17857396Title: The Other Half

Author: Sarah Rayner

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Publication Date: March 2014

Genre: Adult Fiction/Contemporary

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

 

Synopsis can be found here.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Review:

I’m not one to read a lot of books about infidelity. While the topic is intriguing, I find myself to be too emotionally attached to the story, biting my nails as I read, feeling little sympathy for any of the characters and just wishing it was over.

That is not what happened with The Other Half.

Chloe, our mistress, is headstrong and smart, seeking to excel in her new career. Maggie, our wife, is talented conservative, trying hard to keep her marriage together and her husband interested.  That husband is James to his mistress, Jaime to his wife. That man is weak, confused and unable to make decisions.

Rayner does a great job making both women relate-able. I don’t love Maggie though I felt bad for her being in this marriage she feels like she has to fix. She finds herself being the wife she never wanted to be, constantly compromising her feelings and needs for her husband and child. And nagging him about it.  I don’t love Chloe because even though she is a good person at heart, she knows sleeping with a married man is wrong. Yes, it’s his fault too, but Chloe knew what she was doing and didn’t stop herself. Even when she feels guilty through the book when Maggie is calling James on his cell phone. They’re both different, yet brilliant. They’re both trying to find their way, and their one biggest obstacle is James.

Jaime is shown both through Maggie and Chloe’s eyes, allowing the reader to see this complete person who is trapped, charming and very very lost. He may not intend to hurt anyone, but no one comes out of this book unscathed. Of all the characters, I wanted to slap James the most. He’s mean, selfish and a liar.

The story moves fast, reading more like chick lit. It was easy to sit down for hours and lose myself in their drama. Will they get caught? Do you want them to? Who am I rooting for?

Overall, I enjoyed The Other Half way more than I thought I would. It moves quickly and I was glued to my seat, eager to find out how it ends.

Rating 7 Would Recommend