This is the second novel from this author I’ve listened to recently. I’m slowly making my way through my Netgalley back list with some Audible bargains which is where I managed to get a deal on this one.

March has been a very 3 star read month for me and this was my first read of the month. It follows main character Paula as she discovers her husband is having a fair and hatches a plan to - as the title suggests - get her revenge.

The first part of the story focuses on Paula and her plan. The second half shifts focus to Paula’s husbands mistress Saskia. Saskia is a very tricky customer and there are lots of crossed wires with both characters trying to fool the other.

This novel follows almost the same formula if you like as the other book I’d read recently Faking Friends. I have a few other Jane Fallon books on her shelf -

Queen Bee
Skeletons
Strictly Between Us
Tell Me A Secret

does anyone have a recommendation for what else to try that might be a bit different?

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC of this book.


I’m not entirely sure about how I feel about this book. On the one hand it’s a very readable, twisty, fun book. On the other hand all the characters are awful to each other and behave in utterly unbelievable ways. It’s very hard to suspend your disbelief and fully immerse yourself in the story when the characters’ actions are so unlikely.

The book follows Paula, an overweight, depressed woman who discovers her husband is cheating on her. Rather than confronting him, she concocts a ridiculous revenge plan to lose weight, make her husband love her again and then break his heart. Therefore, she pretends for months that she does not know the affair is going on. Who does that?

I could just about accept that as a plot but then a huge twist happens and turns out she’s not the only one manipulating the situation and it was all too much.

However, Jane Fallon, has a viciously humorous voice, so I’ll definitely try another of her books.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

An enjoyable tale of love and revenge. Paula, the main character, is likable, as are some of the supporting characters, and in her bid to make her cheating husband fall back in love with her (so she can then dump him), her plan starts to derail slightly after she meets the other woman's husband. I see some reviews being negative about Paula losing weight, as if she needs to be thin to attract a man, but I saw it more as her trying to regain her former self, and raise her self-esteem by getting fitter. Anyhow, I found it a charming and easy read.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

Loved this book, really great feel good story, loved Paula and her attitude to her smug cheating husband, was cheering her on.
Would recommend this book

I really loved this story and it had me laughing out loud in parts! It's modern fiction and is the story of Paula, the wife, finding out that Robert, her actor husband of 20 years is cheating on her. He is having an affair with his actress co-star, whom he professes to hate. Paula wants Robert to know what he is missing and doesn't tell him that she has found out, so she joins the gym and goes on a diet. She plots her revenge! A brilliant must read story.

It is a long time since I have read a book by Jane Fallon, but it won’t be a long time until I read the next. I devoured My Sweet Revenge, and struggled to put it down. Having gone through a similar experience where I found my long-term partner cheating on me this appealed to me, and I couldn’t wait to see how her revenge would pan out.

I started off both feeling sorry for, and rooting for Paula. It is clear that she had been a loving and devoted wife who had put her dreams to one side to dedicate herself to her family. Years and security have taken their toll and she isn’t the woman she used to be as she has become complacent. However, when she discovers her husband is having an affair rather than roll over and let it break her, Paula decides she is going to make Robert see her through fresh eyes, lure him back, and then chuck him to show him how it feels.

Add into the mix that she knows the woman she suspects he is having an affair with, she puts a plan into action – and so let the shenanigans commence!

The book is divided into two parts, and if I am honest, I enjoyed the first part and all that planning and positive change the best. We follow Paula as she sets the wheels into motion and it is great fun! Not only does she work on herself, but we get to see her start to set plans in motion to mess with her husband and his mistress.

I felt real empathy for Paula and I imagine many women reading will feel the same. I really enjoyed that she didn’t roll over, but was empowered and began to make changes that would enhance her life and happiness. Whilst heartbreak hurts it doesn’t mean that we always fall apart. Sometimes it can be the trigger that becomes the making of us, and I liked that this is Paula’s approach also, even if revenge is her driver.

The second half of the book ramps up the actual act of revenge, and events transpire that lead Paula to doubt decisions, actions and others. The only negative I would have about this book is around some of the actions. But then, hell, it is fiction, and that is the point of escapism, right? It is not a blue print on how to enact revenge. But it is nice to dream

I had forgotten how much I enjoy the authors writing, and for me she has skilfully crafted a book that delivers a compelling plot, emotion, inspiration and a wry smirk. This book hit the spot for me and my circumstance, and for those of us who believe in concentrating on our own life and happiness, it was a nice chance to fantasise!

Loved this book and would certainly recommend it to others.

This is the first Jane Fallon book I've read and it didn't let me down. Darkly comic and entertaining, this was a light read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Paula is easy to identify with and very likeable. I would definitely recommend this book and will be reading more of Jane Fallon in the future.

This is warm , witty and really enjoyable because - despite a fairly obvious twist - it is so unpredictable after this,
Paula has a lovely store iof descriptions one of which referred to her loitering like a hungry labrador eyeing a ham sandwich!
Saskia has it all, even Paula's husband it seems. She's slim, successful and an absolute nightmare. Her failed grammar is hilarious. She is Bored "of" something whereas Paula is bored "with," and it is these tiny pointers that illustrate the difference in their personalities. Saskia even has to show off to herself during internal dialogues., wary that her tenses etc are incorrect, Paul has no such hang ups she could have wolfed a sandwich in that time. She's not only more real, she's the much nicer of the pair, too

I love Jane Fallon's books and was thrilled to be sent a review copy of her brand new book My Sweet Revenge. The story is a bit of a twist on the 'wronged wife' story we see so much in this genre, and I loved that Jane Fallon took it and made something different out of it. Paula is devastated when she finds out her husband of many years is cheating on her with someone much younger and prettier than her, and is determined to get revenge. She's going to remind him just what he's losing, and make him want her back before breaking his heart once and for all. Will she be able to get the revenge she wants and break Robert's heart?

I have to say I loved Paula from the beginning, and was on her side the whole way through the book. She was truly broken by finding out the man she loves is cheating on her, after sacrificing her own career many years ago to raise their daughter, and now wants to make him pay. She has very low self-esteem but I admired how she got herself up and changed the way she did everything, so she could become the best version of herself before hurting her husband in the way he hurt her.

What I enjoyed about this book was partway through, the narrative changes from Paula to the woman that Robert is supposedly having an affair with. This throws the whole thing on its head, shows us the real truth, and made me have such contempt for Robert and his bit of the side. I was just willing it to all go wrong for them because they just didn't deserve to be happy at all. I did enjoy seeing the whole story from a different perspective though, it was so fun to read, and kept my interest piqued throughout the whole book.

The book does keep you guessing for a big portion of it, as to whether or not Robert is really cheating on poor Paula, and Fallon's writing gets right into Paula's head, showing her uncertainty, her hesitance over what she is doing because she just wants an answer. I had to admire her for not wanting to confront her husband either, I don't know she kept it in! This was a real page-turner from the first page right up until the last, and it's quite possibly my favourite of Jane's books so far, and that's no mean feat! It takes a typical story about a cheating, no-good husband, and turns it into a fabulous revenge tale, one you hope will work out for the best! A brilliant must-read.

If you have read Jane fallon before you will not be disappointed! It's a great girlie read with a few twists and turns along the way, but a book you can really indulge in and devour!

To be published in numerous magazines in May: When Paula finds out her husband is having an affair, she decides to win him back – so that she can be the one who breaks the marriage up. She befriends his mistress, Saskia, and sets out on a mission to lose weight, get fit and become the woman he wants. Paula recruits Saskia’s husband, Josh, to help her endeavour and together they set out to make the cheaters’ lives a misery. An easy read that’s perfect for lazy sunny afternoons.

I loved this book from beginning to end. You find yourself drawn into the story and cheering Paula on as she uncovers the extent of her husband's deceit and finds love in the most unlikely of places. A brilliantly written book and definitely one of my favourites.

I'm a big fan of Jane Fallon's work and My Sweet Revenge did not disappoint. The story is told from the view point of two characters, Paula and Saskia. Paula's husband Robert and Saskia are co-stars on a popular tv series produced by Saskia's husband Josh. After finding messages on Robert's phone, Paula is convinced that him and Saskia are having an affair and even ropes in Josh to find out the truth. Not everything is as it seems and there are a few twists and turns along the way. As the title of the book states, revenge is sweet. This was a fun story that was easy to read and kept my attention the whole way. Thanks to Penguin/Random House.

Just like I wanted to do to the cake on the front of this book, I devoured this story fully. I think that we have all been there - dreaming up ways of getting our revenge on someone who has hurt us and making sure that they feel the humiliation we have been through - this is the story for you. The main character, Paula, was very down to earth, normal and very lovable which makes it easy to feel sorry for her - but thanks to Jane's writing you don't - you feel empowered for her and want her to get complete revenge on her s**t of a husband. You'll have to read it to see if she does and you'll have plenty of laughs along the way. Another star of a book from Jane Fallon - can't wait to read more.

This is a light read which was much appreciated and what more appealing subject than laughing at a hapless, and dare I say it, self-opinionated man, whose wife has become invisible to him after twenty odd years of marriage?
I loved Paula, a slightly overweight woman, who had aspirations to be an actress when she first met Robert but those dreams were put on hold whilst he pursued his acting ambitions and she stayed at home and looked after the baby. She’d been fooled by the ‘I’ll concentrate on my career first and then it will be your turn’ line and of course, it had never been her turn.
Paula’s baby is now about to leave for university and Paula has a part-time job in a coffee shop when she unwittingly spies a text on Robert’s phone that has only one conclusion. Robert is having an affair with one of his fellow cast members on the popular TV drama Farmer Giles.
I can safely confirm that Jane Fallon is back on form with this funny novel detailing how Paula is going to take her revenge. There are laughs to be had at everyday life that we all share – how is it that a novice running for a bus means you’re not stared at (or laughed at) while donning fitness gear and attempting to do it properly means that all heads swivel towards you? Robert’s role on a long running drama – think of a racier version of The Archers on TV, also has plenty to quip about as does the other woman’s penchant for hot yoga! Paula’s method for revenge is inspired although somewhat ambitious and also leads to some somewhat awkward situations.
All of this might give the impression that what happens is predictable, but it isn’t, the author has managed to create some creative twists in the tale which added a great deal of pleasure and apprehension to the plot. Despite no lives being at risk, just hearts, there were some truly cringe worthy moments for me to chuckle at.
The storyline flows and Paula had my sympathy because she wasn’t too whiny about finding out the truth – I know that in ‘real life’ this isn’t particularly likely but it was refreshing to read a book where she missed the self-pitying stage almost instantly and moved straight on with a plan! How refreshing to read a book that isn’t full of the misery of human nature but one which allowed me to laugh at the absurd way we humans often behave whilst sharing some of the less than charitable thoughts that I have about some types of character, their pastimes and ambitions from time to time! She may have been cheated on but it would take far more than that to beat Paula.
My Sweet Revenge moves at quite a pace with never a dull moment with even the seemingly benign domestic scenes taking in the truths of life which made them easy to recreate in the mind’s eye.
The perfect book to relax with, a good holiday read, or honestly a book to pick up and read wherever you fancy – in my case on a plane, in a car, on a train and of course my favourite place, tucked up in bed.
I’d like to say a huge thank you to the publishers Penguin UK who gave me a copy of My Sweet Revenge. My unbiased review is my thanks to them and the hugely entertaining Jane Fallon.

After several dark and twisty thrillers, I wanted to read something a bit lighter and upbeat which this definitely was.

This is the 2nd of Jane Fallon's books that I've read and have been pleased with both, she's a name I shall look out for in the future.

What is it they say about the best laid plans of mice and men? Well Paula's plan doesn't go the way she wanted it either. I thought the plan to get her cheating husband Robert to fall back in love with her and then dump him was a bit vindictive, and yet how else could she make sure he didn't get his happy ever after?
After eighteen years of marriage and being a stay at home mum Paula knows she has let herself go.
She is overweight by about three or four dress sizes and she has decided to do something about it.
Paula's battle to get fit and lose weight was very well written as it happened very slowly, it wasn't one of those quick fix diets.
Walking to work instead of getting the bus, walking a bit faster each day even although she was left exhausted and soaked in sweat, and finally getting herself a personal trainer. Paula started eating healthily and making sure her hubby piled on the pounds at the same time. Maybe revenge is the best weapon to have in the fight to get fit and lose weight.
As Paula becomes friends with the woman her husband is having an affair with we are told the story from her and then Paula's point of view.
There were no dull moments in this book although towards the end it seemed like a bit of a comedy farce it did keep me guessing what would happen right to the end.
The characters seemed real and while Paula was likeable and will have you rooting for her, Robert and the woman he was cheating with deserved all they had coming to them.
A good light read.

I have read all of Jane Fallon’s previous novels and moe of them have been about adultery. What is great about them that it’s not always the person being cheated on. Sometimes it’s the mistress, sometimes it’s a character thats not directly related to the relationship where someone is cheating but gets caught up in the inevitable mess. The unique viewpoints mean that while they cover similar topics, they are all unique and fascinating. This one is no different and may just have excelled to become my favourite book of Jane’s, a feat I didn’t think possible since ‘Getting Rid Of Matthew’ is absolutely fantastic and a tough one to beat.

The writing is smart and the whole book keeps at a steady pace where I was dying to know what was going to happen next. I loved watching Paula execute her plan. We can all imagine how horrible it must be to find your partner is cheating on you and equally feel some less at getting your revenge. The opening chapter was absolutely fantastic and I instantly warmed to Paula, and I could see how deeply she cared for their daughters and it was easy to see how she felt a little bit resentful toward’s Robert and his career when she didn’t have their opportunity despite their agreement. I also find it a bit sad that she never bought it up. I guess once Robert found a steady role it was a difficult situation to be in, but it seemed like options for Paula working as well was never fully explored so I wish they had done this, and this would have stopped some of the resentment, but when you’re in these situations it’s always more difficult than being an outsider looking in.

Robert was the perfect character to dislike, making it even easier to will Paula on during her plan to get revenge. He was incredibly vain and arrogant and while the character caused a few laughs, it was mainly laughing in disbelief at how ridiculous he was acting.

The rest of the cast of characters were fantastic, as Paula befriends Saskia, you get to know the mistress better, and Saskia’s husband sounds pretty handsome and kind. The side stories with Paula and Robert’s daughter, Georgia and her trouble with university, and also Alice, Robert’s sister were really interesting and a great distraction so it wasn’t all revenge revenge revenge, which might have got a bit tiring.

This book throws a few twists at you and I never wanted to put it down. It’s a lot of fun and definitely pulled me out of my slump! Another great book from Jane Fallon.

What an excellent book. I loved the main character so much. How refreshing to find a betrayed middle aged woman who decides to get even and comes out on top. I will definitely look for more from this author.