The Replacement Wife
by Eileen Goudge
List Price: $16.99
Pages: 482
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781453258149
Publisher: Open Road E-riginal
From New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge comes a poignant new novel that asks the question, “What would you do if you were told you had only six months to live?” For one professional matchmaker the answer is heart-wrenching: She must find her husband’s next wife.
Camille Hart, one of Manhattan’s most sought-after matchmakers, has survived more than her fair share of hardships. Her mother died when she was a young girl, leaving her and her sister with an absentee father. Now in her forties, she has already survived cancer once, though the battle revealed just how ill-equipped her husband Edward is to be a single parent. So when doctors tell Camille that her cancer is back --- and this time it’s terminal --- she decides to put her matchmaking expertise to the test for one final job. Seeking stability for her children and happiness for her husband, Camille sets out to find the perfect woman to replace her when she’s gone.
But what happens when a dying wish becomes a case of “be careful what you wish for”? For Edward and Camille, the stunning conclusion arrives with one last twist of fate that no one saw coming.
At once deeply felt and witty, The Replacement Wife is an unforgettable story of love and family, and a refreshing look at the unexpected paths that lead us to our own happy endings.
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1. What is the significance of Angie's cooking class?
2. How would you describe Edward’s evolution of feelings towards Camille as the story develops and comes to an end? Please explain.
3. What --- or who --- do you think began to drive Edward and Camille apart?
4. Do you think the title of this book is ironic? Please explain why or why not.
5. Do you believe that Camille will ever find a new love? How might her skills as a matchmaker help or hurt her ability to find someone new?
6. In your opinion, did Camille do the right thing by trying to replace herself? Explain. Also, what would you do if you were in her situation?
7. Why did Edward begin to agree with Camille's plan? What prompted his change of heart?
8. The book gives us an extensive look at Camille's family. Why was it that Kyra began to act older while Zach began to act younger? What observation about male and female behavior might Goudge be making?
9. Goudge juxtaposes past and present a great deal in this novel. How do you think the theme of old vs. new relates to the notion that Camille’s father started trying to reconnect with her? How does this event strengthen or weaken the story?
10. If you could write a sequel to The Replacement Wife, what would be the main plot points that you would want to write in? Why? Do you feel like Goudge left anything out of her ending, or do you find the ending appropriate? Please explain.
11. Why do you think the story was set in New York City, as opposed to any other city? What significance does this particular setting have for this story?
12. Which part of the novel did you enjoy most, and why?
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"The Replacement Wife by Eileen Goudge was some interesting romantic read. How Eileen Goudge was able to bring all the characters together was a simply remarkable in how she was able to have such interesting people through the whole story... and there is a long list.... get ready... and still the main focus was on Camille Hart... front....center to the end.
"This story is of a woman ...Camille Hart, who is a matchmaker and very good at her job and that saying "be careful what you wish for" really applies to this story. Camille having survived cancer once and now it was back at stage four, decides with her matchmaking expertise she could make life easy for her husband (Edward Constantin) and her children... Kyra and Zach...by being the one to find him his next wife and mother for the children while she was still alive. Camille wanted someone strictly platonic that would be there for her family when she was gone...YES, she wanted to find Edward his next wife! How Camille goes about this is exciting and humorous to read.
"However, when it comes to Camille her own personal life, this matchmaking doesn't go so well. You will simply have to read this story for yourself and you will see how this all plays out. I don't want to give it away because if is a wonderful read that will keep you on the edge of your seat...turning the pages to the end.
"In the end I can truly say I believe Camille had a wonderful heart but that saying "be careful what you wish for" can come back to bite you in the butt.... in that now Camile may have had her health back but the love of her life (David) has been .... get this read... you will not regret it!
"I really enjoyed enjoyed reading "The Replacement Wife" by Eileen Goudge and I am sure if you are in for a good romance story with a lot of twist and turns you will find this one a good read."
—Arlena Dean
"I've just finished The Replacement Wife by Eileen Goudge, and I'm still sitting here wondering what it would be like to be told you only had a few months to live. A few months left with your children, your husband, friends, and family... what would you do? What would you do if you were a business-woman whose job was to find matches for people that had not the time nor ability to find that perfect someone in their life, then one day you find out that you had to find someone to replace you because you fear your family would be unable to go on without you? How hard would it be to seek out a woman to finish raising your children, to be your husband's companion, to give yourself a sense of accomplishment and well-being before you traveled down your final road to eternal sleep?
"This book made me cry, it made me smile and above all it made me thankful for what I have in my life. Eileen Goudge writes this story beautifully, with an expertise that makes you feel, dream, and truly live it as though you were there. Camille Hart is not just a matchmaker with a terminal illness, she's a martyr, a fighter and a modern day heroine. The surprising ending is the best of all. I whole-heartedly recommend this novel. Everyone should read it, man or woman, a beautiful book and one to truly be cherished."
— Kitty Bullard
