This is a review of the 2005 book "The Accidental Mother" by Rowan Coleman. It's a book I swapped on readitswapit website as I thought it sounded like an interesting read. I have read another book by the same author "The Baby Group" a few years ago so it seems that there is a similar theme running through the genre of her books.

What's it about?
The book follows events organiser Sophie Mills who is in her late 20s and likes her clothes designer and her life is busy and social but all connected to working hard and getting the ultimate promotion, her boss's job. Imagine her surprise when her god mother-ly duties are called upon. Her best friend, since their school days has died in a car crash and wants Sophie to look after her two children in her will. Various other options are explored; the ex husband; the grandmother; but Social Services feel Sophie is best suited to the role so it's goodbye designer shoes and hello full time childcare. Izzy and Bella, aged three and six are a challenge but really quite sweet kids and while Sophie is working out what to do with them she ends up feeling quite attached to them.

My thoughts
I enjoyed reading this book, in fact it passed in a blur and the reading time seemed really quick. OK so it's not challenging by any means and some of the outcomes are a bit predictable but it made for nice relaxing bath time reading! I liked the fact that the kids were on the scene all the time and didn't magically disappear when the story line got a bit difficult juggling work and child care for example. Sophie stuck to her duties in a motherly manner and didn't lose her rag when her sofa and posh cushions got wrecked or the youngest peed on the rug. All in a day's work hey!

Love interests
There are a couple of love interests in the book but they are really just in the background of the story line and don't take over the main theme of the book. Sophie is obviously a bit of a man magnet but is unaware of her charms probably because she works too hard.

Themes
It really did make me think about people who really do step in and look after other people's kids when there has been a terrible accident and how harrowing it must be for the children losing their parent(s). It does happen in real life thought and I thought this made for a potentially good story line.

Work
Sophie's work were very understanding over the amount of time she needed to take off work to look after the girls. I am not sure all workplaces would be so flexible but she manages to juggle both committments admirably. She has put in a lot of work towards promotion and fears this may all be lost while she is away from the office but luckily she has a good PA who covers for her a lot and keeps up the activity in the office.

Final word
This book was a good read for me and a bit different to other chick lit out there. It wasn't too in depth or deep and whilst it touched on potentially upsetting themes there was always a nice side to it and a lot of people who cared for the girls in their sad situation.