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The Amicable Divorce
Chick-Lit With Some Mystery.
Already dealing with a suspended driver's license, despised job, and looming thirtieth birthday, Vanessa Collins doesn't think much more can go wrong . . . until her husband Brian announces he's filing for divorce.
Acting on her thrice-divorced sister's advice, Vanessa steals Brian's financial documents. She's determined to either escape her marriage with a six-figure settlement or day trade her way into retirement. But Vanessa ends up with something she never bargained for, and now her entire future may be in jeopardy unless she can figure out what's going on before it's too late.
Already dealing with a suspended driver's license, despised job, and looming thirtieth birthday, Vanessa Collins doesn't think much more can go wrong . . . until her husband Brian announces he's filing for divorce.
Acting on her thrice-divorced sister's advice, Vanessa steals Brian's financial documents. She's determined to either escape her marriage with a six-figure settlement or day trade her way into retirement. But Vanessa ends up with something she never bargained for, and now her entire future may be in jeopardy unless she can figure out what's going on before it's too late.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2013
12 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Marla Bradeen
12 books74 followersMarla Bradeen previously worked as a software consultant and analyst. In 2012, she gave up a traditional job for no other reason than to have more time to pursue personal interests, such as sleeping in late and taking naps. Although she misses seeing regular deposits into her bank account, she hasn't once regretted that decision.
These days, Marla enjoys inventing imaginary friends and killing them off. She's thrilled to have finally found a use for that bachelor's in psychology: getting into her characters' heads. When she's not plotting murder, she spends her time fighting for mattress space with her two rescue cats.
She also writes cozy mysteries under the pseudonym Paige Sleuth.
These days, Marla enjoys inventing imaginary friends and killing them off. She's thrilled to have finally found a use for that bachelor's in psychology: getting into her characters' heads. When she's not plotting murder, she spends her time fighting for mattress space with her two rescue cats.
She also writes cozy mysteries under the pseudonym Paige Sleuth.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 12, 2018
As expected from a novel categorized as chick lit, The Amicable Divorce was light and humorous. And to my surprise, it offered more than just a good laugh because the plotline was laced with mystery.
Out of nowhere and without sufficient explanation, Vanessa’s husband Brian announces he wants a divorce. As a result, Vanessa is left to figure out where things went wrong with the help of her thrice-divorced sister Beth. When Beth convinces Vanessa that Brian is having an affair, Vanessa is compelled to investigate.
The story flows nicely from chapter to chapter and is told from Vanessa’s POV. Her sarcastic, slightly bumbling personality is funny and paved the way for humorous dialogue. However, as amusing as Vanessa’s inner dialogue is, I found myself skimming those parts at times because I wanted to get back to the plot line. Bradeen certainly knows how to piece together a cozy mystery.
If you’re looking for light-hearted chick lit and a flawed but lovable heroine who comes out on top in the end, then this one might be right up your alley.
Out of nowhere and without sufficient explanation, Vanessa’s husband Brian announces he wants a divorce. As a result, Vanessa is left to figure out where things went wrong with the help of her thrice-divorced sister Beth. When Beth convinces Vanessa that Brian is having an affair, Vanessa is compelled to investigate.
The story flows nicely from chapter to chapter and is told from Vanessa’s POV. Her sarcastic, slightly bumbling personality is funny and paved the way for humorous dialogue. However, as amusing as Vanessa’s inner dialogue is, I found myself skimming those parts at times because I wanted to get back to the plot line. Bradeen certainly knows how to piece together a cozy mystery.
If you’re looking for light-hearted chick lit and a flawed but lovable heroine who comes out on top in the end, then this one might be right up your alley.
January 16, 2025
Difficult to read
I had a difficult time reading this, the characters were lazy, and DUMB…people I worked with, did not waste time. I really hope that most people are not like this.
I had a difficult time reading this, the characters were lazy, and DUMB…people I worked with, did not waste time. I really hope that most people are not like this.
Read
November 21, 2024I can confidently suggest this book to everyone because it's a good one.
August 17, 2016
reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
Vanessa is one of those characters you can’t help but feel sympathy for. Life is passing her by, while she is content on working for an employer she despises, married to a man who has lost interest, and there are no hobbies or other extracurricular activities she enjoys or engages in. It’s as though she wants to settle for mediocrity, not feeling as though she’s able to achieve anything else in her short thirty years on earth.
After her husband Brian pulls the trigger on their impending divorce, a domino effect begins. There are plenty of hidden secrets Vanessa never knew Brian was capable of. Soon, she’s being followed, threatened. There are documents within Vanessa’s possession that has put her life in grave danger. What sort of connection does Brian have to the documents? When he’s not at his day job, what else is going on behind the scenes?
The Amicable Divorce was such a fun read, and sprinkled within the pages are bits of mystery that will keep you guessing. I was trying to figure out the motive and the reasoning behind Brian leaving his wife, never knowing there would be an undercurrent of danger. I really enjoyed getting inside Vanessa’s head, because she’s just a funny, wonderful person. Very real and down to earth. She’s far from perfect, which elicits a lot of crazy situations and comic relief. Will Vanessa find a way to save the day, and her marriage, in one fell swoop? And more importantly, will she ever realize she’s capable of so much more than mediocre?
Vanessa is one of those characters you can’t help but feel sympathy for. Life is passing her by, while she is content on working for an employer she despises, married to a man who has lost interest, and there are no hobbies or other extracurricular activities she enjoys or engages in. It’s as though she wants to settle for mediocrity, not feeling as though she’s able to achieve anything else in her short thirty years on earth.
After her husband Brian pulls the trigger on their impending divorce, a domino effect begins. There are plenty of hidden secrets Vanessa never knew Brian was capable of. Soon, she’s being followed, threatened. There are documents within Vanessa’s possession that has put her life in grave danger. What sort of connection does Brian have to the documents? When he’s not at his day job, what else is going on behind the scenes?
The Amicable Divorce was such a fun read, and sprinkled within the pages are bits of mystery that will keep you guessing. I was trying to figure out the motive and the reasoning behind Brian leaving his wife, never knowing there would be an undercurrent of danger. I really enjoyed getting inside Vanessa’s head, because she’s just a funny, wonderful person. Very real and down to earth. She’s far from perfect, which elicits a lot of crazy situations and comic relief. Will Vanessa find a way to save the day, and her marriage, in one fell swoop? And more importantly, will she ever realize she’s capable of so much more than mediocre?
February 26, 2016
***THIS BOOK WAS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER/AUTHOR IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**
The Amicable Divorce by Marla Bradeen is chick lit at it's best. There is humor and angst, and a plot that kept me going in circles; that touch of mystery kept me glued to the e-reader!
If I have any complaint, it's that the main character, Vanessa, is so passive. It's almost like the author wanted us to prefer her ex-husband-to-be Brian over her. But this didn't detract much from my enjoyment of the story, and really made me happy when Vanessa stood up for herself and what she wanted.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting a light read, full of humor, a touch of mystery, and romance.
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fan Site: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG***
The Amicable Divorce by Marla Bradeen is chick lit at it's best. There is humor and angst, and a plot that kept me going in circles; that touch of mystery kept me glued to the e-reader!
If I have any complaint, it's that the main character, Vanessa, is so passive. It's almost like the author wanted us to prefer her ex-husband-to-be Brian over her. But this didn't detract much from my enjoyment of the story, and really made me happy when Vanessa stood up for herself and what she wanted.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting a light read, full of humor, a touch of mystery, and romance.
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fan Site: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG***
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews