Book Review: Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress by Megan van Eyck

Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress Title: Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress
Author: Megan van Eyck
Paperback: 308 pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: CreateSpace (January 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN – 1456454374
ISBN – 978-1456454371

Reviewed by Michelle Vasquez

About the Book:

Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress is a cautionary tale about the causal relationship between marital emotional neglect and questionable choices. It is a warning for the spouse who wants to dismiss an affair as just sex or for any woman who thinks love is enough to keep a man that isn’t really hers.“You never know what happens between two people when they are alone” is a common sentiment reserved for married couples who appear to have relationships that defy the odds. The same can also be said for couples involved in long-term adulterous affairs.

Many people believe that infidelity is only about sex: two people, one hotel room, and a few hours to spare. And Megan van Eyck’s extramarital affair began just like that, with lusty hours spent between hotel sheets. But within a few months van Eyck realized she had found what she and her lover did not know they were both looking for: true love.

Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress offers an honest look behind closed doors. It is a forthcoming, sometimes steamy, account of both the passion and the heartbreak associated with being a mistress; about the futility of sharing a love while not sharing a life. Van Eyck is reflective as she addresses her compelling and unusual personal history, which made being the other woman an acceptable option. She makes no excuses for herself, her mistakes, or her betrayal of her husband as she recklessly pursues love. She wants everything, unabashedly.

But her priorities shift when Carlos, her lover, is diagnosed with Amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder. Her concerns shift for hoping for a life with him to hoping that he’ll be able to live through treatment for this rare and incurable disease.  In the end, van Eyck must not only come to terms with her loss, mistakes and regrets, she must come to terms with herself.

Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress is must read for anyone that has struggled with love, intimacy or self-acceptance. Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress will captivate supporters, surprise critics and change the perspective of those that have ever considered having an affair.

Book Review:

Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress by Megan van Eyck is an open, honest, and very moving memoir!

Megan tells the very honest story of her relationship with Carlos. It was a chance meeting on a flight to Hawaii, and from there she tells the very detailed story of how this meeting that initially was intended to be a one-night-stand, ended up being a five and a half year love affair. Through her experiences, and also through the process of writing her memoir, Megan has been able to heal and move forward with her life.

I was pulled in by Megan’s story from the very beginning. She is very honest through her story, even though parts may seem shocking. By telling it from her point of view, I think she points out how easily a person can make choices in the moment that will send them down a road they never intended. She doesn’t try to justify her choices, necessarily, but simply tells her story. I have had the opportunity to chat with Ms Van Eyck a little bit online and I thoroughly believe that her intent is to simply tell her story and possibly touch someone else or help someone else.

Carlos died of a rare disease called Cardiac Amyloidosis. Megan has spent a lot of effort trying to help spread the word and get support for (ASG) Amyloidosis Support Groups (www.amyloidosissupport.com).  One fof the things Megan has said is that she wishes more of Carlos’ estate would have gone to support this cause and finding a cure.

I very highly recommend this book, (with the warning that it’s definitely meant for adults and with adult content)! I thought it was very well written, and she pours her heart into the writing and I could not help but care about her and her story! And I found myself in tears at the end even though I already knew the end! Be sure to stop by and visit Megan’s blog.

You can pick up your copy at Amazon.


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