review 1: I got a kick out of this book...if a man asked you to marry him and he had been married EIGHT times before, you might want to think about it for a while, maybe contact some of those other wives. This scenario sets the foundation for this book, the female main character recounts her conversations with some of these former wives (by phone, via email, in person)and the "hero" recounts his personal history with each wife. This part of the book is quite enjoyable. There is another story in the book, that of the main characters grandparents, and how miserable they seem to be together. Their story unfolds as a model of how complicated marriage can get, and how unhappy. It is a caveat emptor kind of tale within a tale, and IMO was rather too bitter. Not every marriage contai... morens such deception and betrayal. Apparently this was supposed to illustrate a marriage that couldn't get much worse. I am not certain it was necessary to include it, but it was as much a part of the book story-wise as the eight wives part. I think the book suffered as a result. review 2: I did enjoy this book. The insecurity Bess has of Rory being married 8 times before, the relationship of her grandparents and Rory's insecurities of why his marriages haven't worked show how everyone has insecurities but you deal with them and life goes on. You should always take chances in life. The one thing I didn't like was the chapters kept switching voices between the characters and the chapters weren't marked. That drives me crazy. I shouldn't have to work to figure out who is 'talking.' less
