Loved this book. Was thrilled to receive the new Sheila O Flanagan....I have devoured all her books. This did not disappoint.
As in the title...the husband made an error of judgement and what seemed so desperate and awful for Roxy actually developed her in to a strong and independent woman, the woman who had for a long time got lost inside herself and her mundane life. she discovers that she is strong and can cope with what life throws at her.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book, loved the character of Roxy...was irritated by her selfish husband.
A book that I didn't want to put down. Sheila O Flanagan Dan's will not be disappointed!!

I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to be here on Day One of the blog tour for Sheila O’Flanagan’s latest book, Her Husband’s Mistake! When I spotted this tour invitation in my Inbox, I pounced on it immediately! Sheila has been one of my favourite authors for the longest time, and as the endorsement on the cover claims, the same goes for Marian Keyes – also one of my favourite authors! I will admit – for those who don’t already know – that I love Irish books, and all things Irish. So immersing myself in a story that’s set in Ireland is pure comfort reading for me.

I loved this book right from the start, even though the beginning is not a good one for Roxy, our main character. She’s just lost her beloved dad. While he was ill she and her two young children moved in with her mom so that they could help and support her, while she also helped out with her dad’s chauffeur business. But on the day of the funeral, Roxy decides she wants to go home to be with her husband Dave. Lo and behold, she discovers him in bed with their attractive neighbour. Not exactly the welcome she was expecting!

Understandably hurt and humiliated, Roxy flees back to her mother’s house to regroup. Should she leave Dave immediately? Take some time and go back to him? Accept that he’s just a ‘weak man’ and carry on as if nothing happened? It’s all so confusing. The solid life she thought she knew has just disintegrated in an instant and nothing seems assured any more.

Over the following few weeks Roxy settles into a routine driving what used to be her dad’s car, and his clients around to their various appointments and spending time with her close friends, and with her mom who shares some home truths with her about her father. She discovers that all relationships go through peaks and valleys and that what you see on the surface usually doesn’t tell the full story. She takes the time to reflect on her life and is able to look at it from the outside. She’s not always happy with the picture she sees – and it’s not only a picture of Dave in bed with the neighbour!

She also starts to learn a lot about herself. She’s never had so much time to truly focus on herself and what she wants. She always trundled happily along, accepting the (rather vanilla) life she had with Dave, her childhood sweetheart, and the kids, assuming that it was the way it would always be and was meant to be. Now, however, she realises that she wants and needs so much more for herself and that the sense of empowerment that running her dad’s business – which is actually now her own – is giving her, is something that she thoroughly enjoys and would like to continue, because she’s really good at it!

I loved the sage advice that Roxy received from those who truly wanted to see her succeed and the people who loved her for who she was and who saw the spark of something special in her before she saw it for herself. I just lamented the fact that she was so repressed that she didn’t recognise her own worth. She has an innate inner strength that she didn’t even know was there until she was forced to use it. And the truth is that we do admire those who we think are ‘better’ than us – whether they are or not. But by doing so we learn a lot too, and this is how Roxy slowly gains what she needs to make those all important changes to her life.

As for Dave, well he provoked such a sense of anger and irritation in me that my kindle is lucky it’s still in one piece! What a self-absorbed, arrogant, selfish, worthless piece of dog-poo (and I’m being incredibly polite!!). Well written Sheila, because I’m sure that’s the reaction you intended, wasn’t it? I hope so!!

I literally did a little dance of joy when I read about Malahide Castle and Avoca – especially as this was the place where Roxy and her mom went to settle their minds and find a bit of a peaceful retreat. I’ve been there! It’s so gorgeous, and there’s just something about reading about a place that you recognise and that you’ve traveled to and invokes a similar sense of utter satisfaction!

In case you haven’t noticed by now, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s always a toss-up when reading through a book that you absolutely relish: do you race through it, or do you try and pace yourself and eek it out so that you don’t finish it too quickly? I tried to do a bit of both, but just couldn’t help that inevitable disappointment when I eventually reached the end. However … could there be the possibility of a sequel. I know I’d definitely love to hear more about Roxy and I’m sure other readers will want to as well!

This one deserves 5 gorgeous glittery, green Irish stars from me!

A husband’s infidelity breaks a woman, but then slowly and surely, it re-joins her into a stronger version of herself, a woman she is meant to be.

Roxy came back home on Rodeo Night and found her neighbor riding her husband Dave. An irony!! A marriage, which was solid with 2 kids, broke apart. She shifted out to her mum’s place, took over her father’s chauffeur business, for the sake of children and twenty years of marriage, returned home to try to forgive (a bad decision, I tell ya) her husband and make a go of her marriage. But could a cracked mirror ever be as good as new?

I have read many books by author Sheila O’Flanagan and have quite enjoyed them. The premise of this had me eager to read it at one go. Women empowerment, women discovering themselves, finding their inner strength and independence has always been one of my favorite reads in this genre. And the book certainly did not disappoint.

Roxy had been etched very carefully by the author. There was an air of genuine goodness about her. I loved the way the vibe of her inner discontent came through. Her character grew from strength to strength. Her decisions were supported by her kids and mum. Only the archaic husband Dave was a moss covered boulder on her path, slimy and slippery, trying to control his wife. I wanted Roxy to stand up strong and tall, and she did. My girl made me proud.

Overall a fun read!!

This book just sucks you in from the first line. I couldn't put it down. Very compelling and absorbing. The main character isn't necessarily likeable but she is interesting. In fact, she reminded me a lot of Christina Applegate's character in Dead to Me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

"The day after my father's funeral I caught my husband in bed with the neighbour"

I knew from the first line that this book was exactly what I was looking for.
I've read a couple of books by Sheila O'flannagan in the past and they are just so damm readable. I cant say I loved the main character, I couldnt particularly relate to her but at the same time I couldnt quite let her go either, it's like I had to get to end and hope she turned into someone I could potentially like. And having now reached the end, I'm not sure i like her, but im proud of her.

This is a perfect book for sunny poolside days or if like me you find yourself in the middle of War and Peace and just want to read something engaging and fluffy.

I always feel it is a real pleasure to sit down and read a book by this author. This is an easy enjoyable read. I liked the characters and the story. I really like the the writing style of all the Sheila O’Flanagan books that I have read and would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I got a sample from somewhere, it may well have been on Netgalley of the first chapter of this book. I thought it sounded really good and looked forward to reading the rest.

Hmm. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t completely enamoured with it. I know Sheila O’Flanagan has written quite a few books and is a popular author, though I haven’t read any of her books myself. As I’ve read a few Irish authors and really enjoyed them, I expected this one to be good too.

For the first few chapters I was ready to give up on the book, I thought it went in to far too finer detail, parts of which I thought irrelevant and didn’t add anything to the story. Because I hate not finishing a book, especially when I’ve requested it I carried on a bit further. Subsequently I did find myself reaching the end of one chapter and wanting to know what happened next. I did actually find this book quite hard to put down eventually and finished it pretty quickly.

However I wasn’t completely keen on it. I didn’t like Roxy’s husband but then I don’t think any readers did. He did come across as quite archaic with some of his opinions with regards to his wife working. Are there really still men around in their late 30’s who actually insist that a woman’s place is in the home? Really?

Then there were all the references made to appearing professional, being a successful business woman, dressing to impress, chauffeuring celebrities around and feeling proud and special doing that. I just didn’t find this aspect of the book very interesting. I thought Roxy’s character went a little over the top with her feelings of insecurity and thinking everyone else was somehow better than her just because they wore the right clothes or perfect makeup. Maybe that’s how it is for younger women now, or perhaps I’ve lost touch with my younger self. On the other hand I don’t recall being quite so obsessed with emulating celebrities and aspiring to be like them in my younger years. But then we didn’t have social media, perhaps a good thing – I don’t know. Maybe a good discussion for a book club?

Roxy’s ridiculous husband and the business stuff aside, there were some interesting parts to the story and it was these that kept me going. I liked the relationship Roxy had with her mum and the parts of the story about her mum were good. Her mum coming to terms with the loss of her husband and wanting life to still go on – I enjoyed that aspect of the book. Roxy’s children were lovely too. The relationship Roxy had with Ivo one of her Chauffeur business clients was interesting. You see, it did have good bits. I just thought it was spoiled a bit with all the business side of things and the idolising of celebrities, who really were only minor celebs anyway.

Even so it has got quite a lot of favourable four and five star reviews. Many readers like it. It obviously just wasn’t my thing.

thank you for allowing me to read this book. it was very easy to read. i enjoyed the story line and the characters. look forward to reading more from this author.

Sheila has long been one of my most favourite authors; I’ve read all her books and they always have me hooked from the first few pages.

Roxy thinks that her marriage to Dave is solid. They have a house and two children, and life runs along smoothly. Then Roxy’s father dies, and she also walks in on Dave in her bed with their next-door neighbour.

Roxy’s dad has left her his quality car which he used for his private chauffeuring business, so she starts to take over his clients. Should she keep working or should she sell the car to provide a lump sum for her family?

Should she stay with Dave, or should she go?

A beautiful book that I didn’t want to put down, had warmth, humour, and real-life situations, and really didn’t want it to end!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

I can always depend on Sheila O’Flanagan to deliver a book that will both entertain me and make me think. I love that while her book’s are light reads, they are not fluff. I find they present issues to debate over in my mind, as I’m always wondering just what I would do if I were in the characters shoes.

First Line

"The morning after my father's funeral, I came home and found my husband in bed with the next-door neighbour."

My Thoughts

Well that first line pretty much sums up the setting for the book. Roxy catches her husband out, and realises that something has to change in her life. While she was once rebellious and competitive, now she is just putting herself second place to everyone in her family. And she realises that isn't good enough. Not as an example to her children, and not for herself.

I loved watching her grow, and re-find herself. I think every woman loses a bit of themselves as they take on grown up responsibilities and it made the theme a very relatable one.

There is a side story about Roxy's father who recently died. Roxy finds out something about her father that she never knew, and it feels like another blow to her. Roxy's mother features heavily too, and I enjoyed watching her step into a new chapter of her life. With sadness, and fear, but also with a belief that life is for living. I loved her courage and willingness to put herself out there.

This is a true family driven tale, and family is at the heart of the book. All the different stages of life, and learning how to cope with set backs, make tough decisions and rise to new challenges. Told with humour and emotion, I was engrossed and totally admit to ignoring everyone around me until I finished this book.

Overall it's a lovely read, with engaging realistic characters, coping with true-life problems. A typical Sheila O'Flanagan book, and I mean that in the best possible way. As Seeing Sheila's name on the cover is like a guaranteed quality stamp to me.

I have read most of Sheila O'Flanagan's books, so I was pleased to receive an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Roxy has taken over from her Father's chauffeuring business while he is Terminally ill. Shortly after his death, she returns home to find her Husband in bed with the next door neighbour.
She moves back to her parents home while she decides what to do next. She carries on with the chauffeuring business, building up a solid client list.
She decides to give her marriage another chance, but finds that she can't go back to how things were, being a wife and mother. She has to decide what she actually wants from life.
The book was well-written and relatable however I found it difficult to get into at times, I thought that the storyline dragged in places, and it was fairly predictable. I liked reading it, but it was a little slow paced for me at times.

Roxys beloved father has just died. It has been a traumatic time as while he was ill she took over his driving business and stayed with her mother. She wakes early one morning in her parents house, decides she wants to go home and when she walks into her own bedroom finds her husband having fun with their neighbour. How will she proceed with her marriage? Will she ever forgive him?
As usual Sheila O'Flanagan draws you into the story and you really care about the characters. I read this book in two days as I wanted to see how Roxy managed it all
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

It took me quite a while to get into this book and there were parts that I felt were a bit drawn out. Having said that once I was into the story I was hooked. This is the story of Roxy, who has been happily married for over 20 years to Dave. Roxy and her two children had been staying with her mother following the death of her father. On the night following the funeral she decides on the spur of the moment to surprise Dave and goes home only to find him in bed with the next door neighbour. She returns to her mothers home and considers her future while concentrating on running her fathers chauffeur business and providing for her children. Roxy has to decide whether to forgive her husband and return home. There are more secrets uncovered along with twists and turns that kept me hooked but no spoilers! This one will be a great beach read this summer. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read.

It’s been a very long time since I last read a book by Sheila O’Flanagan, and I have to say this book didn’t disappoint. It’s a lovely easy read, and the writing is seamless. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to going back and reading some of her older books until the next book comes out.

Roxy has been spending time staying with her mother as her father has just passed away. The morning after her fathers funeral she gets up at the crack of dawn to go and surprise her husband as she’s missing being with him and she wants nothing more than to cuddle up to him in bed. What she doesn’t expect to see when she walks in to their bedroom is her husband in a compromising situation with their neighbour.

She decides that its probably best that she and their children stay on a her mothers house until she can figure out what to do. The children are on holiday so she doesn’t need to worry about getting them to school.

While still staying with her mother she carries on driving as a chauffeur for her fathers business. Her father left her his Mercedes so she could do what she wants with it, either carry on driving or to sell it. With everything that’s been going on Roxy is unsure if she should wind down the business or carry on and try to build it up.

Very quickly she starts building up the business which becomes a huge bone of contention between Roxy and her husband. He does everything he can to pull her down making her out to be the one that’s in the wrong.

Will Roxy and her husband be able to settle their differences or will her husband keep trying to get his own way and carry on making her feel as though all she should be doing is staying at home to look him and the children?

Sheila O'Flanagan is one of my favourite authors and I was really looking forward to reading this new novel from her.

I was very surprised when I began reading as the book is written in the first person. Maybe it's just me but I am not at all used to this style from this author so it took me aback somewhat and I wondered whether I would in fact enjoy the book.

I didn't need to worry as I really did enjoy it - the tale of a woman in business was a real inspiration for me. I felt that I wanted to give her husband a good kick though! I was so pleased that the issues around gender equality were, I felt, handled well and the book was all I have come to expect from this author.

A good read, great for the summer on the beach or the plane.

What a brilliant book! I already knew that I like Sheila O'Flanagan's book and writing style but with this book "Her Husband's Mistake", I can say that Sheila O'Flanagan now counts among my top favorite authors! "Her Husband's Mistake" is a powerful book about adulteries, forgiveness, trust but also about feminism and machism in our today's society, this book is also about working mum and working women in general. This book is for all women out there. It raises a tons of questions that we women can ask ourselves at some point in our lives. And this book is so well written. There is not a boring moment. I am so in love with this book! A new favorite of mine! 5 stars out of 5!!!!!

Sorry to say that i couldnt finish this. I just didnt gel with the story or the setting. I was bored to tears. Sorry.

Sheila O'Flanagan's books are always a good read and this book does not disappoint. Great characters and an engaging story that mirrors events that can happen to us all. It highlights the difficulties women have in being seen as a separate entity to their husbands and children but ultimately shows that listening to your inner voice makes for a much happier life.

I absolutely love Shelia O'Flanagan and I was very excited to get a copy of this book from Netgalley.
I was not disappointed. Basically Roxy and Dave are rock solid until she catches him with the next door neighbour in a comprising position. What will she do ? she has to make a decision. Roxy is not sure about anything now - her past, her Dads business which she has taken over or what it will mean for the family. She has spent so long thinking about everyone else she has forgotten what she wants . Will she continue on or change everything and live her own life and do what she wants for herself. if you like Marian Keyes, Patricia Scanlon and all the other Shelia O'Flanagan books this is for you. Its a fab read and doesnt disappoint.

Another amazing book by this author. I wasn't sure if I would like this book at first but as the book went on I couldn't put it down.