Perfect Alibis

by Jane Wenham-Jones

Stephanie bored housewife and down-trodden mother wants a job, and Madeleine's recruitment company seems the obvious place to go. Except that PAs isn't quite what it appears. Far from providing companies with Personal Assistants, the agency offers Perfect Alibis to unfaithful women. And as Stephanie soon discovers, there are lots of them about! Founder member Patsy, is a serial philanderer and there's even a dark side to best friend, the blissfully-married Millie. For the well-heeled ladies of Edenhurst, PA's is a ticket to risk-free adultery. When slacker Troy, Stephanie's first love, returns unexpectedly, even she is tempted. But her life is soon in turmoil, and that's before the tabloids get involved.

Genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

Jane Wenham-Jones is the author of six novels – her latest is The Big Five O – and three non-fiction books. Wannabe a Writer? is a humorous look at the trials and tribulations of becoming a scribe and Wannabe a Writer We've Heard Of? is a how-to on PR and self-promotion. 100 Ways to Fight the Flab (and still have wine and chocolate) is full of useful tips to combat Writer's Bottom - an occupational hazard often encountered after reading the first two! Jane has also contributed to several short story anthologies and two cookery books, the latter being a particular achievement since she barely knows where the kitchen is. As a freelance journalist, she has had numerous short stories and articles published in women’s magazines and the national press and is the agony aunt for Writing Magazine. Jane has appeared on a variety of TV shows – from Ready, Steady, Cook to The Politics Show - and dozens of radio programmes. As an interviewer she has "been in conversation with" hundreds of big-name authors and celebrities, has presented the Romantic Novel of the Year awards for the past nine years and is regularly booked as an after-dinner speaker.

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Εύκολο και ανάλαφρο, ιδανικό για χαλάρωση και διακοπές !

[Xenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

διαβάζετε εύκολα. η ιστορία και η πλοκή δεν είναι κάτι το ιδιαίτερο.

[Ivanski02 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Съвсем на ръба бях да дам 3*,но нещо не ми достигна. Скучновата, на моменти доста объркана книга. Но давам 2*,от все сърце, защото все пак ми привлече вниманието по някакъв начин.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

really tried but the jumping around of the story viewpoints confused the hell out of me!

[Marjorie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

I am pretty sure my distaste for this book came about more from the subject matter than anything else. Whilst I can appreciate that not everyone has a good marriage, or even a moderately happy one what I cannot appreciate is that the way to rectify is to have an (or multiple) affair(s) - no matter whether you are male or female. I suppose that as the heart of this book is about women grabbing their own happiness then it does, to some extent subvert the more traditional tropes but it still sets out, certainly in the initial chapters, to glorify cheating. There are redeeming qualities in that the cheaters, almost uniformly, get their just desserts but it still left a lingering distaste for this reader.

The set up of PAs reminded me quite a bit of the rival spy agencies in Mr And Mrs Smith (the Jolie/Pitt film), and Madeleine's constant firefighting on behalf of her clients was rather inspired. She may have been my favourite character - especially at the end. Steph, our main protagonist, however irritated me beyond measure. I can understand feeling trapped by the minutiae of life, of feeling unappreciated and unnoticed but the steps she takes to escape the humdrum are worrying. Trying to reclaim your youth through another will never end well and Steph does find this out eventually.

Characterisation throughout is pretty skillfully wrought and the populace of the book are relatively diverse and individual. None of them are particularly likeable but they are human beings and come across as such. The plot is well constructed and has a certain flow upon the page, I just didn't really enjoy it as it is all about the worst of people and if I want that I can just watch or read the news. I suppose Steph's story can be seen as redeeming in some ways and, at a stretch, as a cautionary tale.

The rating I have given this book is purely based on the craft of the author as the story itself would have been a big fat zero. Not a book I could recommend to anyone unfortunately.

[Colette · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very very long short story

The paragraphs were long and fast-paced. It felt like the book was dragging on a bit. The cover looked fun and inviting so I was expecting it to be a funny romantic kind of story. But the characters seem to whine so much about their lives that out me off the story a little bit. The author spent more time describing their surroundings than actually the characters themselves. I would've liked it if the characters talked more and had more of a actual back story if anything. I got bored after the fourth or fifth chapter. If she wanted to be with Troy so much she should get on with it already.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good read. Read most of it in the car journey to our holiday destination, and finished the rest off this evening. Easy to pick up the story where you left off. Good fun characters and a different story line to usual.

[Maisie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Typical storyline and a predictable end for this chick-lit. Easy to relax and read this one, good for the summer.

[Fiona ONeill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read

Loved this book, it was funny, sad and kept you gripped too the end. You won't be disappointed in this booj

[RJC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, but does assume that everyone wants to have an affair.

[Lizzy Baldwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Right so down to the nitty gritty. I really loved the plot of this book; it’s nothing I’ve thought about before let alone read before. An agency that helps women cheat on their partners basically. It’s pretty hilarious the situations these ladies get themselves into; from being heard on the phone, to cheeky photos on the kitchen table. Although not always completely authentic the stories were brilliant. Equally brilliant was the way in which Madeleine and her team get the women out of the tricky situations they find themselves in. These include ordering train tickets, providing new knickers, and picking up the adulterers from the most interesting places. Not the most moral of plot lines I know but probably one of the funniest I’ve read in a while!

Stephanie’s story was emotional and thought provoking, Her relationship with George has lost its spark and she is struggling to find the passion they once had; no wonder due to his obsession with the slobbering family dog. Stephanie is stuck in a rut and when her charming ex-boyfriend comes back into the picture Stephanie just can’t seem to help herself. The romance that follows is heady and lust filled and helps to power the plotline along. It also allows for a contrast between the life that Stephanie wishes she had lived, and the life that she lives currently. The flashbacks were well written and Jones managed the different in Stephanie’s character well! I really felt I understood how her life had changed. However there are more contrasts seen between Stephanie and Patsy. Patsy is a flamboyant and sexual character that wants passion in her life. Her life is blissfully full of difficult situations and close calls that Madeleine prides her business on sorting out. However, Patsy finds herself in bed with a rather sordid character who could show the world what she’s really like! The only problem was I didn’t feel like Patsy’s character was explained to it’s best ability. Although, yes she was cheeky and lusty, she was explored enough which was a shame. I don’t know whether Jones ran out of pages or ideas for Patsy but I wish she had been developed more as I felt there was more too her than Jones let on. The story continues with the women each trying to live the life they want without rippling the waters of their normal family life.

A couple of negatives although I did enjoy the book, firstly I thought some of the characters lacked conviction. They had great potential with the stories and the plot lines however I thought that they lacked grit. Stephanie especially seemed a little flaky. I also really wanted George to show some emotion and yet even when he finds that Stephanie has been less than faithful I thought he would show some anger however it was lacking in strength. I know he was made out to be understanding and the strong silent type but I thought he could have showed a little more punch and attitude to make Stephanie see even more what a bad mistake she had made.

Additionally, I thought that the ongoing stories that ran through alongside the main plot were lacking in detail and I would have rather they had focused on a few rather than attempting to follow four or five. It meant that the plot lost power and also that at times the plots became confused. This was a problem as the book had a brilliant premise and although slightly immoral it could have given a really punchy display. Unfortunately the delivery wasn’t as good as it could have been and it lost the power that I thought it could have displayed. However, these are picky points and overall it has a lot of hilarious moments for you to get your teeth into!

[S.J. Hitchcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what I was getting into when I downloaded this book; I admit I saw the cover and thought, let’s give this a go. I have never read a book by this author, and I did not read the blurb, so had no idea what the story was about. The title gave me a little clue, but it was not what I would have expected. A business where they provided alibis for their cheating spouses, and with Stephanie the MC, fed up with coming second to the dog. Her children are driving her around the bend, what does she want, a job, to be noticed, you could say, and then who comes along, Troy. Making her feel young, attractive, and working at the PA, she can have him, well why not she has the Perfect Alibis.

I really did enjoy this, funny in places, and even though this was my first book by this author I am sure it will not be the last.

[Seumas Gallacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not surprisingly, another excellent offering from an author who combines really insightful humour with the reality checks of day to day situations that we've all been in at one time and another. Not only does this novel poke fun at certain off line activity ( NOT an exclusive prerogative of the male species by the way,), but it underscores how easily distractions get in the way of actually just getting on with living. The characters are all p[eople we've met, in the office, down the pub, and probably more and more these days , on line. Welcome to the world of spin the bottle privately and let me enjoy myself for a few hours while me ol' man ain't watching'.. loved it.

[Weebly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been on my shelf ever since I recieved it in a goodie bag at a bookcrossing convention in July 2006. My husband had already read it - when on holiday and having run out of more suitable books - and said it was 'ok'

I also thought it was 'ok' - nothing special, nice enough characters but they all seemed to think it was ok to run around and s**g anything that moves while married - which I don't - so I suppose I was predisposed to not like th book from the start. Just your standard chick lit really.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This sounded a great idea for a business being run in this book and thought it was going to be intriguing. However, I was up to 37% of the way in and there really hadn't been much mentioned about the business/agency itself yet it started with tremendous promise. It was just so dragged out that I lost interest and packed it in.
Not sure what went wrong in formatting but whole paragraphs were suddenly in bold print.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was OK. The idea was a good one and I liked all of the characters although like with most chick-lit books the end was predictable.
The thing that annoyed me was the fact that within the chapters it changed from one scene to another and I found that hard to follow. Why not separate out the scenes/storylines with a new chapter? Maybe it was because I was reading on my kindle that it was hard to distinguish where it changed?
Overall I quick easy read though.

[Kerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book took me ages to read I couldn't get into it. The concept of the story sounded interesting but I didn't feek lost in the story or feek like I warmed to the characters. The epilogue at the beginning was gripping so I was hoping it was a good story but when the characters were introduced the story didnt seem to flow. It took a while to get into the book but it wasn't for me.

[Michelle Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok read. I didn't struggle with it but neither was it one of those books that I couldn't put down. It took far longer to read than a book that size normally takes me. I guess I just didn't get involved in the characters or care what happened to them next. The actual concept was comical but believable. Not really one i'd recommend.

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably give it 2.75 stars. A chick lit book where the lead characters are mainly married women in their late 30s and the main topic is infidelity. It's a quick read, probably good for summer holidays and long distance travel. Not so sure about the topic and started to get a bit repetitive towards the end. Fine as far as chick lit goes.

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden in this book is a pretty normal type of love story but it is jumbled in amongst the tales of a group of man eating feminists who run a sort of club to cover their extra marital sexual encounters. I'm sure most of it was meant to be funny but instead it rambled on and at times just bored.

[Debbie Viggiano · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love chick-lit then you will love Perfect Alibis. It's a tongue-in-cheek read about having a fling and always having a back-up plan, but not always with perfect consequences. I won't say any more for fear of spoiling the story.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book quite interesting, I usually find it hard to keep wanting to read but with this I just couldn't put my kindle app down. I would 100% recommend this book.

[Linda P]

4*(21)

[Gail]

not that great may have to give it up..its not gripping me and taking ages to read which usually means its a bit boring.will give it till next chapter to pick up then im movin on im afraid...

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thinking of having an affair .... read this first

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

its not at all what I expected but was really good read. could not put it dpwn needed to know what would happen

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, interesting characters but I found the ending a slight let down.

[Abi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my kind of story, I am afraid. I thought the characters were not very likable and the kids even less so. I skipped several chapters and got even more irritated by the predictable ending.

[Karen Nichol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book but storyline not very strong. Ideal if you're looking for a quick chick-lit read.