Wilde Women by Louise Pentland

3.5 Stars

I was really looking forward to settling down with a good brew and this book to see how things shake out for Robin after the events of the second book.  Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the promise of the second novel but it was still a pretty good read.  It just has issues with repetition, particularly with Robin's inner monologue - we get it.  Robin is struggling to blend all the disparate parts of her life together and there are only so many times I can read the same dilemma phrased slightly differently before my mind wanders off in boredom.

I also found the networking group exceedingly cringe making.  From the naff name; Women Who Win, seriously? To the whole exclusively female aspect it just felt divisive and endlessly uncomfortable with the dodgy business "advice" to the supposed support network that was established early on that didn't really have any bearing on other characters and only served as a foil to show more of Robin's angst.

This novel really is all about Robin with the inimitable Aunty Kath relegated to very much a supporting role and even though the reader figures out what is going on with her far earlier than Robin does the resolution is exceedingly rushed and the repercussions are not explored at all, never mind adequately - this could have easily been the entire last quarter of the book instead of the rushed handful of pages that are devoted to it.  There is also only a passing reference to other characters that were so important in the first two books; all so we can spend more time listening to Robin moan about her rather enviable situation.

On the up side there is some decent situational humour and getting to see Robin lose her ever-loving mind at the film company meeting was satisfying.  What little we get of interactions between Robin and the other characters has a good level of believability and the dialogue is realistic.  All plus points.

Unfortunately, she is so wrapped up in her own little slice of the world she is neglectful of her friends and how her boyfriend is still hanging on for her I do not know as she constantly sidelines him, particularly when she decamps herself, her daughter, Aunty Kath and her best friend with baby to New York.  For me Robin just doesn't work as a sympathetic character in this book; she came across as completely self-absorbed and unable to see anyone else's point of view or position.

I did enjoy it but in a kind of car crash, rubber necking way.

Better than the first in the series but not as good as the second book.