THE WEDNESDAY GROUP

The wives of sex addicts use group therapy sessions to bond and cope in this debut novel.

Hannah, Lizzy, Bridget, Gail and Flavia are all keeping the same secret: They’re married to sex addicts. Their husbands are addicted to everything from porn to chat rooms to encounters with male prostitutes. But they aren’t the only ones dealing with issues—Kathryn, the grad student leading their sessions, hopes to run a great group despite meddling from her contradictory supervisor. As the women reveal more of their stories, they begin to form a true support system and help each other through betrayals and lies. For the most part, the women are strong, interesting personalities, but readers might wonder why Flavia was even included—she adds little to the plot, and her point of view is never explored as thoroughly as the others'. The behind-the-scenes drama between Kathryn and her adviser seems mostly inconsequential, as well. The lives of the other women in the group, however, are richly described and compelling. Their desperation and varied reactions feel real, as do the complicated friendships they develop. True also does an insightful job of showing why women stay in relationships with sex addicts, despite the emotional turmoil they face.

A complex and captivating look at what it’s like to be married to a sex addict.