Book ~ "The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards" (2024) Jessica Waite

From Goodreads ~ A widow’s life is turned upside when she uncovers the truth about her late husband in this lyrical, witty and deeply moving memoir of tragedy and betrayal.

In the midst of mourning her husband’s sudden death, writer Jessica Waite discovered shocking secrets that undermined everything she thought she knew about the man she’d loved and trusted. From uncovered affairs to drug use and a pornography addiction, Waite was overwhelmed reconciling this devastating information with her new reality as a widowed single mom. Then to further complicate matters, strange inexplicable coincidences forced her to consider whether her husband was reaching back from beyond the grave.

Jessica was a housewife and mom to Dash. Sean, her husband, travelled for work regularly from their home in Calgary to Denver. Their life wasn't perfect ... there were times when Sean would freak out and be verbally abusive and threaten to leave but never did. On the day Jessica is expecting Sean to be on a flight heading home, she gets a call that he had passed away suddenly in Denver. Not surprisingly she's shocked and has to deal with his death, his life insurance, close up his apartment in Denver and get his belongings home, and more. As this is happening, Jessica discovers that not only did Sean have a porn addiction but he was also unfaithful numerous times to her (and even had a girlfriend). So in addition to dealing with her grief, she has to also deal with his betrayal.

I thought this would be an interesting memoir and it was for the most part. I thought the writing was okay, though found it was a bit draggy at times especially in the second half. I can see why Jessica would be hurt, feel betrayed and pissed but she also had to think about protecting Sean's memory for their son and his family. It got a bit airy fairy as Jessica looked for answers and wondered whether Sean was trying to contact her when, for example, the lights flickered and electronics turned themselves on. She visited psychics and other spiritual people looking for answers. It sounds like she found what she was looking for and has found peace and forgiveness, though it seemed like she was taking some of the blame for Sean's "bastard" behaviour. As a head's up, there is swearing.