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The Actor and the Housewife

by Shannon Hale (Goodreads Author)

3.12 of 5 stars 3.12 · rating details · 6,483 ratings · 2,478 reviews

A very different kind of fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Shannon Hale.

What if you were to meet the number-one person on your laminated list—you know, that list you joke about with your significant other about which five celebrities you’d be allowed to run off with if ever given the chance? And of course since it’ll never happen it doesn’t matter…

Mormon hou...more

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published June 9th 2009 by Bloomsbury USA

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Community Reviews

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Mar 26, 2010 Angela rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, pub-blooms, contemporary, love-or-romance, audio-book, read-in-2009, read-in-2010

SECOND READ: March 26, 2010
Listened to the audio book edition.

The reader isn't the best, but dang it all if I forgot just how funny the banter is in this book! It makes me forget that I don't care for the reader because I am so busy smirking and laughing out loud so often.

I still love this book! I tried to distract myself at the sad part by (1) knowing it was coming, (2) only half-listening to the audio book, and (3) cleaning the bathrooms. But dang that Shannon Hale for still making me cry desp...more

20 likes · like · see review

Jul 23, 2009 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: modern-fiction

*I keep going back and forth as to what I should rate this book, because although the premise of the book still makes me uncomfortable, the parts about her husband are so powerful and hit me so hard that I felt it deserved more than a 4.*

I began this book with hesitancy, angry at myself for reading the jacket, knowing that a married woman would somehow get involved with an actor - also married. As I read more, I was sceptical, as they became best friends, worried as to where this may lead. (Any...more

15 likes · like · see review

Feb 09, 2013 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! It’s a fun story with magnetic characters I wish were in my real world! I laughed out loud many times at vivacious, out-spoken Becky and cried along with her more than once. Though the story requires a smidgen of a suspension of disbelief from the reader, this is not your usual formula chick-lit, as expectations end up twisting on you a number of times.

I admit that I came to this book with a bit of a chip on my shoulder. The premise of a married woman striking up a friendship...more

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Jun 14, 2009 Tanja rated it 4 of 5 stars

My dear Shannon, what have you done. I will be honest and say I am surprised a book like this came from her. I enjoy her writing style and her quick wit in all her books, but in the A&H I found myself laughing out loud. Is it a romance you might ask, no. Not in the traditional sense. It is a story of friendship. How do friends fit into our lives and how do we survive without the friend we need the most? Have you ever met that person who just knew you? You could stay up and laugh with them ov...more

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Jul 22, 2009 Angie rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: absolute-train-wreck

I'm going to warn you upfront that I had an extreme reaction to this book. An extreme and unexpected reaction. Just ask DH. He had to listen to me rant ad nauseam until I'd exorcised the demons enough to move on. The thing is I haven't reacted so strongly to a book for quite some time and it took me a bit by surprise. Oh, well, who are we kidding? It threw me for one hell of a loop and I had an extremely hard time shaking it off. Despite all this I'm going to try to continue my tradition of spoi...more I'm going to warn you upfront that I had an extreme reaction to this book. An extreme and unexpected reaction. Just ask DH. He had to listen to me rant ad nauseam until I'd exorcised the demons enough to move on. The thing is I haven't reacted so strongly to a book for quite some time and it took me a bit by surprise. Oh, well, who are we kidding? It threw me for one hell of a loop and I had an extremely hard time shaking it off. Despite all this I'm going to try to continue my tradition of spoiler-free reviews and, as a result, won't be able to tell you the precise reasons why I reacted the way I did. I won't be able to go into excruciating detail explaining exactly how and when my emotions bounced back and forth. But let's be honest. That's probably for the best. So.

Becky Jack is a Mormon housewife living in Layton, Utah, pregnant with her fourth child. She has just sold a screenplay to a film agency in LA and is meeting them there to sign the contract, when in walks Felix Callahan--sexy British star of Becky's favorite romantic comedies. The two of them clash right from the start and, despite their visible disdain for one another (and the fact that Felix has long been Becky's movie star crush), they find themselves staying at the same hotel and eating dinner together that night. Becky returns to Utah sure it was some fluke, a fun story to tell the fam, and that she'll never see Felix again. Au contraire, Becky. Turns out Felix hasn't been able to get their abrasive encounter out of his head and the next time he has a layover in Salt Lake City, he turns up to see her and figure out what the deal is. From there these two unlikely characters become the very best of friends. Talk on the phone daily, stay up all night long talking, drop everything to jet off to New York at a moment's notice kind of BFFs. As you might expect, a whole host of factors get in the way of their "friendship," including at times concerned/jealous spouses, their different faiths (or rather Becky's strict one and Felix's utter lack of one), their diametrically opposed lifestyles, etc. Self-proclaimed platonic lovers, these two weather the small and large storms of life as their friendship and story stretches out over a decade and more.

I'll preface my comments by saying I have read all of Shannon Hale's YA books. I love her Books of Bayern and thought her first adult novel Austenland was a fun, light romp for Austen fans. I expected to like this book just fine. I knew it would be quirky and different and fun. I certainly didn't go in expecting a happy ending because, well, given the subject matter who would? I laughed my way through the first 100 pages because any scene Becky and Felix share sparkles. I even cried. Once. At a scene about 80 pages in or so that was just so real (and a little close to home) it struck me in the gut. However, I felt that the next 250 pages were an uneven roller coaster ride of conflicting emotions, increasingly hard-to-swallow turns of event, and very inconsistent characterizations. Every aspect of the story felt so deliberate and pre-planned that it got in the way of my reading experience. It was strangely a prime example of too much telling and not enough showing. The narrator and Becky herself told me over and over (and over again) how much she was in love with her solid-as-a-brick-wall husband, how little Felix meant to her compared to Mike, how she would never do anything to jeopardize her marriage, etc. Her actions spoke differently. The actual depiction of her marriage was lukewarm at best. The rock Mike was too vague an image to grasp onto. Next to Felix he was a mere smudge. Felix clearly meant an inexplicable amount to Becky. And vice versa. These two cannot function properly without each other. They will always be returning to each other. The crystal clear, most evocative, and resonant depictions were of Becky and Felix. And it was simply too difficult for me to buy everything Becky was saying in the face of what she was showing me page after page. THE ACTOR AND THE HOUSEWIFE is an exploration of whether or not married men and women can be friends and just friends. The answer is, of course, yes. But that is not what Becky and Felix are. I know that's what they're supposed to be. But they're not. They are intimates. They are soulmates. That is the way every encounter, ever glance, every touch is characterized. The intent seemed to be some sort of Humphrey Bogart-Ingrid Bergman-Paul Henreid triangle a la Casablanca. The result was a Rock Hudson-Doris Day-Tony Randall anti-triangle a la Pillow Talk. And by the time the overwrought, rushed ending arrived I felt so completely jerked around I was unable to deal with the melodrama a moment longer.

I'm really sorry it ended this way, THE ACTOR AND THE HOUSEWIFE. I know you've gotten a lot of positive reviews and it's quite possible it's me and not you. Fortunately, each reader can decide for herself. And I hope they do. As for you and me, I think it's time we start seeing other people.(less)

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Mar 16, 2010 Annalisa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, romance

1.5 stars. I didn't quite hate it, but it made me uncomfortable.

Let me start with this disclaimer: I have an aversion to romantic comedies. You know that moment in a movie where it's so awkward and contrived you're embarrassed someone wrote it and you're embarrassed for the actors that have to say the lines and you're embarrassed to be sitting there watching it? That's what this book was like. I'm not sure if Hale was trying to make an authentic Mormon housewife endearing to the masses, but she...more 1.5 stars. I didn't quite hate it, but it made me uncomfortable.

Let me start with this disclaimer: I have an aversion to romantic comedies. You know that moment in a movie where it's so awkward and contrived you're embarrassed someone wrote it and you're embarrassed for the actors that have to say the lines and you're embarrassed to be sitting there watching it? That's what this book was like. I'm not sure if Hale was trying to make an authentic Mormon housewife endearing to the masses, but she misses the mark. Becky comes off as selfish and self-absorbed and makes Mormons look strange, not cute quirky, but "please don't touch me" weird. I guess these worlds were never meant to collide.

Which brings me back to that awkward, contrived storyline. I never bought, not for one second, that a self-absorbed actor with a fear of all things domestic would not run for his life when Becky excuses herself to pump because she's letting down or would find her ramblings about her two-year-old showing her a snot-covered finger cute. I was embarrassed for her and I wasn't wearing a tux.

I didn't believe Becky "the lady doeth protest too much" about her platonic relationship. Here's the actor that she swoons over because he's so hot, but now that they're best friends she's unattracted to him? No way. The more time you spend with someone, even someone who you aren't attracted to, the more attractive they become to you. There really is no plausible way to be that close to a man and your husband and not have the boundaries/your feelings cross. And the ending doesn't justify it (I skimmed) because: a) she had no way of knowing how things would end from the beginning, b) as evident by his behavior, she isn't faultless (and yes that includes Celeste; I believe the relationship played a part in that), and c) when all her safety devices are down and she's vulnerable, she may act differently than she would have otherwise (I hope that makes sense to someone who's read the book).

I really like you Shannon (a lot), but I didn't like this book. There were moments I chuckled out loud and the title headings were fun, but I didn't like the story (which I should have known going into it). And I have a bone to pick with you: you type sh--, but then you go ahead and say Lord? As a Mormon, you should regard taking the name of the Lord in vain worse. And here I'm revealing my real issue with the book. I'm Mormon. I live in Utah. Maybe this hit a little too close to home, except for that whole relationship with my favorite actor. I don't have that going on.(less)

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Sep 28, 2009 Kristin rated it 1 of 5 stars

Oh Shannon Hale...I try to like you...I really do. I give you chance after chance and guess what? I just don't. I know I am in the minority especially in my little subculture of the world but you're just not my...as you would annoyingly say..."cup of herbal tea". I found this book to be so "gosh darn" full of sugary cliched Happy Valley Mormonism that my teeth hurt and I wanted to vomit.

I thought this book would be the "delightful romp" that it claimed to be but it wasn't. The main character, Be...more Oh Shannon Hale...I try to like you...I really do. I give you chance after chance and guess what? I just don't. I know I am in the minority especially in my little subculture of the world but you're just not my...as you would annoyingly say..."cup of herbal tea". I found this book to be so "gosh darn" full of sugary cliched Happy Valley Mormonism that my teeth hurt and I wanted to vomit.

I thought this book would be the "delightful romp" that it claimed to be but it wasn't. The main character, Becky Jack, truly is the MOST annoying of characters. She's just knocked Bella from Twilight down a few notches. She is such a Utah LDS stereotype. You disappoint me Shannon Hale.

First...the plot. The book is basically about Becky and her crush British actor, Felix (who in my book looks just like Hugh Grant) and their emotional affair. I wanted to scream as Becky was titillated every time Felix called, how her little pudgy heart just skipped a beat whenever she heard his voice but she would then go on and on about how much she "loved" her good old dependable husband Mike. Me thinks the lady doth protest too much. Shannon Hale tells us over and over again...ad naseaum...about how much Becky loves Mike and how her marriage is her number one priority yet Becky's actions tell a far different story. Each time Hale would have Becky say how much she loved Mike in the next breath she would then have Becky go off on how she and Felix were "soulmates". Ugh. I found myself asking throughout the whole book "Couldn't Felix do better than you? You are a bore...and a stereotype." And...not a very flattering stereotype, Ms. Hale, of LDS women.

Second, the characters are so uninteresting, except for Felix, and completely unrealistic. The husband Mike after putting up with so much from his wife and her infatuation/relationship with Felix he finally reaches the end of his rope and tells her...that he "just doesn't understand." What!?! That's it? Call her out Mike!!" I wanted to yell. Grow some balls and a spine while you're at it!! I don't know what most of the readers husbands are like but mine would put up with behavior like that for exactly two seconds and vice versa. I kept wanting Mike to find a nice sexy blonde big boobed co-worker and claim her to be his "soulmate" and see how frumpy old zucchini bread baking Becky liked it. Probably not so much.

Third, was this book written for the masses or did I miss the LDS lit label? Because Ms. Hale assumes that your average reader is in on all the LDS/Utah insight and most are not. I couldn't stand her description of how the city of Layton is pronounced...inside joke to Utah readers only. When Becky goes in to talk to her Bishop and she says that she has read a bunch of "Conference Talks" I'm sure the non-LDS reader has no clue what she is talking about...and these are just a few examples.

Now that said there were some parts of this book where the dialogue between Becky and Felix was humorous...but then it never let up...every single time they spoke to one another it was in this obnoxious banter that I felt was contrived. Most of us have a friend or two were we riff off one another but then we can stop...it isn't endlessly ongoing. It got really old.

The ending was pure torture. After all of the jerking around of the reader and the manipulating of our emotions (not to mention the offing of a main character) the ending blows. Really. Did we just go on that nausea inducing roller coaster ride for this. As I stared in disbelief at the last few pages what did Becky do? She giggled and guffawed and chortled and chuckled. How funny that after 11 years for them and a grueling 350 pages for me we find ourselves here. Lame.

I know I am in the minority here and that lots of people who I respect liked this book but I didn't. Truth be told I despised it. I liked the premise but was disappointed with the product. Can men and women be friends...perhaps...just not "soul mates" if they are married to other people. But that's just my opinion. So here's where the rubber meets the road. Good-bye Shannon Hale.

My rating: Too cheesy; too contrived; and too "Happy Valley" for me. I hated it.(less)

36 likes · like · see review

Aug 07, 2009 Alyssa rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

15 likes · like · see review

Mar 03, 2012 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Heather by: Bethany Cathemer

Shelves: chick-lit, lds

Disclaimer: I'm a Shannon Hale fan. I follow her blog, and I have been to one of her appearances at a local bookstore. In that brief, extremely public encounter, I was pleased to find that she is as delightfully witty, personable, and humble as I had imagined her to be. Maybe she's not like that at home, but she still charmed me. I think she is a stellar writer, and I adore her books. So yes, I am hopelessly biased. I haven't read Austenland, so this is the first S.H. "adult" book that I've read...more Disclaimer: I'm a Shannon Hale fan. I follow her blog, and I have been to one of her appearances at a local bookstore. In that brief, extremely public encounter, I was pleased to find that she is as delightfully witty, personable, and humble as I had imagined her to be. Maybe she's not like that at home, but she still charmed me. I think she is a stellar writer, and I adore her books. So yes, I am hopelessly biased. I haven't read Austenland, so this is the first S.H. "adult" book that I've read.

I'm not really sure who her target audience was, but I'm pretty sure I fall into whatever readership she had in mind: late-thirties, Mormon, married (to a guy named Mike even!), kids, living freakishly near "Lay-en" Utah. I'm pretty much Becky, sans the talent of repartee, writing screenplays, and making pies from scratch.

I don't know what readers outside this demographic could possibly think of this book, unless they understand Utah LDS culture. Shannon Hale took a large risk with this book, but I also think she did a good job of explaining some of the "quirks" of our religion/lifestyle without being overly preachy.

And the writing! Ahhh, the writing. How I love being transported by her writing! This is classic Hale. I don't know how she comes up with her stuff, but she is so amazing at putting words together (she must have access to a Muse). Even if you don't like the premise of the book, the writing is just dang fun!

I think for where I am in my life, this was a good read. I think earlier in my marriage, it would have made me uncomfortable to even wonder if I could be best friends with a man who was not my hubby. Even now it makes me squirm. Although I don't think most women and men could have the sort of relationship that Felix and Becky did, I applaud Shannon Hale for handling the subject deftly and honestly, and acknowledging the difficulties on both sides that would be inherent in such a friendship. And as much as I wanted them to be able to work it out in the ending, I knew it couldn't work if Becky was going to stay true to herself. So although it wasn't the fairytale ending we sometimes wish for, it was still fulfilling for me.

One thing that bugged me though (and this just shows how shallow and insecure I am), is that I kept feeling like a loser (with a capital L) mom and wife because I don't gush love for my kids and hubby like Becky does. I just couldn't help comparing myself to her on that point. Although, if my hubby got cancer and died (heaven forbid), that might soften me up a bit. See, now that I said it it will happen--I've jinxed myself. I have "happiness anxiety." I'm just waiting for something bad to happen. But enough about me.

Overall, it is fun "chick-lit" with more substance. It is fantasy, but laced with some serious questions for women, and men too. Can women and men be "just friends?" Can you ever be so secure in your marriage that it could weather an outside opposite-gender friendship, or is that fodder for adultery? If your spouse was okay with such a friendship, could you handle to criticism from outside sources? What do you consider being unfaithful? Is emotional intimacy more dangerous than physical? Is there such thing as friend-at-first-sight? Are some people drawn to each other platonically ? Does God "put" certain people in our path for a reason? These are some of the questions this book raised for me. And I like being able to explore these ideas within the safety of a fictional world.
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Dec 24, 2009 Susan rated it 1 of 5 stars

I was disappointed in this book. It would have been more accurate if it was described as "a modern fairy-tale". Her other books are a re-telling of fairy tales (my favorite is "Goose Girl"). In this book, the main characters were not believable, the banter was contrived and not very funny, the husband was too saintly, the children were too good to be true (not even any teenaged attitude, all sweetness and light!). I did not believe that Becky would be as accomodating as her husband if he had a b...more

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Mar 18, 2009 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: er-review-books, adult-fiction, f2f-book-group

I really liked this one. Sure, it's implausible, and it's not *really* chick lit, but it hit home with me. It is the story of a woman who happens to have an unconventional friendship, and how that effects her life. I laughed, I cringed, I cried, I rooted, I wondered. Good times.

13 likes · like · see review

Oct 19, 2009 Jen Russell rated it 1 of 5 stars

I did like the way she talked about how intensely she loved her husband and kids; the way she thought about her kids and how important her role as a mother was.

That's all I liked.

1/2 of the book was a sob fest. Which is not why I didn't like it.

I didn't like it because I am not a girl who swoons over movie stars or talks about how attractive someone in a movie is. And, just the whole her hanging out with another man, alone and intimately made me uncomfortable. Maybe I am a prude, but it just did...more

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Mar 08, 2009 Jenlbot rated it 2 of 5 stars

Completed Review- So now I am done with the book and I raised it to two stars. All the things I said below I still feel, but actually the last 1/3 of the book was better. This book was a span of 11 years and it read very disconnected to me. Am I glad I finished it? yes. Would I recommend it to a friend? Hmmm, only to see if they agree or disagree.
In the middle Review-I JUST have to get this off my chest!
I HATE this book! Now, I am still reading it and I am on page 143. I am really wanting to s...more

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Feb 13, 2009 Nikki rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-literature, to-buy, contemporary, wishlist

This is where having book connections comes in handy: being able to borrow an Advance Reading Copy!

Becky Jack is exactly the sort of character you'd want to be best friends with, even if just so you could tease her about her triple weekly pies and hear her witty retort. She has strong convictions, but within those she's game to see where the combo of fate and choice takes her--through fun, doubts, laughs, romance, tough decisions, beauty, anguish, great twists, gorgeous hope, and humorous dialog...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Rebekah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction

Definitely a different kind of "chick lit".
It started out pretty quirky. How many devoted church-going, child-raising, husband-loving women have you read about? Add to that a pretty quick witted playful banter and enough light-heartedness to not take too seriously digs and confusion at her faith.

I felt it took some time to get started. The odd and fantastical relationship between Becky and Felix takes a while to develop, to seem real, so we get snippets of her normal life but mostly skip throu...more

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Oct 21, 2009 Alice rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was really looking forward to reading this book and loving it. I enjoy Shannon Hale's books, so I'm disappointed to give this book only 3 stars. Actually, I was only going to give it 2 stars, but I guess I'm feeling generous.

I hate to totally beat up the book, but I actually enjoyed reading it for the most part. It was funny and witty, touching and sad, and entertaining. But at the same time it just really rubbed me the wrong way.

Here is what bugged me about the book:

1) The main character is...more I was really looking forward to reading this book and loving it. I enjoy Shannon Hale's books, so I'm disappointed to give this book only 3 stars. Actually, I was only going to give it 2 stars, but I guess I'm feeling generous.

I hate to totally beat up the book, but I actually enjoyed reading it for the most part. It was funny and witty, touching and sad, and entertaining. But at the same time it just really rubbed me the wrong way.

Here is what bugged me about the book:

1) The main character is supposed to represent me: married "Mormon" housewife with kids. And yet I could NOT relate to her. She did not seem to think or act anything like I do, and I think I'm pretty "normal." Her relationship with this actor was just too hard to big of a stretch.

2) Though the book recounts her busy life as a mother, and active member of the LDS church, never once does it mention her having a church calling/assignment, though it does mention her husband's calling. This seemed really inconsistent.

SPOILER ALERT:

3) I found it very disturbing that her husband would agree to let his wife continue a relationship with another man as a "friend", that she would even WANT to continue it, and that her bishop would agree that it's OK. That was just too ridiculous. Why would her best friend be a man other than her husband? I just could not get past that. My husband IS my best friend... the one I want to talk to about everything, laugh with, etc. It was creepy that she felt comfortable being so intimate with a man other than her husband. What happened to cleave unto your spouse and none other? It was just yucky.

4) I can suspend my disbelieve to allow that somehow this woman was able to sell a screen-play or two to Hollywood producers, and even get a movie made, and mabye even that she would end of "co-starring" it in. But I could not get past the fact that even though she wrote the script she somehow doesn't realize she would have to kiss Felix? Give me a break.

5) I was really worried that after her husband died she would actually end up with Felix. I was getting really disgusted as I saw the story going that way, so I was relieved when it didn't happen. Thank goodness for that.
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Jul 26, 2010 Kaye rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, religious, goodreads-first-reads

Having a hard time reviewing Hale's latest. Definitely worth reading. Others have summed up the story line; Utah, LDS, mom of four (Becki), meets British movie star (Felix) and a friendship starts. The funniest parts were the dialog between the two. Sometimes it was so fast and clever it was worthy of movie status in itself. The most interesting aspect for discussion is can a man or women be friends and when does that cross that line and become an "emotional affair". The fantasy turns in the sec...more

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Sep 13, 2009 Beth A. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: lds-fiction

I love Shannon Hale’s fairy tale retellings and fantasy. I also enjoyed Austenland. However, I had two major problems with this story.

1. I’m pretty oblivious to celebrities (I am, ask my husband), so I didn’t identify with all the “I’m so star-struck” or “I’m amazed that I’m not star-struck and he’s just a real person” business.

2. Although well justified in the story, I couldn’t get past the “I love my husband but this guy is my other best friend”. I know it’s possible, but it’s so not something...more

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Jun 26, 2009 Sarah Stevens rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 19, 2009 Cheryl-Lynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

This sort of contains spoilers. Nothing too specific but just be warned if you want to know NOTHING when you read this book don't read my review until after.

I don't even know how to write a review on this book. I would give this book 5 stars for the actual writing. AMAZING. I think I felt the emotions exactly as Shannon Hale wanted me to feel them. 100+ pages into the book I really did not like it, I wanted to stop reading except I wanted to know what happened and I knew people had liked the bo...more This sort of contains spoilers. Nothing too specific but just be warned if you want to know NOTHING when you read this book don't read my review until after.

I don't even know how to write a review on this book. I would give this book 5 stars for the actual writing. AMAZING. I think I felt the emotions exactly as Shannon Hale wanted me to feel them. 100+ pages into the book I really did not like it, I wanted to stop reading except I wanted to know what happened and I knew people had liked the book. I believe for the average LDS woman, this is exactly what Hale WANTED us to feel. I read books wanting to vote for the relationships and at this point in the book, I couldn't. It was such a complete turn around when they got to renew their relationship. This was the point when I realized just how good Hale had written this because SHE was controlling MY emotions with words. Amazing. I don't remember a book when I have actually laughed out loud so much. Such great writing. The story I give 2 or 3 stars. Not my favorite. It kind of reminds me of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie. I didn't necessarily like the story but Depp did such an AMAZING job acting, I just wanted to see it again to see him act. Hale did such an amazing job writing this I'm glad I read it but the actual story- ugh. From not knowing how to morally feel about it, to just not being able to picture this ever happening to me or anyone I know- it just didn't uplift me. The last 1/3 of the book- wow. Tear jerker. Poor Kiley was trying to watch a movie while I was reading this and just kept asking me if I was okay. "Yup, it's just sad." This was such a *real* part of the book. We'll all go through our personal trials- not those day to day trials but those Abrahamic trials. Amazing writing- have I mentioned that? And yet, on goes the overlying theme of this book- so unrealistic. The reality mixed with unbelievable just didn't jive well with me. Don't know how to feel about the ending either. Is there another book? Doubt it. When I finished the book and Kiley asked me how it was, I couldn't really say. Weird, fine, witty, emotional, funny, ugh. (less)

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Oct 29, 2009 iLa rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I started this book I had decided that I wasn't going to like it. I went back and forth on whether I liked it or not for the first few chapters. Mainly, I think, because how realistic is it to have a housewife meet a movie star and they just click as best friends? And one of America's hottest male movie stars? However, after the first few chapters when I was more comfortable with their friendship, I began to enjoy the book. I could relate to a lot of what goes on in Becky's life, and unders...more

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May 11, 2010 Snorkle rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, read-2010, review-on-blog

Initial reaction: Huh. I kept reading wondering where on earth the story was going to end up. There were so many random twists - I didn't know what Shannon was doing. And the end? Um, yeah...definitely not her best.

Review:
This book just didn't work for me. I thought it was a really intriguing storyline and I was interested in seeing how one of my favorite authors would write this book. I was disappointed with the ending though. I was even disappointed with the alternative ending I thought up in...more

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Jul 18, 2009 Esther rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Jul 10, 2009 Kirsten rated it 2 of 5 stars

I have mixed feelings about it. I read it in less than 24 hours, so it's not bad or anything, and part of it I couldn't put down, but.... I don't know if I liked it or not.
(no spoilers)

I didn't like the beginning, by the mid-beginning I was afraid I wouldn't like the whole book. By about 2/3 of the way through I was completely hooked, and then I was let down by the ending - even though it may have been a 'better' ending than what I wanted? Hmmm. No, still a little let down.

A few of the things I...more

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Mar 23, 2009 Cheryl/Aradanryl rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: no one

Shelves: first-read-arc-giveaway

I enjoyed Austenland so when this book was given me to read, I was looking forward to a lovely read. I was very disappointed. Read about 1/3 of it, skipped to end and then moved it to the return-for-other-advance-readers pile.

In my opinion based on the parts I read, the author did a good job of capturing the self-delusional "what I'm doing is perfectly innocent and more than ok" attitude I have seen over and over. Becky struck me as self-centered, full of false humility. Reminds me of people I...more

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Sep 01, 2009 Lauren rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: didn-t-finish

I couldn't bring myself to finish this book. The premise of the story is whether or not men and women can be just friends, even if they're both married. In this case, it was a gaggy, stereotypical, sweeter-than-sweet Mormon housewife and a Colin-Firth-like actor. It just seemed to me that they were justifying an emotional affair. She used her "friendship" with the actor to make her husband jealous, she got all giddy inside whenever he called (which was almost every day!), and she got depressed w...more

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Aug 18, 2010 Melissa Moorhead Wilde rated it 2 of 5 stars

Hmm. I do believe it's possible, normal even, to be a married woman and have male friends. However, I would have a really hard time if my spouse acted the way Becky Jack acts with her devilishly handsome, disgustingly wealthy, impossibly charming soulmate. I don't think I'm alone on this, so let's take the book for what it is: A licorice and chocolate gummy bear cupcake. Totally and completely implausible, but kind of enticing in a weird and mildly unwelcome way. So, behind the bizarre sugar rus...more

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Mar 11, 2009 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was delighted to get an advance reader's copy from Bookmooch.com. What an unexpected treat! Like the back cover declares, it is a different kind of fantasy: what it would be like to become friends with a famous person. The book is full of fun times and witty banter. I even laughed out loud a few times!

The nitty-gritty part is whether a person can have a best-friend relationship with someone of the opposite sex (who is not her spouse) while maintaining a strong, healthy marriage. Hale explored...more

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Aug 04, 2009 Tara rated it 1 of 5 stars

Huh. Well, I wanted to like this, but found that I kind of had to force myself to finish it.

Pros: Cute banter, funny at times.

Cons: It just went on and on and on with no climax or good conclusion. At the end of the book I was like, "That's it? That's what I've been hanging on for?" Seriously, you could have read the first few chapters and then tacked on a "The End" and you would have had the whole book in a nutshell.

I won't say it didn't have it's moments, but there was absolutely no satisfactio...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Shunakke Andringa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Me and The Actor and The Housewife, we go so good together.
I'm proud to say I'm not the likely demographic for this book- being 14 and all. But then, having read the book, something not logical in my hearts tells me that every living soul needs to consume this light literature of Shannon Hale's.
I am, although, not proud, but glad, to announce how I came across this masterpiece- recall that Stephenie Meyer had a BFF and I had Princess Academy from childhood and I needed to check her stuff out.
I w...more Me and The Actor and The Housewife, we go so good together.
I'm proud to say I'm not the likely demographic for this book- being 14 and all. But then, having read the book, something not logical in my hearts tells me that every living soul needs to consume this light literature of Shannon Hale's.
I am, although, not proud, but glad, to announce how I came across this masterpiece- recall that Stephenie Meyer had a BFF and I had Princess Academy from childhood and I needed to check her stuff out.
I was immediately lured in by the British heartthrob part. Then the at the Mormon part, my ears perked up. Maybe there was some thing to learn. Maybe I would learn how to be a mom. Maybe Shannon would teach me how to be a screenplay.
After my hold came at the library, rest is history.
My first time reading this books as jittery and difficult. Felix and Becky's banter was so perfect that it frustrated me and made me angry. Then at the part, you know what part, I had a mental breakdown and locked myself in my room, which one needs occasionally, and it's best when it's book-induced over life situations.
Anyway, that was the first time, and there was to be many more. Lets just say that I kept the book from the clutches of the library for an above average length of time. I would keep at my pillow side, maybe pick at it, flip to a random page, read a paragraph or two, and then I was satisfied. I would haul it in my backpack to school occasionally, and try to hide from prying eyes with my nose between the pages.
Let me take a unrelated moment to FUME. Some previous renter in the Phoenix library circle went out of their way to defile this copy with random pencil and red pen lines without end, actually underlining sentence after sentence, for no apparent reason. Damn you!
Now, back to business. Becky and Felix, my forever OTP. When forced with the prospect of eventually having to return the boo to the library, I without a thought ordered a copy on Amazon. Why did I do that. I'm sure it'll be worth it in the long run...and it's money for Shannon.
Finally, if you are female, read this book. Don't be I comforted by it's premise. It departs far from it, into something unknown, and something that will be greatly appreciated by any reader.(less)

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About Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Reveng...more

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The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern, #1)

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