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Child's Play
The lessons our children teach us are the hardest ones. What do we do when our children don’t pursue our hopes for them? In this riveting new novel, Danielle Steel explores how families can evolve and grow in unexpected ways.
A senior partner at a prestigious New York law firm, Kate Morgan couldn’t be prouder of her three grown children. Tamara, Anthony, and Claire all went to great schools, chose wonderful career paths, and would have made their father proud. A single mother for years after the death of her husband, Kate keeps a tight rein on her family, her career, and even her own emotions, never once asking herself if she truly knows her children . . . or if her hopes for them are the right ones, and what they want. She is about to find out.
During one hectic summer in Manhattan, Kate’s world turns upside down. One child has been keeping an astonishing secret while another confesses to an equally shocking truth. A wonderful match and picture-book wedding are traded for a relationship that shakes Kate to her core. A totally inappropriate love affair and an out-of-wedlock baby complete the chaos. Challenged as a mother and as a successful independent woman herself, Kate struggles to keep up with a dizzying and escalating chain of events, and begins to realize that she has a part to play in the chaos. Because Kate too has kept secrets from her children.
Sometimes the surprising choices our children make are the right ones . . . better than what we wanted for them. More often than not, parenting is about letting go of our dreams and embracing theirs.
A senior partner at a prestigious New York law firm, Kate Morgan couldn’t be prouder of her three grown children. Tamara, Anthony, and Claire all went to great schools, chose wonderful career paths, and would have made their father proud. A single mother for years after the death of her husband, Kate keeps a tight rein on her family, her career, and even her own emotions, never once asking herself if she truly knows her children . . . or if her hopes for them are the right ones, and what they want. She is about to find out.
During one hectic summer in Manhattan, Kate’s world turns upside down. One child has been keeping an astonishing secret while another confesses to an equally shocking truth. A wonderful match and picture-book wedding are traded for a relationship that shakes Kate to her core. A totally inappropriate love affair and an out-of-wedlock baby complete the chaos. Challenged as a mother and as a successful independent woman herself, Kate struggles to keep up with a dizzying and escalating chain of events, and begins to realize that she has a part to play in the chaos. Because Kate too has kept secrets from her children.
Sometimes the surprising choices our children make are the right ones . . . better than what we wanted for them. More often than not, parenting is about letting go of our dreams and embracing theirs.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2019
4065 people are currently reading
3373 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Steel
912 books16.8k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 589 reviews
July 7, 2022
A mother needing to accept that traditional marriages have changed in the new era and that her 3 adult children are about to teach her some valuable lessons. Not a bad read and the writing was better than what I've seen in other recent books from DS.
October 28, 2019
4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Child’s Play, Danielle Steel tackles some tough subjects that are very common and relevant in today’s world.
It’s difficult to review a DS book - not because they are not enjoyable, but because most people know what to expect when they crack one open. They are always predictable, but that’s one of the things I love about her books. Surprises, yes. However, you know they are coming!
Widowed Kate Morgan has raised three “perfect” children. They are very successful adults, with good educations and excellent jobs. However, we soon find out that they aren’t as perfect as Kate had thought. As their secrets unfold, Kate begins to wonder where she failed as a mother. She quickly starts to realize that no matter how you excelled in raising your children with good moral values, you can’t predict or control their futures.
I took a half star away because one of her kids - Claire - was a repulsive, spoiled, entitled brat who I wanted to throat punch through my iPad!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine and Danielle Steel for my advanced copy to read and review.
In Child’s Play, Danielle Steel tackles some tough subjects that are very common and relevant in today’s world.
It’s difficult to review a DS book - not because they are not enjoyable, but because most people know what to expect when they crack one open. They are always predictable, but that’s one of the things I love about her books. Surprises, yes. However, you know they are coming!
Widowed Kate Morgan has raised three “perfect” children. They are very successful adults, with good educations and excellent jobs. However, we soon find out that they aren’t as perfect as Kate had thought. As their secrets unfold, Kate begins to wonder where she failed as a mother. She quickly starts to realize that no matter how you excelled in raising your children with good moral values, you can’t predict or control their futures.
I took a half star away because one of her kids - Claire - was a repulsive, spoiled, entitled brat who I wanted to throat punch through my iPad!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine and Danielle Steel for my advanced copy to read and review.
January 28, 2020
Lots of regurgitated, predictable family issues in this uninspiring story from Ms. Steel. 1 of 10 stars
January 1, 2020
Danielle Steel is an author that I recently picked back up and began reading again that I first read all the way back as a kid in school. Those that are familiar with her writing know she has a style that is similar from book to book and the same can be said with this new release. As much as I’ve enjoyed returning to her wonderful writing Child’s Play wasn’t a favorite of mine.
In Child’s Play readers are introduced to fifty something Kate Morgan. Kate is the mother of three grown children that spent most of her time raising them on her own after her husband’s passing all the while keeping up with her own hectic job. Kate always pushed her children to be the best and is now proud of their “perfect” lives…until that perfection comes crashing down around them.
The reason I wasn’t a huge fan of this story was Kate’s narrow mindedness in how she perceives her children’s lives should be. Maybe it’s just me but even at my age I’ve never known anyone to push so hard for marriage and the idea of a “perfect” family so Kate’s whole character just seemed so way out of touch and intolerable. Then on top of her really old fashioned views we have one of the daughter’s being childish and petty seemingly to just purposely go against her mother which seems odd to happen as an adult and more something you’d expect from a teenager. Between these two characters the story just felt too out of date to me leaving me with a meh feeling on this one.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In Child’s Play readers are introduced to fifty something Kate Morgan. Kate is the mother of three grown children that spent most of her time raising them on her own after her husband’s passing all the while keeping up with her own hectic job. Kate always pushed her children to be the best and is now proud of their “perfect” lives…until that perfection comes crashing down around them.
The reason I wasn’t a huge fan of this story was Kate’s narrow mindedness in how she perceives her children’s lives should be. Maybe it’s just me but even at my age I’ve never known anyone to push so hard for marriage and the idea of a “perfect” family so Kate’s whole character just seemed so way out of touch and intolerable. Then on top of her really old fashioned views we have one of the daughter’s being childish and petty seemingly to just purposely go against her mother which seems odd to happen as an adult and more something you’d expect from a teenager. Between these two characters the story just felt too out of date to me leaving me with a meh feeling on this one.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
December 7, 2019
If an upperclass white woman vomited glitter, this would be the novel. Just shy of unicorns and rainbows, this receive two stars for being the most stereotypical read of the year!
The plot is more predictable than a drought in a desert. The characters are banal, boring and narrow-minded. The structure/grammar/vocabulary leaves a lot to be desired. Actually a soap opera would probably have more surprises and greater enjoyment.
Another mainstream author cashing in on their prior reputation.
The plot is more predictable than a drought in a desert. The characters are banal, boring and narrow-minded. The structure/grammar/vocabulary leaves a lot to be desired. Actually a soap opera would probably have more surprises and greater enjoyment.
Another mainstream author cashing in on their prior reputation.
March 10, 2020
I will preface this review by saying I haven't read any of Danielle Steel's other books. This is my first experience with her writing and story-telling style.
*Spoilers ahead*
When I read the summary for Child's Play, I was intrigued - family secrets (almost) always lead to some great narrative twists. However, from the first chapter, I wondered if I actually had the drive to finish the book. This feeling only intensified as I continued reading. I'll address the major issues I had with the plot in general later, but first, my thoughts on the actual writing.
As noted previously, this is my first taste of Steel's writing, so perhaps her other books showcase her talents better. This specific book, though, lacked depth, both in narrative construction and character development. Each sentence reads the same as the one before it. Eventually, they blend into one mass of, "Kate went to work. Then, she met her mother for dinner. Then she told her mother about her disappointing children. Then..." (You get the idea.) I used to teach English as a foreign language in a Korean middle school, and frankly, I read more interesting essays from those students.
The disappointing shallowness of the writing could be overlooked if the story itself had anything to say. Sadly, it does not. There are no big surprises, no intrigue, no nothing. The only thing that had me on the edge of my seat was the unshakable feeling that surely there would be a massive 180 toward the end that erased everything that came before it. Spoiler: there's no 180 in the end. Just borderline-racist statements and characters engaging in strange displays of cultural appropriation (think an "Indian" themed party where literally none of the guests are Indian or have any clue about Indian culture).
At the beginning of this extremely boring journey, I thought Steel, much like method actors, had gotten deep into the mind of her protagonist Kate. She so perfectly captured the character's judgmental and egocentric nature. I am completely convinced now that everything said and thought by "Kate" is really just a reflection of Steel's own opinions and beliefs. The judgment of all things outside the norms of society seemed like such a cliche. The kind of cliche that usually builds up to the character learning, growing, and evolving into a more open-minded, mature person. Steel would have us believe that Kate follows this trajectory, but don't fall for the deception! Despite the veneer of enlightenment that the protagonist is coated with over the course of the plot, scratch the surface just a bit and you'll find the same self-centered personality that was there from the start.
Kate has three children (bless them) who are all grown adults with real lives and minds of their own. You'd never know that from the way she keeps them under her thumb. According to her mother Margaret, Kate always expects too much of them, and her children sometimes second the sentiment. Always broaching self-awareness yet never quite reaching it, Kate concedes that she might be too much of a perfectionist, but then changes literally nothing about the way she interacts with her kids. I don't fault Steel for this part of Kate's character - it's actually pretty realistic.
When everything begins to fall apart in her family (child outside of marriage *gasp*, breaking an engagement, and lesbian-ness), we the readers find out that Kate is only able to show empathy and open-mindedness to two children at a time. Looks like her youngest daughter Claire is out of luck!
Claire finds herself pregnant after only a couple of months dating an older man. She decides that, while the father wants to get married, she is not yet ready for marriage. When she tells Kate about the pregnancy and her desire to stay legally unattached, her mother pitches a fit. Words like "embarrassment" and "disappointment" get thrown around until Claire leaves, rightfully angry and offended that her mother cares more about the opinions of their social circle than she does about her own daughter's happiness. The rest of the book is spent with Kate wallowing in her sadness that her youngest daughter is now cold toward her and the rest of the family blindly hurling insults at a pregnant lady. They have no sympathy for the fact that Claire has major pregnancy hormones and doesn't want to legally bind herself to a man she's only known for a few months. So sue her.
Kate's son Anthony starts out the story engaged to Amanda, a slightly boring woman who just wants a nice wedding. He's only really going through with the marriage because Kate wants it, so when he meets Alicia, an "exotic-looking" model from Spanish Harlem (something that Kate really seems to harp on), he jumps on her both metaphorically and literally. After a few months, Anthony drops Amanda and continues dating Alicia. Considering the way Kate responded to Claire's "disgraceful child out of wedlock" situation, you would think she would absolutely lose it when she finds out about Anthony's affair and broken engagement. You'd think wrong. She says nothing about her son's moral indiscretion, and congratulates him on finding someone he likes, even if she is part Hispanic and part Chinese. The double-standards are strong in this family.
The last nail in the coffin for Kate's "normal" family is the revelation that her oldest daughter Tammy is a lesbian. Strangely, everyone in this quite conservative household is totally fine with this and with her partner of six years. They're even more fine with both the women purposefully getting pregnant at the same time (after getting married, of course, because they want to "do it in the right order.") The whole family makes little jabs like that at Claire's life choices, then pretend she's the brat.
Really, the worst part is the delivery of the three babies in the story. When Claire goes into labor, she's done little-to-no research and is completely unprepared. Unrealistically, she refuses to push when the nurses ask her to, prompting them to tell Kate they've only seen this behavior in "young, ignorant" pregnant teenagers before and not 20-something year-old women. Steel twists the knife further for Claire after the birth. She apparently wants nothing to do with the baby, and no one seems to check on her or her mental well-being. It seems a lot more like trauma and postpartum depression than self-centeredness to me.
When Tammy and her wife give birth, they both do so within a couple of hours and have perfect labors and deliveries. This ease is painted as their reward for being good, mature people. Steel's handling of pregnancy and birth is the most disappointing and disturbing part of the whole book. She treats a mother's labor and post-delivery experience as a direct reflection of the mother's moral state. Ideas like this are so ridiculously outdated and harmful, that even in a work of fiction, they could cause pain for the reader. I can only imagine being a woman who had a difficult and painful birthing experience and reading this morally bombastic ending to an already-questionable story.
This review might seem harsh, but I believe it's well-deserved. For such a popular, prolific writer, Steel seems to have no concept of crafting an engaging narrative. She relies so heavily on cliche and repetition, and the judgmental, self-congratulatory tone of the protagonist actually made me angry at points. I couldn't even enjoy this book as a fluff read.
*Spoilers ahead*
When I read the summary for Child's Play, I was intrigued - family secrets (almost) always lead to some great narrative twists. However, from the first chapter, I wondered if I actually had the drive to finish the book. This feeling only intensified as I continued reading. I'll address the major issues I had with the plot in general later, but first, my thoughts on the actual writing.
As noted previously, this is my first taste of Steel's writing, so perhaps her other books showcase her talents better. This specific book, though, lacked depth, both in narrative construction and character development. Each sentence reads the same as the one before it. Eventually, they blend into one mass of, "Kate went to work. Then, she met her mother for dinner. Then she told her mother about her disappointing children. Then..." (You get the idea.) I used to teach English as a foreign language in a Korean middle school, and frankly, I read more interesting essays from those students.
The disappointing shallowness of the writing could be overlooked if the story itself had anything to say. Sadly, it does not. There are no big surprises, no intrigue, no nothing. The only thing that had me on the edge of my seat was the unshakable feeling that surely there would be a massive 180 toward the end that erased everything that came before it. Spoiler: there's no 180 in the end. Just borderline-racist statements and characters engaging in strange displays of cultural appropriation (think an "Indian" themed party where literally none of the guests are Indian or have any clue about Indian culture).
At the beginning of this extremely boring journey, I thought Steel, much like method actors, had gotten deep into the mind of her protagonist Kate. She so perfectly captured the character's judgmental and egocentric nature. I am completely convinced now that everything said and thought by "Kate" is really just a reflection of Steel's own opinions and beliefs. The judgment of all things outside the norms of society seemed like such a cliche. The kind of cliche that usually builds up to the character learning, growing, and evolving into a more open-minded, mature person. Steel would have us believe that Kate follows this trajectory, but don't fall for the deception! Despite the veneer of enlightenment that the protagonist is coated with over the course of the plot, scratch the surface just a bit and you'll find the same self-centered personality that was there from the start.
Kate has three children (bless them) who are all grown adults with real lives and minds of their own. You'd never know that from the way she keeps them under her thumb. According to her mother Margaret, Kate always expects too much of them, and her children sometimes second the sentiment. Always broaching self-awareness yet never quite reaching it, Kate concedes that she might be too much of a perfectionist, but then changes literally nothing about the way she interacts with her kids. I don't fault Steel for this part of Kate's character - it's actually pretty realistic.
When everything begins to fall apart in her family (child outside of marriage *gasp*, breaking an engagement, and lesbian-ness), we the readers find out that Kate is only able to show empathy and open-mindedness to two children at a time. Looks like her youngest daughter Claire is out of luck!
Claire finds herself pregnant after only a couple of months dating an older man. She decides that, while the father wants to get married, she is not yet ready for marriage. When she tells Kate about the pregnancy and her desire to stay legally unattached, her mother pitches a fit. Words like "embarrassment" and "disappointment" get thrown around until Claire leaves, rightfully angry and offended that her mother cares more about the opinions of their social circle than she does about her own daughter's happiness. The rest of the book is spent with Kate wallowing in her sadness that her youngest daughter is now cold toward her and the rest of the family blindly hurling insults at a pregnant lady. They have no sympathy for the fact that Claire has major pregnancy hormones and doesn't want to legally bind herself to a man she's only known for a few months. So sue her.
Kate's son Anthony starts out the story engaged to Amanda, a slightly boring woman who just wants a nice wedding. He's only really going through with the marriage because Kate wants it, so when he meets Alicia, an "exotic-looking" model from Spanish Harlem (something that Kate really seems to harp on), he jumps on her both metaphorically and literally. After a few months, Anthony drops Amanda and continues dating Alicia. Considering the way Kate responded to Claire's "disgraceful child out of wedlock" situation, you would think she would absolutely lose it when she finds out about Anthony's affair and broken engagement. You'd think wrong. She says nothing about her son's moral indiscretion, and congratulates him on finding someone he likes, even if she is part Hispanic and part Chinese. The double-standards are strong in this family.
The last nail in the coffin for Kate's "normal" family is the revelation that her oldest daughter Tammy is a lesbian. Strangely, everyone in this quite conservative household is totally fine with this and with her partner of six years. They're even more fine with both the women purposefully getting pregnant at the same time (after getting married, of course, because they want to "do it in the right order.") The whole family makes little jabs like that at Claire's life choices, then pretend she's the brat.
Really, the worst part is the delivery of the three babies in the story. When Claire goes into labor, she's done little-to-no research and is completely unprepared. Unrealistically, she refuses to push when the nurses ask her to, prompting them to tell Kate they've only seen this behavior in "young, ignorant" pregnant teenagers before and not 20-something year-old women. Steel twists the knife further for Claire after the birth. She apparently wants nothing to do with the baby, and no one seems to check on her or her mental well-being. It seems a lot more like trauma and postpartum depression than self-centeredness to me.
When Tammy and her wife give birth, they both do so within a couple of hours and have perfect labors and deliveries. This ease is painted as their reward for being good, mature people. Steel's handling of pregnancy and birth is the most disappointing and disturbing part of the whole book. She treats a mother's labor and post-delivery experience as a direct reflection of the mother's moral state. Ideas like this are so ridiculously outdated and harmful, that even in a work of fiction, they could cause pain for the reader. I can only imagine being a woman who had a difficult and painful birthing experience and reading this morally bombastic ending to an already-questionable story.
This review might seem harsh, but I believe it's well-deserved. For such a popular, prolific writer, Steel seems to have no concept of crafting an engaging narrative. She relies so heavily on cliche and repetition, and the judgmental, self-congratulatory tone of the protagonist actually made me angry at points. I couldn't even enjoy this book as a fluff read.
Read
June 10, 2021Sometimes the most enjoyable books are the ones that you can escape into, which is why Danielle Steel is one of my favorite authors. Her passion for her work is admirable, demonstrated not only by the incredible volume of novels that she writes but also the dedicated following her work has, earning her 390 consecutive weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Her books offer everyone something they can relate to – human connection – and are frequently next on my list to read.
July 17, 2019
What can I say? This is my 23rd book I’ve reviewed on Goodreads by Danielle Steel. And since I started reading her books in the 1970’s I know for a fact I’ve read so many more “back in the day”. This book was a fast, easy read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All opinions are my own.
November 10, 2019
This was a fascinating read about motherhood and grown children. I was so into this one because of all the various subplots of the book. Just a wonderful Danielle Steel book.
August 20, 2019
As always, Danielle Steel did not let me down. One of my "pet peeves" is spelling and grammatical errors when reading published books and I am always pleasantly surprised to find that her books are so well written and edited prior to publication.
I found Kate's heartache followed by her love, strength and endurance, when faced with the realization that her children were not perfect and made mistakes or had secrets, to be both heartfelt and inspiring. I am the proud mother of a homosexual son and cheered for Kate when she accepted the same, about one of the characters in the book, with an open mind and heart.
Her children may have gone about decisions in the wrong way, but ultimately, I feel, as it appears Danielle does, that a person must be allowed to live their own life and make their own mistakes in order to grow. I only wish that, in similar circumstances, I can be as strong as Kate. I found myself rooting for her to get her own Happy Ending. She earned it!
Finally, I would like to say that I have been reading Ms. Steel's books for about 40 years and she has never let me down. I will highly recommend this book to everyone! Thank you for another great book. Keep them coming! Can't wait for the next one!
I found Kate's heartache followed by her love, strength and endurance, when faced with the realization that her children were not perfect and made mistakes or had secrets, to be both heartfelt and inspiring. I am the proud mother of a homosexual son and cheered for Kate when she accepted the same, about one of the characters in the book, with an open mind and heart.
Her children may have gone about decisions in the wrong way, but ultimately, I feel, as it appears Danielle does, that a person must be allowed to live their own life and make their own mistakes in order to grow. I only wish that, in similar circumstances, I can be as strong as Kate. I found myself rooting for her to get her own Happy Ending. She earned it!
Finally, I would like to say that I have been reading Ms. Steel's books for about 40 years and she has never let me down. I will highly recommend this book to everyone! Thank you for another great book. Keep them coming! Can't wait for the next one!
October 10, 2019
Let me preface this by saying that I have read every book that Danielle Steel has ever written. Some I've loved, and some, well, I haven't loved. This one is in the second category.
The reason I didn't love this book is that the majority of characters were not people I would like. Kate, our main character, is so judgmental and self-centered. Every time her children come to her to share some sort of news, she makes it about herself and gives them some superficial reason for their news not be acceptable. Seriously?! This book could have taken place in the 1970's.
This is a short book and moves very quickly. While I didn't enjoy this one, I am sure that I will continue to read her books.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Delacorte Press, and #NetGalley for an advanced copy of #ChildsPlay in exchange for my honest opinion.
The reason I didn't love this book is that the majority of characters were not people I would like. Kate, our main character, is so judgmental and self-centered. Every time her children come to her to share some sort of news, she makes it about herself and gives them some superficial reason for their news not be acceptable. Seriously?! This book could have taken place in the 1970's.
This is a short book and moves very quickly. While I didn't enjoy this one, I am sure that I will continue to read her books.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Delacorte Press, and #NetGalley for an advanced copy of #ChildsPlay in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 13, 2019
Kate Morgan loves her three grown children and only wants whats best for them. It is only when they decide to do what she doesn't want them to do that turns her life upside-down. Can Kate accept the paths her children have decided to go down and support those decisions? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good read and my very first read by Danielle Steel. It was a great read about family, forgiveness and more. If you love stories about families, be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever books are sold.
This was a pretty good read and my very first read by Danielle Steel. It was a great read about family, forgiveness and more. If you love stories about families, be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever books are sold.
October 5, 2019
Child’s Play by Danielle Steel is a story that parent’s will be able to understand and relate to. Parents have certain expectations for their children. We forget that they must make their own mistakes and follow their own path in life. Kate Morgan always set the bar high for her children and worked to be a good example for them. Kate is in her 50s and a senior partner at a law firm in New York City. After her politician husband passed away in a helicopter crash nineteen years previously, Kate went to law school while taking care of her kids with help from her mother, Margaret. Kate is proud of her children with their successful careers. She is unprepared when Claire announces she is having a child out of wedlock. Kate has old-fashioned ideals which she passed along to her kids. Claire, though, seems happy to shock her mother. Then Anthony announces he has broken off his engagement which paves the way for Tamara’s news. We see Kate struggle with each new announcement while juggling her clients. I found Child’s Play to be just the right length and it was easy to read. I quickly devoured it in a couple of hours. The characters are developed and realistic. Kate is an intelligent woman in her 50s who is also beautiful, sexy and vibrant. I like that Danielle Steel is giving us this type of mature character. Margaret, Kate’s mother, was my favorite. She provided keen insights and did not let her grandchildren’s news shake her. Kate could have let her children’s revelations alienate her from them, but we get to see how she adapts. Families continue to evolve as people mature as we see in Child’s Play. I liked that the main feature of the story was on the family with romance being secondary. There is some repetition of details which seems to be a trend in this author’s recent works. This repetitiveness is unnecessary. Child’s Play had the type of ending we look for from Danielle Steel. Child’s Play is dramatic family story with a spoiled sibling, shocking secrets, a lackluster lover, a boring bridezilla, a driven daughter, and a surprising suitor.
January 6, 2020
”I gave up all my time and energy to my kids for a lot of years, now it’s kind of nice to be lazy once in a while, and do what I want when I’m not working.”
The blurb of this book really appealed to me and the way it was described I thought a chain of great big stressful events would occur in Kate’s life which she’d learn from and have a big revelation but unfortunately I was fooled.
There were many things wrong with this book that annoyed me to no end so lets cover each one individually.
Anthony: At the start of the book, he is about to get married to a rich woman named Amanda who is described as this perfect woman and she is also preferred by Kate for her son. The book makes it really obvious though that he is marrying her because she wants it. Then later she is villainized for wanting a big wedding, spending on it too much and for being too involved in it. Anthony later meets a girl named Alicia and instantly falls in love with her. Then he cheats on Amanda and since he doesn’t tell her and “only made love with her when he couldn’t avoid it,” he also cheated on Alicia who didn’t know he was engaged.
This goes on for a while, and Anthony is portrayed as “being in misery, actually crying and being guilty” but he continues doing it because “Alicia lit him on fire” and “Amanda was too boring and dull.” When he does tell Alicia, she gives him a black eye which ofcourse Kate doesn’t approve of because she is “against domestic abuse”, despite her son being a dick and he breaks up with Amanda and gets his happy ending. (It is never mentioned if he tells Amanda about Alicia atleast out of courtesy). Anthony’s (29) cheating is just taken lightly in the book because he’s too shy and easily influenced. No one ever really reprimands him for cheating. (Imo his relationship in the future would also fizzle out with Alicia since its all lust based).
Claire: She’s portrayed as the child of the family. She falls in love and gets pregnant way too fast with a rich, famous guy named Reed. She is also villainized but much more intensely for not getting married and wanting to have a child out of wedlock. It felt like the author really wanted to force down the reader’s throat that Claire’s a bitch. She was constantly being portrayed as rude to her poor mother, too involved with her own pregnancy (which I did not find anything wrong with) and the author even went as far as to paint Claire as an uninvolved mother because she was too immature which was proved by her not wanting to get married and then having a child. She was also blatantly referred to as having no morals and was constantly being reprimanded (IRONIC!) by everyone except Reed who was apparently too much in love with her to give a damn. The only thing I could understand was Kate being a little apprehensive and perhaps Claire should have understood the “why” of it but the way everyone behaved with Claire following her announcement was unjustifiable.
Also Kate refers to Claire’s immoral announcement as “it was like Hiroshima” and I have never cringed harder in my life.
Kate: Kate is the most blandest character ever. She’s extremely narrow-minded. The book did everything to portray her as someone who has struggled a lot by making her first husband cheat on her and then die in a plane crash. She meets a guy named Scott near the end of the book who looks like a GQ guy not that it matters to her ofcourse and they have their happy ending. I have to add because it was so emphasized in the book, no 55 year old has sex that frequently and that many times in a day! (It felt unnecessary). She also says “having a child out of wedlock was like saying I belive in you enough to have your child but not enough to tell the world I love you” which is so dumb because if you’re okay with pre-marital sex, you should be okay with a wedlock baby.
In the end, all is fine but the problem is that we’re supposed to think Kate is an amazing mother (so many characters tell her that so many times) but she’s really not. She’s self-centered, privileged and idiotic. The book wants to paint her as accepting but she still refers to all the 3 things that happened as disasters, not to mention that the Anthony thing was a disaster to her not because her son cheated but because he’s with a Chinese and Puerto Rican underwear model (in her words).
When I tell you the author wants to emphasize what is wrong and what is right (Claire and Kate respectively), I’m putting it lightly. It’s actually said in words so many times, I was tired. Not to mention when Tammy gets married she states she wanted to get married and then have a kid “in the right order” (sigh).
I cannot find anything that I liked about this book. I guess the writing was okay but the author has written many more books in the past so that is expected. Also want to state that this is my first Danielle Steel book.
Thank you so much Panmacmillan India for providing me with a review copy.
The blurb of this book really appealed to me and the way it was described I thought a chain of great big stressful events would occur in Kate’s life which she’d learn from and have a big revelation but unfortunately I was fooled.
There were many things wrong with this book that annoyed me to no end so lets cover each one individually.
Anthony: At the start of the book, he is about to get married to a rich woman named Amanda who is described as this perfect woman and she is also preferred by Kate for her son. The book makes it really obvious though that he is marrying her because she wants it. Then later she is villainized for wanting a big wedding, spending on it too much and for being too involved in it. Anthony later meets a girl named Alicia and instantly falls in love with her. Then he cheats on Amanda and since he doesn’t tell her and “only made love with her when he couldn’t avoid it,” he also cheated on Alicia who didn’t know he was engaged.
This goes on for a while, and Anthony is portrayed as “being in misery, actually crying and being guilty” but he continues doing it because “Alicia lit him on fire” and “Amanda was too boring and dull.” When he does tell Alicia, she gives him a black eye which ofcourse Kate doesn’t approve of because she is “against domestic abuse”, despite her son being a dick and he breaks up with Amanda and gets his happy ending. (It is never mentioned if he tells Amanda about Alicia atleast out of courtesy). Anthony’s (29) cheating is just taken lightly in the book because he’s too shy and easily influenced. No one ever really reprimands him for cheating. (Imo his relationship in the future would also fizzle out with Alicia since its all lust based).
Claire: She’s portrayed as the child of the family. She falls in love and gets pregnant way too fast with a rich, famous guy named Reed. She is also villainized but much more intensely for not getting married and wanting to have a child out of wedlock. It felt like the author really wanted to force down the reader’s throat that Claire’s a bitch. She was constantly being portrayed as rude to her poor mother, too involved with her own pregnancy (which I did not find anything wrong with) and the author even went as far as to paint Claire as an uninvolved mother because she was too immature which was proved by her not wanting to get married and then having a child. She was also blatantly referred to as having no morals and was constantly being reprimanded (IRONIC!) by everyone except Reed who was apparently too much in love with her to give a damn. The only thing I could understand was Kate being a little apprehensive and perhaps Claire should have understood the “why” of it but the way everyone behaved with Claire following her announcement was unjustifiable.
Also Kate refers to Claire’s immoral announcement as “it was like Hiroshima” and I have never cringed harder in my life.
Kate: Kate is the most blandest character ever. She’s extremely narrow-minded. The book did everything to portray her as someone who has struggled a lot by making her first husband cheat on her and then die in a plane crash. She meets a guy named Scott near the end of the book who looks like a GQ guy not that it matters to her ofcourse and they have their happy ending. I have to add because it was so emphasized in the book, no 55 year old has sex that frequently and that many times in a day! (It felt unnecessary). She also says “having a child out of wedlock was like saying I belive in you enough to have your child but not enough to tell the world I love you” which is so dumb because if you’re okay with pre-marital sex, you should be okay with a wedlock baby.
In the end, all is fine but the problem is that we’re supposed to think Kate is an amazing mother (so many characters tell her that so many times) but she’s really not. She’s self-centered, privileged and idiotic. The book wants to paint her as accepting but she still refers to all the 3 things that happened as disasters, not to mention that the Anthony thing was a disaster to her not because her son cheated but because he’s with a Chinese and Puerto Rican underwear model (in her words).
When I tell you the author wants to emphasize what is wrong and what is right (Claire and Kate respectively), I’m putting it lightly. It’s actually said in words so many times, I was tired. Not to mention when Tammy gets married she states she wanted to get married and then have a kid “in the right order” (sigh).
I cannot find anything that I liked about this book. I guess the writing was okay but the author has written many more books in the past so that is expected. Also want to state that this is my first Danielle Steel book.
Thank you so much Panmacmillan India for providing me with a review copy.
March 28, 2020
Child’s Play by Danielle Steel is a fast, entertaining, short read. The author tackles some controversial issues. Every issue is quickly resolved by the last chapter.
November 2, 2019
Predictable and not one of her better stories.
October 24, 2019
This was the first Danielle Steel book I have ever read. I saw it at the library and figured, why not? I just wasn't too impressed by it. The characters were flat and I felt like the story moved along like a journal. Well on this day this happened. On this day this happened. Just over and over. Like someone else wrote in their review - rich people problems. Wow I am super thrilled you all get to travel to exotic locations all over the world but how about some real drama? Plus it annoyed me how much they put down the Amanda character. It figures that my namesake would be the one getting screwed over at every turn...and the rest of the main characters were totally ok with it. This type of bullying spurred my dislike for the majority of the main characters. The only two that were enjoyable to me were Tammy and Stacy. The rest...ugh. Borderline insufferable.
It was a quick read, and I did buy a few Danielle Steel books at a book sale recently. I will give her another try. This book was just not for me overall.
It was a quick read, and I did buy a few Danielle Steel books at a book sale recently. I will give her another try. This book was just not for me overall.
November 7, 2019
Another easy, breezy enjoyable read. Kate is a widowed, mid 50s attorney with three children who keep her on her toes with lots of relationship and life drama as she tries to keep her “perfect” life and family moving forward. When each child brings changes into their own lives, it shakes up Kate’s. (You have to love Kate’s mother who is the true rock in the family.) Nice to continue to see Kate, a character of “a certain age” portrayed as sexy and vibrant. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2019
I love Danielle Steel but so far this was my least favorite book. I really didn’t like the relationship changes and they didn’t seem to care. It really made me not like the characters. I normally love all of her books but this one just missed the mark for me.
September 11, 2019
I have always and always will love books by Danielle Steel. She certainly has a standard writing style she uses and I always enjoy her books!
November 14, 2019
This book made me mad early on, when the Mom felt her children weren't holding strong to the "perfect" lifestyle they were raised to and what Mom thought they were living. When the kids decide to start following their own beliefs, Mom reveals that she and her deceased husband were not so perfect themselves. Once this is revealed, Mom accepts the kids life choices which strengthens the family. I think Danielle Steel really went in a different direction with this story and I appreciated the change of direction. I also thought she brought it all together very well in the end. 7 out of 10.
April 19, 2023
*2.5 stars
Child’s Play is a story that unpacks the idea of motherhood and families being perfect constructions. A drama filled novel that tries to get in touch with modern day issues, Child’s Play is another fast family soap opera from bestselling author Danielle Steel.
Following the life of single mother Kate Morgan, this successful fifty something woman juggles here family life with her position as a partner in a highly respected law firm in the big apple. This mother of three sings the praises of her grown up children and she is so proud of what each has accomplished. With a solid education and successful career pathways chosen, Kate’s children are the apple of their mum’s eye. It’s been hard at times for Kate to weather the responsibility of raising her children single handed following the death of her husband. Kate is sure her children have the perfect lives and everything that could wish for in the world. But Kate is in for a shock when her house of cards comes falling down one summer. Kate’s world is rocked by a series of issues and events that strike right at the heart of her seemingly perfect family unit. Kate must also reveal her own secrets to her family, with some surprising responses. Can Kate let her long held hopes and expectation of her children free in the wake of this life changing summer?
Child’s Play has the official Danielle Steel logo printed all over it. A story that combines success, family, romance, drama and neat happy ever afters, this October 2019 release was a very simple and straightforward tale that I completed in just an afternoon reading session.
Child’s Play takes a look at the idea of motherhood in your later years when your offspring are all grown up. Following Steel’s mother figure lead and her three adult children, this 2019 release tries to be topical, relatable and connective. It is hard to imagine how I would feel about my own children and their life choices in a decade or two from now. Steel places us in the shoes of fifty something single mother who is trying to grapple with the changes her children have had to face in recent times. This is a kind of adversity and personal challenge tale, but it doesn’t go into too much depth. I tried to relate to the characters and their various conflicts, but it was hard going. I especially didn’t warm to the main character’s youngest child, what a brat! I did appreciate one of the storylines involving the sexual choices made by one Kate’s other children, it was good to see such a current issue inserted in to the narrative. There isn’t too much more I can say about Child’s Play. The characters are pretty ordinary, the pace is fast, the narrative short and is written in Steel’s predicable mode. Expect some drama, emotion, romance, challenge and a neat end.
Child’s Play represents yet another average standalone release from Danielle Steel.
*Thanks to the publisher for a review copy
Child’s Play is a story that unpacks the idea of motherhood and families being perfect constructions. A drama filled novel that tries to get in touch with modern day issues, Child’s Play is another fast family soap opera from bestselling author Danielle Steel.
Following the life of single mother Kate Morgan, this successful fifty something woman juggles here family life with her position as a partner in a highly respected law firm in the big apple. This mother of three sings the praises of her grown up children and she is so proud of what each has accomplished. With a solid education and successful career pathways chosen, Kate’s children are the apple of their mum’s eye. It’s been hard at times for Kate to weather the responsibility of raising her children single handed following the death of her husband. Kate is sure her children have the perfect lives and everything that could wish for in the world. But Kate is in for a shock when her house of cards comes falling down one summer. Kate’s world is rocked by a series of issues and events that strike right at the heart of her seemingly perfect family unit. Kate must also reveal her own secrets to her family, with some surprising responses. Can Kate let her long held hopes and expectation of her children free in the wake of this life changing summer?
Child’s Play has the official Danielle Steel logo printed all over it. A story that combines success, family, romance, drama and neat happy ever afters, this October 2019 release was a very simple and straightforward tale that I completed in just an afternoon reading session.
Child’s Play takes a look at the idea of motherhood in your later years when your offspring are all grown up. Following Steel’s mother figure lead and her three adult children, this 2019 release tries to be topical, relatable and connective. It is hard to imagine how I would feel about my own children and their life choices in a decade or two from now. Steel places us in the shoes of fifty something single mother who is trying to grapple with the changes her children have had to face in recent times. This is a kind of adversity and personal challenge tale, but it doesn’t go into too much depth. I tried to relate to the characters and their various conflicts, but it was hard going. I especially didn’t warm to the main character’s youngest child, what a brat! I did appreciate one of the storylines involving the sexual choices made by one Kate’s other children, it was good to see such a current issue inserted in to the narrative. There isn’t too much more I can say about Child’s Play. The characters are pretty ordinary, the pace is fast, the narrative short and is written in Steel’s predicable mode. Expect some drama, emotion, romance, challenge and a neat end.
Child’s Play represents yet another average standalone release from Danielle Steel.
*Thanks to the publisher for a review copy
March 17, 2020
Many years ago, I was a big fan of Steel's novels; I'd read them within a day or two. While I did read this book within three days, I found myself disappointed by it.
Firstly, maybe it's just me, but I'd wager that a good eighty percent of her female characters are blond, blue eyed, long-legged and toned. How about some variation in there?
Secondly, the plot was thoroughly predictable, which is not historically the case with Steel's novels.
Personally, I was annoyed with Steel's need to constantly remind readers that Tammy was going to have a "gay wedding"; why not simply state that she had a wedding? Why did she feel the need to differentiate between a wedding and a gay wedding? I just felt as though she made a rather strong effort to remind readers of this one too many times.
Secondly, Claire; she was a difficult character to like or even sympathize with. While Claire was acting out quite a bit, I was just amazed by the amount of negativity regarding her (comments between family, conversations between Kate and Scott, etc). Again, I know Claire was acting rather immaturely and I was severely disappointed in her perspective/behaviors toward motherhood, but it just seemed to go beyond that.
Thirdly, as much as I liked Scott, that relationship was a bit intense. And some of his opinions about Parenthood weren't particularly fun to read ("I would have shot them already (if they were my kids" or however he said that to Kate. Just weird.
I am truly disappointed in this book. It's very unfortunate because she does write well.
Firstly, maybe it's just me, but I'd wager that a good eighty percent of her female characters are blond, blue eyed, long-legged and toned. How about some variation in there?
Secondly, the plot was thoroughly predictable, which is not historically the case with Steel's novels.
Personally, I was annoyed with Steel's need to constantly remind readers that Tammy was going to have a "gay wedding"; why not simply state that she had a wedding? Why did she feel the need to differentiate between a wedding and a gay wedding? I just felt as though she made a rather strong effort to remind readers of this one too many times.
Secondly, Claire; she was a difficult character to like or even sympathize with. While Claire was acting out quite a bit, I was just amazed by the amount of negativity regarding her (comments between family, conversations between Kate and Scott, etc). Again, I know Claire was acting rather immaturely and I was severely disappointed in her perspective/behaviors toward motherhood, but it just seemed to go beyond that.
Thirdly, as much as I liked Scott, that relationship was a bit intense. And some of his opinions about Parenthood weren't particularly fun to read ("I would have shot them already (if they were my kids" or however he said that to Kate. Just weird.
I am truly disappointed in this book. It's very unfortunate because she does write well.
August 22, 2019
Kate reared three as close to perfect children as any mother could dream. However, in a span of one year all of,their lives would be transformed. All would find love, babies would be born, hearts would be broken and healed. Some of the plot was totally predictable but that doesn't take away from Steel's story. The author has a gift for conjuring vile characters and Claire fulfills that role. Child's Play is a pleasant easy read about accepting family, faults and all. Thanks to NetGalley for the early read.
July 7, 2020
Totally predictable. Hated Claire— spoiled brat is putting it mildly. Corny. Sappy. Snore.
December 27, 2021
No, thank you. Not my kind of book. I couldn’t even finish it, which is very rare for me.
March 1, 2025
Very enjoyable. Great character development.
August 8, 2023
In "Child's Play" by Danielle Steel, the author presents a story that is both engaging, I seriously read this fucking book in 2 days. While Steel may not be considered a great writer in terms of literary prowess, she excels at storytelling, capturing the attention of million of readers and keeping them hooked until the very end.
One aspect of the book that stood out to me was the setting. At first, I was convinced that the story was set in the 1970's rather than modern-day.
The main character, Kate, comes across as judgmental and self-centered, making every interaction with her children about herself. This portrayal of Kate's character could have easily fit into a narrative from the 1970s, where societal norms and expectations were different. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Steel intends to challenge these norms and explore the growth and evolution of her characters.
Despite the veneer of enlightenment that Kate acquires throughout the plot, it is evident that her self-centered personality remains unchanged. She expects too much from her grown children and fails to truly understand and support them. This aspect of Kate's character is realistic and relatable, as many parents struggle to let go and allow their children to live their own lives.
The book takes a turn when the family faces various challenges, such as a child born out of wedlock, a broken engagement, and the revelation of a daughter's homosexuality. It is interesting to see how Kate's reactions differ depending on the situation. While she initially reacts negatively to her daughter Claire's pregnancy and desire to remain unattached, she surprisingly shows acceptance and support when her son Anthony has an affair and breaks off his engagement. This double standard within the family highlights the complexities of human relationships and the biases that can exist even within close-knit families.
One of the most disappointing aspects of the book is Steel's portrayal of pregnancy and childbirth. Claire's lack of preparation and refusal to push during labor is portrayed as unrealistic and ignorant. This portrayal is contrasted with Tammy and her wife's effortless and perfect labor experiences, which are presented as a reward for their maturity and moral standing. This depiction of childbirth as a reflection of a mother's moral state is outdated and harmful, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and potentially causing distress to readers who have had difficult birthing experiences.
"Child's Play" by Danielle Steel is a captivating story that explores the complexities of family dynamics and societal expectations. While the book has its flaws, such as the portrayal of childbirth and the inconsistent character development of Kate, it still manages to engage readers and provoke thought. Steel's strength as a storyteller shines through, making this book an enjoyable read despite its shortcomings.
One aspect of the book that stood out to me was the setting. At first, I was convinced that the story was set in the 1970's rather than modern-day.
The main character, Kate, comes across as judgmental and self-centered, making every interaction with her children about herself. This portrayal of Kate's character could have easily fit into a narrative from the 1970s, where societal norms and expectations were different. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Steel intends to challenge these norms and explore the growth and evolution of her characters.
Despite the veneer of enlightenment that Kate acquires throughout the plot, it is evident that her self-centered personality remains unchanged. She expects too much from her grown children and fails to truly understand and support them. This aspect of Kate's character is realistic and relatable, as many parents struggle to let go and allow their children to live their own lives.
The book takes a turn when the family faces various challenges, such as a child born out of wedlock, a broken engagement, and the revelation of a daughter's homosexuality. It is interesting to see how Kate's reactions differ depending on the situation. While she initially reacts negatively to her daughter Claire's pregnancy and desire to remain unattached, she surprisingly shows acceptance and support when her son Anthony has an affair and breaks off his engagement. This double standard within the family highlights the complexities of human relationships and the biases that can exist even within close-knit families.
One of the most disappointing aspects of the book is Steel's portrayal of pregnancy and childbirth. Claire's lack of preparation and refusal to push during labor is portrayed as unrealistic and ignorant. This portrayal is contrasted with Tammy and her wife's effortless and perfect labor experiences, which are presented as a reward for their maturity and moral standing. This depiction of childbirth as a reflection of a mother's moral state is outdated and harmful, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and potentially causing distress to readers who have had difficult birthing experiences.
"Child's Play" by Danielle Steel is a captivating story that explores the complexities of family dynamics and societal expectations. While the book has its flaws, such as the portrayal of childbirth and the inconsistent character development of Kate, it still manages to engage readers and provoke thought. Steel's strength as a storyteller shines through, making this book an enjoyable read despite its shortcomings.
January 15, 2020
Sometimes I ask myself why I keep reading Danielle Steel. While reading Child's Play, I think I figured out why I like reading her books so much. It is because I know what to expect...even with the plot changes, I am able to predict them. Reading Danielle Steel is like snuggling underneath your favorite soft blanket. The blanket may be worn thin in a few places but you can't stand to get rid of it. That is why I keep reading Danielle Steel- sure, it can be predictable and in many cases I have outgrown some of her writing style (her writing tells in third person narrative but doesn't really master the show part.) I still keep reading and often re-reading her work because it is my familiar, comfortable, and quite the feel good escape.
I really like how the relationships change in Child's Play. The main character is Kate, a very successful attorney and mother of three amazing and perfect children. Only they are not so perfect as she discovers in the course of one year. I would love to see more about Claire... her character doesn't have as much depth as the other characters...so I think there is a story there waiting to be told about Kate's spoiled daughter and her new role as a mother. I also liked the ending too (no spoilers!)
Danielle Steel tackles old fashioned values with new modern ways of living with style and class as Kate learns more about who her children really are. Thank you to my public library for this edition for me to read and enjoy!!
I really like how the relationships change in Child's Play. The main character is Kate, a very successful attorney and mother of three amazing and perfect children. Only they are not so perfect as she discovers in the course of one year. I would love to see more about Claire... her character doesn't have as much depth as the other characters...so I think there is a story there waiting to be told about Kate's spoiled daughter and her new role as a mother. I also liked the ending too (no spoilers!)
Danielle Steel tackles old fashioned values with new modern ways of living with style and class as Kate learns more about who her children really are. Thank you to my public library for this edition for me to read and enjoy!!
October 13, 2019
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com
What I think I liked best is that the man character is older and a self-reliant as well as competent. What she also is, is a single mom of 3 adult “kids” who are dealing with a lot amongst themselves. As the lives of her children start to unfold, and she finds out, she questions everything she thought she knew.
Danielle Steel is one of the best at women’s lit and this is exactly why. As an older mom I really could relate to Kate. Of course, not the trauma but the worry for your own children. How you plan the future for your children as they grow and everything you teach them to have everything they need to be productive adults. But what if what you thought you accomplished wasn’t it at all.
Wonderful quick read that really keeps your attention. Another hit by Danielle Steel.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
What I think I liked best is that the man character is older and a self-reliant as well as competent. What she also is, is a single mom of 3 adult “kids” who are dealing with a lot amongst themselves. As the lives of her children start to unfold, and she finds out, she questions everything she thought she knew.
Danielle Steel is one of the best at women’s lit and this is exactly why. As an older mom I really could relate to Kate. Of course, not the trauma but the worry for your own children. How you plan the future for your children as they grow and everything you teach them to have everything they need to be productive adults. But what if what you thought you accomplished wasn’t it at all.
Wonderful quick read that really keeps your attention. Another hit by Danielle Steel.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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