Lydia Casselberry’s world comes undone when she discovers that her husband of almost forty years is having an affair. Needing time to grieve and to decide whether to continue the marriage, she decides to flee from her Tampa home to a place she hasn’t been in decades – her family’s lodge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She tells no one where she is going, but writes two notes saying she needs to be alone. One is to her best friend; the other her husband will find when he returns from another of his continual business trips. Healing begins in the solitude of nature and a place where she can rediscover herself. Memories of her youth and marriage flood back, but so do more questions. What she uncovers reveals that her husband’s betrayal is far deeper, and far more sordid, than she ever could have imagined. Her grief then turns to cold rage – and revenge that undoes his world.

Note: This is probably one of the longest reviews I have written in a while. But there is a reason for it and as you read through it, you’ll realise why it happens. That when you read a book that puts you through the same emotional turmoil you have gone through in real life but with an opportunity to have a better ending— you start writing a review and end up with this.

My Review:

Undone: A Novel of Betrayal by Paula Stahel is a gripping tale that delves into the complexities of trust, deception, and the human psyche.

If you have ever been cheated on in a relationship, you can understand the level of anger and resentment it leaves you with, along with shitload of trust issues. Imagine discovering your husband has been cheating on you after years of marriage! A lifetime spent with a partner, and then the realization that you barely knew their secret other life. It fills you with rage. And that is how the story begins, by thrusting you all in Lydia’s world, right at this important juncture, where she knows she has been cheated on, lied to and taken for granted. 

Well, Lydia isn’t the kind of character who would blame herself, her destiny or go through those abstract emotions with a sense of helplessness (She tried. It just didn’t work out. It never does).

She is like the protagonist of Gone girl (x10) and so she decided to take matters into her own hand. And that is all I would share about the plot. Because it comes with lot of twists and turns, I wouldn’t want to ruin it for you with spoilers. But three things I absolutely loved about this book: the payoff, the lyrical writing and the way the author portrays betrayal as a theme throughout the story. 

I HATE books which are written like they are building up to something and then the climax is disappointing. You will not find that here. The theme of betrayal resonates strongly throughout the novel, and it’s refreshing to see a story that focuses on a wife seeking her own form of justice (which goes beyond just wrecking their car). Lydia’s journey from grief to cold rage and revenge added an element of suspense, and I was so so curious to see how she navigates this emotional rollercoaster that I kept turning the pages. The juxtaposition of poetic language and resourcefulness in Lydia’s character, made this novel not only engaging but also memorable. 

The central theme of the novel revolves around betrayal—both personal and societal. And it takes on various forms. There were times when I read the book and it felt relatable and other times when it boiled my blood because I had seen the exact scenes play out in real life so many times. As the  characters grapple with broken trust, infidelity, and the consequences of their actions, we as readers get to experience it with such poetic writing, it was marvelous! 

Undone: A Novel of Betrayal is a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end. Paula Stahel masterfully explores the intricacies of human relationships, leaving readers pondering the blurred lines between love and betrayal. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with rich character development, this book is worth adding to your reading list.

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Love the book!  You managed to convey descriptions that really make me feel, see, smell, and touch the images. I tire of writers who get caught up in their own ego-boosting use of words that leave me hanging.
You captured all the upside down feelings of one learning of betrayal and hurt to the self- confident recovery.   I have felt  so many of those emotions…
You will inspire many to go forward on similar path. And you convey hope for reinventing oneself and creative problem solving.
Wow! Wow!
— Toni Thompson, DrOT, OTR/L, C/NDT,  Clearwater, Florida

Not many books lead me to laughter at the last page, but yours did! And now, I can get back to my real life, instead of being as immersed in Lydia’s as Audra was (is?). I read it most of the weekend and put aside everything else this morning to finish.

I loved the friendship between Audra and Lydia—very real. And also the sense of UP Michigan, the quiet, the lake. So many twists and turns, especially toward the end—I kept thinking, she’s not going to care for him! No, she can’t—but what could she do? Did she have a choice, etc., etc. You resolved it all brilliantly. And with great banter and conversation.

— Donna Gold, Stockton, Maine

Undone: A Novel of Betrayal by Paula Stahel is a heartbreaking and profoundly satisfying story. It’s about a woman who discovers her husband leads a double life. It follows Lydia Casselberry as she takes some time apart from her charming yet cheating husband. Humiliated and angry, Lydia leaves everything behind after 37 years of marriage. She must decide whether to forgive or get a divorce. Lydia no longer knows who she is or what to do. Yet she does want to find out who the other woman is. Far away from her home and between tears and memories, Lydia is about to discover what else her husband’s been hiding from her and for how long he’s been cheating on her. Shortly after, her discoveries will help her make the right decision. Will Lydia forgive or get revenge on her lying, cheating husband?

Undone is a well-written and utterly absorbing novel about one woman’s journey from heartbreak to triumph over betrayal and infidelity. Paula Stahel deftly illustrates the devastation of betrayal, the need for support and friendship, and the importance of rediscovering yourself and taking second chances in life and love. This is not a story to read while thinking the protagonist should be less ruthless in her revenge plan against her cheating husband. I couldn’t have loved it more or read it fast enough. Sometimes, it’s satisfyingly funny, and often suspenseful, emotionally intense, and descriptiive. Undone is a must-read for anyone looking for an unforgettable novel about betrayal, infidelity, and revenge while containing valuable life lessons. I highly recommend it.

— Emma Megan for Readers’ Favorites