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ind24's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Easy, breezy, super chill, and entertaining read. Perfect for lazy summer days or long international flights. The concept of this book is definitely a good one - Mistress and wife plotting revenge behind the cheating husband's back and Jane Fallon's sense of humor and the unexpected plot line kept the story light and enjoyable. I loved the parts about their work, and how it is possible to for example be a good parent, but not a partner. Or how it's possible to be good at your job, while at the same time not being a good colleague. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read and although this isn’t my favorite book, I will certainly check out Jane Fallon's other books.
pixieauthoress's review against another edition
2.0
Most of the characters were rather 2D and the plot was pretty formulaic, but I did end up caring about what happened to the characters 3/4 of the way through. A light, undemanding novel and just what I needed to read after my Business Management exam. Although I did wonder why Richard and Judy picked one of Fallon's novels for their Summer Reads - I suppose 'Getting Rid of Matthew' must be better than this because 'Got You Back' was simply regular chick-lit! 4/10
lizpatanders's review against another edition
2.0
I have to say that I wouldn't particularly call this book substantial. It's actually quite a light read, with a plot that moves along nicely. Other than that, I didn't really enjoy this book. I didn't care about the characters or think the writing was that good.
lucepu's review against another edition
4.0
Very well written. Shows what can happen if you lie and think only about yourself. Also, shows how no matter what happen divorced parents don't need to fight and argue about children or anything else. They can be friends and have friendly feelings for each other.
It's not kids fault that their parents are no longer together. So I think it is a god decision that Stephanie wanted to show Finn that things are not going to be completely different, just a little.
It's not kids fault that their parents are no longer together. So I think it is a god decision that Stephanie wanted to show Finn that things are not going to be completely different, just a little.
losetimereading's review against another edition
2.0
Ok... this book disappointed me. A lot. It started off with soooo much hope, and I was really into it when Katie and Stephanie were planning the revenge on James. And then it fell flat.
I really wanted to see the revenge plan pan out and alas it didn't because James decided to feel guilty and then confessed. I also did not enjoy that the ending just kind of stopped. It was like the story was unfinished.
I gave it 2 stars for exactly the reason that it was ok. I actually enjoyed the book for more than 50 percent and then it was just blah.
Had a lot of potential but didn't meet my expectations by the ending.
I really wanted to see the revenge plan pan out and alas it didn't because James decided to feel guilty and then confessed. I also did not enjoy that the ending just kind of stopped. It was like the story was unfinished.
I gave it 2 stars for exactly the reason that it was ok. I actually enjoyed the book for more than 50 percent and then it was just blah.
Had a lot of potential but didn't meet my expectations by the ending.
whatkatyreads's review against another edition
Stephanie, the wife of James finds a random text message from a woman on his mobile phone. After doing a little more snooping around she finds out that her husband has been living a double life with another woman, Katie for a whole year. After confronting Katie and realising that she also had no idea that James was still married, they decided to come together and get revenge on the little bastard.
A girly book without being too lovey-dovey and romantic which I really can't stand and the ending was perfect, not cliché at all. It wasn't an amazing read but it was just what I expected and it was a really nice filler in between all the other more heavy reading I usually do. This is the second book I've read from Jane Fallon and I think I'll pick up another one.
A girly book without being too lovey-dovey and romantic which I really can't stand and the ending was perfect, not cliché at all. It wasn't an amazing read but it was just what I expected and it was a really nice filler in between all the other more heavy reading I usually do. This is the second book I've read from Jane Fallon and I think I'll pick up another one.
kerveros's review against another edition
2.0
So... yeah.
This seemed to have a somewhat interesting plot - a guy leads a double life, his mistress and wife find out and plot revenge. I was expecting the first third of the book to describe the wife, the mistress, and the cheater, the second half to deal with the ladies finding out and getting angry and the last third to feature the revenge. Instead we meet all three people (in their own POV chapters effectively) in chapters 1-3, with suspicion raising its head straight away with the wife and by chapter 5 I think it was the wife and unwitting mistress are plotting his downfall. This all happens in the first 70 pages and it felt rushed to me.
The main downfall of the book was the characterisation of Katie - she has low self-esteem and puts everyone else above herself, when she finds out that the man she loves is actually still married and has been for the past year and a half he has been lying to her (and everyone else in the small village) she is, at first reluctant to get revenge. However she comes around to the idea incredibly quickly going above and beyond the plan with the wife and basically acting like a spoilt petulant little brat. Now, I understand that James (the husband) was a rat and obviously deceitful in his business life as well as his personal one (not disclosing his full income, building extensions without the requisite permissions) but if you are aware of such things (which Katie seemed to be prior to the realisation) then you should report them - you shouldn't suddenly think "oh he has pissed me off I am going to get him in serious legal trouble" - to me this is the mentality of a 2 year old...
Of course, I am have heard the old adage "hell have no fury like a woman scorned" but I think this would have worked better if there had been less toy throwing and more concentration on the revenge front - aka humiliate James in-front of his colleagues and friends. It would certainly act as a lesson to him and a warning to any others present - then focus the remainder of the novel on Katie and Stephanie (the wife) moving on.
As it was the character development felt weak - Stephanie started off being strong, weakened then strengthened (somewhat) again (though I swear it feels like there ought to be a PS at the last page saying she and James reconciled after a bit - the plot certainly seems to suggest that anyway), whilst Katie went from weak to strong to crazy to even crazier to .... well back to normal I guess. I liked her making new friends, starting a new class but then the writing seemed to go downhill - there was no explanation as to why she blamed James for her presumption about another guy (and anyone who didn't see that coming about Owen from the introduction of him is blind) and then being determined to ruin James because of a slight she herself caused? Like I said, it struck me as 2 year old logic. James... I just wish I could understand how A - these women liked him in the first place and B - how the hell he managed to do so well with his life - as soon it starts getting rough he just folded.
The side plot about Stephanie's job and the closeted actress was kinda interesting, as was her romance with Michael.
On the whole this was really not memorable.
This seemed to have a somewhat interesting plot - a guy leads a double life, his mistress and wife find out and plot revenge. I was expecting the first third of the book to describe the wife, the mistress, and the cheater, the second half to deal with the ladies finding out and getting angry and the last third to feature the revenge. Instead we meet all three people (in their own POV chapters effectively) in chapters 1-3, with suspicion raising its head straight away with the wife and by chapter 5 I think it was the wife and unwitting mistress are plotting his downfall. This all happens in the first 70 pages and it felt rushed to me.
The main downfall of the book was the characterisation of Katie - she has low self-esteem and puts everyone else above herself, when she finds out that the man she loves is actually still married and has been for the past year and a half he has been lying to her (and everyone else in the small village) she is, at first reluctant to get revenge. However she comes around to the idea incredibly quickly going above and beyond the plan with the wife and basically acting like a spoilt petulant little brat. Now, I understand that James (the husband) was a rat and obviously deceitful in his business life as well as his personal one (not disclosing his full income, building extensions without the requisite permissions) but if you are aware of such things (which Katie seemed to be prior to the realisation) then you should report them - you shouldn't suddenly think "oh he has pissed me off I am going to get him in serious legal trouble" - to me this is the mentality of a 2 year old...
Of course, I am have heard the old adage "hell have no fury like a woman scorned" but I think this would have worked better if there had been less toy throwing and more concentration on the revenge front - aka humiliate James in-front of his colleagues and friends. It would certainly act as a lesson to him and a warning to any others present - then focus the remainder of the novel on Katie and Stephanie (the wife) moving on.
As it was the character development felt weak - Stephanie started off being strong, weakened then strengthened (somewhat) again (though I swear it feels like there ought to be a PS at the last page saying she and James reconciled after a bit - the plot certainly seems to suggest that anyway), whilst Katie went from weak to strong to crazy to even crazier to .... well back to normal I guess. I liked her making new friends, starting a new class but then the writing seemed to go downhill - there was no explanation as to why she blamed James for her presumption about another guy (and anyone who didn't see that coming about Owen from the introduction of him is blind) and then being determined to ruin James because of a slight she herself caused? Like I said, it struck me as 2 year old logic. James... I just wish I could understand how A - these women liked him in the first place and B - how the hell he managed to do so well with his life - as soon it starts getting rough he just folded.
The side plot about Stephanie's job and the closeted actress was kinda interesting, as was her romance with Michael.
On the whole this was really not memorable.
fauvely's review against another edition
2.0
I had mixed feelings while reading this book. I feel anything I have to say about it will come out all incoherant and rambly.
I would be interested to read another book by this author but I think I'd like to read something that doesn't centre around infidelity. It's a touchy subject for me. Reading about it is slightly difficult because my past experiences cloud any enjoyment I might find in a novel like this. That's my own fault.
I guess I had problems with the way the subject was approached. I guess I didn't mind the first half but then everything went downhill. I didn't mind when the women were getting revenge but it started to get all depressing and mean spirited. I know that's the way the author chose to tell the story but I had conflicting emotions concerning infidelity.
The whole message of the book confused and annoyed me.I could tell the author was trying to leave a hopeful ending for James and Stephanie. It's hard for me to accept that their relationship could be rekindled. I know James thinks he's learned from his mistakes and that all he wants is his family back but I don't believe cheaters deserve a second chance. The book went in a sappy direction and it upset me. It's not like this man cheated once or twice. He was living part-time with another woman for a year! But the book made you feel sympathetic towards James and that's what I couldn't accept. I just hate cheaters. I don't think they deserve their whole lives destroyed but they do deserve some form of karma. So yes, I did agree that Stephanie was right to stop messing with James life and I didn't agree with how crazy Katie became. In that way, the book was right. However, I still don't think James deserved even a hint of a second chance, which is how the book ended.
But hey, props to the author for being the other half of Ricky Gervais. This book falls somewhere between 2 and 3 stars for me. Maybe 2 and a half?
I would be interested to read another book by this author but I think I'd like to read something that doesn't centre around infidelity. It's a touchy subject for me. Reading about it is slightly difficult because my past experiences cloud any enjoyment I might find in a novel like this. That's my own fault.
I guess I had problems with the way the subject was approached. I guess I didn't mind the first half but then everything went downhill. I didn't mind when the women were getting revenge but it started to get all depressing and mean spirited. I know that's the way the author chose to tell the story but I had conflicting emotions concerning infidelity.
The whole message of the book confused and annoyed me.
But hey, props to the author for being the other half of Ricky Gervais. This book falls somewhere between 2 and 3 stars for me. Maybe 2 and a half?