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20th Century #2
Mariti e amanti
Million copy NYT bestseller!
Romantic Times Award winner! New! Revised Author’s Edition! A lonely wife. A handsome lover. A jealous husband. A gun in a Tiffany bag. The Married Woman —When Carlys Webber’s marriage to millionaire Kirk Arnold falters, will she risk everything for the excitement of a brief affair? The Single Woman —Wildly stylish fashion executive, Jade Mullen survives deception and divorce, but when she falls in love again, is she doomed to another betrayal? The Husband —Wealthy tycoon, Kirk Arnold, achieves one dazzling success after another, but can his marriage survive a shocking legacy he struggles to forget? The Lover —Architect George Kouras rises from humble beginnings to the top of his profession. When he and Jade fall deeply in love, they think they have invented a new way to live happily ever after, but have they? Set in high-powered executive suites and elegant Park Avenue apartments, in modest, ethnic neighborhoods and sedate suburbs, Husbands and Lovers is about four unforgettable characters losing—and finding— themselves in the gritty 1970s and glitzy 1980s. "Sharply and stylishly written. Harris writes with intellect, insight and humor." —Chicago Sun-Times "A contemporary tale of passion and commitment. Steamy, fast-paced, you will be spellbound. Harris is an insightful writer and her empathy for her women, especially the ugly duckling who makes herself into a swan adds a satisfying obbligato of reality." —Cosmopolitan "Harris relates the games of love and war in a fast-forward, high octane style, resurrecting the nervous Seventies through a welter of accurate detail, from the clothes and books and other cultural artifacts to the sexual mores of the period. A dead-on accurate social critic, Harris has capture the feel of being young and hungry and ambitious in New York. Husbands And Lovers explores this changing dynamic of the dance between the sexes as few popular novels have done before. Deserves a large audience." — New Woman Book Club "Harris is dangerously close to moving beyond the reef that separates the lagoon of popular fiction from deeper waters. Her prose is sharp, her eye keen. With a pen like the rapier of Zorro, she slashes across the breeches of characters whose foibles she exposes." —Christian Science Monitor All five books in the Park Avenue Series are available in Kindle Editions. Husbands And Lovers is Book #2. Love And Money (Book #1)—Rich girl, poor girl. Sisters and strangers until murder—and the handsome, brilliant man they both love—bring them face to face. “Richly plotted. First-class entertainment.” — NY Times Decades (Book # 3)--A marriage at risk, a family in crisis and a woman on the brink set against the tumultuous decades of the mid-twentieth century. "Absolutely perfect." — Publisher's Weekly Modern Women (Book # 4)--Million-copy NYT bestseller! Three fabulous, unforgettable women--and the men in their lives. "Funny, sad, vivid, and raunchy. Harris seeks to enliven and entertain, and she does it in spades." — Cleveland Plain-Dealer The Last Romantics (Book # 5)--A sweeping love story set in Paris and New York during the champagne-fizzed Jazz Age of the 1920's. He is dashing, handsome and celebrated but dangerously flawed. She is a gifted fashion designer who has the world at her feet. She is beautiful, charming, lonely, haunted. "I love it, I love it! Fantastic, immensely readable." — Cosmopolitan "Gloriously romantic!" — Kirkus
Romantic Times Award winner! New! Revised Author’s Edition! A lonely wife. A handsome lover. A jealous husband. A gun in a Tiffany bag. The Married Woman —When Carlys Webber’s marriage to millionaire Kirk Arnold falters, will she risk everything for the excitement of a brief affair? The Single Woman —Wildly stylish fashion executive, Jade Mullen survives deception and divorce, but when she falls in love again, is she doomed to another betrayal? The Husband —Wealthy tycoon, Kirk Arnold, achieves one dazzling success after another, but can his marriage survive a shocking legacy he struggles to forget? The Lover —Architect George Kouras rises from humble beginnings to the top of his profession. When he and Jade fall deeply in love, they think they have invented a new way to live happily ever after, but have they? Set in high-powered executive suites and elegant Park Avenue apartments, in modest, ethnic neighborhoods and sedate suburbs, Husbands and Lovers is about four unforgettable characters losing—and finding— themselves in the gritty 1970s and glitzy 1980s. "Sharply and stylishly written. Harris writes with intellect, insight and humor." —Chicago Sun-Times "A contemporary tale of passion and commitment. Steamy, fast-paced, you will be spellbound. Harris is an insightful writer and her empathy for her women, especially the ugly duckling who makes herself into a swan adds a satisfying obbligato of reality." —Cosmopolitan "Harris relates the games of love and war in a fast-forward, high octane style, resurrecting the nervous Seventies through a welter of accurate detail, from the clothes and books and other cultural artifacts to the sexual mores of the period. A dead-on accurate social critic, Harris has capture the feel of being young and hungry and ambitious in New York. Husbands And Lovers explores this changing dynamic of the dance between the sexes as few popular novels have done before. Deserves a large audience." — New Woman Book Club "Harris is dangerously close to moving beyond the reef that separates the lagoon of popular fiction from deeper waters. Her prose is sharp, her eye keen. With a pen like the rapier of Zorro, she slashes across the breeches of characters whose foibles she exposes." —Christian Science Monitor All five books in the Park Avenue Series are available in Kindle Editions. Husbands And Lovers is Book #2. Love And Money (Book #1)—Rich girl, poor girl. Sisters and strangers until murder—and the handsome, brilliant man they both love—bring them face to face. “Richly plotted. First-class entertainment.” — NY Times Decades (Book # 3)--A marriage at risk, a family in crisis and a woman on the brink set against the tumultuous decades of the mid-twentieth century. "Absolutely perfect." — Publisher's Weekly Modern Women (Book # 4)--Million-copy NYT bestseller! Three fabulous, unforgettable women--and the men in their lives. "Funny, sad, vivid, and raunchy. Harris seeks to enliven and entertain, and she does it in spades." — Cleveland Plain-Dealer The Last Romantics (Book # 5)--A sweeping love story set in Paris and New York during the champagne-fizzed Jazz Age of the 1920's. He is dashing, handsome and celebrated but dangerously flawed. She is a gifted fashion designer who has the world at her feet. She is beautiful, charming, lonely, haunted. "I love it, I love it! Fantastic, immensely readable." — Cosmopolitan "Gloriously romantic!" — Kirkus
509 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
81 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Harris
23 books36 followersRuth Harris is a New York Times and Amazon bestselling author and a Romantic Times award winner for “best contemporary.” Ruth’s emotional, entertaining fiction has topped Amazon’s Movers and Shakers list and her highly praised novels have sold millions of copies in hard cover, paperback and ebook editions, been translated into 19 languages, sold in 30 countries, and were prominent selections of leading book clubs including the Literary Guild and the Book Of The Month Club. In their e-book editions, Ruth's novels have been featured on Ereader News Today, Pixel of Ink and Kindle Nation Daily.
Ruth writes about strong, savvy, smart and witty women who struggle to succeed and, when sometimes they don’t get what they want, they find something even better along the way. Critics have compared Ruth to Nora Ephron and Joan Didion and called her books "brilliant," “steamy,” "stylishly written," ”richly plotted,” “first-class entertainment” and “a sure thing.”
With her husband, Michael, Ruth indulges her wild side and writes bestselling thrillers with vivid characters, international backgrounds and compelling plots. Their thrillers have made numerous appearances in the top 3 of Kindle’s prestigious Movers & Shakers list; in the Top 100 in the Kindle Store; Hooked has appeared continually on three Medical bestseller lists since its publication; #1 and #2 on two different Political bestseller lists; #14 on the Thrillers bestseller list.
Publisher’s Weekly called Ruth's and Michael's thrillers "Slick and sexy [with] all the sure elements of a big seller written by pros who know how to tell a story.” Readers have raved, calling their books “awesome,” “gripping,” “chilling,” “a must-read,” and “a real page-turner.”
It's no surprise Ruth is a writer. Her Mom was an RN who had a trove of big-city hospital stories—some funny, some sad, some touching—and told them with great style. Her Dad loved words, word play and language (Ruth still has his collection of dictionaries) and he is remembered by those who knew him as "always reading." Ruth's paternal grandfather was noted for his extensive library and both her parents were avid readers: her Mom loved popular fiction and her Dad bought four or five newspapers every day and subscribed to what seemed to be every magazine published—from Life and Look to BusinessWeek and Organic Gardening.
As a girl, Ruth wanted to be a professional ice skater. In her teens, she wanted to be a lawyer—a summer job in a law office cured her! After college, she got a beginner's job in publishing and her career path—first as an editor and then as a writer—was set.
Ruth writes about strong, savvy, smart and witty women who struggle to succeed and, when sometimes they don’t get what they want, they find something even better along the way. Critics have compared Ruth to Nora Ephron and Joan Didion and called her books "brilliant," “steamy,” "stylishly written," ”richly plotted,” “first-class entertainment” and “a sure thing.”
With her husband, Michael, Ruth indulges her wild side and writes bestselling thrillers with vivid characters, international backgrounds and compelling plots. Their thrillers have made numerous appearances in the top 3 of Kindle’s prestigious Movers & Shakers list; in the Top 100 in the Kindle Store; Hooked has appeared continually on three Medical bestseller lists since its publication; #1 and #2 on two different Political bestseller lists; #14 on the Thrillers bestseller list.
Publisher’s Weekly called Ruth's and Michael's thrillers "Slick and sexy [with] all the sure elements of a big seller written by pros who know how to tell a story.” Readers have raved, calling their books “awesome,” “gripping,” “chilling,” “a must-read,” and “a real page-turner.”
It's no surprise Ruth is a writer. Her Mom was an RN who had a trove of big-city hospital stories—some funny, some sad, some touching—and told them with great style. Her Dad loved words, word play and language (Ruth still has his collection of dictionaries) and he is remembered by those who knew him as "always reading." Ruth's paternal grandfather was noted for his extensive library and both her parents were avid readers: her Mom loved popular fiction and her Dad bought four or five newspapers every day and subscribed to what seemed to be every magazine published—from Life and Look to BusinessWeek and Organic Gardening.
As a girl, Ruth wanted to be a professional ice skater. In her teens, she wanted to be a lawyer—a summer job in a law office cured her! After college, she got a beginner's job in publishing and her career path—first as an editor and then as a writer—was set.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 9, 2014
"Narcissists & the Women Who Love & Suffer Them" would also be a good title for Husbands & Lovers.
When a book begins with a main character toting a gun & on a collision course with a spouse & their lover & their lover's lover, all one can do is find out how all this came to be. This was a fast paced & sometimes fun, sometimes infuriating read. Ruth Harris writes characters that feel so true you can't help but go along on their emotional rollercoaster ride lives. Carlys, Kirk, Jade & George are a palette of greys, with none being wholly a hero or villain. I enjoyed that because it made them believable & also went a long way making the story flow well to a satisfying conclusion. The men were just as infuriating as the women & for anything the women endured (Winn & Barry, I'm looking @ you!), I couldn't help yelling "Make better choices! You don't have to take that!" As a woman who didn't experience this period in history (the 70s & early 80s), I find it's fascinating to read & take in all the points of view the characters are caught up in shaded by the times & trying to figure out the next step. They seem to be running away from things just as much as they're running toward other things. I think I can see why my mother had all the authors books on her bookshelf. They're quite engaging. Like watching Mad Men set a bit later. The rules were technically different but people were still people & don't just change attitudes or the way they were brought up, overnight. I'd recommend this if you're looking for something to read over a weekend. It's soapy & still gives you moments to ponder.
When a book begins with a main character toting a gun & on a collision course with a spouse & their lover & their lover's lover, all one can do is find out how all this came to be. This was a fast paced & sometimes fun, sometimes infuriating read. Ruth Harris writes characters that feel so true you can't help but go along on their emotional rollercoaster ride lives. Carlys, Kirk, Jade & George are a palette of greys, with none being wholly a hero or villain. I enjoyed that because it made them believable & also went a long way making the story flow well to a satisfying conclusion. The men were just as infuriating as the women & for anything the women endured (Winn & Barry, I'm looking @ you!), I couldn't help yelling "Make better choices! You don't have to take that!" As a woman who didn't experience this period in history (the 70s & early 80s), I find it's fascinating to read & take in all the points of view the characters are caught up in shaded by the times & trying to figure out the next step. They seem to be running away from things just as much as they're running toward other things. I think I can see why my mother had all the authors books on her bookshelf. They're quite engaging. Like watching Mad Men set a bit later. The rules were technically different but people were still people & don't just change attitudes or the way they were brought up, overnight. I'd recommend this if you're looking for something to read over a weekend. It's soapy & still gives you moments to ponder.
August 16, 2016
This is the third book in this series I have read, and it is very poorly written. I read it out of sequence (not that you need to read the books in sequence to follow the thread of the books) and was surprised at the lack of quality of the plot line. The first book was much better planned, as was the third. Additionally, there were numerous typographical errors, which were very distracting to the reading. Overall, a big disappointment.
October 27, 2015
This is a truly awful book. Relationships are all based on the use / misuse and abuse of power in one way or another. The characters waver between malleable as putty and supposedly all powerful, needy and not. I found i couldn't care about any one of them
February 19, 2016
I did not think this was a good story at all .at the end I was confused. who was with who. The first book in this series was a good read. I would not recommened this book. there are 3 other books in this series not sure if I will be reading them ,very diappointed.
February 9, 2022
Book 2 of the Park Avenue Series, “Husbands and Lovers” was infinitely less interesting than the first book. While there were fascinating historical tidbits sprinkled throughout the book, there was nothing compelling about this story. Not for the author’s lack of trying - the book starts with a potential cliffhanger! Then proceeds to drain any drop of interest from all characters, transforming into a mediocre soap opera.
Review for book 5 look good, with the story set in 1920’s Paris. That’s where I’m headed next. This book was a quick and easily digested disappointment.
Review for book 5 look good, with the story set in 1920’s Paris. That’s where I’m headed next. This book was a quick and easily digested disappointment.
May 29, 2020
Husbands and Lovers (Park Avenue Series, Book 2)
The love story of Carlys, Kirk, Jade,and George. The fall and ride of companies, falling in love ,marries, divorces, love affairs and time are charging. The story take place in the 70s and 80s.
The love story of Carlys, Kirk, Jade,and George. The fall and ride of companies, falling in love ,marries, divorces, love affairs and time are charging. The story take place in the 70s and 80s.
July 28, 2020
It was similar to Jackie Collins books, but not as good. Story of relationships in the 70s and early 80s. Something light to occupy my time.
March 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this book despite sometimes having to remind myself it was written in 1985 and much of the story takes place between 1955 and 1980 or so. Sexism was much more rampant EVERYwhere in those days. There were very few female professionals. Women still thought being married was the only way to be. They also felt some responsibility for dinner prep/purchase even when they, too, worked. Many women thought their husbands had a right to make decisions that would affect them with or without asking for input. Asking for input didn't really occur to women much less the men. So, a great read from a more restrictive time. It was tempting not to think, "Well, that was a dumb decision!" Or action or whatever...until I got my perspective from the 1970's and 80's back in place. A LONG way left to go for women, but we have traveled far!
March 21, 2011
Husbands and Lovers is the story of four main characters, set mainly against the backdrop of the 1970's and 1980's. True life events were woven into the fictional story throughout the novel, which very much set the stage for the characters. Being a child of the 1970's and a teen of the 1980's, I am a bit younger than the characters, but definately old enough to remember most of those events which really added to my enjoyment of the story.
The story was centered on four main characters: Carlys (the married woman), Jade (the single woman), George (the lover), and Kirk (the husband). It opened with a prologue in which events were taking place in their present tense, although the circumstances were left intentionally vague, for reasons that become clear near the end of the book.
Each part of the novel focused on one of those four characters, going back and forth in time to tell their story. That back and forth can make the reading of a story confusing and somewhat muddy, but there was absolutely none of that with this book. Instead it added to the interest of the characters and their stories and backstories. While each character was developed in their own part of the novel, their stories were woven together throughout the story. I really enjoyed the fact that no matter how much you learned about a character, enough was left unexplained that it throroughly built the suspense for the end of the novel. All that had been unexplained or left vague came together in the end and made for a great conclusion to the stories of these four characters.
Because so much has changed in society since the time in which this story was set, it was interesting to revisit it and really see those changes. The political and social events taking place at the time, the sexual politics and the changing roles of women were all very different then, and using that to form the backdrop for the four characters was fascinating. So much of contemporary fiction focuses on women, but this novel was different in that it gave equal time to men and their stories.
All in all, an excellent read that I highly recommend you pick up and read!
The story was centered on four main characters: Carlys (the married woman), Jade (the single woman), George (the lover), and Kirk (the husband). It opened with a prologue in which events were taking place in their present tense, although the circumstances were left intentionally vague, for reasons that become clear near the end of the book.
Each part of the novel focused on one of those four characters, going back and forth in time to tell their story. That back and forth can make the reading of a story confusing and somewhat muddy, but there was absolutely none of that with this book. Instead it added to the interest of the characters and their stories and backstories. While each character was developed in their own part of the novel, their stories were woven together throughout the story. I really enjoyed the fact that no matter how much you learned about a character, enough was left unexplained that it throroughly built the suspense for the end of the novel. All that had been unexplained or left vague came together in the end and made for a great conclusion to the stories of these four characters.
Because so much has changed in society since the time in which this story was set, it was interesting to revisit it and really see those changes. The political and social events taking place at the time, the sexual politics and the changing roles of women were all very different then, and using that to form the backdrop for the four characters was fascinating. So much of contemporary fiction focuses on women, but this novel was different in that it gave equal time to men and their stories.
All in all, an excellent read that I highly recommend you pick up and read!
April 4, 2012
Ruth Harris successfully transports us back to the 70’s and 80’s in this fascinating look into the lives of both men and women as they face personal and professional struggles. Throughout the book are references to actual events that transpired during this time in history which brought a great sense of nostalgia and believability to the writing.
The main characters in this story are Carlys and Kirk who are married and Jade and George who are in a serious relationship. The characters are defined with such great depth reflecting their past and future as the story plays out. Their lives are brought to the forefront in such a fashion that you will feel as if you grew up with them. Their character development is strong and insightful.
Each of the four main characters plays a decisive role in this story as a tapestry of their lives is woven together to tell a story that will keep you wanting more. You will also feel the trappings of being a female in the business world during this time and the struggles that women faced. You will be privy to their emotions and determination in battling the discrimination faced by women working in a “man’s world”.
Ruth Harris exhibits a style of writing that allows you to connect with each character and experience the emotions and struggles that they face. The story takes a fascinating look at society in the 70’s and 80’s and gives you the essence of that time. It reflects both the political climate at that time and the forever changing role of women in society.
I recommend this book to all readers who wish to be absorbed in a story that has the potential to transport you to the lives and expectations of women and men as they struggle to hold on to their lives and discover that which is really important.
The main characters in this story are Carlys and Kirk who are married and Jade and George who are in a serious relationship. The characters are defined with such great depth reflecting their past and future as the story plays out. Their lives are brought to the forefront in such a fashion that you will feel as if you grew up with them. Their character development is strong and insightful.
Each of the four main characters plays a decisive role in this story as a tapestry of their lives is woven together to tell a story that will keep you wanting more. You will also feel the trappings of being a female in the business world during this time and the struggles that women faced. You will be privy to their emotions and determination in battling the discrimination faced by women working in a “man’s world”.
Ruth Harris exhibits a style of writing that allows you to connect with each character and experience the emotions and struggles that they face. The story takes a fascinating look at society in the 70’s and 80’s and gives you the essence of that time. It reflects both the political climate at that time and the forever changing role of women in society.
I recommend this book to all readers who wish to be absorbed in a story that has the potential to transport you to the lives and expectations of women and men as they struggle to hold on to their lives and discover that which is really important.
March 10, 2024
Harris writes multi-decade sagas populated by stylish and successful women and the (often horribly behaved) men they love (or at least endure). Despite being a series, there is no overlap in characters or events between the 1st and 2nd book (or the 2nd and the 3rd). Harris is exploring the same themes, not telling an ongoing story.
She's a bit like Jackie Collins if Collins was at all concerned with being "classy" except she's also much more interested how relationships between men and women evolved during the middle years of the 20 century. This book was . . . okay. I could honestly set it down for a few days without feeling too eager to get back to it.
She's a bit like Jackie Collins if Collins was at all concerned with being "classy" except she's also much more interested how relationships between men and women evolved during the middle years of the 20 century. This book was . . . okay. I could honestly set it down for a few days without feeling too eager to get back to it.
June 23, 2015
I love daytime and primetime soaps so this book was right up my alley. I'm beginning to like books in the past (not too far in past to be considered historic though.)
I liked the book. One problem was the shifting between timeframes and characters. There were a few times I had to go back and refresh my memory to make sure I was understanding what was going on.
My biggest problem was the ending. It didn't pack enough punch .But overall I liked the book and was definitely worth reading.
I liked the book. One problem was the shifting between timeframes and characters. There were a few times I had to go back and refresh my memory to make sure I was understanding what was going on.
My biggest problem was the ending. It didn't pack enough punch .But overall I liked the book and was definitely worth reading.
July 3, 2015
Husbands and Lovers
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fast paced and hard to put down. The characters were believable and I liked them it kind of reminds me of Barbara Taylor Bradford books, which I also enjoy reading.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fast paced and hard to put down. The characters were believable and I liked them it kind of reminds me of Barbara Taylor Bradford books, which I also enjoy reading.
July 6, 2015
I liked this book until I got to the last few chapters--- I didn't like how the author kept everyone's story separate until the end, in which the story became a huge cluster. However, I always like the strong female characters in Harris' books so I will continue reading them!
May 31, 2011
A fascinating read... really enjoyed it!
May 9, 2011
This was good. I could not put the book down until I read it from beginning to end.
Read
May 18, 2011This book centers around four main characters and how their lives intersect...'oh what a tangled web we weave,....". Chick lit, summer beach read. No surprises, but fun.
October 14, 2011
Good book but typical plot and only the last bit was where the action and drama was.
July 8, 2014
Could not finish this book. I was very bored with the content.
July 8, 2015
This story tracks the lives of four people from the 60's through the 80's. It is a fascinating look back
June 23, 2015
Great summer read
Great summer read easy to put down and pick backup..Things in the past always aren't forgotten.Times have changed and so will we.
Great summer read easy to put down and pick backup..Things in the past always aren't forgotten.Times have changed and so will we.
July 1, 2015
Poorly edited. Commas, typos and missing words throughout, as well as incorrect pronouns. The story was just interesting enough to keep reading, but the typos, etc. were really distracting.
August 5, 2015
Okay story line, but a little long and repetitious.
April 10, 2016
Really hated the ending, the story was so long and the build up so much and the ending all happened so quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2015
Enjoyed , was an easy read , just enough mystery and love interest to keep the pages turning.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews