Customer Reviews

His Other Wife: A Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have not had the pleasure of reading a book by Deborah Bedford before, but to say that reading His Other Wife is a pleasure would be a huge understatement. This book was absolutely fantastic on so many different levels.

The first thing that struck me about this book was simply the writing. Sometimes it takes me a little time to get used to an author's writing style, but not this time. I instantly responded to Deborah's writing and welcomed the experience of a story that sounded like it could have been heavy and a little tough to take.

Naturally, with writing as flawless as this, the story captured my attention right from the start and not one moment passed through the entire book where I felt bored or where I felt the story was too heavy. There was a lot of drama and a lot of painful history in this story, but Deborah skillfully avoided having "too much" at any one time. The reader learns about each character and his or her issues slowly as the story unfolds just as we would naturally learn about someone we would meet in real life. Watching Pam and Hilary both come to terms with the situation they find themselves in and watching God take hold of Hilary's heart was very inspiring.

Some folks may find that the story wrapped up too neatly, and I must admit that I briefly felt that way. But, after reflecting on it for a few minutes I think that was done intentionally by the author to show the reader that once we surrender to God, things have a way of falling into place. For good or for bad, God takes care of us if we let Him. That is the message Deborah was conveying throughout this story and she did it beautifully.

His Other Wife is one of those books that I didn't just read. I savored it. I had certain expectations and each of them were either met or exceeded. This book is going on my all-time favorites shelf and I will certainly be reading more from Deborah. If you are looking for a story with a powerful message that will inspire you and leave you feeling uplifted, I highly recommend His Other Wife.

Hilary is a survivor and a fighter who knows the ups and downs life can throw at you and how to come back from the brink of disaster. She thought she had a good marriage only to find out that her husband wanted a great marriage to another woman. She believed her 18 year-old son was mature enough to make an adult decision but learned that while she had raised him to have a head on his shoulders at times he didn't want all that bearing down directly on him. When Hillary's husband moved out of their house and left a void as to who should be the man she asked her young son to take on that role. She depended on him and at times relied on him to help her fill the voids she had in her life without her husband.

All that pressure on her son was too much and Seth was a tornado of emotion. It all comes to a head one night when a quick decision and poor judgment has him deciding to take a dare and not look back. Seth wanted to be a kid like everyone else and enjoy life without the burden he bore as the son of divorced mother but no one is listening to him when he talks.

Hilary's life is changed again and never to be returned to the way it was but this time if she and her son get out of this mess she has decided to move her life in another direction, one she is not clear on but one she will be guided to walk down. Hillary knows it is a life where she may be on her own but not alone.
But even when Hilary is faced with disaster, crisis and her ex-husband's new wife and family she still knows that there is a power so much stronger that will guide her through the sadness and crisis. Hilary tries to move past the hurt of what her ex-husband had done and draw him and his new family into her heart and let them help her son heal from his mistake but can she, is she stronger enough to let go of the hurt and see past problems to let them work together to find a resolution.

That which does not kill us makes us stronger but at times we all question whether God is paying attention or has forgotten to help us with the cross we bear. But when you stop to hear the whisper in your ear that says you are strong enough and you can get past this if you just don't dictate what you need but appreciate what you have.

Hilary is Eric Wynn's first wife --- the wife he cheated on and left to raise their son alone so he could marry Pam, known as his other wife. It's been six years since the divorce, but Hilary still hasn't quite gotten over it.

Hilary and Eric's son, Seth, is now 18 and graduating from high school. Eric and Pam, along with their daughter and Pam's son from a previous relationship, come back to Chicago for the graduation ceremony and to celebrate the occasion. This puts Hilary in an awkward situation. Eric's new wife is condescending, harsh and critical. Hilary struggles with her emotions, trying to be mature and civil for Seth's sake, yet is seething on the inside. She even resents the fact that Eric and Pam have a child together.

Seth has tried to be the "man of the house" and act as a pillar of strength for his mom since the divorce. He is angry with his dad for leaving and feels protective of his mom, but he also carries some buried resentment towards his mother for depending on him a little too much.

In keeping with tradition, after graduation, Seth and his entire graduating class plan an overnight camping trip. Hilary only agrees to this because she knows her son. She has had plenty of conversations with him about teenage temptations like alcohol and sex, and trusts that he will act responsibly during the unsupervised event. But Seth doesn't. He makes a poor decision that will impact his life forever.

The book is titled HIS OTHER WIFE, but really, it's the incident with Seth that's the main focus of this book. Yes, Hilary is dealing with her ex-husband and his wife throughout the story, but Seth's actions and the after-effects are what drive the plot. The lessons Hilary learns about herself, extending forgiveness, and relinquishing control to God directly relate to her son's life-altering event.

Deborah Bedford's style of writing took me a while to get used to. The book is written in an almost omniscient point of view, as if someone from afar is watching these characters and telling us about them. While all had sympathetic qualities, I found it somewhat difficult to truly relate to them. Growing up with divorced parents myself, I understand the pain, heartache and struggles that come with broken families. I can especially appreciate the emotional fallout, but some of the actions and motivations of the characters just didn't ring true for me. Additionally, some of the dialogue and actions seemed awkward and forced, particularly with Hilary. This possibly has to do with preference and/or personality style. Bedford has been described by other reviewers as a lyrical writer, which is more flowery and descriptive, a style many readers appreciate but that I find less enjoyable.

That said, the character I found the most likable and endearing was Seth. His storyline is gritty, interesting and fresh, from the camping event to the way he deals with the result of his poor choice. I found myself connecting with his pain and remorse, and rooting for him the whole way through. Not all of us have made a mistake as impactful as Seth does in this story, but who hasn't been in a place where they've reaped the consequences of a poor judgment call?

HIS OTHER WIFE does tackle some common issues that Christians face today, such as divorce, blended families, tragedy, trust and forgiveness, and also explores the question of where God is when bad things happen. This is something Hilary cries out to God about and eventually realizes that it is she and not God who has stepped back.

The book ends neatly, though perhaps a bit predictably, but in a way that shows how things come together once we surrender control and leave our hurts, resentments and cares in God's hands.

--- Reviewed by Lynda Schab

Sometimes you look back and try to figure out when it all when wrong. For the last six years as Hilary attempts to move forward, she still finds herself wondering where it all fell apart. One day out of the blue her husband Eric, announces one day that he is in love with someone else, has started divorce proceedings, is moving out today and the papers will be served on Thursday.

So how do you begin to process that? Hilary looks to God to deal with all the issues surrounding this circumstance, while struggling to raise her teen son, Seth as a single mom working as a nurse.

After those six long years, Seth's graduation day is coming up and with that, a meeting with her ex husband Eric, his new wife Pam and her two kids, Ben and Lily. How will she deal with that? Seth also informs her of a private graduation party that most parents are aware of that involves an overnight camping trip on graduation night. Will she let him go?

Hilary's life will be tested beyond what she has gone through in the last six years in one night that will change everything and give her faith in God the ultimate test. Will she survive?

I received the book, His Other Wife by Deborah Bedford, compliments of Hachette Book Groups and Faith Words, for my honest review. I can say I loved it! The reality of what Hilary must face not only with her divorce but the struggle in single parenting is inspirational to those that have walked in those shoes, myself included. I wish I had the support system she did in the book and shows just how difficult it can be at times to wonder where God is in all of it, when things come crashing down. This one rates a 5 out of 5 stars!

This book is available in paperback and eBook formats.

This book caught my attention from the first page. It would be a great book club discussion choice. The story was about how Hilary was hurt by her husband's infidelity, how much she counted on her son and wanted to be too much of a friend to him--probably because she needed one. It wasn't the best way to deal with her/their situation but it was an honest look at a single mom not wanting to alienate the one person she can still love. I think anyone who has lived through a divorce knows the sadness, guilt and regret you both feel, no matter who you think "caused" the divorce. Forever. The connection changes but doesn't go away when there are kids involved. Hilary was too caught up in the past to move forward but the cheating husband took the easy way out and moved away leaving her to raise their son, for the most part alone. Hilary's bitterness really only hurt her son but she doesn't see it that way until later. When high school graduation comes we learn the dynamics of how the dad still wanted a relationship with his son, but didn't push it, probably because it was easier not to "deal with" his x and his current wife at the same time. Events cause them all to look at how to put their own feelings aside, some predictability but not all, and some good thoughts on what it feels like to be the second wife too. I thought it was a good read.

this book is high level chick lit.you will care more for seth,the son,than his selfish father and boring mother.please let me know when a book is christian.

I found the book The Other Wife an interesting plot and story. Unfortunately the forsaken wife really didn't let the anger and bum rap go for 6 years. She kept dwelling on her son Seth, but as a mother she held back his opportunity to work through the divorce of his parents. He had to do something way out there to get the anger out of him. The dynamics between the current wife and ex-wife was interesting and the WEAK husband kept teetering between the two wives. He made his decision, so live with it!

I did find the book somewhat Christian in nature, but was a soft sell probably to appeal to a greater audience. I wouldn't waste my precious budget money to purchase for the library.

Infidelity is another subject that keeps creeping up in the books that I read. I swear I don't mean to keep choosing books like this. The interesting part is that I am getting hit with it from all the angles so the different perspectives are quite interesting.

If my husband cheated on me, told me he had stopped loving me, left me and remarried the other woman, there is no way that I am going to be friends with him and his wife. If there were children involved, I would stay civil for the sake of the child but I am not going to be friends with him. I could not do what Hilary did and have them stay over in my house. I would darn well not let the new wife talk down to me or tell me how bad of a parent I was. I know that Hilary was trying to not let her temper rise or have it show in front of Seth but I really thought there was situations where she was a doormat. I don't know if she's showing the whole "turn the other cheek" method but I really got frustrated with her for not standing up for herself.

I'm wondering why Hilary never remarried or even thought about dating again. I thought there might have been some hint of a relationship between her and another character but it's never brought up or mentioned. I understand that she poured her life into her son but I felt that a lot of the doubt and insecurity not to mention anger that she's harboring could have been helped if she at least tried to date again. She never flat out says that she didn't want to find someone else so I'm wondering if it's the old Christian fiction standby of you can't remarry if you're divorced type of deal.

While it was interesting to see the viewpoints from Pam and Eric, to be honest there was nothing they could say that could really elicit sympathy from them. I blame Eric the most for the whole situation and frankly did not feel like he was suffering any throughout this whole situation. On a normal basis, I could maybe identify with Pam's insecurity but really? She's jealous of the ex-wife and her husband's first son? Well maybe you should have thought of that before getting involved with a MARRIED man? I'm sorry, there's just no sympathy on my part for her and him and their attitudes were self righteous and selfish.

I found Seth's story to actually be the most interesting. I felt that Bedford did a really job of portraying him as a teenager on the verge of becoming an adult. His actions, moods and what he said was exactly how I expected someone his age to act. I wish we could have read more from his point of view. Overall this is a very interesting book because of the subject matter. Hopefully I will never find myself in Hilary's situation but I know that there are many who are in that way right now. I think there is a lot to discuss after reading this book and a lot to think about, which I think is a big selling point for the book.

I thought this was a really great book. I had never heard of this author before but saw it in the library and wanted to give it a try. I was not disappointed.

This is the first book that I've read by Deborah Bedford. I am thrilled that I was given the opportunity to read this book. After reading this book, I've scanned through other books (in the back of this book) and I have my eye on another one that I plan to read.

Hiliary's life is turned upside down when her husband leaves her for another woman. Her son, Seth, is set to go to college soon and she will soon be experiencing the empty nest syndrome. Maybe she depended on him too much after the divorce? Seth will protect his Mom no matter what.

Hiliary prides herself that her son can bring home his friends and they confide in her. Seth is senior and will be graduating this year. All is in place for the annual senior campout party. There may be some harmless drinking. It's not a party sponsored by the school.

Eric, Hiliary's ex-husband and his new wife, Pam, get wind of this party and thinks that Hiliary is making a huge mistake by allowing Seth to go. But, Hiliary trusts Seth and she's not worried.

The campout doesn't go as planned. An accident happens at the campground and now the two families must come together as one.

How can Hiliary possible befriend another woman who stole her husband and her life?

In life, there are many circumstances. We wish that we can change them but in some cases, it's not going to happen. In Hiliary's case, Eric was not going to return to her. It was a fact. Hiliary had to learn to change herself since her circumstances did not. It's only through God's power that one can truly change and the change will stick like superglue.

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the author/publisher. I was not required to give a positive review.