5 Reasons to Leave a Lover-A Novella and Other Short Stories by Carolyn Moncel

Title:  5 Reasons to Leave A Lover—A Novella and Other Short Stories

Author:  Carolyn Moncel

Genre:  Adult

Publisher:  Self-Published

Format:  Kindle

  *author request to review

While there are most certainly many ways to leave a lover—as Paul McCartney told us in song—there are only a few reasons to leave a lover. Moncel explores these reasons in her collection 5 Reasons to Leave a Lover.  Moncel’s characters bring to life the heartache experienced when a relationship fractures apart, no matter the reason.

Carolyn Moncel’s 5 Reasons to Leave a Lover—A Novella and Other Short Stories is a quick read exploring the various reasons that relationships end. In the novella, she brings back characters introduced in the book Encounters in Paris, and shows the reader life after the discovery of an affair. Moncel explores the various sides of the story found in any love triangle. Every point of view is different.  Moncel very effectively captures the pain, desperation and heartache of a betrayed woman through Ellery.  Katrine shows us the anguish and confusion felt by a mistress, while Julien personifies the cheating husband. I thought this tale was very well-told. The two short stories that follow explore the point of view of an interested party during the break-up of a marriage and the loss of love after many, many years.

5 Reasons to Leave a Lover is a very easy read, I finished it in just a couple of days (I was reading multiple books at the time and I kept switching back and forth). It’s not your typical chick-lit, instead it explores love and loss in very touching stories. Despite not having read Encounters in Paris, I was able to follow Ellery’s and Julien’s story easily. I especially enjoyed the little twist in the short story Or Maybe Just Leave, Steve. Overall, this collection of short stories is an enjoyable read, especially if you are looking to fill a quiet, rainy afternoon.

My grade for 5 Reasons: