written by Harriet Klausner on 20/10/2006
The Other Wife
Shirley Jump
Harlequin Next, November 2006, $5.50
ISBN: 0373881185
Neither Penny nor Susan had the slightest inkling that they were married at the same time to the same man. That is, neither knew until Dave Reynolds died. Both are shocked to learn about the other, and Penny is further stunned to learn that Dave and Susan also had a dog, no less a Harvey the pianist terrier; as she and Dave lived as a dinka (double income, no kids/animals) lifestyle. They meet for the first time at Dave's funeral, with neither blaming THE OTHER WOMAN.
Unable to resist, both women agree to see each other to discuss Dave. They agree they need to know why he did this to the two women, as each wonders what they lacked in terms of Dave. Penny and Susan begin an odyssey to learn the truth.
THE OTHER WIFE is a fascinating character study, as the two wives of Dave become friends while seeking the reasons he was a bigamist. Penny and Susan are interesting protagonists who grow emotionally, as they make a "Dave" tour that is filled with humor, poignancy, and detours. Readers like this reviewer, will jump to find other works (see RESCUED BY MR. RIGHT) by this fine author.