HOUSEWIFE UP - by Alison Penton Harper

(Reviewed by Tricia Smith)

Ever had a book where you thought ‘hmm, not sure this is my kind of thing’ and then when you started it couldn’t put it down?  For me, this was one of those books!

This book starts off where her previous book, Housewife Down, left off.  I hadn’t read that book but no matter.  This is the story of Helen, recently widowed and approaching her fortieth birthday.  Finding herself in unexpectedly dire financial circumstances, Helen has to find a job and ends up with ‘the boss from hell’.

One of the reasons I liked this book so much is its main premise ‘Heaven save us from ourselves’.   If we are honest with ourselves, do we always make the sensible decision, the one we won’t regret, or give in to temptation and live for the day?  We know that guy is bad news, that’s he’s using us – but isn’t he gorgeous………..

The book is written in such an easy style and the characterisation is brilliant, especially of her eccentric gay neighbours and the dotty friend Leoni.  The storyline moves along nicely and is such that you can’t wait to see what happens next.  Its very much a ‘light’ read, a girly book (two of my daughters read it after me and loved it) but very funny with it.  Recommended.

****                  (four out of five stars on my scale!)