This was a LibraryThing Early Reviewers win. That program requests an honest review in exchange for the book.
This is an author I haven't read before. Obviously, something in the summary intrigued me to request it. When I first started the book, I wasn't sure what that had been, but it did improve to the point where I'd sometimes catch myself wondering what was going to happen between Roger and Sophie during times I wasn't reading the book.
I will have to leave it to more knowledgeable people to say whether the details of Afghanistan are correct. I did expect the book to have a bit more about the teaching and/or aid workers work than it did.
WARNING: SOME INDICATED SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW--SO READ MORE AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION
*****
Some of the main characters aren't well-developed. Jill: all we seem to learn about her is that she steamrolls Roger when they first meet and apparently has no moral compass. Lyle: seems to wink a lot (at everyone)--we're never really told if this is a tic, an affectation/mannerism, etc. He also seems to have a penchant for boys/young men (in an area of the world where I don't think this is looked on favorably, but again, I will have to leave that to those more knowledgeable about Afghanistan than I am to say).
I was disappointed by Roger. I might forgive/understand having sex with someone outside of marriage once. Alcohol could have dulled his inhibitions or judgement, and Jill seems a formidable force. But then he repeats this behavior with Sophie a number of times (again, in an area of the world where this probably is not considered acceptable behavior by a woman). Roger also just assumes Jill is dead with no proof--and despite knowing that he has to wait a year to petition for divorce without proof of her death, he starts a relationship with Sophie. Technically under the law, he is still married to Jill when he starts romancing Sophie.
I don't think I will seek out other books by this author.