Book Review: The Other Woman

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Other Woman     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Patricia Kay
Class/Genre:   Romance
Berkley, Jul 2001, $6.99, 304 pp.

In late 1978 going into 1979, Adam Forrester is the oldest child and an only son with a wealthy Westchester County pedigree. Unlike his rebellious younger sister, he will listen to his parents and do what is expected by marrying the boring daughter of father’s business partner. However, while attending Yale he meets and falls in love with Natalie Ferrenzo, a student at another school. Adam decides to defy his parents by marrying Natalie instead of Julia, but he soon learns that if he fails to wed the latter his family faces financial doom. Natalie breaks with Adam who marries Julia.

Over a decade later in New York City, an unhappy Adam accidentally meets Natalie. He decides this time to go for love and plans to divorce Julia. However, his wife refuses to go quietly into the night and Natalie has kept a secret from him all these years making a second chance at love seem doomed again.

THE OTHER WOMAN is a well-written contemporary romance whose main plot centers on a notion that seems out of place in the modern era. Taking that initial leap past the ancient theme, readers will enjoy the lead characters as they struggle with love the first time around and even more so the second time. The story line is cleverly written so sub-genre fans will enjoy Patricia Kay’s passionate tale in spite of the anachronistic key concept.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner