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The Expat Spouse: SEX. LIES. MONEY - 'til death do us part.
Gossip. Glamour. Designer clothes. Pool parties.Adultery. Alcoholism. Domestic violence. Suicide.Expat life in Saudi Arabia sparkles with seduction. For the families living in the Middle East kingdom many miles from home, there are well-paid jobs, luxury lifestyles, private education and domestic help, not to mention wall-to-wall sunshine.But there’s a dark underbelly too. Overworked husbands are tempted by their young and pretty PAs, while bored housewives who are forbidden to work distract themselves with shopping and idle gossip. But sometimes that gossip is more than petty. Sometimes it can split up families, destroy livelihoods and ruin lives.Since arriving in Saudi Arabia, Anji’s life has been defined by her role as a wife and mother. Keeping her busy husband happy by playing the dutiful partner at parties and social events, while doing her best to make sure her children grow up grateful and balanced during their charmed time abroad. But all is not quite what it seems when Anji overhears some local gossip, and the life she thought she was living turns into a sick nightmare.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2021
8 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 22, 2022
A compound in Saudi Arabia is a world of its own, but soon into it you realize how trapped this poor woman is. She has two beautiful children but a jerk of a husband, and of course you can get beheaded for adultery. But she's strong & resourceful, and it carries the story. Well written, I recommend it.
April 8, 2022
Emotional raw journey
Anji and Jeff with their children moved from
the UK to Saudi Arabia after Jeff got a well paid job there. Their life was meant to be perfect. But over the course of time Jeff became distant and abusive. Then when Anji finds out he has been cheating on her she decides she’s had enough. At first she’s heartbroken but then she hatches a plan that will see her move back to the UK and divorce her husband. It’s an emotional raw journey as both her and family and friends deal with the fallout and Anji arrives at the end a stronger woman than before. This was beautifully written in a way that you truly feel invested in how Anji is feeling. It is well paced and I managed to read it in two sittings. I definitely recommend reading this.
Anji and Jeff with their children moved from
the UK to Saudi Arabia after Jeff got a well paid job there. Their life was meant to be perfect. But over the course of time Jeff became distant and abusive. Then when Anji finds out he has been cheating on her she decides she’s had enough. At first she’s heartbroken but then she hatches a plan that will see her move back to the UK and divorce her husband. It’s an emotional raw journey as both her and family and friends deal with the fallout and Anji arrives at the end a stronger woman than before. This was beautifully written in a way that you truly feel invested in how Anji is feeling. It is well paced and I managed to read it in two sittings. I definitely recommend reading this.
December 6, 2021
Gossip. Glamour. Designer clothes. Pool parties. Adultery. Alcoholism. Domestic violence. Suicide.
All that glitter is not gold. A life full of parties, driving cars, and designer clothes are what people get to see on the surface in Saudi Arabia. Isn't that what attracts people to go work there? By people, I mean men because women working is not a thing. In this story, we follow Anji and her family. She is dependent on her husband, Jeff; she has to be. She is a wife and a mother, and they have a cook and a driver. Life seems good.
Life in the compound, among the ex-pat wives, is no simple game. One phone call from Karen, accusing Anji of gossiping around, gets the ball rolling. Tables turn and secrets get exposed. The life Anji thought she was living, turns out to be a farce. The reader gets to see how she deals with this new turn of events. Friendship and loyalties get tested. The narrative will keep the reader hooked and wanting more of this two-faced world laced with lies and secrets. Anji's story will resonate with many. The situation may not exactly be the same, but the daily obstacles that she faces because of her gender are universal.
It is interesting to see how deep patriarchy runs in different cultures and how people from all walks of life suffer because of it. The language used is simple and to the point. It gets the message across loud and clear. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future. The way the author incorporates and portrays societal issues through the characters is indeed commendable and praise-worthy. The book provides some real insight into the Expat lives in Saudi, and it does so with flair and mystery.
All that glitter is not gold. A life full of parties, driving cars, and designer clothes are what people get to see on the surface in Saudi Arabia. Isn't that what attracts people to go work there? By people, I mean men because women working is not a thing. In this story, we follow Anji and her family. She is dependent on her husband, Jeff; she has to be. She is a wife and a mother, and they have a cook and a driver. Life seems good.
Life in the compound, among the ex-pat wives, is no simple game. One phone call from Karen, accusing Anji of gossiping around, gets the ball rolling. Tables turn and secrets get exposed. The life Anji thought she was living, turns out to be a farce. The reader gets to see how she deals with this new turn of events. Friendship and loyalties get tested. The narrative will keep the reader hooked and wanting more of this two-faced world laced with lies and secrets. Anji's story will resonate with many. The situation may not exactly be the same, but the daily obstacles that she faces because of her gender are universal.
It is interesting to see how deep patriarchy runs in different cultures and how people from all walks of life suffer because of it. The language used is simple and to the point. It gets the message across loud and clear. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future. The way the author incorporates and portrays societal issues through the characters is indeed commendable and praise-worthy. The book provides some real insight into the Expat lives in Saudi, and it does so with flair and mystery.
April 28, 2022
The Grass Isn’t Greener for All
The Expat Spouse is a story of sex, betray, and having the strength to keep on living. Anji is an expat wife, mother and happily married woman. To her, life is perfect until a horrible rumor starts on the compound. Anji is left feeling sad and isolated from those she thought were her friends. She was even stuck questioning the life she had with her husband, someone she thought she knew inside and out. Every time I wanted to put this story down I was drawn in wanting to know what came next for these expat wives. I would recommend!
The Expat Spouse is a story of sex, betray, and having the strength to keep on living. Anji is an expat wife, mother and happily married woman. To her, life is perfect until a horrible rumor starts on the compound. Anji is left feeling sad and isolated from those she thought were her friends. She was even stuck questioning the life she had with her husband, someone she thought she knew inside and out. Every time I wanted to put this story down I was drawn in wanting to know what came next for these expat wives. I would recommend!
April 8, 2022
An amazing read!
This book was an in-depth look at the Expat life—which I personally never knew existed. Mary Brown’s writing was engaging, well thought out and I loved the strength and endurance of her main character. The book moved very well and the ending was perfect. It gives a valuable lesson to whoever reads it on how to respect yourself as well as how strong we are as individuals. Kudos Mary!
This book was an in-depth look at the Expat life—which I personally never knew existed. Mary Brown’s writing was engaging, well thought out and I loved the strength and endurance of her main character. The book moved very well and the ending was perfect. It gives a valuable lesson to whoever reads it on how to respect yourself as well as how strong we are as individuals. Kudos Mary!
March 31, 2022
An extremely interesting and exciting read.
Living among the rich in a Saudi compound isn’t all it is cracked up to be. Who knew?
The author has done an amazing job at dragging you into the lives of expats living in a compound in Saudi Arabia.
This is a first for me as I know nothing about expats and their lives in Saudi. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Anji a wife and mother who is bullied and manipulated by her husband, turns the tide on him.
The story keeps you turning the page, rooting for her as she gains the strength and confidence to win back her independence.
I would recommend it!
Living among the rich in a Saudi compound isn’t all it is cracked up to be. Who knew?
The author has done an amazing job at dragging you into the lives of expats living in a compound in Saudi Arabia.
This is a first for me as I know nothing about expats and their lives in Saudi. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Anji a wife and mother who is bullied and manipulated by her husband, turns the tide on him.
The story keeps you turning the page, rooting for her as she gains the strength and confidence to win back her independence.
I would recommend it!
February 27, 2022
What a wild ride! OK this is not my typical genre, but I couldn't put it down! It was full of life's twists and turns and the emotionality of it was provocative. I really enjoyed the book from beginning to end. I loved the MC with her equal parts vulnerability and strength. Truly an inspired story. You feel for the main character root for her from the first page to the last.
November 2, 2021
Awesome read
Brown has managed to give real insight into being an expat in Riyadh. Amazing book full of intrigue, spice and mystery. I will definitely read more from this author! Highly recommend
Brown has managed to give real insight into being an expat in Riyadh. Amazing book full of intrigue, spice and mystery. I will definitely read more from this author! Highly recommend
June 15, 2022
An excellent book about the darker side of living as an expat in Saudi.
Anji and Jeff have a good life. They live in the expat compound, they are well to do, they have two children and the have a happy marriage.
Or so it seems.
A throwaway accusation by one of the other wives sends Anji's life into turmoil and she discovers that her marriage wasn't so rosy after all.
Although it was disturbing in places, this was a very enjoyable read. A lot happened in the beginning of the book and I found that towards the middle, the pace slowed somewhat. I was glad of this because it allowed me to catch my breath before it picked up again. Which it did. Very well.
Highly recommended.
Anji and Jeff have a good life. They live in the expat compound, they are well to do, they have two children and the have a happy marriage.
Or so it seems.
A throwaway accusation by one of the other wives sends Anji's life into turmoil and she discovers that her marriage wasn't so rosy after all.
Although it was disturbing in places, this was a very enjoyable read. A lot happened in the beginning of the book and I found that towards the middle, the pace slowed somewhat. I was glad of this because it allowed me to catch my breath before it picked up again. Which it did. Very well.
Highly recommended.
January 14, 2022
I’m going to be honest, I was a little scared to read this book at first, but I’m so glad that I did. It was amazing from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down.
Anji is an expat wife that gave up everything for her husband to move to a compound in Saudi Arabia, only to be betrayed by the one person she thought she could trust. When she finds out of all the betrayal from her friends and her spouse, she struggles to determine what’s real and what’s lies.
I don’t want to give too much away, but this book has everything you could possible want in a great book. Sex, Betrayal, Revenge.
Anji is an expat wife that gave up everything for her husband to move to a compound in Saudi Arabia, only to be betrayed by the one person she thought she could trust. When she finds out of all the betrayal from her friends and her spouse, she struggles to determine what’s real and what’s lies.
I don’t want to give too much away, but this book has everything you could possible want in a great book. Sex, Betrayal, Revenge.
July 26, 2022
the expat spouse
First and foremost, this is not a genre I read. A friend asked me to read this.
The title is not wrong at all. It’s full of sex, lies, and drama. If you like hard raw topics it’s all here. There’s so much lies and drama there’s not really an honest character in the bunch. Just when you think you can really like one they prove you wrong. Anji goes through a lot.
This was a hard read for me. I do prefer cleaner stories. If you are sensitive, do watch out for triggers. Some scenes are dramatic.
First and foremost, this is not a genre I read. A friend asked me to read this.
The title is not wrong at all. It’s full of sex, lies, and drama. If you like hard raw topics it’s all here. There’s so much lies and drama there’s not really an honest character in the bunch. Just when you think you can really like one they prove you wrong. Anji goes through a lot.
This was a hard read for me. I do prefer cleaner stories. If you are sensitive, do watch out for triggers. Some scenes are dramatic.
December 1, 2021
The Ex-Pat Spouse was a great insight into the lives led by people in Saudi, living the dream in the hot hot weather of Saudi Arabia isn't all it is meant to be in this moving book. Anji is thrown into a life that western worlds discarded in the 1950s, she was a dutiful wife acting as a marital PA to a husband who had the mentality of doing whatever he fancied doing, whenever he wanted, in some ways living like a single man whilst Anji looked after the home, the kids and was almost used as a beautiful tool to aid at functions and socialising events, Anji hears some hearsay that turns her life into turmoil as it speedily turns upside down. A great insight into a life others would give their left arm for! The dream is definitely not the reality, The emotions in this book range from high to low driven by the skill of Author Mary Brown, I highly recommend this well-written book.
February 25, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to discover another world, I've never been to Saudi Arabia, but it really got me curious about going to explore that places.
Coming back to the book, the characters and the environment are well described. The storyline is full of unexpected twists, emotions, gossip, and I really enjoyed finding out how the real world of that places is different from what media shows us.
Great book!
Coming back to the book, the characters and the environment are well described. The storyline is full of unexpected twists, emotions, gossip, and I really enjoyed finding out how the real world of that places is different from what media shows us.
Great book!
May 20, 2022
Real House wives of Saudi Arabia; there is lots of gossip, back stabbing and scandal in this story but it is a really gripping book. I found Anji a little annoying at first, she was so ready to try and please everyone, but as the story went on she grows as a person and gets stronger in herself. Highly recommend.
March 26, 2022
what a ride!
So this book is like A mixture of “Gossip Girl” and “ desperate housewives” and I’m here for it! I won’t give too much away. The main characters problems all begin because someone spread a rumor that she betrayed her best friend. From there, she finds out that her husband and her boss are keeping a devastating secret. She will discover how strong she is. And in the end, she carved out a new life for herself. I loved every part of this book!
So this book is like A mixture of “Gossip Girl” and “ desperate housewives” and I’m here for it! I won’t give too much away. The main characters problems all begin because someone spread a rumor that she betrayed her best friend. From there, she finds out that her husband and her boss are keeping a devastating secret. She will discover how strong she is. And in the end, she carved out a new life for herself. I loved every part of this book!
November 8, 2021
Excellent
This book was compelling.
We follow Anji, a character who grows from a victim—controlled by her dastardly husband while living in Saudi. To an extraordinary woman who no longer takes garbage from anyone.
The characters all feel very real, including Jeff, the husband. Who I think falls into my top 5 most hated book characters.
I would recommend it.
Five stars strong.
🌟🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
This book was compelling.
We follow Anji, a character who grows from a victim—controlled by her dastardly husband while living in Saudi. To an extraordinary woman who no longer takes garbage from anyone.
The characters all feel very real, including Jeff, the husband. Who I think falls into my top 5 most hated book characters.
I would recommend it.
Five stars strong.
🌟🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
November 5, 2021
Having been the ‘dependent’ of a travelling husband, I found much in Mary Brown’s book which resonated with me. The things that have to be given up in following the husband’s career, the gossip that can occur amongst a group of wives with not enough to occupy themselves; and although, like Anji, I kept away from that side of things, it didn’t protect me from being accused unjustly on occasion, as she was. But I survived, as does Anji, although without the drama through which she lives.
This was a good bildungsroman story of a woman who, once independent and outgoing, lets herself be turned into a total doormat through her marriage to the unpredictable and manipulative Jeff and entry into the ‘golden cage’, the life of the wife of a high-earning expat. Some years and two children into the marriage sees the couple living in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the expat compound in Riyadh, an unhealthy environment where Anji learns some unpleasant truths via unjust gossip of her own precarious marriage and is almost destroyed. She fights back, however, and in so doing finds her authentic self again. She’s a well-drawn character, all too human in what she gets wrong and what she gets right. She drove me mad with her restraint in the face of the social injustice meted out by the gossips, as well as letting her husband treat her as he does; but she gained my respect when she applied herself to breaking out of the cage, even if she nearly lost it again by an act of personal madness that threatened to negate all she had gained. An uncomfortable story, but one that needed to be told. A page-turner, and highly-recommended.
This was a good bildungsroman story of a woman who, once independent and outgoing, lets herself be turned into a total doormat through her marriage to the unpredictable and manipulative Jeff and entry into the ‘golden cage’, the life of the wife of a high-earning expat. Some years and two children into the marriage sees the couple living in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the expat compound in Riyadh, an unhealthy environment where Anji learns some unpleasant truths via unjust gossip of her own precarious marriage and is almost destroyed. She fights back, however, and in so doing finds her authentic self again. She’s a well-drawn character, all too human in what she gets wrong and what she gets right. She drove me mad with her restraint in the face of the social injustice meted out by the gossips, as well as letting her husband treat her as he does; but she gained my respect when she applied herself to breaking out of the cage, even if she nearly lost it again by an act of personal madness that threatened to negate all she had gained. An uncomfortable story, but one that needed to be told. A page-turner, and highly-recommended.
July 6, 2022
Interesting
Because of the title i expected too much sex in this book. Nevertheless I really enjoyed it.
Anji getting cheated on by her rich husband, and how she found out.
Then her life became miserable.
Because of the title i expected too much sex in this book. Nevertheless I really enjoyed it.
Anji getting cheated on by her rich husband, and how she found out.
Then her life became miserable.
July 8, 2022
Not my usual read but did enjoy it.
September 14, 2021
What a life!
Far from living the dream and being pampered, spoilt and indulged, this shows the hidden dark side of an otherwise sunny halcyon-like lifestyle.
Hold on tight and be prepared for a rollercoaster ride through an expat community.
Plenty of laughs, tears, a few cringey moments and a little hot sex….good easy read
Far from living the dream and being pampered, spoilt and indulged, this shows the hidden dark side of an otherwise sunny halcyon-like lifestyle.
Hold on tight and be prepared for a rollercoaster ride through an expat community.
Plenty of laughs, tears, a few cringey moments and a little hot sex….good easy read
October 31, 2021
I came to this novel with no prior knowledge about working in Saudi Arabia, no knowledge of compound life and certainly no idea how women, classed locally as "dependents, on their husband's visa" could act towards each other when forced to live together in a confined space and under rules that restricted their freedoms.
Humour, sadness and a longing for Anji to find eventual happiness pervade the interesting storyline and I'm glad that the author educated me, entertained me and fed me emotionally. I wanted to shout at Anji, “Why don't you do x,” or “please don't follow that path.” In short, I got so involved with the story I (male) became Anji and shared her pain.
The storyline as I've described it sounds simple but there are so many twists and turns, throughout, that the eventual outcome isn't known until near the end.
There must be a follow up novel (please) but it's hard to see how it could exist. However, the author's skill may well prove my wish to be granted.
Humour, sadness and a longing for Anji to find eventual happiness pervade the interesting storyline and I'm glad that the author educated me, entertained me and fed me emotionally. I wanted to shout at Anji, “Why don't you do x,” or “please don't follow that path.” In short, I got so involved with the story I (male) became Anji and shared her pain.
The storyline as I've described it sounds simple but there are so many twists and turns, throughout, that the eventual outcome isn't known until near the end.
There must be a follow up novel (please) but it's hard to see how it could exist. However, the author's skill may well prove my wish to be granted.
November 28, 2021
Great book!
Living in a compound in Saudi Arabia as a woman and an expat, there was nothing much to do but invent scandal and drop friendships on a whim. Anji became the centre of this, the next victim in a compound full of women just looking for the next piece of juicy gossip. This however helped Anji turn from a timid person that always did anything to please to a strong and confident women who eventually saw the light!
A great story that captivates its readers from early on. You find yourself egging Anji on through her struggles and knock backs and it definitely keeps you turning those pages. The story builds as the author has drawn on her own experiences to take readers on a realistic journey of life in Saudi as an expat
Cracking book and I would thoroughly recommend.
Living in a compound in Saudi Arabia as a woman and an expat, there was nothing much to do but invent scandal and drop friendships on a whim. Anji became the centre of this, the next victim in a compound full of women just looking for the next piece of juicy gossip. This however helped Anji turn from a timid person that always did anything to please to a strong and confident women who eventually saw the light!
A great story that captivates its readers from early on. You find yourself egging Anji on through her struggles and knock backs and it definitely keeps you turning those pages. The story builds as the author has drawn on her own experiences to take readers on a realistic journey of life in Saudi as an expat
Cracking book and I would thoroughly recommend.
October 29, 2021
So much went on in this book. I have no words due to being shocked by what went on. I loved it when it has a lot going on. Made me turn the pages, and want to know what would happen on the next page. The life of an Expat. Something I had no idea about until reading this book. From having the life of getting anything you want, or in a sense being spoiled. How becoming an expat lead down another path for sure. I am not going to say much due to me not wanting to spoil anything. But I highly recommend this book if a reader is wanting something new, and keeps you on the edge of your seat!
September 17, 2022
Living in Saudia Arabia probably sounds grand if you've got money. Sunshine, parties, domestic help, etc. It can be very luxurious. Anji is a wife and mother who goes to live there with her family while her husband works. A horrible rumor leaves her feeling alone and like she can't trust anyone, especially her own husband. I won't spoil it. Great story.
June 3, 2022
Highly recommend
This book is completely different from what I would usually red but I was intrigued. The author did a fantastic job of describing and setting the scene, a real insight into the lives of people in Saudi.
This book is completely different from what I would usually red but I was intrigued. The author did a fantastic job of describing and setting the scene, a real insight into the lives of people in Saudi.
August 17, 2023
Emotional raw journey
Anji and Jeff with their children moved from
the UK to Saudi Arabia after Jeff got a well paid job there. Their life was meant to be perfect. But over the course of time Jeff became distant and abusive. Then when Anji finds out he has been cheating on her she decides she’s had enough. At first she’s heartbroken but then she hatches a plan that will see her move back to the UK and divorce her husband. It’s an emotional raw journey as both her and family and friends deal with the fallout and Anji arrives at the end a stronger woman than before. This was beautifully written in a way that you truly feel invested in how Anji is feeling. It is well paced and I managed to read it in two sittings. I definitely recommend reading this.
Anji and Jeff with their children moved from
the UK to Saudi Arabia after Jeff got a well paid job there. Their life was meant to be perfect. But over the course of time Jeff became distant and abusive. Then when Anji finds out he has been cheating on her she decides she’s had enough. At first she’s heartbroken but then she hatches a plan that will see her move back to the UK and divorce her husband. It’s an emotional raw journey as both her and family and friends deal with the fallout and Anji arrives at the end a stronger woman than before. This was beautifully written in a way that you truly feel invested in how Anji is feeling. It is well paced and I managed to read it in two sittings. I definitely recommend reading this.
December 28, 2022
Badly needs a good editor
Rambles at times with far too much repetition. A great many grammar and formatting mistakes. One dimensional characters. It took me by surprise to learn that the main character was British. She sounded far too submissive for a Brit.
Rambles at times with far too much repetition. A great many grammar and formatting mistakes. One dimensional characters. It took me by surprise to learn that the main character was British. She sounded far too submissive for a Brit.
April 4, 2022
excellent read
I love a deep introspective journey with a character and this book does just that with Anji. I especially loved watching her grow into her strength as a woman. Definitely recommend.
I love a deep introspective journey with a character and this book does just that with Anji. I especially loved watching her grow into her strength as a woman. Definitely recommend.
May 22, 2023
3.5 rounded up
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