The blurb pretty much states up front what this book is all about: Infidelity. Not exactly a subject that romance readers would be flinging themselves into with much enthusiasm. Writing about characters having affairs while in a relationship is always a tricky balancing act for authors. How do you garner reader sympathy when your heroines are guilty of the very things they hate most, namely disloyalty and deception? Nevertheless, the premise holds so much potential for conflict and drama that I'm instantly drawn to it like moth to a flame.

Frazer and Cora work in the same hospital as head midwife and social worker, respectively. Cora's husband Alec holds the purse strings for hospital budgets. In order to get funding and logistical support for an urgent project to help vulnerable new parents, Frazer enlists the help of Cora in an effort to make a more forceful impression on Alec. Cora finds the project and Frazer's companionship a nice distraction from her dreary and oppressive marriage. As their friendship deepens, Cora begins to appreciate more and more how she is treated with warmth, respect and dignity by Frazer in contrast to the coldness and constant belittling that awaits her at home. In a night of drunken recklessness and passion, the two take it one step too far and fall headlong into an office affair. Wracked by guilt at their deceit and having to face the innocent party constantly at work, Cora tries her best to save her marriage while Frazer tries her best to keep her hands to herself and whatever's left of her dignity intact.

I've always been fascinated by the kind of love (or lust or temporary insanity) that overcomes otherwise perfectly nice, rational, level-headed and maybe even old-fashioned people and turn them into reckless risk-takers. So, here's the thing. The key for me to buy into this notion is to have me believe that this 'thing' they have between them is so special, so powerful, so mind-blowing and so addictive that the protagonists are basically willing to throw away their lives for it. It's a tall order. Even though the book does manage to sell me the idea, it's not a slam dunk. I'll explain why. This is a personal opinion so other readers may feel differently.

Cora is at a low point in her married life. Frazer offers friendship and respect. Cora finds happiness for the first time. Things escalate and they have an affair. So far so good. Well...not good good, but what I mean is, I'm loving the story so far.

Spoiler

For the next three months or so, they disregard all basic norms of society and plain decency and just do it, simultaneously while Cora goes to couples therapy with her husband to try to fix things. She is completely in denial to wanting women. Poor old Frazer, who is so careful with her heart and so averse to dating/love/relationships because she has been badly burned before, doesn't raise a single peep that Cora basically treats her like a sex toy, to be used or set aside at Cora's convenience. For three excruciatingly long months. (Which probaly would have gone on forever, if they hadn't been caught.) At first, the weakness, the attraction to the forbidden was explainable, understandable. But the longer it went, the less logical it became. The Frazer who was a thinker, a planner, a doer...someone who made things happen, became an unsympathetic coward and doormat, whose mind thought one thing, but who did and said something totally opposite. The thing is, I never felt that she was completely under Cora's spell. Something that needed to happen if she was to be so enthralled as to be unable to think like a normal person. Maybe the sex needed to be hotter? ;) There were no elements of D/s either. In fact, Cora seems to be the one who was crazy about Frazer. If that's so, I don't understand why Frazer never questions or demands anything from Cora, not even a bit of status? Like, what is she, a lover, a gf, fwb, or something?...anything! They never have 'the talk'. Not until after it was almost too late and of course, that didn't go well. Thankfully, Frazer did find herself again before the book ends and thus, was able to find Cora as well.

Despite not-quite-hitting-the-mark on the affair itself, the book does exceedingly well on all the other relationships--especially the platonic ones. Cora and Frazer's friendship (the best part of the book!). Control freak Alec's subtle and insidious domination of Cora (creepy!). Cora and bff Liza. Frazer and sis (best sibling interaction ever!). Frazer and Tia (conscience + fairy godmother, who knew?). Frazer and everyone else. All these well-drawn and fully fleshed out supporting characters lend an air of levity and balance whenever the mood turned too bleak and despairing.

Another noteworthy thing: the book features some of the most diverse set of characters in lesfic. Both protagonists are Aussies with mixed ethnic backgrounds, as are a supporting character or two. And there is a young transgender who deals with some important life choices and transitioning issues.

The bottom line is, I really liked the book except for the extended infidelity angle (to my surprise since that's precisely why I picked the book :)), which, while full of drama, didn't quite make my list of "the best ever affairs worth throwing your whole life away for".

Spoiler

There are two books on that list. If anyone cares to know just click on my infidelity shelf.

The rest of the book is awesome. Including the ending. So hitch on the ride and get ready to be yanked up and down through this rollercoaster of emotions. Good or bad, it's guaranteed to make you feel.

ARC from Ylva.

4.25 stars