middle-aged husband leaving for a younger woman' cliche, she staggers straight into the 'seemingly loyal assistant/friend takes your man and/or job', the 'pining away for the lost guy and not eating', and the 'therapy by lingerie purchase' cliches. At this point she is mortally wounded and manages to crawl away, only to be attacked by a horde of yet more ferocious
cliches, hungry for blood. In the horrifying conclusion, we see our heroine/victim rising from the dead to join the 'reconnecting with first love' cliche as the cliche hordes proceed on their rampage.
"Revenge" also has many terrifying moments of sickly-sweet niceness and frighteningly passive 'redemption by giving everyone what they want'. Having the heroine be a book editor, was an especially nice touch that added to the horror of it all. If you want a book that makes you jump out of your skin with every new cliche attack, you could do worse than this horror-chick-lit masterpiece.
Those who prefer their feminist revenge with a bit of style and bite, would be advised to go with Fay Weldon's "Life and Loves of a She Devil" which also explores the 'give everyone what they want' theme.
January 6, 2013
I've had this on my shelf for awhile...I had a hard time bringing myself to read it. Like Rose, the heroine of this tale, I was dumped by my husband of 15 years...with no clue that it was coming or what to expect. Like Rose, it took time to regain my equilibrium and get over the rejection and feelings of abandonment. My favorite quote reads: "Leaving a marriage was not as simple as walking out of the door. It destroyed something so deep, so built ion the blood and bone: the love that comes after bruising desire has faded, trust familiarity; the pleasure from commitment, and it could not be rebuilt".
So I'm glad I read it. Like Rose, I've rebuilt my life and am grateful for the time that I had as a wife and for having my ex in my life. Like Rose, the past is in the past--the future is bright and still yet to come.
On a deeply personal note, I would like to caution all those married people--men and women--to look for happiness in the familiar. If life has become a rut, look to the person to whom you promised eternal love, and talk about it. Don't take one another for granted. Seek counseling and actually do it--don't let the "other" factor into the relationship built on trust and promise. Divorce is devastating--to the spouses, to the children, to extended family members and ultimately to the community.
So I'm glad I read it. Like Rose, I've rebuilt my life and am grateful for the time that I had as a wife and for having my ex in my life. Like Rose, the past is in the past--the future is bright and still yet to come.
On a deeply personal note, I would like to caution all those married people--men and women--to look for happiness in the familiar. If life has become a rut, look to the person to whom you promised eternal love, and talk about it. Don't take one another for granted. Seek counseling and actually do it--don't let the "other" factor into the relationship built on trust and promise. Divorce is devastating--to the spouses, to the children, to extended family members and ultimately to the community.
January 18, 2011
This gal's story is my story. Middle-aged husband leaves wife of 25 years for younger woman. Wife comes undone, loses lots of weight and her job, wallows for a good long while and can't sleep. She slowly rebuilds her sense of self and place in the world thanks to friends and her grown children. Along the way she discovers strength she never knew she had and just how lucky she is to have escaped something she didn't even realize was strangling her. The author did a great job of capturing the whole saga - even the sweet cat who slept alongside this poor gal night upon night. While every woman's story is unique, what amazed me here is how civil (passive almost) our main character was to the 'other' woman who, not only nabbed this gal's husband, but her job as well. Given all that betrayal, the civil tone seemed a bit unbelievable. Perhaps the restraint was due to everyone being properly English. Good book, but don't read it if you're happily married, approaching the 25 year mark and think everything's just peachy.
January 4, 2016
Rose Lloyd, book editor for a London paper, is (she thinks) happily married to Nathan, an executive editor on the same paper, and the mother of two adult children, Sam and Poppy. Her life is probably as good as it gets, and though Rose isn’t complacent, she is certainly unprepared for the betrayals about to implode her life.
This book had so much potential and, being from a British writer, I had high hopes for some great British wit peppered throughout. For me, this novel fell very flat, was predictable and clichéd. There must be a way to tell these types of stories that aren't: a) so predictable and b) written for the lowest common denominator. I was so divested from the story that the last third of the book was really a slogging skim-a-thon.
I received this book from a friend (a hand-me-down) and, while I recognized it was outside my usual type of reading, held out hope because of the British-ness and the strong reviews I had read about it. This will teach me for reading a book that has trees on the cover (a task requirement fulfilled for the "Seasonal Reading Challenge").
I wouldn't recommend this novel, even as a light, beach-read. It's just not worth it.
This book had so much potential and, being from a British writer, I had high hopes for some great British wit peppered throughout. For me, this novel fell very flat, was predictable and clichéd. There must be a way to tell these types of stories that aren't: a) so predictable and b) written for the lowest common denominator. I was so divested from the story that the last third of the book was really a slogging skim-a-thon.
I received this book from a friend (a hand-me-down) and, while I recognized it was outside my usual type of reading, held out hope because of the British-ness and the strong reviews I had read about it. This will teach me for reading a book that has trees on the cover (a task requirement fulfilled for the "Seasonal Reading Challenge").
I wouldn't recommend this novel, even as a light, beach-read. It's just not worth it.
April 29, 2010
I started this book before bed and it gave me nightmares. I was so angry at the husband, angry at the trollop who lured him willingly away and frankly angry at the wife for not being angrier!
Perhaps not the best genre for me as it is about a man who leaves his wife after 25 years of marriage - though she had to deal with blatant infidelity, loss of her job to the Jezebel, loss of her home . . . I could go on, but it would only depress me more. By the end of the book I was calm enough to recognize the strength that the wife displays by not pulling the other woman's hair out which I was really rooting for her to do.
Somehow I expected this book to be wittier and to have a stronger main character.
Perhaps not the best genre for me as it is about a man who leaves his wife after 25 years of marriage - though she had to deal with blatant infidelity, loss of her job to the Jezebel, loss of her home . . . I could go on, but it would only depress me more. By the end of the book I was calm enough to recognize the strength that the wife displays by not pulling the other woman's hair out which I was really rooting for her to do.
Somehow I expected this book to be wittier and to have a stronger main character.
March 19, 2024
What can I say, the book wasn't horrible but it definitely wasn't a pleasure. It dragged on like a school assignment and I just kept reading hoping it would have a point. It had a few good lines, don't get me wrong, but overall it was drudgery. The characters were mostly well developed but were just insufferable at times. The daughter Poppy made me want to shake her & tell her to grow up. I did like the son Sam but everyone else was just ehhh. I cared about Rose but found her inner dialogues scatterbrained. Then I just stopped caring and trudged through. This is not an author I will be seeking out in the future. She's more concerned with details regarding the garden flowers then the human heart.
January 13, 2008
Hated it. When I finished it I wished that I hadn't bothered. Very disappointing. Title made it sound fun and crazy but it was pathetic and sad. I actually had several Buchan books on my "to read" list but after this one...I took them off. Dreadful.
Read
January 14, 2011This is a deliciously entertaining book about Rose, her adulterous husband Nathan, the other woman, the diabolical Minty (a rather fragile she devil) and Rose's oddball grown up children Poppy and Sam.
The plot centre around Nathan leaving Rose for Minty who is actually Rose’s assistant at work, where Rose is the editor of the Book Section of a magazine. I thought Rose was very weak as she didn’t make any sort of fuss when Nathan says he is leaving her. And then to cap it all she loses her job to the other woman Minty. But through the book Rose realises her strengths and is more resilient to the situation than she thought she could be. I liked this book and as it was my Book Groups choice for January it was interesting to hear what other members of the group thought
Add to this a cast of quirky characters like Rose's eccentric mother, Ianthe, an ancient cat called Parsley, Richard, the man Poppy marries suddenly in Thailand, a suicidal ex-girlfriend of Sam's and Hal the man Rose might have taken up with if she hadn't chosen Nathan and you have a novel to make you laugh and cry in the same breath.
Funny, heart rending and totally absorbing, "Revenge of the Middle Aged Woman" is a book for those people who can honestly go with the old Spanish proverb, "Living well is the best revenge..."
March 20, 2019
Yikes. Where does one begin. Although written in 2002, this story was ripped fresh out of the 70s. The title is a complete misnomer. The only revenge that Rose had was to not kill herself after being completely trod upon by - everyone (a common occurrence in the book). This book is one of the most maddeningly sexist diatribes one could write. At one point I literally almost hurled it over the railing into the pool, but then I remembered someone had leant it to me.
Rose is the books editor for a newspaper when her husband of 25 years leaves her for her 20-something assistant. But Rose continually begs for her philandering husband to return. Then the editor fires Rose and gives her job to the mistress. Ummm... Then the husband kicks his ex out of the house because he wants it for his new family. There is not a single moment in the book where Rose stands up for herself. And then at the end of the book, she ends up back with an ex-boyfriend that shat all over her in college.
What a beautiful message. Aaaargghhh!
Rose is the books editor for a newspaper when her husband of 25 years leaves her for her 20-something assistant. But Rose continually begs for her philandering husband to return. Then the editor fires Rose and gives her job to the mistress. Ummm... Then the husband kicks his ex out of the house because he wants it for his new family. There is not a single moment in the book where Rose stands up for herself. And then at the end of the book, she ends up back with an ex-boyfriend that shat all over her in college.
What a beautiful message. Aaaargghhh!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2011
Wasn't sure I'd get into it during the first chapter but then Wham could not put it down. How Rose who was balancing career, motherhood, marriage thinks things are going wonderful then gets hit with and deals with husband announces he's leaving her for a life with a younger woman around age of their daughter,after 25 years of marriage. Rotates from Rose's current life and her past. Looses her job to the young mistress. How she pulls herself back together. How you can be in love at different times with two very different men. Three generations of women (Rose, her mother Ianthe, and Rose's daughter Poppy. How they support each other even though they hold different views on life and how to conduct it. How good friends give support. How to conduct oneself in times of crisis in their life. How to pull yourself back up.
June 3, 2014
This book sounded promising and had some good reviews, but it did not live up to my expectations. Not only were the characters stereotypical (martyred wife, misunderstood husband, ditsy daughter, young sexy other woman), but I found their actions unbelievable and the plot overly manipulated. I can't believe "the other woman" would be that smug and unfeeling after stealing away her coworker's husband. And that her boss would fire her the day after her husband leaves her and then her cat dies . . . give me a break. To top it off, the book was boring -- mostly reminiscences about the happy days in the past. And what's with the title--I kept waiting for the big revenge that never came. Give this one a pass.
March 19, 2022
So the title and description is a lie. Please don't be fooled. I honestly do not know where to start with this book.
This book honestly feels like it has an agenda against woman. The female characters that are “progressive” are made to either be villans or immature. In it's defense though almost all the men in this book are pretty horrible as well.
Disclaimer: I've read this book once and plan to never pick it up again so I ask that everyone take this review/rant with a grain of salt since I can't exactly remember everything that happens nor do I plan to go back and fact check it. Not worth my time. Theirs's nothing “witty, insightful or resonates” with you or at least with woman of the times. Honestly maybe because it was a different era but this book honestly does not age well with today.
To get things started. Their is no revenge maybe just a slow-burn karma at the very end of the book. Main Characters husband confesses to cheating on her with her pretty young assistant who was completely against settling down. Now the assistant wants to settle down with her husband. MC begs husband to stay with her and even offers to let him have few one night stands with other woman as long as he doesn't leave her. Husband/Nathan doesn't want that and just wants Minty/The Assistant.
Throughout the book the MC spends most of her time being depressed in her bed and reliving memories of her husband, their kids (who are now fully grown) and of her ex lover (that she met before her husband) Plenty of back and forth of present and past. MC is also very consistent of asking her husband of 'why he cheated” in which he gives different answer such as; he felt he was competing with her ex lover, Minty is the younger woman who she used to be when she was 'free' and that Minty comes with less baggage and no history.
If I recall correctly Husband gave her a lot of mess about her getting a job even going as far as to question if she's unhappy and if he isn't giving her enough. She does get the job but because he decided to help her get one where he works at which the MC notes he did that so he could keep a close eye on her in the work place. Also by the time that they met she had already made the descension that she wanted to settle and start a family which he was aware of because on their first meeting she decides to give him her whole life story and he even made a comment that her ex lover was a fool and that he would have married her which he did do months later. So his reasoning for cheating just seems to be excuses for his hurt ego.
The ex lover is no better. He basically ding dong ditches then shows up a few months later making her travel with him. They have unprotected sex. She gets pregnant he doesn't want the baby even tells her to get rid of it because he doesn't want to be the father and it ruins his future plans. She's shocked over this and expected a different reaction she later has a miscarriage after he left her so he could talk to the local natives. He comes back, sees her, cleans her up and try's to talk to her about it. They kiss which she likens to it being a Judas kiss because she decides to leave him after that.
Now lets get to some of the side characters and children.
Poppy is the daughter of the MC and Husband. She's seems to be the only one that confronts her Father about his actions but her mother (MC) diffuses the situation and tries to defend the father. Poppy gets upset, storms to her old bedroom and blast loud music while the Husband is being emotional over his daughter going off on him, then the MC sits him down and comforts him in a way. Mind you this is during the time he tells MC he wants the house so he can move Minty/The Assistant in so him and Minty can start a family in it since it seems logical that he raised a family before in that house so it's just practical to raise his new family in that very house.
Poppy spends most of her time traveling with this guy who she marries later on in the book. He has no interest in working and spends most of his time traveling which seems to fit Poppy just fine. They two seem like a perfect fit until they decide to marry and that's when his personality does a complete 180 and suddenly he buys a house, starts working and then begins to get into arguments with Poppy over why she can't keep the house clean. Poppy calls her mom to vent over this and ask for advice because she tells her mom that this isn't what she expected when she married the guy (I'm assuming she had the idea that they would continue to travel rather than her being an actual House Wife) The only thing the mom has to offer her daughter is that “That's domestic life and as times passes you'll get used to it. Don't give up) Poppy's new husband than walks in and tells mc to leave and how undermining and non-loyal it is for Poppy to vent to her mother about their marriage problems then proceeds to grab her in which the MC decides to high tail it out the way because that's an issue for them to handle.
Btw Minty shows up to the wedding even though Poppy said she didn't want her there. Poppy the ask her mother to make Minty leave (which she doesn't, she stays till the end of the wedding)
And don't even get me started on the son Sam. He goes to see his mom after he finds out about his dad cheating he tries to comfort her but he shuts her down when she tries to vent to him because he can't bare to hear his mother talk bad about his dad. Grow up. During the story He's dating this business woman named Alice, who has made it very clear to him that she wasn't ready start a family or settle for a homely life. Sam said he would wait forever for her. I mean from my understanding she was very clear with him. Well, at Poppy's wedding he reconnects with a childhood friend named Jilly that he knocks up and decides to start a family with. He lets his family know first then tells the woman he's been dating/courting after. Alice tries to kill herself, She ends up in the hospital and tells MC that she never lied to her son so why did he lie to her? And MC was like “Well he couldn't wait forever” Anyways it's made somewhat known that the family didn't really like Alice and actually much prefer Jilly because she will help settle their son.
Minty/The assistant basically gets everything that used to belong to the MC. Her Job, Her House and her husband. Karma kicks in towards the last few pages where Minty and The Husbands are basically low on funds, Minty gains weight and is no longer easy on the eyes which is mentioned by their boss, also believe she gets demoted and is pregnant with twins but they may not have enough money to take care of their new kids.
Absolutely hated this book. If I could give it Zero stars I would but I can't so I give it a 1
This book honestly feels like it has an agenda against woman. The female characters that are “progressive” are made to either be villans or immature. In it's defense though almost all the men in this book are pretty horrible as well.
Disclaimer: I've read this book once and plan to never pick it up again so I ask that everyone take this review/rant with a grain of salt since I can't exactly remember everything that happens nor do I plan to go back and fact check it. Not worth my time. Theirs's nothing “witty, insightful or resonates” with you or at least with woman of the times. Honestly maybe because it was a different era but this book honestly does not age well with today.
To get things started. Their is no revenge maybe just a slow-burn karma at the very end of the book. Main Characters husband confesses to cheating on her with her pretty young assistant who was completely against settling down. Now the assistant wants to settle down with her husband. MC begs husband to stay with her and even offers to let him have few one night stands with other woman as long as he doesn't leave her. Husband/Nathan doesn't want that and just wants Minty/The Assistant.
Throughout the book the MC spends most of her time being depressed in her bed and reliving memories of her husband, their kids (who are now fully grown) and of her ex lover (that she met before her husband) Plenty of back and forth of present and past. MC is also very consistent of asking her husband of 'why he cheated” in which he gives different answer such as; he felt he was competing with her ex lover, Minty is the younger woman who she used to be when she was 'free' and that Minty comes with less baggage and no history.
If I recall correctly Husband gave her a lot of mess about her getting a job even going as far as to question if she's unhappy and if he isn't giving her enough. She does get the job but because he decided to help her get one where he works at which the MC notes he did that so he could keep a close eye on her in the work place. Also by the time that they met she had already made the descension that she wanted to settle and start a family which he was aware of because on their first meeting she decides to give him her whole life story and he even made a comment that her ex lover was a fool and that he would have married her which he did do months later. So his reasoning for cheating just seems to be excuses for his hurt ego.
The ex lover is no better. He basically ding dong ditches then shows up a few months later making her travel with him. They have unprotected sex. She gets pregnant he doesn't want the baby even tells her to get rid of it because he doesn't want to be the father and it ruins his future plans. She's shocked over this and expected a different reaction she later has a miscarriage after he left her so he could talk to the local natives. He comes back, sees her, cleans her up and try's to talk to her about it. They kiss which she likens to it being a Judas kiss because she decides to leave him after that.
Now lets get to some of the side characters and children.
Poppy is the daughter of the MC and Husband. She's seems to be the only one that confronts her Father about his actions but her mother (MC) diffuses the situation and tries to defend the father. Poppy gets upset, storms to her old bedroom and blast loud music while the Husband is being emotional over his daughter going off on him, then the MC sits him down and comforts him in a way. Mind you this is during the time he tells MC he wants the house so he can move Minty/The Assistant in so him and Minty can start a family in it since it seems logical that he raised a family before in that house so it's just practical to raise his new family in that very house.
Poppy spends most of her time traveling with this guy who she marries later on in the book. He has no interest in working and spends most of his time traveling which seems to fit Poppy just fine. They two seem like a perfect fit until they decide to marry and that's when his personality does a complete 180 and suddenly he buys a house, starts working and then begins to get into arguments with Poppy over why she can't keep the house clean. Poppy calls her mom to vent over this and ask for advice because she tells her mom that this isn't what she expected when she married the guy (I'm assuming she had the idea that they would continue to travel rather than her being an actual House Wife) The only thing the mom has to offer her daughter is that “That's domestic life and as times passes you'll get used to it. Don't give up) Poppy's new husband than walks in and tells mc to leave and how undermining and non-loyal it is for Poppy to vent to her mother about their marriage problems then proceeds to grab her in which the MC decides to high tail it out the way because that's an issue for them to handle.
And don't even get me started on the son Sam. He goes to see his mom after he finds out about his dad cheating he tries to comfort her but he shuts her down when she tries to vent to him because he can't bare to hear his mother talk bad about his dad. Grow up. During the story He's dating this business woman named Alice, who has made it very clear to him that she wasn't ready start a family or settle for a homely life. Sam said he would wait forever for her. I mean from my understanding she was very clear with him. Well, at Poppy's wedding he reconnects with a childhood friend named Jilly that he knocks up and decides to start a family with. He lets his family know first then tells the woman he's been dating/courting after. Alice tries to kill herself, She ends up in the hospital and tells MC that she never lied to her son so why did he lie to her? And MC was like “Well he couldn't wait forever” Anyways it's made somewhat known that the family didn't really like Alice and actually much prefer Jilly because she will help settle their son.
Minty/The assistant basically gets everything that used to belong to the MC. Her Job, Her House and her husband. Karma kicks in towards the last few pages where Minty and The Husbands are basically low on funds, Minty gains weight and is no longer easy on the eyes which is mentioned by their boss, also believe she gets demoted and is pregnant with twins but they may not have enough money to take care of their new kids.
Absolutely hated this book. If I could give it Zero stars I would but I can't so I give it a 1
October 9, 2025
I picked it up in a Little Free Library box in St. Paul, Minnesota, thinking it would be mediocre chick-lit: cheesy at best, abysmal at worst. Instead, I got a thoughtful and thought-provoking novel that plumbed the depths of the human experience at midlife. Well-rounded, deeply emotional, and supremely human, the tale of Rose and Nathan chased the demons of middle age around and around in my soul. Well done.
August 26, 2011
I read this book several years ago and still today appreciate what I was able to take with me--now to try to put that in to words. It is all too common for middle-aged wives to find themselves abandoned after a lifetime of caring for a man, bearing and raising his children and running a household among other things. Often the woman is dedicated for the long haul only to have her heart dashed to the pavement, mercilessly, as her beloved spouse trades her in for a newer model. That is where this story begins--in which the middle-aged wife is the heroine and her ex-husband is the louse. I am not a man-hater so initially I was leery about reading a book with a fairly negative title. I am glad I didn't let my own misgivings, and my husband's, deter me because while this book is a good read and captivating throughout, it also provides wonderful, intelligent insight into what has sadly become an all-too-common scenario. I think this story has a lot of power to empower. Women can enjoy this book and story and at the same time garner personal strength whether they are happily married, fear being left or have already suffered abandonment. It puts in a positive light the heroine's freedom to grow in her own self now that she has raised her children and is freed from the constraints that once confined her. There are bittersweet scenes in which the woman is enjoying the company of her grown children while their father looks on wistfully at what he can never again be wholly a part because he has a new, young wife at home with babies and toddlers in diapers. The heroine has moved on whereas the former husband is starting over. I think men can get some insight and perspective, as well from this book. Though my husband didn't read the book, to my description of the man's new plight he replied, "Yuck!". Who knows, Elizabeth Buchan may have saved a lot of families from a lot of unnecessary hardship with this amazing good read.
October 20, 2023
This review covers the duo! 3 stars for book one,3.5 book 2
The dynamics of the wife,husband, ex husband, mistress,ex friend were intermittently intriguing.The mistress as her friend and coworker was privy to data and was sleazy and manipulative twisting personal conversations to steal her husband by playing on his insecurities.By the time he wizes up and realizes his confusion,that he still loves his wife...too much water under the bridge and the new model is preggo!🤣There was some episodic dull
drom writing that sometimes seemed erroneous and snoozey.....So an ok read.Glad I moved on to book 2.
.though...you'll see😉 All the meat of the tale lies therein. The harsh truths,realities , faults and evils of the human condition eek out via its pages..Also,the teeniest bit of revenge,that I suppose was indicated in the title of book one.Me thinks,the author gave Minty,the mistress/second wife,too much credit.
The dynamics of the wife,husband, ex husband, mistress,ex friend were intermittently intriguing.The mistress as her friend and coworker was privy to data and was sleazy and manipulative twisting personal conversations to steal her husband by playing on his insecurities.By the time he wizes up and realizes his confusion,that he still loves his wife...too much water under the bridge and the new model is preggo!🤣There was some episodic dull
drom writing that sometimes seemed erroneous and snoozey.....So an ok read.Glad I moved on to book 2.
.though...you'll see😉 All the meat of the tale lies therein. The harsh truths,realities , faults and evils of the human condition eek out via its pages..Also,the teeniest bit of revenge,that I suppose was indicated in the title of book one.Me thinks,the author gave Minty,the mistress/second wife,too much credit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because I enjoyed the narration.
After more than 20 years of marriage Rose's husband leaves her for a younger women, her assistant, and the hits just keeps coming when she also looses her job.
Instead of the traditional revenge, she moves on with her life and has ring side seat when her ex's new relationship is not quite the magical new start he thought it would be.
A few things bothered me about this. Rose's fabulous new life really revolves around 1. Losing some weight. 2. Buying great french underwear. 3. Letting her career take a backseat and 4. Reconnecting with an ex. Not the best message for women everywhere.
Still, I liked that she did not focus on the normal revenge plots against the ex and the new girl.
Not a bad read just not memorable.
After more than 20 years of marriage Rose's husband leaves her for a younger women, her assistant, and the hits just keeps coming when she also looses her job.
Instead of the traditional revenge, she moves on with her life and has ring side seat when her ex's new relationship is not quite the magical new start he thought it would be.
A few things bothered me about this. Rose's fabulous new life really revolves around 1. Losing some weight. 2. Buying great french underwear. 3. Letting her career take a backseat and 4. Reconnecting with an ex. Not the best message for women everywhere.
Still, I liked that she did not focus on the normal revenge plots against the ex and the new girl.
Not a bad read just not memorable.
June 7, 2011
I'm a sucker for a good title and this title truly fit the bill. Plus - revenge was gotten, Minus - she did not actively get revenge.
Rose was a very likeable character. Minty, the antagonist, was deliciously hateful. I guess what keeps me at 3 stars is that I like a tougher heroine (a fact that too often frustrates me)and Rose was not. She gave a very different meaning to the term "living well is the best revenge." She lived well as in being a good person. And it was being a good person, never veering from that no matter what happened that ultimately got her the revenge. She didn't actually DO anything.
Everything that happened to her has been done before and her "revenge" has been gotten in those same stories. That said, the subplots added depth and the writing was very enjoyable.
Rose was a very likeable character. Minty, the antagonist, was deliciously hateful. I guess what keeps me at 3 stars is that I like a tougher heroine (a fact that too often frustrates me)and Rose was not. She gave a very different meaning to the term "living well is the best revenge." She lived well as in being a good person. And it was being a good person, never veering from that no matter what happened that ultimately got her the revenge. She didn't actually DO anything.
Everything that happened to her has been done before and her "revenge" has been gotten in those same stories. That said, the subplots added depth and the writing was very enjoyable.
August 8, 2012
This is probably my very favorite book of all time. The title is goofy, but other than that it's pretty close to perfect. It's an older book about a middle-aged woman (Rose) who has 2 young-adult children, a successful career and an executive husband. Then he has the proverbial affair and breaks up the marriage. This is the story of all that Rose goes through to keep her family in tact, an amiable relationship with her husband, and herself and her career back on track. It is a WONDERFUL book - I've read it four times.
It's definitely a woman's read - I'm sure my husband would not enjoy the story. But for women who love to see how other women manage their lives, problems, children and catastrophes, it's a jewel. I highly recommend.
It's definitely a woman's read - I'm sure my husband would not enjoy the story. But for women who love to see how other women manage their lives, problems, children and catastrophes, it's a jewel. I highly recommend.
February 20, 2009
What to do when your 29 year old subordinate not only takes your husband, but muscles you out of your job as well? Rose does all the usual things; crying, drinking, grieving. Then her post-adolescent children start having their own crises, and her husband wants the house! How does Rose not only survive all of this, but thrive? The details are so vivid, that I am there to enjoy the house and garden on Lakey Street and watch Poppy's glasses fogging up. I like what was written, but also what was left unwritten as far as human emotions in love and relationships.
March 16, 2016
The best thing about this book is the
title. Middle-aged woman is abandoned
by her husband for m-a-w's (very youthful)
assistant. I missed the revenge
of the title. Don't waste your time.
title. Middle-aged woman is abandoned
by her husband for m-a-w's (very youthful)
assistant. I missed the revenge
of the title. Don't waste your time.
May 18, 2009
I thoroughly enjoyed this; funny, light, but not meaningless. I'd love to see this in movie form.
March 12, 2021
Niš-posebni chick-lit, slobodno preskočiti!
June 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it and felt the reader did a wonderful job.
February 6, 2009
Loved it. and the next one!
March 20, 2025
I liked this book. Was a little slow in the beginning but with time I found I couldn't wait to read more. It wasn't a story that hasn't been done before, but I liked the way Rose navigated the fact that her husband decided that he wanted a younger woman, and middle age was not for him. I also liked how Rose moved through the grief of divorce, and all that comes with it, without letting her lose herself in it for too long. She rose to the challenge and came out an even stronger more confident person. I really liked how she handled her two kids and how well she supported her kids decisions, (even if she disagreed), and how she responded. I would read another one of this authors books.
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