Stepmother

by Carrie Adams

Bea Frazier hoped she'd rediscover her incredible self after divorcing Jimmy. But being home alone with three daughters brings her demons back with a vengeance. The only solution is to reunite her family. The trouble is, her ex is about to marry someone else. Tessa King has finally found true love, but her knight in shining armor comes with three sullen daughters and an ex who doesn't seem nearly "ex" enough. After years of singledom, what does Tessa have to do to finally live happily ever after? As the two women negotiate carpools, puberty, and family loyalties, each finds it almost impossible not to fall into the old cliché of the bitter first wife and the wicked stepmother. But if Bea and Tessa are brave enough, they just may find a friend where they once saw an enemy. . . . Absorbing and touching, humorous and honest, The Stepmother reminds us that there is always another side to the story.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Adult Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Contemporary fiction writer. Previously wrote four crime novels under the name Gay Longworth.

Carrie worked on a game reserve before university, and went on to hold her own in the alpha male world of the oil-trade.

She’s now married to theatre producer Adam Spiegel, who is responsible for putting Dirty Dancing on the London stage, and they have two young daughters.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a first wife, I sang with Ms. Divine, Goldie and that skinny chick who's name I can never remember about the First Wives’ Club. I knew that if my husband ever got remarried to some perky lil' thang, nothing would've pleased me more than making her life and his absolute hell. Not only that, but I planned to delight reminding her that no matter what she did, how much harder she tried, or how adorable she was...she simply was never going to measure up. That is, right up until I became the second wife. Luckily for me karma cut me some slack. Well, that and I'm not some gravity-defying lil' thang who's entire vocabulary consist of acronyms and variations of the word "like", with a little old school Britney lyrics thrown in for good measure.

So, with all that being said, you'd think I would've liked this book a bit more being that I have seen both sides of the coin, right? You would think. While both perspectives (the first and soon-to-be second wife) were interesting, the reality of their interactions was not. Some of the struggles and situations that arose for both women I could intimately relate to, but that’s where it ended. Even a day later, I’m not sure what Ms. Adams was trying to accomplish.

Was she trying to garner sympathy and understanding for the plight of the second wife? If so, she failed. The soon-to-be stepmother bitches through the entire book about the evil, manipulative stepdaughter, the saintly ex she will never live up to, and the burden of loving a man she DOES NOT WANT TO SHARE. The latter blamed ad nausea on her being an only child. In other words, she’s a whiny, spoiled cracker that has no heart.

How about the ex-wife, you ask? Could we at least empathize with her? Nope. Instead, we almost want the infantile cracker to take the food-obsessed, alcoholic woman who blames her inability to deal with life on a snobby, rich mother and a husband that was lazy (Surprise! HE WAS LAZY WHEN SHE MARRIED HIM). Oh, and also on her conniving, slutty 14 year old daughter. And there went logic and reasoning…exiting stage left…leaving only the mother with no brain.

And what of the husband? Think of every man/husband joke you have ever heard and visualize any random male cardboard cut out. Weak, irresponsible and clearly unable to stand up to either woman, here lies the man with no courage.

And poor Amber, the fourteen year old daughter. The only love she got was from daddy. And even right up until the end, both women were trying to put a stop to that. Damn, people, at least give her a puppy or something!

And, of course, no chick lit is complete without the over-the-top, completely far-fetched ending that has all but the unicorns and rainbows. Thus, taking over where Barbie left off...into unrealistic land where little girls go to cry.

[Marika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book before I married a man with three daughters. It would have helped a lot in understanding the differences in being a support system (step-parent) vs. a primary caregiver (father/mother).

This is a must read for anyone contemplating becoming a stepparent. My favourite quote is "I get jealous and that makes me feel insecure, and insecurity can turn even the most level-headed woman into a fruitcake. A dangerous one at that. It's easy to see why stepmothers can become so evil. Our husbands have a love interest who is half our age and twice as beautiful." (page 285, paperback)

In regards to making a marriage work, Carrie Adams delivers one of the best paragraphs about the subject. "Marriage gives you invisible protection against the world. You have a punching bag when you need it. You have a partner in crime when you want one. You have a lover on tap. You have support. The tricky bit is remaining aware that the person is providing all those things all the time. You start to think you're doing it alone. That you provide those things for yourself. As a result you get a bit pissed off with all the demands, with the cost of those services. Loyalty. Respect. Faithfulness. Changing light bulbs when you'd happily live in the dark. Hardest of all, maintaining a sense of humor...Resentment creeps in. Boredom. A feeling that you're missing out when actually you've got everything. You just can't see it." (page 112, paperback)

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ehh... I really did not care for this sequel. Tessa was a bit more mature than in her debut in The Godmother, but she still acted closer to her shoe size than her age. And though I did not think it was possible, Bea, the first wife, was even more unsympathetic and unlikable character. And again, for a book that is marketed as chick lit, there was very little romance involved. Once more, James was more of an idea, a figment of a man, than actual character. Really, the whole plot was a predictable cliche... And frankly, it made me hate the first book even more.
I will say that the book did have an interesting set-up and structure, with alternating chapters between the first wife and the fiancee... unfortunately neither character were likable and frankly, Bea was repugnant. No one likes to be reminded of the bad moments of The Godfather movie... And at least Diane Keaton had a better reason than she was afraid to get any fatter...
It was a fast read, at least. But riddled with errors in the characters' ages, which was also quite distracting.The Godmother

[Noor Hanis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I simply don't like this book. It's not my cup of tea. So, I won't force myself to finish this book. There are still a lot of books out there that needs my love and attention.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this a second chance - probably because I didn't realise I had started reading it before!
But I did start from the beginning again, without realising until I came to give me review.

It is one of my pet peeves in that it is written in alternating voices between the mother and the stepmother-to-be, but for some reason I persisted this time.

I really enjoyed it! I'm so glad I went back a second time :)

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

the stepmother is a novel that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. Filled with the highs and lows of REAL relationships Ms. Adams brings out all the painful AND wonderful experiences that make up life. Even though this is a sequel to her first book, the godmother, it can definitely be read as a stand alone. My heart and sympathies were torn between both Tessa and Bea. I couldn't put down this fast-paced thought provoking novel and even days after I finished it the story and characters are still lingering in my mind.

[Halie Snider · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stepmother is a story that is very relatable to most people and it keeps you on your toes while reading it because you keep thinking about what's going to happen next. It's about a woman named Bea who is trying to rediscover herself after a divorce. She has three kids and they are her whole world. After her divorce she is confused and still is in love with her ex, Jimmy. All Bea wants is her family to be together again but Jimmy is getting married to someone else named Tessa. Tessa tries to be the amazing and cool stepmother but the kids don't buy it at first. Bea is shocked to hear that her ex is about to marry someone else when she still has feelings for him. After Tessa has been around for a while the kids start to get used to her and they start bonding. Meanwhile,Bea doesn't know what to do with herself. Tessa has found true love but Jimmy has three unhappy kids and an ex wife who is still attached to Jimmy,so nobody wins. Bea and Tessa both want to be eachother. Tessa thinks Bea is a super mom and an amazing person and Bea thinks Tessa is some awesome lady who's got it all figured out. They both don't know how to handle the situation. The Stepmother portrays a woman trying to figure things out and find her way back into reality, trying to get her life back.

The main theme of this book is learning how to move on with your life and get rid of the negative things and try to have a new positive perspective. There are many life lessons that go along with this story. One of them is don't try to take a control of a situation when you have no control over it at all. When Bea tried to get Jimmy back and manipulate Jimmy and Tessa's relationship was definitely trying to take control of that situation. Also, I don't think Bea realized that her kids are always supposed to come first but she was too concerned with herself and trying to make herself feel happier and trying to get over her divorce when her kids were probably hurting more than her. Bea should've just moved on with her life and let her ex be happy with someone else. The theme of this story is that there is always another side to the story and people have different view points. Bea,Tessa,Jimmy,and all three kids all think differently about this situation. Bea wants Jimmy back,Tessa wants to be the perfect stepmom and have the perfect relationship,Jimmy has no idea what to do,and the kids just want their family back together and want everybody to be happy. But not everybody can get what they want.

Bea Frazier and Tessa King are two very different characters,yet they are so similar. They both are in love with the same man and think that they need to be like eachother in order to be successful. They are two sympathtic characters with their own needs,wants,and hurts. Author,Carrie Adams got into the minds of two women on opposing sides. Adams made different narrators in this novel so that she could tell what everybody was thinking and how there is more than one side to the story and everyone has a different view of the whole situation.

The author's voice sounds very serious in some situations but she can make it kind of comical and make you smile a little bit because sometimes you just have to laugh at life no matter what is going on. The author gives a lot of detail and I could always picture the setting in your head. I really like her style because I feel like I'm a part of the story while reading it.

I really recommend this book for people who have a stepmom because you will most likely relate to the story and it will almost be like reading your life story. It is a really entertaining book and you will not be disappointed with the story and the characters.

[Simi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stále dookola čítam rovnaké knihy - new-adultky, slaďárny a podobné kratučké knižočky. Máte tam dobrú, milú, šikovnú, múdru atd. hrdinku; tú mrchu; a rôzne stupne zlého/sladkého chalana (ktorý je v skutočnosti naozaj zo zlata).

Machocha je nie je tákáto kniha. Žiadna mrcha, žiadna skvelá hrdinka ani bezchybný hrdina. Je to asi prvá kniha, pri ktorej som si uvedomila, že takto nejako to naozaj vyzerá a autorka sa to nesnaží nijako vylepšiť poľahčujúcimi okolnosťami. V skutočnom živote nikto nie je bezpodmienečne zlý ani dobrý, nikto nie je bez chýb (ako sa nám to snažia nakecať). Striedanie rovín ex a macochy dovoľuje nahliadnutie do sveta dvoch kompletne odlišných žien, ktoré vlastne až také rozličné nie sú a každá si prešla vlastnými skúškami. V skutočnosti to nie je až taká oddychovka, a ani sa mi až tak nepáčila (pred tým som si dala re-reading Off-Campus, áno, všetkých troch dielov a to bola iná káva) ale nemôžem knihe uprieť skvelý námet, vynikajúcu zápletku a najmä reálnosť bez teatrálnosti.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up because the Godmother had been recommended to me, but it was not yet available at the library. It became available before I started this one. That being said, I had no idea until I got to the third chapter that this book was a sequel to the earlier novel.

I enjoyed the book, but like many other readers liked the godmother better. I think it's possible for an author to pull off a book with more than one narrators, but it's really challenging. This one fell a little flat. In the first chapter or two, I developed some empathy for Bea but as soon as Tessa comes into the story Bea becomes really unlikeable. I wish the author would have stuck with one or the other character. Alternatively, the relationship between the two could have used more development.

It's also hard to determine why both women like James so much. He seems a bit callow for two women to be fighting over him so much.

[Kathy Chung · Rating 3 out of 5]

reviewed at : Mama Kucing Books : The Stepmother by Carrie Adams

There is really no right or wrong in this book. It depends on ones perception. At first, I hated Bea for divorcing James and then wanting him back But then later on she gave good reason.

Then I hated James for not being there when Tessa needed him and when he refuses to see reason when Tessa tried to reason with him. However, he managed to admit his mistake and he was doing what he had thought is best for everyone.

As for Tessa, she seems so childish at times. Bearing grudge against her eldest step daughter. And she have a reason to dislike the step daughter.

At first I thought this book is just another Chic-lit book. No need to use brain. But I was wrong. A lot of emotional stuffs in it. Not a book to be read when you are tired or emotionally drained.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great second book from Adams. I highly recommend reading "THE GODMOTHER" first, because this book doesn't go into in-depth recaps that some sequels do (thank goodness!!!)

This book stayed with me throughout the course of a week - I stole time here & there, whenever I could, and completely enjoyed the entire story. Adams writes about circumstances that are (sometimes unfortunately) extremely realistic. But she writes about them in a fabulous, funny style, and gives every person a character or point of view to relate to.

I HIGHLY recommend this novel - I truly enjoyed it.

[Stefanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really wanted to like it . . .some good things. Interesting dynamic but not well developed. Emotions of the characters were way too sporadic to hold my attention, especially those of Tessa who seems unreasonably jealous and whiny to me. It might just be my mood tonight; I am irritated in general, but I have "tolerated" too many books recently. I just don't have the patience for this one. I need a break from the mediocre and feel the real need for another page turner right about now.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

So horrid I was insulted!

How do these people get crap like this published?

I have nothing against "chick lit" except for when it is so freaking typical and unoriginal and boring and bad that it hurts my eyes.

I am so sick of books with apples on the cover.

I thought this was a different book when I checked it out of the library.

Unless things took a drastic turn for the better after page 61 I will file this under "rubbish".

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love both of these books by Carrie Adams. Can't wait for the next!

[Lois Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Not one I couldn't put down, put one I was always happy to pick back up.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man what a sequel to Godmother. It was unpredictable, funny, heart-wrenching and hopeful all at the same time.

We return to Tessa King’s life and her relationship with James Kent, who just started getting to know each other at the end of the first book. Her and James embark on life together and with his 3 daughters. Oh and his ex-wife Bea. Her perspective is written in this book, which I happen to love. First wife meets second wife. And it’s not so pretty. A lot of things happen... the kids are having a hard time coping with the new dynamics, Amber (eldest daughter) is making Tessa lose her mind, Bea stills loves James and wants him back but she has ALOT of secrets, and Tessa is just trying to make it through without destroying her relationship with James. I really connected more with Tessa in this book than the previous one. She knows she’s a meddler but she has to take a backseat in this situation cause they aren’t her kids. The book rings so true of life and certain situations I have seen. The ending is unpredictable and I cried for a some of it. You just feel Tessa’s pain and the loss she encounters on multiple levels. I won’t give the ending away but you won’t want to stop reading the last 50 pages.

[Ria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stand alone from the first book about Tessa King "The Godmother".

Do read if you want to contemplate never marrying and if you want to step inside what a look at solo mothering looks like, look no further. I enjoyed last chapter the most where Bea and her friends confessed what was less than perfect in their lives and it would have been more refreshing to see throughout the book. Thought it would be a bit more lighthearted and it was at points, the death of a character's parent was so out of the blue and treated as almost a comical moment that it felt out of place in the story line and not used as a plot point.
Tessa was the most dynamic character, not surprising as she had a prior book to round out her personality but Bea and James felt 2-dimensional.

[Shahrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book in a pack of 2, by the same author. I din't realise it at the time, but I think the other one (The Godmother - which I haven't yet), should have been read 1st. Having said that though, this book works as a stand alone novel.

This book surprised me. I thought it was just a quick read chick lit book. But it had more depth to it than that and brought back lots of memories to me as I have been in a similar situation (with my boyfriends kids). There were some plot twists I didn't see coming either!

[Jean St.Amand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I liked the book and thought that it was a fairly realistic portrayal of divorce with children/first wife/step mother I couldn't relate to Bea at all. I'm a first wife with children and there is a second wife/step mother too, as the story went on I liked Bea less and less... the sudden alcoholism really put me off, probably because I have a good friend who is also a very ugly drunk and I can't be around her when she is like that so reading about someone like that didn't sit well with me.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was mediocre for me, and it took me longer to read than I expected because I just couldn't get into it. I did finally finish it, and honestly I do not remember very much of the book, that's how bad it was for me. I'm second guessing reading her other book The Godmother now, just in case it's as bad as this one was.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four years after Bea kicked Jim out out of the house he finds the next woman to love. Jim and Tess have to deal with Jim's 3 girls who are not happy with the idea. Tess helps Bea out of some big problems and they become friends, even if Bea wants Jim back

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

All these characters are so unlikeable. James is useless. Tessa is childish. And what the heck is up with Bea

I also can’t tell if the author is pro-abortion or anti!

Anyways, I dont suggest reading this.

[Krystel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suite de « La Célibataire » que j’ai lu quelques années plus tôt et quelle suite! J’ai ri, j’ai pleuré et surtout je me suis retrouvé dans certains personnages à certains moments de ma vie.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I think this ending was supposed to be heartwarming, it made me sad.

[Keanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I read The Godmother, but I remembered why I liked Tessa so much. I had a hard time liking Bea. Loved Tessa’s mother.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting through this one. There was way to much internal conversations had by the characters and this made it difficult to read and understand who was talking, etc

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my thing

[Carla Alemany · Rating 4 out of 5]

no esta res malament, parla de temes complicats de la vida

[Justine · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me forever to slog through this. It just wasn't an entertaining read.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy reading the first half of this book, as I found both lead female characters incredibly unlikable--whiny and annoying--even with having been familiar with Tessa's character from Adams' first novel, The Godmother. Perhaps if the book would have started from her point of view rather than Bea's, I might have felt differently from the start. Then again, maybe I would have been biased towards Tessa. Regardless, I spent the first half of the book hating both characters. By the end, I can't day that I liked either one of them especially, but at least I could understand and relate to Tessa more. I think Bea's character should have been explored more fully for me to truly understand where she was coming from as far as her addictive personality and issues are concerned. I just could not relate to her or get her or, quite frankly, care. I do not enjoy reading books when I don't care about the characters. But in the end, I didn't feel as though I had wasted my time reading the book. I am looking forward to reading Adams' next book; I think she is an intelligent chick/mommy lit writer. if you want to categorize her writing as chick or mommy lit, on par with Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin, about the only other two such writers that I can continue to appreciate book after book. I still am trying to decide whether I like The Stepmother or The Godmother better. I have complaints about both, but overall enjoyed reading them--enough to keep reading the author. Good escape reading for a mom.