Published 9th May 2024 by Headline.
From the cover of the book:
Izzy is in the Caribbean on the honeymoon-that-isn't after her fiancé broke her heart. She's not looking for someone new. But when she meets Charles Miller, a successful writer holidaying alone, the electricity is undeniable. And what does she have to lose?In Ireland, Charles's ex-wife and agent Ariel flits from party to party, glamorous and poised. She's in constant contact with Charles. They're very close. Ariel wonders if they should get back together. She's an independent woman, but she liked being part of a power couple. And she's sure she only has to say, and they'll pick up where they left off.
No matter how in control of life you think you are, it can shock and surprise you. As Izzy, Ariel and Charles are about to find out . . .
Sheila O'Flanagan's new novel tells a compelling and thought-provoking story about two strong women, one complicated man, and the secrets and dreams that draw them together - with explosive consequences . . .
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When Izzy's fiancé drops the bombshell that he no longer wants to get married to her, she takes the decision to jet off on what was supposed to be her honeymoon with her cousin Celeste, rather than with the man she thought she would be spending her life with. Depressed and heartsore, the last thing she expects is to find herself falling for another man while she is there, but the chemistry she feels with handsome, older, and very famous author, Charles Miller, who is supposed to be in the Caribbean working through his writer's block, is undeniable. It is a meeting that sparks not only a new direction for Miller, but the possibility of something more than a holiday fling.
Back in Dublin, Charles' ex-wife Ariel is still very much part of his life, as the agent who set him on the path to winning a Booker Prize. Although their marriage has gone awry, their working partnership has always been good, and he still relies on her to support him through his trials and tribulations - both personal and professional. Ariel misses being part of a literary power couple, and wonders whether their marriage still stands a chance.
When Charles returns with a potential best-seller in the making, and his relationship with Izzy continues to blossom, it is only a matter of time before these two women bump heads over who really belongs with the complicated author... and it does not help that Izzy's ex-fiancé is not yet off the scene.
The story unfurls in beautifully written first person narratives from Izzy and Ariel, and O'Flanagan does her classic thing of getting right into the emotional nitty gritty from the outset, comparing and contrasting the ties of old relationships and the promise of the new. She also uses her two locations, of a sunny holiday destination, where cares can be cast aside while you are in the moment, and the cold-hard reality of being back home having to deal with all the real-life situations you briefly left behind, to perfection.
At first glance, Izzy and Ariel seem to have very little in common - one a young woman completely out of her depth in literary circles (although she certainly knows what she likes about books), but beginning to grow into herself, and the other older, more assured and with a reputation as a successful business woman. But as the story develops, you realise that they are alike in many ways. Inevitably, they find themselves part of a complex triangle with Charles at the centre, and he is a very unconventional romantic lead, with a sizeable ego - and a very spiky mother! I found Charles a difficult character to warm to, but Izzy and Ariel are both marvellous, and I think they could easily have been friends under different circumstances.
The course of true love certainly does not run smooth in this story, and O'Flanagan plays mercilessly with your emotions, as well as those of her characters. Yes, there is romantic suspense in spades, but the relationships here are very real too, and the way she delves into jealousy, regret, the weight of shared memories, shifting boundaries, and different facets of love is spellbindingly good. As the story flips back and forth between Izzy and Ariel I really could not see where it would finally land, which I really enjoyed.
I loved how this is all about the world of publishing, and not just from the point of view of the authors. Ariel's part of the story takes you into the back room business of literary agents and the whole process of publishing a book, which was fascinating to read about. The literary quotes at the head of each chapter were absolute gold, and I adored all the book chat by the different characters too.
As with all of O'Flanagan's books, this is a heart-felt page-turner that you will be unable to put down once you have started reading it. I am already craving more of her fabulous female characters.
The Honeymoon Affair is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.
Thank you to Headline for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review, and for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
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