Her Husband’s Mistake Review | Sheila O’Flanagan

I spend a lot of my time reading some intense books but I thought it was time for a bit of a feel-good book. I thoroughly enjoyed this one – more than I was expecting to in all honesty. It’s a feel-good, light-hearted read with characters you root for. Here is my Her Husband’s Mistake review.

Publisher: Headline | Date: 2019 | Genre: General fiction

Plot:Roxy’s marriage has always been rock solid.

After twenty years, and with two carefree kids, she and Dave are still the perfect couple.

Until the day she comes home unexpectedly, and finds Dave in bed with their attractive, single neighbour.

Suddenly Roxy isn’t sure about anything – her past, the business she’s taken over from her dad, or what her family’s future might be. She’s spent so long caring about everyone else that she’s forgotten what she actually wants. But something has changed. And Roxy has a decision to make.

Whether it’s with Dave, or without him, it’s time for Roxy to start living for herself . . .

I received Her Husband’s Mistake from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Her Husband’s Mistake Review

I don’t agree with guilty pleasure books: if you get pleasure from a book, even if it isn’t your normal genre or the type you’d automatically reach for, then that’s great and shouldn’t be something to feel sheepish about. That being said, if I had guilty pleasure reads, Sheila O’Flanagan’s books are top of that list. They aren’t my normal genre, but I thoroughly enjoy them.

Her Husband’s Mistake is a story of a woman finding her worth outside of her home and her marriage; realising she can be more than just a mother and a wife.

Characters

Roxy is a fantastic character! Life deals her a harsh hand when she loses her father and comes home to find her husband cheating on her. She tries to deal with it by taking on her father’s business – and realises she enjoys it, and she’s good at it.

Roxy is strong and independent: even if she doesn’t see it. She’s used to living her life around her husband and feels guilty at leaving behind their old life. She wants to do what is best for her children, and wants to be happy again. But happiness isn’t as simple as it used to be. Roxy finds her inner strength and motivation to do what she needs to do; refusing to bow to the pressures her husband, her friends and even her mother are putting on her.

Dave – the husband – made me so angry. He’s okay to start with, but the more his controlling behaviour comes through, the more he pressures Roxy into being the perfect housewife and nothing more, the more annoyed I got. I hated him as a character! His character is revealed subtly, with each chapter showing a little more of his nature. The writing was gripping.

I clamp down on my annoyance with my husband. He’s concerned for me, that’s all. But he doesn’t need to be. I can look after myself.

Her Husband’s Mistake by Sheila O’Flanagan

Roxy’s clients from her driving business all play their part as well. Ivo becomes a good friend as Roxy becomes involved in his family dramas and life – with the hint of something more, if it wasn’t for a complicated past. Thea – a successful actress starting to age – is almost a second mother to Roxy, full of advice focusing on Roxy’s happiness rather than societal norms.

Writing

The book has a steady pace and draws you in. The characters are well-defined and you connect to them on a personal level. I genuinely wanted Roxy to have the courage to do what made her happy and to see Dave for who he really was.

I thought I had the book predicted and completely sussed out. Turns out, I was totally wrong! In my defence, Roxy went through the exact same thought process, just much later in the book, so I feel like you’re supposed to feel like you’ve guessed it. The fact it wasn’t predictable really made this book for me; I wanted to see how it unfolded because I didn’t know.

If you’re looking for an easy read that draws you into these characters’ and their lives, I definitely recommend this one. An engaging and entertaining read!

Have you read any Sheila O’Flanagan? What did you think?

You may also like:

• Book Review: What Happened that Night by Sheila O’Flanagan
• Book Review: Letters to my Daughters by Emma Hannigan

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