The Dear Wife by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

She’s been holding on for dear life, but now she must learn to let go. 

Marathon runner and quintessential wife and mother Avery Decker appears to have it all together. But don’t let her smile fool you. Since the death of her daughter four years ago, she’s been trying to fake her way through life. 

So far, it hasn’t worked out so well.

Avery is overwhelmed not only with the grief of losing her daughter, but with the fear that she’ll lose someone else she loves—her husband James. This time not to death, but to the secret demons he’s been using to cope with the loss of their little girl. Day after day she’s been privately battling to save him and their marriage, but it’s only left her exhausted and lonely. Tired of pretending, she turns to the strongest women she knows. Together they help her face the truth and realize that the only person she can save is herself. But will it cost her the person she loves the most? Or will James remember who he is and hold on to the person he holds most dear?

Content warning: This book contains sensitive subject matters including pornography addiction and the loss of a child.

My Review: 5 Stars!

*Please note... if you don't read reviews before you read the book, please see my warning at the bottom of this review*

Where do I even begin with reviewing The Dear Wife? This book deals with very hard, very taboo subjects. Pornography and the loss of a child. I know this book is not going to be for everyone, and that's okay. But Ms. Peel is one of those authors who does an exceptional job when it comes to writing about the hard stuff. I can't explain it, but there's just something about her writing style that makes it easier to read about the hard stuff people face in real life.

We know from the previous book that James and Avery were going through something difficult. I didn't know what it was but I have been dying to find out their story. I'm not going to lie or sugar coat anything. Their story broke my heart into a million pieces. I have never cried so much while reading a book before. And don't even get me started on how angry I was. I didn't know how or if James and Avery were going to be able to fix all that was broken between them. There were times that I was encouraging Avery to just walk away. She didn't deserve to be put through everything that she had been.

But as the story progressed, and Avery not only started finding herself again, but started believing that things could be better, I found myself slowly... ever so slowly... having a change of heart about James. But, just like Avery, I was cautious when it came to the possibility of them getting back together. James's story is the prime example of how no one really knows what demons someone is facing on the inside. Their journey definitely was not an easy one. They both had to be willing to do whatever they could to make changes and strive to be better not only as a couple, but as individuals as well.

It doesn't matter what kind it is, addiction is hard. Whether you're the one going through it or you're watching a loved one go through it. It's not something that you can just get over. It takes a lot of blood, sweat, tears, courage, strength, determination, and love to face whatever it is you're facing. Everyone deserves a chance to overcome it and have the much needed support from their loved ones to face that long, difficult road to recovery.

As I said before, Ms. Peel knows how to write about the hard stuff. I can always count on her to make me feel all the feels. If you read The Dear Wife, buckle up and hold on tight as you embark on the biggest emotional roller coaster you have ever been on. There's no question, it will be tough, but this is one of the best books she has ever written! I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!

Beautiful souls are shaped by ugly experiences. ― Matshona Dhliwayo

**Content warning** The Dear Wife deals with tough topics including pornography addiction and the loss of a child. If you know you can't handle those topics, PLEASE don't read the book. Jennifer has put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this book and she does not need readers who cannot handle these topics leaving negative reviews. Please search your heart to know if this book is one you should read or not.