Bridget Asher seems to truly understand the depths of sorrow, regret, memory, and loss. I have only read this novel and her more recent 'The Provence Cure for the Broken-Hearted.' In both books, she attaches detailed, relatable memories to significant moments of the story- and she weaves this net with flawless compassion for her characters. And although 'Provence Cure' had me reaching for tissues, that's not the case at all with the more light-hearted 'Pretend Wife.'Many have already commented on the plot, and the synopsis is already above, so I would just like to add that I loved Elliot Hull, I loved his family, I loved how fluently Asher was able to capture those odd first years of marriage where partners often feel as though they are "playing house" and are uncertain of what married adults are SUPPOSED to be doing. I loved Gwen's somber, reclusive father, and I even loved the sudden twist that I had not seen coming!If there is a weak spot in the story, it may be Gwen herself. She comes off as sweet... indecisive... and nice. She isn't extremely memorable. She's a likeable filter, of sorts, for the story to come through to us. Where 'Pretend Wife' dips a toe into the depths of Asher's writing, 'Provence Cure' dives in headfirst and tangles you in the seaweeds until you can actually feel the lack of oxygen. I recommend both. I just never got this book. Maybe because I didn't care for the main character?Basically, she's never really happy. But she's happy settling. Because she just doesn't really do anything about it except change jobs often. Until one day a guy she dated for 2 weeks (2 weeks!!) in college shows up behind her at an ice cream parlor. And her husband invites this guy to a party. And then this guy tells everyone at the party how he is pretending to be married to make his dying mother happy. So of course one of her drunk friends says she should go pretend to be the wife. And her drunk husband agrees. Seriously? Only in fiction could this kind of thing happen in the first few pages of a book. Oh, and that guy she dated in college dumped her after the 2 weeks to go back to his girlfriend but somehow he's been in love with her for all these years and hasn't stopped thinking about her despite being engaged twice. Yeah, that really happens too.
What do You think about Doe Maar Alsof (2009)?
It was cute. I don't agree what see says about women though....
—rocco3
