The grass is never greener on the other side

Never greener is the first novel by Ruth Jones, a Welsh TV actor and writer, known mostly for the hit show, Gavin and Stacey. You can read my review of Jones's other two novels published to date here.

Never greener | Published April 2018 | Read March 2022

In Never greener, Kate and Callum rekindle their steamy relationship 17 years after their first connection that almost destroys both of them. In the process, they cheat on their respective partners and generally go about the book being spoiled, selfish and unthinking.

I read a few reviews after I finished the novel, and lots said the two main characters are unlikeable and lacked emotional depth. The book is about infidelity, so I assume we're not meant to like Kate and Callum. They lie and cheat and don't care about anyone else getting hurt. But...their lack of emotional depth is kind of the point! They have no reason to cheat on their (lovely) respective partners other than lust and the adventure of it all (grass is greener and all that). To me, the book shows that sometimes people just do s***y things, and there isn't always some deeply profound reason why. My take is that the narrative is presented as authentic and believable. I loved the respective partners in the story and the delightfully kooky Hetty, a support player for the deceived husband.

And, no, it's often never greener on the other side.

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐