This book had a very addicting plot that kept me reading from start to finish. Eliza left her career behind to move to Ireland for her husband with their family. She finds out that he maybe cheating and enlists a therapist for help. Her husband, Richard, was a complete narcissist and I hated his character. There was a lot of dark humor and I really liked the revenge idea. It sort of felt like I was reading an addicting tv show plot.

🎭 The Marriage Vendetta: A Darkly Humorous Tale of Love and Revenge 💔
Caroline Madden's debut novel, The Marriage Vendetta, offers a refreshing take on the complexities of modern marriage, packaged in a delightfully dark and humorous narrative. This compelling story draws readers into the tumultuous life of Eliza Sheridan, a former piano prodigy turned stay-at-home mom, who navigates the treacherous waters of marital discord and self-discovery.

Eliza's world is turned upside down when she relocates to Dublin with her husband, Richard, whose demanding career leaves little room for family time, breaking the one promise he made. When evidence of Richard's infidelity surfaces, Eliza's desperation leads her to the enigmatic and unconventional marriage therapist, Ms. Ellen Early. Ellen's unique therapeutic methods veer into the realm of the bizarre, introducing an almost surreal element to Eliza's attempts to "retrain" her wayward husband.

Madden expertly crafts a tale that is at once a biting social commentary and an introspection into the roles women play within their families. As Eliza embarks on her journey of revenge-fueled therapy, readers are treated to a rollercoaster ride full of unexpected plot twists and laugh-out-loud moments. The rich, dark humor is skillfully interwoven with themes of empowerment and the quest for personal identity, making it a thought-provoking read.

The strength of this novel lies in its vivid character portrayals and the authenticity of Eliza's emotional landscape. While some characters, particularly Richard, may come across as caricatures of selfishness and narcissism, they serve to amplify Eliza's growth and resilience. The dynamic between Eliza and the eccentric Ms. Early is both unsettling and captivating, posing questions about the lengths one will go to reclaim autonomy within their marriage.

While The Marriage Vendetta is laden with humor and quirky scenarios, it does not shy away from the discomfort of introspection. Madden artfully balances these elements, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships. The narrative rushes towards a conclusion that may not satisfy every reader but undeniably leaves an impact.

Overall, The Marriage Vendetta is a bold and witty exploration of marriage and self-worth. one that gives voice to a myriad of women's experiences and illuminates the power of choosing one's own path. Madden's debut is a clever addition to the cozy mystery genre with a sharp feminist bite, making it well worth the read for those seeking both entertainment and insight into revenge.

This book kind of reads like a Soap Opera...There is so many twists and turns, that you have to hang on tight while reading; but the mystery of it all keeps you turning the page.

Eliza is our FMC, who has given up her pianist career to be a stay-at-home mama, as well as dropping everything that she knew to move to Dublin for her husband's career...where she knows absolutely NOONE...all to find out that her husband might be having an affair.
Richard (Eliza's husband) is a cocky, manipulating, asshole and gives off MAJOR narcissistic vibes. So yes! I was rooting for Eliza (even if her "marriage therapist" was a little off kilter and unconventional)
Mara (their daughter) was absolutely perfect, precious, and melted my heart from the very start.

The revenge/therapy is super creative.
The therapist is unhinged... I mean to the point that i am now wanting to check in my therapist's Blackground. LOL
The dark humor is chef's kiss.

&the ending of this book is exactly what I NEEDED and what Eliza DESERVED!

&&here is the kicker!!
Eliza is a real person and this was originally suppose to be a historical fiction but ended up being a contemporary! MIND BLOWN!

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

Eliza is having marital issues. And her marriage therapist isn't helping. Or is she?

This was a good and interesting plot, although I wasn't totally sold overall. The characters were mostly awful, although I guess that was partly the point. It just wasn't a read I enjoyed!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review

Eliza was a child prodigy pianist, but her father's pressure put a strain on her relationship with her family. She meets Richard and he saves her from her family. Richard and Eliza have a daughter, Mara, together, and Eliza is a stay at home helicopter mom. Richard is offered a prestigious job in Dublin and the family moves from England. Mara is struggling to make friends at her private school and Eliza watches her everyday from the tea shop across the street. One day, she gets a photo of Richard and a woman walking into a hotel texted to her. When she goes to the bathroom to collect herself, she returns to a business card for a marriage therapist, Ellen Early. She starts seeing her and trying her unconventional techniques to "retrain" her husband.

Eliza obviously had issues, even if her husband wasn't possibly cheating. There were so many things being thrown into the story that I was riveted trying to figure it out. There are tons of twists, almost like a soap opera. Something I found really interesting was the author's note that Eliza was a real person and she'd tried to write a historical fiction about her but it ended up being a contemporary twist. Reading the details first would have given some of the story away, but it would have been fun to know the basics that she was a real person from the start.

The Marriage Vendetta gave a voice to women in society that needed their feelings validated. Throughout the book, I felt my insecurities about my own marriage brought to light and sometimes it made me uncomfortable. The story is written like a mystery, with snippets of comedy and thought-provoking instances that mad me feel seen. I felt like I was not alone in feeling under-appreciated, that I was not alone in feeling like I lost myself after becoming a wife and mother. Eliza was not alone because I felt like Eliza often. Everything around her seems to be falling apart, but unlike me, she finally does something about it. With the help of a "marriage adviser", Eliza follows the tips and "activities" Ms. Ellen Early provides to her to help her fix her marriage. At first, things go okay. She follows the suggestions and there is some progress, but then things get worse. The suggestions seem to do more harm than good. There were twists in the story I did not see coming and had me turning pages nonstop. Does the story have a happy ending? Yes. Is it the ideal ending? Some may say no, but I was happy with the ending! Women will help women when they need it, and Eliza got that help from the women around her, even if one of those women seem like a myth.

A fun debut with a unique premise unlike anything I've ever read! Lots of personal growth and working through inner pain. Entertaining, great characters, loved the therapist element! Hallmark vibes but make it snarky and clever.

As this is a type of novel I typically do not read, I’ve realized my error and need to read more of these books! Eliza, former concert pianist and mother to Mara is convinced her playwright husband, Richard, is having an affair. Also the Mean Girl moms at Mara’s posh private school are driving her crazy and she does cultivate a friendship with George, a working mom. In order to save her marriage, Eliza enlists the help of Ellen Realy, whose card is dropped on her table, Thinking Ellen is a therapist, Eliza goes to her for some unconventional sessions. What ensues is a crazy story that I loved! Madden’s writing style left me wanting more! Thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend!

I was given an advanced copy through NetGalley.

The best way to describe this book is if Mean Girls was about moms in Ireland. Mom cliques instead of school cliques.

Eliza is the new mom in town after moving with her husband and daughter for a new project her husband is working on. She encounters the mom clique nicknamed The Chicakadees while in a cafe across from her daughters school. Mother Hen aka Gina is the leader of The Chickadees. Eliza receives a text with a picture of her husband and another woman entering a hotel causing a small outburst that catches the attention of Mother Hen. While in the restroom collecting her thoughts a business card for a marriage therapist is left under her coffee cup.

The marriage therapist has an unconventional treatment plan. Is it what Eliza really needs? Possibly.

I found many of the characters unlikable unfortunately. Eliza came across as a helicopter mom, almost constant internal dialogue of her daughters safety( tree climbing accidents, shoulder injuries by being picked up wrong, etc).

George is probably the most likable person in this book but isn’t featured much throughout the story. She is used by Eliza (not invited to an outing Eliza organizes, but drops everything to sit in a bar to help Eliza catch her husband).

loved that this woman gets help from a therapist about her marriage . She also finds out things aren't so right in her marriage and tries to change herself and him. she also hears a story about a selkie. Good story