The Affair: A Novel

Danielle Steel

Mar 2021 · Sold by Delacorte Press

About this ebook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this riveting novel, Danielle Steel explores a high-profile affair that reverberates throughout an entire family, from the wounded wife to her husband—torn between two women—to the wife’s close-knit sisters and their mother.

When Rose McCarthy’s staff at Mode magazine pitches a cover shoot with Hollywood’s hottest young actress, the actress’s sizzling affair with a bestselling French author is exposed. The author happens to be Rose’s son-in-law, which creates a painful dilemma for her. Her daughter Nadia, a talented interior designer, has been struggling to hold her marriage together, and conceal the truth from their young daughters, her family, and the world. But Nicolas, her straying husband, is blinded by passion for a younger woman—and not only that, she is pregnant with his child.

Nadia’s three sisters close ranks around her, flying to Paris from Los Angeles and New York to lend support and offer their widely divergent advice. Athena, a jovial celebrity chef with her own TV show in Los Angeles, is leery of marriage. Olivia, a stern conservative New York superior court judge, is haunted by a shocking secret of her own. Venetia, a zany fashion designer, happily married with three kids, has the gentlest, most realistic point of view. Despite their well-meaning advice, Nadia needs to figure out what she herself thinks, and what to do next.

The Affair is about the painful journey to discover who you are, what you want, and how much forgiveness and compromise you are capable of in order to be loved. It’s about finding yourself at the crossroads of life when everything is on the line. It’s about the hard lessons we are forced to learn about others and ourselves. Right up until its final twist, this gripping novel is full of powerful insights about who we love, how much—and even how much we love ourselves.

Ratings and reviews

The Affair is the latest novel by Danielle Steel. I found it easy to read with Danielle Steel’s trademark writing style. I have been reading this author’s novels since I was twelve (I borrowed them from my mother and then the library). Despite the subject matter, it is an easy breezy type of book. A husband has an affair, and we see how it affects his wife and children. The situation is further complicated because the mistress is an actress, and he is a bestselling novelist. The point-of-view switches between Nadia, Nicolas, and Rose. We get to see each person’s point-of-view on the affair and how it affects them. We go from Paris to LA and to New York as well as the French countryside. The author provides good descriptions of each character which allowed me to visualize them. I liked seeing Nadia develop into a stronger more confident woman. We also get to the see the four sisters strengthen their bond. This story did not play out as I expected which was great. I like that the women are smart and driven. It is wonderful that the author gave us strong female characters. There is plenty of glamour as well in the story (it would not be a Danielle Steel novel without a little glitz). There is some mild foul language in the book plus a repetition of information. I do not need a character’s backstory repeated to me several times nor the details of the affair. The Affair was a wonderfully distracting novel. I enjoy books that takes your mind of your own worries. The Affair is a poignant novel with a frustrating affair, sensitive sisters, a compassionate mother, a self-absorbed thespian, a sinister secret, a problematic pregnancy, and a reckless spouse.

I read in about three days. I love Danielle 's books! This book is why I have been reading her since high school! Anyway, this book really makes you check your marriage vows. Nadia did what was right despite the shame she faced. Forgiveness is more powerful than anyone would know until it falls in your lap.

I loved this book ..couldn't put it down..much better than the last few..more her style..textbook danielle steele. cynthia oleary..3/20/21..great synopsis kristina anderson..I've read many of her books especially in the last few years..this was good.. didnt want it to end!

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include Neighbors, All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.