Scan barcode
mcearl12's review against another edition
4.0
Compelling. Makes me want to read more of this author.
aburgess15's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. this book was seemed tonnage no purpose for me. I didn't want anyhing in the end for the characters.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
Randy Susan Myers’ ACCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE, a bittersweet account of a complex marriage relationship, derailed by dishonesty, emotional abuse, and rage—A tragedy forces one dysfunctional family to reexamine their lives, face their fears, and accept responsibility for their actions, before healing can begin.
The Illica Boston family is a ticking time bomb waiting to ignite. (A broken corporation, Illica Sucks, Inc). The pressure mounts daily and has built up with fifteen years of crap. Something has to happen in order for a change to occur and release the pressure.
Maddy, a social worker, a busy wife and mother, is trying to balance her career, and three children (Emma 14, Gracie 9, Caleb 7), while taking pills in order to cope, and live with Ben, her high strung, angry, controlling, verbally and emotionally abusive narcissistic husband. Brilliant, handsome and charming, Ben could turn into a raging bull when crossed—and despite her training as a social worker Maddy is never sure what would set him off on a rampage.
A family turns into competitions for time, daily emotional battles, and aggressive behavior. As the pressures mount, and tempers flare, shattered dreams erupt for a final explosion—as it trickles down, even to the children’s behavior and reactions—an accident driven by a short fuse, forces this family to face the truths, where nothing will be the same, with devastating consequences. When recovery means more than just facing physical injuries, and a marriage becomes too broken to be repaired.
Told from three different POVs (Maddy, Ben, Emma), Myers creates a poignant, and compelling detailed account of an ordinary family, and its downward spiral—for a heartbreaking tale with well-developed, flawed and realistic characters. Filled with intensity, a deeply moving gripping story; a psychological look inside this family tragedy —with great insight into the human complexities of life, written with compassion, while laced with wit and humor, for an engaging page-turner!
This was my first book by Randy Susan Myers’, and enjoyed her sharp writing style and look forward to reading her previous books! Fans of Jane Green, Amy Hatvany, Lisa Genova, Diane Chamberlain, and Liane Moriarty will enjoy this thought-provoking family drama of love unraveled, and life’s messiness.
Quotes I liked:
A special thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a complimentary ARC.
JDCMustReadBooks
The Illica Boston family is a ticking time bomb waiting to ignite. (A broken corporation, Illica Sucks, Inc). The pressure mounts daily and has built up with fifteen years of crap. Something has to happen in order for a change to occur and release the pressure.
Maddy, a social worker, a busy wife and mother, is trying to balance her career, and three children (Emma 14, Gracie 9, Caleb 7), while taking pills in order to cope, and live with Ben, her high strung, angry, controlling, verbally and emotionally abusive narcissistic husband. Brilliant, handsome and charming, Ben could turn into a raging bull when crossed—and despite her training as a social worker Maddy is never sure what would set him off on a rampage.
A family turns into competitions for time, daily emotional battles, and aggressive behavior. As the pressures mount, and tempers flare, shattered dreams erupt for a final explosion—as it trickles down, even to the children’s behavior and reactions—an accident driven by a short fuse, forces this family to face the truths, where nothing will be the same, with devastating consequences. When recovery means more than just facing physical injuries, and a marriage becomes too broken to be repaired.
Told from three different POVs (Maddy, Ben, Emma), Myers creates a poignant, and compelling detailed account of an ordinary family, and its downward spiral—for a heartbreaking tale with well-developed, flawed and realistic characters. Filled with intensity, a deeply moving gripping story; a psychological look inside this family tragedy —with great insight into the human complexities of life, written with compassion, while laced with wit and humor, for an engaging page-turner!
This was my first book by Randy Susan Myers’, and enjoyed her sharp writing style and look forward to reading her previous books! Fans of Jane Green, Amy Hatvany, Lisa Genova, Diane Chamberlain, and Liane Moriarty will enjoy this thought-provoking family drama of love unraveled, and life’s messiness.
Quotes I liked:
“The ideal man. Bears the accidents of life with. Dignity and grace. Making the best of circumstances. That’s Aristotle. I copied it. From Zelda’s office. I so wanted to be. Dignified and graceful. But now I know. How could I? I didn’t have an accident. Of life. It was. An accident of marriage.“
“We can’t be waiting for someone to hand us respect, for a man to make us feel good, as though we’re puppies waiting to have our bellies patted. Happiness comes from a whole lotta different places. A man’s love is just one piece of that huge cake. And even harder? You gotta bake that damn cake yourself.”
A special thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a complimentary ARC.
JDCMustReadBooks
mmc6661's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderfully well written story about life. Life, family and marriages and the fine line that we all sometimes tread. How one act of careless anger can change a life forever and how to deal with the consequences that follow. Randy Susan Meyers writes with such human emotion that pulls you into the lives of Ben, Maddy and their 3 children as they learn how to survive a terrible tragedy and try to rebuild what is left of their family. Her characters are not storybook people but true to life, flawed people that each of us can relate to. When I finished the last page I just wanted to reach into the book and hold this family close. You know you've read a good book when you don't want to let go. No spoilers but I will say Meyers gives you a realistic ending that almost has you wanting that final finish. I may have to pick up the phone and check in on Maddy someday soon ! An emotional and beautiful novel from beginning to end.
mellabella's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like I start off so many reviews saying "I don't know...". This was a good enough read. Although I put it down once to read two other books. Ben has sometimes uncontrollable rages. He never hit his wife Maddy or any of their three kids (Emma, Gracie, and Caleb). He's done other things. Throwing things, etc. One day his rage contributes to an accident that leaves Maddy in a coma. I didn't dislike any of the characters. I didn't like any of them either. Emma was a brat before her mother was hurt. Ben... Was OK. Rages and all. I was even disappointed when he slept with the intern. I guess certain parts were drawn out. It was a long read. Which, I wouldn't have noticed had I liked it more. The ending left things in the air. I don't know if I would recommend. If you like familial issues and drama, this is for you.
nixieknox's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting - didn't end as I thought it would. I like a little more closure in books, and I still think Ben was a jerk. Also I skimmed a lot of Emma's parts - I didn't care at all about her boyfriend, and I didn't think it added all that much to the story.
labtracks's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this, I can relate somewhat. I couldn't really see where this was going. A lot of meandering through everyday life seemingly without direction, but it all lead up to a great ending. Some may not think so, may even call it a bit boring, but the simplicity is its power, which made it great for me.