💍👰🏻 The Other Woman 👰🏻💍 (2018) - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition (August 21, 2018)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 9781250191984

ISBN-13: 978-1250191984

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“HE LOVES YOU: Adam adores Emily. Emily thinks Adam’s perfect, the man she thought she’d never meet.

BUT SHE LOVES YOU NOT: Lurking in the shadows is a rival, a woman who shares a deep bond with the man she loves.

AND SHE'LL STOP AT NOTHING: Emily chose Adam, but she didn’t choose his mother Pammie. There’s nothing a mother wouldn’t do for her son, and now Emily is about to find out just how far Pammie will go to get what she wants: Emily gone forever.”

“The Other Woman”, a psychological thriller, is Sandie Jones’ debut novel. It is worth noting for some readers that this book is written in United Kingdom (British) English. Here are a few examples of some of the terms used:

* Tights (pantyhose)

* Tea (used for meals – lunch or dinner in US)

* Chuffed (very pleased)

* Hen Do (bachelorette party)

For United States readers unfamiliar with the terms, this book can be a challenging read as you try to figure out what is being referred to or said which could be a deterrent to reading it, or making it less enjoyable. As I had read another “Brit Chick Lit” book prior to this, I caught on pretty quick.

Anyway …

“He loves me, she loves me not” is the tagline – in essence referring to Adam loving Emily, and his mother (Pammie) not loving her. And, Pammie will stop at nothing to push Emily away forever. But, why?

Warning – you won’t know until the LAST eleven (11) pages of the book what is going on, which is the main “reveal”.

The main protagonist of the story, Emily Havistock, is a seemingly smart woman. Despite some missteps in her career, she was smart enough to dump a boyfriend (Tom) she caught cheating on her – with one of her friends (Charlotte) no less.

So, when Emily meets Adam, she thinks he is the perfect man, despite what happens on the drive to meet his mother. This exchange between Adam and Emily is what I feel would’ve served as a WARNING to get out of the relationship before meeting the mother. Adam’s reaction to something that Emily said was far, far too severe.

Then, there is Rebecca … and Adam doesn’t want to talk about her – yet someone misses her.

The series of the cliché “evil momster-in-law” issues begin with a misunderstanding between Emily and Pammie over Boxing Day (the day after Christmas).

Through each stage, Pammie ups her game against Emily – inviting herself along to functions, snide comments, fake health issues – those things.

I don’t want to spoil it, but these “issues” get annoying after a while, along with Adam’s ignorance and/or denial of it. He fails to even consider that what his mother is doing is wrong – and that should have served as yet another warning to Emily. Leaving Emily to wonder what she did to deserve everything that Pammie was doing to her.

There is also Adam’s brother – James. James is everything Adam isn’t. So why doesn’t Emily call it off with Adam? Why is she hanging on to him? And, does James have his own agenda?

Around two-thirds in, Emily learns Pammie has lied about something. But, Pammie threatens Emily with a “truth” about James. Emily also learns she’s pregnant (and is hoping it will save the relationship), which I felt was a bit cliché.

There were some twists I didn’t see coming, which were original given the cliché “momster-in-law” vibes. The last 19-20 pages were a definite shock as a lie became the truth and revelations were made. It was definitely a LAST-MINUTE reveal for certain. It isn’t a happy ending – very few of the psychological/suspense thrillers I’ve read end up happy, but it was the best case outcome.

I did manage to read the book in two (2) days. It was a “can’t put it down” novel type of read, though I think it was more or less out of morbid curiosity to see where it was going and hoping the end was worth the hype.

For me, this book isn’t a re-read though and I’m glad I borrowed the book from the library instead of buying it. The blurb made it seem interesting, and having the ARC of “The First Mistake” to read and review, I wanted to read Jones’ first novel to get a sense of her writing style.

My discontent with this novel was with Emily. I couldn’t really show any empathy or sympathy towards her. I know everyone seemingly had it out for her, but she came across as too naïve, if not downright ignorant. If that isn’t want the writer intended, sadly it happened. I couldn’t buy Emily taking all that “abuse” and still sticking around, especially when Adam is so oblivious and unsympathetic to her.

In addition, Adam’s reluctance to discuss Rebecca is another issue. I get that losing a spouse or partner is traumatic. However, there are millions of other people who have lost someone (AIDS, Cancer, Military deaths, car accidents, shootings, etc) and still discuss it with a future partner. Usually it is discussed not only to heal and gain closure, but to include the other partner in their lives. If they don’t – are they really ready to move on? Again, another warning.

If a mother-in-law to be is acting like Pammie, it is usually because:

#1.) She really doesn’t like you

#2.) She really wants to protect you from her son/daughter

This is one that I personally would check out in your local library if you're on the fence.

2 ⭐⭐/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SANDIE JONES has worked as a freelance journalist for over twenty years, and has written for publications including the Sunday Times, Woman’s Weekly and the Daily Mail. She lives in London with her husband and three children. The Other Woman is her debut novel.