A review by mamabear04
The Mad Wife: A Novel by Meagan Church

4.0

“Sometimes it takes darkness to show us what we really believe and who we really are.” — Meagan Church

Set in a time when women were expected to be flawless: perfect wives, perfect mothers, perfect homemakers. The Mad Wife shows what happens when a woman dares to crack under the weight of it all. If you slipped, even slightly, you risked being labeled “crazy” and swept aside.

Lulu Mayfield is doing everything she can to keep up appearances. But after the birth of her second child and the arrival of a seemingly perfect new neighbor, Bitsy, Lulu begins to feel like something’s not quite right. The more she tries to uncover Bitsy’s secrets, the more her own world begins to unravel. And soon, Lulu’s not sure who or what she can trust. Not even herself.

Before diving in, don’t skip the Note Before Beginning as it sets the tone for what’s ahead. I knew this book would be dark, but I wasn’t prepared for just how raw and gut-wrenching it would get. The way women’s mental health was (and often still is) misunderstood and mishandled is truly heartbreaking. Meagan Church does an incredible job portraying the emotional toll of postpartum depression and the silent suffering so many women endured behind closed doors.

Once you reach the final page, make sure to read the Author’s Note as well. It adds even more depth to an already powerful story.

This is a haunting, emotionally charged read that lingers long after you finish. Highly recommend for fans of literary historical fiction, domestic thrillers, or anyone drawn to stories about women pushed to the brink.