Natalie and Will meet in law school, marry and have eleven-year-old Charlie when a family crisis threatens to break up their family in For Better and Worse.
Natalie is suspicious that Will is having an affair. He is criticizing her appearance and organizational skills constantly. Will has also lost weight and started working out. However, infidelity pales in comparison to their son’s revelation that his principal molested him. As a criminal defense attorney, Natalie knows how unfair the criminal justice system is to juvenile victims. She convinces Will their only option is to murder their son’s abuser without getting caught. Then things begin to spin out of Natalie’s control.
If you dislike unsympathetic narrators, For Better and Worse is not a good choice. By the conclusion, I disliked all the characters except the dog. Narration switches between the ultra-organized Natalie and her self-centered husband Will. While I raced through the first half in one anxious swoop, the conclusion seemed unbelievable and rushed. However, I adored the twist in the epilogue. For Better and Worse has the potential to be a series. If so, I would be interested to read the next in the series. 3.5 stars!
Thanks to Mira Books and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.