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The Marriage Vendetta
A darkly funny feminist debut about a resentful stay-at-home wife and her vindictive marriage therapist
Revenge is in session.
Eliza Sheridan is at her wits' end with her husband, Richard. Not only did he uproot her and their daughter Mara's lives for his career, but he also hasn’t honored the one thing he promised before moving to that he’d make more time for his wife and daughter.
So when Eliza receives an anonymous photo of Richard with another woman, she's just about ready to file for divorce. As a last resort, she pays a visit to a marriage therapist, Ms. Early, who Eliza quickly learns is a bit…alternative in her approach. As their sessions unfold, Ms. Early spurs her on to commit a series of vengeful acts against Richard—each more bizarre than the last—all in the name of “re-training” her husband. But when therapy takes a risky turn, suspicions grow and alliances shift... How far is Eliza willing to go to save her marriage?
Revenge is in session.
Eliza Sheridan is at her wits' end with her husband, Richard. Not only did he uproot her and their daughter Mara's lives for his career, but he also hasn’t honored the one thing he promised before moving to that he’d make more time for his wife and daughter.
So when Eliza receives an anonymous photo of Richard with another woman, she's just about ready to file for divorce. As a last resort, she pays a visit to a marriage therapist, Ms. Early, who Eliza quickly learns is a bit…alternative in her approach. As their sessions unfold, Ms. Early spurs her on to commit a series of vengeful acts against Richard—each more bizarre than the last—all in the name of “re-training” her husband. But when therapy takes a risky turn, suspicions grow and alliances shift... How far is Eliza willing to go to save her marriage?
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2025
47 people are currently reading
11933 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 471 reviews
July 23, 2025
What a wonderful cast of awful people!
I loved that it kept me guessing until the very end.
It's bleak, but really addictive. A great domestic thriller.
The narrator was great, and listening to the audiobook version really added to my enjoyment of the story.
Thank you Harlequin Audio for this ARC!
I loved that it kept me guessing until the very end.
It's bleak, but really addictive. A great domestic thriller.
The narrator was great, and listening to the audiobook version really added to my enjoyment of the story.
Thank you Harlequin Audio for this ARC!
August 16, 2025
The trend of disliking books specifically picked for Goodreads challenges continues.
Read
July 17, 2025📖 Bookish Thoughts
This one wasn’t for me. The story felt disjointed and overwhelming, especially in the final 25%. The pacing shifted so dramatically that it became hard to follow, and many of the twists felt excessive rather than impactful. It seemed like the book was aiming for shock value, but it didn’t land in a satisfying way for me.
I also struggled to connect with the main characters and found them very unalikeable. The one exception was Eliza’s daughter, who brought a needed warmth to the story. Also, the very ending and epilogue was weird.
That said, the audiobook narration was excellent and kept me engaged even when the plot didn’t. While this didn’t work for me personally, I can see how readers who enjoy messy drama and unpredictable twists might still find it entertaining.
📆 Pub Date: June 10, 2025
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
This one wasn’t for me. The story felt disjointed and overwhelming, especially in the final 25%. The pacing shifted so dramatically that it became hard to follow, and many of the twists felt excessive rather than impactful. It seemed like the book was aiming for shock value, but it didn’t land in a satisfying way for me.
I also struggled to connect with the main characters and found them very unalikeable. The one exception was Eliza’s daughter, who brought a needed warmth to the story. Also, the very ending and epilogue was weird.
That said, the audiobook narration was excellent and kept me engaged even when the plot didn’t. While this didn’t work for me personally, I can see how readers who enjoy messy drama and unpredictable twists might still find it entertaining.
📆 Pub Date: June 10, 2025
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
April 5, 2025
Caroline Madden's
The Marriage Vendetta
isn't your typical marriage-gone-wrong story. It's more like if Gone Girl had a baby with Fleabag – and that baby grew up in Dublin with a really questionable therapist.
Meet Eliza, who's packed up her life in England to follow her playwright husband Richard to Dublin. Classic supportive wife move, right? Except Eliza's got enough buried resentment to fuel a small revolution. When she decides to try marriage counseling, things get weird. Really weird. The kind of weird that makes you wonder if her therapist got their license from a cereal box.
The genius of Madden's debut novel lies in how she turns marriage therapy into psychological warfare. She poses an uncomfortable question: what if fixing your marriage meant crossing some seriously dark lines? Would you do it? The answer gets messier by the page.
Madden writes like she's telling you gossip over drinks – if those drinks were spiked with something sinister. The Irish writer Alan Glynn called it "a dark modern Irish fairy tale with the occasional feel of an acerbic Restoration comedy," which is spot-on. The Dublin setting isn't just pretty window dressing; it's like another character, brooding and complicated.
The story races forward with the momentum of a runaway train. Each chapter pulls you deeper into an increasingly twisted web of manipulation, revenge, and dark humor. Just when you think you know where it's heading, Madden throws another curveball that makes you question everything – including whose side you're actually on.
Sure, some readers might find the darker elements a bit much. But that's like complaining that your whiskey is too strong – it's kind of the point. This isn't a story about finding marriage harmony through gentle conversation and compromise. It's about what happens when therapy goes rogue and revenge gets creative.
The Marriage Vendetta is what you'd get if a relationship counselor wrote a thriller while having an existential crisis. It's sharp, wickedly funny, and just disturbing enough to make you side-eye your own therapist. If you like your psychological thrillers with a heavy dose of dark humor and zero apologies, this one's for you.
4/5 stars – A deliciously twisted debut that proves marriage counseling can be hazardous to your health.
Meet Eliza, who's packed up her life in England to follow her playwright husband Richard to Dublin. Classic supportive wife move, right? Except Eliza's got enough buried resentment to fuel a small revolution. When she decides to try marriage counseling, things get weird. Really weird. The kind of weird that makes you wonder if her therapist got their license from a cereal box.
The genius of Madden's debut novel lies in how she turns marriage therapy into psychological warfare. She poses an uncomfortable question: what if fixing your marriage meant crossing some seriously dark lines? Would you do it? The answer gets messier by the page.
Madden writes like she's telling you gossip over drinks – if those drinks were spiked with something sinister. The Irish writer Alan Glynn called it "a dark modern Irish fairy tale with the occasional feel of an acerbic Restoration comedy," which is spot-on. The Dublin setting isn't just pretty window dressing; it's like another character, brooding and complicated.
The story races forward with the momentum of a runaway train. Each chapter pulls you deeper into an increasingly twisted web of manipulation, revenge, and dark humor. Just when you think you know where it's heading, Madden throws another curveball that makes you question everything – including whose side you're actually on.
Sure, some readers might find the darker elements a bit much. But that's like complaining that your whiskey is too strong – it's kind of the point. This isn't a story about finding marriage harmony through gentle conversation and compromise. It's about what happens when therapy goes rogue and revenge gets creative.
The Marriage Vendetta is what you'd get if a relationship counselor wrote a thriller while having an existential crisis. It's sharp, wickedly funny, and just disturbing enough to make you side-eye your own therapist. If you like your psychological thrillers with a heavy dose of dark humor and zero apologies, this one's for you.
4/5 stars – A deliciously twisted debut that proves marriage counseling can be hazardous to your health.
August 31, 2025
This is a book I wouldn’t have picked up if not for the Goodreads challenges and my need to collect all the badges, but thoroughly enjoyed this book and is one that will live in my brain for some time to come.
August 10, 2025
Should I be concerned by how much I genuinely enjoyed this unhinged book? Is it normal to find comfort in such a gloriously deranged, dark (maybe even justified) behavior in a feministic sort of way? Either way, I was entertained. And I loved it. Truly.
This book is chaotic, clever, bitingly funny and somehow also tender and deeply true. I picked it up thinking I was getting a sharp little domestic drama, and instead got a full-blown, feministic fever dream of identity, rage, and rebirth.
The main character is Eliza; a former concert pianist turned invisible wife and mother, who suspects her husband might be cheating. At first glance, it’s about a woman suspecting her husband, but really, it’s about the quiet ways women lose themselves; slowly, silently, especially once marriage and/or motherhood enter the picture.
Eliza isn’t just suspicious or unhinged; she’s heartbroken, stifled, and grasping for a version of herself that no one (including herself) seems to remember she once was. Watching Eliza unravel, or maybe reassemble? herself was unsettling in the best way.
And then there’s Ms. Early, the questionable therapist/life-coach you’d never actually want to see, but who might just blow your life wide open. Her narrative is some of the most bizarre and oddly empowering moments. Her methods are absurd, unprofessional, maybe even illegal… and yet, somehow exactly what Eliza needs to claw her way back to herself. I never knew if Eliza should report her or thank her.
It’s such a deeply feministic take on what it means to be dissolved in plain sight when everyone around you watches as though it’s the most normal thing to happen. I found Eliza’s spiraling not only entertaining but also painfully relatable, and hilariously cathartic.
Caroline Madden perfectly balances satire, psychological drama, and emotional gut punch, and the result is something that feels uncomfortably familiar, authentic and simply true.
The pacing does go a bit haywire in the second half when I wasn't quite sure what genre I was living in, but honestly, I didn’t care. I was too busy rooting for Eliza and wanting to set something metaphorically on fire
🎧The audio narrative performance helped me stay hooked to the story even with the pacing unevenness. Flora Montgomery with her beautiful Northern Irish voice and brilliant acting made the experience better.
It is a love letter to our lost selves, suppressed ambition, and the kind of quiet female fury that deserves a standing ovation. If you've ever looked in the mirror and wondered where the "you" from before went… this book will speak to you.
5 stars 🌟
This book is chaotic, clever, bitingly funny and somehow also tender and deeply true. I picked it up thinking I was getting a sharp little domestic drama, and instead got a full-blown, feministic fever dream of identity, rage, and rebirth.
The main character is Eliza; a former concert pianist turned invisible wife and mother, who suspects her husband might be cheating. At first glance, it’s about a woman suspecting her husband, but really, it’s about the quiet ways women lose themselves; slowly, silently, especially once marriage and/or motherhood enter the picture.
Eliza isn’t just suspicious or unhinged; she’s heartbroken, stifled, and grasping for a version of herself that no one (including herself) seems to remember she once was. Watching Eliza unravel, or maybe reassemble? herself was unsettling in the best way.
And then there’s Ms. Early, the questionable therapist/life-coach you’d never actually want to see, but who might just blow your life wide open. Her narrative is some of the most bizarre and oddly empowering moments. Her methods are absurd, unprofessional, maybe even illegal… and yet, somehow exactly what Eliza needs to claw her way back to herself. I never knew if Eliza should report her or thank her.
It’s such a deeply feministic take on what it means to be dissolved in plain sight when everyone around you watches as though it’s the most normal thing to happen. I found Eliza’s spiraling not only entertaining but also painfully relatable, and hilariously cathartic.
Caroline Madden perfectly balances satire, psychological drama, and emotional gut punch, and the result is something that feels uncomfortably familiar, authentic and simply true.
The pacing does go a bit haywire in the second half when I wasn't quite sure what genre I was living in, but honestly, I didn’t care. I was too busy rooting for Eliza and wanting to set something metaphorically on fire
🎧The audio narrative performance helped me stay hooked to the story even with the pacing unevenness. Flora Montgomery with her beautiful Northern Irish voice and brilliant acting made the experience better.
It is a love letter to our lost selves, suppressed ambition, and the kind of quiet female fury that deserves a standing ovation. If you've ever looked in the mirror and wondered where the "you" from before went… this book will speak to you.
5 stars 🌟
June 15, 2025
Caroline Madden’s The Marriage Vendetta is a darkly funny, furious, and fiercely feminist novel that feels like Motherland on a darker day with more rage, more folklore, and more kitchen-sink chaos. It explores the quiet, creeping erosion of self that can come with marriage and motherhood and the long, painful journey of clawing your way back to your voice. It’s a story about women: angry women, exhausted women, loving women. Women who are expected to keep going, even when the ground beneath them has split open. And it’s very Irish in the best ways. It is threaded through with folklore, generational echoes, and a dry humour that cuts as deep as it comforts.
There were some standout lines for me...
On Motherhood and the Inheritance of Womanhood:
“You are teaching her every day what it is to be a woman, what it is to be a wife, by how you live your life. You are teaching her what marriage looks like, what is acceptable, what to expect, what to tolerate. Just as your parents taught you. And as Richard's parents taught him.”
This hit hard. It beautifully captures the theme of inherited roles, how children absorb not just what they’re told, but what they witness. It’s a reckoning with the silent legacies passed from mother to daughter. Eliza’s awakening is as much about protecting her child, Mara, as it is about rescuing herself.
On Finding Your Voice:
“I'm simply asking where your voice was.”
Mrs. Early might be many things (deranged among them), but this line speaks to the theme of silencing, the way women are trained to be polite, quiet, accommodating, and how dangerous that silence can become. This question echoes throughout the novel: When did we stop speaking up for ourselves? And what would it look like if we started again?
On Women’s Anger and the Right to Defend Yourself:
“There are times in life for compassion, but there are times in life when you must defend yourself. When you are under attack, it is right, necessary, to get angry. To fight. And if you, Eliza, are incapable of doing a simple thing like telling someone to go fuck themselves when they deserve it, then you are incapable of fighting for yourself.”
This is a rallying cry. It flips the traditional script on female rage. Anger here isn’t portrayed as dangerous or hysterical, it’s righteous. Necessary. The theme of anger as a tool is key in Eliza’s evolution, and in the stories of many women who’ve been made small to keep the peace.
On Hope After Darkness:
“The darkest nights are always followed by the most radiant dawns.”
This line wraps around the theme of depression, reminding us that even when things feel unbearably heavy, there’s still the possibility of light. It doesn’t promise a neat ending, but it does offer a little hope, something deeply needed in a story that doesn’t shy away from emotional truth.
I'm also going to give a bit of extra love for Caroline's sly use of Irish folklore as both metaphor and atmosphere. Women as banshees, ghosts, goddesses. She had some truly hilarious one-liners tucked between the emotional wreckage. Pregnant Ned Flanders, I'm looking at you. And her boldness of tone. It doesn’t apologise for being angry or messy or hard to categorise.
I do have one lingering question for Caroline though. Why was Mrs. Early taking money from Eliza? Was she also milking Richard? Or just building up a menopause fund for HRT and havoc? 😂
The club as a whole gave this book 3.4/5.
I, personally, would give it 3.5/5 which would round up to 4.
I'm excited to see what Caroline does next. 😊
With glimmer,
Sinéad x
There were some standout lines for me...
On Motherhood and the Inheritance of Womanhood:
“You are teaching her every day what it is to be a woman, what it is to be a wife, by how you live your life. You are teaching her what marriage looks like, what is acceptable, what to expect, what to tolerate. Just as your parents taught you. And as Richard's parents taught him.”
This hit hard. It beautifully captures the theme of inherited roles, how children absorb not just what they’re told, but what they witness. It’s a reckoning with the silent legacies passed from mother to daughter. Eliza’s awakening is as much about protecting her child, Mara, as it is about rescuing herself.
On Finding Your Voice:
“I'm simply asking where your voice was.”
Mrs. Early might be many things (deranged among them), but this line speaks to the theme of silencing, the way women are trained to be polite, quiet, accommodating, and how dangerous that silence can become. This question echoes throughout the novel: When did we stop speaking up for ourselves? And what would it look like if we started again?
On Women’s Anger and the Right to Defend Yourself:
“There are times in life for compassion, but there are times in life when you must defend yourself. When you are under attack, it is right, necessary, to get angry. To fight. And if you, Eliza, are incapable of doing a simple thing like telling someone to go fuck themselves when they deserve it, then you are incapable of fighting for yourself.”
This is a rallying cry. It flips the traditional script on female rage. Anger here isn’t portrayed as dangerous or hysterical, it’s righteous. Necessary. The theme of anger as a tool is key in Eliza’s evolution, and in the stories of many women who’ve been made small to keep the peace.
On Hope After Darkness:
“The darkest nights are always followed by the most radiant dawns.”
This line wraps around the theme of depression, reminding us that even when things feel unbearably heavy, there’s still the possibility of light. It doesn’t promise a neat ending, but it does offer a little hope, something deeply needed in a story that doesn’t shy away from emotional truth.
I'm also going to give a bit of extra love for Caroline's sly use of Irish folklore as both metaphor and atmosphere. Women as banshees, ghosts, goddesses. She had some truly hilarious one-liners tucked between the emotional wreckage. Pregnant Ned Flanders, I'm looking at you. And her boldness of tone. It doesn’t apologise for being angry or messy or hard to categorise.
I do have one lingering question for Caroline though. Why was Mrs. Early taking money from Eliza? Was she also milking Richard? Or just building up a menopause fund for HRT and havoc? 😂
The club as a whole gave this book 3.4/5.
I, personally, would give it 3.5/5 which would round up to 4.
I'm excited to see what Caroline does next. 😊
With glimmer,
Sinéad x
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Isn’t it the best feeling as a reader when you come across a debut that is just plain ‘different”?
Rosamund Pike hit that spot for me last year with A Little Trickerie. And now here’s The Marriage Vendetta by fledgling Irish author Caroline Madden, a quirky, engaging blend of domestic drama, mystery and deliciously dry humor that coalesces — for want of a better description — into a dark, modern fairytale. With its whiplash shifts in tempo and direction, there are surprises waiting on almost every page.
Eliza, a former, world-renowned classical pianist, has given up her glittering career to be wife to Richard and mother to 6-year-old Mara. They’ve just moved back to Dublin, where Richard has landed his dream job as a theatre director. Eliza’s days are spent caring for her family and avoiding the judgmental “momfluencers” at the school gates, while her piano sits gathering dust in the music room. She’s not a happy bunny.
What follows, when Eliza’s simmering resentment is turbo charged by a photo showing Richard escorting an unknown woman into a hotel, is at times the stuff of high farce, at others scarily unnerving.
Madden gives generous insight into Eliza’s past, casting her as a sympathetic character: someone who has never had the chance to fully be her own person or carve her own path. This becomes ever more evident as the plot unfolds and the extent of her manipulation and betrayal becomes clear.
Star of the cast, however, has to be Eliza’s unhinged marriage counselor, Ellen Early, whose advice and ‘treatment plan’ range from the unconventional to downright, off-the-scale bizarre. I loved her!
I also loved the ending. Just when everything seems to be nicely wrapped up, Madden throws in one final twist. This caught me completely off guard, sending shivers down my spine and adding an extra frisson to an already thoroughly enjoyable read.
An exciting new Irish talent to watch.
Isn’t it the best feeling as a reader when you come across a debut that is just plain ‘different”?
Rosamund Pike hit that spot for me last year with A Little Trickerie. And now here’s The Marriage Vendetta by fledgling Irish author Caroline Madden, a quirky, engaging blend of domestic drama, mystery and deliciously dry humor that coalesces — for want of a better description — into a dark, modern fairytale. With its whiplash shifts in tempo and direction, there are surprises waiting on almost every page.
Eliza, a former, world-renowned classical pianist, has given up her glittering career to be wife to Richard and mother to 6-year-old Mara. They’ve just moved back to Dublin, where Richard has landed his dream job as a theatre director. Eliza’s days are spent caring for her family and avoiding the judgmental “momfluencers” at the school gates, while her piano sits gathering dust in the music room. She’s not a happy bunny.
What follows, when Eliza’s simmering resentment is turbo charged by a photo showing Richard escorting an unknown woman into a hotel, is at times the stuff of high farce, at others scarily unnerving.
Madden gives generous insight into Eliza’s past, casting her as a sympathetic character: someone who has never had the chance to fully be her own person or carve her own path. This becomes ever more evident as the plot unfolds and the extent of her manipulation and betrayal becomes clear.
Star of the cast, however, has to be Eliza’s unhinged marriage counselor, Ellen Early, whose advice and ‘treatment plan’ range from the unconventional to downright, off-the-scale bizarre. I loved her!
I also loved the ending. Just when everything seems to be nicely wrapped up, Madden throws in one final twist. This caught me completely off guard, sending shivers down my spine and adding an extra frisson to an already thoroughly enjoyable read.
An exciting new Irish talent to watch.
September 8, 2025
This was a whole lot of everything. Tbh I didn’t like it but it wasn’t 100% awful.
December 16, 2025
The Marriage Vendetta by Caroline Madden is a sharply funny, darkly insightful domestic novel about Eliza Sheridan, a former concert pianist turned resentful stay‑at‑home wife who finds herself at a breaking point in her marriage and life, and the wildly unorthodox therapist she hires in a bid to save both.
What starts as a seemingly familiar tale of marital strain quickly unfolds into something much stranger and more powerful, as Eliza is pushed into increasingly bizarre and comic tasks that test her limits and force her to confront long‑buried parts of herself.
Set against a vivid Dublin backdrop with sharp social commentary and wry humor throughout, Madden’s debut is at once caustic, poignant, and unpredictable.
I came away from this book with a mix of laughter, discomfort, and real emotional resonance, because Madden does not shy away from exploring the way women can quietly lose themselves in roles that were never meant to be cages.
Eliza’s journey feels messy and real, filled with moments that made me cringe and then grin in quick succession, and Ms Early’s unhinged guidance had me both horrified and fascinated by turn. Some readers might find the pacing uneven at times and the tonal shifts bold or unsettling, but I felt that very unpredictability was part of the story’s charm, keeping me deeply engaged as it wrestled with themes of autonomy, resentment, and the messy work of reclaiming your voice.
I would rate The Marriage Vendetta a 4 out of 5 for its sharp voice, emotional depth, and twisted humor, even if its quirkier elements might not appeal to every reader.
What starts as a seemingly familiar tale of marital strain quickly unfolds into something much stranger and more powerful, as Eliza is pushed into increasingly bizarre and comic tasks that test her limits and force her to confront long‑buried parts of herself.
Set against a vivid Dublin backdrop with sharp social commentary and wry humor throughout, Madden’s debut is at once caustic, poignant, and unpredictable.
I came away from this book with a mix of laughter, discomfort, and real emotional resonance, because Madden does not shy away from exploring the way women can quietly lose themselves in roles that were never meant to be cages.
Eliza’s journey feels messy and real, filled with moments that made me cringe and then grin in quick succession, and Ms Early’s unhinged guidance had me both horrified and fascinated by turn. Some readers might find the pacing uneven at times and the tonal shifts bold or unsettling, but I felt that very unpredictability was part of the story’s charm, keeping me deeply engaged as it wrestled with themes of autonomy, resentment, and the messy work of reclaiming your voice.
I would rate The Marriage Vendetta a 4 out of 5 for its sharp voice, emotional depth, and twisted humor, even if its quirkier elements might not appeal to every reader.
August 7, 2025
The Marriage Vendetta was such an easy book to listen to today. Sure, things went from bad to worse in the most expected ways possible, but I enjoyed everything.
In this, you will meet Eliza. She is completely fed up with the way things are in her marriage and quite frankly, who wouldn't be? So, she turns to a marriage therapist and hopes for the best. Well, it was certainly entertaining and most definitely not the help she needed. Then again, I am proud that she didn't automatically choose to kill her husband. It's giving growth.
Not the thought process I would've gone through but details.
Enter the therapist, Ms. Early. First off, I'm already suspicious with the name. Second, love that she is all about revenge. Third, unleash the chaos! Seriously, there was so much chaos happening throughout this book. At one point, I had no idea what was going to come out of that lady's mouth during these sessions or what the heck was going to happen next in this marriage.
I definitely died from embarrassment when a certain thing happened between Richard and Mara. Talk about the bare minimum for parenting. Yeesh, but Mara was happy and that makes me happy. In the end, this was fun and I will definitely dive into another book written by Caroline!
In this, you will meet Eliza. She is completely fed up with the way things are in her marriage and quite frankly, who wouldn't be? So, she turns to a marriage therapist and hopes for the best. Well, it was certainly entertaining and most definitely not the help she needed. Then again, I am proud that she didn't automatically choose to kill her husband. It's giving growth.
Not the thought process I would've gone through but details.
Enter the therapist, Ms. Early. First off, I'm already suspicious with the name. Second, love that she is all about revenge. Third, unleash the chaos! Seriously, there was so much chaos happening throughout this book. At one point, I had no idea what was going to come out of that lady's mouth during these sessions or what the heck was going to happen next in this marriage.
I definitely died from embarrassment when a certain thing happened between Richard and Mara. Talk about the bare minimum for parenting. Yeesh, but Mara was happy and that makes me happy. In the end, this was fun and I will definitely dive into another book written by Caroline!
April 30, 2025
The Marriage Vendetta by Caroline Madden published April 24th with Eriu and is described as ‘a hilariously dark tale on what a woman who’s had her buttons pushed one too many times might end up doing…’
Inspired by the 18th century English soprano, Eliza Linley, and her tragic life with Irishman Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Caroline Madden knew that she had a spark of an idea for a novel. She originally wrote it in the historical fiction genre but, something just didn’t connect, so she went back to the drawing board. With a major shift she began writing a more contemporary novel but keeping the names of Eliza and Richard Sheridan and introducing Eliza as a pianist and her husband Richard as a playwright. Finally, adding a rather quirky marriage therapist into the mix, The Marriage Vendetta was born.
Eliza Sheridan had a career as a successful classical pianist, trained from a young age. But her childhood was lost somewhere along the way and when she faced a challenging period in her life, she crossed paths with Richard Sheridan. His career pivoted toward showbusiness and his reputation started to take off. But for Richard to succeed, Eliza took a step back. When her daughter Mara was born, Eliza committed herself to being a stay-at-home-mum. She dedicated her time to looking after Richard and Mara, allowing Richard the freedom to pursue his dreams, but at a cost. When an opportunity in Dublin arose, managing a very renowned Dublin theatre, Eliza allowed herself to be persuaded to move from her life in England to a brand new home in a city where she knew nobody. Richard was very convincing, had it all worked out, including the new family home. He was super efficient and, at the time, Eliza appreciated it.
Eliza helped Richard settle in, worked hours voluntarily at the theatre to save money and made sure Mara attending various classes. Mara was a very individual child with a raw and unfiltered imagination that didn’t always sit too well with other folk, both adults and kids.
Eliza had lost her confidence and was slow to make friends in this new city so she was surprised when she spotted an unexpected business card left on her table in a local café. Eliza had received an anonymous picture of Richard with another woman and was feeling low. This card had the details of a marriage therapist and, in a fit of spontaneity, Eliza set up an appointment. Ellen Early was a therapist with a rather eccentric approach and initially Eliza was sceptical of her methods but after a few meetings Eliza began to consider her modus operandi. The ideas seem quite bizarre, possibly even dangerous, but, Eliza soon realised that she had nothing to lose and decided to embrace Ellen Early’s mysterious ways.
Eliza Sheridan wanted her life back, She wanted to find herself again and remove the obstacles, the noise that kept blocking her path. Would Ellen Early be the answer? And how far was Eliza prepared to go?
Eliza Sheridan is a woman on a mission and in this unconventional tale, we go on a delicious adventure with her as she strives to regain her true self. With a great cast of characters, the satirical nature of some of the characters and their behaviour is extremely witty and very vivid, with descriptions and dialogue that bring the reader right into the scene. A truly unconventional debut, The Marriage Vendetta is a darkly comic snapshot of a society caught up with appearance and consumerism. It is a wry reflection on our hunger for success and our perceived notion of the happiness associated with the accolades and praise received from our peers. Quirky and full of heart The Marriage Vendetta is a very clever & unorthodox tale. An unexpectedly thought-provoking novel yet also highly entertaining, Caroline Madden injects a little bit of magic into this modern Irish fairy tale.
Inspired by the 18th century English soprano, Eliza Linley, and her tragic life with Irishman Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Caroline Madden knew that she had a spark of an idea for a novel. She originally wrote it in the historical fiction genre but, something just didn’t connect, so she went back to the drawing board. With a major shift she began writing a more contemporary novel but keeping the names of Eliza and Richard Sheridan and introducing Eliza as a pianist and her husband Richard as a playwright. Finally, adding a rather quirky marriage therapist into the mix, The Marriage Vendetta was born.
Eliza Sheridan had a career as a successful classical pianist, trained from a young age. But her childhood was lost somewhere along the way and when she faced a challenging period in her life, she crossed paths with Richard Sheridan. His career pivoted toward showbusiness and his reputation started to take off. But for Richard to succeed, Eliza took a step back. When her daughter Mara was born, Eliza committed herself to being a stay-at-home-mum. She dedicated her time to looking after Richard and Mara, allowing Richard the freedom to pursue his dreams, but at a cost. When an opportunity in Dublin arose, managing a very renowned Dublin theatre, Eliza allowed herself to be persuaded to move from her life in England to a brand new home in a city where she knew nobody. Richard was very convincing, had it all worked out, including the new family home. He was super efficient and, at the time, Eliza appreciated it.
Eliza helped Richard settle in, worked hours voluntarily at the theatre to save money and made sure Mara attending various classes. Mara was a very individual child with a raw and unfiltered imagination that didn’t always sit too well with other folk, both adults and kids.
Eliza had lost her confidence and was slow to make friends in this new city so she was surprised when she spotted an unexpected business card left on her table in a local café. Eliza had received an anonymous picture of Richard with another woman and was feeling low. This card had the details of a marriage therapist and, in a fit of spontaneity, Eliza set up an appointment. Ellen Early was a therapist with a rather eccentric approach and initially Eliza was sceptical of her methods but after a few meetings Eliza began to consider her modus operandi. The ideas seem quite bizarre, possibly even dangerous, but, Eliza soon realised that she had nothing to lose and decided to embrace Ellen Early’s mysterious ways.
Eliza Sheridan wanted her life back, She wanted to find herself again and remove the obstacles, the noise that kept blocking her path. Would Ellen Early be the answer? And how far was Eliza prepared to go?
Eliza Sheridan is a woman on a mission and in this unconventional tale, we go on a delicious adventure with her as she strives to regain her true self. With a great cast of characters, the satirical nature of some of the characters and their behaviour is extremely witty and very vivid, with descriptions and dialogue that bring the reader right into the scene. A truly unconventional debut, The Marriage Vendetta is a darkly comic snapshot of a society caught up with appearance and consumerism. It is a wry reflection on our hunger for success and our perceived notion of the happiness associated with the accolades and praise received from our peers. Quirky and full of heart The Marriage Vendetta is a very clever & unorthodox tale. An unexpectedly thought-provoking novel yet also highly entertaining, Caroline Madden injects a little bit of magic into this modern Irish fairy tale.
April 12, 2025
Eliza is having marital issues. And her marriage therapist isn't helping. Or is she?
This was a good and interesting plot, although I wasn't totally sold overall. The characters were mostly awful, although I guess that was partly the point. It just wasn't a read I enjoyed!
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review
This was a good and interesting plot, although I wasn't totally sold overall. The characters were mostly awful, although I guess that was partly the point. It just wasn't a read I enjoyed!
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review
October 29, 2025
“Poor, poor Richard. I took a nice, long look at him. This man-this stranger—I had once so deeply loved. My husband, the father of my child. This man who didn't do anything but take, take, take, but no matter how much I gave him, it was never enough. And it would never be enough.”
What was even going on this entire book..a MESS
What was even going on this entire book..a MESS
September 4, 2025
As much as I loved the blurb, the book wasn’t for me.
Picked it up for the GR debut darlings reading challenge and regretted it. I kept waiting for the funny but it did not come. Pacing was very slow and nothing much happened in the first 80% the book. I don’t know why I went in expecting a solid mystery and maybe some magical realism but there was none to be found. I should be more careful about picking books from reading challenges.
Picked it up for the GR debut darlings reading challenge and regretted it. I kept waiting for the funny but it did not come. Pacing was very slow and nothing much happened in the first 80% the book. I don’t know why I went in expecting a solid mystery and maybe some magical realism but there was none to be found. I should be more careful about picking books from reading challenges.
June 6, 2025
This book had a premise that immediately piqued my interest: a darkly funny feminist debut centered on a resentful wife and her unconventional marriage therapist. It promised a unique exploration of marital frustrations and the lengths one might go to "retrain" a neglectful husband.
On the positive side, the book's core concept was certainly original and often provided genuinely dark humour which was what I needed now. Eliza's growing resentment and Ms Early's increasingly bizarre, revenge-fueled therapy sessions made for a compelling and often unsettling read. The narrative delved into themes of female agency and marital disillusionment, giving a voice to a wife who felt unseen and unheard. We love women who empower women, right? Ms. Early, in particular, was an intriguing character, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional notions of marital counseling.
However, it sometimes struggled with its tonal balance. While the humour was dark, it occasionally veered into territory that might have been too uncomfortable or over-the-top for some readers. The escalating acts of revenge, while central to the plot sometimes pushed the boundaries of believability and the characters' decisions could feel morally ambiguous. The resolution, without giving anything away might not have fully satisfied all readers looking for a clear-cut outcome to Eliza's journey.
Overall, The Marriage Vendetta was a thought-provoking and unique read that dared to explore the darker side of marital dissatisfaction. It had an inventive premise, distinct voice and willingness to tackle themes of female anger and empowerment. However, its blend of dark humour and escalating absurdity meant it might not have resonated with every reader, leaving some elements feeling a bit unresolved or less impactful than they could have been.
(Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own)
On the positive side, the book's core concept was certainly original and often provided genuinely dark humour which was what I needed now. Eliza's growing resentment and Ms Early's increasingly bizarre, revenge-fueled therapy sessions made for a compelling and often unsettling read. The narrative delved into themes of female agency and marital disillusionment, giving a voice to a wife who felt unseen and unheard. We love women who empower women, right? Ms. Early, in particular, was an intriguing character, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional notions of marital counseling.
However, it sometimes struggled with its tonal balance. While the humour was dark, it occasionally veered into territory that might have been too uncomfortable or over-the-top for some readers. The escalating acts of revenge, while central to the plot sometimes pushed the boundaries of believability and the characters' decisions could feel morally ambiguous. The resolution, without giving anything away might not have fully satisfied all readers looking for a clear-cut outcome to Eliza's journey.
Overall, The Marriage Vendetta was a thought-provoking and unique read that dared to explore the darker side of marital dissatisfaction. It had an inventive premise, distinct voice and willingness to tackle themes of female anger and empowerment. However, its blend of dark humour and escalating absurdity meant it might not have resonated with every reader, leaving some elements feeling a bit unresolved or less impactful than they could have been.
(Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own)
August 7, 2025
1.5 ⭐️ (rounded down)
Историята уж щеше да бъде за психоложка, която дава шантави съвети на жена, подозираща мъжа си в изневяра. Звучи интригуващо. На теория. Само че “лудите” сцени с психоложката бяха точно… две и половина. След което тя мистериозно изчезва и после се оказва, че живее в хижа в гората с някакъв магически „вещерски“ произход от 19-ти век. Съжалявам, но какво?
Но докато присъствието ѝ е оскъдно, щетите ѝ са мащабни. Кара главната героиня да тъпче мъжа си с естрогени, да му сипва анти-афродизиаци в смутитата, за да предизвика еректилна дисфункция и “докаже” нещо, което после се оказва… неопределено вярно. Или пък не. Или да. 🤷♀️ Обратите в сюжета се усещат повече като сбъркани записки, отколкото като реална история.
А героите? Плоски, дразнещи, абсурдни. Главната героиня минава през пълен разпад на личността, защото мъжът ѝ (величественият Ричард 🙄) “didn’t want to be the pianist’s husband anymore.“ 🤡 И какво прави тя? Отказва се от пианото. Разбира се. Той не можел да понесе, че тя има нещо свое. Чупливо мъжко его, обвито в костюм и егоцентризъм. И как с години я gaslight-ва, че се отказал от следването си по право, за да я спаси от баща ѝ, който я карал да свири, и тем подобни глупости за sad character’s backstory.🥴 Да не говорим, че тоя човек изобщо не стъпваше в ролята си на баща. А момента със спонтанния аборт беше хвърлен в сюжета буквално ей така, да яката малко смут.
Цялото нещо е потопено в онзи остарял стереотип на “stay-at-home-wife, която чака мъжът ѝ да я дефинира“. Финалната нотка на феминизъм в края (когато тя започва отново да свири) идва толкова късно и толкова неубедително, че се усеща като криво залепен етикет, само и само да изглежда актуално.
Книга, която обещава да е хаотично гениална, но е просто хаотично празна. Вместо трилър с психоелементи, получаваме объркан сценарий с кухи герои, слаби обрати и жена, която трябва да се “открие“, като минава през безумни съвети от жена, която в крайна сметка се превръща в мистична фигура от фолклора. Без майтап.
Давам и 1.5 ⭐️ вместо 1 ⭐️, защото идеята ми хареса, а и не е чак толкова зле, колкото On the road. (iykyk)
В крайна сметка бих казала, че книгата се рекламира грешно. Беше обещано едно, но представеното се оказа друго, което доведе до разочарование и нисък рейтинг.
Историята уж щеше да бъде за психоложка, която дава шантави съвети на жена, подозираща мъжа си в изневяра. Звучи интригуващо. На теория. Само че “лудите” сцени с психоложката бяха точно… две и половина. След което тя мистериозно изчезва и после се оказва, че живее в хижа в гората с някакъв магически „вещерски“ произход от 19-ти век. Съжалявам, но какво?
Но докато присъствието ѝ е оскъдно, щетите ѝ са мащабни. Кара главната героиня да тъпче мъжа си с естрогени, да му сипва анти-афродизиаци в смутитата, за да предизвика еректилна дисфункция и “докаже” нещо, което после се оказва… неопределено вярно. Или пък не. Или да. 🤷♀️ Обратите в сюжета се усещат повече като сбъркани записки, отколкото като реална история.
А героите? Плоски, дразнещи, абсурдни. Главната героиня минава през пълен разпад на личността, защото мъжът ѝ (величественият Ричард 🙄) “didn’t want to be the pianist’s husband anymore.“ 🤡 И какво прави тя? Отказва се от пианото. Разбира се. Той не можел да понесе, че тя има нещо свое. Чупливо мъжко его, обвито в костюм и егоцентризъм. И как с години я gaslight-ва, че се отказал от следването си по право, за да я спаси от баща ѝ, който я карал да свири, и тем подобни глупости за sad character’s backstory.🥴 Да не говорим, че тоя човек изобщо не стъпваше в ролята си на баща. А момента със спонтанния аборт беше хвърлен в сюжета буквално ей така, да яката малко смут.
Цялото нещо е потопено в онзи остарял стереотип на “stay-at-home-wife, която чака мъжът ѝ да я дефинира“. Финалната нотка на феминизъм в края (когато тя започва отново да свири) идва толкова късно и толкова неубедително, че се усеща като криво залепен етикет, само и само да изглежда актуално.
Книга, която обещава да е хаотично гениална, но е просто хаотично празна. Вместо трилър с психоелементи, получаваме объркан сценарий с кухи герои, слаби обрати и жена, която трябва да се “открие“, като минава през безумни съвети от жена, която в крайна сметка се превръща в мистична фигура от фолклора. Без майтап.
Давам и 1.5 ⭐️ вместо 1 ⭐️, защото идеята ми хареса, а и не е чак толкова зле, колкото On the road. (iykyk)
В крайна сметка бих казала, че книгата се рекламира грешно. Беше обещано едно, но представеното се оказа друго, което доведе до разочарование и нисък рейтинг.
August 21, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Loved the audiobook narration. Interesting story, didn’t love the ending… overall fun.
Loved the audiobook narration. Interesting story, didn’t love the ending… overall fun.
August 6, 2025
What the heck was that ending?
September 7, 2025
This book was different to my usual style, which is a benefit of the GoodReads reading challenges.
It was well written, engaging and quite funny. It did not progress how I was expecting it to, which is good.
My only criticism is the four page epilogue. There was a need to tie off the final strand of the story but, for me, the content of the epilogue (which did tie off that strand) felt tacked on and unsatisfying. That said, I will not let four pages spoil my enjoyment of an otherwise very good read.
It was well written, engaging and quite funny. It did not progress how I was expecting it to, which is good.
My only criticism is the four page epilogue. There was a need to tie off the final strand of the story but, for me, the content of the epilogue (which did tie off that strand) felt tacked on and unsatisfying. That said, I will not let four pages spoil my enjoyment of an otherwise very good read.
September 12, 2025
This book took an abrupt turn to another abrupt turn and holy fudge. The characters in the story are definitely not good people. Lots of cheating for sure from multiple parties, and even when you figure out what happened, it's like... okkkk?????? It still happened and the whole twist about Ms. Early like.... wtfffff it ended up being supernatural-esque and it's like wow um didn't expect that because why would I about this realistic story about cheating??? Mara is a sweetheart and I'm glad that Eliza grew a backbone, but also it didn't feel gained or granted. It was an ok read and it was definitely a trip, but yeah.
August 8, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. Intelligent, funny, sharp and very satisfying. Can't believe this was a debut!!
I hope the author makes it big, and not just big but HUGE!
I hope the author makes it big, and not just big but HUGE!
August 12, 2025
I enjoyed this story where you can laugh at serious topics without feeling overwhelmed. The plot kept me intrigued the whole way through Eliza’s journey.
August 17, 2025
I loved this book! It was very twisty and kept me guessing about who was doing what. This story puts a unique spin on an old problem - infidelity. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.
August 30, 2025
I read this bc of a GRs challenge and I enjoyed it!
September 9, 2025
4.5 🌟. Do I think this book is for everyone? No. But did I absolutely eat it up? Ooooh yeah. Funny, dramatic, and some how stirringly poignant, I couldn’t put it down.
Read
September 14, 2025review to come! 💛🩷
August 30, 2025
This was short and quick but the story was horrible and I hated almost all the characters. I clearly know my tastes because I never would have picked up this book if it weren’t for the Kindle Reading Challenge. This was a major dud for me.
Also, this is tagged as a thriller. It is not a thriller.
Also, this is tagged as a thriller. It is not a thriller.
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