Regrets Only

May 7, 2018
One woman’s divorce goes from bad to worse in this fine novel of suburban snobbery, modern motherhood, and timeless friendships from Duffy (Bond Girl). Two years into their marriage, eight months into parenthood, and seven months after leaving Chicago for Connecticut, Claire Stevens Mackenzie catches her husband, Owen, cheating on her with their realtor. With her parents hundreds of miles away and the realtor’s friends seemingly on every corner, Claire becomes isolated in the house they shared after Owen convinces her to stay in Connecticut for the baby’s sake. Amid a relentless crush of bad surprises and worse luck, Claire responds with much gumption but little forethought: cutting holes in Owen’s clothes, pettily scattering beans throughout his belongings, posting his indiscretion to his own Facebook wall, and putting up salacious ads under his name on Craigslist. She is steadied by her friends Antonia, who moves from Chicago to help, and Lissy, a local. Together they take on two rebranding projects: Lissy’s stalled-out stationery store and Claire’s attitude. As the three work toward their goals, Claire begins to plot a new future. Featuring affirming relationships among the three women, Duffy’s fun novel is an original take on the suburban divorce drama.

April 15, 2018

In the most recent novel from Duffy (Bond Girl; Lost Along the Way), Claire's perfect life--a handsome husband, a beautiful home, a healthy new baby boy--drastically changes when she catches Owen conducting an affair in her own home. In shock but strong, Claire does what she can to move forward. Among the many problems she faces is that she's completely uprooted her life to start anew with Owen in a town away from her family and support group. Claire also has to find her own personal value and meaning to pursue her dreams. Here, Duffy demonstrates there are many paths to be traveled in life and that sometimes one's well-laid plans don't equal happiness. For Claire, freeing herself to be open to what life has to offer may change everything. VERDICT A surprisingly humorous, empowering read about embracing second and third chances. A must-read for women of all ages.--Anne M. Miskewitch, Schaumburg Twp. Dist. P.L., IL

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