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Take My Husband
Only one thing stands in the way of Laurel Applebaum's happiness…Doug Applebaum.
In this darkly comic novel about a wife whose rope is so frayed it's about to snap, Laurel gets a call that her husband has been in an accident. She imagines the worst. But as she is on the way to the ER, another emotion seizes her. Relief. Doug's death could solve all her problems. No more catering to his incessant demands. Then there's the insurance money. Laurel's dreams seem so close. There's just one problem: Doug is very much alive. Now Laurel has to decide if she is going to do something about it.
Subversive, irreverent and surprisingly poignant, Take My Husband probes the deep corners of a marriage and emerges to find the light. For anyone who's spent a little too much time with a significant other and thought, One of us has got to go.
In this darkly comic novel about a wife whose rope is so frayed it's about to snap, Laurel gets a call that her husband has been in an accident. She imagines the worst. But as she is on the way to the ER, another emotion seizes her. Relief. Doug's death could solve all her problems. No more catering to his incessant demands. Then there's the insurance money. Laurel's dreams seem so close. There's just one problem: Doug is very much alive. Now Laurel has to decide if she is going to do something about it.
Subversive, irreverent and surprisingly poignant, Take My Husband probes the deep corners of a marriage and emerges to find the light. For anyone who's spent a little too much time with a significant other and thought, One of us has got to go.
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2022
62 people are currently reading
3579 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Meister
17 books542 followersThank you for visiting my Goodreads page. I'm proud to announce that my newest novel, JOYRIDE, was selected by Zibby Owens as one of the most anticipated books of 2025. DIVORCE TOWERS, which was featured in People Magazine, won an award for Best Escapist Novel, and was selected for Zibby's Ultimate Summer Reading List as well as Newsday's Summer Reads. My other books include TAKE MY HUSBAND which received a starred review from Booklist, THE ROOFTOP PARTY, which was called "wickedly entertaining" by BookReporter and was selected by Long Island Woman Magazine as Summer Pick of the year, as well as LOVE SOLD SEPARATELY, DOROTHY PARKER DRANK HERE, FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER, THE OTHER LIFE, THE SMART ONE, and SECRET CONFESSIONS OF THE APPLEWOOD PTA. In addition to being a novelist, I'm an editor, screenwriter, book coach, creative writing instructor, and ghostwriter. For more information visit ellenmeister.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
August 6, 2022
Women's fiction/ Dark Comedy
It is on the darker side. Laurel is the wife, who wouldn't mind if her husband Doug has an unfortunate accident. He has had a few "near misses" lately. Doug looks for sympathy from her, stating how he "could have died" and her inner thoughts are always "if only"........
Mixed feelings....
Laurel is an interesting character and I enjoyed some of her qualities, such as, her work ethic (and her job at Trader Joe's), her love for her agoraphobic mother and her over the top desire to be a grandmother. HOWEVER, her devilish side was a hard pill to swallow!
She plays the doting wife, but she does have a devious plan and it isn't pretty.
At times I felt like I was watching an episode of the 48 Hours crime show, waiting for the next shoe to drop, watching the oncoming train wreck. It also enters ludricrous land, has some tmi moments, stranger than strange romantic trysts, and an ending that defies reality.
Check out the other reviews as I seem to be an outlier here!
Thanks to Netgalley for my arc. OUT August 30, 2022
It is on the darker side. Laurel is the wife, who wouldn't mind if her husband Doug has an unfortunate accident. He has had a few "near misses" lately. Doug looks for sympathy from her, stating how he "could have died" and her inner thoughts are always "if only"........
Mixed feelings....
Laurel is an interesting character and I enjoyed some of her qualities, such as, her work ethic (and her job at Trader Joe's), her love for her agoraphobic mother and her over the top desire to be a grandmother. HOWEVER, her devilish side was a hard pill to swallow!
She plays the doting wife, but she does have a devious plan and it isn't pretty.
At times I felt like I was watching an episode of the 48 Hours crime show, waiting for the next shoe to drop, watching the oncoming train wreck. It also enters ludricrous land, has some tmi moments, stranger than strange romantic trysts, and an ending that defies reality.
Check out the other reviews as I seem to be an outlier here!
Thanks to Netgalley for my arc. OUT August 30, 2022
September 2, 2022
Although this is marketed as a dark comedy, with wife Laurel plotting her husband's demise so that she can live her life the way she wants, I didn't feel like it was all that dark overall.
As she is working her job at Trader Joe's, Laurel receives a phone call that her husband Douglas is unconscious after a car accident. She drives to the hospital, all the while imagining her life without him, collecting the life insurance money, getting a place all to her own with a dog (Doug is allergic). So invested in this fantasy, Laurel is shocked to see Doug up and doing fine. After losing his job, Doug hasn't had much ambition, in fact, Laurel does pretty much everything for him. But what if he were actually gone?
There are some comedic touches to this book, but I felt like overall it just went on way too long with Laurel doing everything for Doug and not standing up for herself or her wants and desires, she is basically a doormat. The biggest problem I had with this is that I'm nearly the same age as Laurel, they've been married for 30 years, I've been married for 25, so we're not dissimilar in life stages. I would never wait on my husband the way she does on hers, I'd never let mine walk all over me and act like a child after I was on my feet all day supporting us. Maybe someone from an earlier generation, but I couldn't justify it in my mind.
There are some good plot threads woven throughout, and when Laurel finally grows a backbone the book improved for me. Overall, it comes out in a satisfying way in the end, just for me it took much too long to get there and there wasn't enough comedy to justify the way she allowed herself to be treated for so long. It was an okay read, but not very memorable.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
As she is working her job at Trader Joe's, Laurel receives a phone call that her husband Douglas is unconscious after a car accident. She drives to the hospital, all the while imagining her life without him, collecting the life insurance money, getting a place all to her own with a dog (Doug is allergic). So invested in this fantasy, Laurel is shocked to see Doug up and doing fine. After losing his job, Doug hasn't had much ambition, in fact, Laurel does pretty much everything for him. But what if he were actually gone?
There are some comedic touches to this book, but I felt like overall it just went on way too long with Laurel doing everything for Doug and not standing up for herself or her wants and desires, she is basically a doormat. The biggest problem I had with this is that I'm nearly the same age as Laurel, they've been married for 30 years, I've been married for 25, so we're not dissimilar in life stages. I would never wait on my husband the way she does on hers, I'd never let mine walk all over me and act like a child after I was on my feet all day supporting us. Maybe someone from an earlier generation, but I couldn't justify it in my mind.
There are some good plot threads woven throughout, and when Laurel finally grows a backbone the book improved for me. Overall, it comes out in a satisfying way in the end, just for me it took much too long to get there and there wasn't enough comedy to justify the way she allowed herself to be treated for so long. It was an okay read, but not very memorable.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
August 31, 2022
the setup…
Laurel Applebaum, a cashier at Trader Joe’s, gets a call from the hospital at the end of her shift, informing her that husband Doug has been in an accident. As she rushes to see him, she imagines the worst. But then…she begins imagining what the worst would actually look like for her now that Doug is gone and a strange thing happens. Laurel embraces the idea of a world without the helpless Doug, a world aided by a massive life insurance policy, a cute new apartment, the puppy she’s always wanted and no one demanding she do everything for him. By the time she reaches the hospital she’s fully immersed in being a widow, only to be greeted by the fully alive Doug.
the heart of the story…
The thing about dark humor is you feel a bit guilty when you find it funny. Maybe I should have been more appalled at Laurel’s thoughts of offing husband Doug but you had to meet him. He’s one of those throwbacks that believes “wife” means personal valet and maid, it being all right to be thoughtless and insensitive if you profess to love that person. There were times I was unconsciously spurring Laurel on with her plotting, especially as the schemes were rather benign, and had to remind myself that what she was doing was dead wrong. And then Doug would do something to redeem himself and I’d get caught up in the same pixie dust enveloping Laurel. However, it becomes clear that Laurel isn’t a complete innocent here after almost thirty years of marriage, contributing to her own pitiful circumstances.
the narration…
I enjoyed Glemboski’s performance as she totally embodied Laurel, at least from my perspective, and hers is the only point of view. I loved how she’d transition from a woman who was insecure and a worrier to the incensed schemer. It was subtle, nuanced and perfect.
the bottom line…
There are a host of secondary characters ranging from supporters and enablers to detractors and potential romantic suitors (there’s one who I was right to worry about). But underneath all the humor and macabre planning is a serious story about who’s really responsible for how others choose to treat us. Laurel’s path to self discovery is coming late in life and the weird journey getting there might not have justified the means but it was effective. I enjoyed the story and could see parallels to my own life (not the dreams of hubby’s demise). There are important lessons here and Laurel’s education often gave me pause, too. I’m very happy that I opted for the audio version as she made this more fun.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Laurel Applebaum, a cashier at Trader Joe’s, gets a call from the hospital at the end of her shift, informing her that husband Doug has been in an accident. As she rushes to see him, she imagines the worst. But then…she begins imagining what the worst would actually look like for her now that Doug is gone and a strange thing happens. Laurel embraces the idea of a world without the helpless Doug, a world aided by a massive life insurance policy, a cute new apartment, the puppy she’s always wanted and no one demanding she do everything for him. By the time she reaches the hospital she’s fully immersed in being a widow, only to be greeted by the fully alive Doug.
the heart of the story…
The thing about dark humor is you feel a bit guilty when you find it funny. Maybe I should have been more appalled at Laurel’s thoughts of offing husband Doug but you had to meet him. He’s one of those throwbacks that believes “wife” means personal valet and maid, it being all right to be thoughtless and insensitive if you profess to love that person. There were times I was unconsciously spurring Laurel on with her plotting, especially as the schemes were rather benign, and had to remind myself that what she was doing was dead wrong. And then Doug would do something to redeem himself and I’d get caught up in the same pixie dust enveloping Laurel. However, it becomes clear that Laurel isn’t a complete innocent here after almost thirty years of marriage, contributing to her own pitiful circumstances.
the narration…
I enjoyed Glemboski’s performance as she totally embodied Laurel, at least from my perspective, and hers is the only point of view. I loved how she’d transition from a woman who was insecure and a worrier to the incensed schemer. It was subtle, nuanced and perfect.
the bottom line…
There are a host of secondary characters ranging from supporters and enablers to detractors and potential romantic suitors (there’s one who I was right to worry about). But underneath all the humor and macabre planning is a serious story about who’s really responsible for how others choose to treat us. Laurel’s path to self discovery is coming late in life and the weird journey getting there might not have justified the means but it was effective. I enjoyed the story and could see parallels to my own life (not the dreams of hubby’s demise). There are important lessons here and Laurel’s education often gave me pause, too. I’m very happy that I opted for the audio version as she made this more fun.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
August 27, 2022
OK.... so, my fault for not reading the synopsis and assuming this was a thriller, which meant I kept waiting for something to happen but um, yeah, nothing actually ever really did. When I realize this is actually a contemporary dark comedy about a woman fantasizing about the death of her husband... ok. Unfortunately, still didn't quite work for me in that capacity either.
I did stick through it though I seriously contemplated DNFing it at the 50% mark. I had to know which way this book was going to turn and it took many a turn, with she and he and they and then he and then she and then they again. And while lessons may have been learned, I still felt that the storyline basically went nowhere or took wayyyyyy too long to get to a point just for the characters to go... meep.
AH well, win some, lose some.
I did stick through it though I seriously contemplated DNFing it at the 50% mark. I had to know which way this book was going to turn and it took many a turn, with she and he and they and then he and then she and then they again. And while lessons may have been learned, I still felt that the storyline basically went nowhere or took wayyyyyy too long to get to a point just for the characters to go... meep.
AH well, win some, lose some.
August 28, 2022
2.5/5
This was such an odd read for me and I usually do ok with odd but I struggled with this one. Not only was it strange, it was also dark and that’s a weird thing for me to not enjoy. I like my thrillers dark and am normally not bothered by much but this was such a weird book that it bothered me. I expected it to be mostly full of dark humor, and it was but Laurel was seriously messed up. Not only is she relieved when she assumes her husband is dead she doesn’t really stop longing for him to die. Like really fantasizing about it to the point that it becomes her entire personality. Excuse me, what? Get a divorce already. Look, I could see where she was coming from because Doug is no prize but she had some serious issues herself. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and unfortunately it never did, the whole thing felt like one big meandering story that never went anywhere in the end. And the end itself was bizarre which is truly saying something for this book. I guess if you like really messed up dark humor and could take this as satire this may work but it was a miss for me.
This was such an odd read for me and I usually do ok with odd but I struggled with this one. Not only was it strange, it was also dark and that’s a weird thing for me to not enjoy. I like my thrillers dark and am normally not bothered by much but this was such a weird book that it bothered me. I expected it to be mostly full of dark humor, and it was but Laurel was seriously messed up. Not only is she relieved when she assumes her husband is dead she doesn’t really stop longing for him to die. Like really fantasizing about it to the point that it becomes her entire personality. Excuse me, what? Get a divorce already. Look, I could see where she was coming from because Doug is no prize but she had some serious issues herself. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and unfortunately it never did, the whole thing felt like one big meandering story that never went anywhere in the end. And the end itself was bizarre which is truly saying something for this book. I guess if you like really messed up dark humor and could take this as satire this may work but it was a miss for me.
August 22, 2022
I really wanted to like this book because of its premise that you could actually imagine yourself being relieved ~ almost glad ~ to lose your life partner. That is a feeling with which I could resonate. But the rest of this book presented an unimaginable story line with which I could not relate. The vacillating emotions of the main character were mercurial and hard to believe. The books ending seemed to attempt to tie up all the multiple plot lines into a neat and unsatisfying package. I do not recommend this book.
January 4, 2023
Great characters awesome story amazing twists dark and funny a perfect book for our times. You must read this book!
October 30, 2022
3.5
It was a really interesting start. Very /Why Women Kill/ but I didn’t love the last few chapters
It was a really interesting start. Very /Why Women Kill/ but I didn’t love the last few chapters
August 16, 2022
Finished reading: August 15th 2022
"As Laurel rested her head on his chest and listened to the stubborn beat of his heart she thought, Oh, Doug, why do you have to make it so hard to hurt your feelings, and so easy to want to kill you?"
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and MIRA in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
September 22, 2022
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.In Take My Husband, Ellen Meister gave her readers a twisted, unconventional and strangely humorous tale. Despite the craziness of the situation, the story held me captive from start to finish.
Laurel Applebaum has been married for thirty years. However, it was not thirty years of wedded bliss. Therefore, when she received a call from the hospital informing her that her husband had met in an accident, she was on cloud nine. Yes! You read right. She began imagining what her life would be like without Doug in the picture. Access to the funds from his insurance policy, and all the things she could not have in the thirty-year marriage. Most importantly, she would not constantly be at his beck and call. However, upon her arrival at the hospital, she would be in for a big disappointment, as Doug was very much alive. Disappointed, she began plotting, with the aid of a coworker, a myriad of ways to get rid of her husband. She feels justified in her reasons for wanting her gone forever.
I may not have been able to relate to Laurel, but I found her character quite interesting. For thirty years, she fell prey to Doug’s manipulations. He never seems able to do anything for himself. Making his coffee, fetching the newspaper, making his own coffee and setting his appointments were all done by Laurell. Then, to make matters worse, his jealousy over the years has grown intolerable. She’s had enough, but a divorce would mean no insurance payout, so he had to die. The question is, how will she accomplish her goal?
Honestly, Laurel’s attempts to off her husband cracked me up. Not only did I laugh at her attempts, I cheered her on. The author did a wonderful job of portraying Laurel’s unhappiness in her marriage. In doing so, she nudged the reader in the position of feeling sympathetic towards her situation. For her to be harboring these thoughts to the point of putting them into action shows how far down the rabbit hole she ventured. Laurel’s journey towards self- discovery was fascinating despite the many wrong turns she made. Fortunately, she found her way in the end.
The secondary characters added another dimension to the story. One in particular had my alarm bells ringing like crazy. The story ended on an interesting note, with both parties receiving what they richly deserved.
I enjoyed the Narration. Stacy Glemboski delivered a solid performance, bringing the characters’ personalities to life.
Overall, Take My Husband delivered an entertaining tale. If you enjoy dark humour blended with women’s fiction, then this makes a great addition to your reading list. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Laurel Applebaum has been married for thirty years. However, it was not thirty years of wedded bliss. Therefore, when she received a call from the hospital informing her that her husband had met in an accident, she was on cloud nine. Yes! You read right. She began imagining what her life would be like without Doug in the picture. Access to the funds from his insurance policy, and all the things she could not have in the thirty-year marriage. Most importantly, she would not constantly be at his beck and call. However, upon her arrival at the hospital, she would be in for a big disappointment, as Doug was very much alive. Disappointed, she began plotting, with the aid of a coworker, a myriad of ways to get rid of her husband. She feels justified in her reasons for wanting her gone forever.
I may not have been able to relate to Laurel, but I found her character quite interesting. For thirty years, she fell prey to Doug’s manipulations. He never seems able to do anything for himself. Making his coffee, fetching the newspaper, making his own coffee and setting his appointments were all done by Laurell. Then, to make matters worse, his jealousy over the years has grown intolerable. She’s had enough, but a divorce would mean no insurance payout, so he had to die. The question is, how will she accomplish her goal?
Honestly, Laurel’s attempts to off her husband cracked me up. Not only did I laugh at her attempts, I cheered her on. The author did a wonderful job of portraying Laurel’s unhappiness in her marriage. In doing so, she nudged the reader in the position of feeling sympathetic towards her situation. For her to be harboring these thoughts to the point of putting them into action shows how far down the rabbit hole she ventured. Laurel’s journey towards self- discovery was fascinating despite the many wrong turns she made. Fortunately, she found her way in the end.
The secondary characters added another dimension to the story. One in particular had my alarm bells ringing like crazy. The story ended on an interesting note, with both parties receiving what they richly deserved.
I enjoyed the Narration. Stacy Glemboski delivered a solid performance, bringing the characters’ personalities to life.
Overall, Take My Husband delivered an entertaining tale. If you enjoy dark humour blended with women’s fiction, then this makes a great addition to your reading list. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
September 4, 2022
For a book marketed as a dark comedy about a wife plotting to murder her useless husband, I didn’t think it was particularly dark or remotely funny.
I read to 50% and then skipped to the end because I got bored and frustrated by the repetition and Laurel’s waffling. This story did not need to be 400 pages long and would have benefited from a 100-150 page trim to keep the plot moving.
I loved the concept of this story, but reading about Laurel and Doug’s dysfunctional relationship was the dark part, not the murder plots — this wasn’t a Finlay Donovan-style dark comedy — this was more of a Lifetime movie about a doormat woman in a terrible relationship with a controlling, emotionally abusive man-baby. But like 6 hours long.
* thanks to Harlequin/MIRA for the NetGalley review copy. Take My Husband published August 30th.
I read to 50% and then skipped to the end because I got bored and frustrated by the repetition and Laurel’s waffling. This story did not need to be 400 pages long and would have benefited from a 100-150 page trim to keep the plot moving.
I loved the concept of this story, but reading about Laurel and Doug’s dysfunctional relationship was the dark part, not the murder plots — this wasn’t a Finlay Donovan-style dark comedy — this was more of a Lifetime movie about a doormat woman in a terrible relationship with a controlling, emotionally abusive man-baby. But like 6 hours long.
* thanks to Harlequin/MIRA for the NetGalley review copy. Take My Husband published August 30th.
August 6, 2022
This is a very dark humor read, and the author had way to much fun writing this, and I enjoyed all of it!
Laurel starts to think about how her life would be if her husband Doug dies, or maybe is already deceased, she could collect his life insurance, get a dog, go out to eat with her mother, etc.
We get to feel sorry for Laurel, and her depressing life, and then we meet Doug, ugh!
As we journey from point A to point B and all the ramifications, and wanting things to get better Laurel, but what about Doug.
You will be looking for answers here, and they do come, along with many surprises.
Actually, I would love to continue with in the lives of these characters!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher MIRA, and was not required to give a positive review.
Laurel starts to think about how her life would be if her husband Doug dies, or maybe is already deceased, she could collect his life insurance, get a dog, go out to eat with her mother, etc.
We get to feel sorry for Laurel, and her depressing life, and then we meet Doug, ugh!
As we journey from point A to point B and all the ramifications, and wanting things to get better Laurel, but what about Doug.
You will be looking for answers here, and they do come, along with many surprises.
Actually, I would love to continue with in the lives of these characters!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher MIRA, and was not required to give a positive review.
September 18, 2022
Author Ellen Meister set out to write a book about "a happily married woman who wants to kill her husband" and was assured by her agent that it would be "relatable to nearly anyone who lived through the pandemic in close quarters with a significant other." Indeed, it is. For decades to come, sociologists will be studying the various ways in which COVID-19 lockdowns impacted individuals and families. Some couples, accustomed to spending most of their waking hours apart, found, when forced to remain at home together for days and days, that they were fundamentally incompatible. Others discovered they no longer had shared goals or dreams. Meister spent the lockdown with her husband and their three twenty-something children who were suddenly home all the time and by writing the book, she "worked out some demons!"
There is no mention of the pandemic in Take My Husband. Rather, fifty-two-year-old Laurel Applebaum is working at the local Trader's Joe because two years ago the toy and novelty store that her husband, Doug, took over from his father, failed. Since then, Doug has been unemployed, insisting that he can only accept a management position, in part because his bad back precludes him from working, as Laurel does, as a cashier or salesperson. He took out a second mortgage on their home in an effort to save the failing business and, since Laurel's income is insufficient to pay all of their bills, they are gradually draining their savings each month in order to make ends meet. Even so, Doug is not motivated to engage in a focused job search. And, understandably, Laurel resents it.
Doug does have health problems, including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. He also suffers from learned helplessness and complete dependence upon Laurel who, throughout their nearly thirty-year marriage, has babied and doted on him. Every morning, she retrieves the daily newspaper from the front porch and prepares Doug's breakfast before leaving for work. Doug lends no assistance with housekeeping or meal preparation, often calling or texting Laurel during the day requesting that she bring home his favorite junk foods. Laurel indulges him. She ensures that he remembers his medical appointments and even sorts all of his medications and supplements into the daily compartments of a weekly pill dispenser so that Doug can plop them into his mouth without even looking at them, much less taking any responsibility for his own well-being. Although they share a bed, they have not had an intimate relationship for several years. Laurel is an attractive woman, carrying just a few extra pounds, but she has ceased taking care of herself, deeming trips to the salon to camouflage the grey that now streaks her hair too expensive.
Their adult son, Evan, and his wife, Samara, are expecting their first child and there is nothing in the world Laurel wants more than to be present for the birth of her first grandchild. Samara is having a difficult pregnancy and may require a Caesarian section, so Laurel wants to spend time with them in their Los Angeles home, helping the new parents and getting to know her grandchild. Doug steadfastly insists they cannot afford to charge the cost of the flight on their credit card.
Laurel also cares for her mother, Joan, who suffers from anxiety and agoraphobia. Since Joan's marriage to Laurel's father dissolved in the 1980’s, she has been obsessed with collecting dolls. Her home is filled with them and she continues acquiring more. She only feels safe at home where she is surrounded by those midcentury, molded plastic figures, and depends on Laurel to deliver her groceries each week. Laurel longs to coax her mother out of the house for a nice lunch.
Laurel is frustrated, depressed, and inwardly seething about her circumstances, but she does not share her feelings with Doug or voice her own needs. Instead, she capitulates to his demands. Her best friend, Monica, has repeatedly encouraged her to "speak up," unable to appreciate why Laurel finds it so hard to do so. She once harshly called Laurel a cipher -- "one having no influence or value; a nonentity." But Laurel knows Monica is right.
And then with one phone call, something inside Laurel snaps. She is informed that Doug has been in a motor vehicle accident, but is provided no details about his condition. She immediately thinks the worst has happened and instantly blames herself for not realizing sooner how much she really loves her husband. En route to the hospital, she convinces herself that Doug is most certainly dead. And remembers that his life insurance policy has a value of $850,000 -- more than enough to solve all of their financial problems and permit her to buy a home of her own and decorate it in colors she loves. Without having to worry about Doug’s allergy, she can finally adopt the dog she has always wanted, quit her job at Trader Joe's, spend more time with her mother, go to Los Angeles for the birth of her grandchild and, most importantly, be free from all of the duties, obligations, and resentments that have weighed her down for too long. Laurel convinces herself that Doug's tragic death is the perfect solution to all of her problems.
But Laurel is disappointed when she arrives at the hospital to find Doug has a bruised forehead and minor concussion from which he will quickly recover. Still, the dream of transforming her life does not dissipate, especially when she is spurred on by her friend and coworker, Charlie Webb, a widower in his seventies who regales her with ridiculous knock-knock jokes. He correctly guesses that Laurel was dismayed to find Charlie did not perish in the accident, and assures her that she is definitely not a terrible person. She is, rather, “an unhappy person” who does not "have to take such good care of" Doug. He insists it is time for her to "stop martyring yourself. Doug is a grown man. If he values his life, let him take some responsibility for it. And if not, well . . . you'll get the freedom you've earned."
Laurel and Charlie begin conspiring to bring about Doug's death, considering various modalities including withholding his high blood pressure medication, plying him with all of the unhealthy foods he craves, and even releasing mice in the basement of their home so that Doug with contract the incurable hantavirus if she can convince him to clean out the space. Laurel even lets Doug believe she is in love with another man to spur his irrational jealousy and feelings of rejection and drive him to take his own life. They scuttle that plan when Charlie convinces Laurel that life insurance policies contain an exclusion for suicide which will prevent her from collecting the proceeds.
Laurel is a sympathetic character. She assumed a defined role within her marriage nearly three decades ago, and was content when Doug was a successful business owner and she worked part-time at the family store while raising Evan. But, as so often happens, when the couple’s life style changed as a result of financial and other stressors, Laurel’s increasing discontent with her marriage grew exponentially. Now it has reached the breaking point that launched her into fantasizing about extricating herself . . . by eliminating Doug from her life. Laurel is absolutely convinced that Doug is devoted to her and would never be unfaithful, much less leave her. And that is a big part of the problem. Lacking the power to voice her concerns, and advocate for her own happiness and desires, she has established a pattern of swallowing her feelings. Now they are manifesting in the form of perverse, dangerous, but hilariously outlandish schemes.
Could she actually bring about Doug's death? Although she is fifty-two years old, Laurel is, in some respects, naive and trusting, except when it comes to Doug's overbearing, meddling, and overly protective sister, Abby. She tells herself repeatedly that she lacks the capacity to be a murderer, yet she goes along with Charlie's suggestions, confiding in him and leaning on him for unconditional support and assistance. Both Monica and her mother warn her that Charlie's feelings for her go beyond friendship and camaraderie. But Laurel sees him only as a lonely older widower with a big heart. Who is right?
Meister wisely recognized that story would not work unless her readers failed to “relate to Laurel and understand exactly why she snapped.” And to understand the depth of and reasons for Laurel’s distress, readers must get to know Doug. He is spoiled, self-centered, and unfocused. But he is very much the “monster” that Laurel, and his sister, Abby, created. Meister cleverly portrays him as a man who has arrived at a juncture in his life he never anticipated and for which he is unprepared. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that he is also unhappy and depressed, for reasons that mostly differ from Laurel’s. And he lacks the skills requisite to managing his own life, in part because he has never had to do so. He has been cajoled and placated so long he does not know how to fight for what he really wants. But he plainly loves Laurel – in his own way – and his fear of losing her is actually one of the things that both attracts and repels her, trapping them in a dance of codependence that many readers will recognize.
Ironically, the various means Laurel employs to resolve her problems have unintended results. And that’s the real strength of Meister’s surprising and surprisingly moving tale. For all of their faults, readers will find themselves cheering for both Laurel and Doug, hoping they can find happiness – together or apart – and extricate themselves from the emotional tug-of-war in which they are enmeshed. Neither of them is a villain. Rather, they are simply flawed human beings and Laurel’s outrageous scheming is an attempt to escape from pain – much of which is self-inflicted due to a lack of confidence and self-worth – that has become utterly unbearable.
Take My Husband succeeds because it is engrossing and entertaining. The story is punctuated by extremely dark, gallows humor and crisp, witty dialogue, as well as a cast of eccentric supporting characters that includes Joan, Monica, and Eleanor and Bob, about whom the less revealed the better. Charlie injects a dash of mystery and intrigue as Meister deftly brings his motives into question, and Luke is the sweet customer with whom Laurel shares a flirtation that helps bring her back to a much-improved version of her real self.
Take My Husband is also a slyly thought-provoking meditation on marriage, expectations, and complacency. And the importance of communication in any relationship, but especially an intimate partnership. Meister hopes that readers appreciate, by getting to know Laurel and Doug, and examining their relationship, how important it is to, as Monica urges Laurel, "speak up." “Your needs and desires are just as important as your partner’s,” Meister observes. “A good relationship cannot be based on the subjugation of one person’s needs for another’s.” If Laurel and Doug can figure that out, will they live happily ever after? Reading Take My Husband to find out is a delightful and emotionally satisfying experience.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
There is no mention of the pandemic in Take My Husband. Rather, fifty-two-year-old Laurel Applebaum is working at the local Trader's Joe because two years ago the toy and novelty store that her husband, Doug, took over from his father, failed. Since then, Doug has been unemployed, insisting that he can only accept a management position, in part because his bad back precludes him from working, as Laurel does, as a cashier or salesperson. He took out a second mortgage on their home in an effort to save the failing business and, since Laurel's income is insufficient to pay all of their bills, they are gradually draining their savings each month in order to make ends meet. Even so, Doug is not motivated to engage in a focused job search. And, understandably, Laurel resents it.
Doug does have health problems, including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. He also suffers from learned helplessness and complete dependence upon Laurel who, throughout their nearly thirty-year marriage, has babied and doted on him. Every morning, she retrieves the daily newspaper from the front porch and prepares Doug's breakfast before leaving for work. Doug lends no assistance with housekeeping or meal preparation, often calling or texting Laurel during the day requesting that she bring home his favorite junk foods. Laurel indulges him. She ensures that he remembers his medical appointments and even sorts all of his medications and supplements into the daily compartments of a weekly pill dispenser so that Doug can plop them into his mouth without even looking at them, much less taking any responsibility for his own well-being. Although they share a bed, they have not had an intimate relationship for several years. Laurel is an attractive woman, carrying just a few extra pounds, but she has ceased taking care of herself, deeming trips to the salon to camouflage the grey that now streaks her hair too expensive.
Their adult son, Evan, and his wife, Samara, are expecting their first child and there is nothing in the world Laurel wants more than to be present for the birth of her first grandchild. Samara is having a difficult pregnancy and may require a Caesarian section, so Laurel wants to spend time with them in their Los Angeles home, helping the new parents and getting to know her grandchild. Doug steadfastly insists they cannot afford to charge the cost of the flight on their credit card.
Laurel also cares for her mother, Joan, who suffers from anxiety and agoraphobia. Since Joan's marriage to Laurel's father dissolved in the 1980’s, she has been obsessed with collecting dolls. Her home is filled with them and she continues acquiring more. She only feels safe at home where she is surrounded by those midcentury, molded plastic figures, and depends on Laurel to deliver her groceries each week. Laurel longs to coax her mother out of the house for a nice lunch.
Laurel is frustrated, depressed, and inwardly seething about her circumstances, but she does not share her feelings with Doug or voice her own needs. Instead, she capitulates to his demands. Her best friend, Monica, has repeatedly encouraged her to "speak up," unable to appreciate why Laurel finds it so hard to do so. She once harshly called Laurel a cipher -- "one having no influence or value; a nonentity." But Laurel knows Monica is right.
And then with one phone call, something inside Laurel snaps. She is informed that Doug has been in a motor vehicle accident, but is provided no details about his condition. She immediately thinks the worst has happened and instantly blames herself for not realizing sooner how much she really loves her husband. En route to the hospital, she convinces herself that Doug is most certainly dead. And remembers that his life insurance policy has a value of $850,000 -- more than enough to solve all of their financial problems and permit her to buy a home of her own and decorate it in colors she loves. Without having to worry about Doug’s allergy, she can finally adopt the dog she has always wanted, quit her job at Trader Joe's, spend more time with her mother, go to Los Angeles for the birth of her grandchild and, most importantly, be free from all of the duties, obligations, and resentments that have weighed her down for too long. Laurel convinces herself that Doug's tragic death is the perfect solution to all of her problems.
But Laurel is disappointed when she arrives at the hospital to find Doug has a bruised forehead and minor concussion from which he will quickly recover. Still, the dream of transforming her life does not dissipate, especially when she is spurred on by her friend and coworker, Charlie Webb, a widower in his seventies who regales her with ridiculous knock-knock jokes. He correctly guesses that Laurel was dismayed to find Charlie did not perish in the accident, and assures her that she is definitely not a terrible person. She is, rather, “an unhappy person” who does not "have to take such good care of" Doug. He insists it is time for her to "stop martyring yourself. Doug is a grown man. If he values his life, let him take some responsibility for it. And if not, well . . . you'll get the freedom you've earned."
Laurel and Charlie begin conspiring to bring about Doug's death, considering various modalities including withholding his high blood pressure medication, plying him with all of the unhealthy foods he craves, and even releasing mice in the basement of their home so that Doug with contract the incurable hantavirus if she can convince him to clean out the space. Laurel even lets Doug believe she is in love with another man to spur his irrational jealousy and feelings of rejection and drive him to take his own life. They scuttle that plan when Charlie convinces Laurel that life insurance policies contain an exclusion for suicide which will prevent her from collecting the proceeds.
Laurel is a sympathetic character. She assumed a defined role within her marriage nearly three decades ago, and was content when Doug was a successful business owner and she worked part-time at the family store while raising Evan. But, as so often happens, when the couple’s life style changed as a result of financial and other stressors, Laurel’s increasing discontent with her marriage grew exponentially. Now it has reached the breaking point that launched her into fantasizing about extricating herself . . . by eliminating Doug from her life. Laurel is absolutely convinced that Doug is devoted to her and would never be unfaithful, much less leave her. And that is a big part of the problem. Lacking the power to voice her concerns, and advocate for her own happiness and desires, she has established a pattern of swallowing her feelings. Now they are manifesting in the form of perverse, dangerous, but hilariously outlandish schemes.
Could she actually bring about Doug's death? Although she is fifty-two years old, Laurel is, in some respects, naive and trusting, except when it comes to Doug's overbearing, meddling, and overly protective sister, Abby. She tells herself repeatedly that she lacks the capacity to be a murderer, yet she goes along with Charlie's suggestions, confiding in him and leaning on him for unconditional support and assistance. Both Monica and her mother warn her that Charlie's feelings for her go beyond friendship and camaraderie. But Laurel sees him only as a lonely older widower with a big heart. Who is right?
Meister wisely recognized that story would not work unless her readers failed to “relate to Laurel and understand exactly why she snapped.” And to understand the depth of and reasons for Laurel’s distress, readers must get to know Doug. He is spoiled, self-centered, and unfocused. But he is very much the “monster” that Laurel, and his sister, Abby, created. Meister cleverly portrays him as a man who has arrived at a juncture in his life he never anticipated and for which he is unprepared. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that he is also unhappy and depressed, for reasons that mostly differ from Laurel’s. And he lacks the skills requisite to managing his own life, in part because he has never had to do so. He has been cajoled and placated so long he does not know how to fight for what he really wants. But he plainly loves Laurel – in his own way – and his fear of losing her is actually one of the things that both attracts and repels her, trapping them in a dance of codependence that many readers will recognize.
Ironically, the various means Laurel employs to resolve her problems have unintended results. And that’s the real strength of Meister’s surprising and surprisingly moving tale. For all of their faults, readers will find themselves cheering for both Laurel and Doug, hoping they can find happiness – together or apart – and extricate themselves from the emotional tug-of-war in which they are enmeshed. Neither of them is a villain. Rather, they are simply flawed human beings and Laurel’s outrageous scheming is an attempt to escape from pain – much of which is self-inflicted due to a lack of confidence and self-worth – that has become utterly unbearable.
Take My Husband succeeds because it is engrossing and entertaining. The story is punctuated by extremely dark, gallows humor and crisp, witty dialogue, as well as a cast of eccentric supporting characters that includes Joan, Monica, and Eleanor and Bob, about whom the less revealed the better. Charlie injects a dash of mystery and intrigue as Meister deftly brings his motives into question, and Luke is the sweet customer with whom Laurel shares a flirtation that helps bring her back to a much-improved version of her real self.
Take My Husband is also a slyly thought-provoking meditation on marriage, expectations, and complacency. And the importance of communication in any relationship, but especially an intimate partnership. Meister hopes that readers appreciate, by getting to know Laurel and Doug, and examining their relationship, how important it is to, as Monica urges Laurel, "speak up." “Your needs and desires are just as important as your partner’s,” Meister observes. “A good relationship cannot be based on the subjugation of one person’s needs for another’s.” If Laurel and Doug can figure that out, will they live happily ever after? Reading Take My Husband to find out is a delightful and emotionally satisfying experience.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
September 9, 2022
Well, Ellen Meister’s done it again! Let me be clear, this is not my usual fiction. I like the long, boring literary stuff that most people hate. But when a writer like Ellen Meister comes along it is impossible to not read her work. It is funny, it is tender, it is polished and impeccably written every time. Mind you, I disliked her protagonist through many pages. I did not find her endearing in her murderous schemes. My personal belief systems were screaming, “take responsibility.” BUT when Luke entered the picture….well! He might as well be named “Luther” because I just knew it was Idris Elba and all was lost at that point. I was in, hook line and sinker. What more can a reader want than Idris Elba, Marcello Mastroianni, Trader Joes, and a naughty narrator who looks like Diane Ladd? Oh, and throw in John Candy while you’re at it. Her husband! I mean, really? I mean really! When I hit the scene about the pizza, I was truly laughing out loud. My sleeping dog looked up, alarmed. I was up all night reading this wonderful book, just had to get to the end, and I wasn’t disappointed. While Charlie may have been predictable, nothing else was! Brava! Meister knows how to write! How refreshing is that!!
August 29, 2022
3.5 🌟
As I started reading this, I enjoyed Laurel Applebaum’s inner voice - somewhat sinister, but with a bit of her conscience still hanging on. See, she wishes, even devises, ways of getting rid of her husband, Doug.
Laurel and Doug have been married for nearly thirty years, and Laurel works at Trader Joe's, while Doug is currently unemployed after his business went under. Laurel is not happy, and everything Doug does bothers her. She wants to see her new grandbaby, but Doug says they can’t afford it. It might be easier if Doug were just gone; he does have that insurance policy.
So, I thought this was going to be a bit darker; actually, and I kind of wished it went there. I felt it was more of a story about marriage and how hard it is to keep the flame alive after many years. I think anyone married for several years will appreciate this book, the humor, and the thoughts that Laurel had; still, I would have enjoyed a little more action or suspense.
Thank you @mira_books_ and @harpercollins for a spot on tour and a gifted ebook.
As I started reading this, I enjoyed Laurel Applebaum’s inner voice - somewhat sinister, but with a bit of her conscience still hanging on. See, she wishes, even devises, ways of getting rid of her husband, Doug.
Laurel and Doug have been married for nearly thirty years, and Laurel works at Trader Joe's, while Doug is currently unemployed after his business went under. Laurel is not happy, and everything Doug does bothers her. She wants to see her new grandbaby, but Doug says they can’t afford it. It might be easier if Doug were just gone; he does have that insurance policy.
So, I thought this was going to be a bit darker; actually, and I kind of wished it went there. I felt it was more of a story about marriage and how hard it is to keep the flame alive after many years. I think anyone married for several years will appreciate this book, the humor, and the thoughts that Laurel had; still, I would have enjoyed a little more action or suspense.
Thank you @mira_books_ and @harpercollins for a spot on tour and a gifted ebook.
June 23, 2022
This is a very engaging book that tackles women's issues pretty accurately. Lauren is tired of being a doormat for her husband Doug. He relies on Lauren for everything. He has diabetes, heart problems, and out of work...but one day Lauren gets a call that could have changed her life...for the better in her mind, despite it meaning that Doug would be...dead. The writing captures a woman's frustration with her life, to the point that a spouse's demise can be seen as a freedom. I loved how dark the situation becomes in this book that was perfectly balanced with some heartfelt and relatable scenarios. Unique book that blended elements of relationship fiction and crime genre.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance access.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance access.
May 28, 2022
(free review copy) Okay, so when they say this book is a dark comedy, you need to know that it does get pretty damn dark. But …….. anyone who understands it’s a comedy and has been married more than a hot minute will be able to secretly admit that just maybe once they wondered what life would be like without their spouse. This story takes you there in a very unique way. It’s probably not for everyone but I appreciate the art of it.
August 31, 2022
I was drawn to the 'darkly comic' premise of this book about a wife trying to kill her husband so she can live her best life. Sounds like a great, tongue-in-cheek story that has the potential for funny situations, but I struggled with this book and found it hard to find the humour in the story.
Things started off strong but then became long-winded with some of Laurel's behaviours feeling unbelievable. She is a big reason why I didn't connect with this book - she's hard to like and her mercurial emotions were tiresome, and I struggled to sympathize with her. Laurel had no backbone when it came to her marriage - she'd complain and imagine killing her husband (a cliched lazy dude) in a variety of ways but would refuse to communicate with him. That is irksome to me.
I know that I wasn't the ideal reader for this book, but I also think this book was trying to do too much - and for me, it didn't quite succeed. Please know that I am an outlier with my feelings for this book. Other people have enjoyed it and it gives readers great discussion topics, but while it had enough to keep me reading, it wasn't the book I had expected with its mix of meandering over-the-top plot, annoying characters, and a humour I struggled to connect with. I just wasn't a good fit for this book.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to MIRA books for my advanced copy of this title which was given in exchange for my honest review.
October 15, 2022
Another devilishly entertaining novel from Ellen Meister. Here, unhappily married 52-year old Laurel, after receiving a phone call that her husband had been in a car accident, wonders what life would be like if she was suddenly thrust into widowhood. On her drive to the hospital, she begins to warm to this idea of freedom. All the things she can do!
With humor and insight, Meister brings the reader on this ride with the not-always-likable Laurel, as she navigates the pros and cons of bumping off her husband, and the new paths her life may take. The supporting cast of characters adds to the fun during the twists and turns of the story, some which may not be what you expect.
With humor and insight, Meister brings the reader on this ride with the not-always-likable Laurel, as she navigates the pros and cons of bumping off her husband, and the new paths her life may take. The supporting cast of characters adds to the fun during the twists and turns of the story, some which may not be what you expect.
June 7, 2024
Unfortunately I don't recommend this book. I was intrigued by the idea and story but it had a lot of talk about affairs as well as a few scenes I had to skip along the way. I was going to dnf it, but I was already more than half of the way through the book, and wanted to know the ending.
July 26, 2022
Book: Take My Husband
Author: Ellen Meister
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Mira Books, for sending me an ARC.
I went into this one not knowing what to expect. I didn’t know how the comedy elements would play into a book about a woman wanting to kill her husband. It just doesn’t seem to fit. However, it does and it does so in a way that fits the story. In this book, we follow Laurel who is at her wit’s end. She has been married to Doug for thirty years and has had enough of him. His business failed two years ago and life has not been good since then. Laurel is out working, while he stays at home doing nothing. She gets a call that he has been in an accident and starts to fear for the worse. However, this changes. Instead, she starts to dream of a life of her own without having to cater to his every demand. She could have a dog, her cute apartment, and be there for the birth of her first grandchild. It could be a great life. This does not last long, because Doug is alive when she gets to the hospital. This sets her off on the course of attempting to kill her husband. After all, he expects her to bend to his every will and does not stop to consider her.
I did understand where Laurel was coming from. This story is told from her point of view, so we the view of Doug we get is from her. Doug comes across as someone who is lazy and very dependent on her. He can’t do anything and doesn’t seem to want to change this. He puts a lot of demands on Laurel, without ever considering how she feels. He is also selfish and only wants things to go his way. Laurel works full time and cares for him. She is tired and lonely. She, like Doug, has lost her way. She sees him as the thing holding her back. She dreams of a better life and doesn’t think he can be in the picture. Other men are also finding her desirable, which only adds to her belief that he has to go. Now, I know that this all just started as a dream, but she starts to take the steps to get rid of him. She comes up and tries ways to kill him. However, all of her attempts have the opposite effect Instead of driving them apart and killing Doug, it brings them closer together.
I think the idea of being together too much and having enough of each other is at the forefront of today’s world. We have pretty much been stuck with the same people for the past couple of years. We are nit-picking and thinking about life again. Those to whom we are the closest have this way of getting under our skin and bringing out the worse in us. That is what has happened here. Laurel and Doug have been together for so long that it’s like they are lost their way. Both have fallen into these roles and don’t know how to get out. Doug doesn’t seem to want to get out until Laurel starts pushing him. Laurel sees her only way out is to kill her husband. They are trapped in this cycle and they can’t just seem to break it. I liked this. I liked seeing a marriage that is struggling and how it all plays out. It gives us the messy side of life. It shows us that not everything is perfect and everyone hits rock bottom. I do hope that most people don’t take the same steps that Laurel takes.
Anyway, I found this to be a very good escape and something to think about. It brings up a lot of questions about the people around you.
This book comes out on August 30, 2022.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/-ZY8vNnLTPU
Author: Ellen Meister
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Mira Books, for sending me an ARC.
I went into this one not knowing what to expect. I didn’t know how the comedy elements would play into a book about a woman wanting to kill her husband. It just doesn’t seem to fit. However, it does and it does so in a way that fits the story. In this book, we follow Laurel who is at her wit’s end. She has been married to Doug for thirty years and has had enough of him. His business failed two years ago and life has not been good since then. Laurel is out working, while he stays at home doing nothing. She gets a call that he has been in an accident and starts to fear for the worse. However, this changes. Instead, she starts to dream of a life of her own without having to cater to his every demand. She could have a dog, her cute apartment, and be there for the birth of her first grandchild. It could be a great life. This does not last long, because Doug is alive when she gets to the hospital. This sets her off on the course of attempting to kill her husband. After all, he expects her to bend to his every will and does not stop to consider her.
I did understand where Laurel was coming from. This story is told from her point of view, so we the view of Doug we get is from her. Doug comes across as someone who is lazy and very dependent on her. He can’t do anything and doesn’t seem to want to change this. He puts a lot of demands on Laurel, without ever considering how she feels. He is also selfish and only wants things to go his way. Laurel works full time and cares for him. She is tired and lonely. She, like Doug, has lost her way. She sees him as the thing holding her back. She dreams of a better life and doesn’t think he can be in the picture. Other men are also finding her desirable, which only adds to her belief that he has to go. Now, I know that this all just started as a dream, but she starts to take the steps to get rid of him. She comes up and tries ways to kill him. However, all of her attempts have the opposite effect Instead of driving them apart and killing Doug, it brings them closer together.
I think the idea of being together too much and having enough of each other is at the forefront of today’s world. We have pretty much been stuck with the same people for the past couple of years. We are nit-picking and thinking about life again. Those to whom we are the closest have this way of getting under our skin and bringing out the worse in us. That is what has happened here. Laurel and Doug have been together for so long that it’s like they are lost their way. Both have fallen into these roles and don’t know how to get out. Doug doesn’t seem to want to get out until Laurel starts pushing him. Laurel sees her only way out is to kill her husband. They are trapped in this cycle and they can’t just seem to break it. I liked this. I liked seeing a marriage that is struggling and how it all plays out. It gives us the messy side of life. It shows us that not everything is perfect and everyone hits rock bottom. I do hope that most people don’t take the same steps that Laurel takes.
Anyway, I found this to be a very good escape and something to think about. It brings up a lot of questions about the people around you.
This book comes out on August 30, 2022.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/-ZY8vNnLTPU
August 8, 2022
*I received a free copy to read and review for Wicked Reads *
Take My Husband is a "dark" comedy about a middle aged, married couple. I had to remind myself of this, constantly, while reading it. As I've gained maturity (aka gotten older) I've realized my idea of comedy differs greatly from the majority and this book is a great example.
I'm just going to come out and say I absolutely hated the main character, Laurel. I can absolutely empathize with her in a few aspects but overall I can not like her. She's a glorified door matt with absolutely NO backbone. She's unhappy in her marriage, she resents her husband, but refuses to communicate or leave. Oh no, instead she fantasizes about her husband dying, because well the backbone thing I mentioned.
In an effort to not spoil the story I will say that her husband isn't much better (he is very 2 dimensional).
I didn't enjoy this, I disliked the character and have no respect for them. I found nothing humorous, but did have to stick it out to see what happened only for that to seem rushed.
This book just wasn't for me.
Take My Husband is a "dark" comedy about a middle aged, married couple. I had to remind myself of this, constantly, while reading it. As I've gained maturity (aka gotten older) I've realized my idea of comedy differs greatly from the majority and this book is a great example.
I'm just going to come out and say I absolutely hated the main character, Laurel. I can absolutely empathize with her in a few aspects but overall I can not like her. She's a glorified door matt with absolutely NO backbone. She's unhappy in her marriage, she resents her husband, but refuses to communicate or leave. Oh no, instead she fantasizes about her husband dying, because well the backbone thing I mentioned.
In an effort to not spoil the story I will say that her husband isn't much better (he is very 2 dimensional).
I didn't enjoy this, I disliked the character and have no respect for them. I found nothing humorous, but did have to stick it out to see what happened only for that to seem rushed.
This book just wasn't for me.
September 22, 2022
darker comedy themed they said, well it didn't feel like that to me
I had mixed feelings for this book as I thought I would like it by the blurb but I just couldn't get into it.
The main character aka wife, Laurel was kinda annoying.
it took mee an extremely long time to finish this book.
I do not have much to say about this book as it was not my cup of tea
Thank u NetGalley for the ARC so I could have a chance to read this book. THe above thoughts and comments are my own, honest and voluntary.
I had mixed feelings for this book as I thought I would like it by the blurb but I just couldn't get into it.
The main character aka wife, Laurel was kinda annoying.
it took mee an extremely long time to finish this book.
I do not have much to say about this book as it was not my cup of tea
Thank u NetGalley for the ARC so I could have a chance to read this book. THe above thoughts and comments are my own, honest and voluntary.
September 1, 2022
This is very dark comedy with some romance mixed in, so it was quite a different genre for me. The premise is one that I had never read before about a woman named Laurel Applebaum who is very unhappy with her marriage and deals with it by constantly imagining that her husband Doug dies. Of course, he is not dying quickly enough to suit her purposes so she diabolically plots his death, scheming to cause him to die a natural death by what he feeds him or asks him to do. The first time her mind wandered to what life would be like without Doug, I was amused. Then, when it kept happening, I just wanted her to be honest with him and do what a normal person would do and either work it out or leave. The subterfuge and almost pathetic way that she went about plotting his demise lost its humor factor about halfway through the book. There are many characters who contribute to the story, none of them particularly relatable or likable except perhaps Laurel’s mother and her friend Eleanor who has a snarky macaw who inserts much needed laughter into some of Laurel’s antics. Doug was a weak man who was whiny and not at all relatable since he didn’t even try to help his marriage but he did constantly complain about how bad it was. His protestations that he truly loved and needed Laurel were too little, too late for me since he was more like a child than a forty-something year old unemployed man who was not seeking employment. Laurel was a somewhat sympathetic character because she did work hard to keep money coming in and she understandably wants to go to California to visit her son and daughter-in-law when their new baby comes. A burning desire to visit a first grandchild was a realistic detail as was the description of Trader Joe’s (where Laurel works) and the upscale customers who frequent that shop. I was not able to relate well to most of the characters and at some points I just wanted to find out what the final solution to the marriage was going to be and be done with it. The plot was moderately paced for the most part and at times slowed down. There were some very humorous parts, like the Thanksgiving dinner, but most of the humor was portrayed in the scenes of Laurel’s dark imagination of life without Doug and those fell short for me. I give the book a solid 3.5 stars, rounding it up to 4 for its originality. Some of the language is coarse, so that was not a plus for me. Although I liked reading about a woman with creative solutions to ending her marriage, I was not totally engaged in the read and was not sure where it was going to end up at times. Without spoilers, the ending was satisfactory if a bit over the top for me. Fans of contemporary fiction will enjoy Meister’s book with its wit and sharp, biting dialogue.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
September 9, 2022
Well, Ellen Meister’s done it again! Let me be clear, this is not my usual fiction. I like the long, boring literary stuff that most people hate. But when a writer like Ellen Meister comes along it is impossible to not read her work. It is funny, it is tender, it is polished and impeccably written every time. Mind you, I disliked her protagonist through many pages. I did not find her endearing in her murderous schemes. My personal belief systems were screaming, “take responsibility.” BUT when Luke entered the picture….well! He might as well be named “Luther” because I just knew it was Idris Elba and all was lost at that point. I was in, hook line and sinker. What more can a reader want than Idris Elba, Marcello Mastroianni, Trader Joes, and a naughty narrator who looks like Diane Ladd? Oh, and throw in John Candy while you’re at it. Her husband! I mean, really? I mean really! When I hit the scene about the pizza, I was truly laughing out loud. My sleeping dog looked up, alarmed. I was up all night reading this wonderful book, just had to get to the end, and I wasn’t disappointed. While Charlie may have been predictable, nothing else was! Brava! Meister knows how to write! How refreshing is that!!
August 2, 2022
Take My Husband by Ellen Meister. Thanks to @mirabooks @htpbooks @netgalley for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Laurel’s husband, Doug, is in a car accident she is shocked that she finds herself disappointed that he survived and is fine. She had a flash of her life without Doug, and it looked nice. Now that she has seen a glimpse of a free, clean, and quiet future, she can’t stop thinking about it.
This book was such a delight. I got a real kick out of it! It was funny in a dark way, but hit home with the look at frustrations within marriage. The characters were all a bit over the top which added to the humor. I liked how there was a hint of realism and even a lesson within the story. I would love a sequel because I got very attached to the characters!
“Oh, Doug, why do you have to make it so hard to hurt your feelings, and so easy to want to kill you?”
Take My Husband comes out 8/30.
When Laurel’s husband, Doug, is in a car accident she is shocked that she finds herself disappointed that he survived and is fine. She had a flash of her life without Doug, and it looked nice. Now that she has seen a glimpse of a free, clean, and quiet future, she can’t stop thinking about it.
This book was such a delight. I got a real kick out of it! It was funny in a dark way, but hit home with the look at frustrations within marriage. The characters were all a bit over the top which added to the humor. I liked how there was a hint of realism and even a lesson within the story. I would love a sequel because I got very attached to the characters!
“Oh, Doug, why do you have to make it so hard to hurt your feelings, and so easy to want to kill you?”
Take My Husband comes out 8/30.
November 19, 2022
This book is unlike anything I have read before. It’s a dark fiction book with some humor thrown in and I found myself laughing out loud quite a bit. Laurel gets a call while she is at Trader Joes working that her husband has been in an accident. She imagines the worst, thinking he’s dead and what she will do “when” she collects on his life insurance. Only, he’s fine and this whole book is based on what she would do “if” he died. I think this is my first book by this author and I will definitely be looking for more books by Ellen Meister.
August 2, 2022
This book was a great dark humor read. Although I felt the ending was a bit rushed, I loved the journey getting there. I grew up on Long Island and all the references were fun to read! It was my first by Ellen Meister but won't be my last!
April 22, 2023
This was a cute book! An easy read. It took me a little while to get into it, but was entertaining. I like a more detailed ending, but overall, cute book.
August 7, 2023
Ugh, Doug is such an unlikeable character. I wish he died page 1.
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