Rating: 
Summary: Fun read!
Review: This book is a fun and easy read that had a hold of me from the start. The characters were lively, interesting and very cosmopolitan. The protaginist, Prudence, is fresh and such a free-spirit that I could not resist putting down the book for fear that I would miss her refreshing quirkiness. This holds true to her entourage of friends as well! They are eclectic and fun as well. It has been a long time since I read a book in less than 48 hours and I am glad that I was reminded that fun novels such as this one are still out there to add adventure to those such as myself. If you are looking for easy, fun and entertaining words to read, pick up this book. You won't be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Whether or not you like Chick Lit, you'll love this book
Review: I must admit to picking up this book with some trepidation, despite its clever title, because of the "chick lit" appearance of its cover. Several years ago, my well-meaning sister bought me several books considered bulwarks of the genre. After reading them, I felt as though I had a peach schnapps and cotton candy hangover. Besides the fact that I thought most of the writing and characterizations were lazy, the feminist in me was annoyed by the "a man completes me" message cloaked in "you go, girl" rhetoric. So, like someone who can't even smell tequila without feeling nauseated because of an earlier night spent over the toilet, I usually run from books that look chick lit-esque. (Don't get me wrong, I love fun reads, but I like my genres a little harder-edged, such as mystery fiction.) The old cliche, "Don't judge a book by its cover" was proved true yet again. I loved this book. Not only are the characters three-dimensional, but I am still scratching my head over how the author was able to make her protagonist--the ironically-named Prudence--so likeable despite the fact that she cheats on her husband, lies to her lover, and is nearly as neurotic as Woody Allen. This is a tricky feat that few have accomplished; perhaps the most notable example is Jane Austen's Emma. Had this book simply been a confection of enjoyable characters, an unusual plot, and clever dialogue, I still would have enjoyed it. What elevates this book to five stars is that while maintaining its effervescent style, it touches upon weightier elements than I had expected: issues pertaining to blended families, for instance. In short, the book has substance as well as style. Kudos to the novelist. I look forward to reading her next book.
Rating:
Summary: Adventures with Prudence
Review: Getting inside Prudence's head is a trip...and a delightful, sexy one at that. I enjoyed the interaction between the main characters and Prudence's wicked thoughts about life, sex and people who just got on her nerves! I'm looking forward to Prudence's next adventure...perhaps in Italy?
Rating:
Summary: Buckle Up for a Wild Ride!
Review: Jennifer Coburn's hilarious, quick-witted Wife of Reilly scored top marks on my appraisal meter, consisting of the degree of sleep deprivation the day following compulsive, uncontrollable reading inspired by this type of all-out, can't-put-it-down story. Who could not help themselves from being immediately drawn to Prudence's affair with her college boyfriend over homecoming weekend, putting life into those lingering nostalgic fantasies about former loves that we all have. While fantasies typically recede before the inevitable reality check, Prudence charges on to her heart's desire. Allowing her revived lover to believe her husband Reilly is dead gives Prudence a weekend to rekindle passion and personal dreams. But it also creates the monstrous dilemma of involvement with two men unknown to each other. Rather than 'fess up, Prudence decides to find a new wife for her husband, including personal adds, "dating" perspective wives and even holding an open house, to free her up to live happily ever after with her personal homecoming king. But reality quickly settles in as Prudence makes difficult realizations about relationships, love, and herself. Coburn's page-turner is edgy and humor-filled, leaving you to wonder how in the world she created this wild tale. Check it out - it's worth a sleepless night!
Rating:
Summary: Prudence's impudence
Review: Coburn's romp through Prudence's warped vision of relationships should make everyone feel better about their own lives! More than that, main character Prudence's selfish yet(somewhat)well-intentioned acts made me hope for her happiness even as I chastise her actions. Thinking back to the college love--the one that got away (and probably for a good reason!)--is not an unusual event for some adults. Acting on that old passion is another matter. Readers will find themselves laughing at her--and with her--as they hope for her emotional completion and happiness.
Rating:
Summary: Like "Sex and the City" meets "I Love Lucy"!
Review: Prudence Malone decides to leave her husband to be with "the one who got away" after college. Before she goes, though, she'll get her husband a little going away present, a new wife. She places a singles ad in the newspaper, then starts screening (dating) women on Reilly's behalf. Of course, Reilly has no idea she's doing this, and her fiance Matt has no idea his intended is already married. I found myself really liking prudence. She is leaving her husband, but because of the very funny and breezy adventures I found myself identifying with her, and laughing out loud. I really appreciated the way the author put me inside of Prudence's head to hear her highly neurotic inner dialogue that was sprinkled through out the book. This book is really a comedy of errors, like "Sex and the City" meets "I Love Lucy." Some of the dates are hilarious. Others make keen observations about life and love and people in general. And there is a touching back story with Prudence's father that answers the nagging question "why would anyone do this in the first place?!" I highly recommend this book and give it five stars. I read The Wife of Reilly in one five-hour sitting and enjoyed every page. It was funny, charming and such an original idea. I won't give away the ending, but I will say, I was so happy with how the story concluded.
Rating:
Summary: CHICK-LIT AT ITS BEST - A TOTAL RIOT!!!!
Review: I devour all things chick-lit, and the Wife of Reilly was simply the best of the lot. This debut novel was hilariously funny with a riot of a premise! The protagonist decides to find a new wife for her husband - coining the phrase "ex recycling." Prudence Malone is a neurotic heroine to be sure, but she's also no one's door mat, which I loved. In fact, she launches a pretty twisted plan to find a new wife for her husband while she's carrying on a cross-country affair with a cad who writes documentary films defaming Louis. However naughty Prudence behaves, I still loved her because the author did such a good job explaining her psychological make up and we got why she behaved so abhorently. Down deep, we always saw that Prudence meant well, but was just being Prudence. (I actually felt compassion for Prudence, even though at times I wanted to smack some sense into her.) She and her friend constantly made me laugh with their foibles, so how could I not forgive them their human frailties? Five stars for this fabulous concept nicely executed by author Jennifer Coburn!
Rating:
Summary: THIS Should be a MOVIE !!
Review: What a hilarious concept! Prudence Malone decides she's going to secretly find her husband a new wife so she can run off with her college beau that she recently reconnected with at homecoming weekend. Upon Prudence's return to NYC, she consults with three of her friends (the costume-wearing diva, the mercenary hedonist and the level-headed artist), who all agree to help her find a new wife for Reilly. They draft a singles ad in the Village Voice, and start to screen the many women who want to be the next wife of Reilly. When they plan an exhibit of Reilly to be held in an art gallery, the sparks fly! This book is a hidden gem in the chick-lit genre! I got so many laughs from the dating scenes, self-help classes and Prudence's trip to Los Angeles to visit her fiance. The dialogue was snappy and observations keen. While this book is essentially a romantic comedy, there were opportunities to explore Prudence's childhood and her motivations for launching such a bizarre plan. I loved this book, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good quick read with a funny message about life, love and finding one's true self!
Rating: 
Summary: I hate to love this wife!
Review: So you know the basic jist of the story; a wife named Prudence Malone has a weekend fling with her high school sweetheart and decides that the man that she hasn't seen in 14 years is more marriage worthy than her real-life husband of 10 years. As ridiculous as it might sound, Prudence makes it seem perfectly logical and reasonable. She sways you to sympathize with her without pitying her. She is strong, yet vulnerable, smart but slightly naive, with beauty and humor to boot. This story is fast paced and entertaining. There wasn't a single chapter where I was upset with the direction the book was heading. Prudence, being the narrative main character, speaks about the choices that women have to face and their unavoidable consequences. More than anything, her husband Reilly taught me a great deal about the male psyche. He played a strong willed character alongside Pru and was not the dumb brute that the back cover made him out to be. All in all I enjoyed this book a great deal. It is definitely one of the more well-written chick lit books out there. I don't even like giving it the categorization of "chick lit" because its characters and depth surpass that of any predecessors in the genre. Read it.
Rating:
Summary: Clever way to dump your man!
Review: The cover of the book was what immediately caught my attention. As I read the back cover, I thought this was a clever way to end your current relationship and to be guilt-free when you start your new one. But the question is, are you truly guilt-free? All in all this was a good fun read. Prudence and her friends make this a drama-filled search to finding a new wife for Reilly. But we really can't judge Prudence.... we all have once or twice thought "what if" about the one who got away.
| 
