HOUSEWIFE IN TROUBLE by ALISON PENTON HARPER.BACK COVER BLURB (Contains what might be considered spoilers. To read full synopsis please scroll over darkened text TT):
If I start cooking every day, then Rick will soon start expecting it... and I'll have no one to blame but myself. I'm not bloody well going there again. The trick is to retain the all-important element of surprise. Keep the catering unpredictable, like the train services. Maybe I'll cook. Maybe I won't. It all depends on whether or not there are leaves on the line, or the wrong kind of snow.
Helen has done the one thing she swore she never would: remarry. A few weeks after the drive-thru’ ceremony, the reality of it hits her. She will henceforth wake up every morning next to snoring rhinoceros Rick, a man with all the subtleties of a brick coming through your living room window. Under the questionable tutelage of crazy Leoni, Helen vows to reinvent herself as a guilt-free, modern Superwife, and determines to master the innocent art of womanly deception.
Meanwhile, big sister Julia suffers a major crash-and-burn after the miraculous arrival of her new baby. Desperate to help her navigate a severe case of post-natal depression, Helen suddenly finds herself knee-deep in subterfuge and that, possibly, is what distracts her when Helga, the Russian cleaning lady, attacks Rick with a chair . . .
An Elvis wedding in Vegas. A panic-stricken newlywed wife. A severely concussed husband who cannot keep a secret. What could possibly go wrong? Bags open. Cats everywhere. As Elvis said, ‘If you’re looking for trouble, you’ve come to the right place' . . .
FIRST SENTENCE {CHAPTER ONE: THE BIG M}: It's not easy being married.
MEMORABLE MOMENT {PAGE 87}: 'Just finish that bottle and stop complaining,' Leoni bellowed. 'We're not taking you shopping with Axminster legs, and the last time I saw a moustache like that it was attached to a walrus.'
SOURCE: On my TBR mountain for that long I have forgotten.
MY THOUGHTS: Overall an 'OK' light-hearted chick-lit.
Other than the fact that I had no prior knowledge of the characters, I cannot say my not having read any of the previous books impeded on my reading of this, the fifth novel in the series, which began a whole new chapter in the protagonist's life, that of a newly-wed. However ...
Humorous (though it never quite had me laughing out loud) in places but grossly stereotypical. Still, they say stereotypes exist for a reason and I think many readers will see something of themselves (or someone they know) ... even if it is just the 'snoring rhinoceros' of a partner ... in Helen, her sister, new mum, Julia and/or best friend, Leoni.
To sum it up in four words .... 'It had its moments'. I'm just not certain I'll be seeking out any of the other four books.
9 comments:
The plot sounds interesting. The situation that the protagonist finds herself in has a lot of potential for fiction. Too bad that the book comes up short.
It sounds like a fun, light read... but I think I got my fill of chick-lit for awhile with the Traveling Pants series this fall. Besides, I'd want to start with the first book. I'll admit I really like that first line, though. It's something young people today often don't understand. Marriage takes work, especially after that first blush of "romance/lust" wears off. Geez, I sound old!
Tracy, I always count on you for honest, well-written reviews. I hope the next book you pick up (the last of the year, probably) is brilliant.
The cover looks cute and the story sounds like you said... it might have its moments. Hmm... might have to add this to the wish list for a lighter read in the future. Thanks for the share... honest as always! ☺
Hi Tracy,
I'm not really into chick-lit, unless I'm desperate for something to read and let's be honest, that isn't going to be the case any time soon!
I do have to agree wholeheartedly with Kelly about the first line though, which for me would probably be the best thing about the book. I know it probably makes us sound quite old, but they are definitely words from the wise!
I hope that both yourself and Mr.T. had a good Christmas and that the New Year is a good one for you :)
Yvonne
This sounds like a nice, light-hearted chick lit book which is the kind of thing I'm looking for at the moment as I could do with something nice and light at the moment. Thank you for the kind words throughout the year too, and all of the great books I've got to add to my TBR list too. - Tasha
Yea, the set up sounds like it wouldn't be a book for me either. I don't care for game playing and it seems like this book is full of it. Hopefully your first book of the new year will be a good one!
Happy New Year!
Tracy,
Judging from what you said
in your review, and also from
what the visitors said in their
comments. I would perhaps consider
to add the first book of the series
to my list.
Raven
From the synopsis, this sounds like it could a fun read. I am not sure it's for me though.
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