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The Weekend Wives
Weekend wife n. 1 a wife whose husband works away and only comes home at the weekends. 2 a wife who misses her husband when he's gone, but wants him gone when he's at home.
Emily's vision of country life was building dens with the children, walking a glossy hound and cosy nights in by the fire. But her kids are more interested in their smartphones, the family dog has 'issues' and she's permanently freezing. And when husband Matt is home, he still seems worryingly distant.
Sasha and her husband Ned used to have a great connection, but nowadays the only connection between them is via Skype. And when a woman from Ned's past comes with news that threatens the perfect life she's built for her children, Sasha feels further from her husband than ever before.
Tamsin's husband might be away during the week, but he's never truly gone. He seems to know her every move, which is fine, sort of - until her first love reappears in the most mysterious of ways...
Emily's vision of country life was building dens with the children, walking a glossy hound and cosy nights in by the fire. But her kids are more interested in their smartphones, the family dog has 'issues' and she's permanently freezing. And when husband Matt is home, he still seems worryingly distant.
Sasha and her husband Ned used to have a great connection, but nowadays the only connection between them is via Skype. And when a woman from Ned's past comes with news that threatens the perfect life she's built for her children, Sasha feels further from her husband than ever before.
Tamsin's husband might be away during the week, but he's never truly gone. He seems to know her every move, which is fine, sort of - until her first love reappears in the most mysterious of ways...
308 pages, Paperback
Published March 10, 2016
7 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 23, 2016
This is a really likable story. You can sit and curl up with this one and just let it flow sat outside on a nice summers day or inside in front of the fire. Either way, its what I would term a 'time to myself curl up book'.
The author has weaved a really good story.
The first half of the book was dragging a bit then things started to improve for me, but some may have given it up by then, all I need to say is, stick with it as it does get better.
There are three main 'wives' in this story and each has a different life story to tell with different responsibilities and needs.
Its a game of secrets too especially when a Weekend Wives Club is formed.
I really did love this book, and will look out for more from this author.
Thank you to the authors PA, Publisher and Bookbridge for my copy
August 2, 2018
Welcome to the weekend wives club. This is a story of husbands being away all week, and leaving the wife at home and only coming home at weekends. Sasha Rayburn seemed to be seriously suggesting starting a weekend wives club. She was lonely, very lonely. Sasha wasn't a weekend wife she was a monthly one. When Emily's husband Matt came home Friday evenings he smelt weird, of an unfamiliar washing powder and cinnamon chewing gum. Tasmin didn't have children and she has no secrets from her husband John does she? She sends him a selfie as he likes to know exactly what Tasmin is doing. The Weekend wives stays ahead of the curve to look at how this new family relationship will test marriages and Friendship and harbour secrets.
June 30, 2016
I feel like Christina Hopkinson has peeked into my life and written a book about me.
I was once a 'weekend wife' and while I won't say which of the wives I felt an affinity with, I will say Christina captured her/me perfectly.
The three women are funny, and completely 'real'. I think most women will see themselves in these characters.
Emily, Tamsin and Sasha each have secrets, everyday problems and a friendship that binds them. The differences in their lives are what makes them enjoyable to read about and in the tense and sometimes insightful moments I feel that Hopkinson has written a clever and joyful read.
Each issue that the women encounter is captured in a sensitive and thought provoking way, and the family dynamics of each of the girls, while they don't seem too happy, is like taking a look thorough the window of any house on your own street.
This is a wonderful tale. I loved it. I would have liked a bit 'more drama' but Hopkinson's novel is perfect for a lazy day's read.
I was once a 'weekend wife' and while I won't say which of the wives I felt an affinity with, I will say Christina captured her/me perfectly.
The three women are funny, and completely 'real'. I think most women will see themselves in these characters.
Emily, Tamsin and Sasha each have secrets, everyday problems and a friendship that binds them. The differences in their lives are what makes them enjoyable to read about and in the tense and sometimes insightful moments I feel that Hopkinson has written a clever and joyful read.
Each issue that the women encounter is captured in a sensitive and thought provoking way, and the family dynamics of each of the girls, while they don't seem too happy, is like taking a look thorough the window of any house on your own street.
This is a wonderful tale. I loved it. I would have liked a bit 'more drama' but Hopkinson's novel is perfect for a lazy day's read.
June 20, 2016
The Weekend Wives is a thoroughly enjoyable story, about a group of three women, all with one main thing in common - they have husbands that work in a different city/country during the week only to return home at the weekend.
By weekday they are in Emily and Sasha's cases single parents, and by the time the weekend rolls around their husbands are too tired from the week and travel, to be much more than in the way, once they are home. Tamsin's situation is slightly different, but is arguable the most interesting of them all.
Tamsin has never really grown up from the teenager she was when she met husband John, and he makes the most of it, in the way he moulds their life. Sasha's husband Ned is hiding a deep secret from his past, before they even met, and it provides some interesting thought provoking questions once it is revealed. Then there is Emily who has three young children, a dog that may need therapy, and her husband Matt, seems incredibly distracted whenever he is home, with his eyes always on a screen, but what is he hiding.
Three families, three secrets and a growing friendship between the ladies, once they all start seeing each other regularly after a neighbour's party. I loved the differences between their situations and it gave a good depth to the book, with the various strands.
The Weekend Wives was an entertaining story that has some tense bits, and also touches in a degree of depth on some sensitive issues. This is not completely frothy chick lit, but in fact a well rounded story, with some romance, secrets, intrigue and a mad dog! This is the first book I have read by the author in many years, but its made more keen to check out some of her back catalogue to see what I have missed out on.
Thank you to Rebecca Mundy and Bookbridgr for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
By weekday they are in Emily and Sasha's cases single parents, and by the time the weekend rolls around their husbands are too tired from the week and travel, to be much more than in the way, once they are home. Tamsin's situation is slightly different, but is arguable the most interesting of them all.
Tamsin has never really grown up from the teenager she was when she met husband John, and he makes the most of it, in the way he moulds their life. Sasha's husband Ned is hiding a deep secret from his past, before they even met, and it provides some interesting thought provoking questions once it is revealed. Then there is Emily who has three young children, a dog that may need therapy, and her husband Matt, seems incredibly distracted whenever he is home, with his eyes always on a screen, but what is he hiding.
Three families, three secrets and a growing friendship between the ladies, once they all start seeing each other regularly after a neighbour's party. I loved the differences between their situations and it gave a good depth to the book, with the various strands.
The Weekend Wives was an entertaining story that has some tense bits, and also touches in a degree of depth on some sensitive issues. This is not completely frothy chick lit, but in fact a well rounded story, with some romance, secrets, intrigue and a mad dog! This is the first book I have read by the author in many years, but its made more keen to check out some of her back catalogue to see what I have missed out on.
Thank you to Rebecca Mundy and Bookbridgr for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
September 16, 2016
I loved the sound of The Weekend Wives from the synopsis – I knew it was going to be a ‘chick lit’, and thus most probably a fairly easy page turner. I’m glad to say I was in fact right! You could easily read this book in one sitting, but also just as easily read only a few pages at a time if you wished. It isn’t too complicated or advanced in terms of both plot-line and vocabulary, so this book would be suitable for a wide range of abilities.
The story itself follows three main protagonists whose family lives are tested as their partner works away for long periods of time, often returning solely on the weekends – hence ‘The Weekend Wives’. Each character is likeable and has a developing plot of their own throughout the book.
Emily has an annoying dog and a love to gossip, but when a disaster occurs, she is forced to see her family values from a different perspective. Tamsin slowly begins to learn that her loving husband isn’t quite everything he seems, and the uprooting of an event that happened decades ago will put Sasha on rocky ground. Each character’s story-line inevitably ends up turning their lives upside down – but will this be for the better or worse?
What I loved the most about this book, is that the true revelations behind their story-lines are not what you expect, at all. From the synopsis, I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen to each character, but I was indeed very, very wrong.
I do have to especially praise Christina Hopkinson for thinking outside the box in terms of plots for each of the characters – it was nice not to see what I expected, which was a mediocre plot with three extra marital affairs with younger woman. This book is a lot more interesting than that! She also explores some difficult subjects well – with enough reservation and respect for the topics, but also getting deep enough to really make you think about the devastation of these in reality.
The only negative thing I would say about this book, is that there are some sex scenes that are overly cringy and a bit too ‘much’ in my opinion. I wasn’t expecting some of the vocabulary used, and I’m not a fan of erotica and such like, so some of it I had to skim read through! That being said, there aren’t pages and pages of it – only a few paragraphs or sentences dotted throughout the book.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the read, and will give this book a 3.5 stars (Goodreads only allow full stars, hence the 4) – whilst I wouldn’t choose to read the book over and over again, I would highly recommend any fan of chick lit to give it a go!
Reviewed by Jodie K at www.whisperingstories.com
The story itself follows three main protagonists whose family lives are tested as their partner works away for long periods of time, often returning solely on the weekends – hence ‘The Weekend Wives’. Each character is likeable and has a developing plot of their own throughout the book.
Emily has an annoying dog and a love to gossip, but when a disaster occurs, she is forced to see her family values from a different perspective. Tamsin slowly begins to learn that her loving husband isn’t quite everything he seems, and the uprooting of an event that happened decades ago will put Sasha on rocky ground. Each character’s story-line inevitably ends up turning their lives upside down – but will this be for the better or worse?
What I loved the most about this book, is that the true revelations behind their story-lines are not what you expect, at all. From the synopsis, I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen to each character, but I was indeed very, very wrong.
I do have to especially praise Christina Hopkinson for thinking outside the box in terms of plots for each of the characters – it was nice not to see what I expected, which was a mediocre plot with three extra marital affairs with younger woman. This book is a lot more interesting than that! She also explores some difficult subjects well – with enough reservation and respect for the topics, but also getting deep enough to really make you think about the devastation of these in reality.
The only negative thing I would say about this book, is that there are some sex scenes that are overly cringy and a bit too ‘much’ in my opinion. I wasn’t expecting some of the vocabulary used, and I’m not a fan of erotica and such like, so some of it I had to skim read through! That being said, there aren’t pages and pages of it – only a few paragraphs or sentences dotted throughout the book.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the read, and will give this book a 3.5 stars (Goodreads only allow full stars, hence the 4) – whilst I wouldn’t choose to read the book over and over again, I would highly recommend any fan of chick lit to give it a go!
Reviewed by Jodie K at www.whisperingstories.com
June 28, 2016
There is a vision of an idyllic country life which exists in the imagination, and yet, for the weekend wives of a small village, some 99.7 miles from London, the reality of living a weekday life away from their husbands proves to be quite the opposite of peaceful.
When I first started to read The Weekend Wives I thought the story was going to prove to be a little bit fluffy and rather too light-hearted but, as the story got under way, it became more serious and touched on some quite significant marital problems, all of which were handled in a thoughtful and meaningful way. For Sacha, Emily and Tamsin, the reality of coping alone is tinged with undeniable complications. There are regrets and lots of hidden secrets, but their shared experiences and the formation of the weekend wives club gives them a means of support and a shoulder to cry on when they need it most.
I’ve never been a weekend wife, so I was interested to see what difficulties lay ahead for this trio of women all of whom come to the story with a realistic story to tell. I think my favourite was Sacha, who seemed to be the most balanced of the threesome and the way she dealt with her problems, perhaps, for me, seemed to be the most convincing, and yet, I had immense sympathy for Emily and Tamsin, and perhaps, more particularly for Tamsin who seemed to have been dealt the worst of deals. I found that as I became comfortable with the characters and their emerging stories, I began to feel an emotional attachment to them, and wanted their lives to work out well. I was less enamoured of the three husbands who seem a sorry lot and quite undeserving of this trio of strong and brave women.
Overall, I thought that this was a well written story with a modern edge. The author delivers a serious story which touches on some complex issues but does so with light hearted humour and a fine eye for detail.
It must also be said that I also had a particular fondness for Rafa, who had his own problems to overcome.
When I first started to read The Weekend Wives I thought the story was going to prove to be a little bit fluffy and rather too light-hearted but, as the story got under way, it became more serious and touched on some quite significant marital problems, all of which were handled in a thoughtful and meaningful way. For Sacha, Emily and Tamsin, the reality of coping alone is tinged with undeniable complications. There are regrets and lots of hidden secrets, but their shared experiences and the formation of the weekend wives club gives them a means of support and a shoulder to cry on when they need it most.
I’ve never been a weekend wife, so I was interested to see what difficulties lay ahead for this trio of women all of whom come to the story with a realistic story to tell. I think my favourite was Sacha, who seemed to be the most balanced of the threesome and the way she dealt with her problems, perhaps, for me, seemed to be the most convincing, and yet, I had immense sympathy for Emily and Tamsin, and perhaps, more particularly for Tamsin who seemed to have been dealt the worst of deals. I found that as I became comfortable with the characters and their emerging stories, I began to feel an emotional attachment to them, and wanted their lives to work out well. I was less enamoured of the three husbands who seem a sorry lot and quite undeserving of this trio of strong and brave women.
Overall, I thought that this was a well written story with a modern edge. The author delivers a serious story which touches on some complex issues but does so with light hearted humour and a fine eye for detail.
It must also be said that I also had a particular fondness for Rafa, who had his own problems to overcome.
May 13, 2016
Reviewed on www.snazzybooks.com
I wasn't really sure what to expect from The Weekend Wives by Christina Hopkinson. At the beginning, or at least within the first 50 pages or so, I didn't feel overly impressed. The characters seemed really vapid and annoying and the story wasn't interesting me at all. However, I carried on with it, and was soon hooked!
Christina Hopkinson has managed to craft really likeable, intriguing characters in this novel that you can't help but rarher like. We learn more about not just Emily, Tasmin and Sasha, but about their families and everyday life too, and it makes for a refreshing and entertaining story. There seems to be lots of shrewd observations on relationships and family life- especially as a 'weekend wife'- with all its problems and many challenges, without being too downbeat or negative. I ended up really liking all 3 women, and I felt very sorry for Tasmin whilst really hating her husband John!
The element of mystery that was wound into many of these narratives kept me guessing throughout and meant there was lots of simultaneous storylines going on which I really enjoyed. The novel addressed some serious issues (which I won't go into here to avoid giving too much away) and I felt that the author presented them really well, considering the fact that some of them were tricky subjects. She managed to blend humour with serious subjects both skilfully and sensitively, resulting in a novel that I really enjoyed reading and would have happily read a lot more of!
I raced through this novel at a rate that surprised me; it's not very long- my copy is just over 300 pages long- but I didn't expect to get through it as quickly as I did! I would definitely recommend this novel for readers who fancy something fun, fairly easy to read and surprisingly thought-provoking.
* Many thanks to NewBooks magazine/ nudge-book.com for providing a copy of this novel in return for an honest review *
I wasn't really sure what to expect from The Weekend Wives by Christina Hopkinson. At the beginning, or at least within the first 50 pages or so, I didn't feel overly impressed. The characters seemed really vapid and annoying and the story wasn't interesting me at all. However, I carried on with it, and was soon hooked!
Christina Hopkinson has managed to craft really likeable, intriguing characters in this novel that you can't help but rarher like. We learn more about not just Emily, Tasmin and Sasha, but about their families and everyday life too, and it makes for a refreshing and entertaining story. There seems to be lots of shrewd observations on relationships and family life- especially as a 'weekend wife'- with all its problems and many challenges, without being too downbeat or negative. I ended up really liking all 3 women, and I felt very sorry for Tasmin whilst really hating her husband John!
The element of mystery that was wound into many of these narratives kept me guessing throughout and meant there was lots of simultaneous storylines going on which I really enjoyed. The novel addressed some serious issues (which I won't go into here to avoid giving too much away) and I felt that the author presented them really well, considering the fact that some of them were tricky subjects. She managed to blend humour with serious subjects both skilfully and sensitively, resulting in a novel that I really enjoyed reading and would have happily read a lot more of!
I raced through this novel at a rate that surprised me; it's not very long- my copy is just over 300 pages long- but I didn't expect to get through it as quickly as I did! I would definitely recommend this novel for readers who fancy something fun, fairly easy to read and surprisingly thought-provoking.
* Many thanks to NewBooks magazine/ nudge-book.com for providing a copy of this novel in return for an honest review *
March 12, 2016
The Weekend Wives is a lovely story of three very different women.
Emily, Tamsin and Sasha are all married yet have very different life styles. Even though they are all married, they don't seem to be overly happy about it. They seem to just be existing and what ever passion that they may have once had, seems to be lacking in the present.
Each woman seems to be having issues within their own family home and through the women getting together it helps them become clearer about what they want from their lives and their husbands.
I really enjoyed reading about all the women but I did find myself drawn to Emily more. I think it's because there seems to be more humour surrounding Emily. The parts with her and the much loved/hated family pet, Rafa were an absolute joy to read. I could easily imagine the dog through the authors descriptions and I just found him even more endearing the further into the story I got.
The Weekend Wives is a light hearted, yet at times, thought provoking read. It certainly lightened up my weekend reading and would certainly read more books by this author.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Emily, Tamsin and Sasha are all married yet have very different life styles. Even though they are all married, they don't seem to be overly happy about it. They seem to just be existing and what ever passion that they may have once had, seems to be lacking in the present.
Each woman seems to be having issues within their own family home and through the women getting together it helps them become clearer about what they want from their lives and their husbands.
I really enjoyed reading about all the women but I did find myself drawn to Emily more. I think it's because there seems to be more humour surrounding Emily. The parts with her and the much loved/hated family pet, Rafa were an absolute joy to read. I could easily imagine the dog through the authors descriptions and I just found him even more endearing the further into the story I got.
The Weekend Wives is a light hearted, yet at times, thought provoking read. It certainly lightened up my weekend reading and would certainly read more books by this author.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2021
This book is quite an easy read, it’s not too heavy but it does delve into a few topics that are deeper than you’d expect for a light hearted novel. I found it hard to put down, which surprised me.
June 22, 2016
I've rated this a 4 because at this particular moment,for me, it was welcome light relief and I really enjoyed reading something that made me smile - it is a good, chick lit, easy read.
I read "The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs" in 2011 when I was pregnant and juggling a sleepless toddler and preschooler. I needed something light that I could read quickly in those desperately snatched moments between meals and changing nappies. This was perfect! Not only did it "speak" to me- it made me laugh, giggle and even spit out my tepid tea (no child was harmed during the reading of this novel). I handed it on to my equally over tired friends but not before pointing out at length all the bits where Hopkinson had captured the very things we had complained about with our own husbands! So when I saw this new paperback arrive, I absolutely knew I had to read it!
Meet the "Weekend Wives"- a wife who's husband works away and only comes home at the weekend. Or more accurately, a wife who misses her husband when he's gone, but wants him gone when he's home! This group of "Weekend Wives" live in an idyllic rural village. There is Sasha and Ned, whose success in America means he's absent for months on end. Their main method of communication is via Skype. Tamsin's husband John works away all week but ensures he keeps track of her every move by eerily getting her to text selfies throughout the day. Emily and Matt have recently moved in to the area and the harsh reality of living in the countryside is gradually dawning on Emily. And to make it worse, when Matt does return at the weekend, he is growing increasingly preoccupied and distant.
Three women, three marriages, three very different lives.
I truly enjoyed this book. From the opening pages I was snorting in agreement, recognition and pleasure as Hopkinson's observational wit leapt of the page. It is a perfect recipe for a summer read, a lazy Sunday read or just to give you a bit of a lift or gentle escapism. It covers all the basic elements essential for a chick lit read - it's full of melodrama and madness; it's charming and heartwarming, there are moments of shock, tears and laughter. The wry tone keeps it light and engaging. Hopkinson's insight into marriage, commuting and women's friendships are spot on and will have huge resonant and appeal to any reader's who can relate to this set up.
The novel is full of contemporary references, so even though the pressures on a marriage may not have changed that radically over 50 years, this novel feels like it is taking a fresh look at those issues and it is really easy to engage with it.
Each character is well constructed and realistic enough to find them authentic rather than cliched or over the top but with enough vitality and spark to create entertainment and drama. There is naive, young Tamsin who has always lived in the town and is slightly out of her depth amongst the new families that have now begun to set up home here -most people moved away, particularly if they wanted a job that was "new fangled" with the word "digital" in it. She is controlled by John who, even during sex, "gives commands with the precision of a powerpoint presentation." She has no sense of self worth and John's hold over her is unsettling and disturbing.
Then there's confident, wealthy, privileged Sasha who actually feels as if she is a doll "with a certain number of preprogrammed speeches that would vomit out at the touch of a button." Her primary school aged son explains to his babysitter that he needs to read aloud for 15 minutes everyday as it's "part of his success criteria.....to see if your learning is competent, accomplished or exceptional." But who is this strange woman who seems to be lurking at the bottom of the driveway and what is bothering her daughter?
My favourite character was Emily who having wanted greenery now "wants tarmac and pop up coffee shops." She finds the countryside like a beautiful man she knows to be gay - "appreciate its aesthetic splendour but knew she'd never really get it." She craved to be a stay at home mum with her non-Aga-Aga and persists in creating "as a family time" but her attempts are continuously disrupted by screens and she is beginning to feel bereft of the intellectual stimulation her career had offered. I loved that the first conversation they have when Matt returns at the weekend is who is more tired.....Oh yes, I've been there!!! And that word "work" which "shuts down any argument now that she could no longer use it as her excuse".
Emily brings the 3 women together to form the club "Weekend Wives". Little do any of them realise just how significant this friendship will become, how they will end up forming such strong bonds which will support them as they confront difficult pasts (as well as a tricky present) or rediscover themselves and their potential. Above all they will support each other as wives and mothers throughout a time of unease and change.
It is a comfortably predictable novel with a happy and satisfying resolution. The characters are endearing and although a little exaggerated, not unrealistic. The reader will feel empathy and friendship towards them. It is a witty novel and I smirked, giggled and rolled my eyes in agreement all the way through it. Sometimes it was a little close to home ("I've just got something to check on line said Matt standing in the middle of the room staring open mouthed into his phone....physically there but mentally absent.") and sometimes voicing thoughts I'm not brave enough to say aloud ("there's something comfortable about the hamster wheel of work, you don't have to worry about where you're going, just go round and round.") Hopkinson is insightful and although there are definitely some serious issues and moments, it is all well balanced in a tightly constructed plot. There is more to each of these women than just being a wife and they need to find this for themselves. Hopkinson clearly has a lot of affection for her characters and carries them through their emotional journeys as they work out just what kind of wife they are, and what kind of wife they want to be, with comedy and humour. I have to say, at this moment in time, it hit the spot and I really did enjoy it.
My huge thanks to Hodder Books for a free copy in return for a fair and honest review. For more recommendations and reviews please follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 or sign up to receive future posts by email.
I read "The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs" in 2011 when I was pregnant and juggling a sleepless toddler and preschooler. I needed something light that I could read quickly in those desperately snatched moments between meals and changing nappies. This was perfect! Not only did it "speak" to me- it made me laugh, giggle and even spit out my tepid tea (no child was harmed during the reading of this novel). I handed it on to my equally over tired friends but not before pointing out at length all the bits where Hopkinson had captured the very things we had complained about with our own husbands! So when I saw this new paperback arrive, I absolutely knew I had to read it!
Meet the "Weekend Wives"- a wife who's husband works away and only comes home at the weekend. Or more accurately, a wife who misses her husband when he's gone, but wants him gone when he's home! This group of "Weekend Wives" live in an idyllic rural village. There is Sasha and Ned, whose success in America means he's absent for months on end. Their main method of communication is via Skype. Tamsin's husband John works away all week but ensures he keeps track of her every move by eerily getting her to text selfies throughout the day. Emily and Matt have recently moved in to the area and the harsh reality of living in the countryside is gradually dawning on Emily. And to make it worse, when Matt does return at the weekend, he is growing increasingly preoccupied and distant.
Three women, three marriages, three very different lives.
I truly enjoyed this book. From the opening pages I was snorting in agreement, recognition and pleasure as Hopkinson's observational wit leapt of the page. It is a perfect recipe for a summer read, a lazy Sunday read or just to give you a bit of a lift or gentle escapism. It covers all the basic elements essential for a chick lit read - it's full of melodrama and madness; it's charming and heartwarming, there are moments of shock, tears and laughter. The wry tone keeps it light and engaging. Hopkinson's insight into marriage, commuting and women's friendships are spot on and will have huge resonant and appeal to any reader's who can relate to this set up.
The novel is full of contemporary references, so even though the pressures on a marriage may not have changed that radically over 50 years, this novel feels like it is taking a fresh look at those issues and it is really easy to engage with it.
Each character is well constructed and realistic enough to find them authentic rather than cliched or over the top but with enough vitality and spark to create entertainment and drama. There is naive, young Tamsin who has always lived in the town and is slightly out of her depth amongst the new families that have now begun to set up home here -most people moved away, particularly if they wanted a job that was "new fangled" with the word "digital" in it. She is controlled by John who, even during sex, "gives commands with the precision of a powerpoint presentation." She has no sense of self worth and John's hold over her is unsettling and disturbing.
Then there's confident, wealthy, privileged Sasha who actually feels as if she is a doll "with a certain number of preprogrammed speeches that would vomit out at the touch of a button." Her primary school aged son explains to his babysitter that he needs to read aloud for 15 minutes everyday as it's "part of his success criteria.....to see if your learning is competent, accomplished or exceptional." But who is this strange woman who seems to be lurking at the bottom of the driveway and what is bothering her daughter?
My favourite character was Emily who having wanted greenery now "wants tarmac and pop up coffee shops." She finds the countryside like a beautiful man she knows to be gay - "appreciate its aesthetic splendour but knew she'd never really get it." She craved to be a stay at home mum with her non-Aga-Aga and persists in creating "as a family time" but her attempts are continuously disrupted by screens and she is beginning to feel bereft of the intellectual stimulation her career had offered. I loved that the first conversation they have when Matt returns at the weekend is who is more tired.....Oh yes, I've been there!!! And that word "work" which "shuts down any argument now that she could no longer use it as her excuse".
Emily brings the 3 women together to form the club "Weekend Wives". Little do any of them realise just how significant this friendship will become, how they will end up forming such strong bonds which will support them as they confront difficult pasts (as well as a tricky present) or rediscover themselves and their potential. Above all they will support each other as wives and mothers throughout a time of unease and change.
It is a comfortably predictable novel with a happy and satisfying resolution. The characters are endearing and although a little exaggerated, not unrealistic. The reader will feel empathy and friendship towards them. It is a witty novel and I smirked, giggled and rolled my eyes in agreement all the way through it. Sometimes it was a little close to home ("I've just got something to check on line said Matt standing in the middle of the room staring open mouthed into his phone....physically there but mentally absent.") and sometimes voicing thoughts I'm not brave enough to say aloud ("there's something comfortable about the hamster wheel of work, you don't have to worry about where you're going, just go round and round.") Hopkinson is insightful and although there are definitely some serious issues and moments, it is all well balanced in a tightly constructed plot. There is more to each of these women than just being a wife and they need to find this for themselves. Hopkinson clearly has a lot of affection for her characters and carries them through their emotional journeys as they work out just what kind of wife they are, and what kind of wife they want to be, with comedy and humour. I have to say, at this moment in time, it hit the spot and I really did enjoy it.
My huge thanks to Hodder Books for a free copy in return for a fair and honest review. For more recommendations and reviews please follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 or sign up to receive future posts by email.
January 21, 2022
A club that simply share where three wives are not busy by the weekend since their husbands have some priority, outstation and another priority one.
Somehow, it all went shocked when your past lover showed up in a peculiar way. Obviously who wouldn't thought you would see your past lover after you married and have a good marriage.
Slowly engaged back with the old lover, and discovered something that you wouldn't discovered if the old lover didn't appear at all.
The idea of bringing the past lover meet her back, shockingly me but the fact that these husbands arguing over the fact one of the wives were r***/s** back in those days where they all were highschool/uni.
I hate John, overall the story are interesting and it's not very heavy read. Except I got flu so it got me slump for awhile but I managed to wrap up.
Somehow, it all went shocked when your past lover showed up in a peculiar way. Obviously who wouldn't thought you would see your past lover after you married and have a good marriage.
Slowly engaged back with the old lover, and discovered something that you wouldn't discovered if the old lover didn't appear at all.
The idea of bringing the past lover meet her back, shockingly me but the fact that these husbands arguing over the fact one of the wives were r***/s** back in those days where they all were highschool/uni.
I hate John, overall the story are interesting and it's not very heavy read. Except I got flu so it got me slump for awhile but I managed to wrap up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2022
Well, I stayed up way too late to read this all in one sitting! But I really enjoyed it. particularly liked that the women didn't need a man to complete them! :) I'm a bit sick of romances where the women have to end up with the perfect man, generally living how he wants - why can't they be independent but still have a relationship with a man they love?
And I really loved how there was a character who, like me, has what I call reverse SAD. I dread the summer, whereas most peple dread the winter!
She says: "I'm like a mushroom. I need damp to make me grow. I feel parched out there in the sunshine."
As you can imagine, not the best feeling to have when you live in a hot, sunny climate!
And I really loved how there was a character who, like me, has what I call reverse SAD. I dread the summer, whereas most peple dread the winter!
She says: "I'm like a mushroom. I need damp to make me grow. I feel parched out there in the sunshine."
As you can imagine, not the best feeling to have when you live in a hot, sunny climate!
July 12, 2024
The book is about three wives who husbands work away.
One of the wives reads a book which links her to an ex boyfriend, she wants to get away from her controlling husband and does so in the end and creates an independent life for herself.
One husband has a gambling addiction.
A dog saves the lives of a family from gas.
One husband kind of admits that he raped a woman who was now stalking a wife. But the woman helped her daughter Bailey when she was being bullied.
There are a couple of racy events in the story.
I enjoyed this book. Would have given it five stars but it didn’t feel realistic about meeting an ex from a book she read to a child.
One of the wives reads a book which links her to an ex boyfriend, she wants to get away from her controlling husband and does so in the end and creates an independent life for herself.
One husband has a gambling addiction.
A dog saves the lives of a family from gas.
One husband kind of admits that he raped a woman who was now stalking a wife. But the woman helped her daughter Bailey when she was being bullied.
There are a couple of racy events in the story.
I enjoyed this book. Would have given it five stars but it didn’t feel realistic about meeting an ex from a book she read to a child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2020
Easy reading, fun book that had more to it than I thought it would have. Well written and carries you along as the plot unfolds. Three wives, weekend wives as it turns out, get together and friendship blossoms as they each battle with their own relationship problems. By the end of the book each one of them is changed in some way by their experiences. Some of these were quite fantastical, others were things partners everywhere could identify with. Read this in winter when it's cold and you don't want to go out, or in summer .. perfect for the beach
February 20, 2020
I really liked this story. Though it started slow I'm happy it ended well.
Tamsin's story was interesting. It pushed me to really focus on my life.
Sasha's story was empowering. It helped me learn how to be an independent woman and at the same time forgive.
Emily's story was heartwarming. It made me more mindful of how I treat those around me.
Tamsin's story was interesting. It pushed me to really focus on my life.
Sasha's story was empowering. It helped me learn how to be an independent woman and at the same time forgive.
Emily's story was heartwarming. It made me more mindful of how I treat those around me.
November 30, 2016
*banging head against desk* I should never have finished this book, I have got to learn to DNF more often...
January 19, 2023
JOHN WTF??????!?!!!!! 🤢
April 1, 2024
Borrowed a book from my sister’s bookshelf when I needed something to read on holiday. Very predictable easy read. Not completely terrible though. I wanted to finish it, at least. Let’s say 2.5.
August 5, 2016
This book was sent to me via bookbridgr for an honest review.
The Weekend Wives by Christina Hopkinson is about 3 women living in the countryside whilst their husbands work in the city, usually only visiting their families at the weekend.
Emily used to be a patents lawyer, and the breadwinner of her family; burnt out and craving a simpler lifestyle she and her husband Matt switch roles – he will go to work and she will raise the children. Moving back to the idyllic town where Matt grew up, Emily has dreams of cosy nights round the aga, walks with an adorable family dog and blackberry picking with her children. The reality is somewhat different – the non-aga-aga is a new menace to use, the family dog has issues and the children are more interested in their iPads and mobile phones. Emily is also worried about her husband; Matt seems distracted, and even when he’s at home he can’t be separated from his new work phone.
From the outside Sasha seems to have it all figured out; her children are very well behaved, her husband Ned has a successful career making films in LA and Sasha runs her own business sourcing ceramics. However family life isn’t as perfect as it seems; Sasha worries that her 15 year old daughter Bailey is too well behaved, and struggles to connect with her; Ned’s work in the states means that he rarely comes home, and their relationship is mostly conducted through Skype. Sasha is content to ignore these problems until a woman from Ned’s past gets in contact and shares a horrifying secret. Maybe Sasha doesn’t know her husband at all.
Tamsin is a trophy wife. She’s a good decade younger than her indulgent husband John, who delights in buying her expensive clothes, and takes an active role in her daily routines even though he works away in London most of the week. Tamsin was a scatty and somewhat rebellious teenager, and is the envy of her former neighbours when she moves back to the town she grew up in to renovate yet another house.
Desperate to make friends, Emily suggests forming The Weekend Wives club, and soon finds out that not everything in the countryside is what it seems.
This book wasn’t what I expected; it was actually quite thought provoking. I really enjoyed the way Sasha and her daughter’s relationship was handled – the “date night” made me giggle.
Tamsin and John are pretty much Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey without the BDSM and with an actual plot. John is extremely controlling, and Tamsin reacts to it appropriately*.
This is a really good book for reading on the plane, or on holiday and I will be looking for more from this author.
*Have I mentioned that I HATED Fifty Shades of Grey with a fiery passion??
The Weekend Wives by Christina Hopkinson is about 3 women living in the countryside whilst their husbands work in the city, usually only visiting their families at the weekend.
Emily used to be a patents lawyer, and the breadwinner of her family; burnt out and craving a simpler lifestyle she and her husband Matt switch roles – he will go to work and she will raise the children. Moving back to the idyllic town where Matt grew up, Emily has dreams of cosy nights round the aga, walks with an adorable family dog and blackberry picking with her children. The reality is somewhat different – the non-aga-aga is a new menace to use, the family dog has issues and the children are more interested in their iPads and mobile phones. Emily is also worried about her husband; Matt seems distracted, and even when he’s at home he can’t be separated from his new work phone.
From the outside Sasha seems to have it all figured out; her children are very well behaved, her husband Ned has a successful career making films in LA and Sasha runs her own business sourcing ceramics. However family life isn’t as perfect as it seems; Sasha worries that her 15 year old daughter Bailey is too well behaved, and struggles to connect with her; Ned’s work in the states means that he rarely comes home, and their relationship is mostly conducted through Skype. Sasha is content to ignore these problems until a woman from Ned’s past gets in contact and shares a horrifying secret. Maybe Sasha doesn’t know her husband at all.
Tamsin is a trophy wife. She’s a good decade younger than her indulgent husband John, who delights in buying her expensive clothes, and takes an active role in her daily routines even though he works away in London most of the week. Tamsin was a scatty and somewhat rebellious teenager, and is the envy of her former neighbours when she moves back to the town she grew up in to renovate yet another house.
Desperate to make friends, Emily suggests forming The Weekend Wives club, and soon finds out that not everything in the countryside is what it seems.
This book wasn’t what I expected; it was actually quite thought provoking. I really enjoyed the way Sasha and her daughter’s relationship was handled – the “date night” made me giggle.
Tamsin and John are pretty much Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey without the BDSM and with an actual plot. John is extremely controlling, and Tamsin reacts to it appropriately*.
This is a really good book for reading on the plane, or on holiday and I will be looking for more from this author.
*Have I mentioned that I HATED Fifty Shades of Grey with a fiery passion??
December 5, 2016
I read this book to review on Whispering Stories Book Blog. You can read my full review there - www.whisperingstories.com
What I loved the most about this book, is that the true revelations behind their story-lines are not what you expect, at all. From the synopsis, I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen to each character, but I was indeed very, very wrong.
I do have to especially praise Christina Hopkinson for thinking outside the box in terms of plots for each of the characters – it was nice not to see what I expected, which was a mediocre plot with three extra marital affairs with younger woman. This book is a lot more interesting than that! She also explores some difficult subjects well – with enough reservation and respect for the topics, but also getting deep enough to really make you think about the devastation of these in reality.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the read, and will give this book a 3.5 stars (Goodreads only allow full stars, hence the 4) – whilst I wouldn’t choose to read the book over and over again, I would highly recommend any fan of chick lit to give it a go!
What I loved the most about this book, is that the true revelations behind their story-lines are not what you expect, at all. From the synopsis, I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen to each character, but I was indeed very, very wrong.
I do have to especially praise Christina Hopkinson for thinking outside the box in terms of plots for each of the characters – it was nice not to see what I expected, which was a mediocre plot with three extra marital affairs with younger woman. This book is a lot more interesting than that! She also explores some difficult subjects well – with enough reservation and respect for the topics, but also getting deep enough to really make you think about the devastation of these in reality.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the read, and will give this book a 3.5 stars (Goodreads only allow full stars, hence the 4) – whilst I wouldn’t choose to read the book over and over again, I would highly recommend any fan of chick lit to give it a go!
January 6, 2016
A nice light read
Read
February 1, 2017A book that had a good story line and was not what I was expecting but I did enjoy it - especially towards the end of the book.
April 6, 2016
Galloped through this - not great plotting and not really well drawn out characters - disappointing
August 28, 2017
Loved this
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