Member Reviews
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters and I will definitely read the stories of the other sisters.
Especially I laughed at the thought that a heart doctor who could fix a child's (physical) heart but couldn't stop to work on her own (emotional) heart. However i am so glad i got to see when she did.
Hey yo i recieved an ARC from netgalley for my honest review.
I enjoyed this book, it was funny and had likable characters (well maybe not the husband so much!). This is the second book by this author I’ve been lucky enough to read and I hope to continue to read more of hers.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
Not quite a sequel, but focused on another of the Callaghan sisters, Emma – the pediatric heart surgeon, mother of two young daughters and recently divorced from her serial-adulterous husband Simon. In addition, she’s got her younger, wild-child sister Lucy living with her, helping with child-minding and generally being outrageous. But while the sisters are in the all-for-one mode, and her mother is willing to throw fists at the ex, Emma is still reeling from his behavior, and trying to deal with the shock to her self-esteem. It doesn’t help that Simon is habitually and chronically critical of everything she does, and is obtrusive in the worst ways – but he’s just despicable, and unable, or unwilling to keep his pants zipped.
From regaining her balance and finding a ‘compassionate ear’ in a newly-single Dad in the school drop off, between being tired, depressed and more than a little angry (still) Emma never quite loses her sense of humor, or her begrudging willingness to ‘put herself out there” ….
There are plenty of ups and downs – and more laughs than one might expect from someone who had their life plan ripped to confetti and tossed liberally on the M4 – but you can’t keep a Callaghan sister down – for long. From laugh out loud moments, to pure frustration, the journey is never straightforward for Emma – but she has friends, an adorable patient in the form of a little boy who lights up her days, sisters who are frustrating but always there in a pinch, and a sense of humor that moves from snark to outright slapstick – the story is well worth the read and the introduction to this wacky, supportive, snarky and wholly outrageous Callaghan family – and the way they manage to weather every storm.... eventually. Grab this, Grab the other in this ‘loosely connected’ series: Has Anyone Seen My Sex Life? And be prepared for giggles, guffaws and new ways to find hilarity in the occasional swearing and human emotions.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aLo /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>
This is the first book I’ve read by Kristen Bailey and it definitely won’t be the last. I’m so happy to learn that there is more to come from the Callaghan sisters and I have already downloaded Meg’s story “Have You Seen My Sex Life?”
Can I Give My Husband Back? is a laugh out loud rom-com that tackles the subject of divorce beautifully. I was definitely routing for Emma to free herself from Simon and his narcissistic control. Even separated he was still impacting Emma and their daughters lives in ways she hadn’t even imagined. I laughed and cried with Emma and wanted to give her a much needed hug throughout. I also loved the inclusion of the Callaghan sisters Meg, Grace, Beth and Lucy who definitely showed the importance of family.
Special mention also has to go out to the character Lewis, that little boy melted my heart! A great read that I’d highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
It was eh.
The family dynamic between Emma and her sisters, especially Lucy, was hilarious. It made me wish I had that type of relationship with my siblings.
It was easy to immersed myself into this read. The It was fine.
It was easy to immersed myself into 'Can I Give My Husband Back?'. The storyline was relatable and this novel had a decent amount of drama that wasn't too overwhelming. Generally pretty enjoyable despite the romance I could've done without. I liked Jag but I didn't love him as much as Leo and I was a bit surprised she ended up with the former. I felt like Leo and Emma had better chemistry but whatever flows your boat I guess.
Additional to that, the family dynamic between Emma and her sisters, especially Lucy, was hilarious. It made me wish I had that type of relationship with my siblings.
Now to sum up, it was not too shabby. I will definitely read from this author again. was relatable and this novel had a decent amount of drama that was too overwhelming. Pretty enjoyable despite the romance I could've done without. I liked Jag but I didn't love him as much as Leo and I was a bit surprised she ended up with the former. I felt like Leo and Emma had better chemistry but whatever flows your boat I guess.
Overall not too shabby. I will definitely read from this author again.
This is a funny book, full of humour and one liners, but it is also quite sad in many ways. It’s about Emma and her ex husband, the lows, the mental turmoil and the sheer heart ache he causes her. I did enjoy this story, but it has taken me forever to read and I think that is ultimately due to the subject matter. I did laugh throughout this story, but it did make me feel sad at the same time. I loved the closeness Emma had with her family and her sisters. As for Simon, “See you next Tuesday!!!”
I’d like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Emma has finally divorced her philandering and truly arrogant husband Simon, which leaves her alone with her two daughters, Iris and Violet. Or actually, not so alone, as her youngest and wildest sister Lucy is living with her, looking after the girls, and all her other sisters, family and friends are there to support her. Even though Emma would be glad to never see Simon again, it’s impossible – he’s still the father of her daughters, they work in the same field and somehow she always finds herself dragged into his drama. She doesn’t have time for another relationship – or does she?
I loved the relationship between the sisters – it was absolutely brilliant, honest and genuine and true to life. They loved each other so much, they argued so much and they supported each other so much, sometimes I wished I had so many sisters as well when reading this book.
I wasn’t completely aware that this book is a second in the series, with the first being “Has Anyone Seen My Sex Life” about Emma’s older sister Meg. However, you can easily read it as a stand alone and I’m looking forward to the next books, especially about Lucy! This story focuses on Emma, who has recently divorced from her philandering husband, and believe me, he was such an appealing character that you’ll want to bang his head on the wall. This is why it was lovely to see Emma finding her voice, her strength throughout the story – because sometimes it was also disheartening to see her letting him so out of line and it was really time for her to grow a bone or two. Which she did, I’m reporting it with a real joy, but the way to this moment was long and curvy for our Emma.
Emma loved her daughters totally, however, I had this feeling, she didn’t spent a lot of time with them. Sure, yes, they also had a father who looked after them but Emma was either at work or with friends or meeting someone. Of course, it was very practical to have one of the sisters living with her and taking care of the girls and please don’t get me wrong here, being a mother doesn’t mean you stop being a woman and your own person, but somehow it didn’t sit together so well with Emma talking so often about her daughters, telling that she’s such a great mother, giving her daughters so much time. Sometimes I was also desperate with her and her inability to be a bit stronger towards her husband Simon but I also understood her – he was still the father of her daughters, and I really wanted to give her a standing ovation at never bad – mouthing him, no matter what he did. But the biggest the joy was when she has finally confronted him! And it was really great to see her journey.
There were moments that the book felt a bit slow and repetitive but altogether it was an entertaining read with lots of funny moments and sharp dialogues. I truly liked the sense of humour in this book, it was clever and snarky and the writing style was quick and witty.
”Can I Give My Husband Back?” was light and hilarious, sometimes deeper and more poignant but altogether it was an entertaining and witty story, easy to read, mixing humour, romance, broken hearts and relationships. The author explores the dynamics and bonds between siblings, showing those relationships in a raw, realistic way. A perfect book when you want to relax, a great summer read. Recommended!
There's something truly special about Kristen Bailey's writing...
I laughed all the way through book one in this series, Has Anyone Seen My Sex Life, you can read my review here.
Now, you don't need to have read that first as this one focusses on a different sister, Emma... Emma is the oldest of the five Callaghan sisters and she has it all. Surgeon husband. Heart surgeon herself. Two beautiful daughters. Stunning home. And a husband who loves her in his own special way. By shagging anyone who will have him. Sometimes even on her breakfast bar.
Emma stays with Simon for the sake of the children. Until she can't do it to herself any longer. She finally leaves him and they move on. Divorced.
I fell in love with Emma almost immediately. We meet her in an hilarious exchange of text messages with younger sister Lucy, who is giving her dating advice.
She is strong, together, successful, a wonderful mother and sister, and she is navigating the world on her own for the first time. While she is all those things, she is also hurting. Understandably. She and Simon went through medical school together. They were the couple. But he just wasn't satisfied.
We follow Emma through the trials and tribulations of finding her feet as a single mother and boy is it brilliant reading.
Bailey catches the emotions of what Emma is going through perfectly. I was hurting with her. I laughed, I cried, I loved. I felt everything Emma did and that is the sign of an amazing author. The intensity of the emotions she manages to fill the pages with is wonderful.
This is one book I will be shouting about forever!
You need to read this one, bookworms. Seriously! It's fantastic.
I requested this book based on the title because let’s face it, it’s hilarious. The book wasn’t as funny as I was hoping but it was still good. I would read this author again.
Absolutely loved this, brilliant story, fab charecters, laughed loads, what a lovely family, one of those reads that will stay with me for a while
Starting with the title, this book had me giggling. I loved the sisterly relationships of Emma and her siblings. I could have read an entire book about the 5 of them! I also loved Emma’s character arc; her growth from beginning to end of the story was really well done. Parts of the story felt a bit predictable, but overall this was a cute book!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in an exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
Oh after being in lockdown with my husband for over three months, this title speaks to me in ways I can't convey!
Here we have super smart hear surgeon Emma whose husband had a number of affairs. She is in the middle of a divorce and is leaning heavily on her four sisters. This book made me really miss have sisters. I have a brother and although my sister in law and I are super close.
Anyway, I loved LOVED the relationship between Emma and her sisters. I felt that this was the real heart of the book and not her relationship with her soon to be ex or her boyfriend. Just a fun book with a strong focus on family!
The title told me this book would be hilarious, and it didn't disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute (up until the epilogue, which seemed unnecessary). There's so much chicklit with girls in their early 20s, I liked reading about a 35-year-old divorcee.
The humor in a few places was a bit crass for my tastes, but over all, I liked the book. I will absolutely read more from this author.
This was really quite hilarious. I knew I was in for a laugh or two already from the title. Kristen Baily was a new to me author and I'll remember her next time I want a funny, witty book.
Another hilarious read from the series of the Callaghan sisters! I’m sorry but any book in this series I need to read. I find this writer’s style of writing so open, honest and hilarious. Such a heart warming yet realistic read of a woman getting divorced and overcoming the hurdles of doing so! 4 ⭐️
A hilarious book that will make anyone who has been divorced or split up from a long term partner laugh until they cry! A fabulous story of divorce, dating, separation and ex's. I really enjoyed this light hearted read.
Hilarious! Come on ... haven’t we all thought it before?! Such a good read. It sucked me in with humor and reality . I enjoyed the concept of this book a lot. Some parts were a little unrealistic but all in all a good read.
There are probably very few women alive who cannot, on some level, relate to the title of this book. But Emma has a champion cad for an ex. He is duplicitous, he is a hound dog, he is a liar, he is a narcissist and he is the father of her two children. That means no matter how much she would like to avoid him, he is going to be part of her life forever. Luckily, she has sisters and friends who, despite the ex’s attempt to destroy her self confidence, help her get beyond her loss and find her future.
Emma is an amazing character. She is a heart surgeon with a huge heart that she shares with her patients, particularly one little boy whose parents are also going through a divorce. She is there for everyone, including her ex’s mistress who is carrying the baby that was conceived while they were still married. What is more, she discovers, this is not the first sibling to her girls. She is a rock. She is also there for her former mother-in-law when she finally realizes what a horrible son she has raised.
But it is not until Emma finally lets loose that she becomes free. He no longer defines her and she is ready to blossom. She certainly deserves some happiness considering the chaos that her sister and her mother inflict on her, She is ready to welcome love back in her life. And he is a really great guy.
This is a book full of smiles, chuckles and outrage. They are all emotions to which we can relate. When Emma wins, we all win.
Five purrs and two paws up.
A side-splittingly hilarious romp that had me wiping away tears I was laughing so much, Can I Give My Husband Back? is a brilliantly funny romp that is the ultimate feel-good read.
Emma Callaghan thought that she had life all figured out. Fiercely intelligent, successful and fulfilled, everything seemed to be going swimmingly for the heart surgeon who had a gorgeous husband and two beautiful children – until reality kicked her up the backside and made her realise that her perfect life was nothing more than a sham. Her Prince Charming husband turned out to be a toad of the highest order who seemed to have made it his mission to sleep with every woman in London. Heartbroken, furious and betrayed, Emma decides that she isn’t going to wallow in self-pity and that she is going to march straight back out there and show her ex just what he is missing. But nobody had told Emma that the dating world has changed drastically in the last couple of years…
Forget about meeting in a bar or going for a long and romantic walk near the river, dating these days is all about making that digital connection via dating apps – and Emma hasn’t got a clue where to start. Still, at least she can see what horrors await her in singledom without leaving the safety of her own couch and in her most comfortable pyjamas. But as she begins to take her first tentative steps into the dating world, all she seems to come across are freaks, geeks, misfits and some very strange people. Moving on is all very well and good, but what happens when everything goes to pot and when rather than being on a date with yet another disappointment you’d much rather drown your sorrows at home?
Will Emma find the happiness and fulfilment she seeks? Or should she just cut her losses and resign herself to a lifetime of loneliness and despair?
It’s just as well that I was in lockdown and I couldn’t read this book anywhere in public because I was laughing so hard, I would have surely have embarrassed myself had I read Can I Give My Husband Back? away from the confines of my house.
Wickedly funny, delicious witty and a joy from start to finish, let Kristen Bailey brighten up your day with her fabulous new novel, Can I Give My Husband Back?
It might be easier to give your husband back than to put this book down once you begin the hilarious story of how Emma made this decision in “Can I Give My Husband Back?”
Emma Callaghan is a pediatric heart surgeon. After years of looking the other way, she finally divorced the other Dr. Chadwick (aka: Simon) and returned to her maiden name. With the sharing of two daughters, however, they will be forever linked to her dismay, and she will be always reminded of his lying and cheating ways.
This type of story has been done hundreds of times, but Kristen Bailey managed to use her comedic chops to keep it light and entertaining until the end. Emma has 4 sisters, all of whom make an appearance in the book, but none as central to her life as Lucy, the youngest. Lucy has been living with them to keep an eye on Emma and to help out with the girls. Her hatred for Simon (or Satan) and love for her family had me laughing out loud many times.
I was thrilled to find out that “Can I Give My Husband Back” is the first of what will be a series of books about the 5 Callaghan sisters. It is an excellent first and I’m off to purchase a copy of book 2 now!