My Father's Wives - by Mike Greenberg (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The co-host of ESPN's Mike and Mike follows up his New York Times bestseller All You Could Ask For with this poignant story of one man's search to understand himself, his marriage, and his father.

Jonathan Sweetwater has been blessed with money, a fulfilling career, great kids and Claire, his smart, gorgeous, sophisticated wife. But there is one thing Jonathan never had: a relationship with his father.

Percival Sweetwater III has been absent from his son's life since Jonathan was nine years old. A five-term U.S. senator, now dead, Percy was beloved by presidents, his constituents, and women alike, especially the five women who married him after Jonathan's mother.

Jonathan hasn't thought about Percy or the hole he left in his life for years. Dedicated to Claire and his family, he's nothing like his serial monogamist father. But then Jonathan discovers evidence that everything in his marriage may not be as perfect as he thought. Hurt and uncertain what to do, he knows that the only way to move forward is to go back.

On this quest for understanding--about himself, about manhood, about marriage--Jonathan decides to track down his father's five ex-wives. His journey will take him from cosmopolitan cities to the mile-high mountains to a tropical island--and ultimately back to confront the one thing Jonathan has that his father never did: home.

Review Quotes

"My Father's Wives is a remarkably compelling story--thought-provoking, sincere, and, at tis heart, undeniably romantic." - Meg Donohue, author of All the Summer Girls
"Greenberg imbues his second novel with an autobiographical sense of purpose and undeniable honesty . . . A highly enjoyable walk through Jonathan's foggy past, tumultuous present, and imagined future. Fans of Joshua Henkin and Emma Straub will enjoy Greenberg's wry, unflinching domestic fiction." - Booklist
"Who would have guessed that a guy who works for ESPN could write such a terrific novel for women? . . . This book, and these women, surprised me all the way through, and moved me to tears and laughter both." - Dorothea Benton Frank, New York Times bestselling author
"I read All You Could Ask For with slack-jawed admiration. Hands-down rookie of the year!" - Bruce Feiler, New York Times bestselling author of The Council of Dads and The Secrets of Happy Families
"In Jonathan Sweetwater, Mike Greenberg has created a character worth rooting for-a smart, strong, sensitive man whose devotion to his wife and children is palpable. Faced with the possibility that his marriage is not what he thinks it is, Jonathan embarks on a moving journey fueled by questions that are every bit as meaningful as their answers. MY FATHER'S WIVES is a remarkably compelling story-thought-provoking, sincere, and, at its heart, undeniably romantic." - Meg Donohue, author of All the Summer Girls
On the surface, MY FATHER'S WIVES appears to be an examination of relationships. Fathers and sons. Husbands and wives. It is that for sure. But it's also so much more...Fully realized characters, deft pacing and spot-on dialogue." - Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers
"Turns out Greenberg knows a lot more than sports. He knows about men--the holes we dig ourselves into and the mess we make trying to pull ourselves out." - Jonathan Tropper, author of This Is Where I Leave You
Praise for All You Could Ask For: "Mike is as clever, astute, and perceptive as he is brilliant. He has beautifully pulled off the three female voices in this novel -- a rare feat for a man -- with tremendous wisdom and insight. I can't wait to see what he does next." - Jane Green, New York Times bestselling author of Tempting fate