Book Review: "The Other Wife" By Claire McGowan

Domestic violence and abuse is not something to take lightly. In today's world we are quick to pass judgement followed by blame, shame, and guilt trips upon the survivors.

In fairness we also have had situations in which the accused are put on trial before ever having a day in court so I can see both sides of the moral argument.

Having lived a life as a 'kept woman' & biz partner never a 'wife', Mom x 3, or friend much less lover I can certainly relate to this book on a higher level than most would appreciate.

I've glanced over many of the reviews and I'm not surprised that some would rate it low for the predictable factor, the confusion factor, the lack of thrills beyond the tried and true abused wives nieve and dumb in love idea.

No really this is what some have characterized and as an abuse survivor and counselor of abuse warriors I will note there's something called 'totality of circumstances' and taken alone it may look like an ordinary marriage but taken into account all factors it's quite opposite emotions.

While I wish not to get into he/said she said I can note based on the title it's not hard to figure which way this one leans or hard to figure out who may be in the end harmed or killed.

What I will note on record is find the love from within , the empathy, the compassion for those who've been abused and stop the labeling and myths about abuse.

In closing, the other 'man' in this story may have lied about his circumstances but men are also abused so that's a different twist to remember before you judge.

The fact that both women suffered similar fates is not so surprising knowing gaslighting, love bombing, manipulation, guilt trips, emotional blackmail, threats, retaliation and the like exists today.

What is shocking is that women rather than turn against one another should come together and I'd love to see more of that cohesion to help each other to escape this hell.

The idea of an eye for an eye or affair for affair didn't sit well with me as I never went that route but that too is something to ponder while reading.

Thank you to Claire, the publisher, NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.