4.5 stars. The Good Woman by Jane Porter is a captivating novel about the complexities of sibling and marital relationships. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE. ( )

This was a book that sat on my bed stand forever and I kept passing it by. Finally I had The Good Sister with it and picked it up! It was very good, and went through a real drama and some typical family life. I hope the second is as good as the first! ( )

Meg Brennan is the oldest of the Brennan sisters and as the firstborn from an Irish Catholic family (and multi-generational firefighting family), Meg holds herself and others to high standards. Married to an architect with several tween/teen kids and working full-time for a small winery keeps Meg overly busy with kid activities and managing the family. Though she is overly stressed and feels distant from her underinvolved husband, Meg keeps her feelings of dissatisfaction to herself. While on an international busy trip, Meg begins a passionate affair with one of the winery's owners, which challenges her view of what she needs in her life. Unfortunately for good girl Meg (or as she is frequently called by her scoffing sisters, "Sister Mary Margaret"), her secret life leads to the expected outcomes and Meg finds herself an emotional mess, trying to fix the damage she has caused while paying cursory attention to what would be ultimately best for her.

I was ambivalent about this novel, though I have loved all of Jane Porter's books to date. I think my issue with this novel is that Meg's character seemed to be inconsistent. In the first part of the novel, she is strong, confident and able to manage her life and those of others without hesitation. Throw a hot male and a little attention into the mix, however, and she completely loses her sense of self and her confidence, like Bella from Twilight or some dramatic teen girl. I didn't like this weak Meg at all. She questions herself constantly and completely falls apart for many chapters. Even when she decides how she is going to resolve her problem, she is kind of pathetic, begging forgiveness, losing all of her self-worth and dignity along the way. This didn't seem to gel with the person she was before. So although I will probably read the other novels in this series, I was not completely in love with this Brennan sister's debut. However, I seem to be in the minority here so take my opinion for what it's worth. ( )

This story attracted me most because it is about a woman in her early 40's who acts like her life is in control when, in reality, most of the time it isn't. She is also one of 4 sisters, and as one of 3 sisters, I am usually drawn to sister stories. This story is set in Napa Valley and so I found myself craving wine while reading this book as the descriptions of the settings and wines in this novel were reminding me of my trip to California with my girlfriends and the delicious wines we found there.

I related to Meg right away as she was the one daughter who took care of everyone and was the rule follower. She worked hard, achieved success and made everyone proud. She handled all the day-to-day managing in her family and made her children her priority. Meg feels like her husband doesn't understand the pressure she is under and is too focused on his career rather than his family and his marriage. Suddenly, life overwhelms her and she makes a choice that will alter her and her family's life forever. I think any woman reading this story will be able to identify with Meg or her sisters at some point in their life and Porter's portrayal of them and their emotions were spot-on. Porter has a witty and fresh way of delivering her characters and making you relate and care about each one of them

This story reads quickly and flows easily with its first person storytelling. You are able to get into Meg's head and understand her reasoning and her emotions and feel them along with her. You join her in her struggles and pain and wish that she hadn't taken the wrong path. The ripple effects of Meg's mistakes were huge and I liked how the author took liberty in not having everyone be happy or okay with Meg's choices.

One part of the novel that I had a hard time with was Meg's relationship with her mother. After finding out that her mother's cancer is back and it is terminal, I expected Meg, as the devoted daughter, to be more present with her mom. Her mom wasn't mentioned much more in the novel and Meg seemed to focus instead on her life rather than wanting to be with her mom. I don't think that matched well with Meg's character and was disappointed when this part of the story wasn't really finished when the novel ended. I was also curious about Meg's relationship with her sister, Sarah at the end of the novel. Did Sarah ever forgive Meg?

I do realize this is the first book in the Brennan Sisters series, with THE GOOD DAUGHTER, about Kit, and THE GOOD WIFE, about Sarah, coming up next. But, I feel like these were important characters in this story to have some closure with. I do hope it will be addressed in the coming novels.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, the characters, and the setting. I look forward to learning more about Kit in the next novel, THE GOOD DAUGHTER and following along in her and her sisters' lives.

THE GOOD WOMAN would make an excellent book club choice, even one with both male and female members. With topics such as marriage, infidelity, parenting, family dynamics, forgiveness, and trust, you are sure to have an excellent discussion.

I'm sad to admit, this is my first Jane Porter novel. As the author of numerous Classic Romance and Modern Lit books, I guess I am a little late to the party. I look forward to reading the rest of the Brennan Sisters stories and looking into Porter's other novels. ( )

The Good Woman by Jane Porter
This book is mostly about Meg. She's married to Jack and they have 3 kids. She works at the vineyard and devotes a lot of her time to family things: kids after school events and parties.
After traveling to the summer house where she meets her mother and other sisters and spends time listening to their problems with their relationships she starts to question her own. Then she travels overseas to the London exhibit for the wine they produce and she is dreaming of another man, not her husband.
Things heat up a bit but she knows she has the best of all worlds with her family and husband. Health issues arise with others and other break up with their significant others and others are having babies-all a natural part of life these days.
Love the interactions she has with her sisters because I know they each will get their own book and it's going to be nice that I already know a bit about the characters.
Hot steamy sex really spice up this book.
Love anything to do with trees and the vineyard business. Love the detailed travel and the summer house. Love Jack's job and how it's described in the book-what a trade!
Just sitting back really taking my time to finish this and thinking of the decisions and the obvious choices she has and the ramifications each holds...
Comes with an excerpt from the next book in the series and that's another emotional one for me to read, can't wait. ( )

The Good Woman by Jane Porter is the first in a trilogy of books about the Brennan sisters. This one is about Meg Brennan Roberts. The book is character driven and we get to meet all the sisters and the parents in depth. Each sister has their baggage that they are working through and they don't all get along with each other. They find out that their mother's cancer has come back so they need to deal with that also. Meg is a woman who is happy in her marriage, happy with her children and happy in her job..or so she thinks..there is a mutual attraction between Meg and her boss Chad, owner of the winery that she works at.
I totally enjoyed this book and can't wait for the second, The Good Daughter when it is released in February 2013. A story full of warmth, love and emotions that the reader is totally pulled into the story. I highly recommend it...it may be called chick lit but I think that any woman who loves a good story will find this trilogy appealing.
I received a copy of this book for review and was not compensated in any way for my review. ( )

From Lilac Wolf and Stuff

I read this a few weeks ago. I picked it up, and couldn't put it down...didn't matter that it wasn't due yet. Jane's writing in this story is so colorful. Meg is a type A personality, all the way. I'm not...and that could have ended the tale. But the way she is presented, you get to know Meg so intimately that you can relate even if you would never be in that situation.

Have you ever felt undesired, unloved and unappreciated in your family? All women can relate to that, and those are the keys to understanding Meg's dilemma. She's spent her entire life being the strong one, the one to take care of everyone. She blamed her parents for putting that pressure on her, but maybe she was just always high-strung?

It runs through the tale in a realistic way. We all have our problems, and times when life doesn't go the way we want it too. But you always have family, even if they bug the living hell out of you. And they will pull you to your feet, even if the regret threatens to drown you.

I adored this story and I can't wait to read "The Good Daughter" coming out in February. ( )

It’s been a while since I sank into a book like Jane Porter’s The Good Woman. From the description, you might think, “Eh, great — another story about a mid-life crisis.” And to be fair? It sort of is. It’s obvious Jack isn’t paying Meg much attention. After 17 years of marriage, he’s just sort of . . . around. Not helping with the kids, not helping with things around the house. Not showing Meg any care and affection. Just there.

The events following Meg’s realization of discontent are gradual — so gradual it took me a while to realize what was happening. But I liked that about it. Porter’s pace is deliberate, and she lets us into Meg’s head often enough to feel the frustration and boredom without playing all her cards at once. Though I felt parts of the narrative became repetitive (Meg hadn’t felt this way in so long, Meg just needed something more), Porter’s in-depth exploration of her main character’s emotions made this book for me.

While The Good Woman stays in the present, flashbacks to the Brennan sisters’ childhood and teenage years provide backdrop for how Meg — sanctimoniously called “Sister Mary Margaret” by a sneering sister — became such a control freak. Known as an extreme perfectionist, Meg is the quintessential “good woman”: a good wife, good mother, good daughter. She works so hard to maintain these ideals that she rarely pauses to figure out what she wants. And who hasn’t felt that way?

Honestly, as the eldest of five kids (four of them women), just about anyone born into that large Irish-American family would struggle under the collective weight of expectation. The Brennan sisters, all at various stages of their lives, are dealing with some heavy stuff — and Meg tries to be there for all of them (save free spirit Bree). When she finally cracks, succumbing to a handsome man’s advances, I didn’t feel nearly as annoyed with her as I should have. By the time the real stuff goes down, we’ve bonded with her. I felt like I knew her. And while not excusing the behavior, I just felt really sorry for her.

The Good Woman is more than mommy-breakdown-lit — and more than a book on infidelity. With three-dimensional characters, a captivating storyline and many emotional twists, Porter’s first in a new trilogy centered on the Brennan women held me hostage. I devoured the book in less than a week, picking it up whenever I had a few minutes, and will eagerly anticipate the next novel in the series. ( )

The Good Woman takes place in Californa wine country involving 5 sisters and their families. The setting alone is endearing then add the entaglement of family ties and I had myself a vacation book. I took off to the North Ga. Mtns, poured our favorite Italian wine and became so very interested in the workings of this California family. Porter spells out some heart wrenching truths of relationships whether it's between a husband and a wife or the odd dynamics of sisters. Because I became so intimate with the family, I felt myself trying to cut each member some slack and I'd look for their redeeming qualities...lol just like I do my own family. This trilogy will pick up again with book 2, "The Good Daughter", and I'll be looking for it! ( )

Meg Brennan Roberts is a woman who seems to be on the verge of a mid-life crisis. The oldest, most capable sister in a traditional family moved smoothly into love, marriage, and motherhood, meeting architect/ husband Jack in college. Meg feels as probably many do at one time or another, both unappreciated yet necessary to the workings of their families. Throw in the rest of the Brennan family and their issues, it's no wonder Meg is headed for some sort of much needed break, although it's probably poorly executed. I look forward to Porter's continuing stories of this family through other sisters. ( )

How much of our personality is innate and how much of it develops because of familial expectations? If a child is always considered the "good child" or the "reliable child" what would it take finally, as an adult, to rebel against this image? How many people will be hurt in the testing of boundaries? And is it ever possible to go back to being the person you were before? Meg Brennan Roberts, the oldest of four sisters, is a very successful publicist for a California vineyard, a reliable, steadfast wife and mother, and a loving daughter. Her life appears to be idyllic and yet she is feeling a nagging sense of unhappiness, making her open to the possibility of an affair, becoming the "bad woman," and altering her life forever in Jane Porter's first novel in the new Brennan Sisters series.

Meg is the family caretaker, the one everyone else relies on in every aspect of life. She makes the parties and publicity at her job run smoothly. She manages her childrens' lives so that there are no bumps in their roads as they go from school to activities and home. She is the unacknowledged and under-appreciated rock who allows her husband to continue his absent-minded, job-obsessed existence. She is the sounding board for two of her three sisters' concerns. And she's tired of it. She's vaguely dissatisfied, wanting more from those she loves. It doesn't help that she feels rebuffed sexually by her husband on those occasions she reaches for him. The only aspect of her life that is feeling completely fulfilling is her work life. So when her gorgeous boss asks her to fly to London with him for a trade show, despite reservations, she ultimately agrees to go. And when boss Chad admits to his attraction to her, she gets a glimpse of herself as a whole different person than the one she feels she's settled into being. Heady stuff.

Once they return, Meg cannot keep from thinking about the possibilities. She's always been the "good girl." The sister with whom she is most antagonistic calls her Sister Mary Margaret. But she's drawn to Chad and to the life he represents. The rest of the Brennan sisters and her parents are all immersed in their own life altering dramas so no one notices that the family Snow White is drifting. And when she makes her decision, feeling unable to do anything but what she's chosen, her choice will reverberate through her life, that of her husband and children, and through her siblings and parents' lives as well.

Meg is an amiable enough character and her feelings of being taken for granted and ignored in her own life will be more than familiar to many women. Her inability to find the acknowledgement and appreciation she craves will definitely strike a cord. But she has some flaws of her own, chief among them her lack of communication with her husband and her family. As the go-to sister, she has no one to turn to herself when she is floundering. This effect is exacerbated by the fact that each of the women in the family is facing her own crisis. And in some ways, this crisis overload is a problem in the narrative. Too many issues intrude on Meg's story: one sister's long term relationship ending, one sister's inability to trust her cheating sports star husband, and her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis. Because this is the book that sets up the rest of the series, the issues need to be raised but they threaten to overwhelm the major storyline here. And although Meg has faced infidelity, understanding that it isn't as black and white as she always thought, as a character in the end she hasn't changed nearly as much as might have been expected given the path she walked. ( )

On the surface, Meg Roberts has it all. She has a loving husband, three children and a job she loves doing PR for an area winery. But Meg is feeling as though she is missing something, that her life lacks some essential thing that she can’t put her finger on. She and her husband Jack have been married for seventeen years but she feels as though they are losing the connection between them. Meg discovers that her charismatic boss Chad has been harboring feelings for her and drifts into an affair which causes the disintegration of her life as she knows it.
Meg is an interesting character. She has always been the good girl, the good wife, the good mother and she has a strong sense of loyalty and a need for structure. This story looks at how someone who has been so tightly controlled all of her life finds herself doing something that she knows is wrong and also knows could ruin her life. The book does not make excuses for her behavior or paint her husband in a terrible light. Yes, he is sometimes distracted and may be a little selfish in the marital bed, but does that excuse adultery? Meg’s family is an old school Irish Catholic one that is having issues of its own. Her sister Kit is getting over the breakup of her long term relationship. Her sister Sarah is married to a professional athlete who cheated on her in the past. Needless to say, Sarah is not sympathetic to Meg’s situation. Meg’s parents are supportive but unhappy with what she has done and they are dealing with their own problems as well.
When I started the book, I was concerned about the theme because I wasn’t sure I could relate to a character that cheats. However, the way the topic was handled in this book made it relatable and not uncomfortable. The resolution of the situation is handled realistically and appropriately. Ms. Porter did not take the easy way out for the character.
This is the first book in the series about the Brennan family. Based on the characters from this book it looks like they will all be pretty interesting. ( )