4.5/5 (rounded up)

Husbands and Other Sharp Objects by Marilyn Simon Rothstein was such a delightful read, and I am kicking myself for not picking it up sooner. It was very humorous and made me laugh out loud multiple times, but there are also some very emotional moments as well. Marcy is our MC and the only viewpoint in the book which in my opinion, was a perfect choice. I loved her spunk and determination, and I especially loved how she handled her divorce and her daughter's engagement announcement! There is some great family drama as well as a touch of romance thanks to Marcy's new special friend, Jon. I hadn't realized that Rothstein's debut Lift and Separate is about this SAME family, so now I will definitely need to go back to that one as well. This was great as a standalone though and I think the author did an exceptional job of making sure it didn't feel like we were missing anything.

I chose to listen to the audiobook, and I thought the narrator Pamela Almand was a perfect fit for Marcy. Marcy is an older character which I loved, and Almand sounded the way I would expect Marcy to sound in real life. I had no issues with her narration, and I would highly recommend checking out the audiobook. I found it pretty hilarious that Harvey is the owner of a brassiere empire (not my words), and there were a couple of especially funny moments thanks to that. I loved the way Rothstein tackled the heavier topics as well, and Husbands and Other Sharp Objects even made me tear up a bit at times. This is my second time reading this author, and I am definitely a full-blown fan at this point. So, who should read this? If you enjoy romance and family drama all rolled into one funny, touching, and slightly silly story, this is for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is interesting. I read it on breaks during my workday and it at times made me late getting back to the office. I couldn't wait until I had free time to read some more of the book.

Such a great story! Loved hearing all the characters developing as the story went along! Definitely a must read!

What a fascinating book. I was impressed by the storyline and the characters were all well written and complex. Where there are complex storylines combined with intriguing characters the reader experience is magnified tremendously. To have a book that is well written as well as entertaining is a delight. Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. The word building was phenomenal in this book. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author. I would recommend this book.

Great idea for a book and really well executed. A thoroughly good read. Highly recommended. .

Light-hearted funny read. I didn't realize there was a book before this one. I'll have to go back and read it.

I enjoyed the story and the characters. Marcy and her husband cracked me up. He just thought she would take him back! Amanda was a bridezilla! I didn't know if the wedding would ever happen and if there would be any left to invite and attend.

I was in the mood for a fun, witty, chick-lit book and this did not disappoint. So far, every single book I've read by Lake Union Publishing has been a win. Marcy Hammer is one of the wittiest personalities I've read in a while. I wish I had read Lift and Separate first since the events in her first book happen chronologically but it had no effect on my ability to follow what was going on in this book. I loved the characters--especially Marcy's mother who is already deceased and only a voice in her head through the entire book. I also loved the friendships with Dana and Candy, the familial relationships with Marcy's children, and the romantic relationship with John. Every woman who has ever been cheated on or left by her husband will be able to relate to the struggles and personal growth of Marcy. I'm also a sucker for happy endings and this book left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

This book had it all, marriage, secrets, divorce, etc. Some parts will have you laughing out loud. Marcy is something else. Cute story. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Although I received the book in this manner, it did not affect my opinion of this book nor my review.

Husbands And Other Sharp Objects was a fun sequel to Lift and Separate. RothStein has a way of injecting humor into serious topics such as marriage and divorce that kept me turning the pages and sympathizing with Marcy Hammer. I hope she continues to write more novels about Mary and friends.

My Review: 4 stars

Husbands and Other Sharp Objects stole my heart as she touches on tough emotional issues through a comedic lens. This is the follow up book to Rothstein’s Lift and Separate although it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. Just from her titles you can see her wonderful wit.

This book deals with the emotions a mother feels as her daughter, who becomes a bridezilla, is planning her wedding. The feelings are supercharged as Marcy, the protagonist, is in the midst of a divorce. As you can imagine, there are lots of issues at play through this dynamic: moving forward, peaceful (or not) endings, guilt, sibling rivalry, inclusion, love, friendship, family, dating over 50, getting along with your ex and trying to be the best mom you can be to adult children.

This book and had me laughing and crying. It’s a heartfelt, humorous slice out of life. This is a book you’ll want to share with your friends. Every woman can relate to Marcy! I can’t wait to see what’s next from her.

This is my second book by this author and it won’t be my last. When I read her first book I was reading in bed and my husband finally rolled over and asked me to go out on the couch because I was laughing so hard. I had forgotten that until it happened again with this book! If you are having a bad day pick up a book by this author and I dare you to not have a mood change. Ms. Rothstein writes with such humor and her characters are so real and relatable they could be your neighbors. I don’t think this woman can write a bad book. I bought Lift and Seperate for several of the women in my circle, I now have to order this one for them and it will be well worth it!

This was such a fun book, as the title suggests! I really enjoyed the characters and the writing. Thanks, Netgalley!

Marcy Hammer is starting over. Her husband Harvey had an affair--and a baby--with another woman, and their separation has given her time to think. She doesn't regret her marriage, since she has three amazing grown children, but she can't stay in her marriage and be happy. It's time for her to be true to herself. 

Now Marcy is trying to decide what she wants. She is still living in the house she raised her children in, even though they've all moved out to live their own lives. She has a boyfriend. And she has girlfriends who support her and need her support as they all deal with the issues of middle life--dealing with the death of a parent, learning to be a grandmother, facing health challenges. And in the middle of all that, she decides to finally join Facebook. 

Then Marcy's daughter Amanda announces that she was getting married. There's nothing like a wedding to bring out the worst in everyone, and Marcy finds that to be true as she has to deal with Amanda's Bridezilla tendencies, her daughter Elisabeth and son Ben's frustration with Amanda's plans, a boyfriend who wants to get serious, an almost-ex-husband who wants to get back together with her, and a kleptomaniacal in-law. As Marcy navigates all the intricate family issues, she comes to understand exactly what it is that she wants from the second half of her life, and she moves forward to embrace everything she really wants. 

Husbands and Other Sharp Objects, the sequel to Lift and Separate, is Marilyn Simon Rothstein's continuing look at a family in crisis, and after crisis, and how it's part of the human spirit to deal with painful challenges with love, support, and humor. Lots of humor. Marcy's voice is filled with smart, snarky commentary, and narrator Pamela Almand has the perfect voice to convey her intelligence, compassion, and determination. Husbands and Other Sharp Objects is a fun, smart, humorous look at family with all of its challenges and celebrations. 



Galleys for Husbands and Other Sharp Objects were provided by Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley, with many thanks, but I bought the audio myself through Audible.

I absolutely loved this. Marcy Hammer is such an unlikely heroine and following her story has really been a joy. When I requested an advance copy of this book, I didn't realize it was a sequel to Lift and Separate, which I had not yet read. Last week, I scrambled to read the first (as I'm one of those people who refuses to read anything out of order, even if it's not 100% necessary) and I found myself really enjoying the story. Lift and Separate was a 4 star read for me, however, this one stole my heart. In Lift, Marcy finds out her husband of 30+ years has had an affair and gotten a 20-something lingerie model pregnant. This story is more about moving on with her life, rather than wondering what to do about her marriage, which I found very enjoyable. I love Marcy and her family and friends and I really hope to see more from Rothstein in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC ecopy for my Kindle.
A family drama with divorce, marriage, secrets, and accidents. An enjoyable tale of a family that ended quite well.

Reading more of Marcy Hammer's story was entertaining and fun! I laughed quite a few times! There were also moments when I rolled my eyes, right along with this mom of adult children. (I sure hope my daughter doesn't act like Marcy's when planning her wedding... a few years from now... I might have to pick this book back up then if she does.) Marcy's determination to be supportive and to be "the bigger one" makes me like her even more. It was great to see her relationship with Jon grow -- It was true to life with it's compromises and it's ups & downs. One more thing I can't help but point out is that her new CPA, who I mentioned in my review of "Lift and Separate", gave her some great advice - of course.
I hope that Marilyn will write another book about Marcy and her family & friends! I'd love to read what happens next!

A delightful story about a woman who doesn’t let life and its nastier surprises keep her down, but instead embraces change. Marcy is witty and hilarious, feisty and tenacious, and I love that she figures out how to live her own best life in spite of what others think and advise. The inclusion of her deceased mother’s voice in her head is brilliant! I laughed out loud many times. If you like books with witty, relatable, strong female leads, you’ll enjoy this one. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

I read this without knowing it was a sequel and still loved it. It sure made me laugh out loud a lot. It was refreshing to read a book that made me laugh. Most make me cry and few make me laugh. Now I have to go back and read Lift and Seperate.

This is the perfect beach read, as it is hilarious! Marcy’s attempts to divorce her husband, Harvey. The situations that kept coming up along with the planning of their daughter’s wedding made this book enjoyable.

Very few books make me laugh out loud. This author is masterful at placing humor throughout this sequel to Lift and Separate * the first in this series" which had me laughing out loud . I loved this book, it was enjoyable, fun, happy and compassionate. It speaks to the particular issues divorced women have later in life.
Marilyn Simon Rothstein has outdone herself with this next in series. The humor, and her attention to the little things in life give us so much to relate to. I love that the author is writing about a older woman which is so pleasing as we are rarely written about in books.
Marcy Hammer is separated from her husband, Harvey, who owns a bra manufacturing company. Her life is in limbo as she gets used to the single life after a long marriage and three children. As one daughter turns into Bridezilla, just when she is now single, she tries to keep communications open despite her daughter's obnoxious demeanor. We get a funny look of the new in-laws, who have a number of unique quirks. Its no wonder Marcy is having trouble making decisions about her own life.

Seldom do we get a protagonist who is over the age of forty and yet women are so much more interesting and complex as they get older. This charchter is all of that and more, Marcy Hammer is the kind of character you feel like you can make friends with and share secrets where you're laughing through tears.
I loved this book as it truly stood up for older women. The author addresses the many issues we older women then have as we are dumped for younger women and how to begin again with grace and humor. I loved reading this book and look forward to the next in series. This is a hit series that I hope is continued. i would love to read about the next stage of her life .
Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my review.
A very enjoyable read !