Tempting Fate: A Novel

I have never read about a character that took everything in her life, and it is a nice life, for granted as does the protagonist, Gabby Cartwright. I have just recently starting reading Jane Green's novels and so far for me, this is her best yet.I got so engrossed in the story that I wanted to shake Gabby. She is a stay at home mom with two beautiful daughters and a very loving husband. She proceeds down a path that leads to nothing but pain and loss.I don't want to give any more of this away but I found it so well done that I kept wanting to say to Gabby, "no don't do this". I think this is a cautionary tale for those who are perhaps caught up in low self esteem.I found the ending to be completely unrealistic, but I still think this is one of the best Jane Green novels for me so far because I really got caught up in Gabby's story. This is a five star for me.

This book frustrated me. It centered around Gabby, a 40-something married mother, and her husband Elliot, as they deal with Gabby's infidelity. After meeting a younger man on a girls' night out, Gabby develops an infatuation with him. For the first quarter of the book, she proceeds to rationalize to herself why she's doing nothing wrong and it's a harmless crush, all while continuing to communicate and flirt with this man, lie to her husband, and treat her husband like dirt.I think the main reason this book irritated me was because I found Gabby pretty unlikable. She was really judgmental and shallow, and kept trying to rationalize everything that she did wrong, while putting down other people. Also, from the very beginning of the book it seemed like she was trying to justify cheating on Elliot. She wants another baby, Elliot doesn't, so he goes and gets a vasectomy. It seemed that she didn't take any responsibility, when perhaps she should have more clearly communicated her desire to have another baby to him, so Elliot was aware how much another baby meant to her. Instead it seemed like she was secretly seething and using that as an excuse down the line to cheat.Anyway, the vasectomy sets the stage for the book, and after rationalizing her actions, Gabby ends up doing something she regrets. The first part of the book builds up to her cheating, and the rest of the book deals with the fallout from that action. I just didn't care much for the storyline, mostly because of Gabby's character. I've read nearly all of Jane Green's other books, and would recommend picking up any of those before this one. However, if you can look past the obnoxious lead character, or if you're intrigued by the storyline, give it a shot.

I've never read anything by Jane Green prior to picking up this book for a "beach read" for a summer trip. It served it's purpose as a quick, light-ish read. But I did have some significant issues with it. For one, the amount of times "delicious" is used as an adjective, not in reference to food. Another, how "explainy" the protagonist is about her feelings and justifications for pursuing the affair. We get it. And then subsequently how guilty and worthless she felt. We get it. There wasn't much redeeming or dimensional about her. And then there's the "gazillionaire" boy toy and his "Aw shucks" personality. Complete then with internet famous one-name girlfriend. Please. One of my biggest issues was the BFF Claire. Backstabbing, catty b****. So stereotypical. So disappointing. BUT, I do like that Gabby doesn't go for the easy forgive and forget with her. So many loose ends, as well. What happened with Alanna and her troubles at school and with her peers and social pressure? What happened with the furniture business? The ending was rushed and trite. Meh. I don't think I'll be picking up anything else by this author in the near future.

For an extended review of this book and more, please visit http://fortheloveoftheread.blogspot.comAs a long-standing fan of Jane Green, it's no surprise that I picked this one up. This is one of her most recent novels and definitely the newest one of hers that I have read.I loved this book. When thinking about this review, I was trying to pinpoint exactly what it was that I loved so much about this one that made it stand out from her others. All I could come up with was maturity. There is a certain level of emotional maturity that Green reaches in this novel that really stood out from her earlier novels. This maturity shows that, over her years of writing, she has really grown as an author. During the entire book, Gabby goes through so much, has so many experiences, and Green really captured an emotional realism for each situation.I had thought this book was going to lead up to the climax of Gabby and Matt's affair, but a lot of the book focused on the lead up and the aftermath, with little emphasis placed on the actual affair. I was surprised by this take on the story, but I appreciated it. I think the exploration of what can come from such a big decision is worth spending more time on than the action of the affair. I also thought that Green did a fantastic job of making Matt appealing, without making Elliott seem less so. Throughout the book, it was hard to root for any one person to be with Gabby because they were both so wonderful and human. I also thought Green did well with the reactions of friends of Gabby and Elliott, and the two daughters. Everyone had their role to play, and Green did well giving them all that role.Overall, I really just adored this book. I loved the emotional aspects of it and the fact that the focus was mostly on the aftermath of an affair and the process of trying to recover from making such a choice. This is a great example of Jane Green's work.

3.5 StarsTemptation is dangerous and acting on that temptation is downright stupid, especially for Gabby. Somehow though you can't help but think she knew exactly what she was doing and what the ramifications could be. So much of the build up is pent giving us the impression of a bored housewife who is longing for another child but her husband has taken this option away from her by unilaterally deciding to get a vasectomy. It is clear that something is wrong in the marriage, something that neither party is willing to admit - they have slipped in to that comfortable stage where it is all too easy to take the other party for granted. When Gabby takes the bait and becomes emotionally invested in a much younger man you kind of know where this is going to go and, unfortunately, it does.The writing is undoubtedly deft and there is a clear emotional understanding of the characters, it just all felt a little predictable and then the ending was, for me, completely fantastical. The pacing of the story is good with a strong narrative flow that does keep the reader engaged (even when your brain has already more or less figured out the plot and the ultimate outcome with a couple of hundred pages to go). Ms Green is undoubtedly skillful in engaging the reader and keeping you interested and engaged - even if the storyline leaves you scoffing with incredulity.Normally this dichotomy would leave me feeling confused but it is something I have come to expect from this author and I am pretty sure that my enjoyment in her novels come from the construction of the story rather than the content. Her characterisations are always richly layered, even if the characters behave in ways that feel alien to the world that I have, and continue to, experience. The plotlines are not always realistic either but it is, nevertheless, fun immersing yourself in these familiar and yet alien worlds.A fun and light read that entertains.

Definitely what we British call a quaint story. At first I thought it was going to be quite boring, but then it changed and got quite interesting.Gabby finds "something" in a younger man. After a one night stand she becomes pregnant however explaining that to her husband who'd had a vasectomy a year ago, was always going to be a difficult task.Unable to accept her adultery, Elliott leaves the family home along with their eldest daughter who is disgusted by her mothers actions.

I hadn't read any Jane Green for years but after recently rediscovering Marian Keyes and loving her recent stuff, I thought I'd recent an old favourite author. This book was ok but the main character, Gabby became incredibly annoying. Half way through the book she morphs into this self pitying, whining, spoilt, self obsessed woman who doesn't seem to be able to put herself in anyone else's shoes. Especially her soon to be ex husband. She behaves appallingly and then wonders why he won't stick around!!! I felt like I wanted to slap her!!! that said, its still a page turner and I'm never one to give up on a book. Maybe I'll try just one more....

I enjoyed this book,it was different from my usual reads but I could understand her reasons for feeling the way she did.She felt life had too much of the same old thing and enjoyed the new high of having a younger man interested in her,when it was too late she realised what she had lost and tried hard to get her marriage back on track but the damage was done,however their is always a rainbow at the end of a period of unhappiness and I'm glad she found it .A very nice read.

Okay so I grew up reading Jane Green but darling its SHOWING not TELLING. A rule that Ms Green ought to learn. Makes for an easy yet dull read as everything is explained rather than revealled through actions. Yawn.