What would life be like with the one who got away?
For Gwen Merchant, love has always been doled out in little packets—from her father, who buried himself in work after her mother’s death, and from her husband, Peter, who’s always been respectable and safe. But when an old college boyfriend, the irrepressible Elliot Hull, invites himself back into Gwen’s life with a surprising proposition, she suddenly starts questioning everything she’s ever expected from love.
Elliot, it turns out, is in need of a pretend wife, just for the weekend, in order to fulfill his dying mother’s last wish. But as Gwen finds herself drawn into Elliot’s quirky, wonderful family—and uncovers a few secrets about her own—a pretend relationship just might turn out to be the most real thing she’s ever known.
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"I really enjoyed this book. Its a love triangle of sorts. A married woman meets up with her college fling (it was only 3 weeks thats why I am calling it a fling even though it was so much more) and ends up agreeing to pose as his wife for his mothers dying wish. I felt like it flowed nicely and had some great lessons about finding who you really are. I highly reccomend this one!"
— Cami (5 out of 5 stars)
“Asher brings an abundance of warmth and wisdom to this tale of lost-and-found love.”
— Publishers Weekly“Balances the lighter side of life with the sadder realities. Surprising, poignant moments pave the way for a…satisfyingly happy ending.”
— Booklist“Succeeds with the aid of humor, insight and an appealing heroine. If this one has not yet been optioned for film, it soon will be.”
— Kirkus Reviews“A sexy rumination about love and loss, truth and lies, marriage and friendship, with a daring, propulsive plot…I ate it up.”
— Lisa Gabriele, author of The Almost Archer Sisters andTempting Faith DiNapoli" I actually kind of liked this story. It was a nice read. Kind of scary for those in comfortable relationships, but exciting. "
— Tracy, 2/19/2014" I didn't know quite what to expect when I started this book. I really enjoyed it and am anxious to read more by this author. It's more thought provoking than I first thought! Couldn't wait to see how it ended! "
— Becky, 2/16/2014" Very sweet. I have the audiobook version. "
— Lori, 2/12/2014" I would have preferred less cussing, but it was a pretty good read. "
— Cecily, 2/2/2014" She writes in a very interesting way...her characters are well developed and I like the ending. It was an ok book, not great. "
— Ellen, 1/11/2014" Nothing about this book kept me wanting to read....I don't think that Bridget Asher is that great of a writer and the story was weak and far fetched (really what husband would lone his wife out to another man for a weekend). The only thing that kept me reading is my somewhat Type A personality that almost refuses to not finish a book I start. "
— Christen, 1/4/2014" "Life is a tangle." Very likable book. Family and marital relationships. "
— Laurie, 1/3/2014" summer read..finished in 5 days..okay "
— Cathleen, 1/2/2014" This was a fun read, with some twists. Nothing heavy, but pleasant. "
— Laura, 11/30/2013" Sometimes you think that the wrong man is the right one for you -- and when that wrong man suddenly appears back in your life, it all falls back into place. Clever maneuvering of the "fill in for my fictional wife" plot. "
— Judith, 10/23/2013" Oh, I so wanted to like it but was bored. "
— Clare, 8/28/2013" Very easy book to read, and very enjoyable "
— Stacey, 8/23/2013" It was ok. I liked the concept more than the actual boof. I wish it had been better. The characters' struggles are not as big as they make them out to bem and the miraculous recovery was too predictable "
— Michelle, 8/7/2013" nearly a 5 star, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the ending, how the story evolves. I just had a difficult time with the philosophical parts of the book. Some may not like the storyline it seems morbid, just plain wrong in so many areas but to me I liked this book "
— Englandjennifer, 7/7/2013" A little deeper and more layered than I anticipated. "
— Kathy, 5/1/2013" Not my forte or a book I would usually be interested in reading, but it was ok. People who like modern day romance stories will really like this one. "
— Ashley, 4/24/2013" Very fast read, but I thought some parts were a bit too convenient... they fell in love so fast I kept wondering why. "
— Ninja, 12/2/2012" This our book club book for August. A great discussion book. "
— Cathy, 8/22/2012" I did like it- although it bothers me to say that since it was a book about a married woman who gets reunited with her college boyfriend and realizes she loves him instead. It was sweet love story, but I wish the main character had been engaged instead of married. It would seem less scandalous. "
— Sarah, 4/30/2012" Sometimes you pretend what you really want. "
— Iris, 1/31/2012" Fun read. Not sure where it was going so like Kristy said, I was a bit worried, but I liked how it ended. A lot. "
— Rochelle, 12/26/2011" I liked her first book, My Husband's Sweethearts, better "
— Julie, 8/23/2011" didn't finish...couldn't get into this book at all... "
— Kathy, 6/16/2011" Cute book. Takes a look at relationships and settling for "good" versus fighting for that one love of a lifetime. "
— Niki, 6/12/2011" A cute, easy read. At one point toward the beginning of the book (when they are at Helen's party) I got the giggles so bad I couldn't stop laughing for twenty minutes. My husband thinks I'm a lunatic. "
— Chanda, 6/5/2011" Loved this book! It was a nice light read that made me laugh and cry. "
— Melissa, 5/4/2011" I wish Bridget Asher would write faster. I love her characters. My Husband's Sweethearts should be a movie. "
— Cindy, 3/17/2011" Gread read, loved the characters even the children are charming "
— Eloisa, 2/20/2011" Meh. This book really didn't grab me. And now that I am finished with it, I don't know what made me want to read it in the first place. But it wasn't a total suck. Just a partial suck. "
— Yolanda, 2/17/2011" As someone who sometimes wonders...what if? this book was a good one for me. I could relate to Gwen, the main character, seeing some of myself in her life. <br/> <br/>I enjoyed this book and will look for more by the author. "
— Ann, 1/20/2011" Just what I needed. Positive without being corny or cliche or too wrapped up in a pretty bow. "
— Zoe, 1/9/2011" Surprisingly enjoyed. Light read with a great message - don't settle for less! "
— Devak, 11/28/2010" Interesting look at this womens life and her take on marraige. "
— Carol, 11/20/2010Bridget Asher lives on the Florida panhandle with her husband, who is lovable, sweet, and true of heart—and who has given her no reason to inquire about his former sweethearts.
Carrington MacDuffie is a voice actor and recording artist who has narrated over two hundred audiobooks, received numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards, and has been a frequent finalist for the Audie Award, including for her original audiobook, Many Things Invisible. Alongside her narration work, she has released a new album of original songs, Only an Angel.