June Book Club-The Mother-In-Law

June’s book club came fast and furious and we actually changed the book prior to. Originally we were going to read Elin Hilderbrand’s latest book, but we didn’t check the release date, so we went with another read on my summer wish list–The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth.

We had a great time at Frank’s Pizza Napoletana this month.

Someone once told me that you have two families in your life – the one you are born into and the one you choose. Yes, you may get to choose your partner, but you don’t choose your mother-in-law. The cackling mercenaries of fate determine it all.

The Publisher’s Synopsis…

A twisty, compelling new novel about one woman’s complicated relationship with her mother-in-law that ends in death…

From the moment Lucy met her husband’s mother, she knew she wasn’t the wife Diana had envisioned for her perfect son. Exquisitely polite, friendly, and always generous, Diana nonetheless kept Lucy at arm’s length despite her desperate attempts to win her over. And as a pillar in the community, an advocate for female refugees, and a woman happily married for decades, no one had a bad word to say about Diana…except Lucy.

That was five years ago.

Now, Diana is dead, a suicide note found near her body claiming that she longer wanted to live because of the cancer wreaking havoc inside her body.

But the autopsy finds no cancer.

It does find traces of poison, and evidence of suffocation.

Who could possibly want Diana dead? Why was her will changed at the eleventh hour to disinherit both of her children, and their spouses? And what does it mean that Lucy isn’t exactly sad she’s gone?

My Thoughts…

I (and the group) really enjoyed this book. The story follows the complicated relationship of a mother-in-law, Diana and a daughter-in-law, Lucy. The story is written in both of their perspectives, definitely telling both sides of the story. Diana is a somewhat rigid mother, who has complicated relationships with her daughter and son. While Lucy is a fanciful, young mother who wants nothing more than a motherly relationship with Diana (at least in the beginning).

The author has a very plausible plot with relatable family dynamics throughout. From the “pregnancy obsessed” daughter, the favorite, generous, and most-loveable father, and the not-so-successful son-in-law and son. The story is highly suspenseful taking us through past and present of how Diana died, but also about the various family secrets, and the dynamic of mother and daughter-in-law.

One of the best aspects of this novel is the mystery of Diana and why she is the way she is. I enjoyed it just as much as the desire to know what happened to her and if anyone else was responsible. If domestic dramas and mysteries with plenty of twists and turns are your thing then The Mother-In-Law is the perfect read for you. I definitely recommend this book.