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For Better and Worse
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On their first date back in law school, Natalie and Will Clarke bonded over drinks, dinner and whether they could get away with murder. Now married, they’ll put the latter to the test when an unchecked danger in their community places their son in jeopardy. Working as a criminal defense attorney, Nat refuses to rely on the broken legal system to keep her family safe. She k
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Kindle Edition, 336 pages
Published
December 11th 2018
by MIRA
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*3.75-ish stars*
Apparently, impressing this reader in the suspense department has proven to be quite the task as of late. It must be my trusty bullshit meter—permanently stuck in the on position—or love for anything true-crime, that’s messing with my mojo.
At first glance, For Better and Worse teeters on the very precipice of being something amazing, memorable even. A potential standout amongst a genre overtaken by unreliable narrators and searches conducted for the sake of the missing.
Turns o ...more
Apparently, impressing this reader in the suspense department has proven to be quite the task as of late. It must be my trusty bullshit meter—permanently stuck in the on position—or love for anything true-crime, that’s messing with my mojo.
At first glance, For Better and Worse teeters on the very precipice of being something amazing, memorable even. A potential standout amongst a genre overtaken by unreliable narrators and searches conducted for the sake of the missing.
Turns o ...more

Entertaining but forgettable
For Better and For Worse is a psychological thriller with an intriguing premise that, unfortunately, falls flat.
When Natalie, a criminal defense attorney, discovers that her 11-year-old son has been sexually abused by his school principal she decides to take matters into her own hands and plans for revenge. She believes she’s smart enough to pull off the impossible: commit the perfect murder.
However, things don’t go as planned and Natalie is forced to reach out t ...more
For Better and For Worse is a psychological thriller with an intriguing premise that, unfortunately, falls flat.
When Natalie, a criminal defense attorney, discovers that her 11-year-old son has been sexually abused by his school principal she decides to take matters into her own hands and plans for revenge. She believes she’s smart enough to pull off the impossible: commit the perfect murder.
However, things don’t go as planned and Natalie is forced to reach out t ...more

How to get away with Murder! Or not?
loved it!This was a fast entertaining read that kept me engaged throughout... what would your reaction be if you were out on a first date and the topic of conversation was.... how to get away with murder? Well if I’m being honest I would probably be a little intrigued with the conversation, but never thinking it would ever come to fruition.... I don’t believe Will did either, but Natalie had other plans....
Such an intense story that kept me on the edge of my s ...more
loved it!This was a fast entertaining read that kept me engaged throughout... what would your reaction be if you were out on a first date and the topic of conversation was.... how to get away with murder? Well if I’m being honest I would probably be a little intrigued with the conversation, but never thinking it would ever come to fruition.... I don’t believe Will did either, but Natalie had other plans....
Such an intense story that kept me on the edge of my s ...more

Could they get away with murder?
That is what Will and Natalie talked about on their first date in law school. Years later after many years of marriage they must examine that question again when they learn some shocking news involving their son, Charlie. Nat is a defense attorney and does not want her son to testify. She knows the process and does not want her son to go through the stress. Plus, she is angry - furious in fact. She wants justice and she wants it her way. Will is concerned and angr ...more
That is what Will and Natalie talked about on their first date in law school. Years later after many years of marriage they must examine that question again when they learn some shocking news involving their son, Charlie. Nat is a defense attorney and does not want her son to testify. She knows the process and does not want her son to go through the stress. Plus, she is angry - furious in fact. She wants justice and she wants it her way. Will is concerned and angr ...more

This book was definitely entertaining, but I still ended up with some mixed feelings…
My review contains unhidden spoilers..
Natalie and Will are married with an 11-year-old son named Charlie. In the beginning, their marriage was good, but as time went on everything seemed to fall apart with Will losing all interest in Nat. Their schedules are sort of crazy and everything seems controlled. Nat drops Charlie off at school one day and spots the police and questions why they’re at the school. It turn ...more
My review contains unhidden spoilers..
Natalie and Will are married with an 11-year-old son named Charlie. In the beginning, their marriage was good, but as time went on everything seemed to fall apart with Will losing all interest in Nat. Their schedules are sort of crazy and everything seems controlled. Nat drops Charlie off at school one day and spots the police and questions why they’re at the school. It turn ...more

On your mark, get ready... for the twists and turns!
I picked this one up to just read a few chapters and ended up staying up waaay past my bedtime! Now that is the sign of a good book IMO.
Who discusses planning a murder on their first date!?
Well Natalie and Will do! It was years before they were married and parents of an adorable eleven year old son, Charlie. They both are intelligent after all and why wouldn't they be able to pull off the perfect murder? Natalie happens to be a d ...more
I picked this one up to just read a few chapters and ended up staying up waaay past my bedtime! Now that is the sign of a good book IMO.
Who discusses planning a murder on their first date!?
Well Natalie and Will do! It was years before they were married and parents of an adorable eleven year old son, Charlie. They both are intelligent after all and why wouldn't they be able to pull off the perfect murder? Natalie happens to be a d ...more

**2.5-stars**
How far would you go to punish someone? What if that person hurt your child?

Unfortunately, for Will and Natalie Clarke, this becomes more than a hypothetical after their son, Charlie, makes a horrifying revelation to them in this Adult Revenge Thriller.

Alternating perspectives between Nat and Will, we follow them down a dangerous road to vengeance. Natalie, a criminal defense attorney, and Will, a civil attorney, met in law school.
In fact, on their very first date, they discussed h ...more
How far would you go to punish someone? What if that person hurt your child?

Unfortunately, for Will and Natalie Clarke, this becomes more than a hypothetical after their son, Charlie, makes a horrifying revelation to them in this Adult Revenge Thriller.

Alternating perspectives between Nat and Will, we follow them down a dangerous road to vengeance. Natalie, a criminal defense attorney, and Will, a civil attorney, met in law school.
In fact, on their very first date, they discussed h ...more

Natalie and Will met in law school. Their first date consisted of all the awkward conversations that come with first dates. (Who hasn’t been there?!) Including an interesting little game called “getting away with the perfect murder.” Just a game...right?
Now married with an 11 year old son Charlie, life in small town Florida has become slow and easy.
That quickly changes when the principal at Charlie’s school is suddenly dismissed, now under suspicion of being a pedophile.
What lengths would you go ...more
Now married with an 11 year old son Charlie, life in small town Florida has become slow and easy.
That quickly changes when the principal at Charlie’s school is suddenly dismissed, now under suspicion of being a pedophile.
What lengths would you go ...more

Nov 06, 2018
Dorie - Cats&Books :)
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-thriller,
netgalley-feedback
The blurb basically tells you most of what happens in the book. For me that already eliminates a “star”, there should be more mystery left for the reader to discover. Here is part of the blurb:
“Their young son Charlie’s principal is accused of molesting a troubled student. It’s a horrifying situation—and the poison spreads rapidly. One night before bed, Charlie tells Natalie he is a victim, too. In that moment, her concept of justice changes forever. Natalie decides the predator must die.
To shel ...more
“Their young son Charlie’s principal is accused of molesting a troubled student. It’s a horrifying situation—and the poison spreads rapidly. One night before bed, Charlie tells Natalie he is a victim, too. In that moment, her concept of justice changes forever. Natalie decides the predator must die.
To shel ...more

"Some people just need killing."
OOOMMMMMMMGGGGGGGG
I can't praise this book enough. I loved everything about it. The writing is to the point without excruciating details. The characters are believable, likeable and relatable. The plot is fresh and unlike anything I have ever read.The story moves at such a quick pace that it left me breathless at times. The author doesn't allow time for the reader to digest what just happened before she throws the next curve ball at you. Unrelenting, absorbing dra ...more
OOOMMMMMMMGGGGGGGG
I can't praise this book enough. I loved everything about it. The writing is to the point without excruciating details. The characters are believable, likeable and relatable. The plot is fresh and unlike anything I have ever read.The story moves at such a quick pace that it left me breathless at times. The author doesn't allow time for the reader to digest what just happened before she throws the next curve ball at you. Unrelenting, absorbing dra ...more

Upon finishing this book, I was only going to give it two stars; but after further reflection, I decided to bump it up one star for one simple reason:
Natalie.
I adored her. I risk further outing the overly pragmatic, cold-hearted ice queen that lives and flourishes in my soul by saying this, but she reminded me...well, of myself. I just flat out related her on so many levels. I related to her personality, her thoughts, and her actions, and - in light of her character and actions in this book - t ...more
Natalie.
I adored her. I risk further outing the overly pragmatic, cold-hearted ice queen that lives and flourishes in my soul by saying this, but she reminded me...well, of myself. I just flat out related her on so many levels. I related to her personality, her thoughts, and her actions, and - in light of her character and actions in this book - t ...more

“Then one of two things will happen. Behind door number one—Robert is convicted, which could possibly give Charlie some sort of closure, whatever that means, and Robert will go to jail for a really long time. And then Charley will spend the rest of his life wondering if he did the right thing, second-guessing himself, because don’t forget, it will already have been planted in his brain that he might not have remembered exactly what happened after all, or
behind door number two— Robert is acquitte ...more
behind door number two— Robert is acquitte ...more

3.75 Stars* (rounded up)
A Frightening, yet Fun Fast-paced Read!
When Natalie and Will met their attraction was instantaneous. Who knew that planning the perfect murder could be so sexy?
What started out as thrilling dinner conversation on their first date turned into the real thing some fifteen years later when their son Charlie’s school principal is accused of sexual assaulting a student. Natalie, a criminal defense attorney, sees red and it has the principal’s name all over it. Can Natalie an ...more
A Frightening, yet Fun Fast-paced Read!
When Natalie and Will met their attraction was instantaneous. Who knew that planning the perfect murder could be so sexy?
What started out as thrilling dinner conversation on their first date turned into the real thing some fifteen years later when their son Charlie’s school principal is accused of sexual assaulting a student. Natalie, a criminal defense attorney, sees red and it has the principal’s name all over it. Can Natalie an ...more

4 tense, gripping, morally questioning stars! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Natalie and Will are now married lawyers, but their first date was spent discussing whether they could get away with murder. Years later, their son is put in harms way, and they find themselves questioning once again if they could get away with murder.
Nat is a criminal defense attorney and knows first hand how broken the justice system can be, and she refuses to wait for it to do its job. She takes getting justice into her own hands.
…an ...more
Natalie and Will are now married lawyers, but their first date was spent discussing whether they could get away with murder. Years later, their son is put in harms way, and they find themselves questioning once again if they could get away with murder.
Nat is a criminal defense attorney and knows first hand how broken the justice system can be, and she refuses to wait for it to do its job. She takes getting justice into her own hands.
…an ...more

THREE STARS
This is a straightforward story of a murder. The victim is a known child molester and the reader is not meant to feel sorry for him. The killers are a respected, married couple who feel justifiably wronged.
Hey, these aren’t spoilers, it is right on the book jacket.
So, while not a whodunnit or a whydunnit, we do feel the tension and anxious story building as we wonder how in the world this guilty couple might get away with murder. If they do.
They might end up going to prison. I’ll ne ...more
This is a straightforward story of a murder. The victim is a known child molester and the reader is not meant to feel sorry for him. The killers are a respected, married couple who feel justifiably wronged.
Hey, these aren’t spoilers, it is right on the book jacket.
So, while not a whodunnit or a whydunnit, we do feel the tension and anxious story building as we wonder how in the world this guilty couple might get away with murder. If they do.
They might end up going to prison. I’ll ne ...more

Hold on while I pick my jaw up off the floor and wait for my heart rate to slow—because this book really did a NUMBER on me in the BEST possible way!!! Reading this book was like watching someone else’s nightmare unfold and being unable to wake them up! With each twist and turn the tension cranked up a notch until I couldn’t have put the book down if I wanted to—I HAD to know what was going to happen next! I actually don’t think I’d have been able to sleep without finishing it! What a ride!
See m ...more
See m ...more

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
“I doubt it would be easy to take a life. But I think if you had to—I mean, if we had to—we could absolutely get away with it.”
Look at that quote^^^. LOOK AT IT!!!!!! Did you look at it? Why the eff wasn’t I all over this when it was an ARC? I mean I realize I’m not super late to this party since it was just released ten days ago, but still . . . especially since it was a BOTM selection as well. Thankfully I jumped on the libra ...more
“I doubt it would be easy to take a life. But I think if you had to—I mean, if we had to—we could absolutely get away with it.”

Look at that quote^^^. LOOK AT IT!!!!!! Did you look at it? Why the eff wasn’t I all over this when it was an ARC? I mean I realize I’m not super late to this party since it was just released ten days ago, but still . . . especially since it was a BOTM selection as well. Thankfully I jumped on the libra ...more

3 Stars
I don’t count this story as mystery/suspense/thriller! It dragged a lot. The plot wasn’t really good and I got bored and after reading 60% I started skimming and skipping. I enjoyed my first read by her (Best Friends Forever) but this one didn’t really work out for me, unfortunately! Maybe it was just me and not the book, as you can see all the good reviews! So don’t listen to me and read it, hope you enjoy it!
Thanks to Margot Hunt, Netgalley and HARLEQUIN - Mira for the advanced digital ...more
I don’t count this story as mystery/suspense/thriller! It dragged a lot. The plot wasn’t really good and I got bored and after reading 60% I started skimming and skipping. I enjoyed my first read by her (Best Friends Forever) but this one didn’t really work out for me, unfortunately! Maybe it was just me and not the book, as you can see all the good reviews! So don’t listen to me and read it, hope you enjoy it!
Thanks to Margot Hunt, Netgalley and HARLEQUIN - Mira for the advanced digital ...more

Margot Hunt.... well well you have done it again!
With absolutely loving Margot Hunt's debut novel Best Friends Forever... I knew I had to get my hands on her next novel from Netgalley.
Let me tell you "Some people just need killing" ...... THAT is in all honesty a VERY true statement my friends.
Margot Hunt delivers a fast paced, addicting, and wild ride with For Better and Worse. I wasn't quite prepared for what I was getting into with this one. Margot had some serious twists and turns in her ...more
With absolutely loving Margot Hunt's debut novel Best Friends Forever... I knew I had to get my hands on her next novel from Netgalley.
Let me tell you "Some people just need killing" ...... THAT is in all honesty a VERY true statement my friends.
Margot Hunt delivers a fast paced, addicting, and wild ride with For Better and Worse. I wasn't quite prepared for what I was getting into with this one. Margot had some serious twists and turns in her ...more

Favorite Quotes:
She was a delicious, fizzing secret that had transformed my boring, colorless life into something exciting.
He was an affable guy in his late forties, with the sort of annoyingly boyish good looks that women always went for. My main impression of him, after being law partners for a number of years, was that while he led a charmed life, he was about as deep as a puddle. He had a pretty, vapid wife and a couple of good-looking, vapid children who all excelled at sports.
He lifted the ...more
She was a delicious, fizzing secret that had transformed my boring, colorless life into something exciting.
He was an affable guy in his late forties, with the sort of annoyingly boyish good looks that women always went for. My main impression of him, after being law partners for a number of years, was that while he led a charmed life, he was about as deep as a puddle. He had a pretty, vapid wife and a couple of good-looking, vapid children who all excelled at sports.
He lifted the ...more

For Better and Worse by Margot Hunt is a thriller that asks the questions just how far will you go for your family? What would you do to protect your child? And a warning is in order with this one as it may not be for everyone with child molestation involved.
Natalie and Will Clarke are both lawyers now and have been together since their days in law school. Back on their first date the couple had had a strange but fascinating conversation about being able to commit the perfect murder. Neither had ...more
Natalie and Will Clarke are both lawyers now and have been together since their days in law school. Back on their first date the couple had had a strange but fascinating conversation about being able to commit the perfect murder. Neither had ...more

Wow! This book blew my mind! There are a handful of books this year that I was completely blown away with and this is one of them. The plot, the writing style, the suspense of seeing if they get caught, checked all of my boxes for a perfect thriller.
This book was not on my radar to read until my fellow Traveling Sisters organized a group read. I am so glad I joined in with this one because I would have missed out on one of my top 10 books for the year. To say I loved it is an understatement. Ok ...more
This book was not on my radar to read until my fellow Traveling Sisters organized a group read. I am so glad I joined in with this one because I would have missed out on one of my top 10 books for the year. To say I loved it is an understatement. Ok ...more

Once upon a time there were two law students, Natalie and Will, who were out on a first date.
Natalie was not sure if Will was really her “type” until he started a conversation about how two lawyers, namely, the two of them, should be able to plan and execute the “perfect murder”.
Over tossed salads, they tossed around ideas.
By the time the entrees were finished, and the last of the red wine had been poured, they were clinking glasses and toasting “to getting away with it”..
Fast forward 15 years ...more
Natalie was not sure if Will was really her “type” until he started a conversation about how two lawyers, namely, the two of them, should be able to plan and execute the “perfect murder”.
Over tossed salads, they tossed around ideas.
By the time the entrees were finished, and the last of the red wine had been poured, they were clinking glasses and toasting “to getting away with it”..
Fast forward 15 years ...more

Mar 09, 2019
Jonetta
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jonetta by:
Holly B
Natalie and Will Clarke met in law school seventeen years ago. She’s now a criminal defense attorney, he’s a trust and estate lawyer and they’re the parents of 11-year old Charlie. Their marriage appears to be on shaky ground as he’s become distant and she’s bordering on disinterest. However, when they learn their son has been harmed, Natalie takes action to shield him from the criminal justice system and drags Will into her scheme. Now they’re forced to come together to protect each other as we
...more

Is there really such a thing as the "perfect murder." It's been written about in books for centuries. Movies, television shows, radio and podcasts have all tackled the age old scenario. Do you think you could plan the perfect murder and get away with it?
Fifteen years ago, Natalie and Will Clarke went on their first date. As two young law school students spent the evening getting to know each other, they put their law school brains together as they discussed how to plan the perfect murder and get ...more
Fifteen years ago, Natalie and Will Clarke went on their first date. As two young law school students spent the evening getting to know each other, they put their law school brains together as they discussed how to plan the perfect murder and get ...more

Well, it looks like Margot Hunt is going to be my new go to author when I'm looking for a crazy but entertaining read. This book had a "I can't look away or I might miss the potential trainwreck" type storyline. A great vacation read although I guess in these times it is better to just call it a quarantine read.
I agree with other reviewers who believe the publisher's synopsis gives away too much info. Having already read and enjoyed another book by this author, I just jumped into this one withou ...more
I agree with other reviewers who believe the publisher's synopsis gives away too much info. Having already read and enjoyed another book by this author, I just jumped into this one withou ...more

Will and Natalie meet in law school, and later get married. After a few years, and a son Charlie, life seems to enter a phase where their relation seems to be losing its shine. Their life comes under severe strain when Charlie’s principal is accused of molesting a child. Will and Natalie have known him well and are not sure what the truth is. The student who has made the accusation has had problems in the past.
Very quickly Will and Natalie find themselves getting involved more deeply. They are ...more
Very quickly Will and Natalie find themselves getting involved more deeply. They are ...more

What would you do for your child? What would you do to calm your craving for vengeance?
Spoiler contains my spin on the book synopsis: (view spoiler) ...more
Spoiler contains my spin on the book synopsis: (view spoiler) ...more

Natalie and Will met in law school, and on their first date had a conversation about getting away with murder. Now it is 14 years later, and Nat and Will are married and have an eleven-year-old son. Their old conversation is revisited when Nat decides they need to protect their son, and the only way to do that is to kill the person who is abusing him.
This novel poses an interesting question. How far would you go to protect your child? Nat is a defense attorney, and knows how flawed the legal sy ...more
This novel poses an interesting question. How far would you go to protect your child? Nat is a defense attorney, and knows how flawed the legal sy ...more

Dec 22, 2018
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice*
rated it
it was amazing
EXCERPT: I set my wine glass down on the granite counter. I suddenly remembered back to when we were remodeling the kitchen, and I had spent hours, days even, worrying about the countertops. Granite? Quartz? Butcher block? And what color - grey, white, the cool black swirly one Will had rejected immediately, but I thought would make a stylish choice? I had thought that if we had the perfect kitchen, it would create the backdrop for our perfect family life - eating meals together at the island, t
...more
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Psychological Thrillers | 1 | 8 | Dec 26, 2018 10:16AM |
Margot Hunt is the pseudonym of a bestselling writer of twelve previous novels. Her work has been praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist and Kirkus Reviews. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER is her first psychological thriller.
Learn more about Margot and her forthcoming books at
margothunt.com. ...more
Learn more about Margot and her forthcoming books at
margothunt.com. ...more
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“Believing anything in life is fated is just a way to avoid taking responsibility.”
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