From Publishers Weekly
Living wisely is the best revenge for a London book review editor who loses both husband and job to her conniving assistant in this sophisticated and satisfying novel. Rose Lloyd is in her late 40s and has been happily married for 25 years when Minty, her "glossy free-ranging" young assistant, brusquely shoulders her aside. Husband Nathan, who is a deputy editor at the same newspaper, is decent and remorseful, but determined to start a new life, and Rose must pick up the pieces-which she does with commendable energy and resolve. Sidestepping the conventional wife-gets-even plot, Buchan opts for a more believable examination of one intelligent woman's midlife coming-of-age. With wry insight, Rose reflects on her affair with former lover Hal, a roving travel author, and her later happy life with Nathan and their children, Poppy and Sam, who are now embarking on their own marital journeys. Readers will appreciate the way Rose gets through the grief with admirable zest-"For anyone's information, the healing quotient of getting without difficulty into a black lace body embroidered with tiny butterflies is high"-and discovers "If becoming older meant loss... then it also gave back something unexpected."

I really enjoyed this book. I love the way Rose gets on with living after her rotter of a husband leaves her. She works at moving on, not becoming bitter, and trying to make it OK for her grown-up kids. Of course, she had moments of self-pity & desire for vengeance but she really handled things with grace. I hope I could handle such emotional upheaval with half the aplomb.

This one's a keeper because I know I'll read it again some time down the track when I need it.

I read this again & can now let it go. I really disliked Rose's husband, Nathan, and his fancy-piece, Minty - who wasn't satisfied with just taking the man, but angled for Rose's job as well. I disliked them so much that I know I won't need to read this again. I don't remember feeling quite so angry the first time around - I suppose I have changed in the last 8 years (8 years!) since I read this.

!