Actual rating 3.5 stars.

Can I Give My Stepkids Back is Morgan Mercier’s tale of life caring for her niece and nephew, Lea and Elliot in the immediate aftermath of her sister and brother in law’s sudden deaths. Set in France, Morgan, a nursery manager who would prefer to be in charge of dog kennels rather than a bunch of infants, is unprepared for such a dramatic change in her circumstances. Despite her less than motherly demeanour Morgan is willing to fulfill her sister’s wishes and take on custody of these two orphans, even though her own mother Cat is aghast at such a proposition. What follows is a storyline designed to capture all manner of emotions whilst acknowledging the positive effects that can ultimately arise from a tragic event.

In the telling of this tale the narrative switches between Morgan and her nephew Elliot so that you have two perspectives of their new family life as experienced through the heart and mind of a cynical, somewhat miserable woman and an innocent yet perceptive young boy. Morgan’s narrative is often concerned with her role as nursery manager, a role to which she seems unwholly suited and her lack of parenting skills. She ends up making her fair share of basic errors but you have to commend her for trying! Still, you’d be forgiven for thinking she cares more for her beloved beagle Snoopy than for these grief stricken, broken hearted children, reluctantly embracing a role that’s been foisted upon her. Morgan’s grumpy closed off persona is far from the lovable,welcoming auntie figure that Elliot and Lea are in dire need of to help them through their bereavement but flashbacks to her past will make sense of her aloof,unsmiling nature. Elliot together with sister Lea steals the limelight in the way only children can (although Snoopy has a fair shot at this!) His heart rending letters written to his mum and dad left me feeling if anyone can unite Morgan and her mother, calling a truce to their long standing arguments, then it’s this little boy. That his grief manifests itself in some troubling ways only reminds the reader that it’s imperative the Mercier family find a way to heal their broken hearts together. Thankfully it’s Elliot and Lea’s childhood innocence coupled with being thrown in at the deep end parenting wise that teaches Morgan a great deal about her strained relationship with her mother, Grandma Cat, as the children call her and her need to face up to her troubled past which is long overdue. Only then can she move forward and embrace ‘motherhood’ showering her niece and nephew with love they so richly deserve.

I preferred the latter half of this novel, gradually warming up to the themes the author is keen to convey and finding the humour in the developing relationships between aunt and niece and nephew. However for me something is definitely lost in translation when it comes to the style of writing, with a disjointed feel to the narrative so words don’t flow as fluently as I’d have liked. I think the essence of this novel, one that is sweet and charming and hopeful isn’t completely lost but unfortunately the cover and the title mislead the reader into thinking this will be a lighthearted piece of escapist fiction. Parts of this novel do fulfill that criteria but I wasn’t expecting the underlying dark tone that is responsible for Morgan’s behaviour and outlook on life. There’s much unhappiness and sadness that creeps into these pages overshadowing the more lighter moments so it isn’t the laugh out loud novel the synopsis would lead you to believe. Instead it’s a novel that has a great deal of emotional depth exploring themes such as accepting loss, confronting the truths of a difficult past, forgiveness and the trials and tribulations of adjusting to a new way of normal. Granted there ARE also some sweet funny moments thanks mainly to Elliott, Lea and Snoopy the beagle which do jump out at you lending a more lighthearted tone to proceedings. These more uplifting moments are also accompanied by a smattering of romance so in spite of my initial reservations I did actually end up quite liking this novel. There’s a quirkiness to it, especially in the depiction of some of the background characters which I’m not entirely sure is intended but added an unusual take on events outside of Morgan, Elliott and Lea’s home life. I’m happy to announce that the more pages I turned the more the main characters won a place in my affections although Elliott remains my favourite of all. Overall I’m glad I persevered with this novel and would be interested to read more by this author in the future. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

The title is a little misleading. These kid's are her sister's kids, not step kids. It was not a romance novel as advertised either. It was a struggle for me to get into the book.

Thank you to netgalley and The publisher for giving me this free Arc copy.
I liked this book enough but I didn’t exactly love it. It was well written and quite charming but not enough for me to give it five stars.
It made me laugh at certain points. I liked Morgan enough and I liked seeing this from Elliot’s point of view , it was quite refreshing.
It was a nice read, certainly kept me entertained.

A wonderful, feel good story. Morgan has legal responsibility for her nephew and niece following their parents sudden, tragic death. her mother feels she should have control. Will Morgan cope with 2 children in her well ordered life and can she prevent her mother taking them? Really enjoyable.

Right from the very beginning I was engrossed in this story. It was beautifully written and I especially enjoyed the letters Elliot wrote to his Mum. It shows all sides of family relationships. Brilliant!

The title of this is a bit misleading and . I also think categorising it in “humour” is probably not correct. It was more emotional and heavier than the blurb suggests. An interesting read though but not really my cup of tea.

3.5 stars
Translation into English from French.

First of all, the title is very misleading as you expect this to be something light hearted, maybe in the rom-com category. This is the story of Morgan Mercier, unmarried and insular, who at the age of thirty five finds herself the guardian of her nephew Elliot and niece Lea when her sister Amelie and her husband are killed. So definitely not a rom-com and definitely not step-kids either but I daresay ‘Can I give my nephew and niece back?’ doesn’t sound as interesting or quite right. The story is told by Morgan and Elliot in alternating points of view and the timeframe is 2016.

This is a ‘game of two halves’ which is an appropriate analogy as later in the book the football World Cup starts and of course, La Belle France win that year to the country’s joy! The first half of the novel is quite dull at times, for example, there are superfluous descriptions from Morgan about her job as a manager of a children’s nursery. Elliot’s sections are more interesting as he’s so hurt, he’s grieving, his Aunt Morgan is not used to children and so his sections are very sad. He writes letters to his mother and that is heartbreaking in its innocence and honesty. He is a lovely child as is Lea. Thankfully, the book does improve as you progress through the story especially as you grow in understanding of the big issues and burden that Morgan is carrying. You appreciate her struggles to cope with two children and why she has exerted so much control over her life. Morgan’s mother Catherine is a piece of work, unsympathetic and unkind and her actions at times beggars belief though her love of her grandchildren is never in doubt. However, at the end of the book there’s more sympathy for Catherine. The ending is nice but it’s maybe a little too convenient and tied up with a neat bow.

Overall, I ended up liking the book although it takes a long time to get going. It’s sad and emotional in places and sweet and heartwarming in others. Please change the title!!!

With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the arc for an honest review.

I've read some reviews of this book that describe it as hilarious.
I have to disagree.
In fact, when I started it, it took me a little while to get into it, but once I did, I was fully in.
Morgan has led a disturbing life and is haunted by ghosts of the past. It has affected her as a person, and how she handles herself and interacts with others immensely.
She's happy in her little job as a nursery manager, living with her old dog, Snoopy. Then one day, a terrible tragedy means that she is left as the guardian of her nephew and niece.
Ths story is told through the point of view of both Morgan, and her nephew Elliott.
There is much to smile about at the end, but there is also so much pain and suffering, both from the children, and their aunt, and it is told in a very readable manner.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Morgan is the manager of a children’s nursery in France, she works long hours and has a very controlled life liking everything to be tidy and organised.

When her sister and brother in law are killed in an accident, her life is turned upside down when she becomes guardian of her niece Lea and nephew Elliott at her sisters request.

This story had me enthralled. The life like characters and how you can empathise with them. I loved seeing Morgan’s personality change as she takes the children into her home and her heart.

A story that made me laugh and cry. It covers loss, love and forgiveness in a beautifully written way that kept me gripped until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I expected it to be a rather dimensional chocolate box kind of book but it wasn't. Most of the characters have backstories, layers, complexities and the story doesn't run too neatly from A to B but takes a few detours along the way. Recommended.

This book is about a journey into a life unexpected. It's isn't a fast paced novel but keeps you interested by the emotions running through the story.

Morgan, Lea and Elliot are the main characters. Morgan is a pleasant character, not overly maternal even though she works in a nursery! When life throws a curve ball her way, her life changes forever. There are so many emotions injected into the story and it will catch you out occasionally, causing a few tears. The scene that caught me out most was Elliots dream 😢.

The children have a voice in this story and it's heartbreaking along with heartwarming.

I'm not sure if the title is a translation error? They're not her step kids, they're her niece and nephew!

3.75 stars

This was a bit of an unexpected treat. I was all set to read about a wicked stepmum, but what I got was a really heart-warming story.

Morgan is the manager of a children’s nursery in France. She has a very contained life, putting all her energies into her work with long hours and she finds solace in her very controlled home with everything soothing, comforting and in its place.

Her life is disrupted when her sister and brother in law are killed in an accident and her sister’s instructions are for her niece and nephew to live with their aunt, and not their devoted grandparents as they had expected.

I was absolutely charmed by this book. Ok you can say it is all a bit predictable at the end, but sometimes things just do work out, and the world can right itself. It is a really comfortable tale, with enough pathos and sadness to prevent it being saccharine.

If you are up for a book that makes you think and feel ahh – this one’s for you.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

When you suddenly 'inherit' two young children and have no idea what to do with them? You may mange a nursery but as for interaction -none whatsoever.
A story of difficult family relationships. Emotions never explored or expressed. It takes two young, lost children to bring many worlds together. Heartbreaking and heartfelt.

Wow! This is a first novel by Aurelie Tramier and I sincerely hope that it won't be the last.
Elliot and Lea are tragically left orpahaned and left in the care of there aunt Morgan who is left floundering in what is to come for them all. Follow the lives of the children and Morgan adn even the extended family as they discover love, forgiveness and trust together.
The book left me wanting more and it is truly a lovely reafm
Thanks to#NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review
#CanIGiveMyStepkidsBack

My thanks to Netgalley for my copy of Can I Give My Stepkids Back?. This was not a plot I was expecting as the children are not Morgan's stepchildren at all and as a stepmother myself I was expecting something I could relate to.
However, the story of Morgan, guardian to Elliott and Lea, her nephew and neice following the death of their parents, was a delight. Other than the three of them finding their feet in this new relationship nothing outstanding actually happens but it is a really believable tale of love and Elliott's outpourings as written to his dead mother were heartbreaking but overall a really heartwarming story.

Started reading this book slightly disheartened as a. there are no stepkids and b. it isn't really a funny book!

However it is still a really beautiful story that offers so much to you as a reader, probably more on the tears then the humour but worth the read.

Such a heartfelt read. This is not a romance novel but a book to teach you how to love again. From freeing herself from her past to forgiving her parents and finding love again, Morgan learnt to love and loved with the help of her niece and nephew and people she least expected from her workplace.
The side characters in the books are interesting and full of their own stories. My biggest surprise is Jean-Michel. The way he looks at life makes you appreciate every moment in your life as you never know the value of the moment until it becomes a memory.
The title is misleading though as Lea and Elliot are not stepkids and Morgan never once want to return them. Yes, she is tired and is not connected with them at first but she never has the thought of giving up the custody.

I first requested this as I thought it was a follow up to a novel I had enjoyed previously. Oops, different author!

The storyline is good, interesting and keeps the pages turning, but it lacks a little something. The grammar isn’t always great and the punctuation annoyed me throughout (so! Many! Exclamations!) There’s also the slight matter that these children aren’t the protagonist’s step children at all - they’re a niece and nephew...

An average read, but unfortunately it just didn’t do it for me.

Thank you #Negalley for the advanced copy!

Morgan was a nursery school director, with a trained background in nursing, living as a single professional women, when one day her life got turned upside down. She received a call that her sister and brother in law were killed in a car crash and she was left as the guardian of their two young children. Elliot and Lea were very surprised they were going to live with Morgan who was always so serious and unaffectionate. The novel is told from Elliot and Morgans perspectives and how they each progress during this time of change and family dynamics.

I couldn’t get very far into this book. There! were! so! many! exclamation marks! Morgan’s sentences started with “I” so often that the writing seemed very basic and uninteresting. Maybe this is due to poor translation? There are too many good books out there for me to waste time on this since I gave it a solid try.