Review: The Glass Wives by Amy Sue Nathan

The Glass Wives by Amy Sue Nathan

Expected Publication: May 14, 2013
Source: Finished copy provided by publisher
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Rating: 4/5

Summary via Goodreads

Evie and Nicole Glass share a last name. They also shared a husband.

When a tragic car accident ends the life of Richard Glass, it also upends the lives of Evie and Nicole, and their children. There’s no love lost between the widow and the ex. In fact, Evie sees a silver lining in all this heartache—the chance to rid herself of Nicole once and for all. But Evie wasn’t counting on her children’s bond with their baby half-brother, and she wasn’t counting on Nicole’s desperate need to hang on to the threads of family, no matter how frayed. Strapped for cash, Evie cautiously agrees to share living expenses—and her home—with Nicole and the baby. But when Evie suspects that Nicole is determined to rearrange more than her kitchen, Evie must decide who she can trust. More than that, she must ask: what makes a family?

My Thoughts

First and foremost I truly enjoyed this book. I read it in almost one sitting; I haven’t done that in a while. I loved this storyline of an unconventional family and how they come together after a tragedy. It’s a different twist on a subject we’ve seen before. What would happen to a broken family after a family member passes. How does the ex and once mistress now “wife” co-exist? Would they really have to? Or do they simply move on with each other’s respective lives?

These are some of the questions answered in Amy Sue Nathan's new book.  Never been married or having children I wondered if I could even relate. Needless to say I could and did. I could come into this fresh and seeing and understanding both Evie and Nicole’s sides and opinions.

Even though Evie questions having Nicole in their lives she’s a big enough person to do what’s best for her children in spite of her past feelings. Honestly I don’t know if I could do that if I were in her shoes. Then I thought back to the title. It's not only their last names. I see it as a reflection of each woman. How they see themselves in each other. Even though the situation may not be “normal” for some it works for them and the kids. However what is “normal” these days? The definition of family is changing every day and I for one am a believer in doing what works best for YOU. One shouldn’t care what others think or say. At the end of the day no one’s opinions should matter but your own.

Amy Sue Nathan wrote a wonderfully written book showing us family isn’t always merely by blood sometimes it’s friends, ex’s, neighbors or even strangers. It’s what you make out of it that truly counts.