An Ex to Grind

Type: Prose

Genre: Fiction (Chic Lit.)

Author: Jane Heller

Year Published: 2005

Main Characters: Melanie Banks -financial planner, ex-wife of Dan Swain

Dan Swain - pro football player, ex-husband of Melanie Banks

Evan - attractive painter; neighbor of Melanie

Leah - veterinarian; Dan's girlfriend

Desiree - matchmaker

__________________________

Summary

Manhattan financial planner Melanie Banks is pissed off. She has gotten divorced from his pro football player ex-husband Dan "Traffic" Swain but still trapped with him. She needs to share custody of their pet dog Buster. Plus, the alimony that she has to give him every month. It has been so stressing to her especially since her ex-husband doesn't even bother to look for a job and even spends her money recklessly. Because of that, she devised a plot to get rid of the alimony. The loophole in the arrangement which is the cohabitation clause that her husband needs to live with a woman for 90days. She then hired a matchmaker to set up her husband with another woman who happens to be Leah. Dan fell into the plan. In fact, he and Leah fell in love. Leah was able to motivate Dan and bring out good changes in him. Melanie noticed it and started to get caught in her own trap. She is falling in love again with Dan. Now she doesn't know how to clean the mess she just did. Will she pursue the plan or will she go after Dan?

____________________

This novel is very witty and hilarious. You could easily relate to it since the setting is very much taken from the present time.

Jane Heller was successful in showing how a woman could be responsible for the success and downfall of her man. How a woman could do things that man could also do. Yet, she also showed that a woman is still a human being capable of being weak and getting hurt.

I can say that this novel is a perfect after-break-up read to all women out there. the story teaches us about moving on. letting go and taking chances.

***

Memorable lines from the book


"You can’t have a marriage between strangers.” - Melanie Banks


"It isn’t possible to love two women. Not in the same way at the same time." - Evan


"What makes ordinary people heroic is when they give up the thing they want most." - Evan