LoveReading Says
July 2014 Book of the Month.
A fun and easy read, Alliott’s novel is a look at domesticity gone wrong and particularly at what happens to us when we brush things under the carpet rather than tackling them head on. Ella’s life is the centre of a storm that many will recognise, as children, work, mother, sister, ex-husband, handsome but unavailable gardener and a myriad of other things crowd for her attention. But fun as much of the story is, Ella herself isn’t that likeable and so it’s difficult to end up feeling much empathy for her life.
Reviewed by Sarah BroadhurstSarah Broadhurst spent her early working life in the book trade in both retail and wholesale until the arrival of children forced her to look for freelance work she could do from…
More reviews by Sarah Broadhurst About My Husband Next Door
Step into Alliott country with the fabulously funny and wonderfully heartwarming. My Husband Next Door. When Ella married the handsome, celebrated artist Sebastian Montclair at just nineteen she was madly in love.
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Catherine Alliott Press Reviews
We have asked a select number of members and browsers to review My Husband Next Door and enter our guess the author competition. You can read their reviews below.
Kath Martin - 'This is so much fun! A rollicking Aga-saga of the very highest calibre...Bliss!'
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Joy Bosworth - 'When I started the book I found it an amusing piece of chick lit like many others I have read. How wrong could I be? One finds oneself laughing out loud quite unexpectedly. I really loved this book.' Click here to read the full review.
Sam Lewis - 'This was a really humorous and fabulous holiday read for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved the way the story was told in such a matter of fact way!' Click here to read the full review.
Cherrill Deans - 'this author writes with style and sensitivity and unfolds an insightful tale of the tangled emotions of a middle-class family whose lives and marriages are falling apart.' Click here to read the full review.
Louise Woods - 'all the makings of a great beach read. Enough of a story to last longer than a quick weekend read, and yet easy enough to dip in and out of without losing touch with the plot.' Click here to read the full review.
Manisha Natha - 'A great book if you are looking for something easy and relaxing to read on a nice summer’s day, or just something to curl up with whilst in bed.' Click here to read the full review.
Sarah Davis - 'I really enjoyed the book and it was certainly a page turner...the perfect beach holiday read. It also made me feel that I shouldn't judge a book by its cover alone!' Click here to read the full review.
Susan Walsh - 'A great book just begging to be read and enjoyed. 10/10 for this one; love it!' Click here to read the full review.
Jo Turner - 'This is a charming book, full of wit and humour...A perfect summer read!' Click here to read the full review.
Barry Griffiths - 'Funny, entertaining, escapism - this is a holiday book you will want to lose yourself in.' Click here to read the full review.
Sian Spinney - 'A good read which should keep you absorbed but not a page turner so you'll have time for a swim too.' Click here to read the full review.
Dawn Shaw - 'overall I really enjoyed this book, and at times found it quite funny.' Click here to read the full review.
Carol Peace - 'Will there be a happy solution to her never ending catalogue of mishaps? You'll have to read it to find out!' Click here to read the full review.
Jill Peters - 'I’m sure other readers will relate to Ella and her life, reaching the end of the book and thinking phew, ‘I thought that could only happened to me’...I loved this book!' Click here to read the full review.
Rachel Bridgeman - 'I adored this book! It was perfect summer reading...poignant, unexpectedly moving and also deeply funny.' Click here to read the full review.
Lynda DeFreitas - 'a possible lover who is just waiting for the chance to consummate the relationship, an estranged husband, desperate, disenchanted wives, a romp through the Oxfordshire countryside and a happy ending, who could ask for more?' Click here to read the full review.
Amanda Donovan - ' Expect to laugh out loud at the skillfully written awkward moments and enjoy meeting a hen called ‘Ladyboy’.' Click here to read the full review.
Michelle Hemmingway - 'It was a well paced and enjoyable...A great holiday read or something to curl up with on the sofa with a glass of wine and a box of chocolates.' Click here to read the full review.
Kate Wolstenholme - 'Definitely recommended for fans of a more intelligent ‘chick-lit’ who want a mixture of laugh out loud moments and an uplifting tale.' Click here to read the full review.
Sarah Tilley - 'You can visualise the main character in the same mould as the hapless Bridget Jones, with oddball family to match...All in all, a book that is fun and perfect for summer. Click here to read the full review.
Ruth Paterson - 'The story is one of not much action but lots of laughs and tears...I really immersed myself in Ella’s world...I was with her all the way and would read more if this were to become a series.' Click here to read the full review.
Helen Gough -'read this wonderful book...You won't regret a minute spent and you will have had a very satisfying and enthralling time!' Click here to read the full review.
Josie Barton - 'The fine attention to detail, and the gentle and self depreciating sense of humour which is evident throughout the story, makes for an uncomplicated but ultimately entertaining read.' Click here to read the full review.
Michelle Russ - 'Overall I really enjoyed this book and thought it was really well written, well paced and brilliantly funny... I can't wait to find out who the author was to read more!' Click here to read the full review.
Linda Hill - 'This is a heartwarming, easy read about how we all need to be loved and the mistakes we make along the way in finding that love...I would recommend it as a book to put in your suitcase for a beach holiday.' Click here to read the full review.
Judy Connolly - 'I like this book; all the characters are well portrayed, and feel real... A good story with a bit more depth than some of the ‘chicklit’ I’ve read.' Click here to read the full review.
Edel Waugh - 'Marriage and the ups and downs of it are at the forefront of the story, and it's not just Ella's marriage that’s in trouble! A beautiful story that's perfect for a relaxing read.' Click here to read the full review.
Sue Broom - 'a finely-observed family drama, witty and wise, with interesting characters and dialogue that rings true...There are some great slapstick moments and some terrific turns of phrase that I shall steal for my own repertoire.' Click here to read the full review.
Francesca Ashurst - 'I was soon drawn into a wonderful story narrated by Ella with a supporting cast of family, friends and some very entertaining chickens!' Click here to read the full review.
Helen Clark - 'An easy read, a great book to take with you on holiday to make you relax...Fun, poignant yet thoroughly enjoyable.' Click here to read the full review.
Emily Wright - 'Into this eclectic mix of characters and family life the author adds a gender confused chicken, randy cockerels and a goat named Curly to set the scene for a novel mingling relationship tales set alongside light-hearted, humorous country antics.' Click here to read the full review.
Berwyn Peet - 'Perhaps a little predictable at times but written with a dry humour and certainly a witty, engaging read.' Click here to read the full review.
Carolyn Huckfield - 'It is a fantastic read and much more than just the family saga that it first appears to be. This is a must read if you enjoy gripping and heartwarming family stories.' Click here to read the full review.
Karin Gibson - 'What a disappointment, I usually love Catherine Alliott's books but I struggled to read this one.' Click here to read the full review.
About Catherine Alliott
Catherine Alliott was our Guest Editor in August 2013 - click here - to see the books that inspired her writing.
Catherine Alliott started her first novel under the desk when she worked as an advertising copywriter. She was duly fired. With time on her hands she persevered with the novels, which happily flourished. In the early days she produced a baby with each book, but after three she stuck to writing as it was less painful. She writes with the nearest pen in exercise books, either in the garden or on a sofa. Home is a rural spot in Hertfordshire which she shares with her family and a menagerie of horses, cows, chickens and dogs, which at the last count totalled 34 beating hearts, including her husband.
Author photo © Neil Cooper
Fellow novelist SOPHIE KING on CATHERINE ALLIOTT
I first met Catherine because my youngest son was at school with her son. Catherine writes her novels in the first person which immediately makes you feel you know the heroine. I love all her books, including the latest The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton : I usually spot other people's twists but I didn't get this one until it jumped up and hit me off the page.
Author photo © Neil Cooper
Below is a Q & A with this author.
Q. If you couldn't be a writer, what would you like to be?
A. A painter – as in artist, not decorator.
Q. When you need to escape from your everyday routine, what do you do?
A. Light the fire, watch daytime TV and eat chocolate.
Q. Who is your style icon?
A. Wasn't aware I had one but very much admire Kristen Scott Thomas's style. So cool.
Q. What is your favourite food?
A. In - macaroni cheese. Out - Dover sole.
Q. What's your favourite movie?
A. Truly Madly Deeply.
Q. What's your idea of hell?
A. Shopping malls.
Q. When did you last cry and why?
A. Two weeks ago, at Badminton Horse Trials, watching a great friend's daughter jump round the cross country course. Amazing. I've known her since she was seven.
Q. What is so your idea of perfect happiness?
A. So corny. All my children plus boyfriends, girlfriends, any other friends and of course my husband, eating around the same table. Or actually, a table somewhere hot, on holiday, abroad, i.e. without me having to cook. Oh - and grandparents too.
Q. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
A. Deplore. Golly. Quite strong. Well I'm not mad about bad manners which come in many guises.
Click here to read the full Q&A
More About Catherine Alliott
