I think this book was perhaps more annoying in the audiobook, than the physical book form. The main character is so annoying, the way she constantly makes pathetic attempts at humour, and uses overly dramatic words wherever she finds the opportunity.

Her continued insistence that she still feels love and lust for her snivelling, painfully irritating husband wears thin very quickly. After how he tossed her aside without even a blush of apology, why she feels as though he's still the man she loves, I have no idea. He comes across like a Prince Charles caricature.

The real hero of the book is somewhat interesting, but after the continual frustrations that the two find themselves in, I don't know why he would ever suddenly find himself bleating that she "completes" him. Especially after she was happily enjoying her new found freedom with someone else just moments earlier (perhaps not moments, but certainly not that long beforehand).

The Prince Charles and his Camilla (Renee) were just too stereotypical to ever sympathise with, or identify with in any way, making their own side story just an irritating page filler. The eventual unravelling of Renee was ludicrously complicated, and rather ridiculous.

I kept up with it because I like Kathy Lette. However, it felt much more like an example of a story written in haste with an overly ridiculous plot, in preparation for toning it down and bringing some realism into it. Except that the second edit never happened.

Better than two stars, but I don't think it deserved three.

Very easy and funny read, you did want to give the main character a kick up the backside, and ending very a little far fetched, but I wanted to know what happened.

My goodness when I last read this book it was all about having a laugh and I thought "what woman in their right mind doesn't get that it's over?" Fast forward a few years and I related to this book so much it was scary. I was just lucky enough I didn't marry the bloke!


While others say that Lette's style is over-exaggerated, I think it's spot on! The humour balances it all out to not make it seems so ridiculously real.


*I selected this for a Reading Challenge as a funny book*

I finished this one really quickly, it was a fun book, and I do love my chick-lit. But it also made me feel sad and upset cos it had the biggest bitch them all (well in a while for me).


I liked Lucy, even when she fell apart, started drinking and forgot about everything. She is in a foreign country and her husband walked out on her. No wonder she is upset, but I still love her, and I feel so sorry for her. Her oldest daughter blames her and verbally abuses her, when she is not baking. her youngest clings to that daddy is not gonna be gone long, wets her bad and have night terrors. It's a household in chaos.


Luckily she gets a witty friend, and yes I can't remember her name...nope. Anyway I did like her even if I forgot her name. We get to meet other fun characters, like Lockie, the guys who holds this course so she can take her bronze medallion, and be able to save people on the beach. Of course I know the minute he walks in that he might be someone that she could fall for. When she gets over her idiot husband that is. But there is also Sebastian, 25, snobbish English, and who promises great sex.


To the bitch then, Renee, her former best friend who slept with her husband and then lured him away, that woman makes me grind me teeth. No one can like her or feel for her. Every time she shows up I feel sorry for Lucy, and Renee always puts her down and says the most awful things. her husband is not any better since he is spellbound by Renee, still he is an idiot so who cares. Well I cared since Lucy loves him and I have no idea who she will choose in the end.


The negative things about this book was also a positive thing. Every time people met, who disliked each other somewhat, or a lot, they gave these witty remarks. And honestly, yes they were fun but come on, put on the spot, with your husbands mistress, will you be able to say all those clever things? Everyone did it, and that part I didn't like, it didn't feel real. Still I also loved this part since they so hit the spot every time.


But this was a book that made me laugh out loud and giggle. It made me feel for Lucy, and it was a fun ride while it lasted. The reason why i enjoy chick-lit so much, easy to read, and makes me laugh.

A satisfying amuse-bouche in between more "serious" reading. Lette is as witty as ever in this book, but it drags on a bit here and there, and is a bit repetitive sometimes. Still, it's enjoyable, quick and fun.

I listened to the audio book. I've listened to this author before, Kathy has an amazing way with words. the story was about an English women transported to NSW Australia becoming a single mum with 2 daughters, throw in the local life surfing club and the magic happens.