The Other Woman

From Publishers Weekly
Ellie's found her Mr. Right—too bad his mom's got him all wrapped up in her apron strings. Bestseller Green (Bookends; Jemima J; etc.) saddles her heroine with the mother-in-law from hell in her latest bit of comic frippery. Ellie's mom was an alcoholic who died when Ellie was 13, so it's understandable that at first she's "over the moon" about being embraced by Dan's entire family. But poor Ellie never saw the meddlesome Mrs. Cooper coming. Mrs. Cooper calls her three times a day at work, plays devoted son against desperate daughter-in-law, takes control of the wedding plans and then, after the wedding and then birth of Ellie's son, Tom, seems to forget that Ellie even exists ("Hello, my gorgeous boys," she croons into the answering machine). More and more significant troubles loom: having a baby is hard! Marriage is hard! Green offers scenes of real pathos. ("We've become one of those couples that I used to dread becoming: the couples that sit in restaurants all night and don't say a word to each other"). The setup is solid, but the prose is flat: Ellie narrates with all the energy and élan of a bored, middle-aged housewife. She perks up, though, at the requisite happy ending. (Apr.)

From Booklist
When Ellie Black meets Dan Cooper, she feels as though she's found her best friend and soul mate. After an idyllic courtship, Dan proposes and Ellie happily accepts. She loves everything about Dan, even his family: his sister, Emma, has become her good friend, and his mother, Linda, might end up being the mother Ellie never had when she was growing up. Ellie's own family was far from ideal--her alcoholic mother died when she was 13, and Ellie and her father withdrew from each other almost completely. She hopes Dan's family will become her own, that is, until she gets to know Linda and realizes how controlling and manipulative she can be. Ellie's resentment toward Linda grows after she gets pregnant and gives birth to Tom. When an accident puts Tom's life at risk, Ellie's bottled-up emotions spill over and threaten not just her relationship with her mother-in-law but her marriage itself. Green, best-selling author of Jemima J (2000) and To Have and to Hold[BKL Mr 1 04], is particularly adept at producing engaging women's fiction, and her latest is a prime example--warm, convincing, and eminently readable. Although at times Ellie's venomous anger toward her mother-in-law grates, overall, she is a sympathetic heroine. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

The Washington Post
A smart, complex, character-driven read.

People
Green gives readers a lovably imperfect protagonist, a heart-to-heart narrative voice and a bumpy, error-strewn highway to romance.

Redbook
The prose is witty, and the tell-it-like-it-is portrayal of motherhood will have you laughing out loud.

Book Description
Jane Green’s bestselling novels are rich with wry, clever insights into the romantic lives of her idiosyncratic heroines, winning them a devoted fan base. Now, with The Other Woman, Viking will reintroduce America to the inimitable Jane Green. If opposites attract, Ellie and Dan are perfect for each other. She’s impulsive; he follows all the rules. Ellie is a virtual orphan, whereas Dan’s family is as close-knit as they come. At first, Ellie is thrilled to be accepted into the Cooper clan and embraces Dan’s mom, Linda, as the mother she never had—until she begins to realize that Linda’s "mothering" is far more intrusive than even the best daughter-in-law can handle. What can Dan and his mother possibly have to talk about on the phone twice a day? And how has the intimate civil ceremony Ellie always dreamed of turned into a black-tie affair that would rival a royal wedding? Suddenly, Ellie finds herself wondering if it’s possible to get an annulment—from Linda. A hilarious yet touching look at mothers-in-law and what they teach us about ourselves, The Other Woman is a brilliant hit from a novelist whose star just continues to rise.

About the Author
Jane Green is one of the preeminent names in women’s fiction.


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Ellie's found her Mr. Right-too bad his mom's got him all wrapped up in her apron strings. Bestseller Green (Bookends; Jemima J; etc.) saddles her heroine with the mother-in-law from hell in her latest bit of comic frippery. Ellie's mom was an alcoholic who died when Ellie was 13, so it's understandable that at first she's "over the moon" about being embraced by Dan's entire family. But poor Ellie never saw the meddlesome Mrs. Cooper coming. Mrs. Cooper calls her three times a day at work, plays devoted son against desperate daughter-in-law, takes control of the wedding plans and then, after the wedding and then birth of Ellie's son, Tom, seems to forget that Ellie even exists ("Hello, my gorgeous boys," she croons into the answering machine). More and more significant troubles loom: having a baby is hard! Marriage is hard! Green offers scenes of real pathos. ("We've become one of those couples that I used to dread becoming: the couples that sit in restaurants all night and don't say a word to each other"). The setup is solid, but the prose is flat: Ellie narrates with all the energy and lan of a bored, middle-aged housewife. She perks up, though, at the requisite happy ending. (Apr.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.


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