Eileen Goudge

I’m honestly a little ashamed it took me so long to read The House on Mountain Laurel Lane, because this book was absolutely beautiful. Eileen Goudge has a gift for writing stories that feel deeply human full of heart, quiet strength, and hope.

This novel is a gentle yet powerful reminder that grief doesn’t disappear, but it can change, and that friendship, love, and taking risks can help guide you forward. The characters feel real, the emotions are sincere, and the story stays with you show more long after the final page.

If you love novels about resilience, connection, and finding your way through life’s hardest seasons, this one is not to be missed. I only wish I had took it off my shelf sooner. show less

Hang on to your hats! There is enough plot in here for several books. I don't require that much action to enjoy a book, but the storytelling in Garden of Lies is so masterful that it works effortlessly. Is this a romance? I suppose it is--that's how it was sold--but it is much more than that. It's a story full of life, joy and sorrow, with characters in 3-D, thrown into complex situations. There's a reason this one hit the NYT Bestsellers list and stayed there. Read it and enjoy!

What would you do if you had terminal cancer, and you didn't want your family to fall apart after you're gone? Would you try and find your husband / wife a replacement spouse, and your children a new mother? What if your "arrangement" worked out, but a miracle occurred and you are in remission, will you be able to deal with the ramifications of what you brought into your marriage?

Forty-two year old Camille Harte, is a successful Manhattan matchmaker, mother of two and happily married for show more twenty years to the love of her life. After a tough year of fighting for her life, her cancer was in remission and life resumed until the latest PET scan revealed that the cancer was back and had spread, and that this time it was terminal. With possibly only six to nine months left to live, Camille planned to find her husband and children a replacement wife, so that her family would not fall apart after she was gone. Her husband, Dr. Edward Constantine, was not a willing participant at first, but finally agreed to humor her, while holding out hope that she still had a chance to beat the cancer once again. The arrangement creates many changes within their marriage, and ultimately has life changing ramifications ... like the old saying goes ... "be careful what you wish for"...

The Replacement Wife is a hauntingly beautiful story that will pull at your heartstrings. The storyline is well written and incredibly powerful and compelling. The plot is intriguing and thought provoking, it leaves the reader pondering what they would do if they were in Camille and Edward's position. It begs the reader to consider if they would go to such lengths that Camille did to ensure that her family would remain intact; would your dying wishes supersede that of your family; and would you be able to handle the ramifications of your choices and decisions. The characters are realistic and engaging, their complexities and interactions with each other make the story that much more captivating. The attention to detail is outstanding, the palpable emotions and heartbreaking reactions will have you clutching the box of tissues, you can't help but be pulled emotionally into Camille and Edward's story. The Replacement Wife is a unique story that takes a look into a couple's marriage and how they handle various issues within their relationship: illness, family choices, decisions made, paths taken, and ultimately the ramifications that affect their marriage and family.

I haven't read a story that completely wore out my emotions in a long time, and The Replacement Wife did just that. This story engages you from the beginning pages, and captivates you as you go along on the emotional roller coaster ride that is Camille and Edward's story. This novel will make you smile, laugh, scream , and break your heart. It will make you grateful and count the blessings that you have in your life, reminding you to never take anything for granted.

I highly recommend that both men and women should read The Replacement Wife, it could change the way you value your own relationships.

Disclaimer: At the request of the author, publisher and NetGalley, an ARC Kindle edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event: Release Day Book Review.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/replacement-wife-by-eileen-gou... show less

Just when you have read the last page of what you think is the best book ever, along comes Eileen Goudge with a new book and suddenly you are exchanging that “best book ever” with THE REPLACEMENT WIFE. Eileen has once again given readers a novel that is a love story that grabs you from the opening and drives you to hold on to the roller coaster of ups and downs, twists and turns, while testing your emotional strength. THE REPLACEMENT WIFE is a love story not just about two people but show more about the main character’s entire world; her husband, children, friends, and career.

First and foremost, this love story is about a husband and wife, and how although their relationship definitely changes over time, it never loses its effect on the lives of the people it touches, nor the reader. Camille Hart appears to have it all; a perfect family with two wonderful children and an amazing husband, Edward. She enjoys her work as a matchmaker because she sincerely wants to help other people find true love as well as ideal companionship. Could there really be something in this idyllic life that would pose a problem?

Sadly, there is a very big “something” which is that Camille has cancer which had been in remission. The fight was a brave one and her second chance had given her back this perfect life. That is, up until the villainous illness returns and appears that no remission is in sight this time and she must make plans to deal with the inevitable. Camille is a fighter and if she isn’t going to beat it this time, she is sure she is going to leave her beloved husband and children in the best of hands. Faced with probably only six months left to live, Camille decided to do her best job ever with her matchmaking and find her husband a replacement wife. This would give Camille peace of mind knowing that her family would be in good hands after she was gone. Edward, a doctor, is not agreeable to this but in order to make Camille happy, he goes along with it, as he hangs on to the slim chance she might beat the cancer a second time.

What happens as Camille puts her plan in motion is not what one might think. I was surprised by what happened and especially by the ending. With Goudge’s propensity for creating realistic as well as compelling characters, the narrative burst forth from the pages to capture the reader’s heart and this beautiful story begs the reader to consider what they might do if put in the same situation. Camille and Edward’s story is unique in many ways, but with great attention to detail, Goudge is able to touch on issues that do come up in most people’s lives such as making choices for one’s family, illness, and the effects one’s decisions can have on their marriage and family. Being deeply invested in the plot line, and expecting a much different ending, I have to say I was sorry for this story to end. I enjoyed it so much and as always with Eileen Goudge, one of the first writers to take a personal interest in me when I started out, I now have to wait again for her next work of art! Thank you once again, Eileen. Do not miss this one my friends! show less