Laurel Applebaum is a devoted daughter, wife, mother, and soon to be grandmother who works hard keeping her family thriving and comfortable with very little help from her husband, Doug.
Doug, who can’t even find the impetus to fill his own pill container and stay on top of his medications and doctor’s appointments.
Doug, who has taken to treating Laurel, after 30 years of marriage and devotion, like she’s his mother and not his wife.
Is it any wonder that, when Doug has an accident, Laurel begins to dream (obsess) about how much better life would be without him?
Would it really be so bad if she helped Mother Nature along and freed herself of Doug and his manipulations, his whining, and his constant neediness?
This question is at the heart of ‘Take My Husband’ and it is answered, albeit slowly, throughout the length of the story, but the focus, unfortunately, mostly remains on Laurel’s resentments, unfulfilled wishes, desires, and crush on a customer who frequents the Trader Joe’s where she works.
The real question could (and should) have been why, if Laurel has become obsessed with a life free of Doug, she doesn’t put herself first for once and leave him instead of constantly wishing he would, and trying to help him, die young.
You get the answer if you stick it out, but be prepared to be slightly underwhelmed when you do.

3 Stars.