Take My Husband: A Novel by Ellen Meister

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

A witty, insightful domestic comedy about one woman's unexpected, thought-provoking journey out of her marriage as she realizes how much better off she would be if her husband had not survived a serious car crash.

When Laurel Appelbaum gets a call at work from the local hospital informing her that her unemployed husband Doug has been in a serious car accident, she is in shock. Summoned immediately to his bedside, she doesn't know in what condition she will find him. As she rushes to the ER, her mind is full of dire thoughts of this abrupt and unpredictbale end to her marriage...that is until she remembers the large life insurance policy they are carrying in his name.

Suddenly Laurel can't help but imagine what a life on her own might look like...a new little cottage perhaps, the dog she has always wanted but can't have because of Doug's allergies, and the money to travel to see their only son. By the time she arrives she is ready to assume the role of grieving widow, only to find Doug sitting on a gurney, annoyed that she has taken so long to come pick him up. All of the tiny assaults on her freedom and dignity that have chipped away at their marriage and her happiness over the years flood in. She realizes now that she is finally ready to journey out of her marriage because the life really at stake is her own. She just has to figure out how to do it.

my thoughts:

Take My Husband by Ellen Meister is a funny and dark read! Laurel is exhausted of being treated like crap by her overly-demanding husband, Doug. One day at work, she gets a call that Doug has been in an accident. Worried, she rushes to the hospital and winds up imagining what her life would be like if Doug died. She remembers the huge life insurance policy under his name and she can easily picture a much happier life alone. And then, she arrives at the hospital to find him upset that she took so long to get there. Looks like her fantasy life will remain a fantasy, because Doug didn't die. Then again, Laurel realizes that she can get her fantasy life if she leaves her husband. The only thing is to figure out how. And, that is all I will write about this story - you need to read it for yourself to find out if Laurel winds up living out her fantasy life or not. 

Meister has written a terrific story that will grab you right from the start. It's smart, twisted, and humorous - all of which make it a treat to read. Definitely check it out! 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Rooftop Party: A Novel by Ellen Meister

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

A Host of Trouble…

In this witty and engaging novel, Dana Barry, the Shopping Channel’s star host, stops by the company’s rooftop party to pitch the new CEO her brilliant idea that just might save the flagging business, her job and possibly her love life.

As she chats with the smarmy executive, he backs her into a dark corner. For Dana, it’s a quid pro oh-hell-no. She escapes his lecherous grasp and grabs her drink on her way to the dance floor. Woozy, she blacks out.

When she comes to, the CEO is dead, fallen from the roof. Or was he pushed? And if so, by whom? It’s hard to know, but one thing is certain: Dana was close enough to be suspect.

Sure, she loathed how the creep moved in on her, but she’s no killer. Or is she? Truth is, Dana can’t remember much about those minutes. Now she has to use all her skills to prove her innocence to everyone, including her police detective boyfriend—and herself.

Meister’s latest is fun and breezy, a compelling, suspenseful read that entertains and keeps you guessing.

my thoughts:

I'm a huge fan of murder mystery novels and The Rooftop Party was so much fun to read. It was chock full of mystery, thrills, and some hilarious rom-com moments. I just loved this book to bits!

Dana is a Shopping Channel host - in fact, she's the number One host - and her job consists of getting viewers to buy all the things. She's great at her job, except there might not be a job anymore. Turns out a new CEO is thinking of doing away with the Shopping Channel. So, Dana decides to corner him at the company's rooftop party and wow him with her new idea that she just knows will save the channel. The only problem is that the new CEO is more interested in Dana than her idea and lets her know it when he makes a grab for her. Dana is able to get away from him, but on her way to the dance floor she blacks out. Upon waking up she finds out that the new CEO is dead. Yep, he fell from the rooftop party. Or he was pushed. Either way, Dana needs to find out what happened. She's not sure what happened when she blacked out - could she be responsible for the CEO's death? Why did she black out? And what will her police detective boyfriend think if she tells him her concerns about this whole situation? Talk about too many questions to handle! 

Meister has written a fun and engaging story that will hook you right from the start. Definitely check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!