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Mirror, Mirror: Warmth, wisdom and love on every page - if you treasured Maeve Binchy, read Patricia Scanlan
*** THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR *** Internationally bestselling author Patricia Scanlan explores the true strength of love in this addictive and charming tale. When Chris Wallace looks in the mirror he sees a deep and complex man. He is, in fact, selfish, shallow and very, very devious. A master of deceit. Suzy Wallace, a woman scorned, wreaks havoc and revenge on her husband's mistress, once her best friend, now her sworn enemy. Ellen Munroe, the mother of Chris's child, finally has the chance for happiness with an honest, decent, steadfast man... until Chris lies his way into her heart again. Mirror, Mirror is the story of women who have had enough and are about to get even. Chris Wallace watch out.Warmth, wisdom and love on every page - if you treasured Maeve Binchy, read Patricia Scanlan. Number 1 bestselling author Patricia Scanlan is set to capture the hearts and enchant the minds of a whole new generation of readers who will fall in love with her sublime storytelling. A trailblazing women’s fiction author, all of her novels have been #1 international bestsellers, most recently With All My Love, A Time for Friends, Orange Blossom Days and A Family Reunion. She writes multi-generational family dramas with compassion and authenticity, and a hint of comforting escapism. ‘If you love Maeve Binchy, you MUST try Patricia Scanlan' Woman & Home 'Utterly magical and wonderful... warmth and compassion shine through' MARIAN KEYES 'Like being enfolded in a hug from the great writer warm, comforting and full of love' CATHY KELLY 'There can be little doubt that Patricia Scanlan is the prolific queen of contemporary Irish popular fiction' Sunday Times 'There is a heartbreaking authenticity in her observations' Irish Times 'The ultimate comfort read' Glamour ‘If you love Maeve Binchy, you will love Patricia Scanlan’ Mirror
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
99 people are currently reading
517 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Scanlan
71 books399 followersPatricia Scanlan was born in Dublin, where she still lives. Her #1 bestsellers include Apartment 3B; Finishing Touches; Foreign Affairs; Promises, Promises; Mirror, Mirror; City Girl; City Woman; City Lives; and Francesca’s Party. She has sold millions of books worldwide and is translated into many languages. Patricia is the series editor and a contributing author to the award winning Open Door literacy series, which she developed for adult literacy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 4, 2020
Oh my God, I am laughing so hard.
A "woman's" book, but the scene where the downtrodden wife finds out about her husband's cheating and her revenge is so funny I am laughing out loud.
Review:
I didn’t realize until the end that this was set in Ireland in 1969 which does explain some of the intense need for marriage and not so subtle side-eye regarding various characters that don’t fit the stay at home mommy image ranging from an unwed mother to a mother working outside the home.
The primary heroine is an unmarried mother whose deadbeat, loser ex has not paid child support or seen their daughter for seven years. Daughter doesn’t even know who he is. She got pregnant before he married another victim, but started up with an affair after that. She is now estranged from the jerk and is keeping some poor schmuck on the hook as she occasionally hedges her bet with the ex. The ex must have charm coming out of all orifices as too many women want him. Needless to say I hated him, and Ihated disliked his baby mama doormat.
What made this worthy? Suzy, the jerk’s legal wife, she of the cast iron skillet and cold steel revenge. Is it the election, the full moon or what, but I’ve been reading a lot of kickass and scary heroines lately.
Suzy gets wind of her jerk husband’s affair with her (now ex) best friend and goes ape caca on him and her BF. I had to laugh as it is pretty epic. She doesn’t stop at that either.
That scene and Suzy’s subsequent revenge tactics distracted me from my teeth grinding as the unwed doormat mommy makes excuse after excuse for the deadbeat jerk. Even his MOTHER has his number.
I love Ireland, but this much,
A "woman's" book, but the scene where the downtrodden wife finds out about her husband's cheating and her revenge is so funny I am laughing out loud.
Review:
I didn’t realize until the end that this was set in Ireland in 1969 which does explain some of the intense need for marriage and not so subtle side-eye regarding various characters that don’t fit the stay at home mommy image ranging from an unwed mother to a mother working outside the home.
The primary heroine is an unmarried mother whose deadbeat, loser ex has not paid child support or seen their daughter for seven years. Daughter doesn’t even know who he is. She got pregnant before he married another victim, but started up with an affair after that. She is now estranged from the jerk and is keeping some poor schmuck on the hook as she occasionally hedges her bet with the ex. The ex must have charm coming out of all orifices as too many women want him. Needless to say I hated him, and I
What made this worthy? Suzy, the jerk’s legal wife, she of the cast iron skillet and cold steel revenge. Is it the election, the full moon or what, but I’ve been reading a lot of kickass and scary heroines lately.
Suzy gets wind of her jerk husband’s affair with her (now ex) best friend and goes ape caca on him and her BF. I had to laugh as it is pretty epic. She doesn’t stop at that either.
That scene and Suzy’s subsequent revenge tactics distracted me from my teeth grinding as the unwed doormat mommy makes excuse after excuse for the deadbeat jerk. Even his MOTHER has his number.
I love Ireland, but this much,
April 7, 2022
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
======================
Chris Wallace is a selfish, spoiled brat who only thinks about himself. He leaves a trail of discarded women along the way in search of his own pleasure and satisfaction.
Ellen Munroe remains in love with the scoundrel, despite being dumped pregnant with his daughter and serving as a side piece for many years. She always falls for his soft talk and is made a fool of. He never recognized his daughter and he never paid child support... just discarded them.
Suzy Wallace is the official wife and mother of his twins. She lives a good life but is constantly cheated and humiliated by him. Until he has an affair with her best friend and her triggers are triggered. Revenge makes for good funny scenes. In the end, the mistress ended up getting away with it.
Alexandra Johnston is a homewrecking whore who takes pleasure in destroying her supposed best friend's life, because she can. She is the female version of Chris. A bitch who only thinks about her own pleasure and destroys everything in front of her.
The secondary characters are all very interesting and I was curious about them.
The ending was unsatisfying because I wanted to see cheater scumbag and his mistress fucked up and their lives destroyed.
======================
Chris Wallace is a selfish, spoiled brat who only thinks about himself. He leaves a trail of discarded women along the way in search of his own pleasure and satisfaction.
Ellen Munroe remains in love with the scoundrel, despite being dumped pregnant with his daughter and serving as a side piece for many years. She always falls for his soft talk and is made a fool of. He never recognized his daughter and he never paid child support... just discarded them.
Suzy Wallace is the official wife and mother of his twins. She lives a good life but is constantly cheated and humiliated by him. Until he has an affair with her best friend and her triggers are triggered. Revenge makes for good funny scenes. In the end, the mistress ended up getting away with it.
Alexandra Johnston is a homewrecking whore who takes pleasure in destroying her supposed best friend's life, because she can. She is the female version of Chris. A bitch who only thinks about her own pleasure and destroys everything in front of her.
The secondary characters are all very interesting and I was curious about them.
The ending was unsatisfying because I wanted to see cheater scumbag and his mistress fucked up and their lives destroyed.
December 4, 2013
Patricia Scanlan is one of the few chick-lit authors I read, and I think this is one of her best books. (It's the sequel to her "Promises, Promises", but I read this one first.)
It's 1969 in Dublin, and things are going all sorts of wrong for Chris Wallace, womanising shit extraordinaire. His wife, Suzy, finds out about the affair he's having with her best friend, Alexandra, and throws him out of the house. Alexandra doesn't actually like him (or anyone, really; she's what they had in mind when they invented the term "ballbreaker"), but she allows him, grudgingly, to move in with her. Ellen, the woman he impregnated and abandoned seven years ago has clawed her life back up out of the abyss that is single motherhood in mid-20th-century Ireland, but despite the presence of a new - and decent - man in her life, she still can't quite seem to resist Chris.
All of which makes it sound like the book is about Chris, but it's not. It's about Ellen, mostly, and also about the other women whose lives Chris has affected. It's about Ellen rebuilding her life, starting her own business, dealing with her mother (Sheila is a wonderful example of the Irish Mammy), coping with her daughter's questions, trying to finally cut loose from Chris and accept what Doug is offering. It's about Suzy, angry and bitter, wreaking revenge on Chris and Alexandra (and oh, what wonderful revenge she wreaks on Alexandra!) It's about Alexandra, realising what a monstrous mistake getting together with Chris was...and somehow managing to come out on top (by her standards) anyway.
And this is a book set in a world I know. Not quite a world I live in - I was born in the year it's set in - but a world I remember, at least in part, and a world that hasn't entirely gone away even yet. I love this book as much for its setting as its story.
(This is not actually the edition I have, but Goodreads for some reason doesn't seem to have the 1998 Poolbeg paperback with the red cover with the mirror on the front.)
It's 1969 in Dublin, and things are going all sorts of wrong for Chris Wallace, womanising shit extraordinaire. His wife, Suzy, finds out about the affair he's having with her best friend, Alexandra, and throws him out of the house. Alexandra doesn't actually like him (or anyone, really; she's what they had in mind when they invented the term "ballbreaker"), but she allows him, grudgingly, to move in with her. Ellen, the woman he impregnated and abandoned seven years ago has clawed her life back up out of the abyss that is single motherhood in mid-20th-century Ireland, but despite the presence of a new - and decent - man in her life, she still can't quite seem to resist Chris.
All of which makes it sound like the book is about Chris, but it's not. It's about Ellen, mostly, and also about the other women whose lives Chris has affected. It's about Ellen rebuilding her life, starting her own business, dealing with her mother (Sheila is a wonderful example of the Irish Mammy), coping with her daughter's questions, trying to finally cut loose from Chris and accept what Doug is offering. It's about Suzy, angry and bitter, wreaking revenge on Chris and Alexandra (and oh, what wonderful revenge she wreaks on Alexandra!) It's about Alexandra, realising what a monstrous mistake getting together with Chris was...and somehow managing to come out on top (by her standards) anyway.
And this is a book set in a world I know. Not quite a world I live in - I was born in the year it's set in - but a world I remember, at least in part, and a world that hasn't entirely gone away even yet. I love this book as much for its setting as its story.
(This is not actually the edition I have, but Goodreads for some reason doesn't seem to have the 1998 Poolbeg paperback with the red cover with the mirror on the front.)
July 21, 2019
Mirror, Mirror is the story of two women who have had enough and are about to get even with Chris Wallace.
Chris Wallace was an accomplished liar. Suzy Wallace knew her husband Chris was having an affair.
Alexandra Johnston was one woman who wouldn't dance to his tune,she would just use him as long as ut suited her.
Ellen Munroe, let Chris think that his emotionally abusive behaviour was perfectly acceptable. After seven years of emotional turmoil, Ellen finally let go of Chris Wallace. Another man is on the scene for Ellen Munroe, but will Chris lie his way back into her heart again.
December 4, 2013
Brilliant end to a two part saga!!!
This is a the second of a two part story so it's really a must to read Promises Promises first. I had not heard of Patricia Scanlan before and really bought the set of two books because they were on special offer but this author should be at the top of the bestseller lists because I was really pleasantly surprised at the quality of her writing. It's a family story where a girl falls for a rotter and, for a time, things seem to go his way and he comes up smelling of roses every time. In the second book his run of luck runs out and everything seems to go wrong for him at the same time. This is a wonderfully healing read if you have gone through a bad relationship and/or divorce and many things said and done in the book were uncannily similar to my own experience! The charaters are so lifelike, for example, the mother-in-law who is a big noise at the Townswomen's Guild who wonders how she will show her face there again after all the scandal that has befallen her family. It is such a heart-warming story with a few comic episodes,it really does make you look back at your own divorce/split and makes it easier to get through, the revenge episodes made me think YES! This story is so life-like and so enjoyable, I couldn't put it down, it's perfect holiday reading. Patricia Scanlan's writing is so clever because she does different scenes from different characters' point of view, for example one moment she would have me thinking, poor Ellen, Chris is such a rotter then in the following interlude she would write from Chris' point of view and describe his confusion about his feelings so next thing I would feel sympathy for Chris and be able to understand why he had been acting as he had. One of my all time great reads, a brilliant saga. Now I have gone on to read all Patricia Scanlan's books, I have really enjoyed them all but this saga is something special.
This is a the second of a two part story so it's really a must to read Promises Promises first. I had not heard of Patricia Scanlan before and really bought the set of two books because they were on special offer but this author should be at the top of the bestseller lists because I was really pleasantly surprised at the quality of her writing. It's a family story where a girl falls for a rotter and, for a time, things seem to go his way and he comes up smelling of roses every time. In the second book his run of luck runs out and everything seems to go wrong for him at the same time. This is a wonderfully healing read if you have gone through a bad relationship and/or divorce and many things said and done in the book were uncannily similar to my own experience! The charaters are so lifelike, for example, the mother-in-law who is a big noise at the Townswomen's Guild who wonders how she will show her face there again after all the scandal that has befallen her family. It is such a heart-warming story with a few comic episodes,it really does make you look back at your own divorce/split and makes it easier to get through, the revenge episodes made me think YES! This story is so life-like and so enjoyable, I couldn't put it down, it's perfect holiday reading. Patricia Scanlan's writing is so clever because she does different scenes from different characters' point of view, for example one moment she would have me thinking, poor Ellen, Chris is such a rotter then in the following interlude she would write from Chris' point of view and describe his confusion about his feelings so next thing I would feel sympathy for Chris and be able to understand why he had been acting as he had. One of my all time great reads, a brilliant saga. Now I have gone on to read all Patricia Scanlan's books, I have really enjoyed them all but this saga is something special.
September 26, 2019
I absolutely loved it!!
Patricia Scanlan is a master storyteller. Full of drama, intrigue, deception, revenge, love, hate Mirror Mirror has it all!! And so beautifully put together, the characters are real women, you can relate to all the real life problems they have. It is set in an era where women didn't have a fraction of the freedom or rights we have today. Constantly i found myself frustrated thinking you have rights!!! Then i remembered in those days they didn't!!
I just hope there is more!!!
Patricia Scanlan is a master storyteller. Full of drama, intrigue, deception, revenge, love, hate Mirror Mirror has it all!! And so beautifully put together, the characters are real women, you can relate to all the real life problems they have. It is set in an era where women didn't have a fraction of the freedom or rights we have today. Constantly i found myself frustrated thinking you have rights!!! Then i remembered in those days they didn't!!
I just hope there is more!!!
February 28, 2025
A great sequel to Promises, Promises, this book is one of Patricia Scanlan's best.
I love the time period it's set in (1969),the women are all so different, how they deal with various situations and bringing up their children and the men in their lives.
Ellen was a character you just wanted to shake and tell her the right thing to do when she kept messing things up but she sorted things eventually.
I've read this a few times and I can't put it down but equally sad when it's finished.
I love the time period it's set in (1969),the women are all so different, how they deal with various situations and bringing up their children and the men in their lives.
Ellen was a character you just wanted to shake and tell her the right thing to do when she kept messing things up but she sorted things eventually.
I've read this a few times and I can't put it down but equally sad when it's finished.
January 17, 2023
I love Patricia Scanlwn’s books for the escapist chick lit they are, this set is much more enjoyable to me than the more cartoony City Girl series, the characters are more finely drawn and the bad guys get their just desserts. It’s a nice cozy pair of books for a winter holiday by the fire.
February 16, 2020
Chris Wallace looks in the mirror he sees a deep and complex man. He is, in fact, a master of deceit.
Suzy Wallace, a woman scorned, is determined to wreak havoc and revenge on her husband's mistress, once her best friend, now her sworn enemy.
Ellen Munroe, the mother of Chris's child, finally has the chance for happiness with an honest, decent, steadfast man....until Chris lies his way into her heart again.
An absolute roller coaster of a book, couldn't put it down. Actually read it in a day.
Suzy Wallace, a woman scorned, is determined to wreak havoc and revenge on her husband's mistress, once her best friend, now her sworn enemy.
Ellen Munroe, the mother of Chris's child, finally has the chance for happiness with an honest, decent, steadfast man....until Chris lies his way into her heart again.
An absolute roller coaster of a book, couldn't put it down. Actually read it in a day.
February 16, 2014
Need more stars to give this lady. Bought this book, only half way through part one. And it didn't disappoint, a fitting end to an amazing duology. You feel an inner guilty pleasure to see Chris get his cumuppance. I just couldn't put down this series, housework was abandoned. Can't wait for another PS book, bring on the genius.
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May 22, 2010sublime
January 28, 2019
Great read, with some colourful characters. An enjoyable read.
August 26, 2019
Ahhh, so sad it ended. I could go on forever reading about those characters.
May 4, 2020
Fantastic
Was really sorry it ended. Thoroughly enjoyable. What to read now that will be as good? I love happy endings.
Was really sorry it ended. Thoroughly enjoyable. What to read now that will be as good? I love happy endings.
August 6, 2025
I first read Promises Promises and I loved it!! It could have been a standalone because it was satisfying. I loved it and loved the idea that there was a continuation. I just finished Mirror Mirror and I am just pissed at it. I feel that there were so many stories unfinished. Too many unnecessary fillers. Interesting read but could have been so much better. I'm quite annoyed with Ellen. There's so much I want to discuss about this but I don't want to spoil the book.
December 26, 2017
Abrupt ending
two many characters ,it was. difficult to keep track of them all ,or differentiate who was who, the main character made you want to shake her, too many scenarios left wanting an end ,
two many characters ,it was. difficult to keep track of them all ,or differentiate who was who, the main character made you want to shake her, too many scenarios left wanting an end ,
August 6, 2018
Another good and wonderful read written by Patricia Scanlan. I enjoyed reading her books. It is interesting and easy to read. Nice characters, interesting storyline and moral values behind each and every story.
May 10, 2017
Good follow up to Promises Promises, good Irish chick lit author
June 4, 2017
Good to catch up with the characters again but not as good as the first book in the 'pairing'.
December 8, 2017
A good “unputdownable” read.
January 6, 2018
Another great read
The story was fantastic. Reminded me of some of the Mammys boys I met along the way😁. The characters were brilliantly written.
The story was fantastic. Reminded me of some of the Mammys boys I met along the way😁. The characters were brilliantly written.
January 6, 2018
Set in 1969 this novel follows the lives of three woman all intertwined with one man and the consequences he has for them . An earlier book from one of my favourite authors .
February 19, 2019
Very good
March 14, 2021
this is the second book after Promises Promises, really loved this story, just wanted it to go on and on, wonderful book
October 3, 2021
Great book.
October 17, 2022
I enjoyed this book 20 years ago and reading a second time enjoyed it more. I'm a big fan of Patricia, her books are timeless.
January 7, 2025
Good book. Easy Read. I wanted more of course, so I dropped a star. Well written and very entertaining. Chris is a real Skank, which is probably too good a word to describe him.
December 15, 2013
This is a fab book and like the first book in this series "promises Promises", I found it very hard to put down.
I loved both books just as much in different ways. Wow, this one was extremely dramatic.
Like others have said, I didn't feel sorry for Chris in the slightest; He got what he deserved for sure.
I'm so glad I've discovered this author and I'm now off to read another of her series.
I loved both books just as much in different ways. Wow, this one was extremely dramatic.
Like others have said, I didn't feel sorry for Chris in the slightest; He got what he deserved for sure.
I'm so glad I've discovered this author and I'm now off to read another of her series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2014
Whilst I really enjoyed this book - I wasn't sure why it was set in 1969/1970?? I thought it was going to have a 'present day' ending, but it didn't.
I liked how the women were connected to Chris, and how he got his comeuppance!! It was only when I was halfway through that I realised there was a book that was written before this, oops
I liked how the women were connected to Chris, and how he got his comeuppance!! It was only when I was halfway through that I realised there was a book that was written before this, oops
April 23, 2012
This book overextended the author's talents. It seemed like she tired to fit in too many story lines & consequently, some were ignored. NB: Promises, Promises in the UK.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews