The Other Woman

The first-person narrator switches to the novel’s protagonist, Emily, as she struggles to order a glass of wine in a crowded bar. She is taking a break from a conference for human resources professionals; Emily works in recruitment for a consulting agency. One of the only women at her place of employment, Emily is successful at her job and enjoys a lucrative salary. An attractive man (Adam Banks) intentionally skips Emily’s turn in line and then pays for Emily’s drink. They exchange smiles, and Emily returns to her colleagues, who attempt to hit on her.

Just as Emily decides to leave the conference, Adam introduces himself and offers to buy her another drink. They flirt while making fun of Emily’s co-workers.

Emily acknowledges how Adam’s romantic interest catches her off guard. She appreciates her quiet, content life with her flatmate, Pippa, and best friend, Seb. Emily prefers relaxing at home to frequenting bars or restaurants, and consequently, she rarely dates. However, her relationship with Adam quickly blossoms, and Emily spends more time with him than with her friends.

Feeling as if Adam hides parts of himself from her, Emily invites Seb to meet Adam. Emily believes Seb is astute in reading people and judging characters accurately, and she trusts Seb will give Emily his honest opinion. Adam tells Seb that his father passed away when he was a child. Because he also lost his father, Seb relates to Adam, but he later tells Emily that he senses something off about Adam.

Later that same night, Emily and Adam discuss their families, and Adam assures Emily his mother would approve of their relationship. Emily seeks more confirmation of Adam’s commitment to her, but he disappoints her by requesting they take their relationship slow. Emily feels safe with Adam and desperately craves a serious relationship with him.

One month later, Emily prepares meticulously in anticipation of meeting Adam’s mother, Pammie. Adam compliments Emily and showers her with affection when he picks her up but becomes tense and short with Emily when Emily makes a slightly sexual joke about Pammie.

Pammie shows Emily pictures of Adam as a child while sharing fond memories. Emily asks about a picture displaying Adam’s late father, Jim, and Pammie cries. Adam comforts his mother, showing a protective nature. Pammie holds Emily responsible for the growth of Adam’s beard, and both women comment on how handsome Adam appears.

Adam and Pammie retreat to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Emily continues to look at the photo album, noticing a picture of Adam kissing another girl, whom Emily assumes to be an ex-girlfriend. The caption under the photograph reads “Darling Rebecca—miss you every day” (29). Emily feels unsettled by Adam’s exuberantly happy expression in the photo and Pammie’s obvious affection for the woman.

Emily shares the details of meeting Pammie with Pippa, and they theorize about Adam’s photo with Rebecca. Pippa believes the caption indicates Rebecca died, but Emily’s not sure. When Pippa asks why Emily didn’t inquire about the image of Rebecca with Adam, she tells Pippa about the awkwardness between her and Adam on the drive to Pammie’s house and how Adam continues to act distant.

Emily reflects on the differences between her and her flatmate. Pippa is more reckless, ambitious, and outgoing. Emily prefers to act carefully and live a quieter lifestyle. While she admires Pippa’s wilder side, she feels Pippa encourages her into situations (like a one-night stand) that she later regrets.

Adam withdraws from Emily for a few weeks after the visit with Pammie. He blames his distracted mood on work while he helps Emily decorate her Christmas tree. The couple talks about previous relationships. Emily asks about Rebecca, and Adam reveals very few details aside from the fact that he was in love with her. Emily tells Adam about her ex-boyfriend, Tom, who engaged in an affair with Emily’s close friend, Charlotte. The experience hinders her ability to trust others, a problem Emily identifies as Adam describes enjoying working with a new female colleague.

The couple makes plans for Christmas. Adam communicates that he is unwilling to leave his mother on or around the holiday. Emily decides to drive to Pammie’s house on Boxing Day, even though this will cost her time with her brother, sister-in-law, and niece. Emily calls Pammie to confirm Pammie’s willingness to host Emily, and Pammie becomes flustered while trying to decide a time to serve dinner. Emily instructs Pammie not to wait for Emily before serving dinner; Emily will eat with her family. Pammie confirms Emily’s intentions of spending the night at Pammie’s house.

Emily reluctantly leaves her family on Boxing Day and realizes how sad she feels about missing out on fun family traditions as she hugs her mother, Valerie, goodbye. She acknowledges how serious she feels about Adam and looks forward to his meeting her family. Emily’s father, Gerald, makes protective comments, not wanting Emily to feel hurt by another boyfriend.

Adam scolds Emily for being six minutes late to dinner, lamenting everyone’s hunger. James Banks, Adam’s brother, arrived unexpectedly on Christmas Eve. Emily feels perturbed that Adam failed to communicate this with Emily. She is eager for Adam to meet her family; he could have done so on Boxing Day while avoiding the guilt of leaving Pammie alone. James and Emily relate to each other while discussing the passion they enjoy in their work. Emily feels flustered by the connection she makes with James. James discusses his current relationship troubles with the group. Pammie serves Emily a heaping plate of food, though Emily just enjoyed a large meal with her own family. Emily struggles to eat a respectable amount of food, and Pammie appears insulted by Emily’s lack of appetite.

Later, Pammie forbids Emily and Adam from sleeping in the same bedroom and claims she didn’t realize Emily planned on spending the night. She insists Emily sleep on the couch while Adam and James share the guestroom. Out for a walk, Adam makes excuses for his mother, which enrages Emily. Adam questions Emily’s version of her conversation with Pammie, and Emily begins to doubt herself. Crying, Emily apologizes to Adam, and Adam asks if Emily feels stressed about work. Emily lies and answers Adam’s question affirmatively. Really, she suspects Pammie is attempting to sabotage her relationship with Adam.

Much to Emily’s chagrin, Adam insists Emily allow Pammie to treat the couple to Emily’s birthday dinner a few weeks after Christmas. Emily rearranges plans already made with Pippa and Seb to accommodate Pammie’s plans. During dinner, Pammie appears shocked and disturbed by the fact that Adam will take Emily to Scotland for her birthday. While Adam is in the bathroom, Pammie suggests Emily back off from her relationship with Adam. Pammie tells Emily that Adam complained about Emily’s overbearing presence in his life.

Later, Emily describes the exchange to Pippa, calling Pammie “a bitter, jealous psychopath” (60). Pippa thinks Emily is overreacting to Pammie’s comment, and Emily resolves not to be so easily disquieted by Pammie’s suggestions.

Adam and Emily plan to move in together, though Adam confesses he doesn’t feel ready for marriage. Emily wishes to elope in a tropical location, but Adam asserts this type of wedding would go against what Pammie wants. Emily believes she must tread carefully while challenging Adam and Pammie because their wants and needs often conflict with hers.

Despite Emily’s negative feelings for Pammie, she feels strongly in love with Adam. She is comfortable with him, and she wants to trust him. Emily receives a text message from Pammie that is clearly intended for Adam; the message theorizes Emily is having an affair. Emily doesn’t reply to Pammie or bring up the accusation with Adam. When Adam exchanges text messages with Pammie, he fails to mention anything amiss. Emily feels upset with Adam’s lack of honesty about Pammie’s communication.

James sends Emily text messages that could be classified as flirting. Emily enjoys the fun, brotherly nature of the conversation, and she asks about James’s girlfriend. The conversation ends with James sending Emily a wink and kiss emoji, to which Emily does not respond.