Other Women

This book had all the usual staples I’ve come to enjoy and expect from this talented author. A beautiful story of love and friendship.

The story of three women, Sid, Marin and Bea. Feisty and independent Sid, who is fed up with her past defining her. Marin is happily married to Nate, but unhappy in herself. Bea is a widow of 10 years and she is finally ready to start looking for love.

A story of love, life and friendship which was an excellent read.

As you would expect for Cathy Kelly this is a very warm hearted character led book full of emotion. Featuring three strong women - Marin who is a married mum of two with a full time job yet bears the full brunt of responsibility at home not to mention holding up her mum and siblings, Bea had to cope with the death of her husband and birth of her son just one day apart now ten years in she’s ready to move in with her life and Sid who is being encouraged by her sister to move on romantically after being on her own long enough after her long time relationship broke up but for Sid men are best kept at an arms length.

The three women’s stories partly overlap, some elements more than others but each had their own distinct voice and you really could see how the characters evolved as time went on. My favourite character was Sid as she was just so lovely and incredibly strong but the best voice of the three was Marin’s as you could see her assessing her life more and more as her story progressed. Overall this is a fabulous book, I found myself very absorbed in the lives of these three women.

Cathy Kelly is a great author & this was one of my favourite books that she has written. Highly recommended by me.

Anytime I read Cathy Kelly it is like getting a hug from a friend. Her books are always beautiful, extremely well written and puts a smile n your face. This was no different. I loved it and recommend it with a glass of wine and a box of chocolates,

What Tangled Webs....
Oh what tangled webs we weave. Three independently minded women, three different but equally muddled lives and three woman who are holding on but holding it together. Told with the authors’ trademark wit and empathy, an engaging and satisfying read.

Other Women is the latest novel by Cathy Jelly. Three women who can keep secrets hold up and give a lift when needed. Sid is independent and meets up with Finn. Both women see no harm with having men friends. Marin has an addiction to shopping and spends a lot of time hiding her new clothes from her husband. Meanwhile, Bea doesn’t think she will ever fall in love again after the death of her husband. Cathy has excelled herself. This is a page turner and not to be put down until the end. It’s well written, funny yet serious in parts. Can’t recommend it enough – a brilliant present for any time.

If you're a fan of Cathy Kelly's books, then I don't think this one will disappoint. Although at first I found it hard to remember who was who, I got over that and found myself immersed in the three women's stories. Their stories are interlinked and it worked well. I have to give a special mention to the lovely Finn. I would have liked him to feature more. This story held my attention throughout, and I thought the ending to be just right. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This started a little slow for me but very soon became unputdownable
Three women, a group of lifelong friends, a new addition to the pack and a fabulous interwoven plot
Characters, feelings, and situations you can immediately relate to. I’m kinda sorry I’m finished because I want to keep with with their lives!

Cathy Kelly's latest book about female friendships and how the lives of three Dublin women intertwine is almost unput-downable! Each woman is hiding a secret the author unravels throughout the book. It took a little while to get into the first chapter as there were many characters introduced in a short space of time but once I was in, I was hooked. Bringing many of the issues women face - but don't' talk about - to the forefront, it manages to be both holiday read addicting and sending a powerful message about the way women are treated and treat others.
Cathy Kelly's writing style is warm and compelling and it feels like you've had a good gossip with one of your besties when finished!

I lose myself in the stories Cathy Kelly creates, I almost think I am Irish myself when I emerge from one of her novels. This novel explores the complexity of relationships, in marriage, in friendship, and the way we manipulate ourselves and others to try and protect ourselves from facing pain and sadness from the past and accepting difficult truths. As with all Cathy's books, the strength and support we offer each other as women shines through the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

“Other Women” is Cathy Kelly at her best. Writing about women, their lives, their ups and downs, their relationships with each other, their friends, their families, their lives (or lack of them).

In “Other Women”, we meet Marin, Sid and Bea, who’s lives are connected through friendship and love.

Marin: wife, sister, daughter, homemaker, peacemaker, Mrs Fix it who seemingly has it all together. But Marin has a secret, a secret that belies all she tries to project.

Sid: Sidonie, the very antithesis of her bright, hippie style upbringing and family. Dark clothes, goth like, spiky. Sidonie who has just come out of a long relationship. Sidonie who harbours a secret she has hidden from all around her for fifteen years, a secret that has held her bound.

Bea: widow, mother of a son born the day his father died in tragic circumstances. Bea who has not even looked at another man since her bereavement. Bea, subject of much well intentioned match making,

Other Women grips from the first page and keeps you there until the very final paragraph.

I highly recommend this book.

🌟REVIEW TIME🌟

Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Books for approving me to read and review this ARC of Other Woman by Cathy Kelly.

I'll start by saying Cathy Kelly is a bit of legend in my book world. She was the first adult author I started to read as a teenager once I had got bored of the YA books on offer.  That was 20 years ago and I'm sure I've read every one of her books since then so to be able to read this one before release was super exciting for me.

Description

Three women. Three secrets. Three tangled lives...

Sid wears her independence like armour. So when she strikes up a rare connection with unlucky-in-love Finn, they are both determined to prove that men and women can just be friends. Can't they?

Marin has the perfect home, attentive husband, two beloved children - and a secret addiction to designer clothes. She knows she has it all, so why can't she stop comparing herself to other women?

Bea believes that we all have one love story - and she's had hers. Now her life centres around her son and support group of fierce single mums - the women she shares everything with. Well, apart from the one secret she can't tell anyone...

In the messy reality of marriage, family and romance, sometimes it's the women in our lives who hold us together.

You just know you are not going to be disappointed with a Cathy Kelly novel and Other Woman was no exception. It's one of those that I couldn't put down once I had started. It follows the lives and turmoil of 3 different women whose dramas start to intertwine part way through and I love how this happens slowly and then explodes towards the end.  Some sensitive subjects were explored throughout the story but were handled delicately and increased the level of emotions I had whilst reading. I admired and felt sorry for each of the 3 main women and really disliked one of the male characters by the end (won't say who as don't want to give any spoilers away). I loved the ending and totally wasn't ready for it finish- I wanted their stories to continue!

Overall another fantastic read by Cathy Kelly - thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me.

Other Woman is out on 15th April. Pre order now.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The story of three women - Sid, Marin & Bea.
Sid loves her independence, but when she meets Finn, they both want to prove that men and women can just be friends without anything happening between them.....

Then there’s Marin, she has everything, home, kids, loving husband, but a secret - designer clothes. Feels the need to keep trying to be like others ladies.

Lastly Bea, a believer that we only have one love story and she’s had her turn. She has her son, and her ladies support groups - whom she shares everything with, well, nearly everything.....