A Little Bit Married

by Debra Borden

Even before college, Bitsy Lerner had her whole life figured  marry, have kids, move to the suburbs, and spend heavenly days packing lunches and driving carpools.

At age 43, things have gone exactly as planned. With a solid marriage, two great kids, and a darling house, so what if her husband is vague about his business dealings. Or her overbearing mother-in-law finds novel ways to torture her. And her parents radiate constant disapproval. And her friends are shallow. And her daughter’s clothes never cover her navel. And her son spends all his time playing sports. She’s living the charmed life she always wanted. Right?

Then, one sunny morning, everything changes. As her husband lies unconscious, an empty bottle of pills on the nightstand, unable to recognize her or the children, Bitsy is forced to answer these questions and more. Why is the mail filled with bank notices and overdue bills? Where are her so-called friends? Why is her son’s school principal suddenly so attractive? And for the first time, instead of wondering when things will get back to normal, Bitsy wonders if things were ever normal in the first place.

Come along for the hilarious and poignant ride as Bitsy gets help from the unlikeliest of sources and discovers that all the little “bits” of herself might actually be stronger than she, or anyone, knew.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AWESOME! I totally thought it was going to be another chick-book, which I was fine with, but it ended up being so much more. It was laugh-out-loud funny at times. I found the book to be very meaningful and it served as a good reminder of some of life's harder lessons. It was one of those books I was sad to finish.

[Joni Aveni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did, expecting a fluffy "chick lit" read with no character. Instead, it had me laughing out loud many times and totally relating at others. Anyone who has ever lived in or driven through suburban New Jersey (or any other American suburb) will relate to the main character's existential angst. The only part of the book that I was iffy about was the near-instant relationship with the high school principal. Perhaps I'm jaded by current events, but all I kept thinking was, "In 20 years, this guy's gonna make headlines if this relationship doesn't work." Of course things got tidied up nicely at the end, which is in keeping with this genre, but I didn't mind that so much. I genuinely liked "Bitsy" aka Barbara and it was nice to visit suburban New Jersey without having to contend with navigating the roads.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy, fun book. I give it a three star rating just because it wasn't heavy or eye opening. It was truthful and light, about a marriage decision that was made for convenience, not passion or love. The star, Bitsy, aka Barbara, had been satisfied being a wife and at home mother, living in wealthy, catered to suburbia, something that has never appealed to me. After her husband had major health emergencies she was able to step outside and review the marriage, deciding that it wasn't based on connectedness and commitment. I like the fact that the author is a licensed clinical social worker, because it gives her more authority to address the marriage and parenting issues that dominate the story.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a light read for sure. A story about a woman whose husband gets amnesia and she rediscovers herself. Ultimately it didn't work because the main character was wholly unlikeable and the characters fit perfectly into stereotype and were exactly what she needed.

Someone else might enjoy it, but it fell together so neatly that I didn't buy it. The husband basically leaves his children and they don't seem to mind all that much. She's broke but somehow becomes a teacher at a school where the principal is the nicest, most open-hearted man in the world. The nanny is part-time philosopher and mess that she easily rescues. Just too neat a package for me, I guess.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected candor, unique obeservation, insight, wit, and resolve. A dear and well crafted book, lively and fun inspite of the topic, an inspiring work.

That said I could have done without the sexual bondage scene but I guess it's a reflection of the world we live in and struggles people have to right themselves. This isn't a tame book and I loved reading it.

The ending however was a disappointment because it was predictable and unlike some of the other parts of the book that were more enjoyable.

[Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed the book for the kind characters which I think are based on the authors work as a counsler so its kind of an ideal world not a real world
I often fall in love with a concept and a way a book is written and try another book by that author only to find out that they are allthe same book... which is what I am guessing will happen with this book

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not particularly believable, but enjoyable and amusing enough. At times quite funny. Very quick read. Everything ends as you wish.

My main beef is it's hard to swallow that a woman whose lifelong dream was to be a housewife could so easily transition to having a job and being a single mother, but I guess having a live-in housekeeper would help things.

[Amy Schacht · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be a strangely compelling read for not such a great book. The main character comes of age in the 1970s, but would fit in much better in the 1950s, and tries to structure her life that way until the pieces come crashing down around her, and she's forced to claim her self and take responsibility for her own self.

[Lydia Orbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because I thought the characters and the story were believable. Bitsy is like so many of us, trying to hold onto something that may be isn't worth holding onto. Trying to keep it all together and losing ourselves in the process. We only find ourselves it all falls apart.

[Sue Kozlowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay. Bitsy and Alan are married- have 2 kids, Lauren and Evan, and live in NJ. Alan OD's on pills and loses his memory. Bitsy finds out they are in financial trouble. Bitsy falls in love with kids' principal. The couple ends up separating.

[Tim Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a married gal who has escaped, or tuned out life and is rudely awakened when her husband attempts suicide. She is forced to abandon her shallow life and take a new perspective on her life as she has to take charge of her destiny. Good book.

[Laurie Gersh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very light reading..good for me cause she is the same age, grew up in a town near by and is a potter/artist

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this more than I thought I would. Yes, the second half is a bit unbelievable, but sometimes you need a little of that in your life. A fun quick read, great for this time of year.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for poolside or at the beach.

[Lu]

43 life as planned but teenagers; vague husband; charmed life???

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat predictable but still enjoyable.

[Jo Guasque · Rating 2 out of 5]

not my style. not my kind of book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this and would read her other (first) novel. It's easy on the brain without being fluff.