The Three Loves of Sebastian Cooper

by Zoë Folbigg

As friends and family gather for the funeral of charming and charismatic Seb Cooper, three women sit in the congregation, mourning his loss.

First there is Clair, Seb’s wife and partner of twenty years, and mother of his two children. Furious at Seb for dying and leaving their children without a father, Clair isn’t sure of her place, and has been left baffled and bemused by the conflicting stories of Seb’s last days.

Then there’s Desiree, the woman Seb left Clair for. Heartbroken, self-conscious, and wondering if she made a mistake coming today.

And the third and noisiest mourner of all is Noemie – Seb’s lover and the last woman to see him alive.

Three women who loved Seb in their own different ways.

Three women whose lives have now changed forever.

But only one woman knows what really happened at the end…and only one truly had his heart…

Bestseller Zoe Folbigg returns with a utterly compelling and page-turning tale of love, betrayal, family and unlikely friendships. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Celeste Ng and JoJo Moyes.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction, Family, Adult Fiction

418 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2022

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

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This is my fourth book by this author and it was such a pleasure to read, it is the epitome of women's fiction. It is three different love stories, that are entwined and converge in the end with the death of the man these women loved. We also hear about his parents and children and how they are dealing with it all. I loved getting the backstories, especially when he met Clair as a teen. The book is basically Seb's life story from the time he meets Clair with back-and-forth chapters from his funeral as well.

It was really hard not to like Seb, I really wanted to hate him because he was such a cad. First of all, it was hard to hate a dead man, and second of all, he was a wonderful father and a good son. There was also an air of mystery surrounding Seb's death and it is kept secret until the end. I really admired Clare and Desiree, Noemie was a real piece of work though.

This is very much a character-driven story and Folbigg writes interesting and very real characters. They were well-rounded and true to life. And even though the story is dealing with a funeral and the sorrow felt by Seb's loved ones was visceral there were some very funny parts as well. This was a well-rounded story with a writing style and format that keeps the reader engaged. I flew through this four-hundred-page book in no time.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Zoë Folbigg, and Boldwood Books for the giving of the ARC.

#TheThreeLovesofSebastianCooper #NetGalley

[Sandysbookaday (on indefinite hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

EXCERPT: Jane had decided before the service that whatever the whisperings were, or whatever the family thought of each other, she was going to bend over backwards to make every woman feel valued and supported. The mothers, the wives and the lovers. They would all be grieving. But she just couldn't place the middle one or remember her bloody name as she began her introduction, did the housekeeping stuff and welcomed everyone who had travelled near and far to get to Northill today.

Clair . . . Noemie . . .

As if the Lord himself were jogging her memory, she saw the sad eyes of a beautiful woman halfway back; staring at her, dimples in her cheeks even though she wasn't smiling. She wore a black blazer over a cream blouse and a wrap that had fallen off one shoulder.

Desiree, that's it.

ABOUT 'THE THREE LOVES OF SEBASTIAN COOPER': As friends and family gather for the funeral of charming and charismatic Seb Cooper, three women sit in the congregation, mourning his loss.

First there is Clair, Seb’s wife and partner of twenty years, and mother of his two children. Furious at Seb for dying and leaving their children without a father, Clair isn’t sure of her place, and has been left baffled and bemused by the conflicting stories of Seb’s last days.

Then there’s Desiree, the woman Seb left Clair for. Heartbroken, self-conscious, and wondering if she made a mistake coming today.

And the third and noisiest mourner of all is Noemie – Seb’s lover and the last woman to see him alive.

Three women who loved Seb in their own different ways.

Three women whose lives have now changed forever.

But only one woman knows what really happened at the end…and only one truly had his heart…

MY THOUGHTS: I did NOT like Noemie AT ALL. Now that I have that off my chest . . .

Overall, I didn't enjoy The Three Loves of Sebastian Cooper. I felt that the premise had so much unrealised potential. I failed to become invested in either the characters or the storyline.

The book begins with Sebastian's death. We don't know how he died, just that he did and that his two children were overseas with him and his third partner.

Then the timeline moves between the funeral and wake, and Sebastian's past life and loves. Now,I wish that I could say that this is a character rich novel, but it's not. I liked Clair and Desiree, detested Noemie, but never got to really 'know' them.

Okay, so it's not a character based novel. A mystery? Well, no. Okay, we don't find out until the very end of the book HOW Sebastian died. And really? - it's an anticlimax.

I debated abandoning this read regularly. I'd read a chapter or two then go clean the oven, clean the windows, wash the floors. You get the idea. My house hasn't sparkled like this for months . . . I persevered only because I thought that the manner of Sebastian's death was going to justify the whole journey, especially when certain aspersions are cast on the character of one of the three women. Although her mother repeatedly shouts, 'She had nothing to do with his death!' Which only made me more than suspicious.

Sorry, but the only part of the book I loved was the Epilogue. At that I teared up.

⭐⭐.25

#TheThreeLovesofSebastianCooper #NetGalley

I: @zoefolbigg @bookandtonic

T: @zoefolbigg @BoldwoodBooks

#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #mystery

THE AUTHOR: Formerly a magazine journalist and digital editor, Zoë started at Cosmopolitan and has written and edited for titles including Fabulous, CosmoGIRL!, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, i newspaper, Healthy, Top Santé, Mother & Baby, ELLE, Sunday Times Style, ASOS and Style.com. Zoë wrote a weekly column in Fabulous magazine documenting her year-long round-the-world trip with ‘Train Man’ – and now lives with him and their sons in Hertfordshire. (Amazon)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Three Loves of Sebastian Cooper by Zoë Folbigg for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another new author for me and I felt as passionate about the narrative as Sebastian Cooper feels about his three loves.

I’m not sure if you are supposed to dislike Sebastian because of his ways, but I could not help but admire his cheekiness. The story switches between the funeral service and the life of Sebastian. At first I felt a bit overwhelmed by the vast number of characters. After all, we are meeting so many people at a congregation to celebrate Sebastian’s life, so it is a good forty-odd years of friendships and acquaintances. Yet, this is where the power of the flashbacks works so well. Readers are taken on a journey of Sebastian’s life, from when he met his first wife, Clair, to the events leading up to his death.

It’s an enjoyable story because I don’t think Sebastian ever behaves maliciously towards the women in his life. I felt devastated with him when he discovers a secret his father has been harbouring and I wonder if the writer deliberately wanted to demonstrate parallels between father and son. I do think this influences Sebastian’s behaviour for the rest of his life, but I guess it raises the question of whether he was always going to move on from his first marriage, the events destined to happen, regardless of his father?

The contrast established between the three loves of Sebastian Cooper was interesting to observe. I could not help but love Clair, being the mother of Sebastian’s children and his first love. Yet, Desiree has qualities that are difficult to ignore and I thought her gentle and generous nature made it quite clear why Sebastian was drawn to her. On the other hand, Noemie just seems a bit of a mental case at the funeral and the writer’s technique of showing her elaborate, grieving character made me wonder what the real Noemie was like. Who was this woman who managed to claim Sebastian’s heart for the third time?

This is a great tale exploring love and heartbreak. Yes, Sebastian does not do himself any favours by breaking up the marital home, but I really enjoyed being with Sebastian on his journey. It is a poignant tale and the final chapters had me with my heart in my mouth. At the same time, it finished on a satisfying conclusion that actually left me wanting to read even more about the three women, because they were all such interesting characters.

Folbigg’s narrative was immersive from the beginning and I was absorbed into Sebastian’s life. I felt like I knew him by the end of the story and mourned his loss when the novel was finished.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne OK · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally not what I expected -- and my first book by this author. The cover caught my eye but offered little awareness of what was to come inside the covers. I didn’t read any reviews beforehand either. I just one-clicked and started reading. Not a wise choice on my part. "Don't judge a book by its cover" can go two ways. So, prepare yourself for a rather rambling and negative review.

The set-up felt off-balanced right out of the starting gate, and I had difficulties staying fully engaged in the story. The writing itself was fine (although I needed a French dictionary at times). The plotline was thin and a bit on the boring side. I was unaffected by 90% of this book. It just didn’t hit on any of my emotions.

Clair was a bit of an immovable non-giving person. She liked things her way and seldom changed. I didn’t like what Seb did to her, but I could understand how she challenged him. Still, I can’t forgive his cheating ways.

I wanted to like Seb – and I did admire his love for his children. But he was immature and weak individual -- and blaming his bad behavior on his father’s affairs was no real answer for me.

And Desiree – I didn’t like that she easily pursued a married man. Granted he did eventually get a divorce. And even then, he and Desiree never married. But she was kind, generous and loving through to the end. I truly believed that she loved Seb.

Noemie was a French trollop and a horrid individual and unfit to be a mother. Seb must have been blind, deaf and dumb not to realize it from the beginning. She was described as a beauty, so he obviously was not thinking with the head on his shoulders. I had not one ounce of sympathy for him or her as a couple. I felt sorry for her four children – who should not have been left in her care. And I thought Seb was crazy and thoughtless for involving his own children in his situation with Noemie.

All through this book, the author stokes the hint of mystery where you’re led to believe Noemie had something to do with Seb’s death (you know he’s dead because the book begins with Seb’s funeral, but not how he died until the very end). But don’t be deceived or believe everything you read. Readers don’t get to know any of these characters deeply because not much background enlightenment is provided.

The entire storyline – for this reader -- was an anti-climactic letdown of major proportions. And once again, I’m appreciative of my Kindle Unlimited membership! 

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second book by this author and I found it so compelling! It is a family drama set around a man, Seb’s untimely death. The narrative alternates from present to past and the reader hears about Clair (Seb's first wife), Desiree (Seb's other woman) and Noemie (Seb's latest). I was engrossed from the beginning, always wanting to know more. Clever and very well executed. I look forward to reading more from Zoë Folbigg.

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Boldwood Books via NetGalley.

[Federica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to confess this is my first book by this author, but I enjoyed it very much, so won't be my last for sure.
I really appreciated the narrative alternating from present to past and from each of the characters' point of view, It kept me engaged and always wanting to know more: clever and very well executed!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Jamie Velazquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. This was an easy beach read. It doesn’t require a lot of thought and doesn’t wreck you emotionally. It’s about a man who loves to fall in love, basically. It contains a tiny bit of mystery and a very sweet epilogue.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

As friends and family gather for the funeral of charming and charismatic Seb Cooper, three women sit in the congregation, mourning his loss, Clair, Desiree and Noemie.

Clair was his first wife and met Sam when they were 19 years old, together they built their lives and had too children. But life gets in the way and with Clair working long hours and looking after the home and kids, problems arose in their marriage. Next Sam meets Desiree through work and their attraction is instantaneous. This relationship works for many years with Desiree also becoming a big part of the children's lives. But eventually this relationship also ends, and Sam moves on with Noemie. I have to say this woman drove me insane and I found parts of her character very annoying and hard to relate to. It is also why I deducted one star from my review as some of her traits to me were over the top. Apart from a sexual attraction I really do not see what Sam saw in her. Sam hated the fact his father had affairs during his marriage to his mother and then despises parts of himself for doing the same in his life. Only time tells if Sam and his dad can get back to the kind of relationship they had when he was young. A tragedy will occur that will rock the world of all three women. I really enjoyed the majority of this book and the story moves along swiftly as we learn more about Sam and the women in his life.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

[Anne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning, I could tell this book was going to be something different – but I also knew it was one I was going to love.

Sebastian Cooper’s family and friends are gathered for his funeral, after – although we know nothing about the detail until far later in the book – what has evidently been his untimely death. And among a substantial cast of characters, every one of whom plays their part in the story, we are introduced to the three women in his life. Clair, now on the verge of her second marriage, was his wife for twenty years, the mother of his two children; Desiree was his mistress, and the catalyst for the end of his marriage; Noemie was his most recent girlfriend (perhaps not one of his wisest choices… although she’s certainly grief-stricken), and the last of them to see him alive. The book is essentially the story of Seb’s life – from his teenage years in Jersey, the experiences that shaped him, through his successes as an architect (and his failures as a husband, father and life partner) and his personal life choices, through to its unexpected end – told from multiple perspectives, with the story circling back to the day of the funeral with the past and present woven together, the relationships with and between the different characters becoming ever clearer, along with the mess he left behind.

The characterisation in this book is simply wonderful – entirely real people, some of whom you really like, others who you might rather prefer to avoid. Seb himself is particularly complex, and my sympathy for him constantly ebbed and flowed – he behaves badly at times, and he has his reasons, but his choices and decisions are sometimes so flawed that he drives you to anger and despair. It’s a story about the complications of family relationships, of romance and betrayal – and it engages on a wide spectrum of emotions, from the moments of complete joy, through the times of confusion, and into the depths of anguish and sadness. The writing is absolutely superb, every emotional note perfectly hit, the book’s whole construction extremely clever, the different threads deliciously tangled – and it’s a really cracking story that engaged and enthralled me from beginning to end. And, I must say, what an ending – it rather broke my heart, but everything about it was absolutely right.

I’ll look forward to reading more from Zoë Folbigg – an exceptionally talented writer with a particularly special touch. I loved this one – a five star read from beginning to end, and very highly recommended.

[Bookworm Express Kwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not crying, YOU are crying!
But thanks for asking.

I’m NOT okay at the moment, but I will be. I’m just a little bit heartbroken over a book and its characters who were genuinely flawed and perfect at the same time.

The Three Loves of Sebastian Cooper starts at the funeral of Sebastian Cooper, or Seb as everyone calls him. His ex wife, ex girlfriend and current girlfriend are all there. It’s awkward and real at the same time to see each individual who shared a time in Seb’s life.

Told from multiple perspectives their story with Seb unfold and I cried you probably cried because of all the should have/could have/would have…

I enjoyed every minute of this book and while I know that this book isn’t for everyone, and that some characters most definitely will trigger many readers, I’m totally in awe with it.

4.5 stars!

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this book. The authors style and narration was ‘on point’. A very modern day read that would make an excellent drama on TV. Enjoyed it so much I dashed to my library trying to look for more of her books.
A ‘can read’ and ‘want to read to find out what’s happening next’ kinda book. 10/10 from me!!

[Alison Pashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

First five star read of the year!! Absolutely loved this one, was picking up my kindle at every opportunity just to read a few more pages.

The story starts at the funeral of Seb Cooper, and alternates between both the day of the funeral and the past, and the perspective of various characters, most notably three different women who all loved him.

So well written, the characters have real depth and are very believable. In particular I thought the portrayal of motherhood and its impact on Clair and her relationship with Seb was spot on.

This one comes highly recommended!

[N Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Three Loves Of Sebastian Cooper

One of those books that sucks you in immediately and you’ll struggle to put down.

I loved it. Absolutely devoured the story. It’s told through different POV’s and time periods but it always makes sense, you know where you are through clear and wonderful story telling.

Sebastian is a brilliant character, flawed (aren’t we all) but so realistic, so rounded and vivid. He makes mistakes, he screws up, he goes through bad times but my lasting opinion is that he’s a good guy. I loved the relationship he had with his children.

The book moves us through different phases of his life, and his loves - Clair, Desiree and Noemie. Three extremely different ladies who affect Sebastian in very different ways. I don’t want to give any spoilers but two I adored and one I wanted to throttle! She is a master of manipulation but I will leave it up to you to read and discover!

I need some of my friends to read this so we can discuss! Without a doubt, 5 stars!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)

At the start of this book, I questioned why there were three women mourning the loss of Seb. What sort of relationships he must have had in order for that to even occur. As the story unfolds, I began to see just how true-to-life the experiences could be. Coming from my own past that includes happily-ever-afters and broken relationships, I could relate.

Seb had come from a background of ambiguity and hidden truths. I couldn’t even believe it when a major event within the story reveals just how much of his past hadn’t even been visible to him, which turned into unwanted baggage that carried with him the rest of his life. I felt like that was a real turning point for his marriage with Clair. Later, when Seb connects with Desiree, I could tell that as much as they seemed to be on the same page with what they both wanted/needed from their relationship, there wasn’t enough conversation on the hard-hitting topics that could really make or break a couple. And then there’s Noemie–a real force to be reckoned with. She was the consummate diva and added a healthy dose of drama on every page you found her on.

From chapter to chapter, we go from the past and the relationship Seb is in, to the current and his funeral, where we have a focal point on the characters who had been represented in the past. A nice contrast for then vs. now, so the reader could see just how much had changed and in essence, why the character feels the way they do now or sees the world differently. I felt that the most with Desiree. There were a lot of unrequited goals for her that I felt drawn to, making me really sympathize with her.

Mixed within this emotionally charged read is the mystery of how Seb really died. Sprinkled are snippets of the moments that led to it, seen through the eyes of those who were there as witnesses. I kept going back and forth on whether anyone else should have been held responsible until the very end. It was an intense experience, but one I’m glad to have had.

[Sabah (literallysabah) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 [3.75/5] very close to a 4 but not quite

If you’re planning to pick this up, please be aware that this is definitely a slow burner. It did drag for me in the middle but the latter half definitely made up for this. I understand the slower pace of the book, to set the scene, to introduce you to each ‘love’ in a way that brings you into their world. I do feel the back story for each was needed but personally think it could have been a lot shorter. I don’t think that would have taken much away from the story but some may argue that the story would not be as effective if cut down.

The synopsis pulled me in and the start of the book also started off great. I went in picturing a womaniser and multiple romances but I was definitely mistaken. This book is so much more than that and I guess it just goes to show how we shouldn’t make assumptions on people’s relationships. Prepare to be pulled into Sebastian’s world and his journey of love. There’s highs and lows and if you’re like me, you’ll be shouting at your kindle when he makes decisions you don’t agree with!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sebastian Cooper has loved three women in his life Claire the mother of his children, Desiree the woman he left Claire for and Naomi a real piece of work. Claire is angry at him Desiree is despondent and Naomi is making a spectacle of herself and she’s the one who was with him last. When I first started reading this book I thought I wouldn’t like him and then I did like him but then his son was at the door of his friends home and heard the little girl call for her daddy it was his daddy Sebastian and I thought that’s not so cool but enough ground is covered that you come back around till like Seb again. This book is truly engaging and so interesting I didn’t want to put it down but when I did all I did was think about the characters in the book and couldn’t wait to get back to it. This is the book I highly recommend but pay close attention because it’s not one you want the zone out on it quickly moves along and changes and it makes for a truly interesting read. I receive this book from Net Galley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily. Please forget any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet the family and friends of Sebastian (Seb) Cooper, gathered at his funeral and as the story goes on, we meet the loves of his life and take a trip into his past. The author introduces his children and family that shaped his life, while leading us all the way to his last days.

Both timelines in this really drew me in and the author kept me guessing as to how things would end. It was definitely a character driven novel and while I loved some of the characters, I equally loathed one of the 'loves'. Some stories have more of a cookie cutter ending and thankfully this one did not. It was realistic, joyful and sad in places and an enjoyable novel.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this gifted review copy.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

At Sebastian Coopers funeral we meet 3 women, his ex wife Clair, childhood sweetheart and mother to his 2 children, Desiree, his ex lover and Noemie his new love. The story takes us back throughout his life with alternate chapters to the funeral.
There are references to the day of his death it it's not until the end that we are told what happened but this doesn't detract from the story.
Zoë Folbigg has written this book in such a way that you love all the characters, bar one. I like her writing style. A really enjoyable read

[Katherine Dobkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic story. I loved loved LOVED this and read it in a matter of hours.
We meet the three loves of Sebastian Cooper at his funeral and through flashback we are told the complex tale of a man who has loved and lost throughout his life.
Not to give away major spoilers but I was / am FURIOUS with the third ‘love’ - was she really?! Eugh. What a horrible person. The author conjured such strong emotions in me toward this character which is a testament to her writing.

Brilliant book and would recommend highly.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC of this book.

[Odette Lattimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for the advanced copy of this.

I have just finished it, I have sat and read it this morning in the garden. I was so drawn into the timelines I could not put it down.
A five star from me without a doubt, loved the plot, the characters and the way it had me gripped.
Two of the loves - I wish to have a word with one and slap the other (3) which just shows how strong the writing is by the author as it has such an impact.

Highly recommended

[Mrs Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intertwined love story

The tale of a man and the three women in his life coming to terms with his death. I found the book very sad but enjoyable. The story switches each chapter between the present day funeral and episodes of Seb's life as you learn his life story and about how the women knew him. Cleverly written.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a well constructed story which weaves together three storylines. Sebastian is the common factor and you find out how their lives are intertwined. From the start, you realise that Sebastian has died as they are at his funeral. How and why he died is not revealed until the end. My sympathy for Sebastian seemed to ebb and flow as the story unfolded but as it became clear how important his family was to him, I began to like him more and more.
The three women who featured in Sebastian's life are all very different with contrasting desires. In some ways, they reflect different times in his life. The story is at times quite heart-breaking but at others, a real feelgood read. You also see how the women and his family are dealing with loss and separation. The effect of his father's deceit when Sebastian was a boy seems to have never left him as he knows only too well the consequences his own treachery will have on his children. Still there is genuine affection and love in the book. It is an engrossing read which is well worth a host of superlatives.
In short: love, loss, treachery and affection.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

[Alissa *toastedowlreadsbooks* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Due to the flashback nature of this book, I kept hoping for a different ending, despite it being a foregone conclusion that Sebastian Cooper was dead. It starts with his funeral, so what do you expect!

So, about the three loves: I don't think I have ever disliked a character more than Noemie, who is a straight up psychopath. She's terrible, and it honestly became less and less believable that Seb would have kept seeing her, especially bringing her around his kids. Claire became the stereotypical nagging mom who more or less lost her identity in the story. Desiree was the best, and suffered the most, for reasons I'm unclear on.

In fact, I think the story would have done much better if it had simply been a family drama and covered his romance and marriage with Claire and subsequent relationship with Desiree, and not had the framing device of jumping back and forth to his funeral. Instead it seemed to be trying to be a little bit of a mystery as well, but that fizzles out. And Seb, for being the character that everyone revolves around, remains pretty unclear. I don't understand a lot of his motivations because it was hitting plot points rather than character development. It would have been more interesting to see how he wrestled with his father's secret, yet made some of the same mistakes, rather than it being quickly mentioned and glided past.

Maybe I just didn't want to read any more about Noemie.

[InsomniacBookwormBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I requested this book I went into it completely blind and I am so glad I did. Its a beautiful, thoughtfully written book, that handles the subject of grief perfectly. I love the different timelines in this book and the way they merge together to build a seamless narrative. The emotional storyline is written so sensitively and it makes you feel the characters feelings so deeply. If you see this please don't let the topic of grief put you off, this book is so heartwarming and real.

I will definately be lookinf for more Zoe Folbigg because I loved this so much
#TheThreeLovesofSebastianCooper #NetGalley.

[Sarah Waldron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to @bookandtonic for this advanced copy of The Three Loves of Sebastian Cooper by @zoefolbigg in return for an honest review.

Description 🔖

Family and friends are gathered for the funeral of Sebastian Cooper and that includes the three women in his life. Clair who has been around for the longest and has been Seb’s only wife. She’s the mother to his two children and and she is furious with Seb for leaving them without their father, but she is also confused and feeling lost; not knowing her place. Desiree is who Seb left Clair for. She is heart broken and keen to keep herself to herself whilst she questions if she should even be at the funeral. Finally, Noemie, Sebastian’s latest lover and the last one to see him alive. She is by far the most open and noisiest mourner in attendance at the funeral.

These are three women who all loved Sebastian in their own way. Three women who are all mad at him for dying. Three women who’s lives have changed forever. Except only one of them was the true love of Seb’s life and only one of them knew the truth about what happened.

General Thoughts 🤔

My first impression of this book was that it was probably wise to grab some tissues, because I was going to get upset. I hadn’t read the blurb and had gone in blind, so starting the entire story with Seb’s funeral was a bit of a shock to me. However, I quickly settled in and found myself embroiled in the good, bad and ugly that was these characters.

I really enjoyed Part 1 of the book and was intrigued about where the story was going to go. I felt somewhat let down by Part 2 of the book as it didn’t feel like a whole lot happened and I felt a little bit like I was going through the motions. However Part 3 picked up again and ended up being my favourite section of the book; the ending especially.

Characters 👫👭👬

Although there were quite a number of characters in this story, I didn’t find it difficult to follow who was who and where the relationships were. There were some characters that I really liked, some that I didn’t like and some that I liked to dislike. For the purposes of this review, I’m going to concentrate on the three main women from the book.

Out of the three women, Desiree was my favourite, but this was likely because she was the woman I can relate to most. She was career driven and ambitious and I think she had put a bit of an emotional barrier around herself. Until she met Sebastian. Even then, her walls didn’t completely fall. I was all in on their relationship and rooting for them, even though they didn’t start off in the most conventional of ways.

I disliked Noemie. She was narcissistic, sly, dramatic, selfish and a brat. I was disappointed in Seb for letting their relationship get as far as it did as from an outsiders perspective, it seemed doomed from the beginning.

Clair was the one person I thought could see that Noemie was completely wrong for Seb. I didn’t feel strongly about Clair, but I definitely didn’t dislike her. Her and Seb were childhood sweethearts, but they turned into different people and grew apart in their adulthood. Granted; Seb did not handle the situation well at all but I think Clair was unable to admit that their relationship was troubled long before they finally separated.

Writing Style ✍️

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I really enjoyed her writing style and tone. The story wasn’t complicated or difficult to follow but it was engaging and made me want to keep reading to find out what paths the characters were going to end up following.

I really liked the switch between timelines chapter by chapter. It kept the story moving along at a reasonable pace and the chapters in the past helped to provide context as to why the characters were behaving a certain way in the present.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖

This was a book that for me, started strong, dipped in the middle but peaked at the end. I felt like I got to know these three women like they were friends or acquaintances and there were times I wanted to reach into the pages and give some of them a good shake. But I also loved them (ok, maybe one of them not so much). The ending sucker punched me and I am still reeling over it; talk about bittersweet. All in all, this was a good book to get my reading juices flowing again and I would definitely recommend it for some cuddled up weekend reading.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Three Loves of Sebastian Cooper" is a long book, one which would benefit from a group read with a robust discussion on the meaning of the title, and pertaining to what motivated Sebastian (Seb) to make the choices and mistakes he made over his lifetime. The author, Zoë Folbigg, must know her intention in titling the book as she did. Were the three loves women who were in love with him, or was he in love with all 3? I believe he loved two of the three, so the word "loves" could mean these were all women who loved him, whether or not he reciprocated, or it could even refer to his two children with his first wife, Clair, and any one of the three other women, though the cover artwork leads me to think it definitely refers to the three women who are now, at the start of the novel, mourning his death. That death, considering that Seb was still fairly young, remained a mystery until nearly the end of the novel, which was clever on the author's part, as it kept me, and I assume most readers, reading quickly to learn how he died. I kept thinking I must have missed something that might have been said in passing about how he died, ( (especially since I listened to the audiobook), but no, it was definitely not made clear until a pivotal scene that would change the lives of his loves, his parents, his children, and the women with whom he was involved over the course of his lifetime.
Seb met Clair when they were just kids, were very much in love, got married and produced a daughter and a son. Seb was always a good, hands on, and loving father. Even after he left Clair for Desiree, he never neglected his children. Seb was actually a sympathetic character and impossible to hate, even when he did hurtful things. Desiree seemed to be the love of his life, and she was, indeed, quite lovable. She was wonderful with his children, and they loved her as well. How he could leave her baffled me, but there was Noamie, who was fiery, overly emotional, manipulative, and vindictive, with whom he had become enamored. Of course, Seb did not see her negative qualities at first, and was quickly under her spell. Noamie already had 4 children when they met. I found her to be, quite simply, a hot mess.
Seb was a good son to his parents who had their own history which had to have influenced Seb's choices. Even those who made poor choices came across as human, and forgivable (except for Noamie, whom I loathed).
The story goes back and forth in time from the funeral and wake, where all his loves were gathered, to the different lives Seb had lived with three women. The tale is not told in a linear fashion, which meant it was important to pay attention to time and date references as Seb's whole life and history were presented to us.
I found the ending painfully bittersweet, because with death there is finality, that nothing can change. I was left feeling frustrated for one of Seb's loves, and wish we knew what decisions she made after his funeral. That would make for a good follow up novel. 4 stars for this complicated and thought provoking novel.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a little confession to make.....yes yet another one. Although I have a few of Zoe's books on my ever increasing 'to be read' mountain, I haven't actually read one yet.............until now that is. When I was invited to take part in the blog tour for 'The Three Loves Of Sebastian Cooper', I thought that it would be an ideal opportunity to make a bit of a dent in that 'TBR' mountain as well as introduce me to Zoe's work. Having enjoyed reading 'The Three Loves OF Sebastian Cooper' as much as I did, I am now a bit annoyed at myself for leaving it this long to discover how good her books are. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Three Loves Of Sebastian Cooper' but more about that in a bit.

The synopsis of 'The Three Loves Of Sebastian Cooper' really appealed to me and intrigued me at the same time. As soon as I started reading, I knew that I was going to love reading this book and that I would have difficulty in putting the book down. I was right on both counts. The more of the book that I read, the more intrigued I became and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I can't say that I warmed to Sebastian and I couldn't understand why or how all these women were attracted to him. I found the leading female characters more interesting and although I wouldn't call them friends, I did start to thaw towards them all. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. All too quickly I reached the end of 'The Three Loves Of Sebastian Cooper'. I found 'The Three Loves Of Sebastian Cooper' to be a tense and gripping read and at the same time a rather emotional read at times. This story certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat.

'The Three Loves Of Sebastian Cooper' is extremely well written. The author has a writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintains a brisk pace throughout. Zoe clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes them seem just as real as you and I. I always say that the sign of a good book is when I find myself becoming far too involved with the characters and 'talk' to them as if they can hear me. That's exactly what happened 'The Three Loves Of Sebastian Cooper'. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Three Loves Of Sebastian Cooper' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will most definitely be reading more of Zoe's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Wendy W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Three Loves of Sebastian Cooper by Zoë Folbigg is a family drama set around a man’s untimely death. All of Seb’s family and friends gather for his funeral, and we learn abuout his life, through the lens of his family and friends.

At Sebestian Cooper’s funeral, his family and friends gather to pay their respects to Sebastian Cooper who died suddenly. In the church at the funeral is Clair, Seb’s wife of twenty years and mother to his two children. Also there is Desiree, Seb’s second wife and the woman he left Clair for. And the third woman at the funeral is Naoemi, Seb’s most recent gilfriend and the last woman to see him alive.

All three women loved Sebastian Cooper, but only one held his heart. And only one knows what really happened to him on the day he died.

This story is messy, realistic and riveting, and I enjoyed ever second of reading.
It’s a character driven story, and I loved all these characters. Sebastian is such a character, he’s very outgoing and social and it’s hard not to like him, even if he did cheat on his first wife! And the women were all so different, and yet loved Sebastian in different ways. I just loved Claire and Desiree, they both deserved better than Sebastian, but I can understand their love for him as he’s such a charming man. Naeomee on the other hand was a bit much, but her character was also very vivid and realistic.

I also enjoyed the story about Claire and Sebastion’s parents, especially Seb’s parents. It helps me to understand Sebastion and why he made some of the decisions he made. He’s far from perfect, but at least he knows he’s not perfect.

I highly recommend The Three Loves of Sebastian Cooper to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I have to say, this book turned out to be one of the best reads so far this year. It begins with Sebastian’s funeral, where we get to meet quite an extensive cast of characters. Very quickly, all three women who played a part in his life are revealed. Clair, his wife, Desiree his mistress and Noemie who he met on a dating app.
The story moves between past and present, tracing Sebastian and Clair’s teenage lives in Jersey. Fast forward to Uni and then, eventually marriage and children.

When Sebastian lands a job at a prestigious architects’ practice, he is often away, and Clair becomes responsible for running the home and child care. With her own busy working life, this gradually begins to put more strain on the relationship. The arrival of Desiree, a young and gifted architect who begins working Sebastian’s company, becomes the catalyst for their eventual break up. After discovering his own father’s dishonesty many years ago, he is convinced history is repeating itself. Nevertheless, he settles with Desiree, remaining in a close relationship with his children. For a time he’s happy, but then, once more, he finds himself on his own. Meeting Noemie was supposed to be a fresh start, but it appears all he’s landed himself in is chaos.

The Three Loves of Sebastian Cooper has all the ingredients for a first class read. There's romance, betrayal, family secrets and sadness wrapped around the lives of Sebastian and the three women close to him. A worthy five star read.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Zoe Folbigg for an ARC of The Three Loves of Sebastian Cooper in exchange for an honest review.

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not a fan of cheating and it’s a pivotal thing in this book. It starts with Seb’s funeral and all three of the women in his life are there; his childhood sweetheart and mother of his children, the woman he destroyed his family for, and the latest woman all there going through their own grief. The story is told in alternating timelines with the present storyline being the funeral and the past timeline showing how each women came into his life.

Seb is selfish and messy and he should have communicated with his wife his feelings instead of leaving everything for her to deal with instead of chasing another woman. PSA: If you are so unhappy in your relationship and thinking about cheating get out before you cheat cause cheating will only cause even more distress especially if their are children involved. Ugh can’t stand cheaters and it really clouded my opinion of this book since it seemed to be just glance over it as if it was normal and okay. I truly felt for his ex wife and everything she went through and glad she’s moved on and is happy. I felt bad for the woman he destroyed his family for and what she missed out on but I just couldn’t get over the cheating. The final woman is a train wrecker and just as messy and I couldn’t stand her.

The ending was a little anticlimactic as the mystery of his death was revealed. This is a very long, slow building story about a man’s messy life and how it affected the women in it.


Thank you publishers and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.