Her Husband’s Mistake by Sheila O’ Flanagan - Book Review

Forgive and forget we’re told…

Plot

At what point is an act simply unforgivable? Should a woman be expected to forgive and forget to save her marriage? Her Husband’s Mistake, is the exhilarating novel published just last year by bestselling author Sheila O'Flanagan. A complete page-turner about a marriage, a mistake and ultimately a choice. Having never read a Sheila O’ Flanagan novel before, with multiple recommendations, I couldn’t wait to start into this one.

‘The morning after my father’s funeral, I came home and found my husband in bed with the next-door neighbour.’ And just like that we’re sucked straight into the story from the very first line. Roxy wouldn’t have changed a thing about her life. A marriage to her childhood sweetheart going from strength to strength for the last twenty years now with two amazing kids. Roxy’s a stay at home mam, content in just being there for her family. Dave has a prosperous plumbing business and can provide enough for the whole lot of them. Dave is the perfect man. A successful business man, a fun and caring father and a loving husband. He ticked all of the boxes, or so she thought…unless one of those boxes includes having affairs with the neighbours! Now everything has changed, her perfect life was flipped upside down the day she arrived home early to find him in bed with Julie from next door.

Suddenly, Roxy isn’t sure about anything in her life anymore. She's spent her whole life caring about what everyone else wanted, she's overlooked what she wanted. But now everything has changed. Not being able to even look at Dave, Roxy packs her bags, takes the kids and heads to the first place all girls go with a broken-heart, her Mam’s house.

When Roxy’s dad became sick, she began helping out with the chauffeuring business he had in Dublin. Starting with the occasional client here and there. As his health deteriorated, it became things got busier and when he passed away she became the owner of his Merc, along with the business to do as she pleased. Having lost control in all other aspects of her life, she decided to continue for the time being. Driving gave her the control and head space she needed to figure things out. , until she had the head space to figure out what to do next.

With some very important decisions to make, Roxy spends the next few weeks figuring out what she wants in life. Would it even be possible to forgive Dave and forget completely about the girl next door? Will she keep the business even though all it seems to do is cause more arguments with her husband? Stressed and confused, she sorts her problems behind the wheel with her reassuring, supportive Mum behind her every step of the way.

Review

This novel is brilliantly written. Sheila O’ Flanagan writes with such enthusiasm that every page will have you completely engaged. There’s plot twists popping out of every corner. This is a weekend gem, once you start you won’t be able to stop until you know her decision. When she puts on her suit, will Roxy start to remember who she was before Dave? Could she be open to a world of new possibilities that mightn’t necessarily be the one she always imagined? Or is being a working mum too tough?

I think as a character, Roxy will appeal to many women. Warm and outgoing, with real-life problem. Roxy represents many women, those who haven’t been able to shoot for their dreams, those going through loss and devastation or heartbreak. Roxy is a breath of fresh air during unprecedented times and will certainly give hope to those fighting similar battles.

Her Husband’s Mistake is an easy read. You’ll be rooting for Roxy from page one. Although near the end I had grown tired of one recurring event, I’ll say no more. Overall, this is a great book filled with emotion. Her Husband’s Mistake is the perfect book to kill a few hours of your isolation.