We start with the h (Charley/Charlotte) in the middle of a hot and heavy affair with her marriage counsellor, the H (Will). Which is a Q.B Tyler signature move, starting a book with the main couple already in an established relationship. We only get one brief (inadequate) flashback to see how the affair began.
At first I felt for the h, even though her behaviour was trifling and cruel. Being trapped in a loveless marriage is no joke. But the counselling sessions were a farce. The h should have ended them immediately. I must admit I found the whole situation funny at first (Lacy Laurel’s comical male voices didn’t help). But then it got irritating.
Around chapter 11 the h loses my sympathy. Sitting in marital therapy knowing you’re fu**ing the therapist is bad enough. But saying things that give your lover a laugh at your husband’s expense? That’s looooooow. It’s immature and spiteful. And it tainted my enjoyment of the smut (which is unforgivable) since this book is at least 75% sex. Sure, the husband (Matt) is apathetic. And apathy hurts like hell in a marriage. But she went too far.
The h only gets more and more entitled, simple-minded, and short-sighted as the book goes on. I also bristled at the idea that a forgotten birthday was the catalyst for divorce. There was so much superficiality running through this book. Grow up woman. Birthdays are for babies.