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marie_gg's review against another edition
3.0
I've been reading Catherine Alliott for years, well before her books became available in the U.S. She did "chick lit" before it became so popular. Her English heroines always want houses in the country and are typically unhappily married or there are always tons of misunderstandings and unexpected occurrences...but it's all in good fun. She's a very funny writer!
izziede's review against another edition
Unusual writing style.
Good story in parts, not always quite for me in others.
By the title there is a suspicion of cheating.
Good story in parts, not always quite for me in others.
By the title there is a suspicion of cheating.
mjmbecky's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit that the story started off pretty slowly. In fact, in the first 150 pages I wondered if I'd be able to finish it. I didn't feel very connected to Eleanor, with her strangely muted relationship with her husband. Was this a cultural gap that I'd missed, or was Eleanor's relationship truly of a different sort? Her husband seemed a lot older to me, aloof, and just not engaged in marriage to begin with. He seemed as though he liked everyone else around him, but his wife, except at random "playing house" moments. Odd. Honestly, I wanted her out of that marriage from the get go!
Once we get past the background stories we need to move forward, the story really gets going and the tension in Eleanor's marriage and relationships take on new meaning. Although you start to feel you know where the story is heading, it doesn't all play out exactly as you might think. We can't help but hate the husband's best friend, as she seems way too involved in their marriage. Yes, you realize the marriage is falling apart, and yes, you hope that people get what's coming to them. The surprising bit is how everyone reacts, and how things fit together. In that way, the last 100 pages were pretty difficult for me to put down. (Although, maybe it was the hot, yet slightly grouchy veterinarian that captured my attention?)
On the whole, I really did like this book. It was hard getting the groundwork set, but once I could clearly see the connections between our characters, the story snapped into place and I cared about what would happen. Subtle humor is applied in spots, with crazy misadventures that didn't seem as funny as they might have been (considering the topic), but overall it rang true to me. This book is a great getaway book for a vacation, with plenty of drama and relationships to consider.
Once we get past the background stories we need to move forward, the story really gets going and the tension in Eleanor's marriage and relationships take on new meaning. Although you start to feel you know where the story is heading, it doesn't all play out exactly as you might think. We can't help but hate the husband's best friend, as she seems way too involved in their marriage. Yes, you realize the marriage is falling apart, and yes, you hope that people get what's coming to them. The surprising bit is how everyone reacts, and how things fit together. In that way, the last 100 pages were pretty difficult for me to put down. (Although, maybe it was the hot, yet slightly grouchy veterinarian that captured my attention?)
On the whole, I really did like this book. It was hard getting the groundwork set, but once I could clearly see the connections between our characters, the story snapped into place and I cared about what would happen. Subtle humor is applied in spots, with crazy misadventures that didn't seem as funny as they might have been (considering the topic), but overall it rang true to me. This book is a great getaway book for a vacation, with plenty of drama and relationships to consider.
pixieauthoress's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! Why did I ever stop reading Catherine Alliott novels? Wonderful escapism. The premise of this novel is often a typical format for chick-lit novels - happily married mother believes that her husband is having an affair with his ex - but nothing is exactly as it seems. Although the main character wasn't totally likeable to begin with, and could behave rather stupidly (obviously the way to stop some chav from bullying your kid is to invite him home for dinner, according to her!) but she grew and even her mistakes and character flaws were amusing. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments in this novel, and there was a lovely cast of amusing and intriguing secondary characters, such as Sheila, the woman who fostered over half a dozen kids and lived in a trailer, or the main character's father who is determined to annoy his ex-wife by dating younger and younger women. I liked the fact that the plot didn't go down the usual route, and that all of the characters either grew or revealed a secret about themselves. And of course, that this was a lovely, funny, light read. I'll definitely be reading more Catherine Alliott novels in the future! 9/10
littlebirdbooks's review
2.0
Reading the blurb I was quite intrigued to how the plot would last nearly 600 pages. For a lengthy book I was pleased to see there wasn't that many characters, you knew who the major ones were and the minors. I've not really heard much about Alliott's writing although I've seen many books on the shelves at book stores.
Usually books that revolve around a partner cheating annoys me as the other generally uses that was an excuse to go off and do it themselves, but for the most part this one seemed different. Imogen has been married to the love of her life for nearly ten years and nothing could be better. However when Alex's ex, turned good friend suggests they move into a cottage right on their doorstep, alarm bells start ringing. Upon moving there it's amazing to see how life is different for them all, particularly Imogen and their nine-year-old son Rufus as they have to deal with all the country troubles.
I didn't get on too well with the characters, I found Imogen pretty hysterical t times which was annoying, but I was willing to let that go as she thought her husband was having an affair. But calling out a vet to bring a dead chick back to life...? Then there was Alex, even though it was about them being a couple he was hardly ever in it. Eleanor was very frustrating too, it's clear to see why anyone would feel threatened by her. The only one's I generally liked were Rufus and Imogen's sister, Hannah.
With a few different characters there were a few different plots, which made the 600 pages go somewhat quicker, but they did divert from the main plot of the book at times. I was fairly enjoying the book until around the last 100 pages. It wasn't the ending I wanted and the last page just seemed random. There's not much I can say about it without revealing the plot but the ending just seemed thrown together.
All the way through the book I had mixed feelings it was good at times but very tedious at others. I'm going to look at the plots of her other books but I don't think I'm going to be going out of my way to read any others unless the plot sounds perfect.
Usually books that revolve around a partner cheating annoys me as the other generally uses that was an excuse to go off and do it themselves, but for the most part this one seemed different. Imogen has been married to the love of her life for nearly ten years and nothing could be better. However when Alex's ex, turned good friend suggests they move into a cottage right on their doorstep, alarm bells start ringing. Upon moving there it's amazing to see how life is different for them all, particularly Imogen and their nine-year-old son Rufus as they have to deal with all the country troubles.
I didn't get on too well with the characters, I found Imogen pretty hysterical t times which was annoying, but I was willing to let that go as she thought her husband was having an affair. But calling out a vet to bring a dead chick back to life...? Then there was Alex, even though it was about them being a couple he was hardly ever in it. Eleanor was very frustrating too, it's clear to see why anyone would feel threatened by her. The only one's I generally liked were Rufus and Imogen's sister, Hannah.
With a few different characters there were a few different plots, which made the 600 pages go somewhat quicker, but they did divert from the main plot of the book at times. I was fairly enjoying the book until around the last 100 pages. It wasn't the ending I wanted and the last page just seemed random. There's not much I can say about it without revealing the plot but the ending just seemed thrown together.
All the way through the book I had mixed feelings it was good at times but very tedious at others. I'm going to look at the plots of her other books but I don't think I'm going to be going out of my way to read any others unless the plot sounds perfect.
cindymccrawdircks's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The voice was authentic and there were several laugh-out-loud moments. "Crowded Marriage" was a light read and a mood lifter, for sure! It was, however, about 100 pages too long, and I often questioned the decisions of the main character while finding the results of those questionable decisions predictable. Still great for a weekend at the beach, though!
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