A BEAUTIFUL, TERRIBLE THING

A memoir of marriage and betrayal
by Jen Waite
 
I don’t read a ton of memoirs, but this one is GREAT!  I devoured it, staying up way too late several nights in a row.  Not only is the story completely hypnotic, the book is structured to keep you turning pages.
 
Waite tells the story of her life with her ex-husband, whom she states in the prologue is a psychopath.  She doesn’t discover this until five years into their relationship, three weeks after giving birth to their first child.  He is charming, loving and supportive until one day he isn’t.
 
The book begins with Jen discovering an email from a realtor, which mentions his “girlfriend.” They are married and not looking for an apartment so Jen (sleep-deprived and hormonal and totally right) confronts her husband.  From there the book alternates chapters, half telling the story from the beginning up to that point, and the others continuing from the email forward through all the ensuing heartache and drama.
 
Even though you know both the outcome and the big secret from before the first page, it is seriously the most addictive book I have read in a long time.
 
NOTE: I waited more than a year after having my daughter to read this book and I’m glad I did!  New mamas steer clear! (Lily)

A SECOND HELPING

After Lily’s compelling endorsement of this book in theJuly 20, 2019 L & L Review, I couldn’t wait to read it. I completely agree with Lily that once you start reading this memoir, you cannot stop. Even though the author tells you up front that she found out her husband was a psychopath five years into their marriage (and three weeks after the birth of their first child), she lays out her story with mastery. She builds suspense and draws you into her world so that you too find it hard to believe what all the evidence points to – that her husband is a liar and a cheat. Although gut-wrenching to read, Waite comes through it heroically. You must read this book! (Liz)