Ladies’ Night

By: Mary Kay Andrews
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publishing Date: June 2013
ISBN: 978-1-250-01967-7
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Review Date: June 2013

This is a truly entertaining read that focuses on four women (and one man), whose mates have used them up and thrown them away like yesterday’s news. From payback to deception to tears and anger, readers are escorted to a little bar on the edge of town called, The Sandbox, to enjoy a brand new look at what ‘ladies night’ is all about.

Grace Stanton is an up-and-coming blogger who’s on her way to fame and fortune when she discovers her husband, who’s also her partner and business manager, is having a fling with Grace’s assistant. The new woman, J’Aimee, is as annoying as her name. After a very long workday, Grace catches the two of them together having a good old time in her husband’s brand new 2013 Audi convertible (Retail: $175,000). Rightfully so, Grace flips out and drives her husband’s new ride into the swimming pool.

The police do show, attempting to hide their own smiles and laughter, and advise Grace to kick him out. Instead, she opts to leave. Moving in with her mom at the local bar, Grace finds herself locked out of her gated community home and without funds. In addition, her money-making blog has been appropriated by her husband and J’Aimee. When Grace heads into court to file for divorce, she soon discovers that she’s not the only one who received the proverbial shaft from the one she loved.

Three other women in the same boat, and one man for good measure, meet up with Grace when the court mandates that they all attend weekly “divorce recovery” classes with a divorce coach.

Grace is joined by Camryn, a television news reporter whose husband seems to be always on the prowl; Ashleigh, who is in the process of divorcing a plastic surgeon who she dreams of getting back at no matter what the cost; and Suzanne, who is the last one to talk about her marital problems because hers are based on something far different than the rest. Wyatt, the lone man, is dealing with a divorce from his wife who’s one of the “grass is always greener” individuals that made her beyond annoying.

The group notices that their divorce coach is acting strangely, and soon discover that she is on drugs and can’t seem to get through a session without falling asleep. So their little group decides to have their own “Ladies’ Night” sessions held once a week at the bar. These sessions prove to be a boon to the group, as they talk to each other about their problems and help them deal with their pasts.

Humor, a touch of heartbreak, and huge doses of both irony and loyalty make these characters true and unforgettable friends.

Quill says: Much like The First Wives Club, this is a read that shows a fun way to deal with the good, the bad and the ugly.