You can’t choose your family – but you can choose your friends… A heartfelt, warm and truthful novel about female friendship.
Eve has never imagined herself as a stepmother. But when she falls in love with Ian, he comes with a ready-made family of three children. And, to make matters worse, he’s a widower. The ghost of his glamorous and well known wife haunts them.
Clare, a teacher and single mother, is Eve’s best friend. She is the only person Eve can talk to about how on earth a journalist in her thirties can win round three wary children. But despite Clare’s years of practice with her own teenage daughter, it’s Lily, her younger sister, who provides the truly sympathetic ear.
Mel is sent along to Eve’s so-called ‘support group’ by a colleague. With a fledgling relationship and a new business to get off the ground, she has a very different set of pressures to the other women.
And Mandy is the stay-at-home mum, whose relationship comes with stepchildren, and who wants more than anything to stitch together a happy family life for herself, her kids and her new step-kids.
As a cup of coffee turns to a bottle of wine and the get-togethers become a regular fixture, conversations about new families evolve into ones about relationships, life and each woman’s deepest hopes and dreams. But the friendship is tested and feelings about lovers, husbands and step-children challenged when the five women are forced to confront new futures as well as unwelcome figures from the past…
Dive into the heartwarming and relatable world of "The Step-Mothers' Support Group" by acclaimed author Sam Baker. This poignant novel, published by HarperCollins in 2009, explores the complexities of modern family life, female friendship, and the challenges of navigating blended families with warmth, wit, and genuine understanding. Eve, a journalist in her thirties, finds her life unexpectedly transformed when she falls in love with Ian, a widower with three children. Thrust into the role of stepmother, Eve grapples with the daunting task of connecting with her new family while constantly feeling the presence of Ian's late wife. Seeking guidance and support, she leans on her best friend, Clare, a teacher and single mother facing her own set of challenges with a teenage daughter. As Eve navigates the trials and tribulations of step-parenting, she finds herself drawn to a support group for stepmothers, where she encounters a diverse group of women, each with their unique experiences and perspectives. Mel, a driven entrepreneur juggling a new relationship and a fledgling business, brings a fresh perspective to the group. Mandy, a stay-at-home mum with stepchildren of her own, yearns to create a harmonious family life amidst the complexities of blended families. And Lily, Clares younger sister, offers a sympathetic ear, providing a safe space for Eve to vent her frustrations and anxieties. Through regular get-togethers fueled by coffee and wine, the women forge a strong bond of friendship, sharing their deepest hopes, fears, and dreams. They discuss everything from the challenges of dealing with difficult stepchildren to the complexities of their own relationships and personal aspirations. However, their newfound camaraderie is put to the test when old wounds resurface, and unwelcome figures from the past threaten to disrupt their lives. As they confront new futures and unexpected challenges, the women must rely on their friendship to navigate the rocky terrain of love, family, and self-discovery. "The Step-Mothers' Support Group" is more than just a novel about step-parenting; it's a celebration of female friendship, resilience, and the power of community. Sam Baker masterfully captures the nuances of human relationships, creating believable and relatable characters that readers will connect with on a deep level. With its blend of humor, heartache, and heartfelt moments, this book is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with family dynamics, relationship challenges, or the search for belonging. This paperback edition contains 414 pages of compelling storytelling and weighs 289 grams, making it a perfect addition to your book collection. Perfect for readers interested in contemporary fiction, women's fiction, or stories about family and friendship.