In Which We Discuss The Accidental Mother

The Accidental Mother follows the story of Sophie, a woman who has worked hard and is close to getting the promotion she has worked towards for years. She has no social life, and has issues with relationships; her one serious relationship was at the age of twenty-seven, and ended because she couldn't handle the commitment or emotions. However, when her best friend (who she has lost contact with, naturally) dies and leaves Sophie as the sole guardian of her two children, Sophie is forced to let other people become closer to her.

This is stereotypical chick-lit. Poor, lonely, closed in woman seeks person or people to bring her out of herself and make her world bright and shiny. The idea is not as overdone as some, but it's definitely been seen before. The characters, however, are entirely predictable and ever-so-slightly dull and stereotypical.

It's a sweet book, and there are a few surprises. However, any aficionado of such books will already know pretty much the full plot and characters. The only parts that really took me by surprise did so by being just as predictable as I'd feared they would be; I honestly thought writers grew out of those tired cliches ten years ago.

In summary, it's worth reading for anyone who really likes chick-lit, but other than that, don't bother. Really, don't.

In Which We Discuss Family Trust

This book is amazingly similar to The Accidental Mother, although Family Trust was written first, which further cements The Accidental Mother's place as a cheap rip off of better books.

Becca Reinhart is very focused on her career. Although the cliched career ice queen is a long standing figure in this sort of book, Becca manages to be both unique and likable. She doesn't have any commitment issues or anything similar that has prevented her from holding down a relationship, and nor is she getting over a broken heart, or the death of her father, or any other tragedy which would neatly explain why she needs some nice, loving man to open her eyes to what a reward family life really is. Becca doesn't need anything like that. She's a busy women who just happens not to be in a relationship, and isn't looking for one. To be honest, that's a very refreshing scenario.

Edward Kirkland is a typical rich, spoilt, high society kind of guy. His family set up is similar to that of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (which was, perhaps not entirely surprisingly, written by the same author). His bride-to-be is named Bunny. Yes, Bunny. She's not his fiancee, you understand. She's simply the girl from the right family background, and the right set-up, who grew up with him, and who his mother (and everyone else, including Bunny herself) expects him to marry.

Although Eddie and Becca have never met, each has a friend who names them as guardian to their child. When these two parents die simultaneously in a plane accident, both wills are in effect. Since there are no obvious problems, both of these mismatched people are given charge of the four-year-old girl in question (while being closely watched by various legal representatives, natch). That's the basic plot of the book; how Becca and Eddie manage to subdue each other into submission and work together to raise a child.

Of course, there are other subplots and characters who contribute. Becca's capable mother, who insists on holding the title of grandmother (and acts accordingly). Eddie's mother who refuses to acknowledge his new daughter's presence. Bunny, Eddie's manipulative bride/stalker, who has no interest in the child and plans to ship her off to Switzerland, and, of course, (*Spoiler Warning*) the growing romance between Eddie and Becca (*End Spoiler*). Now, you saw that last bit coming, didn't you?

Family Trust is a book that should be cliched, but, through some miracle, isn't. The characters are all unique, and, if not likable in themselves, are at least not mind-numbingly boring. Eddie and Becca's growing love for their new daughter (they both immediately refer to her as their daughter, which is rather sweet) is adorable, and, although her parents are not even mentioned except in the past tense, Becca's relationship with the girl's mother and Eddie's with her father manage to be realistic and touching.

All in all, it's the good version of The Accidental Mother.