What do readers think of Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers? Write your own review.

Accident of Marriage is a story that grabs you on page one and doesn't let you go until the last word. The writing was excellent, the story and the characters believable. It makes you realize that life and change in a heartbeat. Sometimes I wanted to yell at some of the characters to say "do you realize what you are doing to your family?"
The book ended just the way it should. Nothing was tied up with a pretty bow and that was okay. I will recommend this book to my book group.

I received this book as I was leaving for vacation, and upon the 1st chapter decided it would be a great vacation read. To my surprise--it was much better than just a vacation novel.
I loved the characters, and the way the author injected so many thoughtful topics, effortlessly. At first---just the religion component, without the emphasis on religion per say, but the ability to think about religion at large was refreshing to me.
Moving on through the family dynamics due to what happened to Maddy was done in such a way that I felt like I was a part of the family
I loved this book all the way through to the ending, which had a few possibilities, and surprisingly did not have me specifically rooting for one ending over another.
I highly recommend this book to book clubs, as it has many topics of conversation, and in general as a well written, complex yet easy to follow novel.

I can't say I enjoyed reading this book but I could not stop myself from having deep feelings for the characters in the it.--especially Emma who was called upon to grow up and take on too many responsibilities. Of course I felt very emotional about what happened to Maddy--no question about that. All the characters had good reason to be in the plot some not as important as others but each believable and and necessary contributors to the action. Even Zelda foreshadowed Mandy's ability to say things she never was able to in the past. I could not atop reading because it was important for me to learn the fate of the characters and to learn what happens to this family. Every family member needs someone or something. The problem is how to find out what that need is and to fulfill it truthfully and not hide behind false words to be honest even if you hurt a loved one is arriving at maturity in your life and making your relationships grounded in reality and able to survive all the problems which attack it in daily living and build a life together not on one dominant behavior over another.

Maddy summed up her life with Ben by saying she didn' t have an accident of life but an accident of marriage.

This novel is the story of a marriage and a family in trouble. The husband has severe anger management problems and the wife has learned to compensate by not upsetting him and by taking a few pills when needed to get through her days. His anger causes a car accident that results in catastrophic brain injury to her. The accident bring the family dysfunction out of the shadows of their lives and shows how Ben's anger not only affected Maddy but also their three children. The novel is well told and the characters are very well developed. I felt like I knew them and I laughed and cried with them. This is the first book that I've read by this author and I plan to read her previous books based on my enjoyment of this book.

I think that this would be a great book for a book club to read and discuss. There are so many areas that could be discussed - the parent's reactions to the accidents, the children's reactions, and ultimately how Ben and Maddy handle their lives after the accident.

There are 3 voices in this book. Mom, Dad and Daughter. I felt it undemanding to discern each narrator. I was able to get to know each persona. Dad has everything-down-pat, The Tiger by The Tail, the world is his oyster, until .... he really wonks up his marriage. The Mom pays the price of Dad's error and I really felt for her with her recovery. What would I do in this situation? Could I love this man who maimed me? The daughter reminded us, the readers, that kids ALWAYS know more than we think they know. I believe the author's exceptional descriptions and word-work made me completely feel the waves of revulsion as they were occurring within the Mom's head. The myriad of emotions the author took me through reminded me why I love reading! I felt like the author dropped me subliminally into this family and I was the silent observer of all of the mayhem, renewal and restructuring of how each player in this family's dysfunction. Yet, there was still love….. but could it heal this family? This book will surely be a hit when it comes out! The book was pitch-perfect. A very-worthwhile and thoughtful read. 5 Stars all the way across!

Told from the alternating, even-handed perspectives of the Illicas (long-suffering wife Maddy, abusive husband Ben, and beleaguered eldest daughter Emma), "Accidents of Marriage" is a subtle, solemn, sobering, deep exploration of a marriage gone to hell for quite a long time, and the parties involved waking up to it after a horrific reckless act.

Randy Susan Meyers has written this family, including two younger children, as well as surrounding family members and friends, so vividly and so strongly. There are moments of talking back to the pages, objecting, finger pointing at particular passages, surprised, and yet not surprised, at how Ben cannot see what his violent actions have done to this marriage, to his children, and especially to Maddy. It will not only make some readers sadly wonder if Meyers stayed over at their house for a couple of weeks without them knowing, but it will also tap everyone who reads it on the shoulder for weeks and months afterward, quietly haunting them. And perhaps it will also empower those who feel they are powerless in their marriages, just like Maddy.

I found "Accidents of Marriage" be a fascinating, touching, and thought-provoking study of consequences. A compelling story line, well-drawn characters, believable dialog, and good pacing. I cared about the characters and what happened to them and was sad to come to the end of the story. Should be an excellent choice for book clubs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the first page I could feel the tension in the marriage, in the family. The characters are so distinct and vivid, I felt like if only someone could tell the others what they were thinking, maybe they could work things out. This story is as much about Emma as Maddy and Ben, I also felt compelled to reach into the book and save her! That intimate connection with the characters is Randy Susan Meyers' gift.