Megan Abbott | Beware The Woman

The Book: 

Beware The Woman by Megan Abbott
Published May 30, 2023 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Date read: July 26, 2023

The Characters: 

Jacy and Jed

Rating: 2 out of 5.

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The Plot (from Goodreads):

Honey, I just want you to have everything you ever wanted. That’s what Jacy’s mom always told her.

And Jacy felt like she finally did. Newly married and with a baby on the way, Jacy and her new husband Jed embark on their first road trip together to visit his father, Doctor Ash, in Michigan’s far-flung Upper Peninsula. The moment they arrive in the cozy cottage in the lush woods, Jacy feels bathed in love by the warm and hospitable Doctor Ash, if less so by his house manager, the enigmatic Mrs. Brandt.

But their Edenic first days take a turn when Jacy has a health scare. Swiftly, vacation activities are scrapped, and all eyes are on Jacy’s condition. At the same time, whispers about Jed’s long-dead mother and complicated family history seem eerily to be impeding upon the present. As the days pass, Jacy begins to feel trapped in the cottage, her every move surveilled, her body under the looking glass. But are her fears founded or is it paranoia, or cabin fever, or—as is suggested to her—a stubborn refusal to take necessary precautions? The dense woods surrounding the cottage are full of dangers, but are the greater ones inside?

How did Beware The Woman end?

Click here for book spoilers for Beware The Woman
Book spoilers ahead–if you haven’t yet read Beware The Woman, I suggest you turn back now.

The Reveal:

Mr. Ash wanted to steal Jacy’s baby because his wife died in childbirth. Rather, he had killed his wife rather than let her leave with the baby and he was going to do the same to Jacy. His motivation for needing to steal babies was never really explained.

Mrs. Brandt had kept Wendy Ash. She was brain-dead and barely alive, but Mrs. Brandt had her on a respirator in the cottage. It was unclear if Mr. Ash knew, but Jed definitely didn’t.

The Ending:

Mrs. Brandt and Hank helped Jacy escape finally. It was never explained why Jed never did anything to help Jacy.

The Review: 

Bruh, this book was just not good. I spent most of it wondering what the heck was going on and what in the world I was reading, and my questions were never answered. You can expect the “crazy pregnant lady” trope, abortion shaming, a splash of “I’m going to stay here for no reason even though bad vibes abound”, and an ending that will leave you scratching your head. I felt like there was some opportunity to bring the feminist vibes back around to teach a lesson, but the opportunity was missed. Definitely not what I expected! I’ve enjoyed other books by this author, but unfortunately, I would skip this one. I’m not even going to put purchase links like I normally do.


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