And then there's margaret - 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 Montgomerys 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 daughters escape, throwing a hissy fit at the mall, and publicly equating Allies glass of Chardonnay to full blown alcoholism, Margaret turns Allies 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 Margarets attitude toward her all these years.

Does it help? Maybe.