9780062882615
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Another Woman’s Husband audiobook

  • By: Gill Paul
  • Narrator: Laura Aikman
  • Category: Family Life, Fiction
  • Length: 13 hours 13 minutes
  • Publisher: HarperAudio
  • Publish date: August 21, 2018
  • Language: English
  • (2594 ratings)
(2594 ratings)
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Another Woman’s Husband Audiobook Summary

As the world mourns the loss of Diana, Princess of Wales, one young woman uncovers a forgotten story of passion, betrayal, and a scandal surrounding the British crown in this unforgettable novel by the bestselling author of The Secret Wife.

Two women who challenged the Crown.

Divided by time. Bound by a secret…

1911: When fifteen-year-old Mary Kirk meets Wallis Warfield at summer camp, she’s immediately captivated by her fearless, brazen, and self-assured personality. And Wallis has a way with the boys who are drawn to her like moths to a flame. Though Mary’s family isn’t crazy about her new best friend, she steadfastly stands by her side–even years later when they’re adults and rumors swirl about Wallis and her reckless behavior with none other than the Prince of Wales. But when Mary’s loyalty to Wallis comes into question, their friendship will be put to the ultimate test.

1997: After a romantic proposal in Paris, Rachel and her fiance Alex are in a cab when suddenly the car ahead crashes. They’re stunned to learn Princess Diana is in the car. By the wreckage, Alex finds a heart pendant with an engraved letter “J” and Roman numerals XVII and gives it to Rachel to hold. Haunted by the crash and Diana’s subsequent death, Rachel is intrigued when she discovers that Di had visited the last home of Wallis, the Duchess of Windsor, only hours before the accident. Eventually, the revelation of a long-forgotten link to Wallis Simpson leads Rachel to the truth behind a scandal that shook the world…

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Another Woman’s Husband Audiobook Narrator

Laura Aikman is the narrator of Another Woman’s Husband audiobook that was written by Gill Paul

Gill Paul is an author of historical fiction, specialising in relatively recent history. She has written two novels about the last Russian royal family: The Secret Wife, published in 2016, which tells the story of cavalry officer Dmitri Malama and Grand Duchess Tatiana, the second daughter of Russia’s last tsar; and The Lost Daughter, published in October 2018, that tells of the attachment Grand Duchess Maria formed with a guard in the house in Ekaterinburg where the family was held from April to July 1918.

Gill’s other novels include Another Woman’s Husband, about links you may not have been aware of between Wallis Simpson, later Duchess of Windsor, and Diana, Princess of Wales; Women and Children First, about a young steward who works on the TitanicThe Affair, set in Rome in 1961-62 as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton fall in love while making Cleopatra; and No Place for a Lady, about two Victorian sisters who travel out to the Crimean War of 1854-56 and face challenges beyond anything they could have imagined.

About the Author(s) of Another Woman’s Husband

Gill Paul is the author of Another Woman’s Husband

Another Woman’s Husband Full Details

Narrator Laura Aikman
Length 13 hours 13 minutes
Author Gill Paul
Category
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date August 21, 2018
ISBN 9780062882615

Subjects

The publisher of the Another Woman’s Husband is HarperAudio. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Family Life, Fiction

Additional info

The publisher of the Another Woman’s Husband is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780062882615.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Kaisha

August 31, 2017

All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.comAs a huge history fan, I struggled to contain my excitement when the opportunity arose to read Gill Paul’s new novel. Even if you’re not a complete history buff, there is a high chance you’ll have heard of the name, ‘Wallis Simpson’. Also, if you remember a certain date in 1997 when ‘The People’s Princess’ lost her life, you may already find yourself knowing several of the key points of the storyline without even realising it.Told from two different viewpoints – 86 years apart, ‘Another Woman’s Husband’ shines the spotlight on the two women whose names, and lives, will forever be imprinted in our historical timeline; Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana. Both women found themselves hugely popular with the media, with Princess Diana even being dubbed as ‘The People’s Princess’. Let’s be honest, we all know how Wallis Simpson managed to create a media frenzy, even in those days!Whilst ‘Another Woman’s Husband’ is a work of fiction, the storyline IS supported by factual information surrounding Princess Diana and Wallis Simpson, as well as several other historical figures/socialites from 1911 onwards. Before I started Gill Paul’s novel, I was aware of Wallis Simpson and her not so glowing reputation in the world of history. I’m not going to lie, I did have Google handy on my phone so that I could double-check some of the storyline as I went along. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe the author’s research, it was because I became so invested in every word of the storyline, I ended up not knowing the difference between the facts, and the author’s fictional additions. Everything just flowed seamlessly. Even though the story is told by Rachel in 1997, the time of Diana’s death, the years didn’t move forward which meant that particular part of the storyline was easier to dip in and out of, ideal for when the viewpoint changed to Mary Kirk’s from 1911 onwards.What I found clever was how the book began in 1997, was set in Paris at first with Princess Diana being the main topic of conversation, in a book that is being published during the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death – when the topic of ‘The People’s Princess’ will be back in the media once again. Of course it’s going to be a subject at the forefront of royalists and Princess Diana fans all over the world, at this moment in time. So, to read the devastating event in black and white sent shivers up and down my spine. There’s one thing hearing the about it on the news or watching it on T.V, but then there’s another thing reading it in a book and letting your subconscious take heed of that piece of information, whilst mulling it over and digesting it in the only way your clever mind can; dramatically.Don’t get me wrong, I was engrossed in the 1997 parts of the storyline but, for me, my most favourite parts were from 1911 onwards which were written with Wallis Simpson’s best friend in mind, Mary Kirk. I knew Ms.Simpson was scandalous, but eeeeesh! I loved being able to read the story as though I was back in 1911, watching the drama unfold with my very own eyes. Obviously, being predominately a work of fiction it can be quite difficult to differentiate between the fictional points of view and the facts, but luckily the author was one step ahead and included which parts were facts, right at the end of the book. I was incredibly intrigued by how one woman managed to make such a mark on history, yet she seemed to manage it as though it was the norm. I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t blunt, so I will admit that Wallis did get my back up on a number of occasions. It just goes to show how different society and ethics were back in those days with the way people responded to Wallis’ misdemeanours. Although, back then it was the case of ‘it’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know’, which is also true for today’s society unfortunately. Maybe it was Wallis Simpson who coined that particular viewpoint? Who knows.There were times where I was quite glad to have google at hand, such as when a certain event shocked me to the core and I had to google it to see whether it was indeed fact, or whether the author had written it in herself. The author really is THAT good at combining all viewpoints and timelines flawlessly.As weird as this sounds, I wasn’t emotionally ready to say goodbye to those moments in time which have put us on this path today. It’s crazy how one person’s choices can create such a damaging ripple for anyone or anything that ends up in its path. The thing about history is that people will remember it as it’s documented a million times over. Granted a lot of the people involved will no longer be alive, but their distant relatives might be. Can you imagine?‘Another Woman’s Husband’ has given me the biggest book hangover I think I have ever had. I became annoyed when I had to stop reading due to having to embark on adult things, and I was absolutely devastated when the book came to end. Gill Paul’s storytelling was beautifully engaging, often leaving me in a state of trepidation as I became incredibly invested in several characters and their lives. Gill Paul invited me on a historical journey with ‘Another Woman’s Husband’ – a journey which made me feel as though I was constantly being fed such rich and succulent knowledge, changing my viewpoint of the world without me even knowing it at the time. I was hypnotised by the authors wonderful writing skills, her magnificent story-telling, and her second to none research skills.I adored everything about this book. Utterly, utterly brilliant.After reading 193 books already this year, I can say that ‘Another Woman’s Husband’ has managed to become my most favourite book of the year so far, whilst also being in my top three most favourite books of all time.This my friends, is a work of art. Any reader (and non reader!) should be proud and fulfilled to have ‘Another Woman’s Husband’ on their bookshelf.Phenomenal.Thank you SO much Headline Books.

Katie

March 11, 2022

I've read quite a few historical fiction and nonfiction books about the British royal family. I enjoyed reading Another Woman's Husband as it had much of what I love about the historical fiction genre. There were plenty of facts weaved throughout the story but it also was a good showcase of the author's creativity.You've heard of Wallis Simpson, right? King Edward VIII abdicated the throne and cited his desire to marry Wallis as the reason. This book has dual storylines and one plot follows Mary Kirk and her friendship with Wallis. They met at a summer camp when they were teenagers back in 1911. The other storyline takes place in 1997. A woman named Rachel and her fiancé, Alex, are in Paris and witness the car crash that killed Princess Diana. As the world mourns the death of the princess, Rachel is intrigued when she finds out the day before the crash, Diana visited the last home of Wallis. What was the purpose of the visit?It's interesting how Wallis and Diana had some things in common but were both drastically different in so many other ways. The depictions of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were pretty spot on based on everything I have learned about the couple. Granted you can never truly know what goes on behind closed doors, but my opinion of their relationship aligns with the author's thoughts. I highly recommend reading the Historical Afterword and Behind the Book sections at the end as they provide valuable insight into the writing process. I've read two historical fiction novels by Gill Paul and I like what she brings to this genre. Will definitely be checking out more of her works.

Cheryl

April 12, 2022

The last book of 2018 and what an amazing book it was. I am a true fan of the Royal family and the British history. I had no idea of what the book was about I totally judged it by the cover. Once I heard Princess Diana's name mentioned I was so excited and proceeded to get the details of the story. I loved the story from the beginning to the end. The author did an amazing job intertwining the past with the present. At times this story was a little emotional for I too have loss contact with my best friend of 50 plus years. She was always the mean and arrogant girl as Wallis was to Mary. So much like Mary I took all that I could take and ended the friendship one last time. After reading the book I did research on the characters and story lines just for self satisfaction. I am glad that I finish my 2018 read with a 5 star book!!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hazel

August 18, 2017

In this fascinating portrayal of two of history's most famous women, Gill Paul takes us behind the scenes of lives and events we think we know well ... and challenges us to think again. With a pacy narrative that moves between the coming-of-age of a young woman called Wallis in the early 20th century, and the death of Princess Diana in 1997, Another Woman's Husband is a vivid study of Wallis and Diana through two very different lenses: those of Wallis's best friend, Mary, and of a young woman unwittingly caught up in the events surrounding Diana's tragic death. With superb story-telling and a lush backdrop of period detail, Paul crafts a novel that is impossible to put down, about two women who are impossible to forget. Sure to be a huge success, I loved it!

Andrea

September 09, 2017

What a fabulous book. I was slightly dubious that it would not live up to my expectations after the The Secret Wife which was wonderful. I was hooked from the start and enjoyed the whole story. So poignant to be reminded of the tragic death of Princess Diana at this time in the parallel story that ran alongside.Of course I was aware of the story of Edward and Mrs Simpson but it was very interesting to hear this from Wallis's friend's point of view.I know some artistist licence will have been used but the story was utterly believable.Looking forward to reading the next book by Gill Paul.

*TANYA*

April 10, 2019

GENIUS!! It’s as if the author had been part of all the events that she wrote about. Based on actual people and events but it’s fiction!?! What?! I was using Google to research EVERYTHING!! I know of Princess Diana, who doesn’t? But as of this book I am officially a fan of hers. Cheers to the author for such a well written book!!

Shawn

November 09, 2021

My spouse read this novel and here's her review.Split between two eras with two women joining the well-established Royal Family - Wallis Simpson and Diana Spencer. Both stories are told from different perspectives. Mary Kirk meets the teenage Wallis at summer camp and so begins a lifelong friendship leading to tragedy.Rachel and her fiancée, Alex, are in a cab in Paris when their journey is halted by a crash in the tunnel ahead-Princess Diana lays dying in the wreckage. Can Alex put aside his journalistic instincts or will this tragic incident drive the pair apart?The author captures the authenticity of both historic eras with an eye for detail.This review was edited and written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic spy

Joanna

August 17, 2017

This review can also be found at:https://overtherainbowbookblog.wordpr...I loved Gill Paul’s first book, The Secret Wife, so when an opportunity arose to be on the blog tour for her new book I happily volunteered.It was fascinating to learn more about Wallis Simpson and discover more about her early life. I felt she was quite a complex character and I could never work out whether i liked her or not. At times I felt desperately sorry for her as she definitely goes through some tough moments but at others I just wanted to shake her as I found her so uncaring. The story line relating to Diana’s death was also very interesting. I do remember seeing it on the news but I hadn’t remembered a lot of the facts and figures or the conspiracy theories surrounding her death.The author does a great job of transporting the reader back in time to Wallis’s early years and capturing the lifestyle that was lead then. I loved the descriptions of the clothes and parties, I really wanted to be there too! It was a time of a great shift in attitude towards women and I thought it was clever how this was portrayed through the characters of Mary and Wallis. The national outpouring of grief from Diana’s death as well as the frenzy to try and discover the truth is also perfectly captured and described.The story has such a great flow to it which makes it very easy to read and gradually draws the reader in as more of the story is revealed. It really kept me guessing as to how the two stories would fit together which was unusual for me as normally I do manage to figure it out.This is Gill Paul’s fifth book and I really look forward to reading more from her. She is brilliant at writing atmospheric and engaging historical fiction and is fast becoming one of my favourite authors!Thank you to Phoebe Swinburn and headline publisher s for my copy of the book and for letting me be a part of the blog tour.

Sarah

March 31, 2019

I accidentally took a three month break in the middle of this book. I put it down and it got away from me. But, when I picked it back up I had no problem continuing and finished it quickly. I really enjoyed this story! The dual timeline was great and the stories tied together nicely. I liked both storylines and the characters were fantastic. Really good read!

Maja

December 17, 2018

Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana - two women who left everlasting impressions on the British monarchy I was hesitant about this book - I had a hard time to see the connection between these two (in)famous women. But I was pleasantly surprised.In 1911, Mary and Wallis meet at a summer camp and become fast friends. In 1997 Rachel and her fiance witness the crash that killed Princess Diana. The book follows both the evolution of Mary and Wallis' friendship through the decades, through marriages, divorces, scandals and sorrows, and the story of Rachel, who owns a botique with 1930's-50's vinage clothes and whose fiance, Alex, is working on a documentary about the death of princess Di. On the surface, those two stories don't seem to have any points of contact, but there is more than meets the eye.Again, I was not sure how these two stories were going to go together, and at first they didn't. But that really didn't matter all that much to me because both stories were captivating in each their own way (though I have to profess a preference for Mary and Wallis' story). Rachel's story was one of making sense of tragedy, of making it through adversity and of love under pressure. Mary's story is primarily one of friendship, the ups and downs of life, and of love and desire. I really liked that this book told the story of Wallis and Diana not with themselves as the main characters, but through other 'mouth pieces', Mary and Rachel, who became the protagonists of a story about two other women. It was a great way to portray these women that are perhaps a little difficult to access because they are so controversial and famous. Wallis especially, I felt, was extremely believably portrayed in this book, she is exactly as I would have pictured her.As the story progressed, more and more cross overs started to appear between the two stories, but you have to really keep your eyes open to catch them, because there were only minor hints here and there. Which I really liked! I hate it when things are too obvious. I like having to search and think in stead of having everything served on a platter.The only thing that annoyed me a little at times is that the two leading ladies, Mary and Rachel, were, at times, quite spineless and didn't stand up for themselves. They were passive participants in their own stories quite a few times, and that was really annoying.Still, this was overall a great read and I can only recommend it to others.FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR MORE BOOK GOODNESSI have a mission - to create a world of book lovers. Will you help me?

Eva

August 12, 2017

Gill Paul’s The Secret Wife was one of my top 5 books last year so when the opportunity to read and review Another Woman’s Husband came my way, I may have done a little jig around my living room. When I finally settled down to read, I immediately knew I was in for another treat.August 31st, 1997. For many of us, this date is probably burnt into our brains. This day is how the story starts when Rachel and her fiancé, Alex, find themselves in a taxi right behind the car accident that claims the life of Princess Diana. Alex is a tv producer and is quickly lost in a cloud of obsession in an attempt to figure out the events of that night. As interesting as those chapters were, touching on the various conspiracy theories, for me the true strength of the novel lies in the chapters about Wallis.1911. Mary Kirk meets Wallis Simpson at a summer camp. Their friendship will endure many ups and downs until one final act of betrayal.Of course, I’d heard of Wallis Simpson and her place in history. But I didn’t know anything else about her. Her story is told through Mary’s eyes and it’s just so incredibly fascinating to read about as we follow Wallis from her teenage years all the way to her marriage to the King who abdicated the throne for her.Rich in atmosphere and history, this story had me hooked until the very last word on the very last page and while I was quite sad to see it end, I was also utterly delighted to have had the chance to read this absolute gem of a novel. Fact and fiction flow together seamlessly, intertwined with a nice dose of intrigue that had me wondering throughout how on earth these two iconic women could possibly be connected. The author has such a wonderful writing style, full of fabulously vivid descriptions that I found myself completely immersed and could almost hear the music or the clinking of cocktail glasses.This is historical fiction at its finest and would make a truly fabulous movie. If Gill Paul hadn’t already been on my list of go-to authors, she most definitely would be now. I absolutely loved this and I feel that even if you aren’t necessarily a lover of historical fiction, you too will greatly enjoy this novel! I can’t possibly describe how excited I am about the author’s next offering.

The Lit Bitch

September 20, 2018

This book kept popping up randomly as an advertisement on Goodreads. At first I kind of ignored it but then I stared seeing people talking about it on Twitter and InstagramThe next thing I know, I am picking it up at the library to read. Clearly the title indicates that this book is probably going to contain a little love triangle of sorts, but it’s so much more than that. This was an exceptional read and I was thrilled to crack it open each night.I loved how this story wove together two different time periods as well as two very different women. I have never been a Wallis Simpson fan. This isn’t the first book I’ve read about her and I just don’t like her and this book cemented that dislike even more. She always seemed greedy, self centered, shallow, and manipulative—and that’s exactly how she was portrayed in this book.While Wallis isn’t the main character in this book, she drives the story. The novel is told from her best friend, Mary’s perspective. I liked Mary and I never once blamed her for the choices and decision she made. I personally felt like Wallis was getting whatever was coming to her. For all their talk of sisterhood, it was clear that Wallis only looked at Mary as someone who could be picked up and set aside whenever she chose to.I sympathized with Mary’s character and was exceptionally sad with how things ended. All good stories must come to a close and I had known what was coming, but it didn’t make it any easier.The historical part of the story was exceptional and I loved the character development. Though my only argument was that the ending seemed to wrap up a little too quick. So much of the story had been carefully laid out and build upon and then all of a sudden things were running away with themselves and wrapping up a little to quick for my taste. But on the whole I loved this part of the narrative.The Diana angle was very interesting and one of the things that drew me in to this one. I can still remember exactly what I was doing when I heard she died and I feel like I had the ‘Diana Syndrome’ as well. I loved her. Prince William is a year younger than me and I can remember watching the funeral and thinking how hard that must have been for him. I thought the author did an outstanding job portraying the boys in the story but above all, I felt she was sensitive and tactful.I really liked Rachel’s character for the most part. I didn’t like Alex though. At first I really liked him but very early on, his choice to make the Diana documentary completely put me off to his character, similar to how Rachel felt. As the story went on, I liked him less and less and became frustrated when Rachel started feeling like maybe it was her fault. NO. Just NO. Was she insensitive to his work, I didn’t think so at all. I won’t give anything away but let’s just say I found his explanation weak and not enough to change my mind about his character.While I had some issues with the more modern story, the historical part eclipsed any doubts I had about giving this one a 4 star rating! I loved the author’s story telling style and am eager to read more books by her!See my full review here

Thebooktrail

August 01, 2017

Wow wow and wow again. How have I not heard of this true life story before? Wallis simpson and Princess Diana are such iconic figures but Wallis's childhood and life up until and after she married the king of England is utterly fascinating! With a brilliant touch of phrase and a deft touch of historical intrigue and creative flourish, the period and the people come to life from the page. I half expect the finished book to have gilded pages and be displayed in the shops on a velvet cushion.The stories of both Diana in 1997 and Wallis Simpson in 1911 are stories you might think you know but I had no idea of the link! A mystery hidden in plain sight! A puzzle solved across the years! Some of it might be fictionalised of course but I can't say anything else other than read this with your mouth wide open like I did. It plays out like a film in your mind with classical music mixing with the jazz of the 1920s.The historical research must have taken ages - as although the book is written with a light and deft touch, you're sure that beneath the velvet there's some history stuffed in there - making it a very comfortable, enticing read with a glorious mix of facts and intrigue.Gill has taken me to some amazing places and moments in time - Elizabeth and Richard Burton's affair on set of Cleopatra in Italy, the Titanic in the middle of the Atlantic ocean and even the middle of the Crimea with Florence Nightingale. This HAS to be an epic film or at least given to those who want to relive history - Gill has such a skill, I half expected to wake up this morning clutching a bracelet or facing a portrait picture on my wall (when you read the book you'll see why)Stunning! Out in two weeks. Put it on your list now. And buy that red velvet cushion in preparation.

Laura

September 19, 2017

Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com I didn't read up much about this novel before I started it, and I'm so glad I didn't. It really surprised me - both in the plot (I'd forgotten that one of the narratives is set just after Diana's death in 1997, but find the entire subject so interesting) and the way certain parts seemed unconnected but then came together in unexpected ways.I loved reading both timeframes; the 1997 narrative is something I can very vaguely remember happening - I was only 7 at the time, but remember where I was at the time as I remember my grandparents and parents being so shocked. It was so interesting to read about - both the parts that were fact, and those that the author fabricated to great effect (And still, despite some exaggeration in some aspects - which the author explains at the end - it's still completely believable!). I also really enjoyed reading the 1911 timeframe, as that's a fascinating era to me and always so shocking as it reinforces how different life was back then, especially for women.The main female characters in Another Woman's Husband are interesting and likeable, though some of the people around them are definitely not nice people! I felt that Gill Paul did a great job of evoking a real sense of time and place in both storylines. Although it's not a jam-packed, action-adventure storyline, I still found it gripping; it's a very well-written, intriguing novel which I'd definitely recommend! Many thanks to Headline Review and Netgalley for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.

Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede

January 13, 2019

Another Woman's Husband is a dual storyline book about Rachel who witnesses the crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana. She returns home to London and is fascinated to learn that the Princess had visited the last home of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, just some hours before the crash. What was she doing that the place and Rachel can't stop herself, she starts to investigate the link between Diana and Wallis.I found Another Woman's Husband to be a fascinating story. We get to read about Wallis through the eyes of her "best friend" as well as follow Rachel as she deals with what she witnessed. Wallis didn't really come off as a very nice person, but she seldom does in books that I've read where she has figured. Gill Paul is a very talented storyteller and I quite enjoyed reading this book, especially since I love mysteries that has to be solved. I recommend reading this book if you like reading about royalties and/or historical mysteries.

Angela

February 25, 2018

I wasn't sure about how I felt with princess Diana being part of the story (only in name) at first but I got used to it. The book is set in two different eras. In 1997 the story is about Alex and Rachel. They have just gotten engaged the night of Diana's fateful crash. They witness the aftermath of the crash in the Paris tunnel. The other sections of the book start out in the 1900s when Wallis Simpson was a young girl (Mary) and how she and Mary Raffay become like sisters. Mary Raffay was a real person who did become Ernest Simpson's third wife after Ernest .Mary and Rachel lead very different lives as they navigate what happens to them. Rachel owns a vintage clothing store, and is engaged to an increasingly distant fiance. Mary is having to deal with Wallis as their friendship evaporates and lines are crossed.

Kate

January 03, 2018

An utterly mesmerising and enchanting read - I adored every bit of it, especially the story of Wallis Simpson.

Lor

July 07, 2017

Having devoured Gill Paul's previous novels I couldn't wait to get my hands on this and was very lucky to be able to see a preview of it. Whenever you read a book from a favourite author you wonder if it will live up to their other work but when reading Gill Paul's books you know you're going to get a special book, rich with history and atmosphere with beautifully crafted characters and with plenty of themes that keep you wanting to turn those pages- this is definitely the case with Another Woman's Husband. Published in August 2017 you really must put this on your To Be Read list!This novel tells the stories of Wallis Simpson/Warfield and Mary Kirk who met as teenagers and became such good friends they referred to each other as sisters. However, Mary's family made it clear their opinions on Wallis and tried to persuade Mary to not be quite so endeared by her. Over time, Wallis and Mary were separated by thousands of miles yet their friendship held strong through letter writing and visits but as they matured their differences put a strain on their relationship, could their shared history be enough to hold their friendship together throughout it all? Many, many years later, in 1997, Rachel and Alex find themselves caught up in the horror of the crash of Diana Princess of Wales in Paris. The innocent couple who were simply enjoying an evening out, had no idea that their lives would suddenly be altered by being close by when the accident happened. Rachel struggles to focus on her life and finds that both herself and Alex are obsessing about the event especially when Alex shows Rachel a mysterious jewel he picked up from the crime scene. She finds that there is a link between Diana and Wallis, why was she visiting Wallis' house on the day she died? And as Rachel questions this and various other conspiracy theories she realises that her own views are very different to Alex's and that this leads to their own relationship being strained. Can the mystery around Diana's death, the link to Wallis and the distracted way Alex is behaving be too much for their relationship to survive?What I really liked about this book is the way that it's written in such a way that you can relate to it- no you may not be part of the social elite or witness one of the biggest news stories of the century but you can relate to how your relationship with a friend or a family member or a loved one, anyone, can be hugely tested over time. This novel paints this picture really well in two very different relationships- the female friendship over many years and the relationship of a newly engaged couple as they try to plan their wedding and carry on with big pressures from work too. I think it's very clever how Gill Paul manages to do this so well. I think we have all had a friend who has been a huge part of our childhoods, who we've confessed our first loves to and shared those exciting moments together but who, as we've grown older, we've realised that our lives are no longer as entertwined and our partners/husbands/jobs/ lives in general change us and the relationship can never be what it used to be. I think we've all questioned how much we will forgive these friends- is this shared history enough to make you forgive being let down/betrayed? So when reading this, I might not have been in the era that this book is set or have the same backgrounds or even be from the same country but there were moments when I was thinking of my own friendships and thinking what I would do if I was Mary and I think that's a very clever skill to have. I found it especially so with Rachel and Alex, their relationship slowly began to fall apart after the accident, from being loved up and planning a wedding to questioning their whole relationship with each page that was turned and I think so many can relate to this; how if you have a differing opinion to your partner it can really strain your relationship and it takes a lot to put that aside and remember why you love them.The characters in this novel are perfectly crafted, so much so that you ride the emotions with them; I was frustrated on Rachel's part with some of the things that Alex said and did and wanted to bang their heads together at times. I was moved by the relationship between Mary and her husband towards the end of the book and there was definitely not a dry eye here at the ending. I particularly like the character of Wallis, I think she's described really well with a big personality that you can easily see would rub people up the wrong way but could also be endearing too and I like the way her character gets along with Mary, you can see over time why they became friends and how Mary was influenced by her. I don't think it's possible to get cross with a character or have a tear in the eye if they are not well crafted so these characters are definitely that. There are lots going on in this book; the relationships, the crash, what is this mysterious jewel? Why is Alex behaving so strangely? Will Wallis push Mary too far? Can they repair their friendship before it's too late? And as well as all these questions that need you to keep turning the pages to find answers to there's also a lot to think about. I found it fascinating just how much life has changed from the beginning of the twentieth century to the end. Two very different eras yet these stories are woven together so beautifully that it works really well.Although there are lots going on within this book it doesn't feel like it's too much, instead it's just enough to have you wanting to find out more and to pull you in but not so much that you're trying to remember everything and losing threads. The pace of the novel is set out in such a way that you are gently introduced to the characters and then find yourself being pulled into their lives and along on their story and before you know it you're turning those pages and time has vanished!This is a brilliantly written book which is so rich in history and descriptions of fashion and feelings that it creates not just a brilliant picture but emotions too. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was the perfect way to switch off from my own world for a while and lose myself in the world of other people and, once I had finished the book, I was left thinking about it for a good while afterwards- always the sign of a good book I think! This novel will have you thinking about your own relationships, turning the pages, asking what you would do in certain situations and will leave you reaching for a tissue... definitely one to recommend.

Frequently asked questions

Listening to audiobooks not only easy, it is also very convenient. You can listen to audiobooks on almost every device. From your laptop to your smart phone or even a smart speaker like Apple HomePod or even Alexa. Here’s how you can get started listening to audiobooks.

  • 1. Download your favorite audiobook app such as Speechify.
  • 2. Sign up for an account.
  • 3. Browse the library for the best audiobooks and select the first one for free
  • 4. Download the audiobook file to your device
  • 5. Open the Speechify audiobook app and select the audiobook you want to listen to.
  • 6. Adjust the playback speed and other settings to your preference.
  • 7. Press play and enjoy!

While you can listen to the bestsellers on almost any device, and preferences may vary, generally smart phones are offer the most convenience factor. You could be working out, grocery shopping, or even watching your dog in the dog park on a Saturday morning.
However, most audiobook apps work across multiple devices so you can pick up that riveting new Stephen King book you started at the dog park, back on your laptop when you get back home.

Speechify is one of the best apps for audiobooks. The pricing structure is the most competitive in the market and the app is easy to use. It features the best sellers and award winning authors. Listen to your favorite books or discover new ones and listen to real voice actors read to you. Getting started is easy, the first book is free.

Research showcasing the brain health benefits of reading on a regular basis is wide-ranging and undeniable. However, research comparing the benefits of reading vs listening is much more sparse. According to professor of psychology and author Dr. Kristen Willeumier, though, there is good reason to believe that the reading experience provided by audiobooks offers many of the same brain benefits as reading a physical book.

Audiobooks are recordings of books that are read aloud by a professional voice actor. The recordings are typically available for purchase and download in digital formats such as MP3, WMA, or AAC. They can also be streamed from online services like Speechify, Audible, AppleBooks, or Spotify.
You simply download the app onto your smart phone, create your account, and in Speechify, you can choose your first book, from our vast library of best-sellers and classics, to read for free.

Audiobooks, like real books can add up over time. Here’s where you can listen to audiobooks for free. Speechify let’s you read your first best seller for free. Apart from that, we have a vast selection of free audiobooks that you can enjoy. Get the same rich experience no matter if the book was free or not.

It depends. Yes, there are free audiobooks and paid audiobooks. Speechify offers a blend of both!

It varies. The easiest way depends on a few things. The app and service you use, which device, and platform. Speechify is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks. Downloading the app is quick. It is not a large app and does not eat up space on your iPhone or Android device.
Listening to audiobooks on your smart phone, with Speechify, is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks.

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