Lust for Life

by Adele Parks

If the shoe fits...

Here's what the Evergreen sisters have in common: jealousy. Eliza longs for the stability of Martha's picture-perfect marriage; Martha craves the spontaneity of Eliza's life with her sexy musician boyfriend. Now one of the sisters has dumped her mate, and the other one just got dumped. Suddenly single-minded, they are about to get what they think they've always wanted -- a chance to walk in the other woman's shoes.

...buy a pair in every color.

Here's what the Evergreen sisters found out: trading placescan be a complicated affair. With new lovers in their lives, Eliza's partaking in sensible discourse at upscale dinner parties, while Martha's having great, no-strings-attached sex. But love is full of surprises...and dream lovers can be full of hot air. No longer green with envy, can the Evergreen sisters each find a perfectly imperfect man to make their lives -- their real lives -- truly satisfying?

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Womens Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2003

About the author

Adele Parks MBE is one of the most-loved and biggest-selling women's fiction writers in the UK. She has sold over 4 million books and her work has been translated into 30 different languages.

She has published 21 novels, all of which have been London Times bestsellers.

Adele has written 19 contemporary novels and 2 historical ones, Spare Brides and If You Go Away, which are set during and after WW1. Her latest novels, Both of You, Just My Luck, Lies Lies Lies, I Invited Her In, The Image of You and The Stranger in My Home are twisty, domestic noirs. Adele likes to scrutinize our concepts of family, our theories on love, parenting and fidelity.

During her career Adele has lived in Italy, Botswana and London. Now she lives happily in Surrey, UK with her husband, son and cat.

If you want to stay in touch you can find Adele on Twitter @AdeleParks, Instagram @Adele_Parks or Facebook @OfficialAdeleParks. You can sign up to her newsletter at eepurl.com/cI0l and there’s lots more info about Adele and her books on www.adeleparks.com.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adele Parks, does she write a bad book - Nope. I could easily reread this one, brilliant.

Five stars.

[Natalie M · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up.

I loved hearing the author's background to this story (this novel is a version of herself), but it makes it even more challenging to give this book such a low score :(

I found sisters Eliza and Martha reasonably cliched. Eliza was judgemental and negative in her 'honest' feedback regarding her sister's relationships. She was not a very likable character, and Greg was better off without her. Martha started a little 'Martha Stewart' like - in her attempts to be the "perfect" wife and mother. Her divorce felt contrived, and then the path it took felt unrealistic (i.e. the stereotypical disinterested and suddenly out of love husband/father who undergoes what feels like a personality transplant), which made for a less satisfying conclusion. Martha's choices were frustrating and one-dimensional. There was far t00 much predictability, and the parts that could have soared did not (and I am not sure if this was because it reflected the author's experiences).

A bit like a cupcake with too much icing.

[Lysa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very predictable and unrealistic.. I would not recommend this book to any friends, it's easy to read, but there is no exitement or anything. The back of the book says it's about two sisters, however the book is mostly centred at Martha's life. The emotions and phases are interesting to read, yet the character named Jack seems very very perfectly unrealistic. Furthermore, the author seems fascinated by male genitals..

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It didn’t help her at all that everyone thought that the only real tragedy about her story was the common-or-garden nature of it. Nobody cared that her marriage was over. They seemed to think that it was OK just to dissolve that magic. She thought it was a bit like getting her hair cut: no one other than herself seemed to notice. She didn’t want to believe that broken promises were an accepted part of the world that she’d brought her children into. She’d have preferred to believe that she was a freak.”

“She loather herself for begging… for subduing herself so entirely. She loathed herself for giving him countless opportunities. Opportunities he didn’t take.”

“Then she’d remember it didn’t make any difference. Marriage wasn’t a guarantee… The bit of paper that she’d always believed was an unrepeatable lifelong commitment - the only available magic in a secular world driven by technology, profitability and bottom lines - was, after all, a bit of paper. How do you trust this century? The century of mobile-phone theft and internet porn? How do you believe there is someone out there who transcends all that is mechanical, all that is diabolical, all that is robotic, and is love?”

Maybe it was the fact that my marriage was in shambles, but I didn’t expect to feel this book nearly as much as I did. The author did an incredible job of describing all the emotions involved in the break-up of a marriage, a family.

The back of the book says it’s about sisters, but only this character grabbed me. The book was focused on her. The other sister was just an excess. If the author hasn’t been through this, then she has done some damn good research. I suspect she has though.

It was raw and full of reality.

[Georgia · Rating 2 out of 5]

🌟🌟 / 5

I nearly gave up and did not finish this book on several occasions. The only reason why I persevered is because I really dislike not finishing a book. I’m one of those people that wants to finish what I’ve started, at least when it comes to reading.

I just really didn’t like any characters in this book. Eliza came across as very judgemental and negative, particularly in relation to her sister’s attempts to move on; and she treated the supposed love of her life very poorly. Martha started off as the “perfect” wife and mother, with very little personality of her own. The majority of this book was about her finding herself after her divorce but even by the end of the book, I still felt like she was a little flat and one-dimensional. I also found the story itself quite predictable and whilst I know that’s common in this genre, it still detracted from my overall enjoyment.

It seems like a lot of other people have enjoyed this book so I’m likely in the minority here. This book just wasn’t my cup of tea, although for those looking for a quick; easily consumable read, it’s probably a good one.

[Nina Draganova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Въпреки , че са поостаряли, тези книги не ми омръзват. Следя доста английски автори,очевидно са добри, но защо тук спряха да ги издават , не разбирам.

10.09.16
Много харесвам стила на Адел Паркс.
Речта и се лее с лекота.
Разглежда проблеми, които се случват на всеки от нас.
Има драма, но има и любов, и романтика , и оптимизъм, и еротика и т.н.
Препрочитам си често книгите й.
Жалко , че вече не я издават у нас.

[Kay Cugini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book, I prefer her more twisty thriller types but she writes so well I enjoyed this

[Jerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

So disappointing, especially for an author I really like and has soo many other good books. I honestly nearly gave up and didn’t finish this book on several occasions, the only reason I carried on is because I really don’t like not finishing a book - so I stuck through it, not for much though it was boring, predictable and underwhelming.

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

The back cover makes this book sound like an entirely different book than it actually is. Whoever wrote the synopsis for the back cover should be fired because it sounds nothing like the book that I read, except for maybe one or two things that did happen in the book. It makes it sound like it's mainly about two sisters but it's actually about one sister and her sexual exploits with a hot guy and another sister thrown in every 10 pages or so.

Martha is the main character in here. We get to read how perfect she and her life is for a little while. Then her husband leaves her and the whining about that goes on for quite a long time. Nothing interesting happens in that time except for Martha falling apart. Then Martha goes to a salsa club and meets Jack. Then the mind-blowing sex they have is written in every detail several times. In some ways, I have a hard time believing that Martha is the best mother, like Adele Parks wants us to believe. I mean, it seems Martha is out every night with Jack and when they're not out at different places, then they're having sex all over Martha's house with Martha's two children and Martha's sister in the house. Of course we have a couple scenes thrown in so we think Martha is just the best.

We also have what seems to be the same phone conversations between Martha and her ex husband, Michael. Those conversations consist of Martha whining and asking why he left and Michael is always distant and snobby. It got to be old really fast. Yet another thing that kept on repeating was the conversation between Eliza and Martha, in which Eliza would say how Jack was just going to break Martha's heart and Martha going on and on about how he makes her feel young and she won't fall in love with him and just how he's the perfect guy. I wish whoever edited this book would have cut some of those conversations out because it was just the same thing over and over and the reader only needs to read it once to get how Eliza stands about Jack.

I really didn't care for the character of Martha, if you couldn't tell already. At first, she just seems too rigid and then after Jack, she acts like a teenager even though she still has responsibities. There was just nothing for me to connect with and therefore I didn't root for her at all. The book also goes on and on about how she feels and after awhile, I just started to scan the pages until I found anything semi-interesting to read.

Eliza, the other sister, gets very little space in this book. It's almost like her story is an afterthought. In the beginning she is shown as the wild child of the two sisters. But then Eliza decides it's time to grow up and so she dumps the guy who she feels is to immature for her. The rest of the book, Eliza is pretty much the baby-sitter to Martha's children and the person Adele Parks' puts in when she needs someone to argue with Martha. Before and when there's a lull in Martha's sexploits, Eliza goes on a few dates but the men she goes out with are all wrong. There's really no middle to Eliza's story-just a beginning and an end.

[Birgitt Krumboeck · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a real disappointment, even though I liked the point of departure featuring the two sisters and their alternative life-and love styles.. The dynamics between Michael and Martha were not believable. Plus, Jack Hope would have had to get an H1-B visa to work in the States, he would not have received the Green Card just like that, unless he took part in the Green Card lottery. It was not understandable for me why Martha did not move to the States with him. The excuse that Michael had to be close to the children did not count, since he was not really interested in them anyway... and then reneging on the divorce also seemed out of character for him.
The whole naked-friends policy was a bit over the top as well, especially as Martha was a bit of a prude. The whole book seemed too chick-litish for my taste...

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes you look at your own relationships

[Preeti · Rating 2 out of 5]

THe book gave the impression of being about sisters, but the story veers off that course pretty early in the plot. The elder sister story seems too gripping, and the story is soon about breakup and recovery. Its comforting and sometimes just disconcerting, to see articulated in words all the emotions that mill about in our heads, during a breakup or otherwise.
Good read!

[Mark Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adele's wonderful comedy about the Evergreen sisters who, through no fault of their own, swap between each of their mundane and hectic lives. Very funny and clever, Adele continues to display her gift for analyzing close-nit friendships and relationships, which are heartwarming to the final page. Passion and satisfaction guaranteed.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha has the perfect life. A great husband. Two beautiful children. And she just purchased her perfect home. But just when you think everything is great, life falls apart. Her husband decides to leave her -- and Martha's whole world falls apart.

Meanwhile, Martha's sister Eliza is everything Martha isn't. Fun, trendy, young. Not even thinking of kids and a house and a family. But when she sees what Martha has, she starts thinking she should get a man with some stability rather than stay with her boyfriend, Greg. Coincidentally, Eliza leaves Greg just as Martha's husband is leaving her so the two worlds coincide.

This was a good book, but there were some things which were questionable. Why does Martha have to be so perfect? Perfect hair. Clean house. Always organized. Is that at all realistic? And her husband leaving her never made much sense to me. It seemed kind of out there, especially for a man who definitely wanted a wife and family. I mean, maybe he would separate and go out on his own, but Martha's husband took it as far as divorce which was crazy.

It was also annoying that there were such stereotypes -- like the two sisters who were complete and total opposites. Yet we later find out that Martha was actually fun? I can't picture Martha ever being fun. Even when she was having fun, I didn't believe it.

The worst part was the sex scenes. OMG. So many unnecessary details. I kind of threw up in my mouth a little. And it was soooo unrealistic that Martha would find the hottest, most amazing man in some salsa club and that he totally just thought she was the best. Really? Does that ever happen?

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adele Parks (2021) THE OTHER WOMAN'S SHOES (AUDIOBOOK)
BorrowBox - HarperCollins Publishers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars

The sleeve reads, "The Evergreen sisters have always been opposites.
Martha is married and has the perfect home and family. Eliza rents a drab one-bedroom flat, which she shares with her sexy but hapless boyfriend.
Until, one day, Eliza walks out on him, the very same day that Martha's husband walks out on her. Suddenly, the Evergreen sisters are united by separation.
Eliza is free to pursue the relationship she's always wanted, one that offers stability and security. Martha falls into a relationship that she could never have imagined; it's crazy and carefree.
Can they find happiness dashing down these new paths? Or does chasing love only get more complicated when you're running in another woman's shoes?"
=====
I really loved this. Really loved it. I defy anyone to not go coy over Jack Hope. My Gawwwwd.
=====
#AdeleParks #TheOtherWomansShoes #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #BorrowBox

[Cici · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although it was written in a nice way, the plot is very predictable, it felt more like a book written for young girls but regarding adult themes. I had to finish it as I was expecting things to get an interesting twist, but nope, that did not happen.
I even left it on the train when I finished it as I was not bothered to donate it to a charity shop/bring it home to collect dust on a shelf.
Don't waste your time, it's quite a big book and since it's bad, you won't feel like reading much and it will take a while to finish it.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread as part of a shelf purge. Actually still did enjoy this one, so it’s staying.
It’s certainly not perfect, I actually didn’t like Jack or believe in him in the slightest. I thought Martha was borderline irresponsible taking up with him after hearing about his “naked friends”. What a put off. The author tries to play up his strong points and show him as a changed man by the end, but I just couldn’t buy it.
I liked Eliza’s story. I appreciated how things wound up in her storyline.
Both the sisters are written with a lot affection and were enjoyable to read about.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

So the grass is always greener for the sisters Eliza and Martha, but the story focuses on Martha and her failed marriage. Instead of dwelling on her failed marriage she finds Jack and it's all rosy again. Eliza splits with her long term boyfriend but decides the single life isn't all it was cracked up to be. That's basically the story but the focus is on Martha fairly quick, there is no real story with Eliza. Not a great "story" to be honest!

[Um mar de fogueirinhas · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was all going well and dandy until the en spoiled it for me: I mean, not only was Greg still waiting all tamely and clean for Eliza but obnoxious Michael suddenly had a change of heart AND jake who was so perfect we were all a bit suspicious came back from the airport? Come on. I am all for happy endings but if it was a chick lit it shouldn’t have less bitterness at first. And if it intended yo be a real novel a bit less glitter would have come a long way to make this ending fine.

[Sophia Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel delves deeply into the emotional turmoil of breakups and the search for happiness beyond traditional notions of marriage and security. Martha's journey is raw and realistic, portraying her struggle with betrayal and self-worth, as well as her unexpected, passionate relationship with a man named Jack. Eliza's path contrasts with Martha’s as she seeks stability and security in her romantic life, highlighting the different ways women navigate love and independence.

[Teresa Comerford · Rating 3 out of 5]

In comparison to other books by Adele Parks, this is a poor relation. The story line is pleasant and I did finish the book but it was predictable at best. The two main characters were likeable and there was a few laugh out loud comments in the book. I would be slow to recommend this book in comparison to other Adele Parks books.

[Susan Wheatcroft · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read with a predictable ending.

Adele Parks has (in my opinion) really grown as an author and I prefer her newer writing which is more thriller with a good story versus this Romcom style.

Overall good Summer holiday read or for when you just want to switch off.

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I NEED A JAKE WHERE DO I FIND MYSELF THIS PHENOMENAL EMOTIONAL CARING UNDERSTANDING SPECIMEN 😭 THE AIRPORT SCENE BROUGHT ME TO ABSOLUTE SHAMBLES
AND THE ENDING OMFG THE ENDING

MOVE OVER BABES

HELLO?!!! THE WATERWORKS WONT STOP

[Tara Rugg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say this is more like a 2 1/2 stars, mainly because I felt like everything wrapped up too neatly. I didn't quite buy the way things ended...

[Guna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jāatzīst, šādas pasakas ļoti ātri lasās, bet ticamības koeficients tuvojas nullei. Emociju attēlojums diezgan on point gan.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adele Parks books are okay. You don't need to think much while reading it. Chick lit for a rainy day.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adele Parks books are okay. Chick lit for a rainy day.

[Mike Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good Read

This was a good read and very good in places too. Would recommend it to anyone who likes reading books by this great Author

[Lisa Mcmaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but I also got frustrated with the characters...

[Kay Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Loved it.