The First Husband: A Novel
"A fresh, funny take on the search for a soulmate." —People
A savvy, page-turning novel about a woman torn between her husband and the man she thought she'd marry by the author of the New York Times Bestseller and Reese's Book Club Pick, The Last Thing He Told Me
Annie Adams is days away from her thirty-second birthday and thinks she has finally found some happiness. She visits the world's most interesting places for her syndicated travel column and she's happily cohabiting with her movie director boyfriend Nick in Los Angeles. But when Nick comes home from a meeting with his therapist (aka "futures counselor") and announces that he's taking a break from their relationship so he can pursue a woman from his past, the place Annie had come to call home is shattered. Reeling, Annie stumbles into her neighborhood bar and finds Griffin-a grounded, charming chef who seems to be everything Annie didn't know she was looking for. Within three months, Griffin is Annie's husband and Annie finds herself trying to restart her life in rural Massachusetts.
A wry observer of modern love, Laura Dave "steers clear of easy answers to explore the romantic choices we make" (USA Today). Her third novel is packed with humor, empathy, and psychological insight about the power of love and home.
A savvy, page-turning novel about a woman torn between her husband and the man she thought she'd marry by the author of the New York Times Bestseller and Reese's Book Club Pick, The Last Thing He Told Me
Annie Adams is days away from her thirty-second birthday and thinks she has finally found some happiness. She visits the world's most interesting places for her syndicated travel column and she's happily cohabiting with her movie director boyfriend Nick in Los Angeles. But when Nick comes home from a meeting with his therapist (aka "futures counselor") and announces that he's taking a break from their relationship so he can pursue a woman from his past, the place Annie had come to call home is shattered. Reeling, Annie stumbles into her neighborhood bar and finds Griffin-a grounded, charming chef who seems to be everything Annie didn't know she was looking for. Within three months, Griffin is Annie's husband and Annie finds herself trying to restart her life in rural Massachusetts.
A wry observer of modern love, Laura Dave "steers clear of easy answers to explore the romantic choices we make" (USA Today). Her third novel is packed with humor, empathy, and psychological insight about the power of love and home.
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Community Reviews
When I saw the title of this book, I thought it was going to be about a woman that married multiple times. It lends itself to that idea - doesn't it? Turns out, I was way off and when I read the synopsis of the book, I knew it was something I'd enjoy reading. I won this book from a give-away on the ChickLitCentral Blog. Of course, I was super excited to win the book, which made reading it all the more fun!
The First Husband by Laura Dave explores the idea of love, or better yet, the difference between real love and a love out of habit. It think that is the major distinction made in this book.
Annie Adams, the book's protagonist, has a great life. She's a travel writer that has explored the world on someone else's dime, she has a great home, a talented film-maker boyfriend, and even a sweet dog. The package is quite complete. But when Nick, the great beau, comes home and decides out of nowhere he's got eyes for someone else (isn't that always the way?), Annie finds herself in very unfamiliar territory. Nick's all she's ever known and loved - how can she make it in this world without him?
Of course, Annie does what anyone smart woman would do. She wallows in self-pity for awhile and then takes herself out for a drink. It's the decision to step among the living again that takes Annie on her greatest travel adventure ever - the one she will take with Griffin, the bar-tender/chef she meets the night she ventures out solo. Three months after meeting and becoming quite smitten with Griffin, she finds herself married and living in a small town where the weather chills one to the bone. But of course, Nick decides he's made a mistake and attempts to return to Annie's life (again - isn't that always the way?). Annie is torn between the man she loved for years and one she's loved for months - which is the better love? She always thought she'd marry Nick, but here she is already married to Griffin, a man who stole her heart. What's a girl to do?
Laura Dave writes with great integrity about love. While the premise of the story hinges on a love triangle, the depth of emotion she explores with Griffin and Annie is what grabbed my attention the most. Her characters are compelling and smart. I found the novel to be sincere and emotional, but with a playful balance.
I did want to know more about Griffin's past. I feel like there's another story there that this novel just didn't cover enough for me. But, that's the reader in me, always looking for the next great idea in the book.
The First Husband is a fun read and one I'd recommend to anyone looking for a light-hearted take on love, life, and finding the partner that's really right for you.
Laura Dave is the author of two other novels, The Divorce Party and London is the Best City in America. For more about her, check out her website at lauradave.com
The First Husband by Laura Dave explores the idea of love, or better yet, the difference between real love and a love out of habit. It think that is the major distinction made in this book.
Annie Adams, the book's protagonist, has a great life. She's a travel writer that has explored the world on someone else's dime, she has a great home, a talented film-maker boyfriend, and even a sweet dog. The package is quite complete. But when Nick, the great beau, comes home and decides out of nowhere he's got eyes for someone else (isn't that always the way?), Annie finds herself in very unfamiliar territory. Nick's all she's ever known and loved - how can she make it in this world without him?
Of course, Annie does what anyone smart woman would do. She wallows in self-pity for awhile and then takes herself out for a drink. It's the decision to step among the living again that takes Annie on her greatest travel adventure ever - the one she will take with Griffin, the bar-tender/chef she meets the night she ventures out solo. Three months after meeting and becoming quite smitten with Griffin, she finds herself married and living in a small town where the weather chills one to the bone. But of course, Nick decides he's made a mistake and attempts to return to Annie's life (again - isn't that always the way?). Annie is torn between the man she loved for years and one she's loved for months - which is the better love? She always thought she'd marry Nick, but here she is already married to Griffin, a man who stole her heart. What's a girl to do?
Laura Dave writes with great integrity about love. While the premise of the story hinges on a love triangle, the depth of emotion she explores with Griffin and Annie is what grabbed my attention the most. Her characters are compelling and smart. I found the novel to be sincere and emotional, but with a playful balance.
I did want to know more about Griffin's past. I feel like there's another story there that this novel just didn't cover enough for me. But, that's the reader in me, always looking for the next great idea in the book.
The First Husband is a fun read and one I'd recommend to anyone looking for a light-hearted take on love, life, and finding the partner that's really right for you.
Laura Dave is the author of two other novels, The Divorce Party and London is the Best City in America. For more about her, check out her website at lauradave.com
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