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Lizzie Buckley has a life many women dream of - a gorgeous husband, a beautiful home and darling (when they're not fighting) three-year-old twins. But ever since the birth of her children, she's had a fantasy about locking herself in her bedroom for twenty-four hours with a good book and a box of chocolates.
Unfortunately, her husband James doesn't understand her feelings. And when Lizzie unburdens herself in a flaming email to her sister Janie, then hits send at the wrong moment and accidentally shoots it off to James instead, her fairytale life gets a big dose of reality. With the word "divorce" ringing in her ears, Lizzie finds herself moving out and embarking on a totally different life - working hard to reinvent herself as a runner, a gardener, and a writer of children's books.
But despite transforming her body, her neglected career, and her libido (courtesy of the local landscape gardener), Lizzie can't get over her soon-to-be ex. As Lizzie discovers, sometimes the fairytale ending is just the beginning of the real story.
Chidley's overlong snoozer chronicles a woman's make over when her husband leaves her. After a particularly difficult day, Lizzie Buckley fires off a scathing e-mail to her sister detailing her many petty resentments of her husband, James. Unfortunately, the missive instead goes to James, who quickly announces he's leaving her. Before long, Lizzie and her twin toddlers move to the town where her best friend lives, and Lizzie realizes that she may have been depressed for a long time and lacked self-awareness in her marriage. Meanwhile, James wants a divorce and seems to have taken up with his assistant, yet Lizzie hopes to win James back. Genre standards abound: there's the ruggedly handsome possible rebound fling for Lizzie, the wacky therapist, the nasty mother-in-law and the "it was all a big misunderstanding" air-clearing. It's heavily traveled territory, and Chidley doesn't do much to distinguish herself. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.StaceyTN
Posted June 13, 2011
I could not put my nook down. This is a lovely story with such an unexpected ending. I enjoyed it so much, I can't stop thinking about it. This would make an awesome movie.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I had a hard time putting this one down! Related to the main character completely. So well written!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.anne00
Posted April 20, 2011
Sort of an interesting read - might want to check it out.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.McCreamy
Posted April 12, 2011
I really liked this book. I had a hard time putting it down. I had a hard time with the main character, as she made a lot of decisions that I don't know if I would have. But, it was an interesting. I read it in a weekend, and I would lend it to others.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 31, 2011
I can indirectly relate to Lizzie, and it was so nice seeing her transform into a stronger woman. Lizzie is a true inspiration to all women. No matter what Lizzie's life throws her way, she comes through and ends up stronger. I was very happy with the ending, although I didn't predict it ending that way. I loved this book, and would read it over and over.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.keri21
Posted February 14, 2011
I really liked this book. I think a lot of us tend to forget what we have right in front of us in that "grass is greener" fantasy, so I enjoyed reading a book that explored that scenario. And I especially like that it was from a woman's perspective - rather than the typical "man's mid-life crisis" angle. Great book!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Rei_23
Posted January 29, 2011
i thought it was a good read. the language was a little difficut to understand at first. i loved lizzies transformation through the book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 17, 2011
I chose this book on a whim and am so glad I did. I read it from cover to cover within just a few days. It's a well-written book that almost any mom can relate to (especially moms with young children). Main character Lizzie's issues with depression and love are believable and engaging. I laughed out loud and cried real tears while reading this, and I sincerely hope Elise Chidley has another book in the works soon!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MidwestMom
Posted October 29, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I'm stumped as to why this book does not have more reviews...it's the best one I've read in a long time (I read 2-3 per week). I fell in love with the characters. It's got it all....romance, heart ache, humor. I was hooked within the first few pages and could not put it down. I can't wait for another book by Elise Chidley.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BloodyBad
Posted September 19, 2009
This remarkably realistic account of one woman's journey through postpartum depression, addiction, motherhood and divorce is the debut novel of Elise Chidley. The characterization of the main character, Lizzie is so true to life. She has all these imperfections, or more accurately, what she believes to be imperfections. All of theses flaws add up to make Lizzie who she is. She didn't have that unattainable perfection that makes so many characters unrelatable. I am only that true appreciates when I can connect with a character like I did with Lizzie.
Another thing about this novel that pleased me was the setting. I was expecting it to be set in Middle Town USA and to my surprise it was set in Bloody England. We all know how much I Bloody love England! The author has spent much of her life in England before moving with her family to Connecticut. So she knows first hand all the foods, places, sayings and mannerisms that she has put into this book.
I really loved this novel and it will have a prominent place in my top twenty books for the year. Not only was the setting and the characterization wonderful but the plot was brilliant. It kept me guessing and just when I was getting comfortable it through me for a loop.
knitterCA
Posted April 13, 2009
What a wonderfully written book. It was fun, light and it kept you wondering how it would end. The characters were easy to relate to. I heard about this book from a friend that read the book at her book club. It's a great gift, a fun way to spend a day and light enough to read at night before bedtime. There is nothing to complain about. It's all good.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.It's always a thrill to discover a new author that you want to tell others about. Elise Chidley's debut fiction novel, Your Roots are Showing, is newly released.
By mistake Lizzie sends an email to her husband James that was meant for her sister Janie. Unfortunately it details how fed up and frustrated she is with her marriage. It was just venting to her sister, but James takes it to heart and before she knows it, Lizzie is separated. She rents a rundown cottage in a small village with her three year old twins and then...Well what is next? She still loves James, but it seems he's ready to move on. Maybe it's time to love herself.
Lizzie Indigo is a wonderful, warm, lovable character. The journey to reclaim her life and herself is by turns funny, sad and inspiring. Chidley has perfectly captured the trials and tribulations of life after children. Lizzie's world is filled out by an eclectic group of supporting characters (I'm quite taken with the meddling neighbour Ingrid)
Chidley is very funny. I actually found myself laughing out loud as she recounts a tale involving the idea that wrapping one's self in saran wrap will drive your husband mad. Or the self tanning fiasco....
If you've read the Shopaholic/Bridget Jones books, you'll love this great feel good chick lit read. I'll be watching and waiting for Elise Chidley's next novel!
Lizzie and James Buckley seem to have the perfect life as they raise their three year old twins in love and affluence. However, though Lizzie loves her stay at home mommy role on their country estate, she also can use some time out with a box of chocolates. She suffers from postpartum depression that has only grown worse as James remains unsympathetic while she mopes and gains weight.
In a frustrated rage, she types an e-mail ripping her dear husband for his lack of understanding. However instead of her sister, she accidentally forwards it to James. He is livid upon reading her diatribe and angrily tells her he is filing for divorce before walking out on her. Stunned Lizzie takes their kids and leaves. Although she misses her beloved James, but not Mill House, Lizzie realizes she suffers from depression and starts running as a means of releasing her stress with the motive that James will come back for her.
Lizzie makes this deep English character study work as she struggles with being a mommy only. The support cast from her spouse to their ¿martinet¿ kids to the neighbors at Back Lane Cottage enhances the deep look at a woman suffering from postpartum depression that has gotten worse over the three plus years since she gave birth. Although limited action and a bit too tidy of a wrap-up, contemporary fiction fans will appreciate this fine tale of an individual whose self esteem went with the afterbirth.
Harriet Klausner
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Posted February 15, 2010
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Posted September 26, 2011
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Posted September 11, 2011
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Posted April 13, 2009
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Posted February 16, 2009
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Posted June 12, 2011
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Posted June 2, 2011
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Overview
Lizzie Buckley has a life many women dream of - a gorgeous husband, a beautiful home and darling (when they're not fighting) three-year-old twins. But ever since the birth of her children, she's had a fantasy about locking herself in her bedroom for twenty-four hours with a good book and a box of chocolates.
Unfortunately, her husband James doesn't understand her feelings. And when Lizzie unburdens herself in a flaming email to her sister Janie, then hits send at the wrong moment and accidentally shoots it off to James instead, her fairytale life gets a big dose of reality. With the ...