Absolution

Jeanie thinks she was to blame for the sexual assault she suffered in college—and she’d do anything to keep her old-school Catholic family from finding out about the resulting pregnancy, as well as what she did to conceal it.

Years have passed since the assault, and Jeanie’s husband, Greg, still thinks she’s the seemingly innocent girl he married in a rush to spite his controlling mother. It’s the height of the Seattle dot-com boom, and he’s too busy cashing in his stock options to pay attention to his wife. He isn’t aware of Jeanie’s lingering shame and guilt, or that she married him in the desperate hope that devoting herself to marriage and motherhood would somehow absolve her from the sins in her past.

Their hidden agendas collide when Greg discovers evidence of Jeanie’s long-ago pregnancy. As she confesses the details of that drunken night with her married professor, Greg’s pristine image of her is blown. His shock deepens into violent fury, and Jeanie realizes she needs to leave him—but Greg won’t let her go. He’s up for a big promotion, and he’s not about to let her ruin his reputation by walking out on him. He’ll resort to blackmail if necessary. Or worse.

Author: Regina Buttner

Publication Date: October 13, 2020

Categories: ,

Description

“[An] emotionally potent tale about the power of a secret.”
Kirkus Reviews

Absolution, Regina Buttner’s captivating debut, draws back the curtain of a seemingly perfect marriage to reveal the dark and complex dynamic between a manipulative narcissist and a woman desperate to make amends for her past. The story reveals that when we seek forgiveness, we must also accept it for ourselves.”
—Kaira Rouda, USA Today best-selling author of The Favorite Daughter

“A poignant novel about a woman’s struggle to regain her power. Secrets and hidden agendas begin to unravel the already fraying marriage between a narcissistic husband and an ‘eager to please’ wife. This book will keep you turning the page. In the end, Absolution teaches us survival, resolution, and hope.”
—Sondra Helene, author of Appearances

“Regina Buttner’s Absolution is a gripping, heart-wrenching story of a woman walking a tightrope between the traditional values she was raised with and a marriage that threatens to destroy her. A true page-turner; readers will find themselves rooting for Jeanie as she fights to find herself. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
—Kristyn Kusek Lewis, author of Perfect Happiness and Half of What You Hear

About the Author

Regina Buttner is a registered nurse–turned-writer from upstate New York. Absolution is her first novel. Learn more about her at www.reginabuttner.com.

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