With Jacqueline Wilson-esque vibes, My Wicked Stepmother is a fantastic teen novel that tackles sensitive issues in a comical yet heartfelt manner.
One of those rare first person novels that really captures your attention, My Wicked Stepmother envelopes you in its narrative, making you feel as if you are our protagonist’s (Lou) diary and you are the one hearing her inner most secrets. It follows a turbulent year in Lou’s life as she navigates the split and divorce of her parents, and gets to know the new woman in her father’s life. It’s pacey and action-packed yet not overly so, so as to mirror the events of real life in a believable manner.
The consistency of the characters is a real strong point of the novel and their quirks and personalities shine through on the pages; they’re gritty and emotional, real people not too dissimilar to those you’ve met in your own life. I imagine many a teenager will feel much the same as Lou about many of life’s inevitabilities and possibilities, and will relate strongly to our lead character; her conversations and text messages are very reminiscent of a modern-day teenager as well as her attitude and behaviour!
A fantastic tool for those who may be going through a similar experience to Lou but also an excellent read for anyone who enjoys teenage drama, The Book Dragon reviewed this on behalf of the author and awards it 5 stars.
