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, … 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.
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When Hannah Bent discovers her husband, Joel, has had an affair, she knows she needs to find a way to make herself feel okay again. Why not have an affair herself to even the score? Elizabeth LaBan has written a heartfelt and surprising novel about a woman’s quest to restore her self-esteem and survive betrayal — as she embarks on a journey of discovering just what love really means. I could not stop turning the pages to see what was going to happen!
It may sound strange to call a story about the aftermath of infidelity comforting, but that’s exactly what this novel was. Elizbeth LaBan writes masterfully about a woman who liked her life just fine and, understandably, doesn’t know how to put that life back together after her husband betrays her but wants to stay married. BESIDE HERSELF is lovely and unexpected and ends on exactly the right note. I loved it.
So good!! Loved this book!! It was an easy read!! Couldn’t put it down!!
BESIDE HERSELF is a heartwarming love story with a unique twist on the aftermath of an affair. With a full cast of sympathetic characters—and the cutest little boy, Linc—readers travel deep inside the complex layers of contemporary family life and a marriage that has lost its way. An outstanding choice for a book club.
I was given this advanced copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
This was a well written book.
Hannah is a woman while looking for evidence of a surprise birthday party on her husband phone uncovers an affair. Hannah is “Beside Herself” to think her husband has gone outside their marriage. The picture of your life and family changes in an instant. As she struggles to figure out what to do, her best friend and recently divorced, Kim encourages her to try to work it out.
Hannah’s husband, Joel is pulling out all the stops and is willing to do anything to keep their marriage together. Joel has taken her to a number of counselors to try to help navigate through the pain. Hannah decides that maybe if she has an affair they would be even and they could start again. Will Hannah have an affair? Will Joel be able to save his marriage?
This is a quote from the book that really seemed to stay with me after I finished reading the book. I think it is real wisdom for every marriage. “If one is truly lucky, one will find the love of his or her life. Many people think that is the hard part, the finding. It isn’t. The hard part is navigating all the circumstances, changes, shocks, tragedies, and hardships that come to everyone over the course of forty or fifty or sixty years. Of course, there are many good moments, too, and it’s a matter of getting through the bad, or at least finding a way to accept the bad so you can share the good.”
Highly recommend.
The novel “Beside Herself” by Elizabeth LaBan is definitely worthy to be your next read!
I really liked this book because I have often wondered what I would do if I found out my husband had an affair. It would definitely be the most devastating experience of my life. I know the heartbreak it has brought to my family and friends and I have wondered if it is enough of a reason to break up a family for a one-time mistake.
This story explores the heartbreak, anger and thoughts of someone experiencing betrayal of a loved one. This author writes in such a way that you totally understand Hannah and her love for Joel. I loved Hannah and the rest of the characters in this story. I think Elizabeth LaBan did an outstanding job developing her characters. I never once wondered who a character was. They stood out individually in my mind.
I highly recommend “Beside Herself”. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
While I am completely and totally against cheating in a marriage I do know it happens. I know people it has happened to or that did it. There may be many factors that cause it but still to me it’s just wrong. That being said this book definitely gives you a lot to think about. Why did he cheat? What made him do what he did. How should Hannah handle this? She decides she should have an affair also. But in my opinion, two wrongs never makes a right. But this story would not be what it is if things had not of happened just as they did.
The characters in this book are so well developed. The story is great. This couple will get in your heart and make you root for them to make it. For their marriage to survive and for forgiveness to prevail. It is so well writing. Told in a wonderful way and all wrapped up very well. I truly enjoyed it even though I was almost certain I would not.
Thank you #NetGalley and Lake Union for this ARC. This is my own true and honest review.
I give it a big 4 stars and a high recommendation.
Hard, fun, good.
Hard subjects handled well, with sensitivity and humor. Complex characters interacting in true to life ways. I enjoyed the humor.
Elizabeth LaBan Author of “Beside Herself” has written a thought-provoking, emotional domestic drama. The Genres for this novel are Domestic Fiction, Fiction, Women’s Fiction. The time-line for the story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the events or characters. The author describes her dramatic cast of characters as complex, complicated, and each having their own problems to work out. I appreciate the way that Elizabeth LaBan vividly describes her characters and their thoughts and actions.
What would you do if you find out that your loyal loving husband that you have two amazing children with has evidence of an affair on his phone? What if your husband promises you that he has loved only you, and will love only you forever? How would you react?
Hannah Bent has indeed discovered that her husband Joel has had an affair. Hannah is ‘beside herself”. Should she divorce her husband? How will she ever forgive him? Hannah wonders if she has an affair will that even the score? How does one start dating, especially with two young children?
Hannah is the only one that can make this decision. The author discusses the importance of family, friends, emotional support, love and hope. I would highly recommend this heartfelt and thought-provoking story.
This book was actually a fun and heartfelt read on the main character dealing with her husbands infidelity. She’s the rock that holds the family together with kids, a husband who cheated and a father in law in a nursing home. I laughed out loud a few times at her thoughts about her husband. I enjoyed how she stood up for herself and set her own rules. Definitely an enjoyable read.
Elizabeth LaBan’s characters are so immediately relatable that I defy any reader not to lose herself inside these pages. From their pain, passion, and vulnerability, I saw into the making and unmaking of a marriage — and found myself desperate to know what could come next for a loving — and daring — wife like Hannah. Whether your heart is skipping in a moment of anguish or soaring at a moment of triumph, you will be moved. Powerful and poignant, Beside Herself is a must-read of the year!
An intresting story.It is about a couple, Joel and Hannah who are going through a life change. Hannah has discovered that her husband Joel has had an affair and has to decide whether to pickup the pieces and try to rebuild thier marrage or to give up and make a life for herself with out him. It shows the ups and downs of married life and how easy things can crash and burn. well written characters and plot line. Not my usual type of book to read but you can’t help continuing to see what will happen to them. All in all a great read.
Joel and Hannah happily married until she learns that he had a short affair. He is totally broken because of his huge mistake. Hannah is totally broken because of his breaking their vows and destroying what she thought was a happy, satisfying marriage.
This, at times, is a hard book to read because of Hannah’s dilemma: she still deeply loves Joel but does not trust him. She decides to have an affair to even the playing field with Joel’s knowledge. But, will this possible move draw them back together or drive the wedge even deeper?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the story , I wasn’t overwhelmed by it.
Beside Herself is a heartfelt depiction of what can happen in the aftermath of infidelity. Hannah feels blindsided by her husband’s affair. She thought they were happy and can’t process the news or her raw anger. Her husband, Joel, is reticent, but she can’t accept anything he says. The damage is done. Over the course of the novel, Hannah is surrounded by interesting minor characters that make her confront what she wants in a man, a friend, and a family on her way to a her new normal.
Not A Megachurch. (Ignore the first paragraph. 😉 ) In this book, LaBan describes the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe – as it is formally known – as a megachurch for those drawn to Disney but still religious enough to go to church while on vacation, and it is *NOT*. I’m an annual passholder at Disney and go there at least every couple of months – and frequently stop by at the outlet mall directly beside this church and know for a fact how empty it tends to be! 1* book! (OK, how do people write serious reviews like that? Get a life!)
But seriously, this book was really, really good. It takes the reader on a ride many have been on in real life and while it may bring back painful memories, it does it in a way that can provide a bit of catharsis – and maybe even hope. Funny yet mostly realistic, this book pulls few punches indeed and at times can be a bit uncomfortable for some because of it. But at the end of the day, an excellent story and very much recommended.
3.5 stars
Another new to me author and a story that sticks with you after reading it for the realistic story and how everything was portrayed.
Infidelity and betrayal are probably the most scary things in a marriage or relationship and each one of us has a different view of how it should be treated if the case occurs.
I liked the story quite a lot and the characters are reliable and understandable with all their feelings and troublesome moments and thoughts.
I didn’t liked that it’s a very slow paced read but in a way I understand or I hope that the author was trying to depict more of the decisions, how one deals with this and how they changed a person’s life.
Enjoyable read that some readers will love for sure.