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I Give It a Year
Her husband's moved out - and her dad's moved in...
It's New Year's Eve, and Iris has just found out that her husband, Adam, is cheating on her. Furious, she kicks him out, and enlists her Dad to move in and help with the children whilst she tries to mend her broken heart.
But her Dad soon starts to display signs of Alzheimer's, and Iris realises that if she loses her partner, she'll be managing an awful lot on her own. Soon, she realises that Adam wasn't the only one taking their marriage for granted, and for the sake of the children she decides to give him one more chance.
But is it braver to stay than to run? And can anyone fall in love with the same person twice?
It's New Year's Eve, and Iris has just found out that her husband, Adam, is cheating on her. Furious, she kicks him out, and enlists her Dad to move in and help with the children whilst she tries to mend her broken heart.
But her Dad soon starts to display signs of Alzheimer's, and Iris realises that if she loses her partner, she'll be managing an awful lot on her own. Soon, she realises that Adam wasn't the only one taking their marriage for granted, and for the sake of the children she decides to give him one more chance.
But is it braver to stay than to run? And can anyone fall in love with the same person twice?
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2021
40 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 28, 2021
"I do's" is a joke to hero.
Does your husband cheat on you because you guys have 3 babies to take care of and also a job to handle??
Apparently this one does.
I don't...... NEVER understood the concept of cheating.
Some men have brains in their dicks.
And in this book, the h kicks him out of the home when she finds out he has been cheating...and later to reconcile , asks him to turn on his location ALL the time, give her his fb, etc etc......passwords, so that she can keep an eye......seriously? SERIOUSLY?!
Whatta mess!!!!
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
THERE IS STRICTLY NO SECOND-CHANCE IF HE/SHE CHEATS.
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
😨TODAY THEY ARE GIVING YOU A REASON.
😨TOMORROW , WHEN THEY CHEAT AGAIN, THEY'LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER REASON.
👿AND THE 3rd, time? Well...if u are smart enough , you'll shove your foot in their ass the 3rd time.
🤗🤗🤗🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭
THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THE===
FATHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP.🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁
Does your husband cheat on you because you guys have 3 babies to take care of and also a job to handle??
Apparently this one does.
I don't...... NEVER understood the concept of cheating.
Some men have brains in their dicks.
And in this book, the h kicks him out of the home when she finds out he has been cheating...and later to reconcile , asks him to turn on his location ALL the time, give her his fb, etc etc......passwords, so that she can keep an eye......seriously? SERIOUSLY?!
Whatta mess!!!!
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
THERE IS STRICTLY NO SECOND-CHANCE IF HE/SHE CHEATS.
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
😨TODAY THEY ARE GIVING YOU A REASON.
😨TOMORROW , WHEN THEY CHEAT AGAIN, THEY'LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER REASON.
👿AND THE 3rd, time? Well...if u are smart enough , you'll shove your foot in their ass the 3rd time.
🤗🤗🤗🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭
THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THE===
FATHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP.🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁
January 29, 2021
I did enjoy this well written and sometimes relatable story however never a fan of a predictably happy ending! I was rooting for the millionaire! Iris’ work situation made me angry too. I wanted her to leave and go and work for a more family friendly organisation!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2021
This is quite an emotional read but I feel different aspects of it will be emotional for different people. I enjoyed this book - and you do find yourself invested in the characters who are very well observed and you will probably find that you have been through some of the experiences they have (although maybe not all of them).
December 26, 2020
This is a complex story of marriage, broken trust, friendship, family, Alzheimer’s.
Helen Whitaker manages to cover many subjects within one novel, but it all works well together. When Iris finds out on New Years Day that her husband Adam has been cheating on her, she confronts him as soon as he arrives home, from sorting out his brother Gabe’s problems once again. She is understandably angry and Adam is remorseful, but he can’t give her answers as to why he did it. Is it worse that it is with someone from his past? Iris feels completely betrayed and throws Adam out. She enlists the help of her dad to give her a hand with child care. It couldn’t come at a worse time for Iris who is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of her mother earlier in the year. Her boss is threatening redundancies and is putting pressure on her and other staff members to bring in more donations from some of their wealthy clients, she has until the end of the year to get another £500,000 in donations.
Then Iris realises things aren’t as good as they seem with her father, as he seems more and more confused as time goes on. So she gives Adam an ultimatum. They give it one year to see if they can save their marriage or whether it is over for good. She demands they attend marriage guidance therapy, which Adam is initially reluctant to do, but realises if he has any kind of hope of even trying to save his marriage he needs to go along with it.
Having been through a similar situation I really thought all my sympathy would lie with Iris, but it didn’t, I found myself going from one to the other, as different details of he marriage and pressure that each were under. Iris never asked for help, always trying to juggle everything herself, Adam therefore never offered to help as he believed his wife was managing it. But then there are some backstories as an insight to how both Adam and Iris were raised, how different their lives had been growing up, which in some ways helps make sense of different things.
A well written, well thought out, story of love, trust, can you get that trust back once it is gone? Can you fall back in love with the person who has let you down. You have to read the book to find out what decisions are reached.
Helen Whitaker manages to cover many subjects within one novel, but it all works well together. When Iris finds out on New Years Day that her husband Adam has been cheating on her, she confronts him as soon as he arrives home, from sorting out his brother Gabe’s problems once again. She is understandably angry and Adam is remorseful, but he can’t give her answers as to why he did it. Is it worse that it is with someone from his past? Iris feels completely betrayed and throws Adam out. She enlists the help of her dad to give her a hand with child care. It couldn’t come at a worse time for Iris who is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of her mother earlier in the year. Her boss is threatening redundancies and is putting pressure on her and other staff members to bring in more donations from some of their wealthy clients, she has until the end of the year to get another £500,000 in donations.
Then Iris realises things aren’t as good as they seem with her father, as he seems more and more confused as time goes on. So she gives Adam an ultimatum. They give it one year to see if they can save their marriage or whether it is over for good. She demands they attend marriage guidance therapy, which Adam is initially reluctant to do, but realises if he has any kind of hope of even trying to save his marriage he needs to go along with it.
Having been through a similar situation I really thought all my sympathy would lie with Iris, but it didn’t, I found myself going from one to the other, as different details of he marriage and pressure that each were under. Iris never asked for help, always trying to juggle everything herself, Adam therefore never offered to help as he believed his wife was managing it. But then there are some backstories as an insight to how both Adam and Iris were raised, how different their lives had been growing up, which in some ways helps make sense of different things.
A well written, well thought out, story of love, trust, can you get that trust back once it is gone? Can you fall back in love with the person who has let you down. You have to read the book to find out what decisions are reached.
January 16, 2021
This is a poignant story of a marriage in trouble, which explores both the reasons for it and the fall out from it.
Although the story of the affair and Iris and Adam trying to work things out is at the centre of this novel, I found the parts which focused on Iris’s work, and her relationship with her father who is struggling with dementia to be the most interesting and touching. In all honesty, I found it hard to sympathise with Adam as a character - if anything, I found myself disliking him more as the book went on and his behaviour was explained during therapy (clearly I’m not as forgiving as the author!).
Iris’s work for National Trust properties, and her interactions with a potential wealthy client who just happens to be rather handsome added that exciting ‘will she/won’t she’ element of suspense to the story, and I loved the visits round the properties which felt like some much needed escapism right now!
The parts of the book which hit home for me were about parenthood - there were so many incredibly relatable moments which just had me nodding and laughing along, like Iris’s friend, Fran taking ten minutes to just sit in her car and browse her phone before going back to the kids because it’s the only peace she can get.
This novel explores the realities of a long marriage and the way we begin to take certain things for granted or assume that our other half is happy plodding along as things are, something which is all too realistic. It’s a reminder to prioritise time with family, to leave work behind at the office and to be fully present at home - which we no doubt all need reminding of sometimes!
At moments devastating, but also full of warmth and hope, this is a charming and contemporary novel that I would happily recommend for anyone who doesn’t just want a classic boy meets girl guaranteed happy ending scenario. This one has a little bit more bite...
Although the story of the affair and Iris and Adam trying to work things out is at the centre of this novel, I found the parts which focused on Iris’s work, and her relationship with her father who is struggling with dementia to be the most interesting and touching. In all honesty, I found it hard to sympathise with Adam as a character - if anything, I found myself disliking him more as the book went on and his behaviour was explained during therapy (clearly I’m not as forgiving as the author!).
Iris’s work for National Trust properties, and her interactions with a potential wealthy client who just happens to be rather handsome added that exciting ‘will she/won’t she’ element of suspense to the story, and I loved the visits round the properties which felt like some much needed escapism right now!
The parts of the book which hit home for me were about parenthood - there were so many incredibly relatable moments which just had me nodding and laughing along, like Iris’s friend, Fran taking ten minutes to just sit in her car and browse her phone before going back to the kids because it’s the only peace she can get.
This novel explores the realities of a long marriage and the way we begin to take certain things for granted or assume that our other half is happy plodding along as things are, something which is all too realistic. It’s a reminder to prioritise time with family, to leave work behind at the office and to be fully present at home - which we no doubt all need reminding of sometimes!
At moments devastating, but also full of warmth and hope, this is a charming and contemporary novel that I would happily recommend for anyone who doesn’t just want a classic boy meets girl guaranteed happy ending scenario. This one has a little bit more bite...
January 28, 2021
The story of ‘I give it a year’ follows Iris and Adam’s journey through marriage, after events of unfaithfulness. Will the marriage end, or will they be able to salvage it?
This book was such a delight. The humour in it was to my taste and not too cheesy.
The way Whitaker managed to take serious themes of grief, unstable families and illness but still make for a lighthearted read was really beautiful. Although I feel Iris’s fathers illness could have been explored more in depth, this would have made it more of a sad story which may put readers off.
I enjoyed the character development of Iris, and found her a relatable character. This book would easy have been 5 stars, however, I found the parts dealing with Iris’s work a bit flat.
If you are looking for a book that is relatable to adulthood and the struggles of marriage, this is the book for you.
This book was such a delight. The humour in it was to my taste and not too cheesy.
The way Whitaker managed to take serious themes of grief, unstable families and illness but still make for a lighthearted read was really beautiful. Although I feel Iris’s fathers illness could have been explored more in depth, this would have made it more of a sad story which may put readers off.
I enjoyed the character development of Iris, and found her a relatable character. This book would easy have been 5 stars, however, I found the parts dealing with Iris’s work a bit flat.
If you are looking for a book that is relatable to adulthood and the struggles of marriage, this is the book for you.
February 2, 2021
Found the book frustrating - not sure where it was going it floundered about - too many side stories - Gabe, Fran, Nat, Sophie, Jude - that were never resolved but aluded to and the characters not properly developed though influenced the story. The parts about dementia and grief felt true but were mixed in with the infidelity and therefore not given their due. Too much in one book.
January 7, 2021
A timely novel; a lot of relationships face difficulties at this time of year so it's very easy to empathise.
Iris and Adam work as a team at parenting; with both holding down full time jobs it takes two to organise the kids and their activities but when Iris discovers Adam has been cheating on her she immediately kicks him out. With no way of covering the kids on her own, she asks her Dad to help out. He does the best he can but when he shows signs of Alzheimer's, Iris is aware that she's going to have to care for him too. When she begins to understand that perhaps Adam wasn't the only one who taking things for granted, she wonders if they can make amends?
So far this year I've read mostly thrillers so this was like a breath of fresh air. Not only a good story - but a very realistic one too. Most of us are so busy taking care of everything we need to keep the ball rolling that it's not a case of forgetting to put the effort into our relationship but more a matter of being too shattered at the end of the day. This is a very touching tale, and one which will resonate with a lot of readers. As someone who has been a single parent, I really identified with Iris and all she had to deal with on a daily basis. Helen Whitaker has her finger on the pulse and I think this will be a popular novel as it is one full of honest, unpredictable scenarios all of which are dealt with in a sensible and straightforward way. Well written and skilfully crafted, this has made me aware of the author's work and I shall be keeping an eye out for future novels. Recommended to those who appreciate honest, original writing and one I'm very happy to give four stars.
Iris and Adam work as a team at parenting; with both holding down full time jobs it takes two to organise the kids and their activities but when Iris discovers Adam has been cheating on her she immediately kicks him out. With no way of covering the kids on her own, she asks her Dad to help out. He does the best he can but when he shows signs of Alzheimer's, Iris is aware that she's going to have to care for him too. When she begins to understand that perhaps Adam wasn't the only one who taking things for granted, she wonders if they can make amends?
So far this year I've read mostly thrillers so this was like a breath of fresh air. Not only a good story - but a very realistic one too. Most of us are so busy taking care of everything we need to keep the ball rolling that it's not a case of forgetting to put the effort into our relationship but more a matter of being too shattered at the end of the day. This is a very touching tale, and one which will resonate with a lot of readers. As someone who has been a single parent, I really identified with Iris and all she had to deal with on a daily basis. Helen Whitaker has her finger on the pulse and I think this will be a popular novel as it is one full of honest, unpredictable scenarios all of which are dealt with in a sensible and straightforward way. Well written and skilfully crafted, this has made me aware of the author's work and I shall be keeping an eye out for future novels. Recommended to those who appreciate honest, original writing and one I'm very happy to give four stars.
January 26, 2021
This was a great read, well thought out, relatable and well written.
Iris finds out that her husband Adam has been having an affair with his teenage love. After throwing him out whilst she thinks about her next steps (and juggling fulltime work and fulltime childcare), they decide to start couples therapy and spend a year working on their relationship. Full of emotional ups and downs, as Iris and Adam both work out what they want, why they fell in love with each other, and if the spark is still there. Their relationship is set against a background of aging parents with illhealth, adult siblings with their own demands, friends giving unwanted advice and a tricky job that demands fulltime commitment.
It is all too believable, I hope Im never in the same position as Iris -the emotional turmoil and angst is all too real
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read it.
Iris finds out that her husband Adam has been having an affair with his teenage love. After throwing him out whilst she thinks about her next steps (and juggling fulltime work and fulltime childcare), they decide to start couples therapy and spend a year working on their relationship. Full of emotional ups and downs, as Iris and Adam both work out what they want, why they fell in love with each other, and if the spark is still there. Their relationship is set against a background of aging parents with illhealth, adult siblings with their own demands, friends giving unwanted advice and a tricky job that demands fulltime commitment.
It is all too believable, I hope Im never in the same position as Iris -the emotional turmoil and angst is all too real
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read it.
February 6, 2021
New Year’s eve, Iris’ husband is with his family sorting out some issues with his brother, or is he? Iris sees a message on Adam’s iPad that shatters her world. She awaits his return and questions him; he reluctantly tells the truth so she kicks him out. It is then that she realises how difficult it is with 2 small children and a high-powered job. She then enlists her Dad to help out only to discover that all is not right with him either. She then let’s Adam return and they start marriage counselling. Other factors come into play; her widowed Dad is showing signs of dementia, the children are playing up, her boss keeps upping her targets; all at a time when Iris should be concentrating on her family. Iris questions herself whether some of the problems stem from her; how much has she taken for granted? Iris is then herself face with temptation; charming, handsome and rich businessman Lucas. Should she indulge in a bit of tit for tat or should she continue to try to give her marriage another chance?
This is a very touching tale; I am sure that lots of readers will identify with numerous aspects of this story. Well written and full of honest and unpredictable event, all of which are dealt with in a sensible and straightforward way. The author doesn’t shirk away from describing Iris’ real heartbreak but she balances it with humour and wit as we follow Iris through her comings and goings in her turbulent year.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who like honest and original writing that’s suspense full and gripping too. I will be looking out for more of this author’s books.
This is a very touching tale; I am sure that lots of readers will identify with numerous aspects of this story. Well written and full of honest and unpredictable event, all of which are dealt with in a sensible and straightforward way. The author doesn’t shirk away from describing Iris’ real heartbreak but she balances it with humour and wit as we follow Iris through her comings and goings in her turbulent year.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who like honest and original writing that’s suspense full and gripping too. I will be looking out for more of this author’s books.
December 19, 2025
Just had a re- read. Wow I hate Adam so much.
edited*
Weeewww I reviewed below immediately after finishing the book when I was all up in my feels. Upon further reflection, i think it’s still a 4 star for me. Ending aside, there were lots of things not fleshed out which is a bit unsatisfying.
Most chapters ended on a cliffhanger / gut punching scene but there would be no follow up. the following chapter would have moved on to a different scene. I kept waiting for everything to be hashed out in the end but it didn’t so it was a bit jarring.
**
I almost gave this book a 5 star but the ending felt a little unfinished for me.
Phenomenal writing and very believable storyline. Even though I still hated the hero until the very end and don’t really feel that he redeemed himself enough, it marks what brilliant writing it was that I was hooked right till the end.
edited*
Weeewww I reviewed below immediately after finishing the book when I was all up in my feels. Upon further reflection, i think it’s still a 4 star for me. Ending aside, there were lots of things not fleshed out which is a bit unsatisfying.
Most chapters ended on a cliffhanger / gut punching scene but there would be no follow up. the following chapter would have moved on to a different scene. I kept waiting for everything to be hashed out in the end but it didn’t so it was a bit jarring.
**
I almost gave this book a 5 star but the ending felt a little unfinished for me.
Phenomenal writing and very believable storyline. Even though I still hated the hero until the very end and don’t really feel that he redeemed himself enough, it marks what brilliant writing it was that I was hooked right till the end.
February 12, 2021
Iris, Adam and their two children Jack and Savannah are seemingly a normal family, working hard, worrying about money and juggling childcare. That is until one day when Iris discovers Adam is having an affair. Can she ever forgive him? At first, she can’t bear to even be in the same room as him, but for the sake of their marriage, children and future they agree to ‘give it a year’ and see how they both feel at the end of it.
I loved this book and Iris and Adam were two characters which you could really connect with. Whilst Adam is obviously the ‘bad guy’ in the story, he is still a really good character and I loved his relationship with Iris and his children. Iris is wonderful, and my heart went out to her when she discovers the affair. The family have had a difficult time with Iris’s mum dying a few months before and we meet Iris struggling on the first New Year without her. Straight away I immediately connected with Iris, and then spent the rest of the book going through the same emotions that she was! Told from Iris’s point of view, the storyline takes us through the year of her and Adam trying their best to save their marriage. The chapters are interspersed with transcripts from their marriage therapy, showing their arguing and bickering, which I loved!!
Running alongside Iris and Adam’s storyline is the one of Iris’s dad, Terry who is not only struggling with the death of his wife but showing early signs of dementia. My heart broke for Iris on so many occasions having to deal with so much, and I found myself wiping away the tears at the same time. We also get a little insight into Adam’s family throughout the story, which ties in nicely with his and Iris’s problems. I loved all the supporting characters throughout the book and they all played their part adding their problems into the storyline. Whilst it sounds like such a sad book, it really wasn’t! There was lots of laughs and light-hearted moments to get you through the upset and grief, with my particular favourite moment being Iris walking out of the supermarket holding a hotpot she didn’t really want!
I connected with the book in so many different ways. I totally sympathised with Iris in her grief, in a way that only someone who had lost a parent would truly understand. The author had managed to get certain situations absolutely spot on, and I could barely read the part where Iris describes death as nothing like it’s seen in the movies because of all the tears. Iris’s anger and resentment at Adam’s betrayal was captured well, as was Adam’s regret. I loved reading about Iris’s job and have never thought about how places such as the National Trust raise their donations. Everything fitted so well into the storyline which captivated me, ensuring I wasn’t able to put the book down until I’d finished it!
It’s a book full of betrayal, lies and grief, with a healthy dose of second chances, new beginnings and better times thrown in for good measure. It will make you laugh and cry, but will have you hooked from the first page. Wonderful! Highly recommended!!
I loved this book and Iris and Adam were two characters which you could really connect with. Whilst Adam is obviously the ‘bad guy’ in the story, he is still a really good character and I loved his relationship with Iris and his children. Iris is wonderful, and my heart went out to her when she discovers the affair. The family have had a difficult time with Iris’s mum dying a few months before and we meet Iris struggling on the first New Year without her. Straight away I immediately connected with Iris, and then spent the rest of the book going through the same emotions that she was! Told from Iris’s point of view, the storyline takes us through the year of her and Adam trying their best to save their marriage. The chapters are interspersed with transcripts from their marriage therapy, showing their arguing and bickering, which I loved!!
Running alongside Iris and Adam’s storyline is the one of Iris’s dad, Terry who is not only struggling with the death of his wife but showing early signs of dementia. My heart broke for Iris on so many occasions having to deal with so much, and I found myself wiping away the tears at the same time. We also get a little insight into Adam’s family throughout the story, which ties in nicely with his and Iris’s problems. I loved all the supporting characters throughout the book and they all played their part adding their problems into the storyline. Whilst it sounds like such a sad book, it really wasn’t! There was lots of laughs and light-hearted moments to get you through the upset and grief, with my particular favourite moment being Iris walking out of the supermarket holding a hotpot she didn’t really want!
I connected with the book in so many different ways. I totally sympathised with Iris in her grief, in a way that only someone who had lost a parent would truly understand. The author had managed to get certain situations absolutely spot on, and I could barely read the part where Iris describes death as nothing like it’s seen in the movies because of all the tears. Iris’s anger and resentment at Adam’s betrayal was captured well, as was Adam’s regret. I loved reading about Iris’s job and have never thought about how places such as the National Trust raise their donations. Everything fitted so well into the storyline which captivated me, ensuring I wasn’t able to put the book down until I’d finished it!
It’s a book full of betrayal, lies and grief, with a healthy dose of second chances, new beginnings and better times thrown in for good measure. It will make you laugh and cry, but will have you hooked from the first page. Wonderful! Highly recommended!!
January 7, 2021
Poor Iris one minute she is sat at home watching the new year being celebrated thinking her husband is with his brother in London. The next her world comes crashing down as she discovers that Adam has been cheating on her with an old girlfriend from his youth.
She is a strong woman and although devastated she tells Adam he must leave and asks her Dad to move in to help. She is already grieving for the lost of her mum and she has a wonderful group of friends who support her and she contacts a divorce lawyer to explore her options.
I really liked Iris, she is absolutely devastated and shell shocked by Adams infidelity and she is not only sad for herself but her family. She wants to do the right thing but can she ever trust Adam again. She also has a stressful job and she is trying to juggle everything.
Adam has messed up big time and he knows it, he has become everything he didn’t want to and destroyed everything he loves and holds dear. So why did it happen ?
I really liked how the author gets across both sides of the story in the book. It is a difficult but sadly common situation and handled sensitively and realistically.
Iris puts down a set of rules about how they could work it out, however she is not sure she can ever forgive him. She says they have one year to give it another go but they both need to work at it.
I really liked the couples counselling sessions. I am a massive advocate for counselling in any situation and I think it gives a great perspective on how you may perceive things and how they may actually be, as they both find out. It is an honest look at a marriage and that was really refreshing in a book.
This is a great read and will be enjoyed by anyone who has gone through a similar situation or is interested in relationships and mediation. It shows us about all the things we don’t see about ourselves and how that things are very rarely what they seem. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it really made me think and I love that in a book.
5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
She is a strong woman and although devastated she tells Adam he must leave and asks her Dad to move in to help. She is already grieving for the lost of her mum and she has a wonderful group of friends who support her and she contacts a divorce lawyer to explore her options.
I really liked Iris, she is absolutely devastated and shell shocked by Adams infidelity and she is not only sad for herself but her family. She wants to do the right thing but can she ever trust Adam again. She also has a stressful job and she is trying to juggle everything.
Adam has messed up big time and he knows it, he has become everything he didn’t want to and destroyed everything he loves and holds dear. So why did it happen ?
I really liked how the author gets across both sides of the story in the book. It is a difficult but sadly common situation and handled sensitively and realistically.
Iris puts down a set of rules about how they could work it out, however she is not sure she can ever forgive him. She says they have one year to give it another go but they both need to work at it.
I really liked the couples counselling sessions. I am a massive advocate for counselling in any situation and I think it gives a great perspective on how you may perceive things and how they may actually be, as they both find out. It is an honest look at a marriage and that was really refreshing in a book.
This is a great read and will be enjoyed by anyone who has gone through a similar situation or is interested in relationships and mediation. It shows us about all the things we don’t see about ourselves and how that things are very rarely what they seem. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it really made me think and I love that in a book.
5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 17, 2021
"'We can spend this year working on our marriage, so next year we're happy again,'...'I'm coming home', he says. 'It is what you want, right?' 'Yes,' I say, giving him a weak approximation of a sme in return. Because I do, but it's not that simple. I want my husband to come home, but I also want it to feel like home again. Can we make that happen? Can one year save us?"
On New Year's Eve, Iris finds out husband Adam has been cheating on her. Shocked and upset, they decide to 'give it a year' to see if their marriage is worth saving. Still grieving the loss of her beloved mum to cancer, Iris's roles as mum to Jack and Savannah (Sav) and employee of the National Trust, building relationships with major donors, are pulling her in different directions. One of her donors, a handsome millionaire, seems particularly interested in Iris, which is good for the Trust, but not so good for her marriage. Add in her dad, whose cognitive ability is deteriorating, wayward brother-in-law Gabe and distant mother-in-law Anne, and she and Adam have a lot on their plate. Will they deal with it together?
Written adeptly from Iris's perspective, this is astutely observational and smart. Adam's relationships with Gabe and Anne, as a result of his violent father and the ways in which Jack and Sav act up and how that impacts Iris and Adam feel real and involved. We see Iris at work, trying to mask home life difficulties, and at home keeping work issues to herself, struggling but carrying on. It is emotional and entertaining, heart-wrenching and amusing.
Much of this is familiar, having two young children and a father-in-law with potential dementia. Being pulled in different directions and feeling you're doing none of it well is very topical right now. I'm lucky my husband and I are a team, tackling challenges together. I enjoyed reading this, admit I probably wouldn't have chosen to read it were it not a Tasting Notes Book Club pick.
On New Year's Eve, Iris finds out husband Adam has been cheating on her. Shocked and upset, they decide to 'give it a year' to see if their marriage is worth saving. Still grieving the loss of her beloved mum to cancer, Iris's roles as mum to Jack and Savannah (Sav) and employee of the National Trust, building relationships with major donors, are pulling her in different directions. One of her donors, a handsome millionaire, seems particularly interested in Iris, which is good for the Trust, but not so good for her marriage. Add in her dad, whose cognitive ability is deteriorating, wayward brother-in-law Gabe and distant mother-in-law Anne, and she and Adam have a lot on their plate. Will they deal with it together?
Written adeptly from Iris's perspective, this is astutely observational and smart. Adam's relationships with Gabe and Anne, as a result of his violent father and the ways in which Jack and Sav act up and how that impacts Iris and Adam feel real and involved. We see Iris at work, trying to mask home life difficulties, and at home keeping work issues to herself, struggling but carrying on. It is emotional and entertaining, heart-wrenching and amusing.
Much of this is familiar, having two young children and a father-in-law with potential dementia. Being pulled in different directions and feeling you're doing none of it well is very topical right now. I'm lucky my husband and I are a team, tackling challenges together. I enjoyed reading this, admit I probably wouldn't have chosen to read it were it not a Tasting Notes Book Club pick.
December 4, 2020
This story is so much more than a romance – it’s an honest, open, often humorous but always emotional account of the dangers of betrayal, the importance of honesty and the grace of forgiveness and second chances.
When Iris discovers her husband of 15 years has been having an affair, she throws him out, but his pleas for forgiveness make her reconsider – apart from anything else, does she really want to be a single mother of two small children, struggling to hold down a high-powered job. Besides, she still loves Adam – the question is, can she forgive him?
Adam returns home and the pair embark on marriage counselling, but other stresses come into play. Iris’s widowed father Terry is showing signs of dementia, the kids are playing up and her boss keeps upping her targets, piling on the pressure at work at a time when Iris needs to concentrate on her home and family.
With searing honesty, she’s forced to question whether her commitment to her career, her grief at her mother’s death and the demands of her children, Jack and Savannah, have been part of her marriage problems.
And then suddenly Iris is faced with the same temptations as Adam, in the shape of charming businessman Lucas. Will she indulge in a bit of tit-for-tat or continue to strive in her commitment to giving her marriage another chance.
It’s all very suspenseful stuff, and wonderfully gripping, too. The author is adept at describing the minutiae of family life in funny and emotional ways. She doesn’t shirk from describing Iris’s real heartbreak but she balances it well with humour and wit as we follow Iris through her interactions with friends, family, colleagues and her marriage counsellor.
When Iris discovers her husband of 15 years has been having an affair, she throws him out, but his pleas for forgiveness make her reconsider – apart from anything else, does she really want to be a single mother of two small children, struggling to hold down a high-powered job. Besides, she still loves Adam – the question is, can she forgive him?
Adam returns home and the pair embark on marriage counselling, but other stresses come into play. Iris’s widowed father Terry is showing signs of dementia, the kids are playing up and her boss keeps upping her targets, piling on the pressure at work at a time when Iris needs to concentrate on her home and family.
With searing honesty, she’s forced to question whether her commitment to her career, her grief at her mother’s death and the demands of her children, Jack and Savannah, have been part of her marriage problems.
And then suddenly Iris is faced with the same temptations as Adam, in the shape of charming businessman Lucas. Will she indulge in a bit of tit-for-tat or continue to strive in her commitment to giving her marriage another chance.
It’s all very suspenseful stuff, and wonderfully gripping, too. The author is adept at describing the minutiae of family life in funny and emotional ways. She doesn’t shirk from describing Iris’s real heartbreak but she balances it well with humour and wit as we follow Iris through her interactions with friends, family, colleagues and her marriage counsellor.
July 22, 2021
Iris has always thought that she and Adam have a solid and happy marriage. That is, until one night she discovers that Adam has been cheating on her for months. She throws Adam out of the house while she thinks of the next thing to do.
Not having Adam around is hard especially with two kids and a demanding job so she relies on her dad to manage school drop off and after-school pick up. However when her dad shows signs of Alzheimer, Iris know that she has to take care of him too. Realising that Adam is not the only one taking their marriage for granted, Iris agreed to give their marriage a try by going for couple therapy and give them a chance for another year before deciding if to stay or go..
* * *
The usual reaction I have when hearing about women cheated by their husband is "He cheated on you, why do you still want to stay?" This book provides an insight of a marriage after a partner's infidelity. I Give It a Year is a good and very realistic domestic fiction. The characters felt real and the everyday going-ons are relatable for couple with kids and parents/in-laws in the picture. Most of us are busy managing careers, making sure the kids thrive and taking care of other family matters that at times we forget to nurture the marriage and give our spouse the attention like in early years of being together. I love the couple therapy transcripts included. Although it's fiction, it's laced with tips commonly found in self-help books.
I imagine some pages might be boring to some - there are no dramatic plot twists in here - but I'd recommend this to anyone who appreciates honest, realistic and original writing.
Not having Adam around is hard especially with two kids and a demanding job so she relies on her dad to manage school drop off and after-school pick up. However when her dad shows signs of Alzheimer, Iris know that she has to take care of him too. Realising that Adam is not the only one taking their marriage for granted, Iris agreed to give their marriage a try by going for couple therapy and give them a chance for another year before deciding if to stay or go..
* * *
The usual reaction I have when hearing about women cheated by their husband is "He cheated on you, why do you still want to stay?" This book provides an insight of a marriage after a partner's infidelity. I Give It a Year is a good and very realistic domestic fiction. The characters felt real and the everyday going-ons are relatable for couple with kids and parents/in-laws in the picture. Most of us are busy managing careers, making sure the kids thrive and taking care of other family matters that at times we forget to nurture the marriage and give our spouse the attention like in early years of being together. I love the couple therapy transcripts included. Although it's fiction, it's laced with tips commonly found in self-help books.
I imagine some pages might be boring to some - there are no dramatic plot twists in here - but I'd recommend this to anyone who appreciates honest, realistic and original writing.
April 17, 2021
Good one. I kinda loved it.It was one of the rare books which I constantly try to find (and there are far more novels where the authors or mostly the people as authors try to write the experiences from ,in generic responses or weak as I mostly find) and rather where she asked him about his transgressions on spot and straightforwardly. There are too many books where the heroine takes ages to even show her emotions and I hate it .I kind of want to think that if I was ever in that position I would be devastated but also be frank about the questions or the feelings regarding that situation.Also the correct response from when asked to the offender about why did he/ she did- it should be the response Geralt of Rivia gave ( it was the only book where the hero/cheater didn't try to justify his mistake and gave the most soothing response if ever can be said about the why / or remorse for cheating),not the bullshit response of "It was a mistake."
But also kind of unresolved in terms of why the hero was or had to forthcoming( yes the cheating explained it) or expected to when Iris too should be ,at least forthcoming of her experience,yes she has a solid moral radar and didn't justify or give in to it by making the same mistake but she should have mentioned it to Adam on her own. It's not about leveling the field ,it's about to return what u expect from others.
But also kind of unresolved in terms of why the hero was or had to forthcoming( yes the cheating explained it) or expected to when Iris too should be ,at least forthcoming of her experience,yes she has a solid moral radar and didn't justify or give in to it by making the same mistake but she should have mentioned it to Adam on her own. It's not about leveling the field ,it's about to return what u expect from others.
May 16, 2023
I found this book intriguing from the start. What would you do if you found out your husband had an affair?
Iris's world comes crashing down. This book is what happens next and also many well thought out side stories.
The portrayal of dementia is so well written and heart breaking all at the same time and so true to life. I have had so many friends have their parents go through this and found this to be an accurate portrayal of behaviors and emotions.
I enjoyed the inter family portrayals, one everyone thinks is the golden child and one the black sheep.
Going through therapy with Iris and Adam was so interesting, I really thought that this book would be depressing but actually its really very assuring. It's nice to see other peoples lives can be crap too!!
So I felt some good strong characters here. No, I could not condone the idea of an affair and Iris was far more forgiving than I would ever be. However it's good to hear that her trust will not be mended easily and there will always be difficulties and loss of confidence ahead.
A very interesting and thought provoking read.
Iris's world comes crashing down. This book is what happens next and also many well thought out side stories.
The portrayal of dementia is so well written and heart breaking all at the same time and so true to life. I have had so many friends have their parents go through this and found this to be an accurate portrayal of behaviors and emotions.
I enjoyed the inter family portrayals, one everyone thinks is the golden child and one the black sheep.
Going through therapy with Iris and Adam was so interesting, I really thought that this book would be depressing but actually its really very assuring. It's nice to see other peoples lives can be crap too!!
So I felt some good strong characters here. No, I could not condone the idea of an affair and Iris was far more forgiving than I would ever be. However it's good to hear that her trust will not be mended easily and there will always be difficulties and loss of confidence ahead.
A very interesting and thought provoking read.
February 1, 2021
I Give it a Year is about a woman who on New Year’s Eve discovers her husband is having an affair and wants to divorce him. Cliched right?
NOT AT ALL!
This is the story about a couple, a realistic couple, trying to save their marriage. And it makes a very interesting read!
The writing is rhythmic, the characters are realistic, and the salute to trying to make a marriage work is appreciated. There are a few sentimental cliches but they are juxtaposed with some fictional reality, which is a really nice balance and a welcoming twist.
This book is the type of story that gets under your skin - in the best possible way of course - because you connect with the characters and the other family members. The ailing father, the mentally unstable brother and even the cheeky children. They are all characters you can’t help but empathise with and when you turn the last page you don’t really want to say goodbye.
Now that I read this book by Whitaker, I’d really like to read her debut novel, The School Run.
NOT AT ALL!
This is the story about a couple, a realistic couple, trying to save their marriage. And it makes a very interesting read!
The writing is rhythmic, the characters are realistic, and the salute to trying to make a marriage work is appreciated. There are a few sentimental cliches but they are juxtaposed with some fictional reality, which is a really nice balance and a welcoming twist.
This book is the type of story that gets under your skin - in the best possible way of course - because you connect with the characters and the other family members. The ailing father, the mentally unstable brother and even the cheeky children. They are all characters you can’t help but empathise with and when you turn the last page you don’t really want to say goodbye.
Now that I read this book by Whitaker, I’d really like to read her debut novel, The School Run.
January 24, 2021
Iris finds out on NYE that her husband Adam is having an affair by seeing a message on his ipad and her world comes crashing down
.
Iris has potential redundancy at work, children to look after and a Dad that appears to not be as well as she thought, and realises maybe Adam wasn't the only one taking the marriage for granted. She decides she will give her marriage one last try, she will give it a year.
.
The decisions Iris made were so similar to how lots of people would react in this situation and I think the author portrayed this difficult thoughts so accurately.
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I wanted to dislike Adam but found that my feelings changed throughout the story. My sympathies altered with each chapter and the back stories of both helped to explain some of their decisions.
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A very sensitively written story of betrayal and trust and if lost can it ever be rebuilt? You'll have to read it too find out 😀
.
Iris has potential redundancy at work, children to look after and a Dad that appears to not be as well as she thought, and realises maybe Adam wasn't the only one taking the marriage for granted. She decides she will give her marriage one last try, she will give it a year.
.
The decisions Iris made were so similar to how lots of people would react in this situation and I think the author portrayed this difficult thoughts so accurately.
.
I wanted to dislike Adam but found that my feelings changed throughout the story. My sympathies altered with each chapter and the back stories of both helped to explain some of their decisions.
.
A very sensitively written story of betrayal and trust and if lost can it ever be rebuilt? You'll have to read it too find out 😀
December 1, 2020
Thanks to Orion and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Our main character Iris has just found out her husband Adam has been cheating on her.
In the past year she has also lost her beloved Mum, and now her Dad is showing signs of Alzheimer's.
The story is an explanation of how she battles through these issues as well as dealing with work problems, not to mention carrying on with every day life.
I enjoyed this book. It is humourous as well as facing difficult issues. You definitely gain a lot of sympathy for Iris, who lives life in the fast lane. I enjoyed the relationship between Iris and her Dad, as much as he is ill the relationship is so well described, it brought a tear to my eye.
A definite recommendation from me when it is released.
Our main character Iris has just found out her husband Adam has been cheating on her.
In the past year she has also lost her beloved Mum, and now her Dad is showing signs of Alzheimer's.
The story is an explanation of how she battles through these issues as well as dealing with work problems, not to mention carrying on with every day life.
I enjoyed this book. It is humourous as well as facing difficult issues. You definitely gain a lot of sympathy for Iris, who lives life in the fast lane. I enjoyed the relationship between Iris and her Dad, as much as he is ill the relationship is so well described, it brought a tear to my eye.
A definite recommendation from me when it is released.
Read
December 29, 2020On New Year’s Eve, when Iris thinks her husband Adam is dealing with some family issues, she discovers that he has been having an affair.
Rightly enraged, she wants Adam to leave and she seeks support from her recently widowed father to help with the children.
Whilst trying to deal with the fallout from Adam’s affair, her father starts to display some worrying symptoms that his health is deteriorating, and she decides to “give it a year” to see if there is anything worth saving about her marriage.
I loved that this story was not clear cut, Iris did not understand how she felt a lot of the time and it was the tiny parts of her marriage that she desperately missed that are invisible to other people. This story was so moving and highly emotional-definitely a rollercoaster, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fabulous author.
Rightly enraged, she wants Adam to leave and she seeks support from her recently widowed father to help with the children.
Whilst trying to deal with the fallout from Adam’s affair, her father starts to display some worrying symptoms that his health is deteriorating, and she decides to “give it a year” to see if there is anything worth saving about her marriage.
I loved that this story was not clear cut, Iris did not understand how she felt a lot of the time and it was the tiny parts of her marriage that she desperately missed that are invisible to other people. This story was so moving and highly emotional-definitely a rollercoaster, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fabulous author.
December 29, 2020
I raced through this realistic book, the story of a marriage stumbling at ten years, and suffering the pain of an affair. Stressful jobs, parenting two children, marital estrangement from each other, loss of a parent and a wayward adult brother all conspire to make this a compelling read. There’s lots to unpack, lots of buried anger and resentment, stress, worry and trying to ‘trudge on through life’ that makes this a realistic situation for the two main characters.
Trying to decide whether it is worth saving, Adam and Iris give it a year to see what lies ahead, and how they will emerge from Adam’s affair. This is the year we read about in the book. It is packed with events, twists, turns and emotions.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review
Trying to decide whether it is worth saving, Adam and Iris give it a year to see what lies ahead, and how they will emerge from Adam’s affair. This is the year we read about in the book. It is packed with events, twists, turns and emotions.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review
February 8, 2021
I give it a year is a witty, relatable read that follows a year in Adam and Iris’s life after an indiscretion on Adams part! The typical middle aged couple juggling childcare, careers, ageing parents and a lack lustre sex life!
I think the majority of middle aged couples will be able to empathise/ relate to several of the issues here particularly the aging parents coupled with childcare, the reality of this is described in a humorous,engaging and often emotional way that makes you want to reevaluate your domestic situation and ensure that you are working as a team, which is particularly poignant at the moment as so many people are affected by the ongoing lockdown.
Thank you netgalley for this early read.
I think the majority of middle aged couples will be able to empathise/ relate to several of the issues here particularly the aging parents coupled with childcare, the reality of this is described in a humorous,engaging and often emotional way that makes you want to reevaluate your domestic situation and ensure that you are working as a team, which is particularly poignant at the moment as so many people are affected by the ongoing lockdown.
Thank you netgalley for this early read.
February 23, 2021
I Give It A Year is a story that follows a year in the life of Adam and Iris's life after Adam's indiscretion.
They are a typical, middle aged couple that find themselves juggling careers, childcare along with aging parents and a rather dull sex life.
This book was certainly one that was easy to relate to, as I am sure that most middle aged couples would. The story is told in such a humorous, endearing way that has you well and truly invested in the characters and their lives until the very end.
I truly enjoyed this book and the way in which the character's grew as individuals throughout was wonderful to follow.
They are a typical, middle aged couple that find themselves juggling careers, childcare along with aging parents and a rather dull sex life.
This book was certainly one that was easy to relate to, as I am sure that most middle aged couples would. The story is told in such a humorous, endearing way that has you well and truly invested in the characters and their lives until the very end.
I truly enjoyed this book and the way in which the character's grew as individuals throughout was wonderful to follow.
June 5, 2025
This book was a street find .I thought give it a go .
I ask myself ,what is the point of this book ?A woman dealing with a cheating husband, two kids, the death of her mother ,a father with dementia ,work stress, and plus some husband family issues. Couples therapy brings out past difficulties etc...
The writing was not bad ,but the overload and the ending was not as realistic .I guess people stick around their marriages out of habit ,for the children, for financial stability and maybe this is what this book is saying .The bit about the parents having the same cheating troubles was stretching it quite a bit .
I ask myself ,what is the point of this book ?A woman dealing with a cheating husband, two kids, the death of her mother ,a father with dementia ,work stress, and plus some husband family issues. Couples therapy brings out past difficulties etc...
The writing was not bad ,but the overload and the ending was not as realistic .I guess people stick around their marriages out of habit ,for the children, for financial stability and maybe this is what this book is saying .The bit about the parents having the same cheating troubles was stretching it quite a bit .
October 20, 2024
I'm a little tired of reading books in which a wife has to look after the children, work full time, do the accounts and cater to her husband's needs. Note to authors of such books: Not all relationships are like that; same males actually pull their weight!
And the male in this book eventually learns how to do that. And, surprise, surprise .. his wife actually becomes a bit more attractive. You'll have to read the book to ascertain whether she decides to stick around ..
It's an enjoyable read.
And the male in this book eventually learns how to do that. And, surprise, surprise .. his wife actually becomes a bit more attractive. You'll have to read the book to ascertain whether she decides to stick around ..
It's an enjoyable read.
March 1, 2023
DNF. Nope, would not forgive this hero at all. The cheating didn't stop right up until the heroine found out and the hero wasn't even apologetic at first. Moreover, it was emotional cheating too with an ex-girlfriend. He even responds to the OW's "Happy New Year's" text before the heroine's. Anyways...the hero's motivation was lackluster and high chance he cheats again. To quote the book - I give it a year.
November 8, 2023
I think the writing was good, I liked the side characters, and the family stuff, but the ending just made me so depressed. Yes, he’s sorry, yes he becomes slightly more supportive. But things are so massively unequal between them, and it feels like she never fully realizes it. Like she’s feeling guilty about an almost kiss with a hot millionaire when just a few months before her rat husband was planning to run off with his mistress while her mother was dying. There’s just something so unfair about it. I guess that’s real life, but I’m gonna pretend that two months after this book is over she kicked his whiny cheating ass to the curb. I would not have taken this man back in a million years.
Someone in another review noted that the husband gets LESS sympathetic as the book goes along, and somehow yes that is so true.
Someone in another review noted that the husband gets LESS sympathetic as the book goes along, and somehow yes that is so true.
April 11, 2024
This was such a boring plot, husband cheats woman stays because of the kids.
I almost gave up a few times but battled through in the hope there would be a twist in the plot but absolutely nothing strayed from the expected storyline. I was rooting for Lucas to whip in and steal Iris away!!
There were so many side story characters that appeared and were honestly pointless, with no true story of their own and no character development.
I almost gave up a few times but battled through in the hope there would be a twist in the plot but absolutely nothing strayed from the expected storyline. I was rooting for Lucas to whip in and steal Iris away!!
There were so many side story characters that appeared and were honestly pointless, with no true story of their own and no character development.
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