Carolyn Clarke

And Then There's Margaret: A Laugh Out Loud Family Dramedy (Novel) Carolyn Clarke

Marriage and midlife can be difficult. But when you add a controlling, manipulative and self- absorbed mother-in-law into the mix, things can get worse-much worse. Toxic, even.

When Allison Montgomery's beloved father-in-law and long-time confidant passes away, her mother- in-law, Margaret, 'temporarily' moves in. From rearranging the furniture and taking over the kitchen, to undermining and embarrassing Allie at every turn, including funding her daughter's escape, throwing a hissy fit at the mall, and publicly equating Allie's glass of Chardonnay to full blown alcoholism, Margaret turns Allie's life upside down causing her to bounce between a sincere desire to support her grieving mother-in-law and an intense urge to simply push her out of the nearest window. Feeling annoyed, trapped and even a little childish, Allie struggles to avoid a complete meltdown with help from her fearless and audacious best friend, a plan for reinventing herself and enjoying a second act, and, yes, a few glasses of Chardonnay. Along the way, Allie discovers the reasons behind Margaret's attitude toward her all these years. Does it help? Maybe...