How to Lose a Husband and Gain a Life

by Bernadette Strachan

On the surface, Ruby Gallagher has the perfect life: an adoring husband, Manny, a beautiful home and a luxury lifestyle that involves shopping, holidays and not much else. It's safe, predictable - exactly what she needs after her turbulent past. Until one day it all collapses as Manny is arrested for fraud. And it seems it's not only his business deals that have been shady - Ruby discovers he's been hiding a mistress and son too. But as her designer lifestyle is repossessed, Ruby dusts herself down and starts again. With the help of some good friends, bad wine and a new business venture, Ruby discovers that she's a lot better off without her husband holding her back. If only he would see it that way ...Fabulous characters and a warm and funny story make How to Lose a Husband and Gain a Life unputdownable.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance

330 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Bernadette Strachan isn't sure whether she writes romantic books with funny bits or funny books with romantic bits. She was born in Fulham, London into an Irish Catholic family. Before becoming an author she ran a wool shop, produced radio commercials, and was a voice-over agent representing quite a lot of famous people.

She is starting her seventh book and working on a new stage musical with her husband, Matthew. They have one daughter, Niamh and a spaniel called Mavis.

Reviews

[Ephie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up wanting a pleasant light read about a woman getting a life and was very disappointed - I had to force myself to finish this!

There is no story, you just read a woman’s day to day, although there is a plot twist about 100 pages before the end. Basically, I felt the book needed to be edited.

It is also very badly written. The “writer” tried hard, using loads of adjectives, metaphors and similes, but they cheapened the writing and gave it amateur status: “like a moose giving labour” is not something people can relate to and this was one of the better ones!

Don’t bother reading this, or anything else by this writer... It baffles me that she got published, has other books out there and convinced esteemed writers to add positive feedback to her cover!

[Elaine Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story from start to finish - full of fun and a little sad in places but you knew it would all come good in the end - well worth picking up.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Totally different from the usual Chick Lit. Laugh out loud funny. Her writing is certainly different, and her phrasing is very original. She doesn't miss an observation. This is my first book by Bernadette Strachan, I shall certainly be trying some more.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. I enjoyed this book so much I have bought the rest of her novels.
It is not something I would normally choose, I got if free in an Iceland promotion, but once I opened the cover I couldn't put it down.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book and decided not to finish it, I got to chapter 7 and found I still wasn't enjoying it, I can't quite put my finger on it though, the whole story seemed kind of pointless! There was nothing in it which grabbed my attention and made me want to read on.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was one of those book exchange shelves in Morrisons. I picked this up as a joke … and actually read the whole thing. Trashy, pretty big holes in the plot and dubious character developments. I LOVED it.

[Sarah Edman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have rated this a 3.5 for entertainment. This easy to read chic-lit had a predictable ending but interesting characters. The author creates a plausible story and a heroine that you can root for as she matures.

[Jane Malbut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good - well worth the time

[Jane Woodcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. An easy read. Likeable characters. Not very challenging and, quite predictable.

[Sahar Gulzar · Rating 3 out of 5]

My gold standard for rom-com getaways is Becky Bloomwood's eccentric encounters... This one does not hold up...

[David Abram-Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was lighthearted & pleasant read.

One if this books that was just ok?

Better than I could write though 🥰

[Henrieke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicious British, feel-good romcom, I had a great time.

[Nichola Theobald · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was OK. Nothing to write home about but a pleasant switch brain off type book

[Cindy Vine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a light sponge cake after a heavy meal of a day at work. Predictable plot, stereotypical characters, no surprises anywhere, light reading that is easy on the mind. Highly recommended reading when traveling to work on the tube, during a flight, waiting, while sunbathing on a beach in an exotic location. This is a book you can put down for a couple of weeks, then pick up and carrying on where you left off. Frothy, fun, light entertainment.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always tend to enjoy a story about a character reinventing themselves after things falling apart, but didn't expect to enjoy this one so much. From the unexpected twists and funny characters such as Teddy, this book has the perfect balance of love, humour and a nice ending that wasn't too predictable. Such a good read!

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing too excite happens within this book. The storyline had some potential but I just felt like it was a story of a woman who leaves her husband and starts out on her own instead of the adventure that I was expecting.

[Tilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really wish the cover suited this book because it lets it down! It was so funny and witty and so many pop culture references, which you don’t get often. Could definitely be a film. The twist hit me like a bus.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A scrumptious slice of Bernadette-lit, thoroughly satisfying.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intelligent chick-lit. Likeable characters, good plot and a lovely love story. What more could a reader ask for?

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, loved the plot twists, and had to laugh - a lot - about the clown story.
Enjoyable chick-lit for sure!

[Elisabeth]

I enjoyed this novel and didn't see the very obvious twist derr!!

[Felicity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totally ridiculous, but it made me smile.

[Teresa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick,easy and fun read.Made me giggle too always a good sign !

[Helonia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad read on a lazy summer holiday. Nothing in it to challenge you, but easy to read and enjoyable.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has a couple a plot twists that are fairly obvious, though that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the story. I enjoyed it, it's easy and fun to read. And it ends as it should.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book... very easy to read and enjoy!

[Sophie Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gloriously funny, with a sly wit and a real skill with phrase-making - and a heck of a lot better than anyone would expect from the cover!

[Kylle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was was wonderful, but the main character felt too pathetic, even if it it does mean that she's supposed to "comply" to the "main theme."

[Jean · Rating 2 out of 5]

BORING!!!!!!!!!! the plot was so obvious from the beginning there was nothing to keep you reading

[Bathsheba Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean fun enough but I re read it 2 years later because it's entirely forget able