Written from perspectives of multiple characters was a bit confusing, but good insight to how each one felt and experienced events. The teen angst was boring to me, but I normally read romances, so it just wasn't my cup of tea. Characters were realistic and dealing with life problems. Chick Lit more than romance, but still an okay read...although story seemed to move along very sloooooooooooow.
I felt that the plot was thin, story predictable, the characters were weakly fleshed out. Stereotypes were set, the angry teen mean stepmother, father stuck in the middle and annoying. Stepmother as whiny, dramatic, and self-centered; ans she's the heroine??
The book was set in California, with an American family, yet the British author uses her native tongue. For example 17 year old Emily likes photography and was so excited when "my mother gave me "proper' film." As a mom of 3 American children, ages 21-14 I have never heard any kid speak that way about an object. The British tone was there throughout the book to constantly remind you that the author & editor lacked knowledge about the characters they were writing about.
Disappointed in my first Jane Green read.
The book was set in California, with an American family, yet the British author uses her native tongue. For example 17 year old Emily likes photography and was so excited when "my mother gave me "proper' film." As a mom of 3 American children, ages 21-14 I have never heard any kid speak that way about an object. The British tone was there throughout the book to constantly remind you that the author & editor lacked knowledge about the characters they were writing about.
Disappointed in my first Jane Green read.
This was a nice neutral book to read after an engaging book.
It was a story about a family and all their hopes and dreams.
It was a story about a family and all their hopes and dreams.
I initially didn't like it but midway I really got into it, it was a love/hate relationship since you really felt sorry for the stepmom but then as the story develops you learn more about the other characters that you start to feel empathy for them as well. I really felt sad by all the turmoil and chaos in the story and see how this happens a lot in real life too. Green writes such a gripping story and makes the characters so real to life. I would definitely recommend this book. Get ready to lose yourself in a great story because it is like a rollercoaster ride.
I am a stepmother, and this book was kind of relatable...it was a very touching book. I would definitely recommend to anyone, but particularly a stepparent!
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. The characters and the story line were very real and relatable.
One of the best Jane Green novels in recent years, I literally couldn't put this book down! I think I finished it in 2.5 days! A novel about family, step-parenting, and blended families, the protagonist, Andi, is happily married to Ethan at age 37, who came complete with two stepdaughters. Unfortunately the older daughter, Emily, hates Andi for coming between her and her father. Everyone tiptoes around, fearing Emily's changeable, mercuric mood swings and tantrums, as she tries her best to split the family up. This book presents a roller coaster of ups and downs in the family dynamic.
