After five years of being lost in the Amazon, archaeologist Chaz Vincent has finally come home to his wife, Kelly, only to learn that she has had him declared dead. When he attends his own funeral, Chaz finds out that Kelly married another man just that morning. Now she has to choose between them. Who will be her favorite husband?
I thought this book was great. I couldn’t put it down.
MY FAVOURITE HUSBAND by Pam McCutcheon is a romantic comedy based on the classic movie My Favourite Wife (1940) starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. I am a huge fan of the screwball films of the 1930s and 1940s, and I am relieved to report this book is a comic hoot.
Missing for five years and presumed dead, Chaz returns home on the day of his funeral, where he reunites with his wife, Kelly. There’s just one problem. She married her second husband, Spencer, that morning. What is a girl to do? A bigamy charge is the least of her worries compared to deciding which husband to choose.
So far-fetched so good, with the scene set for a wonderfully outrageous plot when Kelly decamps to a hotel. Where she spends her honeymoon fighting off the attentions of both her husbands. Throw in her disapproving mother, supportive brother, her boss Candace (who is broken-hearted because she is in love with Spencer), and you have an explosive mix. And, the catalyst is Garcia. She is the woman with whom Chaz spent five years “lost” in the jungle. Garcia wants to marry him and brings her brothers along to ensure Chaz makes an honest woman of her.
You know the ending, but the fun is watching them get there. The book is formulaic and the pace flags in places, but McCutcheon writes with such verve and energy, you don’t care.
If you want a story grounded in reality with deep characters, avoid. However, if you don’t mind a dose of the frivolous and characters who occasionally border on the caricature, then dive in and enjoy this crazy romp. Or, to misquote Bette Davis; fasten your seatbelts for a bumpy ride.
A note for film buffs:
There was an attempt to remake My Favourite Wife in 1962 as Something’s Got to Give with Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin. But the project was abandoned when Monroe died in August 1962. The film was eventually remade as Move Over Darling in 1963 with Doris Day and James Garner.
This is a silly little rom-com, but it’s charming and never boring. Seriously, this book moves like a roller coaster on greased skids with no brakes. Perfect for a day waiting in line at the DMV or jury selection. It’ll keep you awake and entertained, but won’t submerge you so deeply that you’ll miss hearing your name being called.
can true love survive despite waiting alone for your beloved while he is off on some great adventure? does he really think you’ll just stand by again – or is the best adventure together?
loads of laughs – and more than a few crossed romances and some jerks!
hilarious and fun!
I love the book and the characters particularly brother. I think the single-mindedness of Amalia, The wife’s mother and the equally snobby hotel asst manager. The book was fun, the heroine and her mixed feelings about her husband and what he was accused of. I pretty much like all of the characters and will miss them now that the book is done.
Fun and engaging with plenty of twists, characters, and unpredictable situations. An entertaining read that had me laughing and picking sides throughout!
Easy to read and entertaining. The occasional surprise in the development of the story added to the entertainment. Would definitely recommend.
I don’t think this book is going to win any awards but if you’re looking for a quick and easy read that’s funny for an escape it’s perfect!
This book was a quick and entertaining read.
Such a fun read
It was fun to read and hard to put down.
This book was based on an old Cary Grant film, and I found it to be adorable. It is a very quick read and I really couldn’t wait to finish it. The characters are a awesome! Although, I really liked the two main characters, Scott, the brother,was the best!
Very well written, with an excellent, original plot. So many laugh-out- loud moments! Pam McCutcheon is an amazing Author!!! I highly recommend this Must Read Author!!!
This was 1 of the funniest books I’ve read in a very long time! The characters and their interactions were often unexpected and always hilarious. I would love to have been on the 3rd floor of that hotel!! It was the first book by this author that I’ve read but it will definitely not be the last!
It was amusing but a bit slow
Good book, generally I’d say a page turner. But why include sex acts? It brought my rating down from a 5 to a 3. It could have been so much better without the added unnecessary porn.
Could not finish this book. Found it unrealistically silly. Only got through about 25% of the book.
I don’t understand! This is a direct rewrite of “My Favorite Wife” the 1940 Cary Grant movie. The entire plot is exactly the same. Because I actually saw the movie I knew what was going to happen in the book.
This book was light and entertaining. The plot was unrealistic to me and the action quite slapstick. I liked the setting in Colorado Springs – I’ve been there! All in all, I’d say it was ok – entertaining but not thought provoking.
I ordered this one because it was free. While it is cute little story, it has been overdone many times. Reads like an old James Garner/Doris Day movie with the roles reversed. Not a horrible read, but not quite exciting either. I am glad that I didn’t pay anything for it.