Woman To Woman - Cathy Kelly (Woman to Woman - Cathy Kelly)

Member Name: dippykitty

Product:	Woman to Woman - Cathy Kelly
Date:	15/06/09 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Light reading material, good characterisation

Disadvantages: It isn't a 'meaty' read and some people may dislike this

Having already read one of Cathy Kelly's books previously (She's The One), I was pleased when I came across this in the local library.

***The Plot***
Aisling is a contented Irish housewife who loves taking care of her house and family. One day, she finds a receipt for expensive lingerie in her husband's pocket, and her carefully constructed world falls apart. Left to take care of the house and their twin boys, Aisling vows to transform herself into a glamorous career woman. Can the dowdy housewife change her entire life? Jo is a deputy editor at an Irish fashion magazine, and is blissfully happy with her handsome boyfriend Richard. On the same day that her friend Aisling finds the ominous receipt, Jo discovers that she is pregnant. Thrilled at the prospect of having a baby and becoming a family, she is stunned to find that Richard is horrified at the idea of impending fatherhood and takes off. As Jo struggles to juggle her pregnancy and her career - not to mention her confusing feelings for a colleague - how will both of the women cope with her changing lives?

***The Characters***
Both Aisling and Jo are likeable characters that immediately gained my sympathy. I felt sorry for the situation that both women find themselves in courtesy of their respective men, and admired the strength that both women draw on as the book progresses. I won't say much more than that as it gives too much away regarding the plot.

Aside from Aisling and Jo, the other prominent characters are their friends. Aisling's best friend, Fiona, is a constant source of encouragement for Aisling and is very enthusiastic about her new life sans her husband. It is she who helps Aisling to embark on her working woman persona. Jo's best friend, Rhona, is equally supportive in a professional capacity as well as a person one (she is the editor to Jo's deputy editor role).

There are some annoying peripheral characters, such as Emma, who works in Jo's office and is a complete spoilt brat who frequently tries to undermine Jo's authority and cause a rift between Jo and her (Emma's) uncle, who is higher up in the magazine. Other irritating characters include the solicitor who Aisling works under to begin with and who makes her life a big misery. To a lesser extent, Michael and Richard - the two causes of Aisling and Jo's situations - are also less than likeable for me.

***The Writing Style***
The book is written in the third person and flicks between Aisling and Jo in terms of perspective and viewpoint. It is informal in tone for the most part, but not as 'chatty' as some chick lit books.

Summary: Another great book from Cathy Kelly