Truly Madly Guilty

I have always enjoyed this author's writing style. If you enjoyed The Husband's Secret and Big Little Lies, you will most likely enjoy this book as well.

Clementine and Erika have been friends since childhood. Clementine grew up in a somewhat well-to-do environment, whereas Erika grew up with a hoarder as a mother. Clementine’s family took Erika under their wing, and Erika has always felt like somewhat of a burden in Clementine’s life. On the other hand, Clementine has always been taught to do the right thing, and always help out others less fortunate.

Fast forward to the girls’ adulthood. Clementine and her husband, Sam, have two young daughters. They are unaware that Erika and her husband, Oliver, have been unsuccessful in their attempts to get pregnant, and must a use donated egg in order to have any chance at having children. So they ask Clementine, who tries very hard to hide the fact that she is repulsed by the idea of donating her eggs to Erika, even as she is shocked at her own reaction. Yet, due to Clementine’s nature of feeling like she is obligated to help those in need, she agrees to consider donating her eggs.

Immediately after the request is made, the two couples head to a neighbor’s house for a BBQ. Things are already tense, then Erika overhears Clementine expressing her revulsion behind closed doors to Sam. After that, a terrible accident takes place that shifts the tone and direction of the novel. I will not spoil any of this for you, as the impact is more efficient if you go in not knowing what happens at the BBQ.

Alright, so first of all, I love Liane Moriarity. Seriously. I have read all but one of the books she has written. She is one of my favorite authors. When I heard she had a new book coming out months ago, I was so excited I couldn’t hardly wait. At 3am the date of the release, I downloaded the audiobook, and listened pretty much nonstop until I had finished, late the next evening.

My first reaction was that this was definitely a slow burn novel. You don’t even find out what event took place at the BBQ until about halfway through the book. I don’t normally mind this, when it’s done really well, but in this particular novel I kept thinking, “Come on already, get to the point!” The second half of the book was better than the first, as connections are made and storylines pulled together.

And then, the last few scenes happen. I was so distraught when one last puzzle piece was revealed, that I almost cried. Again, I’m being intentionally vague, as I don’t want to spoil it, but one character seemed to have very little to do with the events at the BBQ, but at the end, was more involved than anyone knew, and it was heartbreaking.

I recommend this to anyone who loves Liane Moriarty, but with the warning that it is not her best book. In my opinion her best book is probably Big Little Lies, but all of her other books are very well written, and I highly recommend any of them.

Knives Boone

Throughout listening to this book I was constantly waiting for something to happen. The stories of the characters were very realistic, and I feel that anyone reading this book can find a character that resonates with them.
I found that I would get tired of listen and want to stop (but once I start a book I force myself to finish). Then get hooked back in, and find out it was nothing keeping me intrigued.