Customer Reviews

Second Wives: The Silent Struggle

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found the excerpts intriguing, although questionable at first. After reading the entire book, I realized that the author was promoting the position that the second wife holds in our society. Although some parts are bold and forthright in the expression of opinions, at least it doesn't beat around the bush, so to speak.

We all have our opinions and it's good to read a book in which people's (especially those of second wives) opinions are expressed and honored. After all, opinions are not always politically correct, they are the voices of our feelings and experiences.

I enjoyed it and even though I disagreed with what a few women said, I felt it portrayed the experience of second wives everywhere honestly and fairly.

Second wives everywhere will discover that they are not alone. Stepmothers especially will realize that it's okay not to like those "little imps" who invade your household.

It should be required reading for those women who are dating or engaged to divorced men and wondering what their life will be like.

I'm sorry, but I think this book is very unfair. I just married a man who is divorced with 3 children. His ex-wife does cause a lot of the same problems talked about in this book. But this book seems to focus totally on the ex-wife being a total ***. I thought it would focus more on the feelings you go through being a second wife and how to deal with stepchildren. I was very disappointed. It made it sound like everything is the ex-wife's fault. I don't believe that to be true. A marriage takes two people to work at it. It's never just one or the other. The failure of my husband's first marriage was a combination of the both of them. Now of course his ex doesn't believe that to be true, and she takes every opportunity to remind him of that. But she cannot be to blame for all of the problems. Life is what you make it. This book paid entirely too much attention to the ex-wife. It was very disappointing.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I couldn't put it down until I finished it...in about 4 hours! I found the information about the First wife not getting the "REAL" divorce to totally (and finally) help me pinpoint what was the psycho-ex-wife-from-HEll's problem! Great information for us Step mothers. HOWEVER, it did not cover enough information for those of us that have custody of our step kids. It assumed a little too much that 95% of all mother's have custody of our kids (okay, that's actually right, since I do have custody of my son from my first marraige). But I didn't like how there was just so little information about father's having custody. Overall, I really enjoyed the information that I did get out of this book and it really related well to my situation.

When I got this book I read the entire thing in one sitting. I was so comforted by it. Not many people understand the complexeties of stepmothering-it can be a thankless job. It is also a role that is very difficult to do anything right in. It is hard not to take things personally as a stepmom-this book really helped me. When is the next one? I would love to help write it!

Second wives everywhere will see themselves in this book, from the laughter to the tears. The author describes accurately (and vividly) exactly what we have all felt or said at one time or another (whether to someone else or ourselves).

Those considering entering into a relationship with a DMWK (divorced man with kids) will find the book enlightening.

Thank-you for a book that has been needed for an awful long time. I am a second wife and stepmother to four children. It will be 15 years this December. It has been an awful time with the ex wife. No matter what I do is wrong! Everything! It is so great to know there are other women who have the same problems. I carry the book around in my pocketbook. I have outlined parts that I need to read over and over. It is my support. Thank you again...when is the next book coming?

Wow! This is the first book in my memory that I've sat down and read cover to cover as soon as it arrived! It was so gratifying to read about situations comparable to the ones I've been dealing with for the past four years regarding my husband's ex-wife. My husband agrees that chapter 7 mirrors his ex almost exactly. For anyone struggling with a difficult ex and/or stepkids, this book will really comfort you and make you laugh out loud at times (the author doesn't mince words!) A very satisfying book! The only negative feeling I had about it was the overuse of heavy sarcasm and hostility by the author...as a second wife who is also someone else's ex-wife, I couldn't agree with every single point the author made about first wives...some exes are OK. But if you're having problems with a nasty ex, you'll enjoy this book.

I spent years dealing with the guilt and frustration caused by my husband's ex. I wish this book had been written 10 years ago. I would have understood my feelings were normal and I would have been able to deal with the stepkids better, knowing we were all experiencing the turmoil of putting a family together.

Second wives, stepmoms, even dads, will enjoy it and it'll make you laugh at yourselves sometimes, but, to paraphrase the author, we all need to laugh more and enjoy life while we have one to enjoy.

I have been a stepmother for 3 years, and still struggling with the emotional baggage it entails. This book provided the validation of my feelings as I travel this rocky road. I was surprised how angry it made me when reading about the injustice in the legal system, although I know about this first-hand. More importantly, it gives insight from other second wives and the struggles they go through. It made me realize there are actually some wives that have it worse than me!!! Lastly, this book gives valuable resource information--websites, etc.--so that you can seek out additional shoulders to cry on! Bravo, Christine Thomas!

The book contains interviews, thoughts, and perspectives from REAL people, not just a bunch of psycho-babble. I loved it. I just wish I could have been one of the people interviewed and had a few things to say!

It will make you realize that you are not alone in your thoughts and feelings.

It also contains thoughtful, insightful advice as well as well-documented research. You've got to read it!