By 2010, there will be more stepfamilies than birth families in Britain, a fact which only emphasizes the importance of Joanna Trollope's intelligent scrutiny. Her novel concerns that expanding unit, the stepfamily, and explores the myths, the truths, and the difficulties of trying to deal simultaneously with present relationships, past relationships and above all, with other people's children.

Joanna Trollope's novel delves fearlessly into the emotional dynamics of family life—or rather, life in that ever-expanding unit, the stepfamily. With her sensitive eye and unerring ear, she explores the hard-won truths and often harder-to-overcome difficulties of coping with present and former husbands and wives, and above all, with other people's children. And sometimes it becomes painfully clear that good intentions—and even love—are not enough. Joanna Trollope's understanding of the human condition and empathy with the frailties of her characters are unmatched. No one goes more fearlessly into the emotional and practical dynamics of family life, nor offers such bittersweet truths mixed with hopeful solutions.