Guest Review: My Sweet Revenge by Jane Fallon

I want to make my husband fall back in love with me.

Let me explain. This isn't an exercise in 1950s wifeydom. I haven't been reading articles in old women's magazines. 'Twenty ways to keep your man'. That couldn't be further from the truth.

I want him to fall back in love with me so that when I tell him to get the hell out of my life he'll care. He won't just think, 'Oh good'.

I want it to hurt.

Paula has had Robert's back since they got together as drama students.

She gave up her dreams so he could make it.

Now he's one of the nation's most popular actors.

And Paula's just discovered he's having an affair.

She's going to remind Robert just what he's sacrificing.

And then she's going to break his heart like he broke hers.

It will be her greatest acting role ever.

Revenge is sweet. 

Isn't it?

This author is new to me, although I have discovered that she has written quite a number of successful books. As so often happens, I was attracted to this book by its cover, and, having read the synopsis, decided that it was definitely one I might enjoy. I chose the audio version of the story, which kept me entertained throughout. I'll be looking out for more books from Jane Fallon. 

The central character in this story is Paula, devoted wife of successful actor Robert. She has given up her dreams of becoming an actor herself to look after him and their daughter, Georgia, who, when we join the story, is now on the point of leaving home for university. Paula has found out by glancing at Robert's phone at the wrong minute that he is having an affair with, Saskia, a co-star on his TV soap. She sets out to have her revenge in an elaborate plan which leads her on a convoluted path along which she discovers a lot about herself, as well as meeting some new people and developing new interests. 

I'm definitely glad that I picked this book up; it really is a gripping tale that had me gasping at the twists and turns that the story takes, while also laughing at some of the amusing situations Paula finds herself in. Paula's plan for revenge sounded good enough, but there are a great many side turns and red herrings along the way. I was literally shouting at her not to go along that path or not to listen to that person. I really liked her as a person; she has great determination and imagination in buckets. Robert and Saskia were most definitely not likeable people, but Saskia's husband, Josh, turns out to be not only handsome but one of the more interesting additional members of the cast of characters. The way in which the story is told also appealed to me. Some chapters are from Paula's point of view, and some from Saskia's. Then there was the habit of the narrator addressing the reader; I liked that idea. I wholeheartedly recommend My Sweet Revenge; it takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride and has you hooked from page one. 

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