Quick Pick: Accidents of Marriage, by Randy Susan Meyers

• Opening lines: Maddy ran her tongue over her teeth, imagining the bitter taste of a crumbling tablet of Xanax. After a gut-wrenching day at the hospital, nothing tempted her more than a chemical vacation.
• Reason I picked up the book: I very much enjoyed Meyers' previous two books, The Comfort of Lies and The Murderer's Daughters - I gave both 4.5 or 5 stars out of 5.
• And what's this book about?
Accidents of Marriage explores a topic rarely shown in fiction: the destruction left in the wake of spouse’s verbal fury. Ben never meant to hurt Maddy. He never imagined his recklessness would lead to tragedy. Maddy is a social worker trying to balance her career and three children. Years ago, she fell in love with Ben, a public defender, drawn to his fiery passion, but now he’s lashing out at her during his periodic verbal furies. She vacillates between tiptoeing around him and asserting herself for the sake of their kids – which works to keep a fragile peace – until the rainy day when they’re together in the car and Ben’s volatile temper gets the best of him, leaving Maddy in the hospital fighting for her life. Randy Susan Meyers takes us inside the hearts and minds of her characters, alternating among the perspectives of Maddy, Ben, and their fourteen-year-old daughter. Accidents of Marriage is a provocative and stunning novel that will resonate deeply with women from all walks of life, ultimately revealing the challenges of family, faith, and forgiveness.

• Favorite paragraph: 

Cobalt-blue wedding goblets glinted from a glass self - the cups they'd used for their first sip as a married couple. A Jewish tradition. The glasses were not so much expensive as precious, and thus behind glass, taken out each anniversary. Last year Gracie spent an hour getting the room just right for them. Candles. The table cleared of clutter. Two pressed white napkins.
...
Ben walked to the cabinet, opened the door, and took out the deep-blue glasses, leaving two clean circles int he dust. He carried them to the table. the faceted crystal shimmered in the sun. He lifted the glasses high and tapped them together. Music. Glass music, Gracie called it the last time he and Maddy toasted. 

He clinked them again and again. He clinked them until the music was no longer sweet. He clinked them until the glasses ground against each other. He slammed them harder and harder until finally he threw one against the wall and watched it shatter. 

• Recommended for: Anyone who likes reading family dramas.
• Something to know: I started reading this book for my book club, and it wasn't that great at first, but it slowly improved throughout. 
• What I would have changed: I'm not sure, but the novel didn't flow as well as the author's last two. I overall did enjoy it, but the beginning was just okay, and then once a pivotal event happens in the novel, the story gets more interesting.
• Overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
• Where can I buy this book? Click here.
  
  *Disclosure: I received an e-galley of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own.