My Stepmother's Secret: An incredibly powerful and heartbreaking story about a family dilemma

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The parent,” says Martin, “feels attached to, pulled by, nourished by and connected to the same child as the step-parent feels rejected by, ignored by, jealous of, competitive with and exhausted by.” I just want to say Thank you to author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this 5 star story . I truly appreciate it! I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Nicholas Sparks, Kate Hewitt, Diane Chamberlain Jojo Moyes, Jodi Picoult, Colleen Hoover and just anyone looking for a beautiful read.

Gabbie finally realizes she must depend on others for help. Highly charged topics from addiction, bullying, infidelity, affairs, family secrets, marriage, relationships, self-awareness, and second chances. Robinson's writing style is nothing short of captivating, as she teases out the story layer by layer, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. I found myself invested in Gabbie's dilemma, unsure of which way I wanted the story to go. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, and I couldn't put the book down. Gabbie also has challenges of motherhood to her two daughter Olivia and Alice, But, she has to stay strong, to keep them safe and loved from the world around them. But, the only way she can do this is to return to one place, Gabbie hoped she would never return to, her family home!. With so many happy memories of the one place she once called home when her dad was alive. Sadly he died Her father left her the house but with one proviso. His second wife, Gabby's stepmother, was to be allowed to live there for as long as she wanted. The main mystery in My Stepmother’s Secret is why did Gabbie and her two daughter’s up and leave her husband to come stay with her Stepmother?! It was kept hush hush from everyone including the readers! I was dying to know what was going on and why she was so close lipped about it. However, I never ever in a million years think that would be the reason! I didn’t see that coming! Reading this book gave me a great deal more sympathy for the plight of the stepmother, which is probably overdue because I am married to a woman who struggled for years to fill that role. If I had solved the problems of being in a blended family (a ridiculous misnomer, as Martin says), I would conclude with some sage advice. But I haven’t.This well written family saga was full of secrets and the effects that those secrets had on other people. Gabbie has to decide whether to stay in her marriage and what she should tell her daughters about their father. It's also about choices and change. Is it possible to see people and situations differently than you have all of your life?. Wow!!! Where to even begin?? Yet another stunning domestic drama from the extremely talented and absolutely wonderful Emma Robinson. Gabbie is the mom to 16 yr. old Olivia and 8 yr. old Alice. She is married to Liam who turns out to have secrets that is tearing the family apart. However, Liam has a way of hiding those secrets and being the "favorite, fun parent." Throughout the story Gabbie is reminded of her own childhood and the loss of her mother at 13. We really have two stories in one with this one. The story where Gabbie is a child and one where she is the adult and parent. I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. Emma incorporated some very deep, powerful and meaningful life lessons within each storyline. Lessons that can be used in our own lives as well.

Heartbreaking… Had me with a huge lump in my throat and reaching for my box of tissues more than once… Heart-wrenching… Hits on a deep emotional level.’ Robin Loves Reading ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ For some reason I was expecting a thriller, it definitely wasn't that, it was a straightforward general fiction based around family dynamics.Alice Moore needs to be commended on this beautiful cover design for My Stepmother’s Secret. Emma always has a great eye for cover designers for her books. Genres covered in this novel include Literary Fiction, Women's Divorce Fiction, Mystery, Romantic Fiction, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction, Women's Writers & Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Literary Saga, Mothers & Children Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Domestic Fiction, Family Saga, Women's Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Women's Saga, Emotional Drama and Fiction amongst others. Loved, loved, and really loved!!!!! Warning, a box of tissues was needed to get through this entire book. My tears were never-ending and it pulled on every heart-string in my body… I enjoyed every minute of this book.’ Blue Moon Blogger ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Having read some of Robinson's previous works, I have to say that this is her greatest novel to date. She writes from the heart, but skillfully avoids sentimentality, crafting a story that mirrors the complexity of real life in all its thorniness and messiness. As Robinson explores the truths we believe and the extent we’ll go to uncover the truth, readers are pulled into Gracie and Gabbie’s lives. We learn that things aren’t always as we see them and that there’s always more to the picture than we let ourselves believe. We also step deep into the emotional roller coaster that takes off when we realize that there are some things we can’t control - other’s actions.

It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture. In the end, the stepmother may begin to sour, because she is only human in the face of rejection, anger and hatred. And thus she will be in danger of becoming the stereotype she always wanted to avoid. Only, unlike the stepmother of myth, she is tormented by guilt, a sense of failure and a feeling of being betrayed by her husband.My experience as a reader was nothing short of complete immersion in the story and its characters. As Gabbie struggled with tough choices, I felt a range of emotions that truly pulled me in. What stood out to me the most was how Robinson handled sensitive and difficult topics, such as addiction and bullying, with both grace and sensitivity. I could feel every single emotion Gabbie was going through and it was like I knew her personally. All of the scenes were perfectly described and It was easy to feel as if you were right there in the middle of all of it. I cried and cried some more. I highly recommend reading this story with a box