This was my first book of Maggie’s and I now look forward to reading more. From the beautiful opening scene at Christmas and throughout the book, Maggie shows her immense skill at setting the scene. This greatly helps her readers feel like they are truly present watching events unfold. This was the story about many complex, interesting and often artistic characters, although Sophie, Juliet and Sophie’s son shared most of the narration.

It is a story with many betrayals including the greatest which is Sophie’s husband cheating on her with Juliet right before his death. It is the story of a loving extended family, and the strength of friendships including old and new. Some of the friendships and relationships seemed to me to form and become very familiar very quickly; and the deceit was dealt with more smoothly than seemed likely but then this can be one of the advantages of living in a fictional world.

It was also a story about choices including whether Sophie should grieve as a widow, grieve as a wronged woman, or find a way to do both while still moving forwards and starting a fresh life for herself. It was also the story of how Juliet learnt to navigate Matt’s death and to decide how to tell Sophie about their relationship.

This was an enjoyable and immersive book, and I would love to read more about this family and their friends. Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for letting me read an advanced copy in exchange for a review. Due out in Australia on 4th December 2024.

When I was a much younger me, I loved Maggie Alderson's young woman novels - Pants on Fire, Mad About the Boy. But in between younger me and older me, I hadn't kept up with her writing.

So my first wonder was "have her characters aged, or is she still writing about younger women". I was very glad to realise that her characters have aged as we have, and then excited to dig into this new novel.

For food stylist Sophie, everything happens at once. Her husband tells her he's leaving, promptly gets hit by a car, and they've just signed a contract for a new house in a new city. Without enough information, and with no-one else knowing, grieving is difficult - she can't figure out whether to be distraught or furious! She makes the house move and attempts to start a new life (a confusing one, but a new one) in her new home.

This story is told from a few perspectives - Sophie, her son Beau (who is reeling from his father's death, but also from the consequences of his own behaviour) and Juliet (the woman Sophie's husband was going to leave for). All three of them hold a part of the story but don't know that the others know anything. Eventually, they each learn what they need to know to move forward (and we learn the back story).

It's a lovely story - of sadness and friendship and loyalty. It's full of well-detailed secondary characters too - I'd certainly like to hang out with Sophie and her new neighbours.

I really enjoyed this read. Well drawn, interesting characters. A very well written book. It was a short read, at least for me.

My heart broke for Sophie when Matt told her that he was leaving her after 30 years for another woman, just as they were about to move into a new home in Hastings. Their son Beau was a lovely character, albeit being a womaniser. Charlie, the wine guy, was definitely a good match for Sophie.

Sophie meeting Matt’s mistress at his funeral, who was wearing his leather jacket, was an interesting touch! Sophie sending in the troops to tell the mistress to sling her hook was excellent.

The story played out nicely. That Sophie nearly had an affair with her brother in law was a good twist. I liked the way that Beau cluelessly and haplessly went to work for his dad’s mistress, Juliet and unwittingly became close to his half sister. Juliet’s blackmailing employee was also a good addition to the story.

I would highly recommend this entertaining and sometimes sad read to others.

My thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a while since I’ve read a Maggie Alderson book but I always enjoy them.

Would you rather be a grieving widow or a deserted wife? Sophie became both on the same day (no spoiler alert needed, this is how the book starts). Thereupon follows a story peopled with Maggie Alderson’s usual beautiful people, dealing with whatever life chooses to throw at them.

Without warning, Sophie is faced with the prospect of re-building her life by herself when she thought she and Matt were going to be starting something new together. In one day Sophie’s emotions are tossed about in a whirlwind: starting out with love and hope, then suddenly moving to rejection and hurt; to anger; then massive shock and grief; then back-tracking to anger, hurt, rejection, love, but bewilderment in place of hope.

Sophie’s good fortune is in her loving family and her many kind, caring, creative and artistic friends. Moral dilemmas are sensitively thought through; Sophie isn’t the only one left with conflicting emotions and dealing with the same question of whether it is better to stay silent or share what they know.

Would you Rather is filled with Maggie Alderson’s signature wit and style and her readers are going to love it.

Published by Harper Collins

Would You Rather is my first novel by this author and what a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The characters are delightful, the location is divine and the storyline is sweet. Although it tells the tale of Sophie who suddenly finds herself a widow, the grief is not overwhelming. Instead the tale is warm and lovely - written at a great pace. Neatly wrapped up at the end so you'll put it aside with a contented sigh. Great, light-hearted chick lit - perfect for holiday reading.

This is the first of Maggie's books that I've read and it certainly won't be the last. I found this book intriguing and the characters and story flowed well. Definitely gave me something to think about after I closed the last page. Thank you.

I had recently been looking at my bookshelves and saw my collection of Maggie Alderson books and wondered if she had anything new out. I was excited to see she did and jumped right in without even reading the synopsis. Would You Rather is the story of how Matt’s wife, mistress and older son cope with his untimely death and the half secrets they all know about him.

Told over the year after his death, the reader is drawn in by the prologue where we meet what seems like the perfect family. Suddenly the reader is at his funeral with his wife and mistress in attendance and we wonder how we got there. I was completely engaged the whole way through as Sophie, Juliette and Beau cope with their grief and their world’s all slowly orbit towards each other. I really enjoyed the three main characters. I expected to dislike Juliette, the mistress but she was also very relatable and things were not quite what they seemed. There were a also a lot of fun supporting characters- I was keen to attend a party with Charlie, the fizz guy, Olive, the potter who likes to sunbath naked and Agata, who needs control in her life and her her 70’s style home.

Set between London and Hastings, I could picture all the different locations perfectly. I enjoyed the behind the scenes looks into different creative worlds- food styling and jewelry making. Tackling grief so thoughtfully from different angles. I’ll always think of Sophie being overwhelmed by it at a concert. I felt myself on edge as I could see the three different worlds combine and was happy to see how everything played out. It was an absolute pleasure to be lost in these characters worlds for a whole. They all felt like family by the end.

I have read every one of Maggie Alderson's books so jumping back into her pages again was like a comforting hug.

The characters are well developed and the plot was believable. The start hooked me in straight away. The ending just sort of ended for me. I turned the page to read on and I was like "Ohh, that's it!" and went back and re-read that page. It was enjoyable, but I wanted a little more with the ending.

I rated this four stars

I loved the mystery of who the strange women was to the mmc and that his wife was able to find peace and love in the embrace of family and friends and was able to find love start again
I wanna thanks Harper Collins and netgalley for giving me the chance to read
I can't wait to get a physical copy this is re read for me

I loved this novel. The plot is intriguing and engaging and the characters are wonderfully drawn. Sophie’s husband Matt dies in an accident one hour after he has told her that he is leaving her for another woman, and one day after the sale of their family home and the purchase of a seaside home goes through. Along with her son she has no choice but to forge a new life. I was engaged from start to finish and highly recommend. Thanks to Harper Collin’s publishers Australia and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel.

This was a touching story about two women who were caught in an unusual situation. Sophie thought she had a pretty good marriage, until her husband of thirty years told her he was leaving her for someone else. Juliet had good reasons to want a family, but not necessarily a man in her life. Then Matt is killed in an accident, which created all sorts of problems. Along the way we are treated to a range of delightful characters and Sophie's healing process. This also looks at grief and trauma , and the ways people cope with it. However, it all comes together in a thoroughly satisfying ending. I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy the unfolding of secrets and heartwarming stories. Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved the first scene. It delivers a dream before dropping you from the euphoria into reality. That's how Sophie Crommelin felt when things went at a breakneck pace. She managed to pick herself up, trying to move on while knowing that there could be no closure. At the same time, her son Beau was suffering from a scandal on top of everything else.

Would You Rather is a poignant and touching story about loss and grieving. The storyline is wild but believable, even though it was almost touching outlandish, but you can totally see it happen. This is a story about choice, and understanding that not everyone would see things your way, or agree. It is easy to relate to the characters, doesn't matter who, because they will all seem like someone you know.

The scenes are beautiful. I can almost smell the salt in the air, or the food at parties. Sophie does struggle with her identity, or who she'd rather be, after the event. But doesn't everyone? You do not have to agree with her, but she does have a good point.

Totally recommend