The Stepmother by Melissa Tereze is an age-gap romance with an interesting twist. The title pretty much says it all, but this is more than just a story between two women connected to one man. It’s a story of accepting who you are, who you love, and truly living life to the fullest.
Hayley McAllister never cared much for her father while he was alive. But now that he’s passed away, she feels it’s safe to return to her childhood home and tie up some loose ends. The only thing she’ll have to endure is her dad’s new wife, whom Hayley believes is a carbon copy of her father – cold, judgmental, and completely unloving. A key turn here, a door creak there, and Hayley finds herself face to face with Diane Astell – a walking, talking beauty with divine legs…and her new stepmother.
Diane is intimately acquainted with heartbreak and loneliness. She’d married for companionship, not romance, but now that her husband has passed, she wants to finally have fun and like to live. When she sees Hayley, she is in awe of her brazen honesty, and her flirty nature. Behind the façade, though, Diane recognizes the same loneliness and longing in Hayley that she sees in herself.
Despite their age difference, their chemistry and attraction is hotter than the Spanish sun. Their connection runs deeper than just a vacation fling, but the expiration date to admitting there’s something more between them is fast approaching, with consequences neither could’ve seen coming.
Will Hayley and Diane go back to their lives as if nothing happened between them? Or can they let go of what they thought they wanted in exchange for gaining a lifetime of love with the one person who understands you better than you understand yourself?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
PJ: Ok, so I know the premise may be controversial, but you will like this book. There is no cheating and the age difference is not that significant. I really liked the chemistry between Hayley and Diane right from the start. Their attraction was immediate, and you could feel it. The author did a great job with the flow of the relationship, although not a slow-burn romance, she let the characters establish a friendship/kinship before steamy scenes happened. I enjoyed the progression of the characters getting to know each other and then getting to understand and care for each other before they became sexual.
Anna: I totally agree with PJ in the sense that the title of this book sounded controversial and made me skeptical. But, in a way that only Tereze can, she takes a subject reflecting society’s inability to accept certain pairings and shows the beauty in them. Even though the title maybe off-putting, The Stepmother is a story about healing through finding your true self, healing by accepting the past, and most importantly, healing through an all-consuming love.
Cons And Heads Up
PJ: No cons here! Except maybe the jealousy of not living in Ibiza!
Anna: Only con I have is that Hayley needs more supportive friends!
The Conclusion
PJ: This was a great book that has many of my favorite things. Age-gap, sexy destinations, and a good amount of steam. I enjoyed the progression of the relationship between the two main characters. I loved the descriptions of Ibiza as well, what do you say Ana? Ready for a vacation?
Anna: Tereze’s ability to take taboo subjects and simultaneously making them gut-wrenching, heart-warming stories always astounds me. I look forward to the drama, to the empathy, and most importantly to the well-deserved HEA. This one definitely hit all the marks for me, and I think it’ll do the same for you.
Excerpt from The Stepmother by Melissa Tereze
Hayley turned her key in the lock, surprised that it still worked. “Hello?” she call out, closing the door after her. The house looked entirely different from how it used to. Modern, well maintained, loved. She sighed and dragged her bag along the hallway floor, when the sound of a lock clicking caught her attention, and she froze. “Hello?”
Still nothing.
Christ. Was her dad’s wife hard of hearing?
As Hayley shook her head and gripped the living room door handle, she heard a creak upstairs. She glanced toward the noise, her body weighted in place when a brunette came sauntering down the stairs…wearing nothing but a short, black silk robe.
“I, uh…I think I have the wrong house.”
“You do?” The woman stopped midway down the stairs, a bright white smile almost blinding Hayley. “Then you should probably leave before I reach for the baseball bat.”
Hayley swallowed.
“Sorry. This…used to be my house when I was a kid. I thought my dad’s wife still lived here.” Hayley paused, her eyes trailing the woman’s body. My God, she was stunning. “You should probably change your locks.”
“So, I assume you’re Hayley?”
“I…am.” Who was this woman, and how did she know Hayley’s name?
The woman took the rest of the stairs, landing in front of Hayley. Her dark brown eyes shone, a twinkle in them as the light caught them. “Then I must be your…stepmother?” She wrinkled her nose. “Maybe not. That sounds strange. I’m Diane.”
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 978-1915242174
Publisher: Indie Author
Melissa Tereze Online
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