Vanilla Reads: 'Never marry a politician' by Sarah Waights

Book summary: 'Never, under any circumstances, marry a politician …'

In trying to be the model wife to Ralph, a fiercely ambitious politician, Emily has betrayed her heart and her principles. Once she was a promising journalist, but now reluctant domestic goddess is more her scene.

When unexpected events lead to Ralph becoming a candidate for Prime Minster, Emily finds maintaining the façade of picture-perfect family life an increasing struggle –especially when her romantic past comes back to haunt her in the form of tough-talking journalist, Matt Morley.

Matt is highly skilled at ‘digging the dirt’ and, sure enough, Ralph has a sordid secret that is soon uncovered. In the aftermath of the discovery, will Emily finally find the courage to be true to herself, or is she stuck in the world of PR tactics and photo opportunities for good?

Runner up in the 2014 Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition.

I was expecting something different from this book. I thought it will be light, easy to read chic-lit, full of steamy love making and shallow phrases that we can read in almost every love story. Instead I got a book that made me think, that led me to deep reflections about life, love, relationships and caring about ourselves.

This is the first book of Sarah Waights I've ever read but it made me want to read more. She has unique and very good writing style that made the book pleasant to read and it didn't feel like reading yet-another-romance. "Never marry a Politician" is a story about relationship problems, feeling neglected by the significant other, feeling lost as a woman, longing for love and support, trying to make a family stable and secure. Finally it is a story about making tough life decisions.

Problems that Emily has to overcome are not absurd and a lot of women can identify with this character. It is very important to me as a reader that characters are realistic. The biggest strenght of this novel is that it is something different from affair-oriented chic lits, yet it is enjoyable and engaging read.

I'd recommend it to those who are looking for something refreshing and giving a lot to think about.