I did not like this book that much. The story felt a bit unbelievable to me and the characters were way too blah.

An engaging read, with characters that were both believable and relatable, despite their circumstances. Definitely Adult fiction due to the relationships in the novel.

This book was hard to finish. The main character lacked real depth to me. I feel like I kept putting this one down because I just couldn't get into it.

I struggled to finish this book. I found the main character shallow and difficult to relate to.

I received this galley from NetGalley.

I enjoyed this title because I feel like it gives a look into the minds of so many. So many people appear to have a picture perfect life, but on the inside, things are not as great as they may seem.

This was rather painful to read, but not because there was anything wrong with it. Quite the opposite. It was painful because it hits at some hard truths that you've either been, or you know someone who is, exactly like Sarah. Sarah seems to have it all. An older, seemingly devoted husband. A beautiful, precocious child. Comfortable wealth. Ahhh, but nothing is truly ever as it seems. Behind the scenes, Sarah struggles to hold it all together, be the perfect wife and mother, gauge and manage her husbands moods - all while hearing voices in her head (and from her husband) that she is stupid, clumsy, and never good enough. It is so horribly painful because I have been Sarah and at times I still am Sarah. And while it's so easy to see in others what they need to do, it's almost impossible to do it. Hard to stop the dance and stand up for yourself, or even believe you should. I wanted to smash Sarah over the head and tell her to grow a pair, fight for yourself, don't take that abusive behavior - and I wanted to wrap her kindly in a hug and tell her it would all be okay. I loved the honesty of this book and the writing and the situations. Well done!

Better Than This was FANTASTIC. A for sure MUST READ book of the year. The writing was flawless, it was gripping, and the storyline just flowed together perfectly.

I found this book to be very enjoyable. The characters were well developed and easy to get attached to. The book had a good plot and I felt invested in the characters.

Absolutely loved this book! Beautifully written. Sarah and her husband Robert live in a well to do neighborhood with their daughter Lizzie. Robert loves being in control and is a workaholic who comes home mostly on the weekends. Robert did not originally want children and wanted Sarah to abort Lizzie when she was pregnant but Sarah begged and pleaded and Robert told her only one child. Maggie and Kate are Sarah’s close friends who end up being there through thick and thin for Sarah especially when Robert tells Sarah he wants to separate, leaving Sarah in a dark place. What secrets has Robert been hiding?

Thank you to NetGalley and Cathy Zane for allowing me to read and review Better Than This. I loved this book! I've recommended it to my friends!

Better Than This is one of those novels I have to be prepared to read. The subject matter isnt cheerful, the dissolution of a marriage with children involved is not a cheerful subject. I cant say that the book was entertaining, but it did hold my interest. It's kind of a study in things not always being what they seem, and that choices made for even the right reasons may not workout. The heroine was a little two dimensional for my taste, I wanted her to grow more thorough the story. I actually thought her friends were stronger, more complex characters, they kind of held the plot together for me. Better Than This wasnt a bad read, just not what I was in the mood for last weekend.

I couldn't get through this book. The story was just too depressing. I realize this is a story and needs drama but it was just too much with Sarah being always sad, lonely, depressed or crying. I did not finish this story.

This was a pretty solid debut read. I was drawn in immediately by the friendships between Sarah, the primary character, and her 2 best girlfriends as well as the obviously abusive (emotional and mental) relationship between Sarah and her husband Robert. I was always a little on edge, waiting for the shoe to drop and the big climax… I knew it would flip the book on its head; I just didn't know what it would be. It was a little expected because of the nature of the marital relationship, but there is an element I wasn't ready for. (Don't worry, no spoilers here!) As a social worker, I recognized the manipulation and gaslighting from the spouse right away, but imagine my shock and reding the blurb about the author at the end and discovering that she was not only a writer but also a psychotherapist! That explained much of how she closed the loop in the story line. It was authentic and true to practice. A well done story. While at times I was irritated by Sarah's but blind faith and trust, I also know that's the reality of manipulation. The author showcased well developed character relationships across-the-board.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

EXCERPT: Sarah's gaze travelled to the darkening sky just outside her classroom windows. It was one of those days when the grayness felt suffocating. After nearly ten years in Seattle, she longed for the abundant sunshine of her Southern California hometown. She never imagined she would settle here when she came for college, or that she'd end up teaching high school English, but here she was. Life never turns out how you expect. There are always unexpected turns and detours along the way.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Sometimes the most enviable life is really a private hell.

On the surface, Sarah Jenkins appears to have it all: a handsome, wealthy and successful husband, a precocious five-year-old daughter, and a beautiful home in an affluent Seattle neighborhood. Her quirky best friend and fellow high school teacher, Maggie, marvels at her luck—and envies her happiness.

But Sarah is far from happy. She feels empty and on edge, harangued by a critical inner voice—and as the truth about her marriage and details of her past emerge, her “perfect” life begins to crumble. But just when it seems all is lost, a long forgotten, unopened letter changes everything, and with the support of friends, Sarah begins to rebuild her life. Can she quiet the critical voice in her head and learn to value herself instead?

MY THOUGHTS: Just as life doesn't turn out as you expect, nor did this book.

Better Than This by Cathy Zane examines a marriage that should never have happened, the build up of resentments and animosities, and the resulting destructive behaviors, made all the more tragic by there being a small child involved. This story, with minor variations, plays out constantly in real life and Cathy Zane has done well to capture it in all its disintegrating 'glory'.

What I didn't like was the way Lizzy changed from a petulant five-year-old who blames her mother for her fathers leaving to one who adores her mother with the telling of just one story. While Sarah would have been struggling to come to terms with all that happened, Lizzy would also have been struggling, and no acceptance of the situation would have been quite that easily achieved. Lizzy would have placed far more pressure on Sarah's already fragile state of mind than what is depicted here.

A lovely cover.

☺☺☺

THE AUTHOR: Cathy Zane is a writer, psychotherapist, and former nurse who draws on her many years of working with women and families to create narratives of growth and empowerment. As a lifelong reader, she believes in the power of story to not only entertain but inspire, connect us to our common humanity, and instill hope.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to She Writes Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Better Than This by Cathy Zane for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.

This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This was such an emotional read. Better Than This dealt with an abusive relationship. It was hard to see the impact Robert had on Sarah. Though the abuse scenes weren't what I would call descriptive, the author did a great job explaining and showing the abuse in other ways. Great story would definitely recommend.

I wish I could say I loved the book, but sadly, I found it lacking. Sarah came off as mostly unsympathetic, she spent most of her time either angry or trying to make excuses for her abusive husband. Her friends Kate and Maggie, were the real stars of the book.

It is hard at times to have the patience needed to understand and sympathize with Sarah and the way that she allows herself to be treated by her husband, Robert. At other times I had complete sympathy for her. A roller coaster of a ride. The book is a tribute to the power of the true friendship of Kate and Maggie. Thanks to the publisher, Net Galley and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

A flooring novel about a woman trying to escape abuse. It really is a beautiful novel where you watch this woman's journey trying to change her life. She's trying to get away from her abusive spouse. Like many victims she has a lack of self esteem and a lot of self doubt and you have to watch her get it together and gather the strength to walk away.

This was a great book focusing on Sarah and her attempt to regain control of her life due to being in an abusive marriage. The author handled this difficult topic wonderfully and the plot of the story was realistic and moved at a great pace!

I really hoped this book would be.... Better Than This. While I understood the need to make scenes of DV harsh, the opening chapter did not do much to lure me in as a reader. I had hoped it would at least start off by making everyone likable, and I struggled to finish it. This is my fault as a reader due to my preferences, and I completely appreciate the need to make this book like some real life scenarios. Thank you for bringing the subject matter to light.