There are people out there waiting for her...

I'm so surprised that people are being so incredibly hard on this author. She's a non-celebrity, first time author writing a memoir. What did you expect?
In a way I'm relieved that more people do not relate to the story, perhaps there just aren't that many people who have experienced anything remotely close to this, or haven't admitted experiencing it. But why all the nasty comments? Why the name calling? What are you saying? She should have seen it coming? Or... that her parents are successful so she deserved it? I was a middle class girl with 6 siblings who was a nurse in an inner city hospital when I got swept away by a "Marco" and Let me tell you it ain't easy ! I'm over here THIRTY FIVE years later still living with the aftermath.
I appreciate Jen's story and her courage in telling it. It truly helps. And if there is an element of revenge, good for her he deserves it.
There were times when I wanted to scream at her to knock it off and move on but, she is Jen and I am not and we are all wired differently. One thing I know for sure, panic attacks are paralyzing and debilitating and she certainly got that across to the reader.
Yes, she played amateur psychiatrist but don't kid yourself we all do it,and would it have been more credible had she gone to the library and read an actual book as opposed to using the internet? She also backed it up with professional opinion. Many many mental health opinions are formulated from hearsay.
The books I LOVE and give 5 stars to are The Grapes of Wrath and The Century Trilogy. These amateur non-celebrity memoirs are in a class of their own and this one is pretty close to the top. A good story, a real heartbreaking life event that we can ALL learn something from and hopefully pass down to our daughters and sons.
If Jen were standing here in front of me I would say "good job and thank you for your courage and honesty". I would wish her luck and tell her I hope she finds love and I would tell her I hope she does go on to become a licensed therapist because there are hurting people out there waiting for her.

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48 people found this helpful

First half held my interest, then I got bored

First off... the author is not the greatest narrator. She's not terrible, but there were many, many times where she sounded like a junior high school student reading aloud in class. N

The first half of the book was quite interesting. I listen to audiobooks on my drive to work, and I found myself eagerly looking forward to my time in the car to hear what came next.

Unfortunately, I felt the story really fizzled. I won't give the plot away... but from the introduction, I was expecting something really horrific. Not to make light of what happened .. it truly was awful. But the way the events were built up at the beginning.., I found myself thinking "that's it?" And I know this sounds callous... but the way she describes her reactions to the events, I couldn't help thinking "buck up girl! Yes... your husband is an a$$, but you still have a heck of a lot going for you! You have a place to go, supportive parents, someone to help you, etc". Again, I don't mean to make light of the situation, but her reactions were just so over the top. I've known people and read about others who had it much much worse and handled it without melting down like she did. Ultimately, I couldn't listen to the last 1.5 hours because I was just so annoyed with the author.

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33 people found this helpful

Feels like a really long Facebook post

This book spends far too much time on the minutia of details like "omg is he cheating?" Uh, it doesn't matter! Especially after that fact while writing the book. The first correlation between the other woman and his actions was proof enough anyway. And, she's called "the Croatian"?? Come on. I regret my purchase and only listened to the end because I was hoping we would be told more about all the warning signs she missed along the way.

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20 people found this helpful

Good, but...

I enjoyed A Beautiful, Terrible Thing, but I was expecting more. Jen told an insightful story of marriage and betrayal, an important story for survivors of abuse & their loved ones. As a survivor of domestic violence, I appreciated that Jen handled her story without being overly salacious. The memoir was real, raw, and inspiring. That said, as a listener, I was almost expecting more... a plot twist of some sort that we never quite got. Not wishing that Jen had been forced to survive a more painful time, but I do wish the book was more accurately marketed - as a tale of survival. Instead the book is sold almost as a thriller. Jen's narration was good, you could hear the rawness of her emotions many times throughout her reading, though it is clear that she was a professional actress and at times her voice was a bit rehearsed sounding. Overall, the narration improved the book and gave you a sense of connection to the author and her story. I would recommend this book to any person who has seen a loved one unravel and is looking to feel a sense of connection.

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18 people found this helpful

A story that sadly has been told too often.

What would have made A Beautiful, Terrible Thing better?

Condense it. Where was the editor?

Has A Beautiful, Terrible Thing turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I certainly felt for Jen and what she was put through, just felt the book was redundant.
I wish her well in the future.

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15 people found this helpful

Struggled to finish.

A very sad recollection of a tragic marriage, where she had the guts to walk away from. The writing is unfortunately mediocre and bland, for ex. The overuse of the petname ' babe, baby ' is annoying and tedious. The narration is unprofessional . l will not recommend this book

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12 people found this helpful

It Started Out Good

This book started out with a bang and then the author turned pathetic. I know, I know, it's horrible how some women are treated but there is a time to let go and get on with it. It almost seems like we lose track of who is the sociopath in this book. Get on with it, girl. Let him go. Quit trying to change him or fix him and get on with your life.

This author turned from a sleuth into a whiny, pathetic excuse for a scorned women. Is this book a revenge book?

Oh, and I really don't need to know every single time she nursed her baby. TMI!!!

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11 people found this helpful

Pathetic

I have listened to hundreds, maybe a thousand Audible books and this is my first and only review and its inspired by this pathetic book.

It's about a pretty, rich, and I'm sure a Facebook perfect woman who cheats on her boyfriend with her future husband and then is "devastated" when her husband cheats on her when she is pregnant. She then goes on to try and make the case he is a sociopath. She finds a dime store therapist and some articles on Google (shocking) that just confirm her bias.... she is clearly perfect and no one would ever cheat on her. She has a tremendous support network from her obviously well to do parents.....thank god because no way she could face a problem on her own.

The sad thing the author doesn't realize, as she denigrates her ex in an obvious attempt to get even, is that she forgets she has a daughter with him who not only shares his DNA but hopefully will grow up and love her father.....good luck explaining your neurotic nature and disdain for her father. Divorce is a dirty nasty thing. I'd sue her for defamation if I was her ex....

if you just read the above review, don't waste your time on the book.

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9 people found this helpful

Oh Dear.....

Would you try another book from Jen Waite and/or Jen Waite?

We are so self involved these days and this is a great example of that. Yes cheating of any form is awful..... But Honestly, Not only I have heard worse stories, I've lived a worse one and I wouldnt say it's book worthy either.....He sounds like every latin man I have ever met. Reason why I will never marry one.

No offense..... I know how it feels..... And you believe you have been soooooo wronged.... and you have....But the whole time I was more annoyed then sympathetic... and I am sooooo sympathetic.... This could have been a great article.... But book?

Anyway.... I hope some people connect with it.... but for me, it was a waste of time and money unfortunately....

Hope Jen finds peace : )

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9 people found this helpful

Disappointing

I expected more than a wife cheater who doted on his wife and treated her well. Her emotional responses were overplayed. She lives a charmed life and fell in love with a charming man who couldn't be faithful. That's all.

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9 people found this helpful