Review: Take My Husband by Ellen Meister

About the Book:

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.

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/take-my-husband-by-ellen-meister

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59040897-take-my-husband

My Thoughts:

Take My Husband by Ellen Meister is touted as a dark comedy, and it does have some elements of the typical dark comedy but it is more dark comedy lite. The character development is good, however, the plot pace was a tad slow for this reader.

Laurel is tired of being a one-woman show in her marriage, and she has put up with her husband Doug for far too long. In fact, she has put up with his neediness and unwillingness to do anything for himself for so long, that she basically fantasizes about his death. Not only does Doug offer nothing and expect a caretaker, he protests anything Laurel would like to do for her own happiness. One can’t help but understand how Doug’s death would allow Laurel some happiness. That said, Laurel’s situation could easily have been fixed by a divorce or separation instead of her whining and self-pity.

Laurel’s efforts have the opposite effect, but through it all, we readers get a microscopic view of married life with too much togetherness and neediness. Take My Husband is not just a comedy, it is also an exploration of creating and maintaining relationships.

About the Author: Ellen Meister is the author of several novels and she is also an editor, book coach, ghostwriter, and frequent contributor to Long Island Woman Magazine. She teaches creative writing at Long Island University Hutton House Lectures and previously at Hofstra University.

SOCIAL LINKS:

Author Website: https://ellenmeister.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elle