The Pre-Nup

At first glance this seemed like a typical chick lit book that is fun reading, but raises few questions. However, Ms. Kendrick tells an entertaining story, while also raising some provocative questions about whether pre-nups actually help or hurt. The three major characters are Ellie who has been married for about seven years to a husband who is cheating, Jen who has started a large business since her marriage, and Mara who is trying to negotiate her pre-nup before tying the knot. While seemingly typical couples on the surface, they demonstrate the real life complexities that can make deciphering a pre-nup difficult. I clearly got the message that a legal document written "before the fact" may not adequately protect or represent future situations! All three women are the closest of friends and their stories are interesting and inter-woven.

I've read all of Beth Kendrick's books and I've loved each one. This latest chick lit type read was something every woman can relate to. Without giving away too much details, I have to say it ended where another book can begin. It left me wanting a sequel to see what happens with these characters. I cant wait for the next Kendrick book!

Let me start by saying that I love, love, love all of Beth Kendricks previous books, so I was beyond excited to crack open this book. I made sure to "keep" the book for my trip to Burlington, Vermont which I took last week and as I was making my way by train, I knew that this book would be the perfect partner for my travels. Pre-nup takes a very clever look at the role the pre-nups takes in Ellie, Jen and Mara's lives. Yes, they are best friends and all have come to a crossroads of a sort - involving what else??? men, marriage and pre-nups. Although this sounds like a very serious plotline, Kendrick created a whole storyline for these three friends in which the pre-nup is a central issue, but never THE central issue. Ellie is already married with a tight pre-nup and a cheating husband who is going to make sure she ends up destitute. Jen is also married to a man that she never loved (or does she?) and when he ends their marriage - he just wants to get out - pre-nup be damned. Of course, there is also Mara who is in love and about to get married and who insists of having a pre-nup - to which her fiance says NO!!! (this is a great twist on the more standard boy wants pre-nup and girl does not). Although this book is about men and love, Kendrick focuses her writing on the wonderful and deep friendship these women have for each other. I loved every minute of their time together and of their commitment to each other. The men take a definite second place in this warm and touching novel and despite the highly serious tones, somehow Kendrick still manages to make her characters happy and brave. There is very little "poor little me" in this novel (and believe me when you read Ellie's story you will feel very sorry for her AND HATE HER HUSBAND). The women are strong and stand up for themselves. I think my favorite character was Mara - who is an enigma even to herself. This book made me really hate some of the guys and really love the women! A true chick lit empowerment book!!!! I loved it, loved it, loved it and by the time I looked up from my train ride, we were already there!!!

The Pre-Nup by Beth Kendrick I'm going to start this by saying that I generally stay away from a lot of so called "chick-lit" because at my age they tend to talk down to me. I usually come away from those other books feeling very old. But there was something about this book that piqued my curiosity from the very first time I saw the cover and read the excerpt. I was not let down. This book did not talk down to me or my generation; as a matter of fact these three women Ellie, Jen and Mara seem ageless. We know they are young, yet Ms Kendrick never smacks you in the face with it. It was a lovely surprise. This book is filled with laughs, tears and a wonderful plot that proves revenge is of course is a dish best served cold. We find out that while some men are scum and deserve everything they get in life, not all men are and that we have to let go of our own insecurities and learn to trust the opposite sex. We can`t always paint men with the same brush. Be aware that you will laugh your socks off when meeting a heart of gold stripper named Bentlie/Alex, so try not to be drinking anything that will stain! Have fun reading this, because that's what this book is all about; fun and the lighter side of reading.

Life should have been happily ever after for friends Ellie, Jen & Mara but sadly that wasn't the case. Ellie had the picture perfect marriage to Michael complete with wealth, a 3-year old daughter and beloved in-laws. Late one night, Ellie picks up Michael's phone and sees an email that shakes her to the core. Her perfect marriage is a sham. Michael has been cheating on her and with a hot doctor no less. When the cards are on the table Michael tries to weasel out of his obligations by hiding his true net worth from the lawyers and claiming poverty. Ellie has to find a way to reveal the truth and secure her daughter's future. Jen's marriage is just the opposite. Her husband Eric entered into their marriage knowing that Jen loved him but wasn't in love with him. As a wedding gift Eric bank rolled Jen's start up business with a stipulation in the pre-nup that if they divorce before their five year anniversary, Eric owns half the company and Jen has to pay back his investment. Now with the business on the brink of national success, Eric has realized that he was wrong into thinking he could make the marriage work and Jen is left wondering what's more important; success or her marriage? Mara and Josh both agree that they're not going to divorce but they realize that protecting themselves with a pre-nup makes sense. But when Josh adds a "cheating clause" Mara is offended and ends the best relationship she's ever had. Will she get over the hurt? And if she knows she's not going to cheat, why did the clause bother her so much? I absolutely loved The Pre-Nup. The characters were fully developed and well written. I couldn't help but become a part of their lives and wish that the book didn't end. Not only is the book about the marriages and relationships but it's about the lasting bonds of friendship. These girls truly do stick together through thick and thin and all the fun in between while keeping the door open to welcome a new friend. This is the first book by Beth Kendrick that I've read but I'm sure that I'll go back and read her others. I recommend this book to all lovers of contemporary romance and chick-lit.