Sunday 22 June 2014

Liane Moriarty: What Alice forgot

Alice has slipped in a step-aerobics class, hit her head and lost a decade. Now she's a grown-up, bossy mother of three in the middle of a nasty divorce and her beloved sister Elisabeth isn't speaking to her. This is her life but not as she knows it. Clearly Alice has made some terrible mistakes. Just how much can happen in a decade?

A feel-good story about how a little accident can change the worst things in your life. Alice is honestly trying to regain her memory, but then finds out that knowing what happened is perhaps not that brilliant, as she is aware of her mistakes leading to her marriage break-up.

Jane Fallon: Getting rid of Matthew

What to do if Matthew, your secret lover of the past four years, finally decides to leave his wife Sophie and their two daughters and move into your flat, just when you're thinking that you might not want him anymore. PLAN A: Stop shaving your armpits. And your bikini line. Tell him you have a moustache that you wax every six weeks Stop having sex with him. Pick holes in the way he dresses. Don't brush your teeth. Or your hair. Or pluck out the stray hag-whisker that grows out of your chin. Buy incontinence pads and leave them lying around. PLAN B: Accidentally on purpose bump into his wife Sophie. Give yourself a fake name and identity. Befriend Sophie. Actually begin to really like Sophie. Snog Matthew's son (who's the same age as you by the way. You're not a paedophile). Buy a cat and give it a fake name and identity. Befriend Matthew's children. Unsuccessfully. Watch your whole plan go absolutely horribly wrong.

This was a funny chick-lit story told from the perspective of a mistress who suddenly no longer wants the responsibility of a relationship, when her boyfriend suddenly leaves his wife and children. The characters are well described and it is easy to identify with all characters apart from Matthew who is a cheat and a liar, who never changes his ways. Having read "Sekeletons" I knew that I would enjoy this unusual perspective, too.

Thursday 19 June 2014

Sunday 15 June 2014

Jane Fallon: Skeletons

Jen has discovered a secret. It's not hers to share, but is it hers to keep? If she tells her husband Jason, he might get over the shock but will he forgive her for telling the truth? She might drive a wedge through their marriage. If she tells someone else in Jason's family - the family she's come to love more than her own - she'd not only tear them apart but could also find herself on the outside: she's never really been one of them, after all. But if she keeps this dirty little secret to herself, how long can she pretend nothing is wrong? How long can she live a lie? Jen knows the truth - but is she ready for the consequences?

This is a very interesting story about loyalty within a family and in-laws. Jen's feelings for her family and the members of her husband's family are well described and help identify with all characters. Ultimately, some parts are exaggerated, but overall a great read.