Dear Evil Stepmother: A Wicked Little Handbook for the Women Fairy Tales Got Dead Wrong

by Veronica Fishbane

You married the man of your dreams–and inherited the kids of your nightmares. Plus their mother.

Congratulations. You’re now a Stepmother. Or, as fairy tales would have it, the Villain.

I, too, am a stepmother - and have been dealing with the fallout for over a decade. Did I set out to be wicked? Don’t be silly, darlings. But after years of ignoring stepchild side-eye, battling bedtime sabotage, and being strategically cropped out of every family photo, I've stopped pretending that stepmotherhood is all bonus love and Instagram gloss.

It’s not. It’s war.

In this handy little guide, you’ll

How to defend your turf when the kids go feral,
keep your cool with the ex goes nuclear,
and claim the crown you were born to wear.

You tried nice. Now try winning.

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Georgina Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stepmoms, if you are tired of the same sugary platitudes on blended family bonding and need a narrative with more spice, this book is just right for you! This book was absolutely HILARIOUS! I enjoyed every single one of Veronica Fishbane's collection of letters between her and her stepmom followers (names have been changed). Be forewarned, this book contains a lot of naughty and sarcastic humor, best for adult readers. This little book offers an insightful and entertaining glimpse into the lives of modern stepmothers, unfiltered and bold! Being a stepmom can be hard work, sometimes the husband is a doormat, the ex-wife is often a powerful nuisance and don't get me started on the kids: some of them act like spoiled brats. Body odors, tantrums and passive aggressive combat are just some of the daily troubles that stepmoms face. This book allows every stepmom to recognize and express her personal needs in different situations and assert her importance to the family when all too often they get cast as the "villain" of every story. My favorite letters from the collection include these titles:

Stink, Stank, Stunk

If You Give The Devil a Cookie

Unthanked, Uncrowned, and Utterly Exhausted

Too Much Shrimp, Not Enough Cocktail

Running on Fumes

If you ever experienced parental burnout, you'll know exactly what I mean. I shared the letters with my own stepmom (who's totally awesome FYI) and she loved the letter about baking cookies. Stepmoms have always tried to be nice at the expense of their physical and emotional well being to get a smidge of acceptance from the rest of the family. Well, this book will help stepmoms rediscover their agency in a way that is crafty and funny! A lovely collection of cautionary tales that show why stepmothers should not be underestimated (Note that this book is not a substitute for professional therapy)

[Windi Inns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great!! Witty and wonderful. I giggled, I laughed out loud, I felt a little shocked at times. Ms. Fishbane truly has what it takes to keep her readers entertained. I could read this book again and again!

[Nori · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: I'm in the middle of a divorce from a narcissistic, abusive husband -- and, by default, also from his narcissistic family cult. His adult daughter, my stepdaughter, had labeled me the evil stepmother before she had been in our marriage home for 24 hours. I was the one who had to call the sheriff for back-up and move 1,500 miles away to safety. Not one person on his side believed me because I was the so-called villain in her story. @veronica_fishbane GETS IT. Veronica UNDERSTANDS the chaos that brews in sometimes toxic mixed families. She presents solutions with tongue-in-cheek humor and solidarity. This book had me giggling through my evening and gave me an unexpected sense of peace just in time to wind down for the night. Well worth reading and perfect for anyone trying to navigate the sometimes-horrors of step parenting. Five stars for the laughs - she deserves more just for the empathy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
•
🏷️Tags:
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookgirly #bookish #booklover #bookworm #bibliophile #kindle #inmykindlegirlera #arcreader #arcreview #dearevilstepmother #veronicafishbane

[Kaitlynn Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC Review*

Even having read the blurb I was a still a bit uncertain about what to expect. I was caught a bit off guard by a couple of the stories, but I still found it enjoyable. I am more appreciative of my “step” kid after reading some of the letters. His mom and I may have had a rough start, but he genuinely likes me and wants me to hang out with him and his dad.

If you want a little bit of a chuckle, or just want to feel better about yourself, you should give this little book a shot.

4 stars, no complaints.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book - Very funny and sarcastic, which makes it awesome in my opinion! I enjoyed how the author included, and then responded, to a variety of stepmother scenarios, and the book was a super quick and entertaining read. I hope there are sequels to come!

[AM · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing style for Dear Evil Stepmother hooked me immediately. Also, if you didn't read the "disclaimer" in the beginning, do yourself a favor and read it.

This book is full of sharp wit by turning the "wicked stepmother" trope on its head. The author doesn't mince words about the emotional chaos, the resentment, and the awkward alliances, and yet she does it with a wink.

I hope you all have earned that certificate at the end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started cute and funny drug out to long and lost the magic

[Christina Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, great comedy read

I am not a step-Mother but downloaded this book because I am an adult child of a step-Mom. These stories are amazing and Veronica’s advice so comical.

[Jessica - Whisper Willow Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and Irreverent and a ride the whole way through. This take on step-motherhood had me laughing along the way.