Thousands of women have felt the shock of betrayal upon discovering their husband’s pornography addiction. But knowing what to do next - to stay or go, to honor the commitment of marriage and yet protect your heart - is not easy. On top of it all, you wrestle with the question, “Where is God in this pain?”
In (Un)Faithful, Elle Mariah takes you on a journey to discover a faithful God, a healed heart, and a hopeful future in Jesus. She peels back the layers of emotion and insight she gained through her own story of restoration after betrayal.
She invites you
Know you’re not aloneUnderstand pornography’s impact on the brainEstablish your valueSet healthy boundariesProcess griefUnderstand what forgiveness is—and isn’tWalk in joyPursue hopeRecognize your identity as a daughter of God (Un)Faithful beckons you to encounter God in the middle of the pain and betrayal with the promise of healing and freedom in Jesus.
Your story is not over. Hope is coming. You are never alone.
Having walked through infidelity that led to an ended marriage, I was curious how (Un)Faithful would impact me. Well, have you ever had the appendices or endnotes of a book bring you to tears? No? It was a first for me, too!
Whether you’ve just found out about the betrayal 5 days ago or are 5+ years out like myself, you will receive life in these pages. I was reminded that I am not helpless. That God is faithful even when our spouses are not. I was gently guided through the myriad stops along this journey we may find ourselves on that we didn’t choose: shame, safety torn away, unforgiveness, fear, hopelessness, “betrayal blindness”, etc.
Elle’s humility manifests through authentic admissions of failure and weakness in a relatable way that left me feeling known, understood, NOT ALONE. On one page alone I wrote “YES YES YES YES” across multiple paragraphs with my yellow highlighter.
I’ve read books on the topic of infidelity and betrayal, and there are times the author may seem to have it all figured out or their marriage was reconciled, and I felt isolated or that I couldn’t relate. Not so here. One story Elle told actually had me experiencing freedom from years of feeling naive and embarrassed for my hope that looked foolish to others. In another story of how God spoke to her spirit, I heard Him saying the same thing to me in that moment. There’s nothing like experiencing that kind of real-time freedom, chapter by chapter.
Beyond relatable stories, I was reminded that on this inside-out healing journey I am permitted to feel: the anger, sadness, grief. I’m encouraged to question God, to protest, to weep, to cry out. I don’t find “toxic positivity” in these pages, but neither am I encouraged to adopt a victim mentality or to waste my pain. Practical tools (such as how to find a counselor and many resources in the appendices) also enable readers to not let the pain destroy us but to instead grow from it.
Most importantly, I found myself being pointed back to the Healer and Counselor and the Word over and over and over again. Through these pages I felt a greater revelation of a Father who actually takes pleasure in me. Who delights in us, is excited to walk with us, Who is in love with us, and Who really wants us.
I wish we weren’t in this boat together, but I am thankful to have this resource to remind us all that we “are worth a whole heart”.
Elle’s authenticity is inspiring. I love how she was able to break down the topic of pornography and make me think even more in depth. Elle talks about concepts that many may not think about when pertaining to this addiction. Elle’s writing style captivated me and is very digestible. Elle displayed one of my favorite writing styles within this book. Elle speaks truth so eloquently and I can tell that sharing this testimony does not come from a place of bitterness, but a place of freedom. God used this part of Elle’s story to become more knowledgeable on porn addiction and now she is able to shine light on these truths and bring freedom to others as well. Keep speaking and writing Elle! You’re impacting generations and reminding us to renew our minds with truth. I’m so honored to even be writing this review. If you’re reading this, make sure you get yourself a copy!!!
A heartfelt, faith-based account of discovering a spouse’s porn addiction, the resulting betrayal trauma, and the long road to healing. Mariah’s vulnerability is real and relatable, offering comfort to readers in similar pain while emphasizing God’s faithfulness and personal growth.
Pros: Honest emotions, solid encouragement for rebuilding trust and self-worth from a Christian perspective. Cons: Some repetition, uneven pacing, and it leans more memoir than structured guide—could use tighter editing and more practical tools.
Solid but not exceptional. 3/5 stars—helpful for those seeking spiritual hope after marital betrayal, though it didn’t fully stand out.