Separate Lives by Kathryn Flett

4 Stars

Publisher: Quercus (US), Quercus

Date of publication: December 6th, 2016

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Where you can find Separate Lives: Amazon

Book synopsis:

Your partner of ten years, and the father of your children, receives a text. You happen to see it.

‘Start living a different kind of life … P 🙂 xxx’. You don’t know anyone with the initial P, so what’s with the smiley face and the kisses?

Narrated by Susie, her partner Alex and the mysterious ‘P’, Separate Lives is an achingly funny, moving and honest portrayal of marriage and adultery. These characters are never less than totally human. You’ll have met people like them. They might even be you.

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My review:

This book is a tear-jerker and it is painful to read such a raw rendition of a relationship that is on its way out. Told from Susie’s point of view, from letters that P writes to her mother and through text messages/emails sent by Alex, it is heartbreaking.

I loved that it was so raw and that nothing was faked. There were a few super funny scenes (the ones where Susie walks in on Phil and Harriette is hilarious) and some that are heartbreaking (the chapter when Susie realizes that it is over and is trying to co-exist with Alex really pulled at my heartstrings).

The ending was a HUGE surprise, even though I did somewhat call it in the middle of the book.

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I would give Separate Lives an Adult rating. There are sexual situations. There is language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Separate Lives. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**