The Honeymoon Affair

by Shelia O'Flanagan

448 pages, Hardcover

Published August 27, 2024

Reviews

[Lizp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. Issy gets dumped before her wedding to Steve. She decides to go on her Caribbean honeymoon with her cousin, Celeste.

She sees Charles, a handsome and well known author, by the pool. She’s 29. He is 49. She falls for him although he can be rude and has poor social skills. She has a pre read of a book he is writing and tells him that it’s awful. She likes crime novels and advises him to write one. He decides to give writing one a go and makes a good fist of it.

Aerial is Charles’ agent and ex wife. She works very hard to market his books. She spoils Charles, who is egotistical. They often have drinks on a Friday as her office is in his mews house and they sometimes sleep together. Aerial is inclined to act as Charles’ dogsbody.

After the holiday, Issy to her surprise continues to see Charles. Aerial is told nothing of this relationship and continues on her not so merry way with Charles. Charles’ mum ( who doesn’t like Aerial) and his sister also feature. Issy has a civil service job in Customs and Excise so her life is very different from Charles’ glamorous life. Charles also takes Issy for granted.

Aerial, as usual, organises Charles’ glittering New Year’s Eve party. Issy and cousin Celeste attend the party. Charles proposes to Issy. She is shocked but says yes. Charles announces the engagement to his guests. Aerial is horrified, especially as Charles never did finalise their divorce, and she is highly disapproving. She does not think they are suited at all.

There is no smooth sailing post engagement for Issy. Much drama ensues between Issy, Charles, and Aerial. Steve tries to weasel his way back into Izzy’s life. This book has a good plot that keeps up the reader’s interest.

This is an engaging read that goes for well over 400 pages.

[Joy Bosworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is s the author at her best.
Unlike a few recent books mainly set abroad this one's back on home turf.

Ariel is a really interesting character. She's not a panto baddie just someone who hasn't needed to “uncouple.” till now.

It throws light on the role of literary agent, which seems to be fascinating and exhausting in equal measure.

Isault is a much “thinner” character, partly because her youth hasnt yet given her chance to act more maturely, but, even so, she is quite likeable. This isn't always the case in some novels.But you've got to take the side of someone in the depths of despair after a disastrous dinnrr party, finding herself hungry. tucks in to the abandoned trifle deserts. My kind of gal!

Although the outcome is somewhat inevitable, the journey there is really enjoyable. If you know the city you'll enjoy the sunsets etc and if you don't it will make you want to visit!

[A Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm going to leave a bad review, but it's my own fault really...I think I somehow blanked that this was a romance (I think?) novel, and that's so not for me. I'm not a fan of romance so maybe I just didn't get it, but the infatuation between Charles and Izzy was so flat I kept thinking there was going to be a dark twist and that one of them had an ulterior motive because they had no chemistry or spark. It seemed he liked her simply because she wasn't afraid to be honest with him, but she wasn't ever particularly warm towards him. And he didn't tell his ex, who he has a good personal and professional relationship with, that he was planning to propose to another woman? And I really couldn't cope with the constant referring to Ariel as the 'agent-slash-ex'. Eeek! Sorry!

[Angela Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a slow burner but once I was a few chapters in I loved it and was totally engrossed .
This story is all about Izzy and how she rebuilds her life after being dumped by her fiancé .
I really liked Izzy as a character and enjoyed watching her grow as a person.
I liked the way that the story was told from multiple points of view and felt this added to the story
The ending was exactly what I hoped for and I am holding out for a sequel to see what happens.
Thanks to Netgalley,Sheila O’Flanagan and Headline for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dumped just before the wedding and going on honeymoon with your cousin instead of the groom.
The last thing expected is to find romance. Let alone it to continue when you get home.
Meshing two lives with a 20 year age gap, a glittering literary career and working shifts in the customs department takes work.
Not quite ex wife is still Charles agent and has offices in the mews at the end of the garden.
Boundaries, respect and love mixed together for fun, heartache and confusion. Will it be happy ever after or more hearts broken.

[Cora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read many of Sheila O'Flanagan's books over the years but have to say that this wasn't my favourite. It was ok, just a bit slow moving and fell a bit flat for me, the ending seems to tease at a possible sequel but if I'm honest, if there was, I'm not sure I cared enough about the characters to read it.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always a pleasure to get lost in a Sheila O’Flanagan book. You’re immediately invested in the characters and their situations and this one is no different but please can we have a sequel- I need to know what happens next!

[Corinne Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to a 4 because I quite like Izzy, she got knocked down, but she really did get up again. I wish there had been a lot more about Celeste, who certainly supported Izzy more than anyone else, even Charles. Charles was like a 49 year old teenager in my opinion. Hard to like him a lot.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sun bed holiday relaxing read definitely for me! nothing too tasking & relationship ups & downs in fine middle class glory!!

[Bernie21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!!

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy and enjoyable read - perfect for holidays.

[Rhian Dafydd · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is one of my all time favourites so I couldn’t wait to delve into their latest. This was a slow burning read about second chances and as always was beautifully written. I loved Izzy and how her character unfolded as the story developed.

We need a sequel to see what happens next