A woman discovers her marriage is built on an illusion in this harrowing and ultimately inspiring memoir.“Be forewarned: You won’t sleep until you finish the last page.”—Caroline Leavitt, author of Cruel Beautiful WorldOne night. One email. Two realities…Before: Jen Waite has met the partner of her dreams. A handsome, loving man who becomes part of her family, evolving into her husband, her … becomes part of her family, evolving into her husband, her best friend, and the father of her infant daughter.
After: A disturbing email sparks suspicion, leading to an investigation of who this man really is and what was really happening in their marriage.
In alternating Before and After chapters, Waite obsessively analyzes her relationship, trying to find a single moment form the past five years that isn’t part of the long con of lies and manipulation. Instead, she finds more lies, infidelity, and betrayal than she could have imagined. With the pacing and twists of a psychological thriller, A Beautiful, Terrible Thing looks at how a fairy tale can become a nightmare and what happens when “it could never happen to me” actually does.
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This book was easy to read – had me rooting for the main character
It made me think about a past relationship that I hadn’t realised was with someone that definitely had some problems!
I loved it!
Great insight into the world of a psychopath with detailed information. A real eye-
opener. I learned a lot, fascinating. I even took notes.
Could not put this book down. Having gone through a similar situation a few years ago helped me to sympathize with the main character. She described the personality disorder perfectly.
Good book. This could have been great suspense.
This is just a story of a badly unfaithful husband. Her experience is not unique to those of us who share it.
Trouble w this kind of memoir is that it attacks the character of another person, making a case of him being a sociopathic type, without a rebuttal. Obviously, names are changed, but frankly, from the get go, I had a hard time feeling sympathy for the woman scorned here.
I laughed, I cried and I cried some more.
This book was heart breaking in so many ways, but yet inspirational too.
Don’t miss this one.
I must have found it entertaining because I read it to the end. I did find it a bit padded and repetitive.
Interesting, however, I kind of got tired of her feeling sorry for herself. She’s not the only person who has a husband who cheats on her. She fell for a Latin lover she barely knew and should have known better. Still interesting though.
Although the “Terrible” thing seemed not-all-that-terrible to me, it was the writer’s terrible thing, If you’ve led a charmed life, then I guess that would be pretty terrible. Lots of people suffer worse things, but it was a good story, and well written. It did keep me reading all night long, and that’s the important thing. (I kept reading to find out what the REALLY terrible thing was!)
This gave some in sight into personality disorders and how that might look in a relationship. Not well written but it didn’t seem to matter
This book was so fascinating that I read it in 2 days. I was completely engulfed in the psychoanalysis and the way an intelligent woman was duped by this compulsive lair. Jen was so easy to get attached too that I wanted a sequel.
Excruciating detail about an unfaithful husband who caused a sad failed marriage. Kept waiting for something else to happen but no.
The book was more about the author getting over a loss of someone she trusted.
Everyone should read this book. It’s eye-opening and crucial information if you’re in this type of relationship and hopefully to avoid a painful relationship altogether.
Really scary to read about not knowing you husband at all!
Was just ok, didn’t think the author’s experience was particularly unique or that interesting and I’m not sure she gained any real insights into herself..I dont think the reader does either.
What’s worse than you thinking your marriage is perfect? Watching everything you thought you knew fall apart.