Husbands and Other Sharp Objects by Marilyn Simon Rothstein

Publication date: March 6th 2018

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Read date: March 7th 2018

Genre: Women’s Fiction / Chick Lit

Pages: 302

Stars: 5/5

A heartwarming, hilarious novel for anyone who has ever had a family, from the author of Lift and Separate.

After a lifetime of marriage, Marcy Hammer is ready to get herself unhitched—just as everyone else in her life is looking for a commitment. Her new boyfriend, Jon, wants to get serious, and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Harvey, is desperate to get back together. When her headstrong daughter announces a secret engagement to Harvey’s attorney, Marcy finds herself planning her daughter’s wedding as she plans her own divorce.

Now with two huge events on the horizon, the indomitable Marcy soon realizes that there’s nothing like a wedding to bring out the worst in everybody. From petty skirmishes over an ever-growing guest list to awkward confrontations with her sticky-fingered new in-laws, pulling off the wedding is going to be a challenge; seeing her divorce through is going to be a trial. And trying to make everyone happy might prove to be impossible—because in the end, Marcy alone must make a choice between something old and something new.

What can be a better day to review this book other than women’s day? Blurb says it all. This story was about a woman who grows in a real sense almost at the end of her middle age by getting control of your own life, being independent after almost 30 years of marriage, and coming out of ex-husband’s shadow. It’s about her life, family, love, and friendship.

I’m going in little detail with the characters as it is hard to talk about book without characters and I loved them all. So let’s meet Marcy Hammer and character who were very important in her life.

Marcy– is such a good hearted protagonist. I so loved her throughout the story. She had come to terms with fact that her husband cheated on her but still she was struggling with her after effects of her separation. She loved her kids so much that foe them she kept contact with her ex-husband who was taking it in other way and wanted to be back together. I loved the way she handled her family even after everything that happened to her. She perfectly compartmentalized her love life, family and job, was doing great until her daughter announces the big day and all the side characters wanted to cross the boundaries of their assigned compartments. Keep everyone happy was her nature but in doing so she was putting her own happiness on the edge of the cliff and nobody cared about it specifically Amanda. She wanted Amanda happy on her day and for that she was ready to do anything which was so admirable.

Harvey was okay. I didn’t like him. He was selfish person who care more about his business than anything. His demand of getting back with Marcy was ridiculous. I still wonder why he didn’t file divorce! When they separated, he made it very clear that he didn’t wanted to be married. But I liked that he kept helping Marcy with the bills and supported Marcy with their kids.

Most noticeable trio of the book was Amanda’s three children. Elizabeth– doctor less social but great daughter and sister. I loved her more because she understood Marcy more than Amanda. Amanda was epitome of bridezilla. She made everyone’s life hell since her announcement of engagement till the day of marriage. Everyone was going along with her incessant insane childish behavior as it was about her big day especially Marcy. I didn’t like her a bit. She was so selfish and kept blaming Marcy for everything that gone wrong.  But I never expected what she did in climax. It was surprisingly good. Her love for her father was tremendous. Ben– Studying law. He was gay, cute, and Marcy’s most supporting son. I even liked his partner Jordan.

Jon- Marcy’s boyfriend, was a nice guy. He and Marcy made a great couple in the book. She was really happy with him. But I also didn’t like the way he kept pushing her on becoming part of her family and then making life decision without even asking her. That was shocking.

Dana and Candy– her girlfriends were her lifeboat. They supported her lot when she was emotionally sinking. They gave this book extra charm. Together with Marcy they made another trio that was so amazingly strong, funny, and sarcastic. 

Pheww!! I had to mention them all as they played such important role in Marcy’s life. They were so close to her and I can say I came to know them as equally as I knew Marcy in the book. No one was perfect, they had their imperfections and that is what made them realistic and this book perfect. All were just great and hilarious.

Warning– there is so much food in this book. Almost all chapter started with description of restaurants or had a scene where character is eating food and talking food. All laughter and food talk going to make you lot hungry. Do not read it on an empty stomach.

As the tag line of the book says, this book was so so heartwarming and hilarious and those who have family or ever had can enjoy it even more. Book was narrated by main character, Marcy. Author made her voice very strong that it was hard not to feel Marcy. Her life events were written in smooth flow telling everything that reader need to know about this incredible character like, how she separated from Harvey and how it impacted her life; her life before, during and after marriage; her relationship with her kids, mother, friends and Jon; what she wanted in her life, sacrifices she made and how she felt about that. It was so wonderful to know this character.

She might look weak at some point as I can see she was hesitant with taking control of her life and also in making life decisions, she wasn’t even defending herself when other characters pushed her or blamed her for something in fear of hurting them. Ha! She didn’t even file divorce.  But she was not weak, she was strong in her own way and I loved the changes in her by the end of the book. Her monologues and dialogues were remarkably witty, I loved her mental talk with her mother. I can’t tell you how much I laughed in the book. The funniest moments were when Marcy met Amanda’s in-laws, Dana’s daughter-in-law, and her own mother-in-law. Basically in-laws were real pain, but funny side of characters made those moments mind-blowing. Even the serious moments were narrated in humorous way.

There were not big surprises or twist in the story until climax. I could see all the turns coming in the book but the climax was surprising. I didn’t see it coming. Book had a feel good end.

This story was so good that I wanted to keep reading it. It’s a kind of book that I will read  again when I’m of character’s age or more and die laughing. I will keep this book in my retirement shelf, it will be so good to read it at that time. I hope my husband buy paperback by that time or I have to use Sharp Objects to make it early. 😉

Overall, it was refreshing, hilarious, entertaining, dramatic, fast paced, clean romance, and relatable relationships with quirky and witty characters. Pinch of everything that made the book most enjoyable. I recommend this book to readers of all age.

Author: Marilyn Simon Rothstein

Marilyn Simon Rothstein is the author of Lift and Separate, winner of the Star Award presented by the Women’s Fiction Writers Association for Outstanding Debut. Husbands And Other Sharp Objects is her second novel. 

Marilyn grew up in New York City, earned a degree in journalism from New York University, began her writing career at Seventeen magazine, married a man she met in an elevator, and owned an advertising agency for more than twenty-five years. Marilyn received an MA in liberal studies from Wesleyan University and an MA in Judaic studies from the University of Connecticut. She enjoys speaking at book festivals and community events.

Buy here: Amazon.in / Amazon.com

*** Note: I received e-ARC of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to publisher, author and NetGalley.***

What do you think about the book and my review? Have you read this book already? Have you read something similar to this before? Share your thoughts in comment-box below.