Friday 31 March 2017

THE STEPMOTHER

by Claire Seeber

 

It's not exactly a fairy tale about Snow White. It's actually a better story, a darker and a more real story. It could  happen to your sister or a friend...






I'm giving it 4 stars and a bit.
I enjoyed this book! Although it did not quite make it to the 5 stars level, it nevertheless was a good one.

The story is told by Jeanie and Marlena. They are sisters.

They had quite a difficult childhood, they both grew up and got wherever they've got in live mostly not "because" but rather "despite".
Jeanie is the older one. She cared for her little sister when they were young.
They have a great bond and they understand what irreparable damage had been done to them by the neglect and carelessness of their own parents.

Years go by and Jeanie has a son of her own, who she adores.
She has also just married Matthew, and she moved in to live in his beautiful house with his two children, Luke and Scarlett. Even though things don't go smooth all the time, it is the new life that Jeanie wanted and all the hopes are high that things will work out, it'll all fall into the right places and one day they will truly be that picture perfect family.

But Jeanie also has some luggage from her past dragging her back into the dark times.
Can it be locked away and left behind?
Should she tell Matthew?

Why there are some strange things happening? Is it her step-children acting up? Is it Matthew's ex-wife? Is it someone from the past catching up with Jeanie's present and trying to destroy her future?
Maybe it's Jeanie herself? Or is she overreacting and imagining things?

First, when I started reading I thought that the parts inserted from Marlena's perspective were a bit daft and out of place. But as the story unravelled, so did Marlena's stories and bit by bit they started adding up and explaining certain things about Jeanie.

I liked that every so often there were episodes introducing new side to the characters. You just think that you figured out him or her, and next thing comes a little bit where the character presented from a different perspective and it makes you question the whole lot.

Not the most original plot, but presentation is definitely has its novelty.

Perhaps, a little light hearted insertions would make the book even better, as half way through the writing felt a bit tedious and strained.

Overall, yes, enjoyable reading!
Will be keeping an eye out for more books by this author!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Hello, hello! Book lovers and Coffee lovers are very welcome! This is a blog where I am writing about books that I have read and share some...