This is a character-based book involving a love quadrangle... in particular two women who were best friends at school until one betrayed the other by running off with her boyfriend. They are both married with children when we meet them, but haven't seen each other or been in any contact for fifteen years.

I didn't entirely believe in all the characters, in particular a nymphomaniac neighbour; I didn't like some of the main cast, in particular the guy who ran off with one friend after being in a relationship with the other. But I really liked one of the main characters, and I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions with the children.

It's well-written, just the right pace for my tastes. There is a lot of introspection, but it's not repetitive. There is also a fair amount of discussion about intimacy and a great deal of off-stage bedroom activity... but thankfully nothing in any detail. The bad (often 'strong') language is more than I'm comfortable with, yet it's not inappropriate in context.

All in all I liked this book very much; by the time I'd read a few chapters it was almost impossible to put down. Definitely recommended if you like light-hearted women's fiction that touches upon some quite serious issues.

Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-accidental-wife-by-rowan-colema... ( )

Another Mother's Life hits the sweet spot. It has way more depth than a typical chick-lit beach read, but is lighter than the choices of a serious literary book club. It's a great read that you can get lost in.

I found the storyline to be completely plausible and relatable. Haven't we all wondered how our lives would've turned out, "if only"? Or wondered what happened to that one-time BFF that we've parted from?

I really enjoyed the female characters - I thought they were well-developed and believable. The male characters didn't ring quite as true, as I don't know many introspective men who talk freely about their past and current emotions. ( )

When Alison and Catherine were 17, their friendship was torn apart by Marc, who wooed Catherine only to elope with Alison. 15 years later, Alison and Marc move back to the scene of their crimes to discover Catherine now separated from Jimmy, Alison's teenage crush. As their children become friends, Alison and Catherine each face the question of whether or not they are living the another mother's life.

As with Coleman's other book, The Accidental Mother, Another Mother's Life skirts the lmore serious edge of chick-lit. At the beginning of the book, it is difficult to like any of the characters, but as the story unfolds and the reasons for some of their foibles are revealed, they all (except maybe Marc) become more understandable and more human. I was content with the ending, and felt Coleman remained true to her characters rather than imposing the deus-ex-machine happily ever after that dooms so much of the genre. ( )

This is a British novel. I tend to enjoy books these books because there is a subtle difference between them and the books written by Americans. In fact, that difference may be subtlety itself. I often find the stories to be more charming than those by Americans. The same reason I enjoy British films, I think?

In any case, this was a good story of two friends and a life circumstance ( read: man) that came between them. Most of the story of these two woman as youngsters, and then young women is told in flashbacks. The lives that they are living today, years after that final, crushing separation are compared. Such different paths they have traveled to bring them to the same crossroads.

When they are both young mothers, they are both taken aback when they meet at this crossroad of their lives.
It is the last thing either has ever expected to happen. Their children, daughters are becoming friends in much the same way that they did so many years ago.

This is the story of the possibility of renewing their friendship. Can it ever be as good as it once was?
It is a story of families, and frailties and the ability to trust.

Is it possible to go home again is a question we often come across, because it is really a question with no answer. Or perhaps a question with too many asnwers.

I read this in one afternoon, as I was drawn in and wanted to find out what happened to Catherine and Alison.
Many of us have had a good friend from childhood lost to time, or circumstance. That is what drew me in...

I am glad I read it and will pick up The Accidental Mother by the same author.

This was a good read that I will recommend to friends. ( )