Britmums Book Club review – A Better Man by Leah McLaren

I’ve now read a diverse range of books from the Britmums Book Club but when I saw the synopsis of their latest offering A Better Man, I was very eager to get my hands on a free copy. It sounded just like the genre of book I buy for myself.

This is what it says on the back cover.

Maya wants Nick to be less of a workaholic, to come home earlier, to spend some time with his children.

Nick wants a divorce.

With his mind made up, Nick is determined to leave. But it comes as a shock to realise how much it will cost him to walk away. As a stay-at-home mum, Maya is entitled to everything.

Then an unlikely solution presents itself: Nick needs to act like a better man. If he plays the part of a good husband and father, Maya will become happier and more self-sufficient – and Nick’s pay-out to her will be far cheaper.

But as Nick pretends to be a better man he becomes one. He remembers why he fell in love with Maya and what a great couple they can be. Everything seems to be back on track. Until Maya finds out exactly what Nick has been planning…

Once I started reading this book, I didn’t want to put it down. I was gripped right from chapter 1. I won’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t read it yet. Nick, the main character has everything – wife, twins, nice home, good job, but he is not satisfied. He wants a divorce and he is encouraged by his lawyer friend Adam Gray to become a good husband and father in order to get a much cheaper divorce in 6 months time. So he spends more time with his wife Maya and young children. The plan seems to be working as Maya applies for a job in her old law career. Then Nick and Maya go away without the children on an $800 per night holiday to Belize where Nick awakens to the fact that his life is perfect after all. However back home, Adam Gray tells Maya what Nick had been planning.

And I’ll leave you to read it, to find what happens next.

A Better Man is the second novel by Leah McLaren and is published by Corvus. The paperback edition is currently on sale on Amazon for £4 compared to an RRP of £7.99. It is also available in hardback and kindle format. I really enjoyed reading it and thoroughly recommend this book. I’ve now added her first novel The Continuity Girl to my wishlist and hope there will be more to follow.

This is my fifth book from the Britmums Book Club. Previously I have read the following for Britmums.
Hippy Dinners by Abbie Ross
The Silent Hours by Cesca Major
The Judas Scar by Amanda Jennings
Above All Things by Tanis Rideout

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of a book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.