His Other Wife

His Other Wife by Deborah Bedford

I have not had the pleasure of reading a book by Deborah Bedford before, but to say that reading His Other Wife is a pleasure would be a huge understatement. This book was absolutely fantastic on so many different levels.

The first thing that struck me about this book was simply the writing. Sometimes it takes me a little time to get used to an author's writing style, but not this time. I instantly responded to Deborah's writing and welcomed the experience of a story that sounded like it could have been heavy and a little tough to take.

Naturally, with writing as flawless as this, the story captured my attention right from the start and not one moment passed through the entire book where I felt bored or where I felt the story was too heavy. There was a lot of drama and a lot of painful history in this story, but Deborah skillfully avoided having "too much" at any one time. The reader learns about each character and his or her issues slowly as the story unfolds just as we would naturally learn about someone we would meet in real life. Watching Pam and Hilary both come to terms with the situation they find themselves in and watching God take hold of Hilary's heart was very inspiring.

Some folks may find that the story wrapped up too neatly, and I must admit that I briefly felt that way. But, after reflecting on it for a few minutes I think that was done intentionally by the author to show the reader that once we surrender to God, things have a way of falling into place. For good or for bad, God takes care of us if we let Him. That is the message Deborah was conveying throughout this story and she did it beautifully.

His Other Wife is one of those books that I didn't just read. I savored it. I had certain expectations and each of them were either met or exceeded. This book is going on my all-time favorites shelf and I will certainly be reading more from Deborah. If you are looking for a story with a powerful message that will inspire you and leave you feeling uplifted, I highly recommend His Other Wife.

Learning to trust in God

As the title suggests there has been a divorce. Hillary has put her whole life into raising Seth, and he knows it. Seth is just graduating from High School, and has his whole life ahead of him. Seth makes a decision and Hillary agrees, only it is a very bad decision that is life changing.
Her ex husband and his new wife and family are in town to share in the joy of the graduation....then the tragedy happens. Will the two families be able to come together in order to focus on what is important?
I don't know if I could be a generous as Hillary...she opened her home to Eric and his family. I know it is a celebration, but letting the other woman in her home?
This story is a great is a great lesson of letting go and letting God be in control. It will make you angry, sad, and joyful! The story itself is loosely based on Hannah of the Bible.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Hatchett Book Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Makes a good book club selection

Since her divorce, all of Hilary's energy has focused on her son, Seth. She worked hard to raise him on her own, and now he's set to graduate from high school and enroll in college with a full scholarship. Beneath a calm surface, however, she's terrified of failing him, and now that he's getting ready to leave home, she wonders how she will let him go. She knows Seth loves her, and believes that the bond between them is strong, but she's unprepared for the accident that will change both their lives forever.

When tragedy strikes at a graduation campout, Seth finds himself in the middle of a nightmare of family conflicts, fear, and guilt. He must confront not only the consequences of his choices, but also his feelings toward Eric, who has returned for graduation wanting to make up for his past failures as a father. Much to Hilary's chagrin, Eric brings his new family with him, including his wife, Pamela, but rivalry between them will only make Seth's life harder. With his college scholarship now a distant memory and his entire future at stake, the two women must come together for the sake of the son they now share .(publisher's synopsis)


MY REVIEW: The obstacles and challenges that faces blended families leads to mixed emotions for every family member. Thats the story of His Other Wife. I was upset with the first wife throughout most of the book. I grieved with her as she tried to understand her husband decision to leave the marriage, but her insecurities about decisions she made was most disturbing for me. Then the other wife, I would of threw her out of my home. There are just some things you do not open your mouth to say in someone else house. The Son was a good kid. He was in the middle of so many emotions. He was his mom's protector. He refused to allow himself to like the other wife, (his step mom) because he didn't want to hurt his mother's feelings. I loved his relationship with his stepbrother and half sister. Now it time for them to come together under one roof for a weekend. Can the first wife cope with this, will the other wife cease the opportunity to show how loving her hubby has been to her, how will the ex-husband of the first wife and husband to the second wife react under one roof with these women. Will they try to be civilized for the sake of the weekend celebration or does it take a tragic to bring them together. I enjoyed reading this novel. The first wife, Hillary, is a contemporary Hannah of the bible, she experiences tragedy, loss and yearning also.
I really enjoy a book when the author's storyline have me speaking to the characters as if i'm also a part of the storyline. This is an enjoyable novel, Definite makes for a good book club discussion.
choose it for your next book club selection.

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Never give up or give away your own true self

Hilary is a survivor and a fighter who knows the ups and downs life can throw at you and how to come back from the brink of disaster. She thought she had a good marriage only to find out that her husband wanted a great marriage to another woman. She believed her 18 year-old son was mature enough to make an adult decision but learned that while she had raised him to have a head on his shoulders at times he didn't want all that bearing down directly on him. When Hillary's husband moved out of their house and left a void as to who should be the man she asked her young son to take on that role. She depended on him and at times relied on him to help her fill the voids she had in her life without her husband.

All that pressure on her son was too much and Seth was a tornado of emotion. It all comes to a head one night when a quick decision and poor judgment has him deciding to take a dare and not look back. Seth wanted to be a kid like everyone else and enjoy life without the burden he bore as the son of divorced mother but no one is listening to him when he talks.

Hilary's life is changed again and never to be returned to the way it was but this time if she and her son get out of this mess she has decided to move her life in another direction, one she is not clear on but one she will be guided to walk down. Hillary knows it is a life where she may be on her own but not alone.
But even when Hilary is faced with disaster, crisis and her ex-husband's new wife and family she still knows that there is a power so much stronger that will guide her through the sadness and crisis. Hilary tries to move past the hurt of what her ex-husband had done and draw him and his new family into her heart and let them help her son heal from his mistake but can she, is she stronger enough to let go of the hurt and see past problems to let them work together to find a resolution.

That which does not kill us makes us stronger but at times we all question whether God is paying attention or has forgotten to help us with the cross we bear. But when you stop to hear the whisper in your ear that says you are strong enough and you can get past this if you just don't dictate what you need but appreciate what you have.

Thought-provoking!

His Other Wife by Deborah Bedford might be classified as fiction, but it is so much more. It is a deep and thought-provoking lesson on the effects of divorce on the entire family. The ex-wife has her own insecurities, the second wife feels she is always being compared to the first one, and the children of both marriages aren't sure how things all fit together. The husband/father tries to be the mediator/peace keeper of everything, and he wasn't doing a very good job. When an unfortunate tragedy strikes the family, they all need to be willing to offer forgiveness, acceptance and tolerance towards each other. They need to rally together to support the teenage son that they share, as he goes through a situation that no family should have to deal with. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover, and it would be an awesome choice for book club discussions. I received a complimentary copy of His Other Wife through Hachette Books in exchange for my honest review.

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