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The Patchwork Marriage

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Indeed, when beginning my blog in January I was quite unaware of how much spare time my blog would eat into, and there have been many times where the temptation to sleep for an extra hour rather than read has been somewhat overwhelming. For those of you who follow my blog, you will know that this month my challenge is to read a Jane Austen book; a feat I have not yet managed.

From her earlier books Jemima J, Straight Talking and Bookends, through to her more recent offerings of The Beach House and the heartbreaking The Love Verb, each of her novels deliver exactly what they should; a warm, engaging read that guarantees to absorb its readers.

It tells the story of Andi, who having married Ethan in her late thirties becomes step-mother to his two daughters, mild-mannered Sophia and nightmare teen Emily, who does everything in her power to cause a rift in their marriage. With sympathetically portrayed characters and gritty realism throughout the novel, The Patchwork Marriage offers a refreshing take on step-families, and the issues all parties need to overcome in order to live in harmony. The San Francisco setting offers a serene backdrop against the intricacies of family life and the frank take on motherhood that dominates the book.

Both enjoyable and thought-provoking, The Patchwork Marriage was certainly a welcome reprieve before I begin the next step of my challenge. When Andi married Ethan she not only got the man she loves but also a ready-made family in his two daughters, Emily and Sophia.


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Her vicious anger and fierce resentment towards her stepmother leaves Andi feeling hated in her own home. Her tears, tantrums and expertise in the art of emotional blackmail have Ethan steeped in guilt. With each drama Emily is driving Andi and Ethan further apart. Torn between his troubled teenaged daughter and his beloved wife, Ethan's desperate to fix this rift before he loses Andi for ever. He just doesn't know how. With tensions high and everyone at breaking point, Emily comes home with some shocking news. Parents divorcing and forging new relationships have become a norm in our society my family included, and this paints a glimpse into one such family.

At the beginning of the book, my loyalties lay with Andi but as the plot developed and I began to understand the other characters in the story, Emily began to gain some of my sympathy — when you think of her parental situation.


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The book is very balanced between the characters. Yes, Emily is very much seen as the villain and Andi the heroine but each are given their space which allowed empathy to be distributed more evenly.

The Patchwork Marriage: A modern family melodrama

I read this book in a couple of sessions not bad for someone who was on night shift at the time. The Patchwork Marriage is available via Amazon. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Novel Kicks is a blog for story tellers and book lovers.

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Jane Lane and the Royal Miracle. Published July 25, By Laura. You May Also Like I started Novel Kicks in I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts. I grew up by the sea my favourite place in the world and I currently live in Hampshire.

The Patchwork Marriage: A modern family melodrama - The National

I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly.

Jane Green's video chat on VYou 03.15.2012 (Part 1)

My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter.