The Adultery Diet

Funny, thought provoking and sincere…I truly enjoyed this book. The subject matter isn’t perfect (I don’t advocate affairs), but I understood where Eva was coming from. She felt forgotten and neglected and once she received a little attention (from someone other than her husband) she felt empowered to make changes, to start on her “adultery diet”. This story had several moments that were insightful, especially for someone who has ever struggled with weight and self esteem issues (isn’t that most of us?). Good ending...great story. ( )

It's your average chick lit book; the writing is decent. It has funny moments, it drags in some areas and has a rushed ending. The book focuses on weight loss, really. Every other topic that it touches upon is just that: a touch and nothing deeper.

Overall, I thought this book was average. There wasn't enough character development. Even though it's in first person, it would have been better to explore Eva's relationships with the other characters and not just her fantasies about Michael. Eva herself isn't really an interesting character in my opinion. I find her dull and boring, an average person with average interests and knowledge.

I didn't like the ending, personally. (This will be a spoiler so don't read it if you don't want to kill your buzz for the book)

I didn't want David and Eva to get back together. First of all, I didn't see David as a likeable character. He seemed pretty distant throughout the novel, only making impressions and exerting his existence when he has something to say about something he doesn't like. I understand that to a certain extent, Eva's actions and the reason why she cheated on him wasn't really because she didn't love him anymore, but it still felt like she was crawling back into the same situation that she wasn't happy with in the first place. And lastly, I didn't like them together. As a couple, they got along, but overall... they just seemed so average. Maybe this has something to do with my own personal beliefs, but... there you have it.

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From Publishers Weekly
Midwest-based Cassady's debut features a protagonist also named Eva, an editor for a New York shelter magazine who is a sardonic worrier about the pounds she's put on since her 20s. She's married to David, mother to Chloe (who is about to spend her junior year in Paris). When architect Michael Foresman wins the Pritzker Prize, and Eva's editor finds out that Eva once knew him—they had a passionate, one-week thing in college—Eva is assigned to snag an interview. As the two begin heavily reconnecting via e-mail, Eva starts working out (and enjoying it) in preparation for seeing Michael again. Cassady's novel has inspired moments: Eva's exchanges with best friend Liz and with Chloe are sharp and funny, and the web Eva weaves to separate her real life from her cyberlife rings frighteningly true. Diet and exercise tangents eventually tie in to this smart, hopeful entry into the mom lit market. (Aug.) ( )