A Beautiful, Terrible Thing

A Memoir of Marriage and Betrayal

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Pub Date 11 Jul 2017 | Archive Date 18 May 2023

Description

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 World


One 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 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.
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 ...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780735216464
PRICE $25.00 (USD)
PAGES 272

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Average rating from 98 members


Featured Reviews

This was a great read that I couldn't put down. Would highly recommend to fans of the genre.
My review for this will be up on my blog soon!

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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.

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This book was heartbreaking. Kudos to author.

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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.

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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.

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When I first read the description, I knew I had to read this book before the publishing date. I am ecstatic that I was able to grab a galley, this book is truly a masterpiece and I could not put it down, I finished reading it in a couple of hours. Jen Waite is so strong and brave throughout the entire memoir. I knew why she did what she did and did not give her any fault. It was truly heartbreaking to read everything she went through. Although I was heartbroken throughout most of the book, her words were beautiful and I could not stop reading it. I will definitely be purchasing a print copy once the book comes out.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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