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Thy Neighbor's Wife
Alex Foster's life is exactly as she wants it. She's quit her job as an English teacher and has decided to hole up in her newly acquired lake house for the summer to try her hand at writing a novel. She has close friends; she has her dog; she plays volleyball. She is content.
Jennifer Wainwright is a young, wealthy suburbanite who's life is exactly as she expected it would be. She's married to her high school sweetheart who is about to inherit his father's law firm. She has friends. And she has the whole summer to work on decorating the new house on the lake she and her husband have just purchased as their summer home. She is content.
A chance meeting over a runaway pooch is the start of a journey for each woman. Over the course of one unbelievable summer set on the beautiful shores of Canandaigua Lake in upstate New York, these two women will teach one another, learn from one another, question their own beliefs and expectations, and unwittingly fall in love.
Jennifer Wainwright is a young, wealthy suburbanite who's life is exactly as she expected it would be. She's married to her high school sweetheart who is about to inherit his father's law firm. She has friends. And she has the whole summer to work on decorating the new house on the lake she and her husband have just purchased as their summer home. She is content.
A chance meeting over a runaway pooch is the start of a journey for each woman. Over the course of one unbelievable summer set on the beautiful shores of Canandaigua Lake in upstate New York, these two women will teach one another, learn from one another, question their own beliefs and expectations, and unwittingly fall in love.
196 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2003
51 people are currently reading
1259 people want to read
About the author
Georgia Beers
61 books1,506 followersLambda and Golden Crown Literary Award-winning author Georgia Beers lives in Rochester, New York. She has been writing for as long as she can remember, and published her first lesbian novel in 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 30, 2017
Good read! enjoyable and as usual predictable storyline(same old lesbian plotline)..definitely likable characters and good storytelling (paperback!)
April 18, 2016
This is Georgia Beers at her best. I enjoy reading, on occasion, a romance about a straight or straight-ish woman, with an unfulfilling/bad/abusive-husband/boyfriend, find love in the last place she expected. Not because it's score one for the ladies, but because it's nice to read about people finding "true" love. I can't imagine being stuck in a marriage for convenience or out of fear, but it happens. So it's nice to read about a HEA for people in this type of situation.
Beer's is a very good romance writer, and it show in this well written book. The setting is great! I remember vacationing on a lake, growing up, and Beers captures it perfectly. The sights and sounds and smells, I felt like I was back there again. This is a great book that makes you think of summer and all the possibilities it can bring.
I would easily recommend this to romance fans. You won't be disappointed!
Beer's is a very good romance writer, and it show in this well written book. The setting is great! I remember vacationing on a lake, growing up, and Beers captures it perfectly. The sights and sounds and smells, I felt like I was back there again. This is a great book that makes you think of summer and all the possibilities it can bring.
I would easily recommend this to romance fans. You won't be disappointed!
February 10, 2023
4 Stars - Enjoyable story
2/10/2023 - 3rd time, this time was via audible. Still enjoyed the story. Things that stood out listening to it: the argument they have seemed very realistic and was more impactful being acted out. The male MC in Alex's book was a bitcreepy - lol.
Original review:
what can I say? I am a sucker for the toaster oven romances.
shelved:
sapphic-romance, ebook, audible, not-so-straight, own
2/10/2023 - 3rd time, this time was via audible. Still enjoyed the story. Things that stood out listening to it: the argument they have seemed very realistic and was more impactful being acted out. The male MC in Alex's book was a bitcreepy - lol.
Original review:
what can I say? I am a sucker for the toaster oven romances.
shelved:
sapphic-romance, ebook, audible, not-so-straight, own
July 20, 2021
this was a sweet story, but it was also just... dull. i know i've been calling books dull a lot lately, but it's true - i guess i'm on a dull book streak. have i been cursed by a witch?
the characterisation was flat, the story was predictable, and the writing was... fine? no grammatical errors or terrible metaphors or anything like that, but it just seemed strangely lifeless. for a book about adultery, there was far less conflict than i was expecting, i guess because the author wanted the characters to be as likable as possible and not amoral sleazy people. which, i understand - but if you want your characters to be morally upstanding, why write a book about someone falling in love with someone else's wife?
overall - predictable, flat, dull - but still a little sweet, i guess.
the characterisation was flat, the story was predictable, and the writing was... fine? no grammatical errors or terrible metaphors or anything like that, but it just seemed strangely lifeless. for a book about adultery, there was far less conflict than i was expecting, i guess because the author wanted the characters to be as likable as possible and not amoral sleazy people. which, i understand - but if you want your characters to be morally upstanding, why write a book about someone falling in love with someone else's wife?
overall - predictable, flat, dull - but still a little sweet, i guess.
September 5, 2023
Thy Neighbor's Wife offers yet another heartwarming chapter in Georgia Beers' canon of relatable romance. The plot might be predictable, but it's the nuanced character development that really shines, especially in the evolving friendship between Jennifer, who identifies as straight and is married, and Alex, who is openly lesbian. The unfolding friendship between these two women feels organic and nuanced, making their growing emotional connection all the more engaging.
The real tension and page-turning element here come from the complexities added by Jennifer being married. Beers navigates this tricky emotional landscape deftly, lending even more weight to the choices each character must make. And true to form, while Beers delivers a happy ending, it doesn't shy away from the lingering challenges that Jennifer and Alex will face—particularly the issues that arise from Jennifer's marriage and their circle of family and friends.
If you're a fan of Georgia Beers or simply in the mood for an authentic romantic tale that doesn't gloss over life's complexities, Thy Neighbor's Wife is highly recommended. It captures the intricate dynamics of love, friendship, and the bravery required to step off the well-trodden path, offering a satisfying read that feels as real as it does compelling. I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Lula Larkin, who did a fantastic job at narrating.
The real tension and page-turning element here come from the complexities added by Jennifer being married. Beers navigates this tricky emotional landscape deftly, lending even more weight to the choices each character must make. And true to form, while Beers delivers a happy ending, it doesn't shy away from the lingering challenges that Jennifer and Alex will face—particularly the issues that arise from Jennifer's marriage and their circle of family and friends.
If you're a fan of Georgia Beers or simply in the mood for an authentic romantic tale that doesn't gloss over life's complexities, Thy Neighbor's Wife is highly recommended. It captures the intricate dynamics of love, friendship, and the bravery required to step off the well-trodden path, offering a satisfying read that feels as real as it does compelling. I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Lula Larkin, who did a fantastic job at narrating.
January 6, 2021
3.75 stars. This was a nice afternoon read. Since I received a huge pile of paperbacks from a friend, I picked this out to be my first book because I love Georgia Beers.
The book is from 2003, and although there are no references to events or phones , it's obvious that it's not exactly a recent book. But it was very fine for a nice afternoon.
The characters are likeable with good chemistry and story is predictable and angstfree. I probably would have loved this in 2003, but I liked it well enough.
Although, the ending felt very rushed to me and I felt that Jennifer's issues were far from dealt with. I don't want to be unromantic, but would have liked to know how she was actually going to make a living.
The book is from 2003, and although there are no references to events or phones , it's obvious that it's not exactly a recent book. But it was very fine for a nice afternoon.
The characters are likeable with good chemistry and story is predictable and angstfree. I probably would have loved this in 2003, but I liked it well enough.
Although, the ending felt very rushed to me and I felt that Jennifer's issues were far from dealt with. I don't want to be unromantic, but would have liked to know how she was actually going to make a living.
February 26, 2013
Another excellent 4 star book (although I would personal rate this one at 4.5 stars).
This is my favourite book by this author so far - I'm a sucker for the straight girl falling for the lesbian next door story line.
great characters, great settings, well handled romance and all the ups and downs you require to ensure that by the end you are completely engaged and rooting for the home team.
This is my favourite book by this author so far - I'm a sucker for the straight girl falling for the lesbian next door story line.
great characters, great settings, well handled romance and all the ups and downs you require to ensure that by the end you are completely engaged and rooting for the home team.
May 28, 2016
It's a very light book.. The setting is one of the best things about this book. Beers is a very good author especially in romantic books. My rating would be 3.5 but I just couldn't get myself to round it up to 4 because it's just a "nice" read nothing more :)
December 29, 2020
If you are unhappy about your life, do something to change it for the better. :)
May 10, 2020
4.5
Nice simple, easy to read book that entertained. I think this is one of her earlier books but it flows well. There are a couple of dated things, but it is not really an issue. Just what I needed on a miserable sunday, when it's grey and miserable.
Nice simple, easy to read book that entertained. I think this is one of her earlier books but it flows well. There are a couple of dated things, but it is not really an issue. Just what I needed on a miserable sunday, when it's grey and miserable.
January 23, 2012
I believe I'm beginning to really love Ms. Beers's books, each one is differant (the only thing that happens to seem the same is the love for dogs), each story is delicately thought out and given unique quirks. It's slowly pulled together over time, the characters don't suddenly fan into love/lust like so many other romance stories, the relationship between characters is build over time and months, with normal bumps in the road that make everything seem life like and yet still magical. I really enjoy how at the end there isn't a happily ever after, where both characters move into together and sell off the other property, settle down in a white picket fence, and have the 2.5 babies. I love how there's an amazing ending, that seems so magicaly and a happy, but still left open to what could very well happen. May the story live on.
~Raven
~Raven
July 10, 2011
Loved this. An easy read, with characters you can relate to. I recently discovered Georgia Beers as an author and read every one of her books within a couple of weeks! They are all well written and easy to lose yourself in. Refreshing to find some lesbian fiction that isn't just erotica!
August 28, 2012
A good beach read, nothing heavy. I wish that people who are gay/lesbian didn't have to hide or to pretend they are something they aren't. One of the characters in the novel is an example of how when we have to deny our true selves that there is pain, dishonesty, and limited growth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2015
Jennifer y su esposo Eric se acaban de mudar a una hermosa y tranquila casa junto al lago. En su primer día, Jennifer conoce a Kinsey, un juguetón perrito con collar que parece haberse escapado de su casa y poco después conoce a Alex, su preocupada dueña.
Ambas mujeres se hacen amigas de manera inmediata y empiezan a pasar mucho tiempo juntas. Poco después Alex la anima a unirse a su equipo de voleibol playero, en el que juega junto a sus amigos, todos en sus 30's.
Y así continúa la historia, en la que ambas mujeres empiezan a entender sus sentimientos y enfrentar sus miedos. Es predecible y poco original, pero no está mal. Los personajes me parecieron bien escritos y sacados de situaciones reales. Y como punto a favor, no es un libro exageradamente dramático ni lleno de clichés.
Para pasar el rato no está nada mal. :-)
Ambas mujeres se hacen amigas de manera inmediata y empiezan a pasar mucho tiempo juntas. Poco después Alex la anima a unirse a su equipo de voleibol playero, en el que juega junto a sus amigos, todos en sus 30's.
Y así continúa la historia, en la que ambas mujeres empiezan a entender sus sentimientos y enfrentar sus miedos. Es predecible y poco original, pero no está mal. Los personajes me parecieron bien escritos y sacados de situaciones reales. Y como punto a favor, no es un libro exageradamente dramático ni lleno de clichés.
Para pasar el rato no está nada mal. :-)
August 16, 2020
Had I read this a decade ago, I'd probably have liked this more, but Georgia Beers' writing has gotten so much better! I gave this a 3 and then downgraded to a 2, and it's really somewhere in between. There's a lot of over-explaining in this, as if Beers didn't trust herself to show things through her characters, and the writing is a lot more basic and clunky than it is now. It's also very white and cis and straight and steeped in stereotypes that make sense for when it was written, but made me roll my eyes a few times. And one of the secondary characters is a ~~firey~~ ~~hispanic~~ woman, so hooray racism!
May 29, 2023
So…I kind of loved this? This is, I believe, the third Georgia Beers novel I have “read” (listened to), and it was really good. It felt like Jennifer and Alex were both complex enough characters, and their chemistry felt natural. Above all though, I appreciated the communication!! Sure, they kind of suck at it for most of the book, but they can actually talk to one another without the whole miscommunication / third act breakup stuff (which I guess is a really low bar, but I just love when it happens).
January 2, 2018
3.5 rounded up.
A nice, quick and entertaining read. You can't go wrong with Ms Beers.
A nice, quick and entertaining read. You can't go wrong with Ms Beers.
September 24, 2018
Cute little story, nothing extraordinary, but still a nice read!
February 24, 2025
I liked that the book was about relationships of many types: friends, lovers, spouses, mothers and daughters and also that it explored a deteriorating relationship and infidelity.
Reading this, I could tell that it was an earlier work of Beers's. She's a more polished writer now but this story still shows some good characterization, chemistry and banter.
Reading this, I could tell that it was an earlier work of Beers's. She's a more polished writer now but this story still shows some good characterization, chemistry and banter.
July 27, 2022
Another enjoyable Georgia Beer's story. While the storyline was predictable, that did not make it any less enjoyable to read. I enjoyed the character development between the "straight" Jennifer and the lesbian Alex. Their friendship developed in a very natural way. The only thing I was unsure of was how the two would finally get together and what the end result would be. Beers always provides a good happy ending, even if it doesn't tie everything into a pretty bow. That is the case in this story, which provides a happy ending with the lingering issues with family and friends due to decisions that were made. Very true to life, which is always enjoyable in a Beers book. Highly recommended.
November 12, 2017
Glad I gave another chance to this author, I didn't like A Little Bit of Spice at all but this is whole different beast. Almost as if it's not written by the same author. I enjoyed this book a lot. The setting is great, characters have chemistry, well developed secondary characters. It is predictable but it does not detract from the overall enjoyment.
February 13, 2018
I am going to be very fast and especially very clear: with the books of Beers I wouldn’t bother to make a review of each of her books. You can go there with your eyes closed, everything is good, her writing, her stories , her characters, everything. Go ahead, read Georgia Beers without hesitation !!
Read
December 23, 2012excellent have read this three times now and still find something I missed. It's very well written and the characters well defined.
July 1, 2017
Good solid toaster-oven romance.
December 17, 2020
2.5 Just barely
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2025
Good book with the perfect amount of angst. BUT it does unfortunately have hints of the gross internalized misogyny that was rampant in the early 2000s.
More specifically (spoilers):
Jennifer's husband Eric has been cheating on her for who knows how long, and she suspects/confirms this herself. He has cheated on her with such consistency that he has the phone number of the escort service memorized... The one time they do have sex Jen describes it as "he penetrated her earlier than she would have liked" so it is straight up painful and he doesn't seem to give a fuck. Later in the story he also has an explosively aggressive argument with her that ends in him almost slapping her (he stops himself and is appropriately horrified by what he almost did).
Despite this, after Jennifer finally sleeps with Alex and someone close to Eric finds out, she goes into a mini-spiral where she thinks "what if this hurts Eric beyond repair"
I'm sorry EXCUSE ME??
You mean the man who cheats on you constantly, spends both your money on hookers, views sleeping with you as "taking what he wanted", and almost hit you. THAT man?? Pardon me for saying, but FUCK that man and FUCK his precious feeling.
Jesus, this made me mad. I'm tempted to give this a 3 star because of this but rounding up to 4. It's a great book outside of the double-standard nonsense.
EDIT: Went back to a 3 star because I underestimated how mad I would still be hours later. Good book but I'm never going to reread it again.
More specifically (spoilers):
Jennifer's husband Eric has been cheating on her for who knows how long, and she suspects/confirms this herself. He has cheated on her with such consistency that he has the phone number of the escort service memorized... The one time they do have sex Jen describes it as "he penetrated her earlier than she would have liked" so it is straight up painful and he doesn't seem to give a fuck. Later in the story he also has an explosively aggressive argument with her that ends in him almost slapping her (he stops himself and is appropriately horrified by what he almost did).
Despite this, after Jennifer finally sleeps with Alex and someone close to Eric finds out, she goes into a mini-spiral where she thinks "what if this hurts Eric beyond repair"
I'm sorry EXCUSE ME??
You mean the man who cheats on you constantly, spends both your money on hookers, views sleeping with you as "taking what he wanted", and almost hit you. THAT man?? Pardon me for saying, but FUCK that man and FUCK his precious feeling.
Jesus, this made me mad. I'm tempted to give this a 3 star because of this but rounding up to 4. It's a great book outside of the double-standard nonsense.
EDIT: Went back to a 3 star because I underestimated how mad I would still be hours later. Good book but I'm never going to reread it again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2020
Not my favorite of her books but still readable and enjoyable.
This book is also written a lot differently than some of the more recent Georgia Beers’ books that I have read. I don’t know if that’s because the author’s craft has evolved in the last decade and a half or if the change in publisher/editor etc. made a huge difference in her writing.
I loved the volleyball aspects, the deeper characterizations of most of the secondary characters like Nikki and Jack, and the length of the resolution after the book’s climax. In comparison with some of her newer books you really get to see further into Jennifer and Alex’s life after the conclusion.
This book is also written a lot differently than some of the more recent Georgia Beers’ books that I have read. I don’t know if that’s because the author’s craft has evolved in the last decade and a half or if the change in publisher/editor etc. made a huge difference in her writing.
I loved the volleyball aspects, the deeper characterizations of most of the secondary characters like Nikki and Jack, and the length of the resolution after the book’s climax. In comparison with some of her newer books you really get to see further into Jennifer and Alex’s life after the conclusion.
November 13, 2022
Thy Neighbor’s Wife by Georgia Beers, narrated by Lula Larkin
This is not my favourite novel by Georgia Beers and I’ve heard the author in an interview saying that it’s her least favourite book. This is Beers’s second novel in her long career (written in 2003) and she has grown as an author a lot since then. If you are new to Georgia Beers, I suggest that you start with Too Close to Touch or any of her latest books.
I’ve listened to the audiobook by Lula Larkin who is quickly becoming one of my favourite narrators in sapphic fiction. Her different voices are distinct, the performance of emotions is spot on. She made the story more enjoyable. 3.5 stars.
Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
This is not my favourite novel by Georgia Beers and I’ve heard the author in an interview saying that it’s her least favourite book. This is Beers’s second novel in her long career (written in 2003) and she has grown as an author a lot since then. If you are new to Georgia Beers, I suggest that you start with Too Close to Touch or any of her latest books.
I’ve listened to the audiobook by Lula Larkin who is quickly becoming one of my favourite narrators in sapphic fiction. Her different voices are distinct, the performance of emotions is spot on. She made the story more enjoyable. 3.5 stars.
Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
June 9, 2023
I feel conflicted ablut the novel a bit.
High scores for very good and sooth writing, but...
I guess everything started with Xena, but when I get the characters resembling them that closely i n a novel.... kinda takes a joy out...fanfiction is fanfiction but in a novel....
Second...dont know about the writers sexuality, but I do feel offended that someone writing this book could call WHAT a person is, their inherent characteristic, not by choice but by nature, a lifestyle. Hello we are not in the 80s nor 90s anymore to dont know or be shy about the difference and we downplay peoples lives with words choices. Not nice at all.
High scores for very good and sooth writing, but...
I guess everything started with Xena, but when I get the characters resembling them that closely i n a novel.... kinda takes a joy out...fanfiction is fanfiction but in a novel....
Second...dont know about the writers sexuality, but I do feel offended that someone writing this book could call WHAT a person is, their inherent characteristic, not by choice but by nature, a lifestyle. Hello we are not in the 80s nor 90s anymore to dont know or be shy about the difference and we downplay peoples lives with words choices. Not nice at all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews