Review: 'My Sweet Revenge' by Jane Fallon (2017)

I want to make my husband fall back in love with me.
Let me explain. This isn't an exercise in 1950s wifeydom. I haven't been reading articles in old women's magazines. 'Twenty ways to keep your man'. That couldn't be further from the truth.
I want him to fall back in love with me so that when I tell him to get the hell out of my life he'll care. He won't just think, 'Oh good'.
I want it to hurt.
Paula has had Robert's back since they got together as drama students. She gave up her dreams so he could make it. Now he's one of the nation's most popular actors. And Paula's just discovered he's having an affair.
She's going to remind Robert just what he's sacrificing. And then she's going to break his heart like he broke hers. It will be her greatest acting role ever.
Revenge is sweet. Isn't it?
Jane Fallon is one of those women's fiction authors that has been on the scene for quite a few years already, but somehow I've never read more than one of her novels ('Got You Back', several years ago). Her name was at the top of my list of authors I definitely planned on reading another book by in 2017, and luckily I managed to get a review copy of her latest release, 'My Sweet Revenge', via NetGalley. I liked the sound of this novel, which was released by publisher Penguin on January 12th, and was most of all keen to once again try out some of Jane Fallon's writing, because I remember really quite enjoying the other novel of hers I've read and hoped it would end up being the same for this one!
Paula and Robert were the perfect match when they met when they were both at drama school; and now, almost twenty years later, after Paula gave up her own career to support Robert's, they are still together. But when Paula discovers Robert has been cheating on her with one of his colleagues, she realises their marriage has actually been over for quite some time already. Paula is determined to not walk away without a fight, though; she decides to do everything she can to make Robert fall in love with her all over again, so when she does decide to walk away, it will hurt, the same way he hurt her. But is revenge really what Paula is craving or will she come to regret her taste for it when all is said and done?
I have to admit I can really enjoy a good revenge story every now and again, and I'm glad to say Jane Fallon's latest release 'My Sweet Revenge' definitely did the trick. The story focuses on protagonist Paula, who knows her marriage isn't exactly what it used to be but is still shocked when she discovers her husband Robert has been sneaking around with one of his celebrity colleagues behind her back. Instead of confronting him with it straight away, Paula decides she wants to get her revenge by making Robert fall in love with her all over again before dumping him. The story is told from mainly Paula's POV and it didn't take me long at all to start rooting for her. I really admire Paula for how she decides to fight back and not just let Robert get away with what he has been doing.
One of the things I particularly liked about this novel is the writing style of author Jane Fallon. It was really easy going, with a lot of dialogue, and chapters of a good length (not too long, not too short). Next to that, the author managed to create both characters I fell in love with (such as Paula) and characters I intensely disliked (such as Robert and Saskia), while still wanting to read on and see what would eventually happen to all of them. I don't know why it took me so long to once again pick up a Jane Fallon read, but I'm really glad I did and already can't wait to read another one of her works. All in all, 'My Sweet Revenge' is a witty, satisfying and enjoyable read that I can recommend to all women's fiction fans; one of my favourites of 2017 so far!

Rating:9,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.