Planet Heartbreak: Abandoned Wives Tell Their Stories

A magnificent book that puts a 'human face' on the problem of 'Runaway Husbands' and their abandoned wives! This book would make an excellent film documentary. It's a book that explains perils and pitfalls that can afflict what appear to be 'good solid marriages' when a husband goes astray. Often it involves infidelity, but the problems simmering beneath the surface can go deeper than that. This book is the excellent sequel to Dr. Vicki Stark's book, "Runaway Husbands." If you read that book first you may find that you have a deeper appreciation of Planet Heartbreak. Both are 'must-read' books for anyone who works with families or in health care and especially for anyone in the family of someone abandoned by a run-off spouse.https://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Husbands-Abandoned-Recovery-Renewal-ebook/dp/B00L2SHNFY

It is so validating to find a book that reflects the experience of abandonment from a marriage thought to be happy. While there are a range of scenarios and emotional responses by contributors to the book, the behaviors of the abandoners are very consistent. This definitely helps me feel less alone, and I'm grateful that women have shared their experiences.I was looking for resources to try and tamp down my sadness going through the holidays 'alone'. Am not sure how I would have made it without my dogs. It was a huge relief to find Vikki Stark's books. I thought I would start with this book first. My husband left out of the blue in October so I am still in an early stage of assimilating the change and definitely pretty deep in the process of grief.My husband and I were together 7+ years and had been married nearly four years when he left. Reading Planet Heartbreak, I see how easy I have it compared with many women who have been with their spouse for decades, and also compared with women who have children, since we do not. Sudden loss can hit the immune system hard, and the shock does not wear off quickly for anyone, though, I would imagine.Edited -- A year and a half or so from him leaving, and now being divorced, I am still glad to have found this book. I haven't felt the need to go back and read people's stories again but again appreciate others sharing their experiences. For me this would probably have been harder to do in person than using a book for support.

Words cannot express the gratitude I felt/feel when reading Runaway Husbands. I was lucky, only that I found it fairly early in the realm of things, and read, and reread, and read….so that my entire book is underlined in pink, yellow, and blue markers; more than half the pages are dog-eared, some with larger creases than others, some at the top corner, some at the bottom corner, and many even double dog-eared signaling both sides of the page! The book helped me so much in defining and understanding. I still keep it in my bedside table and read it when I need a review of what happened to me. I bet I’ve read it 30 times. Early on, I made friends and family read it as well. It helped them understand, too. It remains as though I get to “talk” with Vikki, and focus on me, especially when I need to give my friends and family a break from my woes. Thank you, Vikki, for always being there.Planet Heartbreak further intensifies the brutality and trauma women experience when their husbands suddenly leave. The similarities in the stories is mind boggling, yet the lessons described by the individual abandoned wives are varied and comforting. Anyone wanting to "connect" privately with these women can do so by reading their stories of the most painful and heartbreaking way unstable men are able to suddenly abandon their wives and children...forever....and even treat them maliciously.....some after decades of a seemingly happy, devoted life as an intact family.

When my husband let me know he was leaving, by writing me a letter, I could not find a lot of material that addressed my situation. The emotions, the anger, the hurt and the betrayal were not addressed in other books and articles to the depth of how I felt. Then I found Vikki Stark and her book "Runaway Husbands". That book spoke to me and I felt I was not alone in the situation I was forced into. It was through those stories and the healing I received from that book, that allowed me to share my story in her new book "Planet Heartbreak". Thank God for Vikki!! She gave us hope and a forum to share and grow. My wish is that my story and this book gives hope when there is none, understanding when others don't, strength when you are spent, and initiative when you get a glimpse of the other side. A must read by anyone who has suffered the ultimate betrayal from the person who was supposed to love you the most.

As an abandoned wife who was in a long-term marriage (30 years), I know it had to be very difficult but liberating for these courageous women to share their stories of sudden abandonment with the rest of the world. I read Vikki's book, "Runaway Husbands" and loved it so much - what peace it gave me! - that I had to follow-up with "Planet Heartbreak". I would like to say "thank you" to Vikki and each person who gave a piece of themselves by sharing their story in this book. Each story of abandonment is painfully similar but the way in which each woman coped with her situation is unique. I don't pretend to understand what makes a man suddenly run out on his family other than he is a major narcissist with no redeeming values. The pain he causes his entire family is lifelong but this book proves that being an abandoned wife is not a life sentence.

Helpful book if you’ve been through this type of break up. Helps to see what others went through and that you’re not the only one. That said, a few seemed out of place, especially the chapter called “Snapped”. In that story the wife who was ultimately abandoned was the first one to step out on her husband, so confusing as to where the shock came from when her partner left her. Otherwise, helpful stories.

Every women who has experienced the betrayal of your husband walking away from the marriage and your children with a lame excuse-This book is for you! You are not worthless or alone. The truth is they are cowards who never grew up and ran into the arms of another women.

I was very much looking forward to receiving this book, and it has not disappointed me. I also submitted a story for consideration, but mine was not selected. I can see though, that as Vikki said, so many of the women went through some very similar experiences to me and she wanted to avoid too much repetition. Some stories have certainly resonated strongly with me. I feel a bond with all of these women. I must say though that I did find several grammatical and spelling errors -- the book could have used a little more editing. Also, not too many of the women (though I have not finished reading all of the stories yet) mentioned the stress of having to deal with the financial pressure after being abandoned. For me, this has been a consideration. Almost everyone going through a separation has to deal with this. Not too many addressed this issue. Overall though I am really enjoying the book.

Good read for those going through a difficult time and need to recoup. Good guidance. Very helpful.

For anyone going through this, it is a great support and helps you realize you really aren't alone.

Knowing the stories of other women who have gone through the same hell as me, helped me tremendously to feel good about my feelings, ups and downs. I am not crazy. I am not to blame, it's all about him, he projected every single flaw on me. I am not perfect, but neither i am that monster he says i am. I was (still am) a good wife.