kgormley's review against another edition
3.0
Decent story, although at times it seemed the author backtracked when it really wasn't necessary. I also didn't think her English accent, although fun to listen too, fit the story being told in first person by people who lived in California (and were native Californians). Definitely not a book for someone to pick up who doesn't like swearing ... there were several scenes that included a lot of vulgar language.
satomi's review
4.0
I had read this author's books when I was younger. Well, as I grew the target of the reader is older now.
Jemima J. is the tipical chick lit and targeted the single ladies. Now this is a book to target my age.
I want to read other books of this author also!
Jemima J. is the tipical chick lit and targeted the single ladies. Now this is a book to target my age.
I want to read other books of this author also!
asutrick's review against another edition
4.0
This book really hit close to home, being a stepmother. There are so many passages I highlighted that really affected me. I didn't think I was going to like the direction it was headed with Emily about a quarter of the way into the book, but it kept my interest and I loved it. I was afraid it would be a bit chick-litty but it was a very good book. I'm glad it caught my eye.
A couple quotes that got me emotional...
"She didn't marry until her late thirties, and when she did, she married because she found a partner. Unlike so many other women she knows, she wasn't driven by fear: not having children; being left alone. She married because she found a man she loves, a man who makes her happy."
"It was what he had always wanted: all his girls to get on."
Nothing makes my husband happier than when all his girls are in happy moods at the same time... :)
A couple quotes that got me emotional...
"She didn't marry until her late thirties, and when she did, she married because she found a partner. Unlike so many other women she knows, she wasn't driven by fear: not having children; being left alone. She married because she found a man she loves, a man who makes her happy."
"It was what he had always wanted: all his girls to get on."
Nothing makes my husband happier than when all his girls are in happy moods at the same time... :)
eljabo's review against another edition
4.0
Heartbreaking - I really felt for the step-mom Andi. She seemed like someone I would like to hang out with. And although I thought the oldest stepdaughter Emily was a giant brat who deserved a time-out at the very least, she eventually grew on me.
The book is written in two voices - part is from Andi's perspective, part is from Emily's perspective. Emily's voice was a little weaker - but it was still interesting to hear the story from her point of view.
The book is written in two voices - part is from Andi's perspective, part is from Emily's perspective. Emily's voice was a little weaker - but it was still interesting to hear the story from her point of view.
mumtwogirls's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the story though I found the ending dragged a bit.
ceeceerose's review against another edition
3.0
Told from the point-of-view of both a stepmother and a teenage girl, this novel really delves deep into what makes a family tick. The stepmother, Andi, is a woman desperate for a child of her own. She marries a man with two children...a pre-teen girl who causes little if any trouble and a full-blown teenager who is more than makes up for her sister's lack of trouble. Andi's struggles with her new marriage, her husband and her step-kids seem realistic and not fake in anyway. Emily, the teenager, comes to life on the page...angst and depression and self-hate all included. Green lets us watch this family's troubles play out...never forcing us to feel something that seems unnatural or unrealistic.
This is a heartwarming book about the troubles of one family and how they preserve and overcome. This is the first Jane Green book that I read all the way through and I would definitely read her again. She's not totally "chick lit" (or at least this one wasn't). There was a depth to this novel that most Kinsellas and other Chick Lit connoisseurs lack. I liked the characters and the development of them throughout the story. There were times when certain parts went on too long, but over-all, this is a good, solid story about family and the troubles they bear.
This is a heartwarming book about the troubles of one family and how they preserve and overcome. This is the first Jane Green book that I read all the way through and I would definitely read her again. She's not totally "chick lit" (or at least this one wasn't). There was a depth to this novel that most Kinsellas and other Chick Lit connoisseurs lack. I liked the characters and the development of them throughout the story. There were times when certain parts went on too long, but over-all, this is a good, solid story about family and the troubles they bear.
mybookishlifestyle's review against another edition
4.0
Only Jane Green Book I have not read....I hope I like it!
Really enjoyed this book---focuses a lot on being a step parent...good read!
Really enjoyed this book---focuses a lot on being a step parent...good read!
kellyherself's review against another edition
4.0
I love Jane Green. Her books are such easy reads but still maintain complexity. Complexity is exactly what this novel delivers. The main character, Andi, is caught in a rough situation. Her husband, Ethan, has two daughters from his previous marriage. Andi embraces both girls. She longs to be a mother. She embraces the two girls even more when it turns out that Andi is unable to become pregnant herself. In addition to her fertility issues, Andi has another problem: her step-daughter Emily. No matter how she tries to show Emily that she loves her, there is no getting through to Emily. Emily chooses to see Andi as the enemy and actively tries to destroy Andi and Ethan's marriage.
As if that weren't enough, at the age of 17, Emily turns up pregnant. Seven months pregnant before anyone, including Emily, knows that she is pregnant. Andi's struggle with Emily only increases. She cannot make Emily see how she cares while at the same time she is horribly envious of Emily being pregnant. And then there's Ethan. Ethan refuses to take a stand against Emily and the havoc she is causing in his marriage. How can they navigate the complex relationship challenges without destroying each other?
I really couldn't put this book down. I expected to finish it much quicker than I actually did, but life got in the way of my reading. Green crafted such great characters. Andi is so sympathetic as the wife who is struggling with so many issues. Emily is sympathetic, too. I kind of wanted to hate her for all the trouble she was causing, but I just couldn't. When parts of the narrative are delivered by Emily and you get inside her head and emotions, it becomes nearly impossible to hate her. Ethan was very frustrating as a character. I just wanted him to take action already. Do something! But don't let these problems destroy you!
The plot could easily have been a tired cliche, but it wasn't. There were many surprises hidden along the way, the biggest being Emily's pregnancy. Green used the great characters she had created to keep the tension and drama high, while still surprising you.
I really enjoyed this novel. I highly recommend it. I also recommend any of Green's other works. I have not read a bad one yet!
As if that weren't enough, at the age of 17, Emily turns up pregnant. Seven months pregnant before anyone, including Emily, knows that she is pregnant. Andi's struggle with Emily only increases. She cannot make Emily see how she cares while at the same time she is horribly envious of Emily being pregnant. And then there's Ethan. Ethan refuses to take a stand against Emily and the havoc she is causing in his marriage. How can they navigate the complex relationship challenges without destroying each other?
I really couldn't put this book down. I expected to finish it much quicker than I actually did, but life got in the way of my reading. Green crafted such great characters. Andi is so sympathetic as the wife who is struggling with so many issues. Emily is sympathetic, too. I kind of wanted to hate her for all the trouble she was causing, but I just couldn't. When parts of the narrative are delivered by Emily and you get inside her head and emotions, it becomes nearly impossible to hate her. Ethan was very frustrating as a character. I just wanted him to take action already. Do something! But don't let these problems destroy you!
The plot could easily have been a tired cliche, but it wasn't. There were many surprises hidden along the way, the biggest being Emily's pregnancy. Green used the great characters she had created to keep the tension and drama high, while still surprising you.
I really enjoyed this novel. I highly recommend it. I also recommend any of Green's other works. I have not read a bad one yet!