Heart of the Matter is simply a book that doesn't have much heart. It tells the story of two women; the wife and the "other woman." Tessa (the wife) has recently quit her job as a professor to become a stay-at-home mom to her two kids. Valerie (the other woman) is a single mom and career woman whose life revolves around her son Charlie. When Charlie gets into an accident Tessa's "perfect" husband becomes his pediatric surgeon and so his relationship with Valerie begins...Don't think I'm giving away some huge secret by revealing this affair, because that is what the entire book revolves around and it's obvious from early on. The book alternates between Tessa's and Valerie's points of view as the affair progresses. The characters just seem pretty cliche and it feels as though Giffin only brushes the surface. I didn't find either woman particularly likeable, and by the end I was almost glad to be done with them.
The premise behind the novel definitely isn't anything new, but the way in which Giffin presented it was different. I found myself intrigued at first with the alternating perspectives, but the story just didn't develop enough to really keep my interest.
Was it worth the read?
No. I found myself very disappointed in the end and a little bit depressed. I think Giffin should stick to lighter fare until she comes up with a story with more originality and dimension. She has potential, but she hasn't fulfilled it with Heart of the Matter.
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