Oh, my poor broken heart. The Wednesday Group is Sylvia True's debut novel, but I can promise you right now that it doesn't read like one. It's stunning, and heartbreaking. I came into a story about women whose problems were far removed from my own life. My biggest worry was that I wouldn't be able to connect enough to really enjoy this story. Trust me, I shouldn't have had any doubts. True's characters came to life. They embraced me as part of their group, and I watched as they laid their hearts and their souls on the table for me to pick apart. Be warned, this isn't the happiest of stories. It is beautiful though, and so very important.

Gail, Hannah, Bridget, Lizzie and Flavia couldn't be more different from one another when the book begins. Learning each of their unique personalities was actually one of my favorites parts of this story. My heart was pulled in all directions while I slowly fell into each one of their lives. Some meek, some angry, but all stronger women then they could ever know. That is, until they came together as a group. I was so impressed at how bluntly, and yet at the same time sensitively, True tackled the concept of men with sex addiction, and how it affects their wives and families. I adored that she didn't lump all of these characters into one coping mechanism. She allowed them their own flaws, and poor decisions, which ultimately made this a much more satisfying story.

What's even more brilliant about this story is the simple fact that it's all forward movement. There's very little fluff, or filler. It's all decisions, consequences, and tons of human growth. Of course, while this was utterly satisfying to read, it also meant that it was emotionally draining as well. I ran the full gambit of emotions while I followed these women on their journey. I felt rage, despair, hope, and so much sadness that it almost overwhelmed me. If I can give credit where credit is due, Sylvia True definitely has mastered the art of pacing. It was perfection.

I can't state enough how impressed I was with The Wednesday Group. Where I started out wary that I wasn't going to feel involved enough, I ended up completely enmeshed in these women's lives. I can't recommend this enough. ( )

I've never read a book like this, where one of the central subjects is sex addiction, or rather the effect that has on relationships. I liked most of the characters, but felt some of them were underdeveloped. Flavia's character felt almost entirely unneccessary, and Gail felt too formal. I'd like to see what happens to these ladies in the future, in terms of how they continue to deal with and grow from such serious situations with their romantic partners. The ending seemed open enough for more so I hope this is the first book of a series. ( )

We are treated to an up close and personal viewing of a group therapy for wives of sex addict husbands. This was a very fast read and the writing was so visual, I was imagining I was attending a stage play. Each husband has a different type of addiction, i.e. porn, professor with grad students, etc. The women are not easily bonded, although relationship develop as the sessions pass. My thanks to the author and Goodreads for a complimentary copy. ( )

This is a real page turner and it's not because of any tidbits about the spouses' compulsive sexual behaviors. In fact, that aspect takes a back seat to the real focus - the dynamics between and among those impacted by the explosive topic of sexual addiction. The book's point of view shifts from four of the five Wednesday group members, women whose spouses are sex addicts, to their meetings with a facilitator who faces challenges of her own. The struggle to open up despite the shame and anger each member feels is clearly expressed in author Sylvia True's almost clinical writing style. None of the characters and relationships are stagnant or predictable and I found my own perceptions changing as new revelations came into play.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads program.




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Sexual addiction is not easy to understand, and while this book sheds only a little light on the actual disorder, it gives great insight into the impact of a husband/father's sexual addiction on his wife and children. This novel tells the story of five women who are brought together by a therapist who forms a support group for wives whose husband's have sexual addictions. As each of these women develop trust in the other group members they divulge more and more of the sense of betrayal, the pain and anger, and the self-doubt, that they are experiencing. Just as the sexual addictions manifest differently in each of their husbands, so they deal with their own pain in different ways, but are able to give each other support, understanding, and to draw strength from each other. It is hard to believe this is a debut novel, it is so well written and so insightful. I won this book from Bookreporter.com. ( )