A thoroughly beautiful book. I could not put it down, it really grabs your attention from the off. I knew this was a true story (memoir) and I am so glad I did, as I'm not sure I would have found it believable, however, knowing that this happened to the author, and happens all the time the world over, made the read so raw and emotional. Jen has written a wonderful book which must have been so hard to write, but in doing so, she may well have saved many others and highlighted what is so easily hidden, that you are living with a controlling sociopath. So many women must be reading this book and thinking "wow, that happened to me" or worse still, they are living it now. We meet Jen and Marco when they are first welcoming their newborn into the world, and the story goes between the 'before' and 'after' of the events which unfolded that led Jen to find out the horrible truth about her husband. At some points initially, I did think, she is over reacting, surely she would just believe him? His cover stories really added up (how clever of him!) Then I realised two things; 1) she had just had a baby and I for one know how sleep deprivation and baby brain make you react differently and 2) I think she knew deep down that he was not acting like a normal loving husband and the chance he was having an affair was very real. Luckily for Jen, she has wonderful parents, in-laws, and friends, and I just loved Seb, he sounds like such an adorable little boy. This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. I am sure the author is stronger for writing it and living it and the love for her little girl is beautiful. I certainly feel after reading this book that we should be grateful for what we have. Well done Jen Waite.

As I began reading this book I thought who cares about this particular divorce? Why should we read about it or discuss it in book clubs or a course? But of course, as I read it, my opinion changed. This is not just a simple "he cheated, I caught him and it's over" rather it is a very insightful and engaging book that everyone should read, especially women, (especially me) to understand what it means to be swept away, then discarded, by a psychopath and to understand that phenomenon which seems to affect so many women.

Through the BEAUTIFUL, TERRIBLE THING that happened to Jen Waite, we can guard against the overwhelming pursuit and relentless courting that often signal dealing with a psychopath. We can see past the fairytale romance and develop the ability to recognize the flawed personality that lies below.

SO, this is an interesting read that engages and elucidates a sad human condition. All my female friends and their daughters should certainly read this.

Gripping! Waite pulls the reader inside her whirlwind love story and its tragic demise; she inspires with her strength and hope. Waite tells her story through alternating accounts of "Before" and "After" to contrast her loving and trusting relationship with the heartbreak that follows. In this respect, the technique works, but the "After" chapters are so riveting that the story sometimes loses its momentum when it repeatedly switches back to the "Before" scenes. It also makes it difficult at points to follow the timeline - month/year time references on the Before/After headings would have helped. It is astonishing that only a few years out Waite was able to share her compelling story in a coherent manner that conveys the shock and trauma she experienced without bitterness.

A Beautiful, Terrible thing has the makings of a big budget Hollywood film. Unfortunately for the author, this wasn't a movie, it was her reality.

This is a great read to remind us that this could happen to ANYONE. It is a very personal tale, told in both before and after perspectives, giving us a look at everything the author and her family were going through.

There are also some psychology tidbits, explaining what a psychopath and sociopath are, which is really good to have there as you are reading.

This book was ok. I struggled to read it because I just could not believe how naive Jen was. The warning signs were all over but for whatever reason, she choice to ignore them. Marco was not a nice person but, he was able to keep Jen where he wanted her. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Thank you Jan Waite and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Good on you Jan for writing such a raw side of abuse, I am sure you will help many women with this memoir.

This was a difficult book to read. Partly because I had had the experience myself a number of years ago. And partly because I wanted to reach into the pages and shake some sense into Jen. It was an excellent book and I hope it helps shake up other people in her situation. I thought it was well written...you could literally feel the anguish she felt.

This book was heartbreaking. Kudos to author.

This was an utterly riveting book.

Jen Waite's engrossing prose and the memoir's unique format drew me in from the first page.
"A Beautiful, Terrible Thing" is one of my favorite types of books: it's the kind of book I don't want to put down, and when I reach the final page I feel somewhat bereft, wanting more!

The author is not asking for the reader's pity. In Waite's relentlessly honest way, she provides insight and education about a personality disorder that affects millions of people. This memoir was an illuminating read, and I'll be recommending it on my blog.

This book lacked a lot of things, it is pretty obvious that the author is not a writer. The story was compelling, but at the same time, it lacked a lot of detail. I also thought it was a bit annoying how it kept flipping back and forth, and first it was interesting, but after a while it got confusing. Also, there wasn't a crescendo that I was hoping for. I know this is a memoir, so it's real life, but it seemed very lack luster in the end.

Grab a box of Kleenex, a glass of wine and be prepared to have your heart ripped out because this is probably the most heartbreaking book I’ve ever read. When you’re done reading hopefully you’ll feel like nominating Jen Waite for an award as much as I did, if only for being so brave to create this epic tome of raw honesty. She doesn’t withhold any punches as she lifts the mirror to her life and broadcasts that image for all to see.

This memoir made me want to slap Marco hard enough to spin his head off and hug his poor wife while giving her a shoulder to cry on.

Waite knows how to spin words and rip every emotion possible out of you as you’re pulled along on her journey. In some ways it is part warning letter so no one repeats her mistakes and part letter of courage so anyone else in a similar situation knows they are not alone. It’s absolutely staggering how insightful she was in this book because it took quite a bit of bravery and reflection to admit the mistakes she made, how she learned from them and the impact this relationship had on her life.

This book, her story, could save lives and change the course for so many people.