Husband Material

Twenty-nine-year-old Charlotte Rosen has a secret: she’s a widow. Ever since the fateful day that leveled her world, Charlotte has worked hard to move forward. Great job at a hot social media analytics company? Check. Roommate with no knowledge of her past? Check. Adorable dog? Check. All the while, she’s faithfully data crunched her way through life, calculating the probability of risk—so she can avoid it.

Yet Charlotte’s algorithms could never have predicted that her late husband’s ashes would land squarely on her doorstep five years later. Determined to find meaning in this sudden twist of fate, Charlotte is drawn back into the company of her perfectly coiffed, and perfectly difficult, former mother-in-law—and her husband’s best friend, who seems to be a fixture at her side whether she likes it or not. But soon the discovery of a shocking secret forces Charlotte to answer questions she never knew to ask and to consider the possibility of forgiveness. And when a chance at new love arises, she’ll have to decide once and for all whether to follow the numbers or trust her heart.

Praise for
Emily Belden’s first novel,
Hot Mess

“A fun romp through the world of food, love, and luxury.”

—PopSugar, The Best New Books You Should Read This Spring

“[F]ull of fire and fury.... Belden’s excellent tell-it-like-it-is read is perfect for foodies and entrepreneurs alike.”

—Library Journal (starred review)

“Combining the wit and insight of Stephanie Danler’s Sweetbitter (2016) with the drama of Jessica Tom’s Food Whore (2015), Belden’s first novel is a glimpse into the fast-paced fine-dining industry.... Full of heart, heat, and passion, this restaurant rom-com in novel form is an exhilarating debut.”

—Booklist

“[A]n engrossing, slow-burn read that yields a very satisfying emotional payoff.... Rich with perfect details, balanced between the various different relationships and presented in a well-crafted narrative, this novel is meant to be savored.”

—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick)

“Emily Belden serves the decadence and drama a la mode in Hot Mess. The full-bodied novel takes the resilient Allie Simon on a journey of sex, love, secrets, and the high-end culinary world. You’ll savor every word of this provocative story.”

—Abby Stern, author of According to a Source

“[E]very bit as juicy as the dishes it describes.”

—SPLASH

“[A] fun read filled with romance, drama and plenty of food.”

—Chicago Parent

Also by Emily Belden

Hot Mess: A Novel

Eightysixed: A Memoir about Unforgettable Men, Mistakes, and Meals

Husband
Material

a Novel

EMILY BELDEN

Emily Belden is a journalist, social media marketer and storyteller. She is the author of the novel Hot Mess and Eightysixed: A Memoir about Unforgettable Men, Mistakes, and Meals. She lives in Chicago. Visit her website at www.emilybelden.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram, @emilybelden.

Dedicated to my husband, Matt. I appreciate you.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7