Book Review - The Daughter-in-Law by Fanny Blake

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Title: The Daughter-in-Law

Author: Fanny Blake

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 16th February 2023

Rating: 4 Stars

When Hope’s only son Paul met and married Edie, Hope was delighted that he had found love and was settling down to make his own family. Hope has loved bringing up her own child, and is happy to step in and help out now and again – but is always worried about overstepping the line between grandmother and mother.

 

Edie was hoping that having children with Paul would fulfil her as much as her busy job as a barrister has. But the reality is far from her dream. And with her mother-in-law Hope constantly poking her nose in where it’s not wanted, she finds herself frustrated and alone.

 

Both women could be each other’s greatest ally, but both have secrets that could ruin their relationship. Secrets neither wants Paul to uncover…

I can't say I particularly loved either of our leading ladies, but I could admire how they knew what they wanted,  And they had such a rivalry that was hard to comprehend. 

In fact the whole book in some respects gave me vibes of Monster in Law, the Jane Fonda film, but in this instance the monster is more likely to be Edie. 

What is amazing is how many secrets both Hope and Edie are both hiding, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Paul, who is rather innocent in all of this and is just trying to be a good father to his two children, and is often stuck between his mother Hope, and wife Edie. 

It is though an honest look at motherhood from Edie's point of view, and although not necessarily a popular viewpoint, I feel it is one that some women will connect to, even if they may not wish to be as honest and admit it. 

Some of Hope's secret I had sort of guessed, but not the circumstances leading towards it. Whereas Edie, well at no point was I completely sure which way she would go with her big decision. 

There are interesting family dynamics at play, and even when I wasn't reading this, the story was on my mind.  An enjoyable story. 

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.