Comparing my Experiences (The Stepmother - Carrie Adams)

Member Name: wendybull

Product:	The Stepmother - Carrie Adams
Date:	30/10/08 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice and easy to read

Disadvantages: Not just chick lit

Bea is the ex-wife of Jimmy. They have three lovely girls together and an amicable separation. Over time Bea realises that although she was the one to break the relationship up, she made a mistake and wants Jimmy back. Only trouble is, he has finally got over Bea and has a new girlfriend. One he loves and who adores him.

Breaking the news to Bea and the girls starts a tricky and new episode in everyone's lives. Especially for Tessa, the new woman in Jimmy's life and the new stepmother to the girls.

This book made me think it was a chick lit story that would be easy going and romancey as well as funny. I wanted something simple to balance up the horror stories I had been reading. I did get what I expected but I also got a serious story with some serious themes running through, from alcoholism to teenage rebellion.

I was particularly interested in this book as well because I am a stepmum to two boys and I wanted to see if the author, Carrie Adams, had managed to describe many of the feelings and fears I experienced as a stepmum into this book. I was happy to read that a lot of what Tessa went through was true to form, especially the way the children of varying ages reacted differently to a new person in their dad's life.

I liked the writing style and found it easy to relate to all the characters. They were true to life and nothing was very over the top. It was funny in places and quite desperate in others giving a nice balance of something more than simple chick lit, but less hardcore than a thriller or horror.

Nice and simple - enjoyable read.

Summary: RECOMMENDED xx