I can’t remember the last time I read a book that completely consumed me. I first heard about Strangers because it was everywhere on social media, and I’ll admit it—I was influenced. The funny thing is, once I decided to buy it, I couldn’t find it anywhere. It was sold out, even on Amazon. After waiting what felt like forever, I finally got my copy, and I finished it in less than two days.
From the very beginning, I was drawn to Belle Burden’s writing. There was something so personal and honest about the way she shared her story that made me feel connected to her journey.
Strangers is a memoir about the end of Belle’s marriage during the COVID-19 pandemic after discovering her husband’s infidelity and facing the reality of rebuilding her life and raising her children on her own.
What I appreciated most was Belle’s honesty. She doesn’t just focus on the betrayal or the pain—she also shares the confusion, the grief, the anger, and the moments of hope that come with starting over. I also loved that she didn’t turn her ex-husband into a character that was easy to hate. She allowed room for complexity by acknowledging both the hurt he caused and the person she once loved.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was the importance of knowing your own emotional and financial reality, even within a marriage. This book is not just about divorce; it’s about independence, rebuilding, and finding yourself when the person you trusted most becomes someone you no longer recognize.
This story stayed with me long after I finished the last page. A heartbreaking, honest, and empowering read that I think many women will relate to.