Customer Reviews

The Wife Of Reilly

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

A great, fun, clever novel. The main character, Prudence is one wild woman. As neurotic as Bridgette Jones, but more fun. She's totally clever and totally confused. But can't keep from getting herself deeper and deeper into the one big lie at the heart of the story. The problem surfaces when Matt, a long-lost boyfriend from college, proposes marriage to Prudence after a reunion weekend of great sex. But, uh, Prudence is married: so she decides she's going to find a new wife for her husband, Reilly before she leave him to be with Matt.

From a guy's perspective, a lot of fun to watch a woman totally out of control and in control at the same time. Great storytelling. Some just great dialog. And, well, great sex scenes.

Hey, I'd want to date Prudence if I got the chance. She's lying to two guys she supposedly loves, but she's such a nut job and so wildly insecure, I couldn't help but want to spend more time with her.

But I'm sure that'll happen. Because the book is bound to become a screenplay. Hope they do a good job with the great narrative language.

I'm a writer myself, and I really appreciate good dialogue, believing it can do more to develop character and story than almost any other technique. Jennifer Coburn has figured out the secrets of writing convincing dialogue more quickly than most new authors.
At a college reunion, outrageous Prudence reunites with Matt, an old flame - and one thing quickly leads to another. About thirty or forty `anothers.' As she says, "Maybe that would have been a good time to tell him about Reilly. My husband."
Well, yes, maybe so. But if she had, there wouldn't have been much of a book.
Generally the technique of an author addressing the reader directly, in 2nd person, is irritating to me, but I fell right into Coburn's confidential writing style. Her heroine (if you can call such a flawed and delightfully irritating person a heroine) has her eyes wide open to her own faults, and I think it's this internal honesty that makes us like her so much.
If you like good chick lit, you'll like this one; it's way, way, way better than average.

I've been disappointed with the run-of-the-mill novels that Kensington Strapless has thus far provided. To this day, Red Dress Ink, and sometimes Downtown Press, had been the only imprint that (sometimes) printed original chick-lit. That is until I read The Wife of Reilly. This novel turned out to be one fun surprise! The story is original and edgy, the characters are interesting and compelling, and the dialogue is sharp and crisp. Prudence Malone is the proverbial anti-heroine. Her actions appalled and entertained me at the same time. When she gets reacquainted with her long-lost love of her life, she agrees to marry him. But there's a catch: she's married to nice guy Reilly. So she sets out to find a new wife for Reilly. She wants to make things right for everyone involved. After all, "Why dump a husband when you can recycle?" That way she'll enjoy a guilt-free life with her new hubby. And everyone is happy -- right? Her misguided attempt to do what she believes is the right thing leads her to self-discovery. There are various twists throughout the novel.

I marvel at Jennifer Coburn's ability to create a dark, original and ironic chick-lit. Ms. Coburn is a great new author on the rise. And I'm glad that Kensington Strapless has released such a smart, witty, compelling and, more important, original gem. I shall give this novel the word of mouth it deserves. This book will certainly not end up in the recycling bin!

I got an e-mail from Jennifer Coburn letting me know about her book, I am so glad that she told me about it I loved reading it Prudence had me laughing so much, I had went with my husband to go play cards and of course I took this book to read, I could not help to laugh out loud and everyone kept looking at me, I didn't care because I was having so much fun with this book. I loved Prudence she is a breath of fresh air I also loved her friend Chad, I wish I had a friend like him. Thanks for Jennifer for a great read.

Happy Reading Lisa

I loved this book! Lots of twists and turns with a great ending. Super dialogue and funny characters. Once I started reading it, it was very difficult to put down. I just finished the last half all in one sitting. It helped that I'm sick and can read guilt-free while the laundry and dishes are piled a mile high. I can't wait for her next book!

As my first foray into chick-lit, I wondered (fearfully) what to expect -- and got a heck of a lot more than I bargained for! Weeks later, I still laugh out loud at the images the author conjured up. With her effortless writing style, she managed to have me simultaneously laughing out loud and thinking "Oh, this is so true."

This book was much more than a non-stop laugh-riot (which it is!) -- it's a story that every person can identify with on many levels. I will read "The Wife of Reilly" again and again, and certainly find something new, funny, and insightful with each reading.

Crazy but lovable Prudence Malone takes readers through a truly zany adventure as she searches for a new wife for her soon-to-be ex-husband, Reilly. She asks her colorful cast of friends "Why Dump an Ex When You Can Recycle?!" After falling in love with her college sweetheart at her 15-year reunion, Prudence decides to leave her comfortable but stale marriage to her sweet but dreadfully dull husband. He's a nice guy, (and she's a nut job!) though, so she concocts a plan to find her replacement. She places a singles ad, dates women and even hosts a singles party to find the next wife of Reilly.

This book was a oisser! I laughed so hard, there were times I had to wipe the tears from my eyes... really funny idea developed nicely through edgy humor, sparkling dialogue and witty insights. Every now and then, the author surprised me with a touching story that made me realize this story was more than just a laugh riot. It had a message about reconciliation, redemption and self-awareness.

Though very happily married, I thoroughly enjoyed this hilarious book about infidelity from Jennifer Coburn. I loved Prudence's inner voices (her Conscience, Guilt and especially her Inner Male-you can imagine what THAT tells her to do!). I could easily see The Wife of Reilly being turned into a hit movie! Read it and laugh out loud while your husband's channel-surfing. Then pass the word on to all your female friends, especially New Yorkers. The Wife of Reilly is witty, wicked, and great fun!

This book is an absolute riot. I laughed aloud at the antics Prudence conjured up when finding her current husband a new wife. Nothing like planning ahead for the future, even if it's not your own. This book is hysterically funny throughout and its also got a great message about father and daughter relationships. Thank you Prudence. I can't wait for the next installment. There is one right?

Prudence Malone is a NYC woman who's just run into the love of her life -- the guy who got away right after college. They have a wild weekend at their university homecoming weekend, at the end of which, the long-lost beau, Matt proposes marriage.

Major problem -- Prudence is already married to sweet but dull Reilly. So she decides to secretly find a new wife for Reilly so she be with Matt, guilt-free.Prudence is hardly up for any humanitarian of the year awards, but I couldn't help liking her because she was so damned funny! Neuroticly hilarious, really.The dates with women were a riot! The singles party at the art gallery where Prudence and her friends created an exhibit of Reilly, and lured in 400 single women was priceless. There were so many entertaining moments, peppered with observations and insights about life and love. I love this book.