The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards

By Jessica Waite

Book Overview

"You will stay up all night reading this gem" (Christie Tate, New York Times bestselling author) about a widow whose life is turned upside down when she uncovers the truth about her late husband. A lyrical, witty, and deeply moving memoir of betrayal and forgiveness.

While mourning her husband's sudden death, Jessica Waite discovered shocking secrets that undermined everything she thought she knew about the man she'd loved and trusted. From secret affairs to drug use and a pornography addiction, Waite was overwhelmed reconciling this devastating information with her new reality as a widowed single mom. Then, to further complicate matters, strange, inexplicable coincidences forced her to consider whether her husband was reaching back from beyond the grave.

With unflinching honesty, Waite details her tumultuous love story and the pain of adjusting to the new normal she built for herself and her son. "A candid, raw chronicle of bereavement" (Kirkus Reviews), The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards is also a lyrical exploration of mental health, single parenthood, and betrayal that demonstrates that the most moving love stories aren't perfect--they're flawed and poignantly real.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1668044854
• ISBN13: 9781668044858
• Release Date: July 2024
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

A Widow's Guide To Crash, Burn And Rebirth

This poignant tale of love, loss, grief, betrayal, and forgiveness follows Jessica Waite as she navigates the aftermath of her partner's sudden passing and grapples with the secrets that challenge her perception of their marriage. Waite's account of her fall into darkness and her ultimate rise to the light of love is marked by wit, candor, and refreshing irreverence, making for a compelling narrative. Contrary to the title's implication of humor, the content is actually a personal account of her grief following her husband's passing. The writing is exceptional. Nevertheless, around the midpoint, readers may start to feel fatigued, and Jessica's character becomes less relatable. The depiction of her family's affluent lifestyle, featuring vacations to Disney and abroad, may contribute to this disconnect. Additionally, her ability to be a stay-at-home parent without financial worries may make it challenging for some readers to identify with her. This book remains excellent. I give it 3 stars for its vivid writing and candid portrayal of love, loss, grief, and healing, although it loses momentum midway.

Amazing Writing

I loved this book! Waite's writing style is engaging and heartfelt. She talks about the complexity of grief and shares her story without holding back the more ugly sides of dealing with loss. As a widow myself, I found her story comforting and it was a beautiful book. I hope she continues writing so I can read more of her work.