A review by christinam
Can I Give My Stepkids Back by Aurélie Tramier

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

After suddenly losing her sister, Morgan is stunned to learn she has become the legal guardian of her niece Lea and nephew Elliot. Albeit slightly overwhelmed, Morgan is determined to honour her sister's wishes. But between Elliot's rough start in a new school and her meddling narcissistic mother, she starts to doubt whether she's cut out for the task of raising children. As Elliot, Lea, Morgan and her loveable pup Snoopy try to create a new family unit, troubling parts of Morgan's traumatic past threaten to upend this new arrangement before it's really had time to develop. 

The title of this one is a bit misleading because Elliot and Lea are not stepkids in the traditional sense of the word. Once you get past that mental toad block, it's a really lovely book. A quirky and emotive story about a family picking up the broken pieces of their hearts and learning to heal together. 
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