The Optimist's Guide to Divorce

January 2, 2017
Riss and Sockwell founded the Maplewood Divorce Club (named for their New Jersey town) with the aim of helping other women cope during an emotionally tough time, the same sentiment behind this book. Digging deep into the stories of their own breakups—as well as those of composite characters intended to represent situations such as “I’m bored with my marriage,” “My husband came out of the closet,” and “He’s abusing me”—the authors tell readers how to deal, heal, and reveal. “Deal” addresses the practicalities: how to tell the kids, the machinations of divorce court, and finding a new place to live. “Heal” offers advice on accepting that the marriage and old way of life are over and treating oneself with kindness. “Reveal” explores how to date again with practical advice for regaining confidence in social settings as well as the benefits of staying single. The warm and empowering tone of this book will convince readers that there’s life on the other side of a painful divorce.

December 1, 2016
Riss, an editor, and Sockwell, a real-estate agent, met when they were both separating from their husbands. They later formed the Maplewood Divorce Club, named for their New Jersey town and based on the well of support they'd found in one another. Their first book together is the one they couldn't find when going through their own divorces: a nonclinical, realistic book of advice, lessons learned, and mistakes made by women who'd been there. In three sections, Deal (with the dirty details of the divorce itself), Heal (from the inevitable sadness and hurt), and Reveal (an even better you on the other side), the coauthors incorporate the experiences of 10 divorcees, each composites of two or more women from their group. From varying backgrounds and portrayed with their identifying details obscured, they've left passionless, abusive, or faithless unions, or been left themselves. The overall effect is a chorus of relatable, emotional, and true-feeling stories about the many facets of divorce that will have newly single advice-seekers feeling less alone and more sure they'll get through it, too.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

Starred review from November 15, 2016

Cofounders of the Maplewood Divorce Club, a community of divorcees, Riss and Sockwell maintain that the end of a significant relationship is the best time to introduce positive change. Using a girlfriend-to-girlfriend style, the authors apply their own and many other women's experience to help new divorcees "deal" (e.g., how to tell the kids, find legal help), "heal" (e.g., work through anger and loss), and "reveal" (e.g., create community and explore fresh relationships). The book offers practical advice on living alone, handling credit problems, and coping with jealousy as well as working toward building healthy relationships, forgiveness, and managing grief. Verdict A valuable resource for recently divorced women who need to get back on track.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.