More to Life Than This

by Carole Matthews

Kate’s main worry is when to do the ironing. There must be more to life than this!

Kate Lewis is thirty-five and feeling restless. Her husband Jeffrey is keen on gardening and golf; her children are obsessed with well-balanced diets; and Kate’s main worry is when to do the ironing. There must be more to life than this!

Enrolling on a T’ai Chi course at Northwood Priory with her best friend Sonia – and arranging for an au pair to look after Jeffrey and the children while she’s away – Kate is off to find herself.

But, as things turn out finding herself isn’t easy to do, particularly when Ben Mahler is on her course…

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, British Literature, Contemporary Romance

346 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 1999

About the author

Carole Matthews is an international bestselling author of hugely successful romantic comedy novels. Her unique sense of humour has won her legions of fans and critical acclaim all over the world.

A Minor Indiscretion and A Compromising Position both reached the Top 5 in the Sunday Times bestseller chart in the UK. You Drive Me Crazy reached number 8 in the original fiction charts. The novel Welcome To The Real World was shortlisted for RNA romantic novel of the year 2007.

In 2006 Carole co-edited - with writer Sarah Mlynowski - two new editions of the hugely popular Girls' Night In charity series called Girls' Night Out - one for the USA and one for Canada. All proceeds go to War Child.

Carole has presented on television and is a regular radio guest. When she’s not writing novels, television or film scripts she manages to find time to trek in the Himalayas, rollerblade in Central Park, take tea in China and snooze in her garden shed in Milton Keynes which is near London, England.

Reviews

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this author, as I always know that when a read one of Carole's books, I know that I'm in for a treat. Pure indulgence on so many levels, it's got everything.

I loved getting to know all of the different characters and there own individual stories which you get to discover as you progress through the book.

If you haven't read a her books before, then I highly recommend that you do.

[Harleen Kaur · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a fine story but with a stupid ending. The husband and wife both commit adultery and don't tell each other and the author satisfies the readers that it was a way to rejuvenate the love in their life. Well, I don't really think so.

[Carol Sheppard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book. I usually love Carole Matthews' books but this was very mediocre. It had all the necessary elements but didnt quite gel for me

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointing, too many descriptions which made it a little long winded. But overall, a good story and I'm glad I've read it.

[Edith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like reading some chick-lit and I took the first one I saw at the library. So far it's not that good.
...
wow what a waste of my time. First I cannot feel any compassion for men that after like 15 years of marriage, that do not know how to do a laundry and cook a meal for their own kids. And the babysitter takes your 12 year old girl and get her belly button pierced. And you're only mad for like 12 hours? I just hope that babysitter taught the girl how to clean and take care of her piercing. Seriously, what kind of babysitter does that? And what kind of man need a babysitter because his wife leave for a week?
And what was actually the problem of this couple? Boredom? And after having cheating each other, let's start making plan about the future and everything is solved. Wow. I'm really curious to see that couple 5 years from now.
I picked this book mostly because of the tai chi. I did only one class of tai chi so obviously I'm not expert. But what they did in the book didn't seem like tai chi much. It seemed more like qi gong to me. And the weapons in tai chi, it's really advanced tai chi right? Anyway, like I said, I'm no expert.

Next time, I'll be more careful about how I choose my chick-lit.

[Sierra Elliott · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reads like a cheesy romance novel but worse. All of the main characters have the same reactions, verbiage, and general experiences. I didn’t find any of them likable and there’s so much manipulation and abusive behaviors (especially by Natalie and Jeff) that it was hard to read. Also a belly button does not make you mature or a woman, so it felt gross to read about multiple people sexualizing a child, but then that’s rape culture for you. It also feels like a bait and switch: a woman trying to find herself, but then the majority of the book is focused on relationships. Luckily it was a smooth read. Other than that, I couldn’t get over the fatphobia, toxic masculinity, and emotional cheating leading to physical cheating. The message felt like adultery is fine because they’re both more committed to each other and happier now, which I don’t agree with. In the end it says she found herself, but I have no idea how or who she is. Besides the fact that, yet again, it was focused on others not actually herself.

[Zippy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Truly awful, I gave up. I have really enjoyed some of Carole Matthews books, particularly the chocolate ones, but after reading this one probably won't bother reading any more of her earlier books. The characters were totally blah, for want of a better word (this book does not inspire me to bother trying to find one), the situation pointless, and I found that I just didn't care a jot what happened to any of them, so this has gone in the trash - too bad to even give to the charity shop, I would feel guilty at inflicting it on anyone else

[Kourtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I borrowed this book and thank goodness I did not waste money on this. I feel as though all of Carole Matthews' books are all the same. Why do they all deal with cheating? I am definitely not going to be reading any more books from her. If you've read one you've read them all and it's quite disappointing.

[Adeline Kam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is funny but I don't like the last few chapters. It was a happy ending but I just feel that what Jeffery and Kate did was not right. To me the ending story is left hanging with a big question mark ??? Are they truly happy with what they both did? Are they truly happy with each other? Somehow I feel this is a very strange storyline.

[Allison Hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it was a nice story to read. Bit of a slow starter, then it picked up pace a little. Surprise ending but kind of left up in the air. You didn’t know what happened to the main characters. A few lol moments, but abit boring at the retreat. Definitely think her later books are a lot better

[Sherri Bryant]

Couldn't hold my interest

[Nicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like the characters in this at all, so gave up!! I also didn't like reading about someone who wanted to have an affair.

[mrs j holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous read

I always love a good Carole Matthews book to read on holiday and this didn't disappoint although you think you k ow what might happen you are never truly sure till you read it .
Always easy to read and hard to put down .
Carole never fails to write a good story. Always an element of b believable an element of the stuff dreams are made of .
Any 50 something housewife can relate and smile at the book .
Another highly recommend

[Sarah Truckell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A nice light book. Kate has been married to accountant Jeffrey for 15 years and they have two children. She wants Jeffery to pay her more attention and enrols on a week’s residential T’ai Chi course, taking best friend Sonia. She wants to find herself but then meets Ben. Meanwhile Aussie au pair Natalie moves into Kate’s house to look after the family whilst Kate is away. Will their lives be changed?

[Shabana Feroze · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shitty, shitty book. Couldn't even make it halfway. Boring characters, repetitive writing. Yes I get it that she'd a bored housewife, how many metaphors are you going to use to tell us that and why again and again and again? Arrgh. Wasted my money and time on this book when I could have been reading a Milly Johnson or a Kristan Higgins!

[Emma Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This made me laugh a few times, but it also made me sad at times. I was eager to find out what would happen in the marriage, and it was mixed messages as to which way it could go.
The ending had me perplexed, and I think I remember this feeling from another Carole Matthews book. I'm not sure how I feel!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Lewis, wife and mother decides that there must be more to life than this. She enrols in a T’ai Chi course for a week leaving her husband and kids with an au pair hoping that time away will help her decide what she wants in life.

As all Carole’s books I enjoyed this one but thought the ending wasn’t great!

[Frances · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing, this has got to be one of the most boring books I have ever read. I was Glad I bought it for 50p from a charity shop so I didn’t waste any money on it. I felt like giving up halfway through, but ploughed through skipping some bits. A bit too slow for me.

[Annie Mariat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Carole Matthews but this book was far from being my favorite. Although it was a nice read for most of it, the last chapters and ending were not as entertaining and I felt like the ending was rushed. Something was definitely missing.

[Rosie Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

Loved this book, would definitely recommend this book, fun and filled with laughter from beginning to the end. Brilliant author.

[Nicola Lowson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story with a surprising ending. Loved the suspense at the theme park. A great book to read.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, felt it was the nice light read that I was looking for. I am wondering what happened to Kate, Jeff, Natalie and Ben in the end....could there be a sequel?

[Tracy Larner-Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I flew through this book, a lovely easy summer read when you don't want to have to think too much!

[Jacqueline Carpenter]

Great story! Carol Matthews has the ability to delve deep into imaginary situations that others may be experiencing. Thoughtful, funny and realistic tale. I loved it!

[Lenka · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[Ann Boulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Married with kids.Stuck in a rut and not sure what to do. Take a chance but be careful. Do hearts get broken...wait and see.

[Nicola (Nikki) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Carole Matthews could not put it down

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely summer read. Only okay plot line but great for a quick summer read

[Sarah Barron]

Could not put it down

[Nazaree · Rating 2 out of 5]

bad BAD ending