Today I have a review of Beside Herself by Elizabeth LaBan, available from Lake Union Publishing on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. A big thanks to Kathleen Carter for the complimentary copy.
My Thoughts:
When Hannah finds out her husband has cheated, she thinks it’s time to move on because that’s what everyone else does. It turns out that’s not her plan. She loves her husband, and other than the cheating, their family life was happy before.
Then, Hannah becomes angry. She decides she should cheat, too, to even the score, and her husband, Joel, agrees because he wants her to be happy.
Hannah is not exactly excited about dating again, and it’s not off to an easy start…until she finds someone she connects with.
Now she doesn’t know which path to choose, but she knows the choice is hers.
Hannah’s story definitely intrigued me. It was interesting to have a different take on a cheating spouse and to watch Hannah grow as a character. She was fallible and vulnerable at times, which I appreciated.
Overall, I found Beside Herself to be a poignant take on a character finding her voice and inner strength with some relatable foibles along the way.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Book:
With her signature wit and charm, bestselling author Elizabeth LaBan shows how marriage doesn’t necessarily follow a straight line and unexpected detours might just bring you back to the place you most want to be.
When she finds out her husband cheated, Hannah Bent thinks her marriage is over. Isn’t that what happens after an affair? But she’s seen friends divorce, and it’s not pretty. Plus, she and Joel have kids and an otherwise-happy life, and she still loves him, although begrudgingly.
Furious and feeling stuck, she suggests having her own affair to even the score. Joel, desperate for forgiveness, agrees. But does she really want to go through with it? And how exactly does a married mother of two get back in the dating pool? Many awkward dates follow until she finds a deep and unexpected connection where she was least looking for it.
Just as she thinks she’s made a decision, her journey to happiness is waylaid by storms of doubt. But the important thing is that she’s finally figuring out what she truly wants for herself, and she understands that whatever choice she makes must be hers and hers alone.
Have you read Beside Herself, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Well, that’s different! How interesting, Jennifer💜 I’m imagining what that journey would look like. Wonderful review!
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Thanks, Jonetta! It was definitely a different and. Interesting take!
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Cute picture! Great review, Jennifer! I added this contemporary fiction to my TBR list. Happy Wednesday!
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Thanks, Virginia! I hope you have had a great Wednesday! ♥️
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Certainly a different take on things! Don’t know if you can ever find happiness by engaging in one upmanship though!
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So true, Marialyce! It was nice to see the author explore it differently.
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This definitely sounds like a twist on the cheating spouse story! And what a sweet kitten photo!!!
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Aww, thanks, Tammy! Yes, it was definitely a different take on it!
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Wow that’s a unique turn of events. I like the idea that she realized she has to decide what she wants for herself. But I would hate the staying because once they have cheated why not cheat again? Excellent review Jennifer!
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Thanks, Anne! I liked that, too, and it was a risk by the author to do that.
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It doesn’t sound like a solution to anything to have an affair of her own. I hope they worked it out in the end. Lovely photo, as ususal!
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Thanks so much, SG. It definitely wasn’t a solution- I completely agree, but I like that the author took a risk in telling a different narrative rather than the usual ones.
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Lovely review.
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Thanks, Jules!
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You go, Hannah! ❤️ ❤️ And Jennifer, once again your picture and your cat! 😍😍
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Aww, thanks so much, Jee! ♥️
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Great review Jen! Not sure I could do what Hannah talks about doing, but I’m sure it was an interesting read! Lol🍁💗
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Thanks, Sus! It definitely was an interesting read! ♥️
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Well this really sounds interesting. What do you do when you still love the person and the life you have together? More power to Hannah. Great review Jennifer and I absolutely love your picture, especially, the kitten.
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Thanks, Carla! I enjoyed that it was a different take. My Dickens is such a sweetie! ♥️
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Wow this sounds very interesting – I’ve never read a story that centered around infidelity like this where the forgiveness came so easily (at first). It def seems like the story gets quite complicated, so I’m curious to see what path she chooses.
PS your cat looks so adorable in that header image! 💜
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This would be a hard one for me to read, I think, just because cheating is like a trigger for me. With some books it works out okay for me though depending. You have me intrigued with this one though! Glad you enjoyed it. ☺️❤
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