Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty: Book Review

That title is enticing right?  I had this one on my waiting list for awhile and when it finally came out, I couldn't wait to dive in.  As with every Liane Moriarty book that I have read since Big Little Lies, I had high hopes that would be just as good.  It was pretty close.  I can't say it is the equal of Big Little Lies, but it offers the same complexity of the characters and a plot that you are forever trying to figure out what the hell really happened!  Similar to Big Little Lies- you have to wait until the end.  I promise you- it is worth the wait.

Clementine and Sam have a crazy life, but a seemingly strong marriage.  Clementine is a cellist and Sam is her biggest supporter, along with their two beautiful and lively daughters.  Sam is organized and Clementine is a free spirit, but this is how they balance one another and it has worked since day one.  It seems even with their hectic balance, nothing can come between them.  This all changes the dreadful night of the barbecue.  One bad decision changed their world as they knew it forever and they knew once that line was crossed, they could never go back.  Things between them would never be the same.  Most likely their marriage and life as they knew it, was soon to be over.

Erica and Oliver are a true team.  They both come from lack luster home lives.  Oliver's parents were and still are alcoholics.  Erica's mom has struggled with hoarding ever since Erica can remember.  It was so bad during her childhood that she often found solace with her best friend Clementine and her family.  Erica and Oliver have a secret though and they need Clementine's help, which is what they were supposed to be doing the day of the barbecue.  It was a planned afternoon tea in which Clementine, Sam, and their daughters were coming over to have a chat and hear all about Oliver and Erica's big talk.  Unfortunately, Erica's neighbors, Vid and Jasmine had to ruin it all by having  ridiculous barbecue.  Little did Erica and Oliver know that this barbecue would change everything their little Type A minds had planned and even change their friendships with Clementine and Sam forever.

Vid and Jasmine were the life of the party.  Vid loved having people over and Jasmine loved seeing Vid happy so she went along with it.  So not to her surprise did Vid plan a last minute barbecue with his neighbors and their friends.  Vid had a little thing for the cellist and was fascinated by classical music which she played beautifully. Jasmine remembered meeting the couple once before and feeling as though her and Vid had hit it off well with them.  What harm could a little afternoon barbecue do?  A few hours and drinks later, Jasmine found herself in the middle of quite the scene.  Clementine and Sam were in awe by Jasmine and Vid and Jasmine knew she had the power to "rock their worlds" so to speak.  Sadly, this tempting scenario is what caused the horrific events to occur after and bring her regrets she would never be able to shake.

As you can see, this book's plot is solely based on a pretty intense barbecue in which several adults had way too much to drink and made some not so great choices.  I can't tell you what happens since it'll blow everything and I really want you to read it.  I can tell you that throughout most of my reading, I was convinced I knew what was going to happen and then Liane showed me I was wrong by throwing in her infamous plot twists.  It was a suspenseful page turner that I highly recommend.