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Husbands
Husbands: you're really only allowed one at a time ...
Bella secretly married her childhood sweetheart, Stevie, over a decade ago; they were at university, two big kids playing at being grownups. When it all unravelled and reality hit, Bella simply got up and left.
Years later, Bella meets Philip and, despite her vow never to marry again, she can't resist him. He is a catch. Funny, charming, interesting and kind. Only hitch is, she's still (technically, anyway) married to Stevie. Bella, typically, just ignores the problem. And the moment to tell Philip never quite seems to arrive.
So Bella plans never to reveal her secret after all, it's just a silly piece of paper, lodged at a registrar's office in Aberdeen, isn't it? She hasn't seen Stevie for years - probably never will again.
Except when Bella's best friend Laura introduces her new man to the gang it is none other than Stevie. Could things get any more complicated? Only if Bella and Stevie fall in love with each other again ...
Bella secretly married her childhood sweetheart, Stevie, over a decade ago; they were at university, two big kids playing at being grownups. When it all unravelled and reality hit, Bella simply got up and left.
Years later, Bella meets Philip and, despite her vow never to marry again, she can't resist him. He is a catch. Funny, charming, interesting and kind. Only hitch is, she's still (technically, anyway) married to Stevie. Bella, typically, just ignores the problem. And the moment to tell Philip never quite seems to arrive.
So Bella plans never to reveal her secret after all, it's just a silly piece of paper, lodged at a registrar's office in Aberdeen, isn't it? She hasn't seen Stevie for years - probably never will again.
Except when Bella's best friend Laura introduces her new man to the gang it is none other than Stevie. Could things get any more complicated? Only if Bella and Stevie fall in love with each other again ...
496 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2005
168 people are currently reading
1227 people want to read
About the author
Adele Parks
58 books3,362 followersAdele Parks MBE is one of the most-loved and biggest-selling women's fiction writers in the UK. She has sold over 4 million books and her work has been translated into 30 different languages.
She has published 21 novels, all of which have been London Times bestsellers.
Adele has written 19 contemporary novels and 2 historical ones, Spare Brides and If You Go Away, which are set during and after WW1. Her latest novels, Both of You, Just My Luck, Lies Lies Lies, I Invited Her In, The Image of You and The Stranger in My Home are twisty, domestic noirs. Adele likes to scrutinize our concepts of family, our theories on love, parenting and fidelity.
During her career Adele has lived in Italy, Botswana and London. Now she lives happily in Surrey, UK with her husband, son and cat.
If you want to stay in touch you can find Adele on Twitter @AdeleParks, Instagram @Adele_Parks or Facebook @OfficialAdeleParks. You can sign up to her newsletter at eepurl.com/cI0l and there’s lots more info about Adele and her books on www.adeleparks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
December 31, 2022
Adele Parks! Does she write a bad book - Nope!
I could easily reread this one, brilliant!
Five stars.
I could easily reread this one, brilliant!
Five stars.
July 31, 2018
Was this supposed to be interesting? Funny? Relatable?
'Cause if I had to use only one word to describe it, I'd say stupid.
'Cause if I had to use only one word to describe it, I'd say stupid.
March 17, 2009
This book royally pissed me off. It's about a woman (Bella) who marries her high school sweetheart (Stevie) very young. Then when he amounts to nothing more then an Elvis impersonator (I'm not lying), she just up and leaves him. Disappears and never files for a divorce. Then years later she falls in love and marries again (becoming a bigomist) and never tells her new 'husband' about her past. When her first husband shows up and starts dating her best friend (Laura), she then trys to deceive everyone by continuing to keep the truth from them. Of course it all blows up in her face.
It's so unrealistic I wanted to scream. Bella was annoying. The fact that she hides the truth from everyone and thinks she's going to get away with it, really annoyed me. That would NEVER happen. I only finished listening because I wanted to know what happened in the end. And I was rooting for the best friend because she was the only character I liked. Of course it was a happy ending, but the entire premise of the book made me mad.
It's so unrealistic I wanted to scream. Bella was annoying. The fact that she hides the truth from everyone and thinks she's going to get away with it, really annoyed me. That would NEVER happen. I only finished listening because I wanted to know what happened in the end. And I was rooting for the best friend because she was the only character I liked. Of course it was a happy ending, but the entire premise of the book made me mad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2013
I can honestly say that, without conviction, that Adele Parks is the only writer I am emphatically unable to put down in quite this obsessive way. Over the last few days, she and her new book "Husbands" have been singlehandedly responsible for my near death whilst crossing the Harrow Road not too mention the long periods of hunger and sleep deprivation. Consumer warning: It's exhausting but it's just insatiable reading. For the Adele fans, there is a lot of similarities to the last book, a group getaway... revelation of hidden secrets etc, but "Husbands" is by far superior to the last work. It is written with so much heartwarming clarity and readable prose. The shorter narratives of each the characters that form each chapter are excruciatingly page turning. Adele has always created these loveable rougeish bitches. My favourite being the character, Cas in the book "Game Over". In this book, Bella goes AWOL on her marriage to her childhood sweetheart, bailing on him whilst her performs at an Elvis impersonator contest. She moves to London and befriends two girls, one of those girls 10 years down the line meets and falls for an Elvis impersonator. Guess which one? The resulting comedy of amusing errors and revelations unfolds into pain, anguish, desire and passion as Bella herself has gotten herself remarried. The issue of bigamy is not an easy one to tackle and to make it humourous aswell is really a detriment to how great a writer Adele is. The way the book is written is different to her others. It is by far the best style she has approached. Each of the short chapters in the first person form tells a concurrent story from each viewpoint which I found truly engrossing. The wonder of the character description of this book is that we find so much about the characters from the others in the book. This is entertaining and fascinating. The book is peppered with fantastic one liners: "I am not the sort of woman who stops traffic (unless I'm stood at a zebra crossing)" and "I like aussie girls, they can throw frisbees" were just two of my favourites. Aswell as the bounding humour, the serious messages and heartfelt moments really touched me. I especially related to the views of contentment from the character, Stevie. "I'm happy when I am content with what I have and not longing for something I don't have or I've lost or never had."Illegal marriages, fantastic content and a whole lot of Vegas, baby.
January 10, 2011
Belinda McDonnell secretly married her childhood sweetheart Stevie Jones when they were at Uni and after 3 years of marriage she walked out on him with no note or explanation, that was 8 years ago. Six months ago Bella Edwards married Phil, but she forgot to divorce Stevie. Bella’s best friend Laura meets Stevie and starts dating him, Stevie is an Elvis Impersonator, a very good one. Laura manages to drag Bella along to his show at a local pub and as soon as Bella sees him she is mortified – “What am I going to do about this”.
I liked Phil, Stevie and Laura but I did not like Bella. How could she possibly think she could get away with no-one finding out about her and Stevie? Even though Stevie was in the wrong as well, to go along with the charade and not tell Laura the truth, it was Bella that I felt really cross with through the whole book.
I did enjoy the story though and I dreaded the moment when Phil and Laura find out the truth. It was a little different to what I normally read. Enjoy!
I liked Phil, Stevie and Laura but I did not like Bella. How could she possibly think she could get away with no-one finding out about her and Stevie? Even though Stevie was in the wrong as well, to go along with the charade and not tell Laura the truth, it was Bella that I felt really cross with through the whole book.
I did enjoy the story though and I dreaded the moment when Phil and Laura find out the truth. It was a little different to what I normally read. Enjoy!
January 16, 2010
I liked Adele Parks' writing style.I loved the fact that we may forgive some people just because we love them, love having them around, and simply feel happy with them. We do this because we think of what's better for US. As long as this person is adding a better taste to our life, there would be no reason on Earth to risk losing him.
March 17, 2016
I really struggled with rating this and find it hard to believe such a wacky plot (that becomes more and more bizarre as time goes on) is written by Adele Parks. Not her usual style at all. The format of alternating narrators and her skill for weaving a story with such believable characters are what pulls it through & all in all it was a very enjoyable read.
March 6, 2013
This book is about 150 pages too long. I liked the imperfect ending for the character. Everything else was borderline ridiculous, kitschy and over-the-top. Characters are flawed and few are lovable. The love described seems a little unrealistic.
August 8, 2020
I normally enjoy Adele Parks but this was the most ridiculous story line ever.
January 28, 2024
I feel quite conflicted about Adele Parks’ books, some are a good read, others not - you never know what you’re going to get. This one was particularly irritating as the basic premise was so implausible and the novel was far longer than it needed to be. I nearly gave up on more than one occasion.
I first discovered the author when I picked up Spare Brides as an emergency poolside read from a very limited selection on a hotel bookshelf. Of the four I’ve read that was definitely the best. I’m not sure I’d be prepared to invest the time in reading any more.
I first discovered the author when I picked up Spare Brides as an emergency poolside read from a very limited selection on a hotel bookshelf. Of the four I’ve read that was definitely the best. I’m not sure I’d be prepared to invest the time in reading any more.
July 30, 2021
Oh, I really loved this. An intriguing plot, brilliant characters and lots of wit - frankly, what's not to love?
November 1, 2023
Enjoyed this book but then again I always enjoy this author
July 4, 2022
I thought this book was going to be a much more fun read than it was. Once the Bella/Belinda main character went from devoted wife and loyal friend to selfish, conniving B**** I lost interest. I finished it but with much disappointment.
January 5, 2016
I gave this a 5 star rating because it was easy to read and flowed along effortlessly. I read it in two days. I enjoyed the fact that it was written from 4 people's view of point - I especially enjoyed hearing the story from the male point of view (Stevie and Phillip).
The main character Bella was a bit annoying. Laura was more likeable. The theme behind the story (bigamy) was a little far stretched for the imagination but Parks pulled it off.
There was one scene at the end in the doctor's surgery which was a bit cringe but apart from that, I enjoyed the easy flow of the story.
My favourite character was Stevie and I loved hearing his point of view. I listened to this on audio and I think the actor did a great job of Stevie's voice.
The main character Bella was a bit annoying. Laura was more likeable. The theme behind the story (bigamy) was a little far stretched for the imagination but Parks pulled it off.
There was one scene at the end in the doctor's surgery which was a bit cringe but apart from that, I enjoyed the easy flow of the story.
My favourite character was Stevie and I loved hearing his point of view. I listened to this on audio and I think the actor did a great job of Stevie's voice.
Read
July 28, 2011I really enjoyed this book.
Every chapter is from one of the four characters in the story AND a bonus being that most of the chapters aren't that long (which always gets a thumbs up from me!)
I must admit that one of the characters (Bella) annoyed me but maybe that's just my moral standards - the more I read her point of view, the more she annoyed me! I wanted to shake her!
A great read if you're by a swimming pool with the sun beating down on you or on a beach somewhere...which, unfortunately, I never experienced whilst reading this book but I can see it would be great!
Every chapter is from one of the four characters in the story AND a bonus being that most of the chapters aren't that long (which always gets a thumbs up from me!)
I must admit that one of the characters (Bella) annoyed me but maybe that's just my moral standards - the more I read her point of view, the more she annoyed me! I wanted to shake her!
A great read if you're by a swimming pool with the sun beating down on you or on a beach somewhere...which, unfortunately, I never experienced whilst reading this book but I can see it would be great!
October 18, 2012
I have read a couple of her other books as a typical 'holiday read' and I thought I would read this as I found the others really good and I wasn't disappointed. I felt that the characters were very realistic and I felt that I could really engage myself in the storyline. There are a lot of funny moments in the story and the humour is used in a very witty context. I read the whole book in two days (and that's with a full time job!) and I have recommended it to my friends. Even if you have never read any of Adele Parks books before - it's a savvy romance with a comic value. Excellent.
September 9, 2020
I have had mixed experiences with this author & the title & the cover rather put me off, but I found it a surprisingly good read & couldn’t put it down. The characters were nuanced, real & appealing ( Bella less so) & the plot was unpredictable. The tension & emotional trauma of the situation was very well portrayed, I think. Very moving in parts, & unlike a number of other reviewers, I was satisfied with the ending.
November 22, 2012
It was my 1st Adele Parks book and I will definitely try more. It's more than chick lit, the characters were likeable and believable and the story just keeps us glued to the book since the beggining. I might have wanted a different ending, but that was probavly the best to everyone :)
July 16, 2007
I didn't care for this book... I never really got into it and then it was over. The biggest disappointment is that I paid 12 euros for it due to the limited English language books here in Italy!
July 20, 2009
Interesting story line about bigamy, starts off as chick lity, but digs deeper as the book progresses.
June 22, 2011
ooking good :)
Read
August 7, 2011A good beach book, nice and simple with no complex storylines. I diddnt think I was going to enjoy it but was gripped by then end and pleased it had a happy ending.
September 28, 2011
Interesting foundation for a pretty good chick lit story. 3 1/2 stars would probably be more accurate, but 3 would be mean. I will read more of her.
July 16, 2010
I loved this book, little bit different to usual girly books but still a page turner
Read
January 28, 2013A fun fast read!
May 3, 2020
I picked this book in a book sale. The cover seemed attractive. This is my first novel from Adele Parks. I have heard about her but never got an opportunity to read one of her novels. She has some pretty good novels to her credit.
Now,coming to the book:
It is a descriptive book. May be the story could have been ended in 200 pages given to any other author. Since it is Adele Parks, the writing style is different. She loves to describe every character's feelings in depth, the surroundings, the setting, the fancy ideas in characters head. It is fun to read. Her usage of language and the hold over the language is quite impressive. I added many new words to my arsenal.
If you are in mood for light reading and not looking for any mind blowing story plot then you can go for this book.
The best lines according to me in this book is, "Growing up means living a full life; having the courage to own up, stand up shout up, calm down and go down on bended knee if necessary."
Long version of the review.
Spoiler alert:
There are four main characters in this book and there are chapters dedicated to these characters' point of view. Let me explain you what I think about each character:
The protagonist is Bella/Belinda: The most annoying, selfish character I have ever come across lately. She thinks, oh oh, wait, acts like the whole world revolves around her. When I started the book, I had a hope that she married Philip because of love and not money or status. But as the book progresses, those are the exact same reasons she has married him and please dont try to convince me otherwise. There is nothing positive about her I could relate to. She keeps saying she suffered a lot. Yes, a little, I agree. And the agreement ends there. What she went through in her childhood or as a teenager, it was nothing. I felt the main character should have had an essence of strength, independence and courage. No trace of these qualities. All that is projected is, tons of lies, narcissism, selfish nature. I could not stand her and I could not feel sad for her, not even for a faintest moment.
Philip:
Victim of Bella's manipulative marriage. Yes, I dont see her love for him, so she did manipulate, somehow. Even though it is not mentioned in the book. (Ok, that's my imagination) He is a sophisticated, well respected and a conformist. Bella doesn't deserve him, full stop. I feel sad for him. Even though he believes in second chances, I dont see their marriage working in future. The moment going gets rough, Bella surely will leave him. Poor guy doesn't know that. Sorry.
Laura:
I like her, she is simple but elegant, matured and fun loving person. But my high hopes on her came crashing down when she went ahead and asked Stevie if her friends could join the Vegas trip. Girl, even if you are Aussie, (that was your lame excuse, right?) asking your boyfriend, whom you know from a month or so about a lavish trip? He is taking you, that's generous enough and lovely gesture but your friend? Ok, your best friend and her HUSBAND? Nonsense.
Otherwise, Laura's character is good and relatable to any of us given her situation.
Stevie:
I am neutral about this character. He is nice and as Laura and Bella keep describing him, handsome. So he is one big package deal for the ladies. He does some stupid mistakes, but hey, that is called character flaws. So that's okay. His love for Elvis is the center of attraction. Thank you for introducing me to Elvis! I am not a big fan of old English music but I listened to his music and he is pretty good 😀
Finally, my favorite character who doesn't get justice by not getting a single chapter of her own.
Amelia.. She is blunt, straightforward, independent, a loving mom, a true friend and she knows that the truth is utmost important essence in any relationship. Her dialogues are sharp and crisp. I love her. I wish she could get some more part in the story.
It is a happy ending book for all the characters. Not how I wanted it to end though. Phew!
Final thoughts before completing the review:
I wished Bella/Belinda not to get a happy ending. I wanted her to be left alone, husband-less and friends-less. She didnt deserve any of them, even though she might have pulled them out of their mess earlier. They tolerated enough so even if all of them dumped her, it would have been still good. It would be a sad ending for the protagonist but a happy ending for a reader I believe.
But it is not my novel, so let me respect the choice made by the author. 😀
Now,coming to the book:
It is a descriptive book. May be the story could have been ended in 200 pages given to any other author. Since it is Adele Parks, the writing style is different. She loves to describe every character's feelings in depth, the surroundings, the setting, the fancy ideas in characters head. It is fun to read. Her usage of language and the hold over the language is quite impressive. I added many new words to my arsenal.
If you are in mood for light reading and not looking for any mind blowing story plot then you can go for this book.
The best lines according to me in this book is, "Growing up means living a full life; having the courage to own up, stand up shout up, calm down and go down on bended knee if necessary."
Long version of the review.
Spoiler alert:
There are four main characters in this book and there are chapters dedicated to these characters' point of view. Let me explain you what I think about each character:
The protagonist is Bella/Belinda: The most annoying, selfish character I have ever come across lately. She thinks, oh oh, wait, acts like the whole world revolves around her. When I started the book, I had a hope that she married Philip because of love and not money or status. But as the book progresses, those are the exact same reasons she has married him and please dont try to convince me otherwise. There is nothing positive about her I could relate to. She keeps saying she suffered a lot. Yes, a little, I agree. And the agreement ends there. What she went through in her childhood or as a teenager, it was nothing. I felt the main character should have had an essence of strength, independence and courage. No trace of these qualities. All that is projected is, tons of lies, narcissism, selfish nature. I could not stand her and I could not feel sad for her, not even for a faintest moment.
Philip:
Victim of Bella's manipulative marriage. Yes, I dont see her love for him, so she did manipulate, somehow. Even though it is not mentioned in the book. (Ok, that's my imagination) He is a sophisticated, well respected and a conformist. Bella doesn't deserve him, full stop. I feel sad for him. Even though he believes in second chances, I dont see their marriage working in future. The moment going gets rough, Bella surely will leave him. Poor guy doesn't know that. Sorry.
Laura:
I like her, she is simple but elegant, matured and fun loving person. But my high hopes on her came crashing down when she went ahead and asked Stevie if her friends could join the Vegas trip. Girl, even if you are Aussie, (that was your lame excuse, right?) asking your boyfriend, whom you know from a month or so about a lavish trip? He is taking you, that's generous enough and lovely gesture but your friend? Ok, your best friend and her HUSBAND? Nonsense.
Otherwise, Laura's character is good and relatable to any of us given her situation.
Stevie:
I am neutral about this character. He is nice and as Laura and Bella keep describing him, handsome. So he is one big package deal for the ladies. He does some stupid mistakes, but hey, that is called character flaws. So that's okay. His love for Elvis is the center of attraction. Thank you for introducing me to Elvis! I am not a big fan of old English music but I listened to his music and he is pretty good 😀
Finally, my favorite character who doesn't get justice by not getting a single chapter of her own.
Amelia.. She is blunt, straightforward, independent, a loving mom, a true friend and she knows that the truth is utmost important essence in any relationship. Her dialogues are sharp and crisp. I love her. I wish she could get some more part in the story.
It is a happy ending book for all the characters. Not how I wanted it to end though. Phew!
Final thoughts before completing the review:
I wished Bella/Belinda not to get a happy ending. I wanted her to be left alone, husband-less and friends-less. She didnt deserve any of them, even though she might have pulled them out of their mess earlier. They tolerated enough so even if all of them dumped her, it would have been still good. It would be a sad ending for the protagonist but a happy ending for a reader I believe.
But it is not my novel, so let me respect the choice made by the author. 😀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2014
Grief is so lonely. It stains everything it touches and builds huge divisive walls.
- Belle
Loving is such a risk.
- Belle
I often think my heart would like to escape.
- Belle
When you consider that most women who have been brought up on a diet of Sex and the City and Friends think that a to-die-for shoe collection and wardrobe is, well… to die for.
- Belle
I won’t even try to pretend that I’m not jealous.
- Laura
It seemed like love to me.
- Laura
I’m not a pessimist but if a complete stranger talks to you on the tube the chances are the situation is going to turn nasty.
- Laura
Can people see sexual attraction? Does this man know I’m imagining him naked? I hope not.
- Laura
It was a good kiss. So good, in fact, that the only response that seems appropriate is for me to run. As fast as I can. Up the stairs and out of his life, not leaving behind so much as a glass slipper.
- Laura
In short, she is the type of woman I’d like to be when I grow up; either like Amelie or a Charlie’s Angel.
- Belle
Insanity comes in all sorts of guises, even practised flirts,
- Belle
My world screeches to a dangerous halt and I’m viciously whiplashed by bad karma, spiteful fate or simply sod’s rotten law.
There is nothing worse than uncertainty.
- Stevie
He was like a glistening light in my humdrum existence.
- Belle
Stevie was a sunrise on the horizon after a long, dark night. I thought he was the answer. To every question. We were so in love, it seemed like the obvious thing to do, which seems madness now. Funny how hindsight can completely alter perspective. We kept silent because we didn’t want to be told what we already knew.
- Belle
I wish I smoked. This would be a good point to light a cigarette. Except that I hate the habit in others and have never dreamt of it for myself. Instead I take a swig of the whisky-coffee.
- Belle
I am not a deliberately cruel person. I didn’t set out to hurt anyone. Falling in love was exactly the complication I had tried to avoid.
- Belle
I may not want Stevie now but gift-wrapping him for someone else is still hard. Deep down, somewhere untouchable, I had furtively believed that he was mine. He always has been, in a forever – since the start of time – sort of way.
- Belle
Get me off this God-awful rollercoaster: I’m not enjoying the ride.
- Stevie
I believe in love. The forever kind.
- Laura
I’m really beginning to dislike her. I realize that this dislike is fuelled entirely by my own inadequacies, which simply makes it more intense. Her goodness makes me feel like the devil has bought my soul. The thing about goodness is that it is only nice to be around if you are good. If you are not good, and right now I’m not, then it’s just bloody infuriating.
- Belle
I will not talk about it. I will not dwell.
- Belle
Case closed.
- Belle
It’s a terrible thing that I have feelings for her, even jumbled ones, but it would be much, much worse if she knew.
- Stevie
The past is just that, past. It’s where it is for a reason.
- Belle
I’ve tried not to think about him. I’ve tried not to want him. But it’s like going on a diet; the moment you decide to cut down on fat is the moment you start to fantasize about cream cakes, fish and chips and Mars bars.
- Belle
This thrilled and saddened me in more or less equal and confusing proportions.
- Belle
Happiness to some people is scaling mountains. To others it’s having mountains of cash. To still others it’s having a big family or independence. It’s not enough to say everyone wants the same thing.
- Belle
Contentment. I’m happy when I am content with what I have and not longing for something I don’t have or I’ve lost or never had.
- Stevie
I tried to cast aside the shadowy feelings and refused to examine them thoroughly. Do I even believe in destiny? I decided I don’t disbelieve. It’s spiky on the fence.
- Belle
I feel miserable when I’m not with him and I feel miserable admitting that. I feel glorious when I am with him or thinking about him. And I feel miserable about that too.
- Belle
My feelings for Stevie are perilous. Illegal. To all intents and purposes, I’m having an affair, but without sex and with my husband. It’s off-the-scale confusing.
- Belle
I want him to force a confession out of me.
- Belle
I drink a lot because I’m in the middle of some sort of ghoulish nightmare and haven’t the moral fibre or immoral impudence to manage the situation without the aid of alcohol.
- Stevie
Women are so unnecessarily complex. I mean besides Belinda – who is off the scale when it comes to creating needless difficulties in her life and the lives of those unfortunate enough to come into contact with her – other birds are not much better. They lie about their age, the number of men they’ve slept with and their weight, as a matter of course. They lie about fancying married men, their mates’ boyfriends and men with money, without batting an eyelid. They lie about the colour of their hair, their ability to eat chocolate and stay thin and how much exercise they do each week. It’s so pointless. We know you lie! Men know women lie!
- Stevie
What am I doing thinking about this? I will not think about this.
- Belle
Yet, even as I enjoy the morning, I mourn because I know it does not belong to me: I’ve stolen it.
- Belle
Tattooing my heart and mind with a message of hope and promise.
- Laura
Things aren’t always what they seem. Not everything is straightforward. That’s all I’m trying to say.
- Belle
I breezily laugh at the incident, hoping to disguise the fact that I want to drill my stiletto heels into their faces.
- Belle
Suddenly, it is two in the morning. Time has sped away.
- Belle
Why do women still wear stilettos? Can’t someone invent something sexy and comfortable?
- Belle
I was nineteen and very much in love.
- Belle
Every happy ending is dependent on where you close the book.
- Belle
I look away so that my eyes don’t betray the hurt I feel. I shouldn’t be hurt.
- Belle
This morning was borrowed time, tonight it’s stolen.
- Belle
A breeze, that was all about promise and the question, what if? What if?
- Belle
I’m not going to. I want to. Oh yes, I want to and that’s bad enough, but not as bad as actually doing it.
- Belle
I’m thirty years old now and I have to accept myself and my faults or just give up the ghost.
- Belle
Please don’t pour any cold water on the compliment. Leave me with the warm glow.
- Stevie
I have never felt lonelier than I felt that night.
- Belle
What she had done to me was so intensely cruel and profoundly wicked that it was categorically unforgivable. That’s what I told myself, unforgivable. Then I spent weeks, months, and eventually years thinking of ways to forgive her. What did I do to deserve this? Nothing. What is wrong with me? Nothing. Why would she treat me like this? Madness. What she had done to me was so intensely cruel and profoundly wicked that it was categorically unforgivable. That’s what I told myself, unforgivable. Then I spent weeks, months, and eventually years thinking of ways to forgive her.
- Stevie
I’m feeling better too. Which is bad news, really, because by tonight I’ll have forgotten how awful I felt this morning and I’ll do the whole thing all over again.
- Phil
What possessed me? Daft question, lots of alcohol possessed me.
- Laura
Was I born yesterday? I’ve always believed that no man turns down a warm bed unless he has another waiting. Is that very paranoid of me, just a little bit paranoid or sound judgement?
- Laura
If I could turn back time, if I’d had more confidence in you, things might have been different. But it’s too late now. Too late for us.
- Belle
I don’t deal with things. Could she be right that I only involve myself with other people’s lives as a sophisticated avoidance technique?
- Belle
How could I have been so stupid? So gormlessly trusting? Again. Again is the worst bit.
- Laura
Laura, happiness or unhappiness is a choice and I’m far too sensible to choose unhappiness.
- Phil
When you are young, falling in love is more or less random.
- Belle
Growing up means living a full life; having the courage to own up, stand up, shout up, calm down and go down on bended knee if necessary.
- Belle
- Belle
Loving is such a risk.
- Belle
I often think my heart would like to escape.
- Belle
When you consider that most women who have been brought up on a diet of Sex and the City and Friends think that a to-die-for shoe collection and wardrobe is, well… to die for.
- Belle
I won’t even try to pretend that I’m not jealous.
- Laura
It seemed like love to me.
- Laura
I’m not a pessimist but if a complete stranger talks to you on the tube the chances are the situation is going to turn nasty.
- Laura
Can people see sexual attraction? Does this man know I’m imagining him naked? I hope not.
- Laura
It was a good kiss. So good, in fact, that the only response that seems appropriate is for me to run. As fast as I can. Up the stairs and out of his life, not leaving behind so much as a glass slipper.
- Laura
In short, she is the type of woman I’d like to be when I grow up; either like Amelie or a Charlie’s Angel.
- Belle
Insanity comes in all sorts of guises, even practised flirts,
- Belle
My world screeches to a dangerous halt and I’m viciously whiplashed by bad karma, spiteful fate or simply sod’s rotten law.
There is nothing worse than uncertainty.
- Stevie
He was like a glistening light in my humdrum existence.
- Belle
Stevie was a sunrise on the horizon after a long, dark night. I thought he was the answer. To every question. We were so in love, it seemed like the obvious thing to do, which seems madness now. Funny how hindsight can completely alter perspective. We kept silent because we didn’t want to be told what we already knew.
- Belle
I wish I smoked. This would be a good point to light a cigarette. Except that I hate the habit in others and have never dreamt of it for myself. Instead I take a swig of the whisky-coffee.
- Belle
I am not a deliberately cruel person. I didn’t set out to hurt anyone. Falling in love was exactly the complication I had tried to avoid.
- Belle
I may not want Stevie now but gift-wrapping him for someone else is still hard. Deep down, somewhere untouchable, I had furtively believed that he was mine. He always has been, in a forever – since the start of time – sort of way.
- Belle
Get me off this God-awful rollercoaster: I’m not enjoying the ride.
- Stevie
I believe in love. The forever kind.
- Laura
I’m really beginning to dislike her. I realize that this dislike is fuelled entirely by my own inadequacies, which simply makes it more intense. Her goodness makes me feel like the devil has bought my soul. The thing about goodness is that it is only nice to be around if you are good. If you are not good, and right now I’m not, then it’s just bloody infuriating.
- Belle
I will not talk about it. I will not dwell.
- Belle
Case closed.
- Belle
It’s a terrible thing that I have feelings for her, even jumbled ones, but it would be much, much worse if she knew.
- Stevie
The past is just that, past. It’s where it is for a reason.
- Belle
I’ve tried not to think about him. I’ve tried not to want him. But it’s like going on a diet; the moment you decide to cut down on fat is the moment you start to fantasize about cream cakes, fish and chips and Mars bars.
- Belle
This thrilled and saddened me in more or less equal and confusing proportions.
- Belle
Happiness to some people is scaling mountains. To others it’s having mountains of cash. To still others it’s having a big family or independence. It’s not enough to say everyone wants the same thing.
- Belle
Contentment. I’m happy when I am content with what I have and not longing for something I don’t have or I’ve lost or never had.
- Stevie
I tried to cast aside the shadowy feelings and refused to examine them thoroughly. Do I even believe in destiny? I decided I don’t disbelieve. It’s spiky on the fence.
- Belle
I feel miserable when I’m not with him and I feel miserable admitting that. I feel glorious when I am with him or thinking about him. And I feel miserable about that too.
- Belle
My feelings for Stevie are perilous. Illegal. To all intents and purposes, I’m having an affair, but without sex and with my husband. It’s off-the-scale confusing.
- Belle
I want him to force a confession out of me.
- Belle
I drink a lot because I’m in the middle of some sort of ghoulish nightmare and haven’t the moral fibre or immoral impudence to manage the situation without the aid of alcohol.
- Stevie
Women are so unnecessarily complex. I mean besides Belinda – who is off the scale when it comes to creating needless difficulties in her life and the lives of those unfortunate enough to come into contact with her – other birds are not much better. They lie about their age, the number of men they’ve slept with and their weight, as a matter of course. They lie about fancying married men, their mates’ boyfriends and men with money, without batting an eyelid. They lie about the colour of their hair, their ability to eat chocolate and stay thin and how much exercise they do each week. It’s so pointless. We know you lie! Men know women lie!
- Stevie
What am I doing thinking about this? I will not think about this.
- Belle
Yet, even as I enjoy the morning, I mourn because I know it does not belong to me: I’ve stolen it.
- Belle
Tattooing my heart and mind with a message of hope and promise.
- Laura
Things aren’t always what they seem. Not everything is straightforward. That’s all I’m trying to say.
- Belle
I breezily laugh at the incident, hoping to disguise the fact that I want to drill my stiletto heels into their faces.
- Belle
Suddenly, it is two in the morning. Time has sped away.
- Belle
Why do women still wear stilettos? Can’t someone invent something sexy and comfortable?
- Belle
I was nineteen and very much in love.
- Belle
Every happy ending is dependent on where you close the book.
- Belle
I look away so that my eyes don’t betray the hurt I feel. I shouldn’t be hurt.
- Belle
This morning was borrowed time, tonight it’s stolen.
- Belle
A breeze, that was all about promise and the question, what if? What if?
- Belle
I’m not going to. I want to. Oh yes, I want to and that’s bad enough, but not as bad as actually doing it.
- Belle
I’m thirty years old now and I have to accept myself and my faults or just give up the ghost.
- Belle
Please don’t pour any cold water on the compliment. Leave me with the warm glow.
- Stevie
I have never felt lonelier than I felt that night.
- Belle
What she had done to me was so intensely cruel and profoundly wicked that it was categorically unforgivable. That’s what I told myself, unforgivable. Then I spent weeks, months, and eventually years thinking of ways to forgive her. What did I do to deserve this? Nothing. What is wrong with me? Nothing. Why would she treat me like this? Madness. What she had done to me was so intensely cruel and profoundly wicked that it was categorically unforgivable. That’s what I told myself, unforgivable. Then I spent weeks, months, and eventually years thinking of ways to forgive her.
- Stevie
I’m feeling better too. Which is bad news, really, because by tonight I’ll have forgotten how awful I felt this morning and I’ll do the whole thing all over again.
- Phil
What possessed me? Daft question, lots of alcohol possessed me.
- Laura
Was I born yesterday? I’ve always believed that no man turns down a warm bed unless he has another waiting. Is that very paranoid of me, just a little bit paranoid or sound judgement?
- Laura
If I could turn back time, if I’d had more confidence in you, things might have been different. But it’s too late now. Too late for us.
- Belle
I don’t deal with things. Could she be right that I only involve myself with other people’s lives as a sophisticated avoidance technique?
- Belle
How could I have been so stupid? So gormlessly trusting? Again. Again is the worst bit.
- Laura
Laura, happiness or unhappiness is a choice and I’m far too sensible to choose unhappiness.
- Phil
When you are young, falling in love is more or less random.
- Belle
Growing up means living a full life; having the courage to own up, stand up, shout up, calm down and go down on bended knee if necessary.
- Belle
January 18, 2025
Husbands by Adele Parks… where do I even begin? At first glance, Belinda seemed like the ultimate strong, independent woman—confident, charismatic, and self-assured. But as the layers peel back (read: as the chapters unfold), what we actually uncover is a selfish, gold-digging, self-obsessed witch with a god complex the size of Jupiter. Seriously, her arrogance was absolutely insufferable.
Her justifications for her actions? Utter garbage. She stepped on everyone in her life just to hide her skeletons and keep up the facade of her perfect little world. She lied, manipulated, and condescended her way through the story with zero remorse. And then there’s Stevie… Oh, Stevie. While I can’t completely blame him for the mess, his complicity in Belinda’s disaster of a life was equally maddening. Unlike her, though, he never got the closure he needed, which makes his character tragic but still frustrating as hell.
Belinda’s actions pissed me off so much I genuinely wanted to slap her into orbit. Her audacity knew no bounds, and by the end of the book, I was left wondering how one person could be so unlikable. That said, the sheer outrage she evoked made this a gripping read. If you want a story with characters who’ll infuriate you to no end but keep you turning the pages, Husbands is definitely it.
Her justifications for her actions? Utter garbage. She stepped on everyone in her life just to hide her skeletons and keep up the facade of her perfect little world. She lied, manipulated, and condescended her way through the story with zero remorse. And then there’s Stevie… Oh, Stevie. While I can’t completely blame him for the mess, his complicity in Belinda’s disaster of a life was equally maddening. Unlike her, though, he never got the closure he needed, which makes his character tragic but still frustrating as hell.
Belinda’s actions pissed me off so much I genuinely wanted to slap her into orbit. Her audacity knew no bounds, and by the end of the book, I was left wondering how one person could be so unlikable. That said, the sheer outrage she evoked made this a gripping read. If you want a story with characters who’ll infuriate you to no end but keep you turning the pages, Husbands is definitely it.
August 2, 2023
Adele Parks (2021) HUSBANDS (AUDIOBOOK)
BorrowBox - HarperCollins Publishers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars
BorrowBox writes, "Bella secretly married her childhood sweetheart, Stevie, over a decade ago. When the whirlwind romance unravelled, they parted ways, but never got around to divorcing. Years later, Bella met Philip and spontaneously accepted his proposal, without ever finding the right moment to reveal the truth about her past. Now happily married, Bella believes her secret is safe. That is until her best friend Laura introduces her new man - who is none other than Bella's husband number one. And the only thing that could make this triangle more complicated would be if Bella and Stevie fall in love again...."
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Wasn't liking the Bella character but she won me over by the last 25% or so. Adele Parks does flawed characters who are really tangible. Sidenote, really loved the chapter titles - Elvis Presley record titles.
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#AdeleParks #Husbands #Elvis #ElvisPresley #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #BorrowBox
BorrowBox - HarperCollins Publishers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars
BorrowBox writes, "Bella secretly married her childhood sweetheart, Stevie, over a decade ago. When the whirlwind romance unravelled, they parted ways, but never got around to divorcing. Years later, Bella met Philip and spontaneously accepted his proposal, without ever finding the right moment to reveal the truth about her past. Now happily married, Bella believes her secret is safe. That is until her best friend Laura introduces her new man - who is none other than Bella's husband number one. And the only thing that could make this triangle more complicated would be if Bella and Stevie fall in love again...."
=====
Wasn't liking the Bella character but she won me over by the last 25% or so. Adele Parks does flawed characters who are really tangible. Sidenote, really loved the chapter titles - Elvis Presley record titles.
=====
#AdeleParks #Husbands #Elvis #ElvisPresley #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #BorrowBox
September 3, 2020
Love is possible
I’ve loved Adele’s work from the first book I read. But recently, about a year ago, I noticed that her books’ had taken a new sleazy designs, with women legs and short skits. I guess it was for copyright purpose, but the covers looked ‘cheap’.
I downloaded a few books, nonetheless, believing that I’ll give her the benefit of my doubt. As I read this one, it brought back so many good vibes about her writing and the stories.
This one is no exception. It was enjoyable. The story, although extraordinary, was well researched and executed. I thoroughly enjoyed the jokes and the banters. As each chapter was the thought of each of the four main characters, I kinda get what they think, really from their minds. So, they were lonesome and heartwarming, even heart wrenching.
No regrets getting her books, even if the book cover does not reflect the real gem. But I do hope she works on some new designs, with the woods and flowers, perhaps?
I’ve loved Adele’s work from the first book I read. But recently, about a year ago, I noticed that her books’ had taken a new sleazy designs, with women legs and short skits. I guess it was for copyright purpose, but the covers looked ‘cheap’.
I downloaded a few books, nonetheless, believing that I’ll give her the benefit of my doubt. As I read this one, it brought back so many good vibes about her writing and the stories.
This one is no exception. It was enjoyable. The story, although extraordinary, was well researched and executed. I thoroughly enjoyed the jokes and the banters. As each chapter was the thought of each of the four main characters, I kinda get what they think, really from their minds. So, they were lonesome and heartwarming, even heart wrenching.
No regrets getting her books, even if the book cover does not reflect the real gem. But I do hope she works on some new designs, with the woods and flowers, perhaps?
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