The Divorce Papers

by Susan Rieger

published by Crown

March 18th, 2014

I received this book as a digital ARC from the publisher through Net Galley in return for an honest review.

Summary

Twenty-nine-year-old Sophie Diehl is happy toiling away as a criminal law associate at an old line New England firm where she very much appreciates that most of her clients are behind bars. Everyone at Traynor, Hand knows she abhors face-to-face contact, but one weekend, with all the big partners away, Sophie must handle the intake interview for the daughter of the firm’s most important client. After eighteen years of marriage, Mayflower descendant Mia Meiklejohn Durkheim has just been served divorce papers in a humiliating scene at the popular local restaurant, Golightly’s. She is locked and loaded to fight her eminent and ambitious husband, Dr. Daniel Durkheim, Chief of the Department of Pediatric Oncology, for custody of their ten-year-old daughter Jane—and she also burns to take him down a peg. Sophie warns Mia that she’s never handled a divorce case before, but Mia can’t be put off. As she so disarmingly puts it: It’s her first divorce, too.  (from goodreads)

My Review

This is one fun read, though I must say that I now know way more about divorce law than I ever wanted to.  The main character in The Divorce Papers is Sophie Diehl, a 29 year old criminal law associate who enjoys her job.  She is hesitant when asked to help out with an intake interview for a divorce, but since it is for the daughter of a very important client, she does it.  Much to her dismay, she winds up stuck on the case when the client, Mia Miekljohn insisted she wants Sophie as her lawyer.  What comes next is a hilarious, often cringeworthy look inside a divorce.

Susan Rieger has written a debut novel that is new and refreshing.  Her characters are well written, especially Sophie.  The story is told all through correspondences- personal letter, emails, office memos, and legal papers.  While I found the legal papers very confusing and a bit boring (as I find ALL legal papers), it kept the story moving along and very interesting.  I would recommend this book- it was fun and a quick read for me!

My Rating

4 out of 5

About the author

Susan Rieger is a graduate of Columbia University Law School. She is also a former Associate Provost for Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action at Columbia University. The Divorce Papers is her debut novel.