Jane Porter writes both modern chick lit and classic romance with Mrs. Perfect falling into the former category. I've not read any of her books before so I was curious as to whether I'd enjoy her books or not.
Taylor Young (a secondary character from Jane's previous book, Odd Mom Out) has a seemingly perfect life. She has a handsome and successful husband, three beautiful children, an active social life and various voluntary commitments. She is organised, in control and, to outsiders, content.
All of these things, however, have come at a price. She is in control because if she wasn't she'd be massively out of control, she undertakes many voluntary jobs so that things are done right and because no one else volunteers and she maintains her weight by denying herself meals. All of this is beneath the surface though. Her husband, whom she still loves passionately after all these years of marriage, has secrets of his own. Communication between the two of them is, well, there isn't any, and eventually the facade that the Young's have created to the outside world, comes crashing down around them.
In this current economical situation so many people who have previously lived just within their means, are being caught out. No longer are their homes secure, no longer are their lives stable. This book has managed to capture one woman's life brilliantly, as their lives have to change.
The characters in this novel are brilliant. Taylor, spoilt and snobbish at the beginning becomes a supermum. Her friends and their reaction to Taylor's news are well drawn. She begins to see that not everyone is who she thinks they are.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and whipped through the book in no time. I could relate to so many things in Taylor's life (although I don't have a multi million pound house). There were times, when a particularly sticky situation would come up I'd think, "why don't you do 'x', that'll sort out some of your problems" then I turn the page and she's gone and done it, thankfully, before it has become irritating.
Great book. Loved it.
Rating: 4/5
Like this? Try Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
