His Other Lover

By Lucy Dawson
Harper Collins, $13.99, 272 pages

In a survey commissioned by Days to Amaz–a UK company which specializes in organizing unique days out–when questioned, nearly three-quarters, or 72 percent, of 10,000 cohabiting or married women said they would snoop on their partner’s mobile phone text messages if they suspected them of cheating. Just over a third, 34 percent, would secretly follow their partner.

Main character Mia never thought it never would happen to her, yet the proof is unmistakable–she thinks her boyfriend Pete is cheating on her. Accidentally stumbling across a series of text messages, Mia engages in more and more bizarre behavior while trying to uncover the truth, from destroying their apartment to spying on the “other woman.”

Fans of Bridget Jones may certainly enjoy this quick-moving tale of deceit and drama. However, His Other Lover lacks the charm, charisma, and ability to learn from her mistakes that made Bridget so lovable. Made even more frustrating is main character Mia. She is easily a wonderful person, an attractive, successful woman with a lovely group of caring friends, yet she throws it all away to indulge in manic, irrational behavior.

Reading this book can be compared to watching a train crash; you know what’s going to happen, you know it will be horrific and yet you can’t look away. It’s impossible to put this book down once started. Yet the book left this reader highly unsatisfied and strangely irritated for days afterward.

Reviewed by Lanine Bradley