Publisher: Orion (Hardcover)
ISBN-13: 978-1409101864
A good book is perfect for when you’re poorly and need to stay in bed and this latest novel by Erica James is just the right medicine.
Quite astute in the witticisms of people regardless of which class the characters define themselves as, James uses these nuances of human behaviour for full comedic effect in portraying the strength and weaknesses of her characters.
The story centres around 3 main characters – confused but confident Ella, and downtrodden Maggie and Ethan. Ella has wasted 7 years trying to win over the man she loves but failed because of his nightmare daughter, Maggie’s married to Mr Blobby who wouldn’t notice if she was dancing naked in front of him. Ethan is in a loveless marriage whose wife prefers his credit card and he’s being stalked by the nutty neighbour next door who is fantasising about running away with him.
Read along to find out how their lives unravel and entwine as they realise you’ve got to be careful what you wish for. Maggie’s character provides the best light relief and the interactions between her and mother-in-law can be appreciated by all wives who have ever had the misfortune of having a ‘challenging’ one.
What’s refreshing about the story is the inclusion of the male perspective rather than an all female perspective. This gave it quite a good balance throughout.
Sometimes it felt like the story was dragging a little and I couldn’t help skipping a paragraph here and there. Whilst one could see this as a criticism, I thought it was actually quite a good reflection of the tedium of life felt by each of the characters. Without giving too much of the story, I would have preferred to find out what happened to the nasty characters to see if they get their just deserts. Then again, it would make for a great sequel 
A worthwhile read if you’re looking for something to cuddle up on the couch with on a cold winter’s night.
