My Husband's Sweethearts

Six months after leaving her husband Arnie Shoreman after he admitted three affairs during their five year marriage, Lucy is back to tend to a dying Arnie. Her heart is broken, but she can't deny that she still loves him, whether she lets him know that or not. Understandably her walls are up and her conversations with him are at times caustic. As she throws his black book in his face, saying his exes should have to pull duty at his bedside too, Arnie tells her that's a good idea and that she should call them. He also puts in another request: find his son and try to get him to meet Arnie before it's too late. This book was amazing. I tore through it in less than a day and a half. I admit I've been eyeing this book for about a year but decided to wait for it to come out in paperback. Ms. Asher created several very interesting characters, all of whom you couldn't help but root for. From cheaters, to cheated on, to addicts. I'm not ashamed to admit that nearing the end, I cried a bit. One of the conversations between Artie and Lucy was so open and fragile that I couldn't help it. I look forward to many many more stories to come from Ms. Asher.

Lucy Shoreman was stunned when she learned that her charming, thoughtful husband had cheated on her - not once but three times - only according to him two of the women were `souvenirs' from before he met her, the third was an accident. She left him and isn't willing to forgive him but learning that he's dying has her reevaluating how she truly feels about the whole situation. Lucy's resentment of Artie's `sweethearts' burns deep and so does her anger that not a single one of them is there for him now. Why should she have to go through all this alone? Artie's response is to hand her his black book and tells her to call them - of course he doesn't think she'll really do it. Alcohol is a beautiful thing though and after a few drinks she looks through the book and starts dialing. She leaves messages for some "Artie Shoreman is dying. Please call to schedule your turn at his deathbed," and talked with another woman who blatantly stated that Artie could rot in hell for all she cared. She gets an odd sense of satisfaction out of making the calls, but nothing prepared her for actually meeting some of these women, or the son he kept secret from her. Artie's made mistakes. He's well aware that he hurt Lucy but nothing he can do will fix the situation now. He had every intention of wooing her back to his side but his dying wasn't exactly the reason he wanted her to return. His attempts at winning her back through flowers and meaningful messages aren't working but maybe she'll find some sort of peace, acceptance, and possibly even support from the women he's known and loved. I approached this book not understanding the full impact it would have on me. I expected a woman to be strutting her husband's lovers past his deathbed - one by one - as an act of vengeance. What I read was so much more fulfilling and emotionally charged that I actually teared up several times and had to laugh at some scenes. MY HUSBAND'S SWEETHEARTS does deal with the impact Artie's cheating and lying have on Lucy but there's an `innocence' to his actions that stunned me and through it all it's extremely obvious that he absolutely loves Lucy. Bridget Asher delivers a heart wrenching story through the eyes of Lucy as she comes to know each of her husband's sweethearts and develops friendships with them. Ms. Asher uses dry humor and tells this story so that readers can empathize with her emotionally and `grow' with her as she accepts the other women in her life and the loss of her husband. MY HUSBAND'S SWEETHEARTS captured and held my attention from beginning to end with its quirky characters, emotional circumstances, quick witty dialog and heartfelt reactions. This is one novel you shouldn't pass up if you're looking for a book that delivers a truly satisfying storyline.

I could not put this book down - excellent story that seems light, but is very thought provoking.

I read this book in a day and a half..very funny, fun to read and skips the moralizing about infidelity without glossing over the pain it causes for just about everyone involved...

Lucy Shoreman always knew her husband was popular with the ladies, but four years into their marriage she'd expected him to give up the skirt-chasing ways of bachelorhood. When she discovered his flirtations with a woman Lucy knew only as `Springbird', she was more than a little upset. When dear Artie cheerfully revealed there'd been two other affairs in their post-wedding years, Lucy's rage skyrocketed and she left him without hesitation. That was six months ago. Artie is now dying and Lucy must return home and care for him. The first night back they fight, leading Lucy to demand why she has to be the only one to deal with Artie's bad times when she had to share the good times with all his lovers? Artie challenges her to call his `sweethearts' and invite them over, and in a huff Lucy storms out. Several drinks later, however, Lucy warms to the idea and begins dialing Artie's old sweethearts to schedule their deathbed appointments. The very next day they start showing up. There's Elspa, a former druggie utterly devoted to Artie because he saved her life. Elspa's polar opposite Eleanor also arrives. She hates Artie passionately and came specifically to make him miserable. Then there's The One Who Became A Lesbian After, The Russian, The Sign-Language Stripper, The Mother + Daughter Set...as the parade of exes marches on Lucy begins to reconnect with her husband and bonds with some of the other women, but will she be able to forgive him before the Grim Reaper becomes Artie's final visitor? My Husband's Sweethearts is hilarious. There's silly chapter titles (Chapter Twenty-One: Eavesdropping is an Undervalued Life Skill) and the book reads quickly; it's perfect to read all in one go or in short, ten minute intervals so it is a wonderful "emergency" book to carry around for bus rides and poolside reading. The dialogue is witty and the characters are just wonderful. Each one has a different reason for being in Artie's life, and for coming back to see him now. It's a playful book with some truly poignant moments. Chick-lit for non chick-lit readers. (hmm...now that I think about it, I'm not sure I'd call it chick-lit, to be honest.)