- Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: Penguin (2 July 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 014101962X
- ISBN-13: 978-0141019628
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 344,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
How to Break Your Own Heart
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Product Description
Review
'A funny, lighthearted read' Glamour 'A wicked read -- funny, sexy and stylish' Best
Product Description
'Do you always sleep in separate beds?'
A question from her outspoken friend Kiki shocks Amelia Bradlow into taking stock of her 'perfect' life. She might have the adoring husband, the flat in Mayfair and the weekend cottage, but what about the things that really matter? Like the unmentionable matter of the baby they haven't had . . .
Just when she is most confused, up pops gorgeous Joseph Renwick - the first boy she ever kissed - back in town and dangerously single.
Struggling to put thoughts of him aside, Amelia makes some big changes. A reinvigorated career and a style makeover turn her into a new woman - but husband Ed preferred the old one.
So with her internal clock ticking ever louder, Amelia has to decide whether to stay in her nearly happy marriage, or take a gamble on going solo. Is it better to break your own heart than to settle for second best?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Maggie's latest offering won't disappoint. I have just finished reading it and loved it. I have been a huge fan of Maggie since 'Pants on Fire' and while this novel has some similarities (the OOT gay friend etc), it is set in and around London and carries with it a much more familiar English feel. It was great to read references to all the familiar places around town where you can get a real sense for the characters' environment. From hob nobbing in Holland Park to dining it up at the Wolseley. Maggie always mixes her good humour with some serious issues and 'How to Break' tackles the subject of emotional abuse via many different angles. I don't want to give the impression that the book leans to the depressive - it doesn't. It manages to take you through such issues, just enough to make you think more about the loved ones in your life, your own situation and then leave you with a proper sense of redemption. More please Maggie!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Amelia Bradlow has been married to Ed for fifteen years. When Amelia's friend Kiki asks her why she and Ed sleep in separate beds, Amelia is stumped. Kiki's question forces Amelia to take a long, hard look at her marriage and what it has become. Not only that but up re-appears Joseph Hardwick, the first boy Amelia kissed, and she finds she's still attracted to him. Will Amelia stick with Ed or will she take a chance for Joseph?
The book starts with the question, "Do you always sleep in separate beds?" and I was easily sucked in. Kiki's question wasn't her being nosey, I don't think, but more her being curious as to why a couple, married for 15 years, slept in separate beds. It was an interesting way to start the book, I have to say and it gives us the plot of the whole book in one single sentence; I don't mean that in a bad way, either. We're quickly introduced to Amelia and over the first few chapters we find out just how Amelia and Ed met, in France, and it was quite a romantic story, actually. I loved hearing how he'd practically whisked her away from where she was staying and they then roamed around the French countryside visiting vineyards. I could feel Ed's passion for wine and see how easily Amelia fell in love with him. Maggie then brings us back to the present day and I can also, sort of, see how Amelia and Ed have fallen into a rut; sleeping in separate beds in separate bedrooms, Amelia tiring of the whole wine thing, and then the big one: Amelia wanting a child. It's pretty obvious from the off that Amelia would like a child but I thought Ed explained himself well when saying he didn't want children and of what we learn from his childhood, you can kind of see why.
It's Kiki, Amelia's new friend, who really brightens up Amelia's life. You can see that instantly. Kiki changes the way Amelia feels about herself, she brings Amelia's sparkle back and she also, in her own way, is the catalyst for Amelia's career-change. Amelia might be the one narrating the story to us but it's Kiki who brings the whole thing to life. She's loud, she could potentially get on your nerves, but she's also a really great friend. I could see why Ed wasn't a fan of Kiki though; after all, she was changing the image and total persona of the woman he loved and he could do little about it, but I myself loved Kiki. Everything she does for Amelia is for Amelia's own good whether Amelia or Ed see it that way or not. Kiki also has a secret which is incredibly sad, which adds to the seriousness of the book. As I mentioned above, Amelia's father is kind of mean. He came across as controlling and, although it's never mentioned, I'd have thought maybe a bit violent. I wish we'd had a scene in the book where Amelia or Dick stood up to him, I felt like he needed to be told a few home truths. He was truly repulsive.
I did enjoy the book, don't get me wrong, but for me it wasn't as good as Mad About The Boy. Amelia was likeable enough, absolutely, but I ended up getting annoyed at her as the book drew to a close and she still couldn't/wouldn't make her mind up. I also don't get the fact that after 15 years of marriage she wasn't aware her husband didn't want children. The book was well written, though, which can always make a book more enjoyable. Maggie's writing seems to flow easily so her books are incredibly easy to get into. It's just a shame I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
The book starts with the question, "Do you always sleep in separate beds?" and I was easily sucked in. Kiki's question wasn't her being nosey, I don't think, but more her being curious as to why a couple, married for 15 years, slept in separate beds. It was an interesting way to start the book, I have to say and it gives us the plot of the whole book in one single sentence; I don't mean that in a bad way, either. We're quickly introduced to Amelia and over the first few chapters we find out just how Amelia and Ed met, in France, and it was quite a romantic story, actually. I loved hearing how he'd practically whisked her away from where she was staying and they then roamed around the French countryside visiting vineyards. I could feel Ed's passion for wine and see how easily Amelia fell in love with him. Maggie then brings us back to the present day and I can also, sort of, see how Amelia and Ed have fallen into a rut; sleeping in separate beds in separate bedrooms, Amelia tiring of the whole wine thing, and then the big one: Amelia wanting a child. It's pretty obvious from the off that Amelia would like a child but I thought Ed explained himself well when saying he didn't want children and of what we learn from his childhood, you can kind of see why.
It's Kiki, Amelia's new friend, who really brightens up Amelia's life. You can see that instantly. Kiki changes the way Amelia feels about herself, she brings Amelia's sparkle back and she also, in her own way, is the catalyst for Amelia's career-change. Amelia might be the one narrating the story to us but it's Kiki who brings the whole thing to life. She's loud, she could potentially get on your nerves, but she's also a really great friend. I could see why Ed wasn't a fan of Kiki though; after all, she was changing the image and total persona of the woman he loved and he could do little about it, but I myself loved Kiki. Everything she does for Amelia is for Amelia's own good whether Amelia or Ed see it that way or not. Kiki also has a secret which is incredibly sad, which adds to the seriousness of the book. As I mentioned above, Amelia's father is kind of mean. He came across as controlling and, although it's never mentioned, I'd have thought maybe a bit violent. I wish we'd had a scene in the book where Amelia or Dick stood up to him, I felt like he needed to be told a few home truths. He was truly repulsive.
I did enjoy the book, don't get me wrong, but for me it wasn't as good as Mad About The Boy. Amelia was likeable enough, absolutely, but I ended up getting annoyed at her as the book drew to a close and she still couldn't/wouldn't make her mind up. I also don't get the fact that after 15 years of marriage she wasn't aware her husband didn't want children. The book was well written, though, which can always make a book more enjoyable. Maggie's writing seems to flow easily so her books are incredibly easy to get into. It's just a shame I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A great quick read. Read it straight on long haul flight as it is one that you won't want to put down. A realistic situation that keeps you wanting to know what will happen next and putting yourself in Amelia's shoes.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant!
Like all books by Maggie Alderson, this book is brilliant! The story is excellent with some very real issues and familiar moments as well as many immensely funny ones. Read more
Published on 21 April 2010 by Bijou
love it
great read, managed it in less than a day. having read nearly all her books this one is another cracker. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2010 by Lindymck
Loved it
I was having a stressful week and picked this book up in an attempt to relax. It worked great. For the next several days I couldn't wait to get back to it and I was hooked from... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2009 by M
grEAT
at first i tought this was just another chic lit book that i don't like but it turned out to have some very great moments in it. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by Mrs. Anita Mcskimming
Maggie Does it Again
The fabulous Maggie just keeps getting better and better. She simply doesn't know how to disappoint and this reader devoured HTBYOH in a weekend. Read more
Published on 15 July 2009 by Gabrielle
Loved it
If you're heading for a sun lounger any time soon, make sure you pack this book. Glamorous and sexy, it's an easy-to-read slice of escapism that will have you turning the pages... Read more
Published on 13 July 2009 by S. Graville
Just gorgeous
The wonderful Maggie Alderson has done it again. A gorgeous story that avoids some of the obvious chick-lit stereotypes. Read more
Published on 12 July 2009 by onedayyoullthankme
How to Break Your Own Heart
At last 'How to Break Your Own Heart' is available in the UK. It is an absolute delight to read. Very funny in parts and moving in others. Read more
Published on 12 July 2009
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