Sunset on Whisling Island

Sunset on Whisling Island by Julia Clemens, 2020, Women’s-Lit

This story is about four women living on Whisling Island in Puget Sound that discover their husbands are cheating. Each deals with the news differently and make decisions on how to proceed after the revelation.

Bess has been married for 30 years when her husband tells her he had an affair with an aide at the college where he teaches. He says it was a one-time affair. They have three grown children.

Olivia has known her husband has cheated on her since their rehearsal dinner when he slept with a bridesmaid. She has maintained a facade of perfection to keep the truth from being found out but at their 15-year class reunion, her husband announces to his male friends he’s been having affairs all through their marriage. They have two young daughters. His latest mistress is pregnant.

Deb’s husband is a pilot staying in London. Their daughter is a senior in high school, and Deb wants her to stay with her friends until graduation. When he comes home to visit, she senses something is different with their long-distance relationship, and when she calls, new girlfriend Hillary answers, confirming her fears.

Gen appears to have a happy marriage but a rough patch in their past comes back to haunt them.

For anyone who has gone through a divorce or cheating, this is a book to read. Each character goes through the process differently, and you’ll be able to relate to at least one of them.

Some of them were husband pleasers who put their dreams on hold and made concessions to help their spouses succeed. The news of infidelity begins with anger, then telling others, having friends help, and moving on. Part of the rebuilding process is to discover who they are without the man in their life and involves forgiveness of the other and self.

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