Brave and Outrageously Funny: Read Our Review of Currently Between Husbands by Cathrine Mahoney

Trust me, there is life and love (and plenty of laughter) after divorce, even when your ex is one of Australia’s highest-profile sports stars.

“Actually, I Don’t Like Cricket Or Blow Jobs! (And to be honest, I suck at both.) Yes, that was what I originally wanted to call this book. But then I realised that some women like cricket. Also, reading this in front of your inquisitive seven-year-old could lead to some awkward conversations. So, in stepped Currently Between Husbands to save the day and any blushes.”

Having a relationship in the spotlight is hard enough, but in Currently Between Husbands, Cathrine Mahoney details the unique experience of breaking up with one of Australia’s highest-profile sports stars. Even for a self-confessed over-sharer, the breakdown of her marriage to rugby league player Andrew Johns was more public than she was used to. In her first book, the writer, podcaster and publicist provides a self-deprecating and hilarious look at her life – from fashion mistakes and early crushes as a kid growing up in Wales, to her years working with some of the world’s biggest stars at Sony Music, to navigating life and love as a ‘solo’ mum, and coming to terms with hitting the big 4-0. Currently Between Husbands is the equivalent of having a chat with your bestie over a drink or two, with all the inappropriate confessions, front bottom revelations and teary moments that entails.

I was overseas for most of legendary NRL player Andrew Johns’ glory years, so I’ll admit I didn’t really know that much about him or his (now ex) wife Cathrine Mahoney. Now, after reading this outrageously funny and brave memoir, I want to be her best friend (apologies to my current bestie).

This is a fun, fast, often self-deprecating, always self-aware read. It’s not a hatchet job on the ex – this is not ‘a woman scorned’. If anything, it’s an acutely honest look at how time heals, and how it’s important to hold tight to all the good things about marriage once it’s over, particularly when children are involved.

Currently Between Husbands reveals what marriage was like to a sporting superstar – Mahoney and Johns were together for twelve years – but it’s so much more than that as well. As Mahoney writes in her prologue, “I’m a self-confessed oversharer whose only filter is the one I use on my Instagram photos.” That’s a quality that works well here – I suspect she writes as she speaks, and this retelling of her life is wonderful. She’s the consummate storyteller. But this is also the book I wished I’d read after my divorce. It’s not so much a self-help book (Mahoney makes a disclaimer that it’s not a self-help book because she is still in therapy!) as it is a reminder that you’re not alone, even on your worst days.

Go out and grab this book and read it. In fact, buy two copies and give one to a girlfriend. Give it to every girlfriend going through a divorce. Currently Between Husbands is a great read – you’ll cringe, you’ll cry and you’ll laugh so hard you’ll wish you’d kept up those Kegel exercises.

Buy a copy of Currently Between Husbands here.