The First Time

Now in available in trade paperback from New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Joy Fielding—an exquisitely moving story of a marriage at a crossroads, and an estranged husband and wife’s discovery of what love really means.

After sixteen years of marriage, Mattie Hart discovers that her husband, Jake—a high-profile Chicago attorney—is involved in yet another love affair. But a far greater crisis descends upon the Hart family after Jake leaves home: Mattie receives devastating news that will alter their lives. Wracked by guilt, Jake returns to the wife he has never really loved and the teenage daughter who wants nothing to do with him. Here, in these most unexpected of circumstances, Joy Fielding deftly ushers her characters through a poignant drama about love’s astonishing power to heal the deepest wounds.

In this dazzling novel, Joy Fielding expands the scope of her storytelling as never before. The First Time is "a human drama that celebrates life and love...a marvelous story that will leave you cheering, even as you examine your own life and priorities" (Romantic Times).

The First Time is a dazzling illumination of a marriage at the crossroad, where a long estranged husband and wife discover, for the first time, what love really means.

Joy Fielding expands the scope of her storytelling as never before in this exquisitely moving New York Times bestseller -- a richly textured love story of astonishing emotional force.

Publishers Weekly

Terminal illness becomes a catalyst for change in this generally affecting if sometimes maudlin drama by the bestselling author of Missing Pieces and See Jane Run. At 36, art dealer Mattie Hart seems to be enjoying a perfect life. Her husband, Jake, is a brilliant criminal defense lawyer; her teenage daughter, Kim, is lovely and affectionate; and the Harts have a gorgeous home in the Chicago suburbs. But ever since their hasty marriage 16 years ago--Mattie got pregnant on their first date--Jake has been chafing at the bit, sleeping around and neglecting his wife. Until now, Mattie has managed to ignore his infidelities. But his most recent affair, with freelance writer Honey Novak, is more serious, and Jake plots to leave Mattie just as she plans to confront him. Matters come to crisis when Mattie is found to have debilitating Lou Gehrig's disease, with the prognosis of only a short time to live. Jake is guilt-ridden; though he has already moved out, he returns home to care for Mattie, meanwhile continuing his liaison with Honey. The complicated emotional situation hurts Kim, who is already struggling with the onset of maturity and the pressures of social popularity. Fielding is good at chronicling the messy tangle of family relationships, delving into Jake's childhood memories of abuse and Mattie's recollections of marital neglect. As the end approaches for Mattie, all three are forced to examine what love really means. None too subtle, the novel nevertheless wins points for honesty and forthrightness, tackling complex issues and gearing readers up for a three-tissue finale. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Canadian Joy Fielding enjoys a well-deserved international reputation as an outstanding and award-winning author of twelve breathtaking suspense novels, most recently, Don't Cry Now and Missing Pieces. Her other novels include Tell Me No Secrets, See Jane Run, Good Intentions, The Deep End, Life Penalty, The Other Woman, Kiss Mommy Goodbye, Trance, The Transformation and The Best of Friends. A graduate of the University of Toronto, she lives with her family in Toronto and Palm Beach.