Author: Suzanne Jenkins

I think this was a freebie through BookBub – at least I hope it was free as I’d hate to think I paid anything for it.

Jack collapses and dies suddenly, leaving his wife, Pam, and two children. At the moment he collapses he is having an argument with his brother who, once Jack collapses, steals his wallet. When Pam gets to the hospital to say goodbye another woman has just come out of the room where Jack’s body is being kept.

So far not a bad scenario. But it just gets worse. Jack had a long-standing affair with Pam’s sister, his other mistress is pregnant, Pam’s mother-in-law is horrible, and her sister- and brother-in-law both end up in jail. Just when you think it is over, both Pam and her sister end up with AIDS and his mistress is HIV positive.

This is #2 in a series of 5 but there is no way I’ll ever read another one.

Goodreads Rating * (and I’m being generous)

Author: Anita Diamond

This book went around the lunch room when I worked in Port Coquitlam. I loved it then but remembered very little about the story. I was searching Netflix when I saw it listed and immediately checked it out of the library because I wanted to re-read the story before watching the movie.

I loved the book all over again!

Goodreads * * * * *

Author: Zoe Whittall

George, a respected teacher and much-loved family man, has been arrested on charges of sexual misconduct with several minors, and attempted rape of another minor. The incidents in question took place on a school trip.

The remainder of the book focuses on what the arrest, subsequent jail term and, finally, the trial have on the members of his family – his wife, their 16-year old daughter and their adult son.

The author leaves it up to the reader to decide whether or not they agree with the verdict.

Goodreads Rating * * *

Author: Anne Enright

I hoped for a better book than I got – the title was interesting, the cover appealed, it was based in Ireland, and one of the author’s later books won the Man Booker prize.

Gina takes us through the ups and downs (mostly downs) of an affair she has with Sean, a married man whose family lives next-door to her sister. Although well written the book didn’t appeal.

Goodreads rating * *