Publisher: St Martin’s Press
Pages: 400
Released: 2012
Source: Personal Copy
Review: 3/5
Synopsis:
Andi always wanted to get married and have children, she wanted to have the perfect family. It wasn’t until she was thirty-seven that she finally found someone that she wholeheartedly loved. When Andi married Ethan she knew he came with baggage, he was divorced and had two daughters but she was determined to make it work and treat his daughters as if they were his own. Their mother is an alcoholic and very distant with the girls, she tends to use them as leverage with Ethan. Ethan’s youngest daughter Sophia, was able to adjust fairly quickly to the marriage. Unfortunately, Ethan’s teenage daughter Emily is bitter and resentful, lashing out at Andi. Ethan is stuck between the love for his daughter and the love for his wife. Emily constantly manipulates her father, which ultimately puts a strain on his marriage.
Review:
Another Piece Of My Heart was a good read, but I struggled with the characters. I felt bad for Andi because her husband let his daughter treat her horribly. He was constantly manipulated by a seventeen year old, who would cry and throw tantrums. Ethan was always making excuses for her and Andi was left to deal with the situation herself. She was constantly walking on egg shells in her own home, trying to keep the peace, and she began to resent her stepdaughter. At the same time, I felt like she should have stuck up for herself a little more. Ethan seemed very weak, and I couldn’t understand his character. Andi and Ethan were always giving into Emily demands, accepting her alcohol and drug abuse. They were ignoring the problems, hoping to keep Emily quiet. The storyline didn’t seem realistic to me.
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I liked this one more than you did. I've known several stepparents and they did often feel like they were walking on eggshells.
ReplyDeleteUgh, honestly: I borderline hated this book. I think part of my issue was listening to it on audio, but the narrative was like nails on a chalkboard. Emily was the worst -- so incredibly annoying, bratty and ridiculous. And Andi acted so spineless and awful that I couldn't feel for her, either. And Ethan?! I just wanted to read him the riot act! ...I'm getting mad again just thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteI think this book would possibly annoy me. I am a step-parent, and if this happened in my home, I would be utterly miserable and walk out. I can't believe that Andi stayed and kept on and on with it. I wouldn't be able to handle something like this, no matter how much I loved the man! Great review today. Got me thinking!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it would be an incredibly frustrating read. In general though, how do you feel about the author? I've never read Jane Green but I've been curious about her.
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower! Your blog is beautiful!
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From your review I think that the characters in this one would infuriate me too much. The fact that the parents are so passive and the older sister is a reckless brat with no discipline would make me want to toss the book.
ReplyDeleteI used to love Jane Green so I am really sad that her books have gone downhill in recent years.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't believe then the story won't ever work..bummer. The characters sound awful..LOL
ReplyDelete