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jadior's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. I picked it up because the author is coming to my local library, not really knowing what to expect. Its a story about a husband with anger issues and how it affects the entire family. It held my interest from page 1. The ending was not what I anticipated, which I found interesting.
atjelea's review against another edition
4.0
***I received a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway***
This is not a book with happy endings...or happy beginnings for that matter. It focuses on the relationship of Maddie and Ben both before and after a tragic accident. The book's chapters rotate between the perspectives of Maddie, Ben and their daughter Emma. Everyone is affected by the accident...but the the problems in this marriage had started well before that horrible day. Every negative action has a consequence in this book, and no one is left unaffected. This was a thought provoking novel that sensitively explores the ramifications of emotional abuse and unchecked anger as well as how children are the ultimate victims in the wars that are raged within a marriage.
This is not a book with happy endings...or happy beginnings for that matter. It focuses on the relationship of Maddie and Ben both before and after a tragic accident. The book's chapters rotate between the perspectives of Maddie, Ben and their daughter Emma. Everyone is affected by the accident...but the the problems in this marriage had started well before that horrible day. Every negative action has a consequence in this book, and no one is left unaffected. This was a thought provoking novel that sensitively explores the ramifications of emotional abuse and unchecked anger as well as how children are the ultimate victims in the wars that are raged within a marriage.
somojones's review against another edition
5.0
A nice clean story. A great portrayal of a complicated marriage. An accident, the aftermath, anger and the struggle to forgive are effectively explored. A reprieve from devils, ghost and murder.
itsmandyj's review against another edition
3.0
This book made me feel every emotion on the spectrum! There were parts I actually had to stop and then felt like it was my life and was in a funk for a day or two before I could get back to reading. I really connected with the story as Ben & Maddy reminded me of myself and their daily struggles in their marriage.
The only thing that made me give this book 3 stars instead of 4 was the ending. I wanted so much more from this book and I really want to continue to follow their story and see how the family recovers from the accident.
The only thing that made me give this book 3 stars instead of 4 was the ending. I wanted so much more from this book and I really want to continue to follow their story and see how the family recovers from the accident.
kle105's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe it was because it took me over 2 weeks to listen to the audiobook but I was just a little bored with this book. The repetitive phrases over and over started to annoy me. I did like that it was character driven and it was for the most part deep into the character psyche, but both characters were mostly unlikable for me. Also the family members who instigated a lot of strife was really annoying. I just couldn't get behind this book. I do think that the betrayal that Maddie went through from her rage filled husband was honest and real and well portrayed.
kaycee_king's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like the ending should've been that she 100% divorced him. Lame.
sarahreadsinin's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so lovely in its emotions. Ms. Meyers does such a spectacular job in every book of hers of making her readers feel the joys and sorrows of her characters. The ending was not the happily ever after that I wanted, but probably a more realistic ending to Ben and Maddy’s story.
bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
What I Liked:
- Unique plot
- Interesting info on recovering from brain injury
- Good characters
- The good reminder to not let your emotions overtake you, particularly in situations where you could accidentally cause massive injuries to others (e.g., road rage).
What I Didn't Like:
- One of the main characters Ben is a successful defense attorney. One might expect that a defense attorney would have a defense about being rear-ended instead of no defense. That part of the story line was a bit odd. I know it was necessary for him to start to take responsibility for his own actions, but I'm not sure it's in line with how a defense attorney would act.
What I Liked:
- Unique plot
- Interesting info on recovering from brain injury
- Good characters
- The good reminder to not let your emotions overtake you, particularly in situations where you could accidentally cause massive injuries to others (e.g., road rage).
What I Didn't Like:
- One of the main characters Ben is a successful defense attorney. One might expect that a defense attorney would have a defense about being rear-ended instead of no defense. That part of the story line was a bit odd. I know it was necessary for him to start to take responsibility for his own actions, but I'm not sure it's in line with how a defense attorney would act.
jillhannaha's review against another edition
5.0
I have to be honest, this is a tough book to read. Not because the writing isn't great (it is!) but it is the subject: a marriage that could have gone so right, instead has gone so wrong due to a violent temper.
Two people (Maddy and Ben) love each other, yet Ben's inability to control his temper over the years has worn thin the threads of what could've been a strong marriage. When a car accident puts Maddy in a position of fighting for her life, she also finds herself wondering if she has the strength to fight for her marriage that has been an endless walking-on-eggshells strain for years.
I've read all of this author's books, and her background knowledge and research in domestic violence helps bring this (tragic) story to life.
Two people (Maddy and Ben) love each other, yet Ben's inability to control his temper over the years has worn thin the threads of what could've been a strong marriage. When a car accident puts Maddy in a position of fighting for her life, she also finds herself wondering if she has the strength to fight for her marriage that has been an endless walking-on-eggshells strain for years.
I've read all of this author's books, and her background knowledge and research in domestic violence helps bring this (tragic) story to life.
jonid's review against another edition
4.0
Maddie and Ben have three kids, careers, parents who are involved and loving and their marriage is a minefield. His free floating anger lashes out periodically and she vacillates between tiptoeing around him and asserting herself in an effort to protect the children. Chapters alternate between Ben and the pressure, guilt and undisciplined fury; Maddie, her desire to cope by taking pills hidden all over the house and her desperate hope that things will be better; and Emma, the 14 year old who is thrust into the role of third adult as she enters adolescence. On a rainy morning, running late and fueled with pressure and anger, reckless driving ends up causing an accident that results in Maddie fighting for her life in the hospital and Ben desperately trying to figure out how to keep his life together. Very well written, the reader gets a window into why Ben's anger is more important to him than the people he loves, why Maddie stays and hopes (though as a social worker who works with women who are in abusive relationships, her rationalization is hard to grasp) and Emma's ability and inability to deal with the impact adult behavior has on the children in the house. You care about the family. Nothing seems overly dramatic or contrived.