What do you think?
Rate this book
For Worse
Wait Until Dark meets Gone Girl in For Worse, a debut thriller that pulls the reader deep into a dark web of sinister plots for marital revenge.
Ellie is leaving her husband … again.
After twenty-two years of marriage and an unsuccessful separation, she can’t take it anymore. On the surface, she has a picture-perfect relationship. Jeff has been a steadfast spouse. But what seems like loyalty is in reality an obsessive desire for control. Ellie is slowly losing her sight, which means she needs more and more assistance, and Jeff will stop at nothing to ensure she feels helpless and reliant on him alone.
Desperate to escape her psychologically abusive marriage, Ellie turns to an online chat room full of like-minded women in the throes of divorce. Despite their anonymity, these women quickly become Ellie’s closest confidantes. The chat room is a refuge, a place to which Ellie can retreat for solace and support.
Jeff continues to be manipulative and cruel, using Ellie’s failing vision to gaslight her into questioning reality itself. Desperate for freedom, she sinks deeper into the online world, and is drawn into the dark web, where she discovers a group of women with a shocking solution for ending a marriage.
Ellie is leaving her husband … again.
After twenty-two years of marriage and an unsuccessful separation, she can’t take it anymore. On the surface, she has a picture-perfect relationship. Jeff has been a steadfast spouse. But what seems like loyalty is in reality an obsessive desire for control. Ellie is slowly losing her sight, which means she needs more and more assistance, and Jeff will stop at nothing to ensure she feels helpless and reliant on him alone.
Desperate to escape her psychologically abusive marriage, Ellie turns to an online chat room full of like-minded women in the throes of divorce. Despite their anonymity, these women quickly become Ellie’s closest confidantes. The chat room is a refuge, a place to which Ellie can retreat for solace and support.
Jeff continues to be manipulative and cruel, using Ellie’s failing vision to gaslight her into questioning reality itself. Desperate for freedom, she sinks deeper into the online world, and is drawn into the dark web, where she discovers a group of women with a shocking solution for ending a marriage.
340 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2024
40 people are currently reading
6072 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 23, 2024
Ellie is leaving her husband…again.
After twenty-two years of marriage and an unsuccessful separation, she can’t take it anymore. On the surface, she has a picture-perfect relationship. Jeff has been a steadfast spouse. But what seems like loyalty is in reality an obsessive desire for control. Ellie is slowly losing her sight, which means she needs more and more assistance, and Jeff will stop at nothing to ensure she feels helpless and reliant on him alone.
Determined to escape her psychologically abusive marriage, Ellie turns to an online chat room full of like-minded women in the throes of divorce. Despite their anonymity, these women quickly become Ellie’s closest confidantes. The chat room is a refuge, a place to which Ellie can retreat for solace and support.
Jeff continues to be manipulative and cruel, using Ellie’s failing vision to gaslight her into questioning reality itself. Desperate for freedom, she sinks deeper into the online world and is drawn into the dark web, where she discovers a group of women with a shocking solution for ending a marriage.
A slow burn if there ever was one, For Worse had quite the appealing premise. A beaten down wife who is losing her sight, her husband was one character I absolutely loved to hate. At the same time, I connected to Ellie in a very real way. Due to this and the authenticity with which Ellie’s situation and emotions were portrayed, it all felt extremely realistic and true-to-life. I also was a massive fan of Ellie’s fellow chat room participants. Snarky and sarcastic, they hit just the right chord. Bravo, Ms. Bowen, on pulling out all the stops to create some thoroughly memorable characters.
As for the plot, parts of this gave me a very B.A. Paris feel. At the same time, however, for most of the novel, the requisite rising unease and sense of foreboding was lacking. Ellie grappled for far too long, in my opinion, with divorce or seeking out, shall I say, other alternatives. And once the suspense started to climb towards the end, it all felt a bit rushed. I would’ve loved a bit more to the climax. Those last few pages, however, were simply sublime. They had me gasping out loud and, in the same breath, cursing at the cliffhanger ending, which—despite my normal hatred for them—was utter perfection.
All said and done, while it was somewhat less eventful than I had expected, I was riveted to the pages from the very first word. Twisted and dark, the multiple POV plot introduced me to some dynamite personas that resonated with me. Unfortunately, however, I do have to report that I figured out every twist before they were revealed. Although, perhaps that’s down to my voracious thriller appetite. Just the same, it was a quick, easy read that held my attention and I look forward to trying whatever L.K. Bowen comes up with next. Rating of 3.5 stars (upgraded).
Thank you to L.K. Bowen and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 2, 2024
Trigger warning: vision loss, gaslighting, emotional abuse, stroke, dementia, mention of: 9/11
After twenty-two years of marriage and an unsuccessful separation, she can’t take it anymore. On the surface, she has a picture-perfect relationship. Jeff has been a steadfast spouse. But what seems like loyalty is in reality an obsessive desire for control. Ellie is slowly losing her sight, which means she needs more and more assistance, and Jeff will stop at nothing to ensure she feels helpless and reliant on him alone.
Determined to escape her psychologically abusive marriage, Ellie turns to an online chat room full of like-minded women in the throes of divorce. Despite their anonymity, these women quickly become Ellie’s closest confidantes. The chat room is a refuge, a place to which Ellie can retreat for solace and support.
Jeff continues to be manipulative and cruel, using Ellie’s failing vision to gaslight her into questioning reality itself. Desperate for freedom, she sinks deeper into the online world and is drawn into the dark web, where she discovers a group of women with a shocking solution for ending a marriage.
A slow burn if there ever was one, For Worse had quite the appealing premise. A beaten down wife who is losing her sight, her husband was one character I absolutely loved to hate. At the same time, I connected to Ellie in a very real way. Due to this and the authenticity with which Ellie’s situation and emotions were portrayed, it all felt extremely realistic and true-to-life. I also was a massive fan of Ellie’s fellow chat room participants. Snarky and sarcastic, they hit just the right chord. Bravo, Ms. Bowen, on pulling out all the stops to create some thoroughly memorable characters.
As for the plot, parts of this gave me a very B.A. Paris feel. At the same time, however, for most of the novel, the requisite rising unease and sense of foreboding was lacking. Ellie grappled for far too long, in my opinion, with divorce or seeking out, shall I say, other alternatives. And once the suspense started to climb towards the end, it all felt a bit rushed. I would’ve loved a bit more to the climax. Those last few pages, however, were simply sublime. They had me gasping out loud and, in the same breath, cursing at the cliffhanger ending, which—despite my normal hatred for them—was utter perfection.
All said and done, while it was somewhat less eventful than I had expected, I was riveted to the pages from the very first word. Twisted and dark, the multiple POV plot introduced me to some dynamite personas that resonated with me. Unfortunately, however, I do have to report that I figured out every twist before they were revealed. Although, perhaps that’s down to my voracious thriller appetite. Just the same, it was a quick, easy read that held my attention and I look forward to trying whatever L.K. Bowen comes up with next. Rating of 3.5 stars (upgraded).
Thank you to L.K. Bowen and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 2, 2024
Trigger warning: vision loss, gaslighting, emotional abuse, stroke, dementia, mention of: 9/11
April 4, 2024
Firstly, I'd like to rate this book 3.5 stars, which I'll round up to 4. It's a chilling, suspenseful, and well-executed psychological thriller that kept me on my toes. While it may not be quite reminiscent of "Wait Until Dark" or bear strong similarities to "Gone Girl," it offers a fast-paced and enjoyable domestic thriller experience, albeit with a slow start that initially resembles women's fiction and a deep dive into the dynamics of a marriage.
Now, let's delve into the heart of the story. Ellie's life takes a dramatic turn as she embarks on a journey to break free from a psychologically abusive marriage. At first glance, the narrative may not scream "thriller," but the meticulous exploration of Ellie and Jeff's complex relationship lays the foundation for an engrossing tale. The author carefully peels back the layers of their history, providing readers with valuable insights into the characters' psyches.
Jeff's character is masterfully crafted, and as we delve deeper into his psyche, our disdain for his controlling nature intensifies. The narrative also delves into the dynamics of other characters, particularly Hannah, shedding light on the challenges they face.
As the story unfolds and takes a darker turn, it is punctuated by unexpected revelations that ratchet up the suspense. While some of these twists may not be entirely surprising, they are undeniably satisfying, contributing depth to the plot. The true thriller elements of the story come to the forefront in the later chapters, transforming the narrative into an irresistible and gripping tale that keeps you glued to the pages.
The novel offers a meticulously crafted and mesmerizing read, complete with distinctive and intriguing characters. The plot is steeped in suspense, and the author's writing style is impeccable. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers that deliver unexpected twists and compelling character development, this book is a solid choice.
Overall, "For Worse" provides an engaging narrative that captivates you with its absorbing storyline. While it may not fit the typical thriller mold from the outset, the gradual buildup only adds to the overall depth of the tale. With its compelling characters, suspenseful plot, and the author's exceptional writing style, it forms an absorbing read that leaves you eager to explore more of the author's works in the future.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
instagram
facebook
twitter
Now, let's delve into the heart of the story. Ellie's life takes a dramatic turn as she embarks on a journey to break free from a psychologically abusive marriage. At first glance, the narrative may not scream "thriller," but the meticulous exploration of Ellie and Jeff's complex relationship lays the foundation for an engrossing tale. The author carefully peels back the layers of their history, providing readers with valuable insights into the characters' psyches.
Jeff's character is masterfully crafted, and as we delve deeper into his psyche, our disdain for his controlling nature intensifies. The narrative also delves into the dynamics of other characters, particularly Hannah, shedding light on the challenges they face.
As the story unfolds and takes a darker turn, it is punctuated by unexpected revelations that ratchet up the suspense. While some of these twists may not be entirely surprising, they are undeniably satisfying, contributing depth to the plot. The true thriller elements of the story come to the forefront in the later chapters, transforming the narrative into an irresistible and gripping tale that keeps you glued to the pages.
The novel offers a meticulously crafted and mesmerizing read, complete with distinctive and intriguing characters. The plot is steeped in suspense, and the author's writing style is impeccable. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers that deliver unexpected twists and compelling character development, this book is a solid choice.
Overall, "For Worse" provides an engaging narrative that captivates you with its absorbing storyline. While it may not fit the typical thriller mold from the outset, the gradual buildup only adds to the overall depth of the tale. With its compelling characters, suspenseful plot, and the author's exceptional writing style, it forms an absorbing read that leaves you eager to explore more of the author's works in the future.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
April 1, 2024
“…pulls the reader into a dark web of sinister plots for marital revenge.”
Don’t give up on this slow-burn and suspenseful debut thriller because it will keep you on alert as the story develops. There are several unexpected turns pulling you deeper into the dark web after Ellie seeks advice from a group of sarcastic women online.
Ellie has been married to Jeff for 22 years. She has suffered a degenerative eye disease which leaves her relying on her husband for help. With his gaslighting skills, he leaves her feeling incompetent with his constant control and questioning her capabilities.
I felt pity for her as she tries to leave but then returns to suffer more. His obsessive control drove me nuts.
Ellie was a believable and tough character. Excited this was a debut with superb writing.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Don’t give up on this slow-burn and suspenseful debut thriller because it will keep you on alert as the story develops. There are several unexpected turns pulling you deeper into the dark web after Ellie seeks advice from a group of sarcastic women online.
Ellie has been married to Jeff for 22 years. She has suffered a degenerative eye disease which leaves her relying on her husband for help. With his gaslighting skills, he leaves her feeling incompetent with his constant control and questioning her capabilities.
I felt pity for her as she tries to leave but then returns to suffer more. His obsessive control drove me nuts.
Ellie was a believable and tough character. Excited this was a debut with superb writing.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 30, 2024
Set in 2018, this is the story of a woman who’s had enough. Ellie and Jeff have been married for 22 years - they have a daughter in college, Hannah, and a very strained marriage. Jeff isn’t physically abusive, but his constant control and psychological abuse has pushed Ellie to the edge. She has a degenerative eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which allows her only see what’s directly in front of her, like a person looking through binoculars. Jeff constantly puts her down about it, gets angry when she runs into things, and seems put out when she needs help with things.
Ellie left him once before, got her own apartment and was living a happy life, but eventually she went back to Jeff and the misery that is her marriage. Not sure if she’s able to get the courage to leave a second time, she joins an online chat group called Divorced Women Over Fifty (DWOF). She meets a lot of women in her situation, but the revelation of an imposter in the group has her reeling. It’s then that the DWOF moderator sends her to the dark web.
After getting a VPN and a secret browser, she then heads to a group called I Am The Walrus (IATW). She starts chatting with a new, more rowdy group, when she finally realizes that this is a group of women who have killed or who want to kill their husbands. Is this the answer to her problems? Could she even go through with something like that?
I do have a few complaints about this book. The eye condition was a cool thing to add, but it also made things very convenient to explain. This woman goes to the dark web and then is shocked that there’s a group of killers? How clueless can a person be? The daughter really didn’t even need to be a character - I suppose it added a layer to the marriage, but she was hardly in the story. Finally, I figured everything out before it happened. Like, EVERYTHING, so I got no shocking surprises. There were some good parts; this was fast enough to read in a sitting, it kept me invested, and the Beatles references were awesome (each chapter is named after one of their songs). I don’t think I’d read it a second time, but this was a pretty decent book and I’d definitely try the author again! 3.5 stars, rounded up for being a debut.
(Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, L.K. Bowen and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 2, 2024.)
Ellie left him once before, got her own apartment and was living a happy life, but eventually she went back to Jeff and the misery that is her marriage. Not sure if she’s able to get the courage to leave a second time, she joins an online chat group called Divorced Women Over Fifty (DWOF). She meets a lot of women in her situation, but the revelation of an imposter in the group has her reeling. It’s then that the DWOF moderator sends her to the dark web.
After getting a VPN and a secret browser, she then heads to a group called I Am The Walrus (IATW). She starts chatting with a new, more rowdy group, when she finally realizes that this is a group of women who have killed or who want to kill their husbands. Is this the answer to her problems? Could she even go through with something like that?
I do have a few complaints about this book. The eye condition was a cool thing to add, but it also made things very convenient to explain. This woman goes to the dark web and then is shocked that there’s a group of killers? How clueless can a person be? The daughter really didn’t even need to be a character - I suppose it added a layer to the marriage, but she was hardly in the story. Finally, I figured everything out before it happened. Like, EVERYTHING, so I got no shocking surprises. There were some good parts; this was fast enough to read in a sitting, it kept me invested, and the Beatles references were awesome (each chapter is named after one of their songs). I don’t think I’d read it a second time, but this was a pretty decent book and I’d definitely try the author again! 3.5 stars, rounded up for being a debut.
(Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, L.K. Bowen and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 2, 2024.)
January 23, 2024
Booklist review to come! I must say, this is a slow-burn story. If you are waiting for big revelations, they don't come until the plot starts to amp up. In my review, it was hard not to give spoilers. But it's worth it, and the writing is so good that you'll keep turning the pages.
July 22, 2024
4.5⭐️
This is such an entertaining, thought provoking page turner
Middle aged, vision impaired Ellie is miserable in her marriage. Jeff is a classic narcissist and boy did author LK Bowen do an incredible job portraying him!
Everything he says and even thinks is reasonable and not untrue - but it’s all so manipulative - his ability to “fake” it is astounding - I cannot keep my facial expressions and mouth from giving every single thought away, so I find this personality type fascinating
Ellie finds herself in a chatroom with likeminded women and attempts to move forward and fix her life
The women, all anonymous have such strong personalities, I loved getting to know them and hear about their shitty husbands
I absolutely loved everything about this book, except for the ending. Not only was there a cliffhanger, but we didn’t “meet” the chatroom women which imo was such a missed opportunity - it felt unresolved and for such incredible characters, it felt like a big let down
This is such an entertaining, thought provoking page turner
Middle aged, vision impaired Ellie is miserable in her marriage. Jeff is a classic narcissist and boy did author LK Bowen do an incredible job portraying him!
Everything he says and even thinks is reasonable and not untrue - but it’s all so manipulative - his ability to “fake” it is astounding - I cannot keep my facial expressions and mouth from giving every single thought away, so I find this personality type fascinating
Ellie finds herself in a chatroom with likeminded women and attempts to move forward and fix her life
The women, all anonymous have such strong personalities, I loved getting to know them and hear about their shitty husbands
I absolutely loved everything about this book, except for the ending. Not only was there a cliffhanger, but we didn’t “meet” the chatroom women which imo was such a missed opportunity - it felt unresolved and for such incredible characters, it felt like a big let down
August 14, 2024
TITLE: FOR WORSE
AUTHOR: LK Bowen
PUB DATE: 04.02.2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An enjoyable fast paced domestic thriller as Ellie tries to leave her abusive marriage. What seems a simple narrative turns into a complex well plotted engrossing and suspenseful storyline.
AUTHOR: LK Bowen
PUB DATE: 04.02.2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An enjoyable fast paced domestic thriller as Ellie tries to leave her abusive marriage. What seems a simple narrative turns into a complex well plotted engrossing and suspenseful storyline.
Read
April 7, 2024I hate to leave a negative review but I didn't find this thrilling at all. I'm trying to figure out if I read the same book as everyone else. For this reason, I'm not going to rate it.
February 21, 2024
Solid debut thriller! Ellie is making her second attempt at leaving her marriage of 22 years. She has a degenerative eye disease and is slowly losing her sight and becoming more reliant on help to function in her world. Her husband, Jeff, is not the help she needs. He is emotionally and psychologically abusive, he gaslights her, and shockingly puts obstacles in her way, at home, knowing she is struggling to see. Ellie finds a supportive online chat group of other women experiencing divorce. She feels safe to share her woes with these other women. But Ellie will also discover a group of women on the dark web who inform her that there is more than one way to end a marriage. This book was impeccably plotted and pretty addictive to read. Thank you Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on April 2, 2024
January 9, 2024
Got this debut “thriller” from NetGalley and figured I could use a break from the crappy-rom-coms I had been reading recently. It was a risk. And I got a crappy-thriller instead.
I think this book would have been really good and groundbreaking back in 1999.
A 50-year-old woman has been married for 20-plus years and is intent on leaving her emotionally-abusive, gaslighting-asshole husband. Chapter perspectives vary between a divorced-women-over-50 chat room, the chick, her husband, and their adult daughter.
The anonymous chat room is the main focus here (hence, why I think this would have been better in 1999) and it becomes clear relatively early on that one of the chicks isn’t who she says (as well as who she actually is). Then things start happening IRL to the chicks and/or their husbands. Except, like, it GOES NOWHERE. Nothing happens. Certainly nothing thrilling or unexpected or interesting. Boo.
I think this book would have been really good and groundbreaking back in 1999.
A 50-year-old woman has been married for 20-plus years and is intent on leaving her emotionally-abusive, gaslighting-asshole husband. Chapter perspectives vary between a divorced-women-over-50 chat room, the chick, her husband, and their adult daughter.
The anonymous chat room is the main focus here (hence, why I think this would have been better in 1999) and it becomes clear relatively early on that one of the chicks isn’t who she says (as well as who she actually is). Then things start happening IRL to the chicks and/or their husbands. Except, like, it GOES NOWHERE. Nothing happens. Certainly nothing thrilling or unexpected or interesting. Boo.
November 24, 2023
This was a slow burn with a bit of suspense towards the end. Most of this story entails a woman in her fifties struggling with the means and headspace to finally take that step towards divorcing her emotionally abusive husband. Told from both POV's, the reader is put smack dab in the middle of their roller-coaster of a marriage. I couldn't help but feel for the protagonist, having felt truly trapped myself in the past and the toll it takes on a person. This was a unique one that leaves its mark and takes what is a sad tale, and turns it into something sinister in its final pages. What really made this was not just the highly likable protagonist but the supporting characters whom she meets in a chat room for divorced women over fifty. They are brutally honest on their experiences and opinions and hilarious at the same time. I really enjoyed this one and give it four stars.
Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC.
Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC.
September 30, 2024
Spoilers ahead!!
For a synopsis read the book summary. I am just leaving my opinion not a descriptive report lol.
Well it was going where I thought it would go once they started with the dark web stuff but then that last sentence was a real doozy!! It’s like the author wanted to pull a fast one at the very end and of course the monster was still alive! Every B-movie’s cliched ending——- aggg.
The main character and her visual impairment was believable (based on personal experience per the blurb) but not likable and…several plot holes: no seasoned advice-giving lawyer? No family help? No other friends except strangers online? No actual death confirmed?
I feel like she lost more senses than just her failing eyesight but the overall story was okay just maybe not realistic enough and I’m used to earlier murders (too many murder mysteries maybe)!!
Beatles song references in the chapter titles were fun and the chat format was interesting but having to read who was saying what got a bit tedious.
Overall a divorced woman’s fantasy gone wrong and a moral compass that steered her off a cliff. Does every long suffering person have a breaking point to justify what happened here? Other moral plot questions were raised but not answered (left hanging), and emotional abuse and other triggers.
For a synopsis read the book summary. I am just leaving my opinion not a descriptive report lol.
Well it was going where I thought it would go once they started with the dark web stuff but then that last sentence was a real doozy!! It’s like the author wanted to pull a fast one at the very end and of course the monster was still alive! Every B-movie’s cliched ending——- aggg.
The main character and her visual impairment was believable (based on personal experience per the blurb) but not likable and…several plot holes: no seasoned advice-giving lawyer? No family help? No other friends except strangers online? No actual death confirmed?
I feel like she lost more senses than just her failing eyesight but the overall story was okay just maybe not realistic enough and I’m used to earlier murders (too many murder mysteries maybe)!!
Beatles song references in the chapter titles were fun and the chat format was interesting but having to read who was saying what got a bit tedious.
Overall a divorced woman’s fantasy gone wrong and a moral compass that steered her off a cliff. Does every long suffering person have a breaking point to justify what happened here? Other moral plot questions were raised but not answered (left hanging), and emotional abuse and other triggers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. I listened via audio and enjoyed it, however it is a slow burn that took a while to get going. Once it did I was curious how it was going to end and there were a couple of twists I was surprised by. I would say this is probably more domestic suspense than thriller, the chat rooms were an interesting add to the story, and it was a solid debut for sure.
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Blackstone Publishing for the gifted copy to review.
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Blackstone Publishing for the gifted copy to review.
March 28, 2024
Thanks to #NetGalley and #BlackstonePublishingfor the book #ForWorse by #LKBowen. I loved this take on wanting out of a bad marriage. It’s was suspenseful, exciting and tragic. I love the chat room communications and the women involved with their lives and outcomes. It left me needing more!
November 18, 2024
I’ve been with a man like this and I could absolutely identify with her resentments and dark thoughts but dang.
February 16, 2025
There's potential here, but really bad execution. The book was way too long than it needed to be, in my opinion. A good part of the book was extremely repetitive and .. simply going nowhere.
January 21, 2024
A solid debut thriller! It did take a me a minute to get a good pace going on this one. It is a slow burn and I was thrown off a bit by the chat room part. I didn’t realize that they were still popular. Unless maybe on the dark web? Or gaming ? Anyway I think when this is finished some of the formatting issues will be tied up and it’s going to be easier to follow. I look forward to seeing what this author has in store for the future. Definitely on my radar
June 2, 2024
Not really thrilling. A bit too heavy for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2024
Ellie has had it with her overbearing and controlling husband Jeff. After one attempt of leaving him, she has been convinced to return, but still unhappy, seeks advice in an online chat room for divorced women. We follow her, in several timelines, from the time she first met Jeff, to the present, and her inner struggle of how and when to leave him, all the while chatting with her new group of friends, who seem to have her best at heart…or do they?
Since this was described as Wait Until Dark meets Gone Girl, I was expecting a thriller. Nothing really suspenseful happens until about halfway through, and it would have been better with some foreshadowing in the beginning, because I was wondering if this was just a domestic drama with a lot of chatroom text.
The writing is very good, it was cinematic, flowed seamlessly, and I enjoyed the humor and wit. The characters and relationships felt very real. I appreciated the representation of a main character with a disability, which is a major part of the plot. I also enjoyed all the Beatle song references in the chapter titles.
Important not to oversell this as a thriller, but it does have several twists and jaw dropping moments.
This is a well-written domestic drama with elements of suspense (but not a thriller), and some enjoyable twists.
Pub date 2 April. Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.
Since this was described as Wait Until Dark meets Gone Girl, I was expecting a thriller. Nothing really suspenseful happens until about halfway through, and it would have been better with some foreshadowing in the beginning, because I was wondering if this was just a domestic drama with a lot of chatroom text.
The writing is very good, it was cinematic, flowed seamlessly, and I enjoyed the humor and wit. The characters and relationships felt very real. I appreciated the representation of a main character with a disability, which is a major part of the plot. I also enjoyed all the Beatle song references in the chapter titles.
Important not to oversell this as a thriller, but it does have several twists and jaw dropping moments.
This is a well-written domestic drama with elements of suspense (but not a thriller), and some enjoyable twists.
Pub date 2 April. Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2024
Oh darling, please believe me. I'll never do you no harm
Oh darling, if you leave me, I'll never make it alone
Believe me when I beg you. Don't ever leave me alone
When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well, you know, I nearly broke down and cried
When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well, you know, I nearly broke down and died
Oh darling, if you leave me, I'll never make it alone
Believe me when I tell you I'll never do you no harm
Oh darling, please believe me. I'll never let you down
Oh, believe me, darling. Believe me when I tell you
I'll never do you no harm
The Beatles
Ok, seriously, I was getting tired of Elle's miserable life, but if you can hold out and not want instant gratification and be patient, the last quarter of the book is frackin epic. If you like the Beatles, you will enjoy the name of each chapter and mention their songs throughout the book. I think that was my favorite part because I like to review books with song lyrics or a song that defines the book I read. I feel as though all the other reviews will be typical and well, I'm not typical.
Oh darling, if you leave me, I'll never make it alone
Believe me when I beg you. Don't ever leave me alone
When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well, you know, I nearly broke down and cried
When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well, you know, I nearly broke down and died
Oh darling, if you leave me, I'll never make it alone
Believe me when I tell you I'll never do you no harm
Oh darling, please believe me. I'll never let you down
Oh, believe me, darling. Believe me when I tell you
I'll never do you no harm
The Beatles
Ok, seriously, I was getting tired of Elle's miserable life, but if you can hold out and not want instant gratification and be patient, the last quarter of the book is frackin epic. If you like the Beatles, you will enjoy the name of each chapter and mention their songs throughout the book. I think that was my favorite part because I like to review books with song lyrics or a song that defines the book I read. I feel as though all the other reviews will be typical and well, I'm not typical.
May 22, 2024
This debut thriller pulls the reader into a terrible marriage, where a disabled wife is desperate to get out from under her husband's influence.
Ellie is planning to leave her husband Jeff, who is possessive and obsessed with control. Unfortunately, she doesn't see an easy way out. She is slowly losing her vision, unable to drive herself anywhere, and unable to afford a new safe place to live. Under duress, she joins a chat group for divorced women and finds people who feel like her soul sisters- and they have some interesting ideas.
Jeff's manipulative personality and horrible behavior made me sick to my stomach for Ellie, as his abuse was clear and visible every time they spoke. It was obvious why she needed to get out, and I was definitely on her side as she started to explore the dark web for options.
While the story was compelling, I was pretty easily able to connect all of the dots and found it to be predictable. I liked the inclusion of the message board and private messages between the women and found the different personalities there to be pretty true to online life.
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Ellie is planning to leave her husband Jeff, who is possessive and obsessed with control. Unfortunately, she doesn't see an easy way out. She is slowly losing her vision, unable to drive herself anywhere, and unable to afford a new safe place to live. Under duress, she joins a chat group for divorced women and finds people who feel like her soul sisters- and they have some interesting ideas.
Jeff's manipulative personality and horrible behavior made me sick to my stomach for Ellie, as his abuse was clear and visible every time they spoke. It was obvious why she needed to get out, and I was definitely on her side as she started to explore the dark web for options.
While the story was compelling, I was pretty easily able to connect all of the dots and found it to be predictable. I liked the inclusion of the message board and private messages between the women and found the different personalities there to be pretty true to online life.
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
October 27, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the copy of For Worse, a brilliant debut by L. K. Bowen. It didn’t feel like a thriller at first because a lot of time is spent dissecting Ellie and Jeff’s cute meeting and their relationship, but it’s time well-spent because it laid the groundwork for the rest of the book. I really liked the insight into Jeff’s personality, even though it made me hate him even more. I also liked Hannah’s insight into her relationship with her boyfriend and how Ellie helped her think through it. It really resonated with me and my life, which rarely happens in novels.
When the book started to get darker, there were plenty of surprise reveals that really added to the suspense. I wasn’t completely surprised by what we finally learned, but it was still satisfying. When the book finally took a detour into thriller territory near the end it was so gripping I couldn’t stop reading. If you want a mesmerizing, well-written read, with distinct and interesting characters you will love this book.
When the book started to get darker, there were plenty of surprise reveals that really added to the suspense. I wasn’t completely surprised by what we finally learned, but it was still satisfying. When the book finally took a detour into thriller territory near the end it was so gripping I couldn’t stop reading. If you want a mesmerizing, well-written read, with distinct and interesting characters you will love this book.
August 24, 2024
Now, please don't think I've given "For Worse" four stars because it's such a clever, twisty thriller. In fact, it's not much of a thriller at all, the author telegraphs the ending 200 pages in advance, and there are some continuity gaffes so obvious that I'm still wondering if they were deliberate.
But "For Worse" earned a pretty high rating for its realism. Not its narrative realism, I hope the bad-marriage scenario depicted here isn't common, but for its psychological realism. I knew this narcissist husband. I knew this gaslit wife hamstrung by her financial and physical dependency. Heck, even the kid terrified that she'd grow up into one of her parents was familiar. l
So "For Worse" is cringe, but meant to be cringe, and for the most part delivers. Read at your own peril.
But "For Worse" earned a pretty high rating for its realism. Not its narrative realism, I hope the bad-marriage scenario depicted here isn't common, but for its psychological realism. I knew this narcissist husband. I knew this gaslit wife hamstrung by her financial and physical dependency. Heck, even the kid terrified that she'd grow up into one of her parents was familiar. l
So "For Worse" is cringe, but meant to be cringe, and for the most part delivers. Read at your own peril.
September 16, 2024
I liked this book, referred to our book club by a member who knows the author, much more than I expected to. While not especially well written (first time author? self-published? not professionally edited?), with an example being what I just did – using parentheses often, and typically not where needed, this story of the way different marriages go bad and extremely creative ways of dealing with them, was a fun and easy read. I liked how its protagonist grew over time, both in her tech savvy and her willingness to consider “any means necessary,” and I also enjoyed the back stories of many of the peripheral characters. Apparently, my local library agrees, because after I put in a request, they ordered four copies!
3.5 stars, rounded up to four for creativity and fun. And how it kind of sticks with you! 🙄
3.5 stars, rounded up to four for creativity and fun. And how it kind of sticks with you! 🙄
March 17, 2024
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Debut author. Elle is unhappy in her marriage and tried to leave before, but he guilted her back in. Elle has an eye disease that has limited her sight to the point that she can no longer drive but is the sole income earner in the family. Her limited sight has increased her dependency on her abusive husband. She joins a chat room for women wanting/or already divorced women. The chats were annoying in the beginning, which made this a slow starter for me. However, they were very important to the plot, and they were used sparingly, making them acceptable, as the story progressed. This novel delightfully pulled me in and kept me wanting to know where it was going. It was a good read for me, and I look forward to more by L.K. Bowen
January 8, 2024
I loved this book so much I blurbed it! I can’t recommend it enough. Here’s what I said, and I can’t wait to snag my print copy on April 2nd!
A vital new voice in fiction, FOR WORSE features a compelling and unique protagonist in Ellie, whose retinitis pigmentosa is both character trait and searing metaphor, a heroine unlike any I've encountered before. I was instantly transfixed by this thrilling debut tale of marriage-gone-wrong, each twist more shocking and enticing than the last. Bowen's smart, engaging narration illuminates the corners of our lives we prefer not to look at too closely.
A vital new voice in fiction, FOR WORSE features a compelling and unique protagonist in Ellie, whose retinitis pigmentosa is both character trait and searing metaphor, a heroine unlike any I've encountered before. I was instantly transfixed by this thrilling debut tale of marriage-gone-wrong, each twist more shocking and enticing than the last. Bowen's smart, engaging narration illuminates the corners of our lives we prefer not to look at too closely.
January 20, 2025
3.5 stars.
Ellie is part of a chat room for divorced women over 50, plotting her getaway from her 22 year marriage to Jeff. She has gradually been losing her eyesight for years and this is another excuse for Jeff to control her. How will these women help her?
Be advised the story contains bunches of chat room talk so you need to be OK with that format. The author did a good job on the parts concerning her eye disease. I could feel her disability, so .... well done, author. The story is slow but creatively written. The chat room talk really slowed me down. The last quarter of the book was much better for me. How about that very last page!
Ellie is part of a chat room for divorced women over 50, plotting her getaway from her 22 year marriage to Jeff. She has gradually been losing her eyesight for years and this is another excuse for Jeff to control her. How will these women help her?
Be advised the story contains bunches of chat room talk so you need to be OK with that format. The author did a good job on the parts concerning her eye disease. I could feel her disability, so .... well done, author. The story is slow but creatively written. The chat room talk really slowed me down. The last quarter of the book was much better for me. How about that very last page!
November 13, 2023
This book was hard to read, but very good.
Ellie is looking to leave her marriage after 22 years. But the psychological abuse is taking its toll. She's losing her sight, and her spouse is taking full advantage, spying on her, making her dependent on him, and setting booby traps in the house.
Ellie finds an online support group, but of course people online are not always what they seem. She gets drawn into the dark web and more unconventional support for ending a marriage.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ellie is looking to leave her marriage after 22 years. But the psychological abuse is taking its toll. She's losing her sight, and her spouse is taking full advantage, spying on her, making her dependent on him, and setting booby traps in the house.
Ellie finds an online support group, but of course people online are not always what they seem. She gets drawn into the dark web and more unconventional support for ending a marriage.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2024
This is a well written book and is about Ellie who is in an abusive marriage, not physical but psychological. Her husband Jeff wants her to feel helpless and insecure so that she has to rely on him. In order to escape her abuse Ellie turns to an online chat room that becomes her refuge and place to escape. This definitely is a page turner and indeed a thriller. Readers will be surprised to see what she discovers is the solution to end her marriage. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would like to thank you for the opportunity of receiving this book. I have already passed it on.
August 5, 2024
L.K.Bowen quotes the marriage vows; and this story tells the struggles of trying to leave a marriage. Elle has come to realize that although she checked all the right boxes in choosing a spouse, she failed and she isn't sure she ever loved Jeff. He is controlling, manipulative and verbally abusive. But she is stuck, she is visually impaired and this disability is only causing a dependency on him. She enters a divorced chat room, and talks of leaving him become a real. And if she can't leave him, she begins dreaming of his death. #ARC #Goodreads. 4/24 Publish Date.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews