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The Good Woman (Brennan Sisters #1)

by Jane Porter (Goodreads Author)

3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 · rating details · 487 ratings · 138 reviews

Is it possible to leave it all behind?

The firstborn of a large Irish-American family, Meg Brennan Roberts is a successful publicist, faithful wife, and doting mother who prides herself on always making the right decisions. But years of being “the good woman” have taken a toll and though her winery career thrives, Meg feels burned out and empty, and more disconnected than...more

Paperback, 368 pages

Published September 4th 2012 by Berkley Trade

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Sep 03, 2012 Sharon Redfern rated it 4 of 5 stars

On the surface, Meg Roberts has it all. She has a loving husband, three children and a job she loves doing PR for an area winery. But Meg is feeling as though she is missing something, that her life lacks some essential thing that she can’t put her finger on. She and her husband Jack have been married for seventeen years but she feels as though they are losing the connection between them. Meg discovers that her charismatic boss Chad has been harboring feelings for her and drifts into an affair w...more On the surface, Meg Roberts has it all. She has a loving husband, three children and a job she loves doing PR for an area winery. But Meg is feeling as though she is missing something, that her life lacks some essential thing that she can’t put her finger on. She and her husband Jack have been married for seventeen years but she feels as though they are losing the connection between them. Meg discovers that her charismatic boss Chad has been harboring feelings for her and drifts into an affair which causes the disintegration of her life as she knows it.
Meg is an interesting character. She has always been the good girl, the good wife, the good mother and she has a strong sense of loyalty and a need for structure. This story looks at how someone who has been so tightly controlled all of her life finds herself doing something that she knows is wrong and also knows could ruin her life. The book does not make excuses for her behavior or paint her husband in a terrible light. Yes, he is sometimes distracted and may be a little selfish in the marital bed, but does that excuse adultery? Meg’s family is an old school Irish Catholic one that is having issues of its own. Her sister Kit is getting over the breakup of her long term relationship. Her sister Sarah is married to a professional athlete who cheated on her in the past. Needless to say, Sarah is not sympathetic to Meg’s situation. Meg’s parents are supportive but unhappy with what she has done and they are dealing with their own problems as well. The story weaves all of their lives into Megs and gives the reader a variety of viewpoints of Meg’s situation.
When I started the book, I was concerned about the theme because I wasn’t sure I could relate to a character that cheats. However, the way the topic was handled in this book made it relatable and not uncomfortable. The resolution of the situation is handled realistically and appropriately. Ms. Porter did not take the easy way out for the character.
This is the first book in the series about the Brennan family. Based on the characters from this book it looks like they will all be pretty interesting. The next book is due out in February, 2013.
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Jan 07, 2013 Maryellen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

THE GOOD WOMAN (Brennan Sisters #1) by Jane Porter~~Irish-Catholic Meg Brennan Roberts was a good girl. Oldest of five children she spent her childhood being the responsible one. Now forty-two years old, a wife, mother of three and enjoying a successful career at a California winery she’s having a crisis of faith, of hope and of love. On one hand she is completely overwhelmed with day to day life and yet on the other she is so empty that she begs the question, “Is this all there is?” The relatio...more

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Nov 21, 2012 Donna McBroom-Theriot rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of Jane Porter, having read and reviewed many of her books. This book was exceptional. It was as though she grabbed a chunk of real-life and put it between the pages of a book.

The Good Woman makes the reader examine the choices they've made, past and present. The book makes the reader contemplate the mistakes they've made and how they might have done things differently.

"He said her name as if it were something delicious in his mouth and she blushed, dazzled by his energy...His...more
I am a huge fan of Jane Porter, having read and reviewed many of her books. This book was exceptional. It was as though she grabbed a chunk of real-life and put it between the pages of a book.

The Good Woman makes the reader examine the choices they've made, past and present. The book makes the reader contemplate the mistakes they've made and how they might have done things differently.

"He said her name as if it were something delicious in his mouth and she blushed, dazzled by his energy...His eyes searched hers, and it was so intimate that blood rushed to her cheeks. Jack couldn't look at her and Chad couldn't look away...Heat rushed up through her..."

The book portrayed the dynamics of family accurately; the conflict between the sisters, the anger of the betrayed husband, the hurt children, and the spurned lover. She captured the stages of life that we traverse and the feelings of happiness and discontent that we experience, and our actions and consequences of the paths that we take related to discontent. Some of us put on the perfect facade and keep it there at all costs. Jane shows what happens when it all becomes too much.

"How long have you been here?"..."A little bit after you got here."..."You could have joined me."..."Why?"..."Because we're sisters."..."What does that mean?"..."That we're family."..."Oh, because we've got the same gene pool?"

Jane wove complicated family and personal conflict into a story that was impossible to put down. She captured real-life and wrote an amazing book.

"Your mom and I weren't mad at you. We were proud of you. Thought you'd done a great job getting dressed. But you, you were mad at yourself. You expected more of yourself. Even at two and a half."..."No one has ever expected you to be perfect, Meg. No one, that is, but you."

What I loved about the book? It was a wonderful read. It had all of the above, along with wonderful, well thought out characters that played their parts in the book perfectly. The story line was realistic, and while the book came to ending with one story, it left the opening for the next book.

What I did not like about the book, other than it ended? Nothing. I normally stop reading a series after the first book, but I find myself anticipating the next book.

This review first appeared on my blog http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com (less)

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Feb 24, 2013 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

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Jan 20, 2013 Maria rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a powerful piece of women's fiction which put me in mind of THE WOMEN'S ROOM by Marilyn French which I read some thirty years ago. This is, in a way, THE WOMEN'S ROOM of the post feminist era. Women are allegedly equal and can now have it all. The problem is that playing multiple roles can cost you dearly. You want and need to be fulfilled in the career arena as well as the home arena, unlike our sisters of yesteryear, who 'just' had to be perfect housewives. The trouble is, it must not...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Julie Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Good Woman by Jane Porter
This book is mostly about Meg. She's married to Jack and they have 3 kids. She works at the vineyard and devotes a lot of her time to family things: kids after school events and parties.
After traveling to the summer house where she meets her mother and other sisters and spends time listening to their problems with their relationships she starts to question her own. Then she travels overseas to the London exhibit for the wine they produce and she is dreaming of anoth...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Gabrj rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another random book I selected off the new books shelf at the library. I stayed up all night sipping wine and tearing through this book. I loved the beautiful descriptions of the California wine country. Makes me want to go live on a vineyard now!

The author creates a very vivid world of this interesting Irish/Catholic family. I loved getting inside their heads and I truly felt for every character.

Adultery is present in this book but it is done in, dare I say it- a "classy" way. It is not glori...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Mariah rated it 2 of 5 stars

I won't spoil the book by telling you what happens in the end. What I will say is that I'm not sure the main character in this book found sufficient resolution. Meg lives her life consumed with [religious based] guilt, constant regret, and in my opinion totally unhappy/unsatisfied. In the end, I'm not sure any of that changes. I didn't feel as if she resolved the source of her marriage discontent, nor did she find closure to her biggest regret. She holds herself to unattainable standards, is dis...more

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Nov 23, 2012 Desere Steenberg rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have always been a major fan of Jane Porter as I find her writing style simply beautiful and she is always able to transform any story into a memorable and powerful read.

In The Good Woman I met the character of Meg Brennan on the surface she has it all,she has a successful career,wonderful children and a loving husband. Her live has become what could be referred to as "normal" as she just goes from day to day handling everything that goes along with being a faithful wife and mother,yet she fee...more I have always been a major fan of Jane Porter as I find her writing style simply beautiful and she is always able to transform any story into a memorable and powerful read.

In The Good Woman I met the character of Meg Brennan on the surface she has it all,she has a successful career,wonderful children and a loving husband. Her live has become what could be referred to as "normal" as she just goes from day to day handling everything that goes along with being a faithful wife and mother,yet she feels run down and tired with it all,and she and her husband has drifted into a comfort zone where they love and respect each other but the passion has gone out of the relationship.

So when she comes face to face with her sexy as sin and very temping boss telling her that he has for a long time harboured feelings for her she is at a loss.She has the choice to carry on with her life as the normal plain wife and mother always doing the right thing Meg or be daring and reckless for once in her life.

And so the story unfolds and Jane Porter takes us as readers behind the scenes of choices in life that when made can deliver a hard blow in the end or decide our fate and show us the way to where we really need to be, or even get back to where we are meant to be,and also just how hard a mid life crisis can be to handle.

The author packed so much vivid and true emotion into her book that I found myself crying my heart out for Meg and the difficulties she faces,and the tears Meg sheds along the way gave me a very clear mental image of just how strained and stressed out Meg is.

The book was truly compelling and I read it in one sitting. Without spoiling the book for other readers all I am going to add is ,if you love reading about true life situations and the series of events that follow this is the book and the author for you.

The author truly delivers the message that she knows all about love and life after the happy ending wedding and she has again proved why she can write her way into the heart of readers. Her unique writing style simply just adds to powerful punch a Jane Porter book will give you.

I look forward to the next book The Good Daughter.

Excellent work Jane please do keep them coming !

5/5 star review

Romantic life altering drama at it's absolute best (less)

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Nov 14, 2012 Angie Holtz rated it 5 of 5 stars

From Lilac Wolf and Stuff

I read this a few weeks ago. I picked it up, and couldn't put it down...didn't matter that it wasn't due yet. Jane's writing in this story is so colorful. Meg is a type A personality, all the way. I'm not...and that could have ended the tale. But the way she is presented, you get to know Meg so intimately that you can relate even if you would never be in that situation.

Have you ever felt undesired, unloved and unappreciated in your family? All women can relate to that, a...more

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Oct 07, 2012 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

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Sep 23, 2012 Pia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Meg Brennan Roberts has it all, a solid marriage, 3 well balanced children, a successful career as a PR representative for the dark horse winery and the support of a strong Catholic family. But things are not as what they seem because deep down, Meg is questioning her 17 year marriage. Suddenly a void became emminent, and then comes Chad...is he what she needs or will he be the cause of her marriage to fail?

Jane Porter has a knack of creating realistic characters, situations and feelings. I beli...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Rachel Bussel rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Spoilers. Meg Roberts is used to having everything under control--her job, her three kids, her marriage, her family. She is the ultra-responsible oldest sister who never lets herself be anything more than totally prepared. In her role as a winery publicist, she has excelled, and has never let her think of her hot boss Chad as anything more than her boss, appreciating his good looks from afar, until she confides in him while on a business trip. Soon the gap between the intimacy she once shared wi...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Lenore Webb rated it 5 of 5 stars

Well I started all of this because Jane's have been on my mind all week. As well as the strong women they represent. I have been reading THE GOOD WOMAN by best selling author Jane Porter. Now she knows knows that a mother’s life is never simple or easy. Can we get an 'Amen' to that? We are aware of how often our lives become complicated and downright messy. Having just hit my 49th birthday it was easy to empathize with the main character, Meg Roberts. She has been married for 17 years and now at...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Allie Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Good Woman by Jane Porter is a wonderful book. It was so compelling that I consumed it in two days. It took me two days because it was raw and honest, which sometimes hurt - I was that invested. Porter wrote a character who was so real…flawed, yet likeable…that I felt like I was watching the life of good friend unravel. And unravel, it did.

Mary Margaret Brennan Roberts, Meg, is the focus of this book, the first in a new trilogy about the Brennan sisters. Meg is the eldest child of a large Ir...more The Good Woman by Jane Porter is a wonderful book. It was so compelling that I consumed it in two days. It took me two days because it was raw and honest, which sometimes hurt - I was that invested. Porter wrote a character who was so real…flawed, yet likeable…that I felt like I was watching the life of good friend unravel. And unravel, it did.

Mary Margaret Brennan Roberts, Meg, is the focus of this book, the first in a new trilogy about the Brennan sisters. Meg is the eldest child of a large Irish Catholic family, where the dad is a San Francisco fireman and the mom a nurse, turned hospital administrator. Meg’s the daughter and sister who’s always taken care of everyone, and continues to now as a wife and mother with a full time job. She was a “good girl” who grew up to be a “good woman”. Her life and her expectations for everyone percolate with responsibility, always doing as she’s expected. Until she doesn’t.

On the surface, it looks like Meg has everything a woman could ever want. She has a loving and successful husband, three healthy kids, a great job and a home in wine country that most people only ever dream of. Yet it’s quite evident that Meg’s not happy. She knows she should be, and that really makes her feel guilty (remember…she’s Catholic!). Porter’s writing is so authentic, that I found myself struggling, along with Meg. Why couldn’t she be happy? She deserved to be happy. At times, Meg’s feelings of emptiness and numbness really hit home, because I think that most moms and wives grow to feel this way when the baby and toddler stage is over (although I’m sure many feel it then too). They get lost in the role of caregiver, who’s mostly unappreciated, and the inevitable feelings and fears of, “Is this it?” creep in.

After reading a number of stories lately about the mid-life period in a marriage and seeing the movie Hope Springs, I couldn’t help but feel sad. There seems to be a lot of fear out there that middle age brings inevitable monotony to a marriage and that’s just not cool. (And I truly hope not true.) Meg is tired from all the responsibility in her life (I get it sister) and isn’t getting the emotional and intimate support she needs from her husband. And guess what? He has no clue that his wife is unhappy! There’s a line in the book that I think spoke (shouted) volumes….”She was aware that her life wasn’t really about her anymore, but about everyone else.” WOW!

Other events in Meg’s life - the illness of her mother, the taunting of one of her sisters and the flirting of her boss - propel Meg in direction that she soon can’t control. In my opinion, I think she went off the rails, like a crazy train. Now I know some people are going to cry foul, insisting that this is what being a wife and mother is all about and that Meg is being selfish. In some ways, yes she is. But I really don’t think anyone has a clue what they’re really signing up for when they get married for the first time. You think it’ll always be fun and passionate, just the living happily ever after. Then reality hits: bills, house maintenance, kids, in-laws, holidays, illness, job worries. It’s exhausting and sometimes boring. Its work and it must really be hard if you’re the only one doing all the work. When a person willingly takes on so much responsibility, it starts off as a badge of honor – “Look how many people depend on me and how much I can do.” Until you can’t. Then the guilt, self-doubt and exhaustion kick in and you start to resent everything and everyone, when there’s no one to blame but yourself, which Meg does, a lot.

The story is heavy. Lots of tears. I can’t even imagine how puffy Meg’s eyes had to be. Sometimes I was crying right along with her. She messed up big time and my heart broke for all the loved ones in her life who suffered collateral damage. It sucked. Yet, I never gave up on Meg. I liked her, even when she wasn’t good.

One person I did NOT like was Meg’s sister (she has three) Brianna. Ugh…she’s terrible. But, I have to say, one of the funniest scenes in the book is a phone call in the middle of the night that Brianna makes to Meg. That’s all I’m going to say, because I don’t want to ruin it.

I really loved the book. I know it’s going to stay with me for a long, long time. It might haunt me, because I am still worried about Meg. The ending most definitely left me wanting more. Meg’s book may be done, but her story certainly isn’t over.
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Sep 05, 2012 Asa Maria Bradley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Could. Not. Put. This. Down.

I read this in one sitting.

In this first book about the Brennan sisters, Jane Porter delves deep into what it is like to be a modern woman, a mother, a wife, a sister, and explores what happens when you examine your past choices and perhaps make some unwise new ones. As the oldest sister Meg slowly comes undone from the pressure of creating and keeping the perfect life, we see the impact her choices have on not only her marriage and her kids, but the dynamic between h...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Leigh rated it 1 of 5 stars

Even with my strong feelings about adultery, I can read and accept it within certain circumstances. Some authors have the ability to create viable shades of grey that make me think, okay it is wrong, but I can understand why it happened. Ms. Porter is not one of them, at least not in this book.

At forty-two Mary Margaret Roberts (known as Meg) is dissatisfied with her life. After nineteen years together – seventeen of those years married - her relationship with her husband is stagnant. She loves...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Cocktails and Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

This story was written with a lot of insight from all of the characters. It introduces readers to the Brennan sisters & takes place in the San Francisco/Sonoma Valley area. The Good Woman focuses on Mary Margaret, the oldest of five. Meg is from a strong, close Irish Catholic family. She's busily raising her family, working, being an attentive daughter & wise big sister--being "good" all the time. We can all imagine that a person can only do that for so long before they wonder,...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. How can I write a review on this book? I'll start by stating that it halted my reading addiction. I didn't want to jump into another book. I wanted to sit, savor and think about it. It also gave me a few epiphanies. Porter is brilliantly insightful.

We are introduced to the Brennen sisters. Meg is the oldest and highly pious and responsible. She expects herself to be perfect and sets the bar high. She is capable of doing it all and she does. But she is so tired of it. She's also feeling the effec...more How can I write a review on this book? I'll start by stating that it halted my reading addiction. I didn't want to jump into another book. I wanted to sit, savor and think about it. It also gave me a few epiphanies. Porter is brilliantly insightful.

We are introduced to the Brennen sisters. Meg is the oldest and highly pious and responsible. She expects herself to be perfect and sets the bar high. She is capable of doing it all and she does. But she is so tired of it. She's also feeling the effects of gravity and age. Working full-time for a pair of brothers as a marketing director of wine, she is also a wife to Jack, a brilliant architect who specializes in vintage properties, and mother to three children; each of them extremely busy and working on their high goals and accomplishments.

Meg is questioning her existence and purpose. She's also vividly aware that she has unmet needs. Jack hasn't touched her for months. Additionally, although he is a great provider, she is not only working but also arranging all the transportation, children's activities, shopping, cooking, etc. She ends up having the opportunity to go to the best wine show in London and goes with her boss, Chad Hallahan, where he admits his attraction to her. This opens the window of possibility. Someone finds her sexy and attractive. Someone finds her interesting and wants to be with her. Someone that she respects and admires admits that he can't stop thinking about her and has been thinking about her for years.

Meg begins the spiral for having an affair. This is brilliantly written. When she actually crosses that threshold, she can't believe it happened. She can say it just "happened" yet the reader can see the purposeful yet seemingly small decisions Meg made to be involved with Chad. Meg's strong Catholic upbringing can not be understated. She has horrific guilt. She tries to justify her actions by pulling at the faults of Jack but she still can't quite do it justice. And Chad loves her. Chad is a good man who deserves a good woman. Meg is terribly conflicted.

What stands out to me is how a good woman can feel that she has unmet needs and make choices to get those needs met without involving her husband. She's unhappy and talks herself into believing that if she could find happiness, she would be a better mother and wife. Meg's decisions and ultimate betrayal of her marriage vows have absolutely nothing to do with Jack or her children. Meg is dissatisfied and, rather than pin her husband into a corner and tell him what she needs, she seeks it elsewhere. She loves the way her body comes alive under Chad's touch but hates the self loathing she feels after spending an afternoon with him. I loved that Porter included the details of Meg's guilt along with her unmet needs.

What Meg soon discovers is that she can choose her actions but she can not choose the consequences. When she began her affair with Chad, it didn't cross her mind what Jack might do if he found out. She knows he'd be hurt but that's the extent of it. She doesn't consider what the fallout might do to her children nor that her sister might take it as a personal affront since her own husband had been caught in an affair a couple of years earlier. She doesn't consider that she might hurt Chad.

Additionally, the book follows Meg through her self flagellation, Jack's rage and devastation, her children's actions, right through where Meg finally understands that her debilitating guilt needs to be accompanied by action. This book could also be entitled The Anatomy of An Affair. None of the characters are all good or bad. I loved Meg and identified with her up to so many points, although I have not had an affair. I understand her feelings and unmet needs and understood her justification. My heart hurt as she suffered the consequences.

I am looking forward to this trilogy. Jane Porter is brilliantly insightful of the middle age woman and her struggles. She is brilliantly insightful of the anatomy of marriages and motherhood.

The book contains mature content. Best read by a middle aged woman.(less)

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Sep 28, 2012 Rosemary K rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Good Woman is the emotional story of Mary Margaret (Meg) Brennan Roberts, who has it all and does it all with perfection. Meg is the firstborn of an Irish-American family. She has a successful husband, Jack, and three beautiful children as well as a job that she loves at a winery. Who could want more? Meg does. She wants Jack to treat her as a desirable woman. She wants emotional closeness and love, but these are not to be found in her marriage. A trip to a wine fair in London, awakens her d...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, for-review, 2012, read-sep-2012

I will get this out of the way first. I don't usually read books that involve a spouse cheating. And yes I knew that this was a major theme in this book, but I am a huge Jane Porter fan and this sounded like it was going to be a wonderful trilogy, so when I was asked to review this book, I said yes. I had a little trepidation, but I set it aside, because it was Jane Porter. I am so glad I did. Yes the affair features prominently but this book is about so much more and it's handled in a way that...more I will get this out of the way first. I don't usually read books that involve a spouse cheating. And yes I knew that this was a major theme in this book, but I am a huge Jane Porter fan and this sounded like it was going to be a wonderful trilogy, so when I was asked to review this book, I said yes. I had a little trepidation, but I set it aside, because it was Jane Porter. I am so glad I did. Yes the affair features prominently but this book is about so much more and it's handled in a way that I really love. It's realistic and interesting. And I was right, this will be an amazing trilogy if this first book is any way to judge. So if you think the cheating angle will bother you, think twice, this book is so much more, Ms. Porter is an amazing writer and this book handles this exceptionally well.

The first third of this book sets up Meg's life and the trilogy introducing us to the Brennan family and the sisters that will be involved in the rest of the trilogy. I love them all, even Bree who is a little difficult. Meg is the focus of The Good Woman and I believe Kit will be the focus of The Good Daughter. I am assuming Bree will be the focus of the third book, but that is only my assumption. I am guessing that Sarah and the sister-in-law Cass will figure prominent in the other two books like they did in this book and I love that. I love that I get to see all the sisters and their dynamics with each others and their lives in each book. I can't wait to see Meg again in the next book as well.

So suffice it to say I love the characters. Meg is easy to relate to for me as a married woman and a mom of kids of varied ages. I am thankful that my husband is more attentive though. But I will admit to feeling some of Meg's feelings (not the cheating ones, but the tired, overwhelmed, why doesn't he help ones). The characters are very realistic, the situations are realistic and I think the family dynamic is realistic. I love the sisters, the love, the fights, everything.

I think Ms. Porter creates wonderful characters who change and grow through situations they are presented. And in The Good Woman, Meg, Kit and Sarah are all in some tough situations. Meg and her family is the focus of The Good Woman. This story never slows. I was absorbed by this book from the beginning. The pacing is perfect and the book was hard to put down. I became very engaged in the story and wanted to know what decision Meg would make next and what would happen next. It was just perfect. And the outcome did not disappoint. The book had emotional ups and downs and the ending was perfect for this book. However I will be eagerly awaiting the next book.

If you enjoy books with emotional depth and deal with real issues then The Good Woman is for you. This promises to be a wonderful trilogy and you will want to be introduced to the Brennan family with this book. Meg is a wonderful character and her and her family make a wonderful cast for this first book. I can't praise this book enough, I could almost start it again even though I just finished it, and I already miss the Brennan family.(less)

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Sep 06, 2012 Samantha Robey rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of The Good Woman in exchange for an honest review. Jane Porter is a fabulous author, and I could not wait to pick this one up. Disappointment? Not here! I loved every second of this book, and my only regret was that I was reading it over a holiday weekend and couldn’t dive into it as often as I could. What makes me even happier is that it appears to be the first in a series about the Brennan family, and I can’t wait for the next book!

While the plot touches on each of the Brenn...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Laurel-Rain rated it 4 of 5 stars

Born into a big Irish-American family, Meg Brennan Roberts had a special place as the eldest child. Three sisters and one brother, all looking up to her, or even resenting her sometimes for her ability to make good decisions, but also depending on her to be their moral compass.

Grown and married with three children, Meg continues to display the perfection she honed in her childhood.

But at what cost? When her husband of seventeen years seems to be turning away from her more and more, leaving her f...more

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Mar 27, 2013 Barb rated it 5 of 5 stars

I chose The Good Woman because it was the first in a series by Jane Porter and I loved the cover of the next book in the series, The Good Daughter. Now you know I can be a shallow reader, LOL! I had never read Jane Porter before so I had no idea what to expect. Then last night right before bedtime the conflict in the story escalated and I stayed up to finish the book, ugh! Meg Roberts is 42, the oldest sister and child in a good Irish Catholic family with all the duties that come with that famil...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Cheryl rated it 2 of 5 stars

Meg Brennan Roberts is a publicist for Chad and Craig Hallahan. The Hallahan brothers own Dark Horse Winery. The winery is growing thanks to Meg. Chad approaches Meg and offers a golden opportunity. To go to the London Wine Fair with him to help promote the winery. Meg would like to go but there is the problem of her husband and family. She would have to leave them to attend. Meg’s husband tells Meg to go. Soon Chad and Meg are spending time together. The more time that they spend together, the...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Nas Dean rated it 5 of 5 stars

THE GOOD WOMAN by author Jane Porter is a Berkley release for September 2012.

Meg Roberts, despite being successful just falls in the rut of normal live. A life without passion. Then she learns that her gorgeous boss, Chad Hallahan has secretly desired her from far and has the hots for her.

What will Meg do now? Will she move out from her comfort zone and embrace a secret but passionate liason?

How will Meg make these choices? She's always been the good daughter, mother and wife.

THE GOOD WOMAN is...more

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Sep 09, 2012 Elisabeth Ringvard rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wonderfully well written novel. Honest hard warm story about real women dealing with everyday situations as well as the hard situations they are put in.

Jane Porter´s "The Good Woman" is a good modern lit novel but somewhat different from her other books. If you know Jane Porter´s other novels and expect "The Good Woman" to be exactly the same you might be a little disappointed.
But that said. It´s a really good modern lit novel and Jane is really evolving in her writing style and is a fabulous w...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Really loved this book.....so many character traits, so many scenarios, so many feelings, so many relatable moments....I actually thought did Jane Porter (the author) live inside my head? Did she live inside my heart when she wrote this? So many women out there who always do their best to be "The Good Woman", the good wife, the good mother, the good daughter, the good friend, the good employee....continually giving of herself, trying to set an example, trying to always do the right thing....but...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Cindy Huljack rated it 5 of 5 stars

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The Good Woman is the first in the Brennan Sisters Trilogy. Meg is a working mom who is trying to make sense of a long term marriage that has lost its appeal. She battles all the emotions of a passionless marriage while juggling 3 children and a career. With the help of her dedicated, close knit Irish Catholic family, she makes difficult decisions and realizes some hard truths regarding herself. Like any woman who has felt like she has lost her identity, Meg goes through some rough times with wh...more

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Oct 23, 2012 Digna rated it 5 of 5 stars

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An emotional rollercoaster ride. Engaging to the very end.

Mary Margaret Brennan (aka Meg) is an Irish-American Catholic, the oldest of 5 siblings and part of a tight-knit family that tends to share everything. Well almost everything because what Meg has done with Chad Hallahn her boss is just not something you share with your sister over coffee. As a wife and mother approaching middle age Meg’s relationship with her husband Jack seems stale and stagnant. Meg feels empty, broken and ignored by he...more An emotional rollercoaster ride. Engaging to the very end.

Mary Margaret Brennan (aka Meg) is an Irish-American Catholic, the oldest of 5 siblings and part of a tight-knit family that tends to share everything. Well almost everything because what Meg has done with Chad Hallahn her boss is just not something you share with your sister over coffee. As a wife and mother approaching middle age Meg’s relationship with her husband Jack seems stale and stagnant. Meg feels empty, broken and ignored by her husband. So when Chad seems to pick up on Meg’s emotions it gets heated and Meg finds herself suddenly in a tailspin with guilt that is too much for her to bear. Meg has a lot to feel guilty for as she has what seems like the perfect life, a great family, loving husband, amazing job at a winery and she is living in the home of her dreams. So why does Meg stray?

Porter covers many feelings and emotions women this age may go through when life seems mechanical and the excitement of marriage fades. Many women go through life working really hard at being the good woman, the good wife, yet feeling empty, so this really connects with the reader. In The Good Woman Jane also plays the good sister who is always at the ready should any of her siblings need her.

Porter plays with the readers thoughts and emotions as she teases back and forth with Meg and Jack after the affair. Will Jack forgive her? Will she get stay with Chad? Will their marriage survive? I didn’t feel right that Jack dragged the children into the situation. However I felt like Porter used this to add depth to Jack’s character. In his anger and disappointment with his wife it is easy for the reader to place judgement on Jack, otherwise Jack was just a good husband, a workaholic that was comfortable in his marriage. All of a sudden Jack was alive, he was pissed, he was angry. I loved when Jack came to life however I wish Porter would have shared more on Jack. However I loved the ending and the twist with Meg and her daughters. I don’t recommend this book to just anyone. As infidelity is a strong subject and taboo for many women. I found The Good Woman engaging and a strong emotional ride and overall completely enjoyable.
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About Jane Porter

Born in Visalia, California, I'm a small town girl at heart. I love central California's golden foothills, oak trees, and the miles of farmland. In my mind, there's nothing sweeter in the world than the heady fragrance of orange blossoms on a sultry summer night.

As a little girl I spent hours on my bed, staring out the window, dreaming of far off places, fearless knights, and happy-ever-after endi...more

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The Good Woman (Brennan Sisters #1)

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