4 out of 4 stars
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The Gentleman Chameleon by P. A. Schweizer starts with Kate Reilly appearing to lead a blissful married life with tall, handsome and very charming husband Matt and adorable daughter Laura. Matt Reilly is a perfect gentleman, a doting father, and a loving partner; what more could she ask for? Unbeknownst to Kate, Matt pretends to be single while doing field work in Connecticut. A natural charismatic, he wins Julie over with his gentlemanly ways. Recently divorced, she aggressively enters an affair with him, impulsively exposing her heart to uncertainty. With Matt staying in her house, their closeness grows and yet she finds him becoming more of an enigma. How long will it be before Julie and his wife discover his duplicity?
The author's superb ability to engage the reader is evident in this novel. The story is told in smooth fluidity, capturing the reader's attention effortlessly, making it difficult to put the book down until the last page. The characters are relatable, and the novel provides lessons about love, friendship and family. It tells us that rushing things without thinking of the consequences exposes us to more hurt than happiness; on the same breath, it teaches us to grab the opportunity of experiencing happiness whenever we can.
Mike's character is well-developed, typical of a man leading a double life where lies roll off his mouth smoothly. He is self-absorbed, and I found it amazing how he could change color effortlessly: romancing Julie on one breath, then professing his care and love for his family in the next. How crazy can one get with that kind of behavior?! It is amusing his daughter has a pet chameleon and is named after him. He may be a womanizer, but one cannot find fault regarding his role as a father. Notwithstanding, he is a classic example of a psychological case. Julie is an impulsive, needy woman and yet stays grounded and practical. She is unafraid to open her wounded heart to more pain; she is a courageous woman who seizes every opportunity to love and be loved. It is heartwarming to know how Julie's friends worry about her. Kate is the typical homemaker, absolutely trusting of her husband; how can she not be when her husband showers her love and affection?
On the downside, there are some grammatical errors, especially on punctuations. In the chapter dated October 6, two paragraphs are unseparated, and there is a sentence in Chapter 8 that is unfinished. In the chapter dated October 22, Kate is referred to as Julie.
This book was an engaging read, its plot clear, and the situations realistic and relatable. Though there were some grammatical errors, these did not detract the novel's readability and the author's ability to capture and hold the reader's complete attention more than made-up for this flaw. Thus, I give the novel 4 out of 4 stars.
This book is for mature readers because of the numerous graphic and intimate scenes between the married couple, between lovers and the sensitive theme of adultery.
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The Gentleman Chameleon
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