Other People's Husbands

by Elizabeth Noble

The compelling new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Love, Iris and The Family Holiday

'Beautifully insightful on long term relationships and friendships and the fractures a betrayal can cause. A gorgeous read' JANE FALLON

'A fascinating insight into contemporary coupledom and family politics. A pageturner full of emotion and fabulous lifestyle detail' DAILY MAIL

'Perfectly observed, a reflection of real life we can all learn from' KATIE FFORDE

'A frank and believable account of friendship and a marriage under stress. I was moved' ADELE PARKS, SUN
_______

Sometimes friendship crosses a line . . .

A group of close friends, their bonds forged at the nursery gates two decades ago, have celebrated, commiserated and grown together: they thought they all knew each other so well.

Until the affair.

Now a crack appears in everything.

Could one betrayal really destroy it all?

Other People's Husbands is a story of friendship and love, crossing boundaries and breaking vows, of trying to fix what you believed could never be broken.
_______

'Rich and riveting . . . A perfect observation of the complexities and pitfalls of long-lasting friendships and their impact on family life' HEIDI SWAIN

'Almost painfully real and thoroughly well-written' SUN

'What a stunning story! I absolutely loved this twisty, intriguing tale of strong, loving relationships that begin to buckle under the strain of real life when emotions run out of control. Evocative and intensely moving' CELIA ANDERSON

'Almost painfully real and thoroughly well-written' FABULOUS

PRAISE FOR ELIZABETH NOBLE:

'Elizabeth Noble's unerring eye depicts family life in all its forms, good and bad, in a way we will all recognise' KATIE FFORDE

'A great writer. You'll be rooting for Noble's protagonists as soon as you meet them' DAILY MAIL

' A moving and warm-hearted novel about love in all its forms' SUNDAY EXPRESS

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Friendship

487 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)literature & fiction

Elizabeth Noble is the author of several previous Sunday Times bestsellers: The Reading Group, which reached Number One, The Friendship Test (formerly published as The Tenko Club), Alphabet Weekends, Things I Want My Daughters to Know, The Girl Next Door, The Way We Were, Between a Mother and her Child and Love, Iris. Her last two books were also Richard & Judy Book Club selections. The Family Holiday is her ninth novel. She lives in Surrey.

Follow Elizabeth on Facebook and Instagram: @elizabethnoblebooks

Reviews

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

A brilliant and emotional read. I loved it. It's a long book but the story and the characters were good enough to keep me reading.

[Sarah Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book surpassed my expectations!

It was an easy read that didn’t push any boundaries or require much of the reader. This much I had anticipated. What was surprising was how frequently I found myself welling up. The discussion around female friendships and particularly mother-daughter relationships were relatable, honest and added depth to characters which were otherwise quite surface level.

I found the large cast of characters difficult to grasp and I don’t think I ever got to know any of them truly, especially the men and even less the children. This prevented me on the whole from empathising with them or caring whether their relationships failed or succeeded. I would have preferred a shorter book, fewer characters and more interrogation of the relationships, particularly those not at the centre of the affair. I also could have done without the Mia/Will story line which is randomly introduced half way through.

In fact I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if it was a TV series. It would give more time and opportunity to learn each of the characters (who were on the whole likeable!) and understand their actions and choices.

On the whole I enjoyed the book, I just wanted more depth!

[Norrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lot of faffing around and skirting around potentially interesting topics that were left unexplored. Like the friendships between the women were important but I felt like I didn't get enough details about it. The storyline involving Mia and Will did not really add to the story.

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A group of friends is about to be split apart.

I confess that when I opened Other People’s Husbands and saw there was a cast list my heart sank. I wasn’t going to enjoy the book because I would find it impossible to know who was who. How wrong can you be? I absolutely adored Other People’s Husbands even if (or perhaps, especially because) it did leave me crying on more than one occasion.

Whilst the men, especially Dom, Kit and Will, play a pivotal role in the narrative, it is the women here who are so brilliantly depicted. Each of the six women around whom the story revolves is distinct and real, and I had none of my expected difficulty in knowing who was who, but it is Natalie who is the star of the story. I wanted to hate her for her infidelity, for hurting Kit and for not considering Arlo sufficiently but Elizabeth Noble writes so skilfully that she simply didn’t allow it. Certainly Natalie is selfish, flawed and reckless, but by the end of the story I understood clearly why she behaved as she did and I so wanted her to find resolution and happiness. There are no carboard characters in Other People’s Husbands, but rather real, dynamic and vivid people who could be those living in our own streets.

To some extent the plot of Other People’s Husbands is as old as time, where love and lust become confused and destructive, but this story is so imbued with sensitive understanding, with realism and compassion that it feels quite perfect. I believed in the people, the settings and the situations completely so that I found the story very affecting and emotional. Carefully plotted over a year, Other People’s Husbands would make a fantastic television drama series.

The themes in Other People’s Husbands are exquisitely considered. It’s no plot spoiler to say there is infidelity, but Elizabeth Noble illustrates so beautifully the butterfly effect of a relatively simple decision, giving the reader so much to consider. She also weaves in guilt, grief of many kinds, love, betrayal, anger and hurt, for example, so that all life and its vicissitudes ebb and flow through the story making it a captivating and engrossing read.

I haven’t previously read Elizabeth Noble so I am unsure how typical Other People’s Husbands is of her writing, but I so loved this story that I think I may have discovered a new favourite author. I found Other People’s Husbands surprised me. I expected a pleasant read that might be mildly diverting and instead discovered a narrative of depth, understanding and complete engagement. It’s a cracker and I adored it!

[Tracey]

4.5 stars

[Susan Atkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Not great. Will not bother with this Author again. Pretentious couples and it dragged on and on with not much substance. Lets have a happy ending too just to add to the predictability. 6 couples and not a decent one between them. Some had more of a starring role than others, and being friends with just one would be my worst nightmare. In fact it wouldn't happen and I should've known how dire it was going to be when one kid was called Temple.

[Beth Ashcroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. It's giving 4 part ITV drama.

At first I hated Natalie & Dom and I fully didn't understand why or anything. I felt sorry for Sarah & Kit.

By the end, I understood why but still shit to cheat.

The character development is great. Writing is good, and I liked that it's separated into seasons & each chapter is from a different perspective (still written in 3rd person).

It'd be 5* but I found it a little long, but great ending. Mature & realistic.

[Umaymah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished at 5am! A rip roaring story!!! I absolutely loved it. I think it helps that I'm around the same age as most of the characters, I could relate to their relationships, marriages and friendships.

[jennifer laughton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found it difficult to follow at the beginning because there were too many characters. The story was boring and I couldn’t wait for it to end.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one

[beckys_book_blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really lovely to change genre and read a book about love and friendship (after so many psychological thrillers!)

I enjoyed The Reading Group by this author so I was excited to read this.
I wasn't disappointed. This was a heart warming, emotional book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The story took me a little while to become involved which was mainly because it was about 6 couples (and their children) so there were a lot of names to get used to but once I did I was captivated!

It follows a group of close friends in their late 40s and 50s who originally met via the school gates and have shared each others lives ever since. Twenty years later one of them has an affair. Could this betrayl destroy everything?

I became so invested in the lives of the characters in this book. It was also interesting to read a book from the perspective of slightly older parents (whose children were young adults.) There were some really sad parts as well as some amazing uplifting bits.

I enjoyed the exploration of the strong female friendships though the story and how the dynamic changed so catastrophically with the affair. The pain and heartache caused to so many people through the affair felt very real and it was so easy to emphasise with all the characters. I couldn't stop reading to find out the outcome by the end of the story. A very emotional read which I loved!

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a start there were too many characters. I didn't buy the 'we all got along so well and knew each other so well' line that was over-emphasised at the beginning. You cannot get 6 women together and have a equal friendship between all of them without any tensions, or side groups. The picture created was a very instagram/facebook version of motherhood - all rosy cheeks and ice cream and snuggled under blankets watching a film - sure those aspects happen but what about the rest/the reality? (And what was it with all the characters wearing nightdresses? Does anyone under 70 wear nightdresses anymore!?)
The latter half seemed to get a bit more depth, but overall just not for me.

[Ruthie Nixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled with this book. At first I found it really hard to keep up with who was who. There seemed to be so many characters and none were interesting enough to remember. Even by the end I could barely remember most of them. I didn’t really like anyone. They seem to be caricatures of middle class wealthy people living with the perfect life.
I made myself finish it but it felt like homework and I slightly dreaded it every time I picked up the book.

[Miriam Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rich people having affairs and, also, cute little pied a terre flats in central London, emotionally articulate twentysomething daughters and effortless bikini bodies. I didn’t buy that the cluster of women at the heart of the story would’ve stayed friends for as long as they did, either.

[Lisa Heymans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ik heb hier echt van genoten. Traantjes, lachjes en een beetje stress, just how I like it;)

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first discovered Elizabeth Noble when she published her brilliant debut and a gem of a read, The Reading Group, way back in 2002 which is hard to believe is over 20 years ago now. I’ll admit though it’s been quite some time since I read one of her latest books so I was interested to try out her new book, Other People’s Husbands, as there has been a great buzz around this book and I was keen to see how her writing style had changed and evolved.

Straight away I’ll say two things. First this is a long book at just under 500 pages and in my mind perhaps it could have been shorter and the same messages and themes would have come across just as well. Secondly, there are an awful lot of characters to familiarise yourself with. When I see a list of a cast of characters appear before the story has even begun, I become apprehensive that there is no way that I will be able to keep track of who is who and what their various storylines are.

Six couples which means 12 individuals and their various children all feature here and to be honest for the vast majority of the book it was just too much for me. It would have been really beneficial to have had a name appear at the start of each chapter so I could know who it was focusing on. It wasn’t until the halfway point, which at 250 pages I consider quite some time to get into a book, that I felt the book found its rhythm and settled down and the story really took off. Up until that point I felt nothing really occurred, but the second half made up for the first and I felt like I was reading a different book altogether and I found myself reading turning the pages much quicker.

Now, that I’ve gotten the two main issues I had with this read out of the way let’s focus on the story itself and the good points it has. This is a mature read which focuses on a group of men and women who forged a friendship at the school gates but that latest way beyond their children’s time in school.The group are close knit and spend special occasions and some breaks away together. They can have time away from each other but yet always come back together and pick up where they last left off. I loved how this wasn’t a young, wild and frivolous group. The couples had been married for many years and the majority of the children were now adults themselves and this helped feed into the overall plot. The story details how one act of selfishness can cause severe repercussions not just for those closely involved but also for those in the extended friendship circle. Lives are destroyed and everything you knew about people is called into question. How can trust be restablished or is it too late and love and devotion lost forever? Loyalties and actions are questioned and dissected, and an overall balanced viewpoint is presented as to how individual people cope when the dramatic revelations come out into the open.

The six couples that feature are Phil and Gemma, Kit and Natalie, Ross and Vanessa, Andrew and Flick, Dom and Sarah and Rupert and Annie. They all have different numbers of children whose names I won’t detail because to be honest only one or two of them needed to feature in detail to show how the actions of two people impacted on their children’s lives. This was cleverly done as I thought the adult children in question were finding happiness but potentially it could be up scuttled. Again here this is where the selfishness of a minority impacted the majority. I felt two couples could have been left out of the equation as they didn’t feature much and for some of the book I questioned the necessity of the inclusion of one or two others but on reflection they were needed as they helped tie certain mini strands of the story together with the overall plot. Some of the characters were under utilised and I would have liked to have seen more of them and then in the later half some of the characters I had viewed as being meek or subsequent to requirements shone through for me in a surprising way showing their strength and tenacity and willingness to face things head on.

As mentioned in the blurb it’s an affair that allows cracks to open within the group. These fissures widen the more details are slowly revealed. Who are the two culprits? Well, that’s for you to read to discover. Suffice to say I didn’t like or admire either of the pair because of their actions and the resulting impact it had on everyone else’s lives. As a question in the blurb asks ‘Could one betrayal really destroy it all?’. Well, that’s what the book explores. How do the dynamics of the group change? How do various individuals close ranks and support the person in need yet they feel a slight disloyalty to the person engaged in said affair? Both the women and the men are caught between a rock and a hard place as they battle with their own emotions in dealing with the situation. It’s a fascinating insight into a group that appeared rock solid but this cataclysmic situation has caused huge fissures to appear that may not be repairable.

Actions have consequences and there are many people involved in the rash and lustful actions of just two people. A wide range of emotions are found on every page - anger, hurt, humiliation, lack of understanding, loss, devastation, sadness and fury to name but a few and I could see that all these feelings were very much valid and needed to be felt by all the characters in particular by the women. As you read through the book you wonder will the groups friendship and love be able to withstand the ultimate no go act as so many boundaries were crossed and vows were broken? But as I have mentioned the author, in the later half did a very good job of presenting all viewpoints so that I as a reader swayed back and forth in my opinion as to the overall situation. I had never thought this possible given the premise and how I feel about such a thing but that’s testament to the way she wrote the book that I really got to thinking about things. The characters are not perfect by any means and all have their flaws and imperfections most notably the two whose deeds have shattered lives. They become emotionally battered and bruised and the various other couples become dragged into the mess and stuck in the middle of a situation they would have more than likely kept out of if they had not been such a tight group whose friendship has sustained them for many years.

Persist with the first half of Other People’s Husbands as it is slow going and time is needed to get to know the individual characters and then you will be rewarded as there is a very good story waiting to be read here. It’s a well written account of how infidelity can collide with others rather than just the two who paid no heed to the emotionally and physical consequences of their actions. The power of female friendship and solidarity is illustrated very well. The ending was not perhaps what I was expecting but the book was all the better for it. It’s definitely a good choice for a book club as it provides plenty of food for thought and discussion points and not everyone will be of the same opinion

[Lynda Woodfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable story of six “school gate” mums who formed a close social group with their husbands over a 20 or so year period, enjoying parties, holidays and weekends together firstly with their children and latterly as a group of adults. One of the group, whilst annoyed with her husband, allows herself to be tempted by the husband of one of the other women, and gradually they embark on an affair which eventually throws a grenade into the group dynamics. I thought the feelings of everyone was believably portrayed and whilst “watching” the inevitable fallout and inwardly saying “nooo, don’t do it” I could see how the female character was drawn in. I didn’t feel quite the same about the male character who I felt was selfish, arrogant and entitled. This is an ideal “holiday” book as it is easy to read but also engaging.

[Emma Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a slow start until about 1/3 of the way in and then really took off and captured my attention unforgivingly.

An interesting portrayal of friend dynamics, and how actions have a ripple effect in a friendship group. Whilst this is centred around one particular action, other external and family events occur around it, to make it even more complicated, and the lines even blurrier.

Clever writing.

[Katie Gardiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very emotionally charged book but it's packaged in a digestible way...interesting how there is no real moral solution but lots of nuanced relationships. the large cast of characters was a bit hard to grasp at the start but it untangles as you go, especially as more viewpoints are shared. almost cried twice!!! would read again

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book from a really decent writer. From Happy to sad, all the emotions covered in this book. Friendships lots of us create at the school gate. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.

[Georgie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars 🌟
I had to take a break from this halfway and read something else a while, and almost didn't pick it back up. The 2nd half did pick up a bit more but still didn't quite win me over!
All in all it was just okay, didn't love it, didn't hate it.

[Liesds · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

[Lucy Von · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read - a good lesson in why not to commit adultery!!

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever observation on friends and family life. The impact of one action, one betrayal on many lives.
I really enjoyed seeing the interactions between the characters in this one - each of the women with their own worries and insecurities had the support of the group until it fractured. The closeness of the group almost felt claustrophobic at times and it was obvious how the betrayal would seem like a betrayal of all them.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely loved this

[Kat Cumming · Rating 2 out of 5]

(book club read!)

📚 I think this book is longer than it needed to be and found it dragged out across the 4 seasons. I would have preferred a multi-perspective first person narrative to gain a deeper understanding of the impact on the main characters.

📚 The long list of characters prevented any real depth to any character development and I'm not entirely sure who the main characters were. The men in the book were, on the whole, absent which made it harder to empathise with Kit.

📚 The epilogue is totally unnecessary and I'm really struggling to identify its relevance or place at all.

📚 This book was an okay palate cleanser but I'll definitely be returning to my current addiction of crime and thriller novels.

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other People’s Husbands by Elizabeth Noble was published on July 21st with Penguin Michael Joseph and is described as a ‘beautifully written and sensitively wrought drama.’

Sometimes you pick up a book and immediately you know that it is the perfect read for you. With a large cast of characters it is difficult to capture the attention of the reader but Elizabeth Noble does this with expertise, creating a strong visual which brings every single individual very much to life. I was completely immersed in the complex, yet at times, ordinary lives of a group of long-term friends.

Many friendships are born at the school gates and such was the case over twenty years ago for Natalie, Sarah, Annie, Flick, Vanessa and Georgina. They developed a bond as the years passed, one that gradually included their respective partners. Celebrations, loss, grief, ill-health, parenthood and many more milestone experiences were marked as a group, with wonderful memories created for all to look back on and reminisce. But one day the unexpected happens. Someone breaks rank and this fissure results in an immediate change in the dynamic with far-reaching repercussions for all involved.

Initially one might think that there is nothing unusual in this premise, and there isn’t. What makes this book so unique and exceptional is how Elizabeth Noble pinpoints precisely the essence of each person and their perceptions of life. With the attention fully captivated, the reader embarks on an extraordinary journey alongside these families, criss-crossing the years back and forth, keeping them company in an almost voyeuristic capacity.

As the title suggests this is a book that relates to other people’s husbands but, it is also a story that highlights the special relationship that develops between a group of female friends. Each of the six in this book are flawed, all have their own personal issues, not always revealing the truth but, as a dynamic, it works. The varied personality types blend cohesively, enriching the ties of friendship, all beautifully depicted throughout.

As a society we generally value our friends and will forgive them their misdeeds and actions but sometimes this relationship can be tested to the extreme when one does an unforgiveable act and pushes the boundaries too far. The crack that forms can ofttimes be irreparable and, in Other People’s Husbands, we experience the resulting anguish as if it were our own.

Empathetic and compelling are just two of the words I would use to describe this truly gorgeous book. Outstanding in its portrayal of the intricacies of friendship Other People’s Husbands is a strikingly observed piece of writing. Wistful, atmospheric and painfully authentic, Elizabeth Noble has produced an emotional gem of a read, one not to be missed.

[KathVBtn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to confess I had to wait until this came out in hardback rather than trying to read it on my Kindle, as I needed to keep referring back to the cast of characters at the beginning, who was married to who and who was the mother/ father of which child - and i couldn't work out how to do it without losing my place on the Kindle.
So Im later to this than I should have been- apologies to the publishers and author for that.

Oh but it was all worth waiting for, when I started I couldn't put it down - the story of an established group of middle-class middle-ageish families who have been friends for years, they holiday together regularly and their lives are as intertwined as any friendship group can be. Their children have grown up together, some are sharing flats as they move out of home, basically they are there for one another and always will be. Its a very comfortable and aspirational group to be in.

Until - we know from the beginning that there's going to be trouble in the group in the shape of an affair, so the question is who is going to be sneaking off with who? When the affair starts, tremors can be felt throughout the group, even though noone else knows what's happening= someone is behaving differently than normal and it shows. But the group keep moving on, meeting up for high days and holidays, whilst the affair is sizzling away, being kept separate from everyone else. As readers, we know what's coming and when the inevitable news is discovered by the wider group, how will they survive?

I enjoyed reading this, the story telling was brilliant and the story moved at a good speed, I was kept hooked to see what was going to happen for the group. It exposed a lot about how friendship groups like this work, and how they evolve over time, as well as the strength of female friendships.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a great fan of this author, as Elizabeth Noble is brilliant at making characters totally human, encapsulating thoughts, fears and emotions so realistically that the reader feels as if they are part of the story. I find myself gulping with emotion at some point in all her books, eyes shiny with tears of emotion. And this book is no exception.

I was a little daunted by the list of characters at the start of the book, six couples and their children. I have to admit it took me a while to ‘know’ them all but it really was worth it. The human aspects and fallout from the ‘affair’ resounded so realistically. The pain, guilt, humiliation, hurt and emotional ripple effects upon everyone when the group was split open. How many of us nowadays do not know of these from our own families or circle of friends. Noble develops your empathy keenly and not always for the characters you would expect.

The narrator changes across the chapters from one character to the next, giving you insight into key scenes, from different perspectives.

Personally, I found the pace in the first part of the book quite slow (and it is a long book), as I found my way with the backgrounds, the characters and the families. However by the second part, the book flowed quite quickly and I was absorbed. The way life changes was profoundly illustrated and I found that, although the ending to me was tough, it concluded the story realistically and clearly showed the impact across all the families. Life is precious, value what you have!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a great fan of this author, as Elizabeth Noble is brilliant at making characters totally human, encapsulating thoughts, fears and emotions so realistically that the reader feels as if they are part of the story. I find myself gulping with emotion at some point in all her books, eyes shiny with tears of emotion. And this book is no exception.

I was a little daunted by the list of characters at the start of the book, six couples and their children. I have to admit it took me a while to ‘know’ them all but it really was worth it. The human aspects and fallout from the ‘affair’ resounded so realistically. The pain, guilt, humiliation, hurt and emotional ripple effects upon everyone when the group was split open. How many of us nowadays do not know of these from our own families or circle of friends. Noble develops your empathy keenly and not always for the characters you would expect.

The narrator changes across the chapters from one character to the next, giving you insight into key scenes, from different perspectives.

Personally, I found the pace in the first part of the book quite slow (and it is a long book), as I found my way with the backgrounds, the characters and the families. However by the second part, the book flowed quite quickly and I was absorbed. The way life changes was profoundly illustrated and I found that, although the ending to me was tough, it concluded the story realistically and clearly showed the impact across all the families. Life is precious, value what you have!