If you enjoy family drama laced with sharp wit, tangled emotions, and unapologetic boldness, Electra Bitches by Marjorie Duryea is an unforgettable ride. This novel presents a modern myth wrapped in deception, unexpected pregnancies, and complicated power dynamics, where love and rivalry blur in a dysfunctional yet fascinating family.

At its core, the story revolves around Joe, a quiet and unassuming man caught in the web of three strong, unpredictable women—a religious zealot, a spoiled brat, and an irresistible sex goddess. As these women compete for his attention, the novel peels back layers of mother-daughter tensions, betrayals, and self-serving motives, exposing the raw, unfiltered truths of love, control, and human desire.

Duryea’s storytelling is provocative and immersive, balancing dark themes with biting humor and psychological depth. The characters, though flawed, are gripping in their intensity, making the book an exploration of the gray areas in relationships rather than a neatly packaged moral tale.

With its edgy narrative and fearless exploration of sexuality, power, and dysfunction, Electra Bitches is for readers who appreciate books that challenge conventions and dive into the messiness of human connections. If you’re looking for a compelling, no-holds-barred story with complex characters and unpredictable turns, this one is worth picking up.

This was a very interesting book, and not something I expected! Really enjoyed the book, and will read more of this author in future.

I don't know where to even begin here. It took me several times to finally get interested in this book, like chapters. The book was all over the place and the ending was awful.

First you have Sarah, the mom who left New Jersey for a job as a college professor at a university in Minnesota. Joe, her husband, just waited for her to come back. When he realized that she wasn't, he finally gave up and fell into their spoiled daughter's manipulations. Rosie hates her mom for leaving her. But it was only for a year, yet the spoiled college kid did everything in her power to set her dad up with her roommate's very religious mom, Sharon. Big mistake.

When Joe went to see Sarah to have her sign papers to sell their home, she thought he was serving her for a divorce. She had changed her mind and had wanted her husband back a while ago, but her pride was in the way. So the married couple spent the week together reconciling and planning Joe's move to Minnesota. He went back and broke up with Sharon.and packed up the house.

Rosie had a fit. In the process, Sarah finds out that she's pregnant at 51 years old. So Rosie, who's always competing with her mom gets pregnant one night when she drank too much. Now Sharon wants to take care of Rosie while she's pregnant to try to get Joe back. But she has no idea that Sarah's pregnant as well. Sharon refuses to let Rosie talk to her parents for months, that's when they realize something is wrong.

Too much drama.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A modern myth of sex, unexpected pregnancies, lies and deception--throw in a religious zealot, a spoiled brat and beautiful sex goddess and you meet the Electra Bitches. Joe is a quiet and mild-mannered man caught between these three women all competing for his love and attention.

His saga explores mother/daughter rivalry, adultery and abandonment--in an ordinary dysfunctional family.

Loved, loved, loved it. Will recommend to others.

Didn't enjoy this book at all! Senseless, boring and no storyline Not for me, sorry.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

Meh. Quite boring. Characters were not developed.
The story goes nowhere.
Parts of this didn't even make sense.
I'm surprised I made it thru.