Books Read: Jane Green - The Patchwork Marriage

Source - Received from publisher to review

Are love and devotion enough to create a happy family?

When Andi married Ethan, she not only got the man she loved but also the chance to be a mother, to his daughters Emily and Sophia.  Unable to have a child of her own, Andi saw this opportunity of motherhood as a precious gift.  If only it were that simple.

For this is not a happy family, and the trouble lies with Emily.  Her conflicted feelings towards her stepmother leave Andi feeling hated in her own home, despite years of trying to reach out to her stepdaughter.  And with each new drama, Emily drives Andi and Ethan further apart.

Just as Andi starts to contemplate a life without Ethan and the girls, Emily comes home with some shocking news.  News that will change their lives forever.

This is one book that had been on my Amazon wishlist for a while so I was very lucky to be sent a copy of this book to review from Penguin.

When Andi meets and marries Ethan she thinks she's going to get everything she has ever wanted...a family...however the reality is something completely different.  Although she is welcomed with open arms by his youngest daughter Sophia, it's a completely different story with older daughter Emily and his alcoholic ex-wife Janice.

Emily resents Andi's whole presence and tries to cause problems between Andi and Ethan whenever she can, at times forcing Ethan to have to side with either his daughter or his wife which is a lose/lose situation for him as one party will end up being hurt and disappointed.   After years of trying to diffuse situations Andi finally reaches breaking point and is ready to leave which is when Emily really throws them all a curveball!

What follows is the families attempt to come to terms with her news and work out what's the best option for everyone, Ethan, Andi and Emily.

This book deals with a lot of complex issues that I'm sure are found in many blended families, jealousy and resentment of the parents new partner, fear of the child that they will not be loved as much and divided loyalty of the parent between child and partner.  As well as the many emotions that are encountered in Emily's situation (trying not to give too much away here).