Author: Elizabeth LaBan
Narrator: Erin Bennett
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: October 2019
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible
Description: When she finds out her husband cheated, Hannah Bent thinks her marriage is over. Isn’t that what happens after an affair? But she’s seen friends divorce, and it’s not pretty. Plus, she and Joel have kids and an otherwise happy life, and she still loves him, although begrudgingly.
Furious and feeling stuck, she suggests having her own affair to even the score. Joel, desperate for forgiveness, agrees. But does she really want to go through with it? And how exactly does a married mother of two get back in the dating pool? Many awkward dates follow until she finds a deep and unexpected connection where she was least looking for it.
Just as she thinks she’s made a decision, her journey to happiness is waylaid by storms of doubt. But the important thing is that she’s finally figuring out what she truly wants for herself, and she understands that whatever choice she makes must be hers and hers alone.
My Thoughts: Beside Herself by new‑to‑me author Elizabeth LaBan is a thought‑provoking exploration of the impossible choices a woman faces after discovering her husband’s infidelity. I usually hate the adultery trope, but what sets this story apart is the direction LaBan chooses. Instead of the predictable breakup‑to‑divorce trajectory, the author presents a marriage where the husband is immediately remorseful and desperate to repair the damage he’s caused.
One of the most compelling elements is the therapist’s blunt honesty: the marriage Hannah and Joel once had is gone. It’s over. If they want to stay together, they must build an entirely new marriage, acknowledging that they are now different people. That framing alone gives the story a fresh emotional angle.
As expected, Hannah is furious, hurt, and unsure whether she wants to salvage the relationship or walk away. Her internal struggle feels raw and believable. But when she tells Joel that before she can even consider starting over she wants to have her own affair to “even the score,” I found myself pulling back. For me, that suggestion felt like it would only compound the pain rather than heal it.
The pacing of the story was solid, and I appreciated that it didn’t get bogged down in excessive emotional drama that would have slowed the narrative. It moved steadily, giving the characters space to work through their situation without dragging the reader through unnecessary turmoil. I also paired the book with the audiobook and found Erin Bennett’s narration engaging and well matched to the tone of the story. Her performance added clarity and nuance, making the experience enjoyable.
My Final Verdict: In the end, Beside Herself offers an unusual and compelling look at what it means to rebuild trust after betrayal. While not all of Hannah’s choices resonated with me, LaBan’s willingness to explore the messy, uncomfortable parts of forgiveness makes the story stand out. It’s a thoughtful read for anyone interested in the complexities of marriage, healing, and starting over.
Thank you to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.
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