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Invisible Women
Isn't it about time we talked about YOU?
Tessa, Sandra and Harriet have been best friends through first crushes, careers, marriage and the trials of motherhood. After twenty years of taking care of everyone else's every need, they've found themselves hitting the big 5-0 and suddenly asking themselves: 'what about me?!'
Sandra has a sordid secret, and Harriet is landed with her ailing mother-in-law. Tessa is looking for something to fill the gaping hole left by her youngest daughter's departure for uni, where it seems she's now engaged in all sorts of unsavoury activities, if Tessa's obsessive late-night Facebook stalking is anything to go by.
When Tessa impulsively responds to an online message from an old flame, she soon finds herself waiting at Heathrow Airport for The One That Got Away.
But what will the plane from New York bring her? The man of her dreams, or a whole heap of trouble?
And could this be the long-awaited moment for Tessa to seize her life, for herself, with both hands?
Tessa, Sandra and Harriet have been best friends through first crushes, careers, marriage and the trials of motherhood. After twenty years of taking care of everyone else's every need, they've found themselves hitting the big 5-0 and suddenly asking themselves: 'what about me?!'
Sandra has a sordid secret, and Harriet is landed with her ailing mother-in-law. Tessa is looking for something to fill the gaping hole left by her youngest daughter's departure for uni, where it seems she's now engaged in all sorts of unsavoury activities, if Tessa's obsessive late-night Facebook stalking is anything to go by.
When Tessa impulsively responds to an online message from an old flame, she soon finds herself waiting at Heathrow Airport for The One That Got Away.
But what will the plane from New York bring her? The man of her dreams, or a whole heap of trouble?
And could this be the long-awaited moment for Tessa to seize her life, for herself, with both hands?
400 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2017
75 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Long
43 books22 followersSarah Long worked in publishing before giving it all up to move to Paris with her husband and three children. She is the author of And What Do You Do? and The Next Best Thing. Following several years of the Parisian experience, she now lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
November 6, 2017
Sarah Long Please can I have some more ! Yes I've taken liberties here with the quote from Oliver Twist . The cover is gorgeous with three women sitting at a table gossiping and that's just what happens. Three women gossip to each other telling each other their secrets. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Invisible Women and I can't wait for Sarah Long to publish her next book with Bonnier Zaffre. Three women in their fifties seem to think that have become invisible. Well let's face it men don't pay their wives much attention after reaching their fifties plus they stop giving wives the sweet comments about their hair and what they are wearing. All woman like to feel that they exist apart from slavering away in the kitchen cooking their husbands dinner. Three women in their fifties who have been best friends since school days, have become fed up putting family first. No one can understand a marriage from the outside. This story hots up that got me all excited to read on. Tess is married to Matt and she goes weak at the knees seeing her boyfriend she dated in her much younger days online. Tess takes readers on an intense online flirting taking it further than you can ever imagine. Sandra is married to Nigel and she has an affair with her builder that comes into her house to do some jobs. Harriet has mother-in-law troubles , plus she gives her friends advice. It's rare that I find a contemporary fiction novel to love, but right now I'm so happy that I've found a new author to follow. I'm looking forward to Sarah Long publishing her next novel.
April 2, 2020
I don't think Ive hated a group of characters more than these arseholes.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
November 16, 2017
I knew as soon as I read the blurb for this one that I just had to read it! The plot revolves around 3 friends worried about hitting 50, feeling invisible as menopause takes hold and family relationships start to change, so it sounded right up my street! And that gorgeous cover showed that a woman always has her girlfriends to turn to when things get tough so that also grabbed my attention straight away! I loved that this group of friends had always been there for each other with coffee and a shoulder to cry on ever since their school days. So when Tessa starts to message her old school crush after reconnecting on Facebook, her friends are there to warn her against getting too involved, after all Tessa and her hubby are now getting their lives back with youngest daughter Lola having just started Uni. But they seem to have underestimated that feeling you get remembering your first love which has a funny way of making you forget everything (and everyone!!) else!
Of the three women struggling to make sense of what life has thrown at them, I connected most with Tessa, probably as her life reflected mine more than the other two. Empty nest syndrome can be difficult for some women who struggle to adapt to being themselves after being “mum” for years. And menopause brings some very nasty surprises sometimes (tweezers at the ready ladies!!!) so there are lots of new emotions and body changes to get used to. Tessa and Matt should have been entering a new and exciting period of their relationship as they seemed to have a strong marriage so I was surprised that she succumbed so easily to the flattery of her old boyfriend especially as he was full on with his attentions very quickly indeed! But on the other hand her husband was an absolute idiot so maybe I was more surprised than I should have been. In fact, none of the men really came across that well here. Matt especially wound me up so much that I wondered why Tessa had stayed with him so long in the first place! When he said she was lucky to have him at her age I could cheerfully have injured his male parts for him!!! But in his own crass way he was merely expressing what many women secretly fear will happen once menopause hits, that they will soon be exchanged for a younger, thinner and more fertile model!
I loved all the main women characters here, finding them well rounded and realistic, as they made choices that I thoroughly approved of, putting themselves first for the first time in years! But I did feel that poor Harriet and her situation didn’t seem to get explored as much as the other two did (or that I would have liked) and also that her story concluded quite abruptly with not much further explanation unlike the other two. Overall though, I loved how the author brought together women with different personalities and problems relating to their particular time of life and created a funny but often poignant tale of sisterhood that has stood the test of time, even if nothing else has!!
Recommended for women of all ages but women of a certain age and their male partners may get something a little extra something from it-hopefully a few hints on how NOT to treat a menopausal woman! We are NOT INVISIBLE!!
Of the three women struggling to make sense of what life has thrown at them, I connected most with Tessa, probably as her life reflected mine more than the other two. Empty nest syndrome can be difficult for some women who struggle to adapt to being themselves after being “mum” for years. And menopause brings some very nasty surprises sometimes (tweezers at the ready ladies!!!) so there are lots of new emotions and body changes to get used to. Tessa and Matt should have been entering a new and exciting period of their relationship as they seemed to have a strong marriage so I was surprised that she succumbed so easily to the flattery of her old boyfriend especially as he was full on with his attentions very quickly indeed! But on the other hand her husband was an absolute idiot so maybe I was more surprised than I should have been. In fact, none of the men really came across that well here. Matt especially wound me up so much that I wondered why Tessa had stayed with him so long in the first place! When he said she was lucky to have him at her age I could cheerfully have injured his male parts for him!!! But in his own crass way he was merely expressing what many women secretly fear will happen once menopause hits, that they will soon be exchanged for a younger, thinner and more fertile model!
I loved all the main women characters here, finding them well rounded and realistic, as they made choices that I thoroughly approved of, putting themselves first for the first time in years! But I did feel that poor Harriet and her situation didn’t seem to get explored as much as the other two did (or that I would have liked) and also that her story concluded quite abruptly with not much further explanation unlike the other two. Overall though, I loved how the author brought together women with different personalities and problems relating to their particular time of life and created a funny but often poignant tale of sisterhood that has stood the test of time, even if nothing else has!!
Recommended for women of all ages but women of a certain age and their male partners may get something a little extra something from it-hopefully a few hints on how NOT to treat a menopausal woman! We are NOT INVISIBLE!!
June 25, 2018
Insatiable Women.
Not particularly 'invisible', as they keep banging on about being. More putting themselves about, with required results. While one wifey busily sets about making her cynical husband jealous, another gamely accepts her frivolous lover as a dream partner and hang the husband. As for Harriet, she just got all the cream in a New York major life project. Happy ending all round. Very smug and aimed at the rich and privileged bored wifelets. Tessa could easily have worked in an area of particular expertise...cooking. But rather than pursue the possible opportunities available, she prefers to languish in pathetic longing for her long flown offspring, leaving her to degenerate in her empty nest syndrome.
As for John, a despicable character, intent on breaking someone's life for his own mean self gratification. Happily gurgling away his romantic shmaltz, into the ears of very vulnerable and self obsessed menopausal womenhood. Matt was a likeable but misunderstood guy who rose to the occasion when most needed and won the game.
Not particularly 'invisible', as they keep banging on about being. More putting themselves about, with required results. While one wifey busily sets about making her cynical husband jealous, another gamely accepts her frivolous lover as a dream partner and hang the husband. As for Harriet, she just got all the cream in a New York major life project. Happy ending all round. Very smug and aimed at the rich and privileged bored wifelets. Tessa could easily have worked in an area of particular expertise...cooking. But rather than pursue the possible opportunities available, she prefers to languish in pathetic longing for her long flown offspring, leaving her to degenerate in her empty nest syndrome.
As for John, a despicable character, intent on breaking someone's life for his own mean self gratification. Happily gurgling away his romantic shmaltz, into the ears of very vulnerable and self obsessed menopausal womenhood. Matt was a likeable but misunderstood guy who rose to the occasion when most needed and won the game.
March 11, 2019
I didn't finish this book. I like contemporary but the characters were so annoying and had such insignificant issues. Also the plot was super slow. The only way I could recommend this book is if you're A) A wealthy white woman over 50 whose never had to work or B) You are looking for a reason to be annoyed at wealthy white woman who've never had to work.
October 7, 2017
I've heard many really good things about "Invisible Women" by Sarah Long, so I was truly excited when my review copy arrived. I love the cover of this book - it's sparkly and beautiful, the kind of cover that just appeals to me, is warm and inviting and makes me want to read the book even more. And well, the synopsis is great, it sounds just like real life, and I adore books about friends.
And here in this story we have three - Tessa, Sandra and Harriett. They have all reached the big 5-0, they all have families and happy marriages - or, at least, they think they are happy. The children have mostly flown from the nest and so they start to evaluate and re - evaluate their lives. The three women know each other as long as they can remember, they were always there for each other and they have seen many important life events of each other. Each of them has a secret that makes them realise that instead of looking after everybody in their lives, they should start to take care of themselves.
I truly liked the female characters, while the male characters were so, so irritating and annoying, especially Tessa's husband Matt, with all of his remarks and undermining her and I SO wanted to punch him in the face! I'm guessing the author has deliberately written him in this way but really, I can't remember such annoying supporting character. Actually, all of the husbands didn't take any notice of the women, their wives, they took them for granted, it was just so obvious that they're there. It's not a wonder then that the three girls start to eventually feel they deserve so much from life - though I would say it took them too much time to realise this. The three main characters Tessa, Sandra and Harriet are very realistic. They make mistakes, they have secrets, they have faults but this only makes them much more realistic, and deep down they are really good people. They are at the crossroads, physically and emotionally, and the author has done a great job of capturing those feelings. Tessa is dealing with money and status - obsessed disinterested husband, Sandra's husband has had a mental breakdown and Harriet is a carer of her husband's mother and his own needs. I may not agree with the way they deal with some of the things in their lives but I must admit that they are well developed and they sound genuine.
This is a story that left me really, really torn. I was sure I was going to love it - and I liked it, but not as much as I thought I would. I can't really put my finger on the problem - it was different to what I was expecting it to be, I was hoping for something more optimistic. Maybe it was because it took the characters so long to realise that they are so much more worth than they think, and that there is so much more to life than only living the lives of your children and husbands. I think I was missing more personality from all of them, more ambition and aspiration. Also, there were parts of this story that felt so long and repetitive, I had a feeling that the characters are all the time complaining, and there was too little doing, happening. But of course the book has its moments as well, moments that were funny and emotional, moments that many of us can relate to, which only made the story realistic and likely. The writing style, while rich and fluent and also funny and poignant when necessary, was somehow heavy for me. Some stories just fly when you read them, and sometimes it is really hard to get through them, and I had this problem when reading "Invisible Women". I had some problems to get into this book, and till the very end I didn't feel a part of this story. Sometimes you read the first sentence and you are already in, at the heart of the book, and sometimes you just can't get through, and sadly it was the case this time. I couldn't fully relate with the characters because I just couldn't understand their actions, the way they forgot about themselves. However, the author has really well captured the voice of the characters, of women who finally want to fight for themselves, who longs for so much more.
Altogether, "Invisible Women" was an emotional and down - to - earth journey of finding yourself afresh, about realising that living a routine is not the best possible way to live your life. It was about some really serious issues that not everyone would dare to write about, such as ageism or mental health problems, and the author has dealt with them in a great way. It was also full of loving friendship, natural banter, emotions and understanding, sharp observed and realistic. Already looking towards Sarah Long's other novels.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
March 31, 2018
Slow & really quite boring
This book is described as hilarious. I found it quite tedious, with stereotypical bored housewives having affairs! Won't be reading any more by this author.
This book is described as hilarious. I found it quite tedious, with stereotypical bored housewives having affairs! Won't be reading any more by this author.
December 4, 2018
Oh please
October 1, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers, Bonnier Zaffre for this review copy in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Imogen from Bonnier Zaffre for allowing me to be part of the Blog Tour.
Three women – Tess, Sandra and Harriett – who have all reached the big 5-0. They are married, happily or so they thought. The children have flown from the nest, off to University, it’s just them and their husbands. Reaching this important milestone in life has made them all re-evaluate their lives and take stock as to what could have been. Their husbands obviously don’t take any notice of them emotionally and all of these women are being left feeling that should have more in life. One day an old flame gets in touch with Tess on Facebook. She finds herself in the Arrivals lounge of Heathrow Airport waiting for him to come off the flight from New York. Will he still be the man of her dreams or will meeting him just bring a whole load of trouble!
This is a funny and emotional story of friends, family and relationships. They all have had nothing for themselves over the past how-ever-many years, and perhaps it has become routine for them to look after everyone, tend to everyone else’s needs and not do anything for yourself. Reaching this important milestone in life has had all three screaming ‘What about me!!!’ It had so many bits that I could relate to (although I’m not 50 yet, I’ll have you know!) and you can totally appreciate what they are feeling. The writing is so funny and I’ve found myself laughing out loud so many times! I think my favourite thing is Tess stalking her daughter, who has left to go to University, on Facebook and finding that she is getting up to all sorts while she is away from home – I think I would be exactly like this, in fact it’s so true it’s scary!
Thankfully, I have a few more years before I reach the big 5-0, but I’ve no doubt when I get there I will take stock of my life and re-evaluate what I’ve done with my life (just like I did when I reached 40….30….20)!! I have to say though, I hope I’m not like these three women! It’s obviously important when you have a husband and children (no matter how old they are) to devote some of your time to them….but not all your time! Surely you should be able to also have your own hobbies and interests rather than doing everything for everyone else! The story was obviously based on the fact that these three women have, for all their married lives, put everyone else’s wishes and feelings before their own. I’m hoping my life would be different to that!
If you’re of a certain age (like myself!) then this is a great read to compare your lives with these women! If you’re younger than a certain age (I wish!) then this is a great read to see what your life could be like…..and start to make plans to change it!!
Five Stars!
Three women – Tess, Sandra and Harriett – who have all reached the big 5-0. They are married, happily or so they thought. The children have flown from the nest, off to University, it’s just them and their husbands. Reaching this important milestone in life has made them all re-evaluate their lives and take stock as to what could have been. Their husbands obviously don’t take any notice of them emotionally and all of these women are being left feeling that should have more in life. One day an old flame gets in touch with Tess on Facebook. She finds herself in the Arrivals lounge of Heathrow Airport waiting for him to come off the flight from New York. Will he still be the man of her dreams or will meeting him just bring a whole load of trouble!
This is a funny and emotional story of friends, family and relationships. They all have had nothing for themselves over the past how-ever-many years, and perhaps it has become routine for them to look after everyone, tend to everyone else’s needs and not do anything for yourself. Reaching this important milestone in life has had all three screaming ‘What about me!!!’ It had so many bits that I could relate to (although I’m not 50 yet, I’ll have you know!) and you can totally appreciate what they are feeling. The writing is so funny and I’ve found myself laughing out loud so many times! I think my favourite thing is Tess stalking her daughter, who has left to go to University, on Facebook and finding that she is getting up to all sorts while she is away from home – I think I would be exactly like this, in fact it’s so true it’s scary!
Thankfully, I have a few more years before I reach the big 5-0, but I’ve no doubt when I get there I will take stock of my life and re-evaluate what I’ve done with my life (just like I did when I reached 40….30….20)!! I have to say though, I hope I’m not like these three women! It’s obviously important when you have a husband and children (no matter how old they are) to devote some of your time to them….but not all your time! Surely you should be able to also have your own hobbies and interests rather than doing everything for everyone else! The story was obviously based on the fact that these three women have, for all their married lives, put everyone else’s wishes and feelings before their own. I’m hoping my life would be different to that!
If you’re of a certain age (like myself!) then this is a great read to compare your lives with these women! If you’re younger than a certain age (I wish!) then this is a great read to see what your life could be like…..and start to make plans to change it!!
Five Stars!
November 5, 2019
It's a light read.. About 3 married women and the life they are leading. Are they happy or sad.. Or looking for some excitement.. That's what the book is about.
I quite forgot to mention the little quotes at the beginning of each chapter by Blanche Ebbutt, Don'ts for wives, 1913. Quite different and something to think about. 😀
I quite forgot to mention the little quotes at the beginning of each chapter by Blanche Ebbutt, Don'ts for wives, 1913. Quite different and something to think about. 😀
June 17, 2018
The three heroines of this novel have all passed the age of 50 and have, by taking care of their families, become invisible to the people in their families. They have become granted and now notice that they need to remedy this.
I found this book empowering, because it showed me, what I already knew, there is more to life than grocery shopping, cleaning the house and feeding the family.
I found this book empowering, because it showed me, what I already knew, there is more to life than grocery shopping, cleaning the house and feeding the family.
May 12, 2017
INVISIBLE WOMEN by Sarah Long is an entertaining read about three friends who have grown into middle age together as they start to seriously question their own happiness. Tess, Harriet, and Sandra are all married, some with children who no longer need them for everything, and all with husbands who either see them as a nuisance or simply don't see them at all. Tired of feeling redundant in their own lives, Tessa and Sandra in particular, begin to take risks and revel in that all-too-fleeting feeling of excitement and need, while Harriet seems to have found a new career as a carer for her mother-in-law. But is the grass always greener on the other side? And how far will they go to make themselves seen?
INVISIBLE WOMEN by Sarah Long is an unusual read for me as there were so many things that I loved about this story - the characters' loving friendship together, the banter, and the fabulous settings throughout - yet there were parts of the story that irritated me. Like the husbands, for example, with Tessa's husband being the worst offender. Matt is so rude and condescending and he really got my back up - I couldn't understand why Tessa let him away with so much. Harriet is such a soft, caring character and her ending in the story left me a little flat as I felt it didn't explain why her husband had treated so coldly. But even though there were parts of the story that didn't win me over, it still didn't take away from the overall narrative of the book which I really enjoyed. INVISIBLE WOMEN by Sarah Long is an emotional tale of love, friendship, and taking control of your life, and is sure to make you giggle at some point.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com
INVISIBLE WOMEN by Sarah Long is an unusual read for me as there were so many things that I loved about this story - the characters' loving friendship together, the banter, and the fabulous settings throughout - yet there were parts of the story that irritated me. Like the husbands, for example, with Tessa's husband being the worst offender. Matt is so rude and condescending and he really got my back up - I couldn't understand why Tessa let him away with so much. Harriet is such a soft, caring character and her ending in the story left me a little flat as I felt it didn't explain why her husband had treated so coldly. But even though there were parts of the story that didn't win me over, it still didn't take away from the overall narrative of the book which I really enjoyed. INVISIBLE WOMEN by Sarah Long is an emotional tale of love, friendship, and taking control of your life, and is sure to make you giggle at some point.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com
March 8, 2017
I wanted to like this book, but I really found it to be more depressing than entertaining. As a stay at home mother, I certainly hope that I don't end up like any of the women in this book once my children go to college. I just kept on wanting to yell at them to get a hobby or go volunteer somewhere. Their husbands were horrible as well! It was very unclear to me why these women continued to be put down in such a manner. All in all, it was only an okay book.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
April 4, 2022
Tedious book, unlikeable (and unbelievable) characters. Kept thinking it must get better, which is the only reason I finished it, but if anything it got worse!
October 16, 2017
I was given a copy of this book by the author's publisher in exchange for an honest review, this is something I'm more than happy to do.
I was drawn to this book for several reasons. Firstly the cover, wow, when everything around us is losing it's colour and the mornings and evenings are dark, grey and wet this book just shouts vibrancy, fun, happy, summer - it made me smile just looking at it. Secondly, it's a book about three friends approaching the unspeakable age - 5 0 - something I can relate to - in seven weeks, two days exactly I too will hit that unspeakable number - something I'm secretly dreading.
Three friends Tessa, Sandra and Harriet have been friends for years, sharing their lives as they found love, married and had children. Somewhere along the line, twenty plus years have gone by and the girls have found themselves adrift. The roles of devoted wives and mothers have taken their toll and with the approach of 50 comes introspection - what is their purpose in life, they are and feel to all intents and purposes invisible - somewhere along the line they've lost their identities and purpose, a sense of loss for a life spent devoting their time to creating loving, happy homes. They've reached their goals - then suddenly realise - actually, they had helped their family achieve their goals but they've lost themselves in the process.
Such a fab, insightful book - it was like being a fly on the wall getting to know the characters warts and all - reading about their relationships with each other and their families. It was an easy read with some light undertones but a really serious heart. It's times like significant birthdays that make you question what you're doing with your life and make you realise you need to grab it with both hands and live. I'm at the point where I question how much time I spend doing the things I think I should be doing or need to do as opposed to the things I want to do and getting the balance right is tricky. Tessa, Sandra and Harriet are no different and each approach their lives in different ways.
Sometimes in life we can lose sight of who we are and what path we are treading - Sarah Long insightfully guides the three friends along a track allowing them to make mistakes, rely on each other and re-discover the correct route to a place where they feel valued and happy within themselves.
Thank you so much for such a lovely read that was more serious than I initially thought it would be but also more enlightening and thought provoking. A book for women of all ages - a reminder that all women, friends, children, parents and wives are also individual people too who deserve to make and live their own dreams too.
I was drawn to this book for several reasons. Firstly the cover, wow, when everything around us is losing it's colour and the mornings and evenings are dark, grey and wet this book just shouts vibrancy, fun, happy, summer - it made me smile just looking at it. Secondly, it's a book about three friends approaching the unspeakable age - 5 0 - something I can relate to - in seven weeks, two days exactly I too will hit that unspeakable number - something I'm secretly dreading.
Three friends Tessa, Sandra and Harriet have been friends for years, sharing their lives as they found love, married and had children. Somewhere along the line, twenty plus years have gone by and the girls have found themselves adrift. The roles of devoted wives and mothers have taken their toll and with the approach of 50 comes introspection - what is their purpose in life, they are and feel to all intents and purposes invisible - somewhere along the line they've lost their identities and purpose, a sense of loss for a life spent devoting their time to creating loving, happy homes. They've reached their goals - then suddenly realise - actually, they had helped their family achieve their goals but they've lost themselves in the process.
Such a fab, insightful book - it was like being a fly on the wall getting to know the characters warts and all - reading about their relationships with each other and their families. It was an easy read with some light undertones but a really serious heart. It's times like significant birthdays that make you question what you're doing with your life and make you realise you need to grab it with both hands and live. I'm at the point where I question how much time I spend doing the things I think I should be doing or need to do as opposed to the things I want to do and getting the balance right is tricky. Tessa, Sandra and Harriet are no different and each approach their lives in different ways.
Sometimes in life we can lose sight of who we are and what path we are treading - Sarah Long insightfully guides the three friends along a track allowing them to make mistakes, rely on each other and re-discover the correct route to a place where they feel valued and happy within themselves.
Thank you so much for such a lovely read that was more serious than I initially thought it would be but also more enlightening and thought provoking. A book for women of all ages - a reminder that all women, friends, children, parents and wives are also individual people too who deserve to make and live their own dreams too.
August 8, 2025
Entertaining and easy read. Ending was ridiculous (in a bad way)
May 11, 2017
I received a free copy of the book from Zaffre Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Make sure to read more reviews at Katherine's Book Reviews.
Invisible Women is a women’s fiction novel by Sarah Long. It stars three best friends named Sandra, Tessa and Harriet who have been together for as long they can remember. They have seen each other go through plenty of important life events such as first crushes, finding jobs, and even finding husbands. Now that they are all turning 50, they are at a point in their life where they should settling down. But each woman carries her own secret that makes her realize that instead of taking care of everyone else around them, they should be taking care of themselves. Sandra, Tessa and Harriet all go through their complex life and their relationships to husbands only to realize what it is truly important: taking care of themselves.
Invisible Women perfectly captures the voice of the 50 year old woman who is longing for so much more than what she is given. The major characters, Sandra, Tessa and Harriet have their faults but they, overall, are good people with good intentions. All of them do some crazy things that can seem borderline at times, but I don’t think they mean to go overboard. They have all given up a lot to make the people around them happy, and I myself was happy to see them come to this realization. I love the fact that this book does not convey a constantly happy tone. It almost seems bitter at points, which works well with the characters and the situations they are going through. All of these women have their roadblocks which really set them back. I won’t spoil the ending, but it is a hit and it overall made me really enjoy this book.
I liked this book a lot. Sarah Long is a talented writer, as seen through the setup of this book. It is written well, organized nicely, and all of the characters are rounded out. The only characters I really did not like were the husbands- which, you were not supposed to like them at all- and I think Long did a great job of showing what it is like to feel trapped within a marriage. I think without the great writing of this book it could have easily turned into something it is not, but luckily, this story has the ability to reach women and understand them. This book was not only fun, but it also taught an important lesson to women: it is okay to be who you are. I recommend this book to any woman, especially woman around the age of 40-60. This book helps you understand that as a human being, you have the right to explore who you are and who you want to be.
March 13, 2017
Three women at a time in their lives where they should be happy, settled, and looking forward to a shared future with their husbands. Not happening in INVISIBLE WOMAN.
I requested this book through Netgalley because the premise sounded like it was just up my alley - especially because I'm in the same age group at Tessa, Sandra, and Harriet, the three protagonists. Unfortunately, the only thing I had in common with them was my age.
The women in this book are all at a crossroads - physically, chronologically, and emotionally. One is dealing with a disinterested husband, hell bent on making money, one is dealing with the after effects of her husband's mental breakdown, and one is treated like a servant by her husband as she caters to his every need and that of his dying mother's. How they each handle the situations they find themselves in was the crux of the story - and where I disconnected. I don't want to spoil what happens for those who will read this - and many will, because it is a well written book - so I'll leave it there.
While the female characters were all fully developed and sympathetic, I had a great deal of difficulty with their husbands, who seemed to be more caricatures of husbands. In truth, I would have left anyone of the husbands if I were married to him, instead of staying the course like these women did. But that's me.
Sarah Long is an excellent, astute, and emotionally tuned-in writer. This book delves into a series of topics that any writer would have difficulty writing about - ageism, mental health, dying, emotional adultery. She deals with each effectively and thoroughly and with humor.
I requested this book through Netgalley because the premise sounded like it was just up my alley - especially because I'm in the same age group at Tessa, Sandra, and Harriet, the three protagonists. Unfortunately, the only thing I had in common with them was my age.
The women in this book are all at a crossroads - physically, chronologically, and emotionally. One is dealing with a disinterested husband, hell bent on making money, one is dealing with the after effects of her husband's mental breakdown, and one is treated like a servant by her husband as she caters to his every need and that of his dying mother's. How they each handle the situations they find themselves in was the crux of the story - and where I disconnected. I don't want to spoil what happens for those who will read this - and many will, because it is a well written book - so I'll leave it there.
While the female characters were all fully developed and sympathetic, I had a great deal of difficulty with their husbands, who seemed to be more caricatures of husbands. In truth, I would have left anyone of the husbands if I were married to him, instead of staying the course like these women did. But that's me.
Sarah Long is an excellent, astute, and emotionally tuned-in writer. This book delves into a series of topics that any writer would have difficulty writing about - ageism, mental health, dying, emotional adultery. She deals with each effectively and thoroughly and with humor.
November 26, 2023
Tessa, Sandra and Harriet are in their 50s. Once upon a time they were career women, but now they are stay at home moms by choice. Tessa and Harriet's kids have flown the nest. Sandra has one daughter, who still is at home. Husband's of all 3 women are oblivious of their wives needs and take them for granted. Two of them look for an outlet in extra marital affairs and one in looking after her dogs.
The husband's are resentful of wives not bringing any money to the table, though they love that the houses are managed by the wives without having to do anything as expected of modern husbands.
Most of the time you want to shake the women and get them to do something about their lives and punch the sexist and misogynistic husband.
The book is all about rich, bored housewives and I kept reading in the hope that they will make something out of their lives and remove the appendages of the insulting husbands.
The end was absolutely disappointing and not at all worth the time I spent reading this one.
The husband's are resentful of wives not bringing any money to the table, though they love that the houses are managed by the wives without having to do anything as expected of modern husbands.
Most of the time you want to shake the women and get them to do something about their lives and punch the sexist and misogynistic husband.
The book is all about rich, bored housewives and I kept reading in the hope that they will make something out of their lives and remove the appendages of the insulting husbands.
The end was absolutely disappointing and not at all worth the time I spent reading this one.
May 4, 2017
Oh does this make you think. For all of us who gave up promising careers and wonder what to do now - there is a future. And it's a hoot.
Tessa lives off her high-earning husband - as they agreed - only he keeps going on about the bargain. Her metro life has it all - the brand descriptions are a wonder (as is the swearing...in a funny way, dear reader) - and then an old flame gets in touch on Facebook and what is a girl to do? Does she go back? Does she meet him? The domestic detail is woven like tapestry - the writing is a glory - well-up on many a commercial writer - but it is the three characters that are so engaging and each of them has a satisfying ending.
A joyful read - in the end - no spoilers.
Tessa lives off her high-earning husband - as they agreed - only he keeps going on about the bargain. Her metro life has it all - the brand descriptions are a wonder (as is the swearing...in a funny way, dear reader) - and then an old flame gets in touch on Facebook and what is a girl to do? Does she go back? Does she meet him? The domestic detail is woven like tapestry - the writing is a glory - well-up on many a commercial writer - but it is the three characters that are so engaging and each of them has a satisfying ending.
A joyful read - in the end - no spoilers.
October 8, 2017
My Disclaimer:
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about:
Sarah Long has put herself into the ranks of Jill Mansell, Patricia Sands, Connie Chappell, and Anita Hughes with her book Invisible Women. She takes Tessa, Harriet, and Sandra, who have been friends forever and are now all passed their 50th birthday, and challenges them to find something worthwhile within themselves. Each of them sees something a bit different. Sandra is still slim and active and has the youngest child among the women. She still sees herself as young and sexy. She also has a young builder working around her house. Her husband is depressed and is in counseling with a life counselor who seems to be helping him a lot.
Tessa feels a bit frumpy and has just sent her “baby” off to university. She’s been stalking her daughter on Facebook and runs into an old boyfriend of her own on there. He seems to be interested in getting together when he’s in town on business to talk over old times. Her husband goes off to his high-paying job each day with some snipe at her. Lately, he’s been doing it more and more. She prepares gourmet meals and he has always enjoyed them. Now he’s making remarks about how she’s overdoing it.
Harriet’s mother-in-law has always been healthy and independent, until this latest diagnosis. Now, she’s living downstairs and Harriet is her caretaker. She takes her to all her doctor appointments and waits on her hand and foot. Her husband gets up and goes to work each day and leaves it all to her to handle. Then one of their dogs dies and her husband wants to have a talk with her.
Each woman seems to be at something of a decision time or change of passage in their life. One where what they’ve been doing is no longer going to work and it may hurt or it may feel really good, depending on how you look at it or how the other person in the relationship feels about it.
The technical bits and pieces:
The characters were done quite well, especially Tessa, who I think really got the most coverage in the book. I liked her the best, too. Sandra’s story got the second most coverage it seemed, but it also seemed to be slipped into some cracks and into shadows. That may have been a perception, though, because I saw Sandra as sneaky. And then there was Harriet, who had small blocks of time to tell her story. Poor boring Harriet. She wasn’t, but she was made to seem to be.
The storyline was excellent. This isn’t an unusual storyline for Women’s Lit, in fact, it’s fairly common. It’s what the author does with it that makes the story. And Sarah Long had a wonderful time with it. She treated it like a new Christmas tree and decorated it in her own special way, made it her very own with excellent pacing and a tension that hung on to you right up until the very end.
So, if you don’t want any SPOILERS, this is where you STOP reading…
My Review: ✰✰✰✰✰
I usually enjoy this type of book about a group of women, but this one by Sarah Long was particularly good. I think the tension and pace of it really made it good. There was no dragging, no lag to it. It just kept moving along and telling its story and holding my attention right up until the end.
I found myself reacting to the characters, not the writing, which tells me the author did her job well. For instance, it wasn’t that I didn’t like the way Sandra was written, I didn’t like Sandra. She was sly and always had to have a man to play off of, even if it was her best friend’s husband or her daughter’s boyfriend. As long as it wasn’t her own husband. I was glad everything ended up falling apart at the end in all her relationships, even though it meant she got her man.
I really like Tessa. She was usually upbeat and fixing something that sounded delicious to feed someone she loved. She worried about her son and daughter and hadn’t quite totally settled into being an empty nester yet. She put up with her husband’s snide remarks with more patience than I would. Then, when John finds her on Facebook and wants to get together for lunch while he’s in London, she figures, why not? Now, that “why not” has a lot of guilt tucked into it because married women aren’t supposed to get together with old boyfriends. When John’s trip gets canceled and lunch turns into dinner at a fancy resort, it becomes an even guiltier secret. Now there are real lies involved. But she gets caught up in the whole thing and one thing leads to another until she has to stop and think about it. She makes her decision about what is important to her, her family or John. She asked herself the real questions. The practical questions about what her life would be like. How would she see her children? How would they view what she was doing? And she asked herself what was really important to her. And who she really loved.
It was no surprise when Tessa made her decision. You knew her values already. She wasn’t Sandra. Tessa’s family was her center. It’s what she valued most. Her husband, Matt, was who she loved. And she needed to be close to her children. It was the way she faced her husband and dealt with the situation that was so amazing. He had a few surprises of his own, too. It was a really eye-opening conversation.
And don’t forget Harriet. Yes, even she has her moment and her reward. Totally out of nowhere, but her husband, Sam, is a quiet one. But apparently he, too, appreciates what a good wife is worth over the years. So in the end, they all got what would make them the happiest. And you know how much I love a happy ending!
1078 wc
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about:
Sarah Long has put herself into the ranks of Jill Mansell, Patricia Sands, Connie Chappell, and Anita Hughes with her book Invisible Women. She takes Tessa, Harriet, and Sandra, who have been friends forever and are now all passed their 50th birthday, and challenges them to find something worthwhile within themselves. Each of them sees something a bit different. Sandra is still slim and active and has the youngest child among the women. She still sees herself as young and sexy. She also has a young builder working around her house. Her husband is depressed and is in counseling with a life counselor who seems to be helping him a lot.
Tessa feels a bit frumpy and has just sent her “baby” off to university. She’s been stalking her daughter on Facebook and runs into an old boyfriend of her own on there. He seems to be interested in getting together when he’s in town on business to talk over old times. Her husband goes off to his high-paying job each day with some snipe at her. Lately, he’s been doing it more and more. She prepares gourmet meals and he has always enjoyed them. Now he’s making remarks about how she’s overdoing it.
Harriet’s mother-in-law has always been healthy and independent, until this latest diagnosis. Now, she’s living downstairs and Harriet is her caretaker. She takes her to all her doctor appointments and waits on her hand and foot. Her husband gets up and goes to work each day and leaves it all to her to handle. Then one of their dogs dies and her husband wants to have a talk with her.
Each woman seems to be at something of a decision time or change of passage in their life. One where what they’ve been doing is no longer going to work and it may hurt or it may feel really good, depending on how you look at it or how the other person in the relationship feels about it.
The technical bits and pieces:
The characters were done quite well, especially Tessa, who I think really got the most coverage in the book. I liked her the best, too. Sandra’s story got the second most coverage it seemed, but it also seemed to be slipped into some cracks and into shadows. That may have been a perception, though, because I saw Sandra as sneaky. And then there was Harriet, who had small blocks of time to tell her story. Poor boring Harriet. She wasn’t, but she was made to seem to be.
The storyline was excellent. This isn’t an unusual storyline for Women’s Lit, in fact, it’s fairly common. It’s what the author does with it that makes the story. And Sarah Long had a wonderful time with it. She treated it like a new Christmas tree and decorated it in her own special way, made it her very own with excellent pacing and a tension that hung on to you right up until the very end.
So, if you don’t want any SPOILERS, this is where you STOP reading…
My Review: ✰✰✰✰✰
I usually enjoy this type of book about a group of women, but this one by Sarah Long was particularly good. I think the tension and pace of it really made it good. There was no dragging, no lag to it. It just kept moving along and telling its story and holding my attention right up until the end.
I found myself reacting to the characters, not the writing, which tells me the author did her job well. For instance, it wasn’t that I didn’t like the way Sandra was written, I didn’t like Sandra. She was sly and always had to have a man to play off of, even if it was her best friend’s husband or her daughter’s boyfriend. As long as it wasn’t her own husband. I was glad everything ended up falling apart at the end in all her relationships, even though it meant she got her man.
I really like Tessa. She was usually upbeat and fixing something that sounded delicious to feed someone she loved. She worried about her son and daughter and hadn’t quite totally settled into being an empty nester yet. She put up with her husband’s snide remarks with more patience than I would. Then, when John finds her on Facebook and wants to get together for lunch while he’s in London, she figures, why not? Now, that “why not” has a lot of guilt tucked into it because married women aren’t supposed to get together with old boyfriends. When John’s trip gets canceled and lunch turns into dinner at a fancy resort, it becomes an even guiltier secret. Now there are real lies involved. But she gets caught up in the whole thing and one thing leads to another until she has to stop and think about it. She makes her decision about what is important to her, her family or John. She asked herself the real questions. The practical questions about what her life would be like. How would she see her children? How would they view what she was doing? And she asked herself what was really important to her. And who she really loved.
It was no surprise when Tessa made her decision. You knew her values already. She wasn’t Sandra. Tessa’s family was her center. It’s what she valued most. Her husband, Matt, was who she loved. And she needed to be close to her children. It was the way she faced her husband and dealt with the situation that was so amazing. He had a few surprises of his own, too. It was a really eye-opening conversation.
And don’t forget Harriet. Yes, even she has her moment and her reward. Totally out of nowhere, but her husband, Sam, is a quiet one. But apparently he, too, appreciates what a good wife is worth over the years. So in the end, they all got what would make them the happiest. And you know how much I love a happy ending!
1078 wc
February 24, 2025
Listened to the audiobook. Found the narrator / book combo unbearably smug and plummy. I think we were meant to empathise with the Chelsea tractor brigade but really, the characters were largely two dimensional caricatures of suburban housewives of wealthy London bankers and the like. And the men were worse - absent or boorish hubands by and large. I kept going but found it infuriating. In the audiobook, two of the three main female characters speak in 'keep sweet' mormonesque airy tones. Just no. Make it stop. And it did finally stop with a not credible denouement... and I can breathe.
October 30, 2017
This is very much a novel of its day- discontented women with first world issues and lots of designer name dropping as they move through their superficial lives.
I found the stories entertaining and light, with some real laugh out loud moments, at times horribly accurate for someone of the same generation.
Inevitably the story leads to a meeting with an ex, where it goes, I don’t want to disclose, but I did find the ending just a little too neat.
Thank you Bonnier Zaffre for my ARC
I found the stories entertaining and light, with some real laugh out loud moments, at times horribly accurate for someone of the same generation.
Inevitably the story leads to a meeting with an ex, where it goes, I don’t want to disclose, but I did find the ending just a little too neat.
Thank you Bonnier Zaffre for my ARC
July 5, 2020
I didn’t finish it, I barely started it, I didn’t even reach my 50 page cut off point.
3 women who are approaching 50 with too much money and not enough to do, I felt no connection whatsoever, they just irked me, their husbands were arses but then again the wives seemed to let them. I’d have ripped them a new one personally.
Maybe I should have given it longer but life’s too short to be irritated
3 women who are approaching 50 with too much money and not enough to do, I felt no connection whatsoever, they just irked me, their husbands were arses but then again the wives seemed to let them. I’d have ripped them a new one personally.
Maybe I should have given it longer but life’s too short to be irritated
May 24, 2017
Do you fancy a bit of light domestic comedy on the side? This might tick the boxes if you're at the part of family life where the teens are off to university and you spend your newly acquired free time relentlessly mocking modern business language? (On-boarding, reaching out, moving forward - that sort of nonsense). The upside - it's well constructed and well written.
October 19, 2018
This book
Hilarious? Didn't find this book in the least bit funny absolutely hated the smug characters except Harriet. The husbands were even worse. Cannot see how this is a 'feel good novel' at all just made me feel annoyed.
Hilarious? Didn't find this book in the least bit funny absolutely hated the smug characters except Harriet. The husbands were even worse. Cannot see how this is a 'feel good novel' at all just made me feel annoyed.
January 6, 2021
It was a predictable book and easy to read. I found this book unrepeatable because they are all in a different age group, and therefore the story wasn't easy to connect to. The resolutions to all of the stories felt rushed and forced, I feel like they weren't close to real life.
January 12, 2022
Horrible characters
Found it hard to enjoy this book as all the characters are unlikeable. Who has a cleaner when they don't work!! Wish I hadn't bothered and wouldn't read anymore from this writer.
Found it hard to enjoy this book as all the characters are unlikeable. Who has a cleaner when they don't work!! Wish I hadn't bothered and wouldn't read anymore from this writer.
Read
December 18, 2022Terrible characters, really terrible. Empty, vacuous, no depth. I thought it would have something to say about mid-life women but it portrayed silly women shopping, lunching and having affairs. Do better.
December 13, 2017
very light, but good fun - bit let down by the ending
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews