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The Daughter-in-law Syndrome Kindle Edition

4.0 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

The Daughter-in-law Syndrome investigates the complicated relationship causing much friction between Grandmother Edna Deane and her daughter-in-law Arla. In addition it focuses on the sometimes tumultuous partnership between Arla and her husband Ric. Arla Deane sometimes likens her marriage to undergoing daily psychological warfare. Husband Ric will never voice an opinion, and puts his mother Edna up high on a pedestal. Arla is sick of always feeling that she comes in at only second best to her mother-in-law, who much to Arla’s fury is never told anything by Ric or his sisters that she would not want to hear. This novel explores the husband/wife, mother/son, and mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships. After twenty eight years of marriage, Arla, the daughter-in-law, is at the end of her tether and persuades a reluctant Ric to accompany her for marriage guidance. As they look back over their lives with Counsellor Toni Beecher, Arla slowly comes to realise her own failings, and eventually discovers the long-hidden reason why Ric will never utter a cross word to his mother. Also, adding to Arla’s stress is the fact that her son Stuart will soon be marrying Ria, a girl whom Arla feels is just looking for a free ride. Arla is convinced that Ria will be no asset to Stuart at all; her new daughter-in-law just wants to be a mother and has no intention of ever working again once the babies start to arrive. After visiting Stuart and Ria for Sunday lunch, Arla is convinced that her son is making the biggest mistake of his life…..
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Verified purchase review by Arlena Dean:

I will say that this author really did some magic with this wonderful read. I found it very well written covering all the subjects of 'The Daughter In Law Syndrome'. I was left only saying Wow...very well done! The characters from Arla, Ric, that mother in law [Edna] and a few more were well developed, defined, portrayed and so believable giving the reader a read that will definitely keep your attention. Will seeking help after twenty eight years of marriage through a counselor [Toni] be able to help Arla and Ric in their marriage issues? Again this author did a wonderful job in presenting how it all starts...and continues on through dysfunction...even passing on to the siblings that can bring on even more disaster to the whole family.

In the end will there be a understanding between Arla, Ric, his mom, his sisters[Val & Jan]? How will all of this even help Arla with her son and daughter in law[Ria]? To get these questions answered and so much more I would definitely recommend you pick up this well written read. This is one those reads that any married woman may be able to relate to. This author really showed the readers that she was a good writer.

About the Author

Stevie Turner has gained much insight from being a wife, a mother, a mother-in-law, and a daughter-in-law.  Need she say more?

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00Y9270XU
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 24, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 132 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

About the author

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Stevie Turner
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Stevie Turner is a British author of romantic suspense, paranormal stories, and women’s fiction family dramas which are sometimes humorous. She is a cancer survivor, and still lives in the same picturesque Suffolk village that she and husband Sam moved to in 1991 with their two boys. Those two boys have now grown, and she and Sam have 5 lovely grandchildren.

One of her short stories, ‘Lifting the Black Dog’, was published in ‘1000 Words or Less Flash Fiction Collection’ (2016). Her screenplay ‘For the Sake of a Child’ won a silver award in the Spring 2017 Depth of Field International Film Festival, and her novel ‘A House Without Windows’ gained interest in 2017 from De Coder Media, an independent film production company based in New York. ‘Finding David’ reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 ScreenCraft Cinematic Short Story Competition. 'Scam!' won first prize in the 2021 Electric Eclectic writing competition, and 'His Ladyship,' reached the finals and Longlist of the 2021 Page Turner Writing Award. 'Falling' reached the finals of the 2022 Page Turner Writing Award, and Stevie's latest manuscript 'Tina's Diary: 1997' reached the finals of the 2023 Page Turner Writing Award. You can find Stevie's books and reviews on her website www.stevieturner.uk

To quote reader Roberta Baden-Powell, 'I'm looking forward to reading your new book, and find your books the best so far. The style you write in has given me a new perspective and a renewed inspiration in reading once again.'

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
24 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a wonderful read with an engaging storyline about family relationships. They appreciate the character development.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

4 customers mention "Story development"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's storyline engaging and well-developed, with one customer noting its deep exploration of family relationships.

"...This was an eye-opening story that could be used as a self-help book for anyone who is dealing with these problems in their own marriage and with a..." Read more

"A simple story, simply told. It's not a book that grabs you in any way. I was surprised by the rich vocabulary. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie...." Read more

"...[Edna] and a few more were well developed, defined, portrayed and so believable giving the reader a read that will definitely keep your attention...." Read more

"Ah, family. Relationships are nitty gritty, and I appreciate that the author not only created characters who had the kind of complexity that made..." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...This is a sign of a well-developed storyline and characters. I highly recommend this wonderful book!" Read more

"...mother in law [Edna] and a few more were well developed, defined, portrayed and so believable giving the reader a read that will definitely keep..." Read more

"...are nitty gritty, and I appreciate that the author not only created characters who had the kind of complexity that made them real, but also dove..." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful read.

"...I found this to be an enjoyable read as I began to care about these characters and their outcome...." Read more

"...It reminded me of a Hallmark movie. Nothing literary or deep, but pleasant." Read more

"...I will say that this author really did some magic with this wonderful read...." Read more

An Honest Story of Relationships
5 out of 5 stars
An Honest Story of Relationships
Ah, family. Relationships are nitty gritty, and I appreciate that the author not only created characters who had the kind of complexity that made them real, but also dove into the intricacies of relationships that often we don't take the time to acknowledge. I appreciate the way the book wrapped things up in the end, balancing the reality of the depth of pain years of broken relationships. For one part of the book I wanted desperately for the family to fix things, and found myself enjoying hanging out with them for the journey.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2019
    Anyone who is or has ever been a daugher-in-law will see something of themselves in this wonderful story. The relationship between a mother-in-law and her son’s wife is a tricky situation in many cases as demonstrated by this talented author. She delved into the lives and loves of family that touched home with me and I’m sure many other readers. Stevie Turner gave the views of both sides and brought up some sensitive issues.

    Edna, the mother-in-law, can’t accept the idea that her son has chosen a woman to take her place in his heart. Can she ever embrace this woman? Arla, the daughter-in-law, has her own demons to face with her husband and his sisters. She always feels on the outside looking in. What can she do to be accepted into this dysfunctional family? She even goes to a marriage counselor to try to get her husband, Ric, to open up to her about his family.

    I enjoyed following along with their journey as they discovered some surprising revelations about themselves and how they grew closer in spite of the chasm that had opened up at the beginning of their marriage. When Arla has to face similar circumstances as her own son marries she begins to connect more with her own mother-in-law. Can she accept the woman that her son has married? If not, then why not?

    This was an eye-opening story that could be used as a self-help book for anyone who is dealing with these problems in their own marriage and with a stubborn mother-in-law. The author has a deep understanding of the feelings and angst of being a daughter-in-law who is living on the outside and looking in at her new family.

    I found this to be an enjoyable read as I began to care about these characters and their outcome. This is a sign of a well-developed storyline and characters. I highly recommend this wonderful book!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2016
    A simple story, simply told. It's not a book that grabs you in any way. I was surprised by the rich vocabulary. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie. Nothing literary or deep, but pleasant.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2016
    I can still remember my mother's reaction when, aged 20, I announced that I was engaged to be married. It was my fiancee's 17th birthday and I had made the proposal some six months previously. My mother believed I was throwing my life away, that the young woman she referred to as a 'floosy' was certainly not good enough for me. That was 54 years ago and 'the floosy' and I are still happily married. It took a long time for the pair of them to become reconciled to the fact of our love for each other.

    I mention this to illustrate how easily I can relate to the problems faced by Stevie Turner's female protagonist, Arla and her controlling mother-in-law Edna. After 30 years of marriage, Arla still feels ostracised by her mother-in-law and her husband's two sisters. She is frustrated by her husband's apparent indifference and his determination to support and defend Edna. Arla engages a counselor who helps her to analyse these feelings but it is only when her son, Stuart, introduces the woman he intends to marry that understanding begins to dawn.

    I found all of the principle characters in this novel to be entirely believable. The nuances of relationships; the little irritations we accept rather than cause upset by pointing them out, the lies, not all of theem little, we tell to justify our prejudices, are all well realised. I particularly liked Ric, the husband, and the way he and Arla interacted with each other.

    Stevie has a section of her blog devoted to feminism and its heroines so it was a surprise to find that the woman in this story who plays the most important role in helping Arla and her in-laws to settle their differences is someone whose sole ambition is to be a stay-at-home wife. Stevie evidently believes in the importance of women being able to make such choices without being subjected either to peer pressure or financial constraints.

    This is a book that will be unlikely to appeal to many men. Many women, on the other hand, will find much to enjoy in this perceptive analysis of contemporary family relationships.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2016
    Title: The Daughter In Law Syndrome
    Author: Stevie Turner
    Publisher: S. T.
    Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
    Rating: Five
    Review:

    "The Daughter In Law Syndrome" by Stevie Turner

    My Thoughts....

    I will say that this author really did some magic with this wonderful read. I found it very well written covering all the subjects of 'The Daughter In Law Syndrome. I was left only saying Wow...very well done! The characters from Arla, Ric, that mother in law [Edna] and a few more were well developed, defined, portrayed and so believable giving the reader a read that will definitely keep your attention. Will seeking help after twenty eight years of marriage through a counselor [Toni] be able to help Arla and Ric in their marriage issues? Again this author did a wonderful job in presenting how it all starts...and continues on through dysfunction...even passing on to the siblings that can bring on even more disaster to the whole family.

    In the end will there be a understanding between Arla, Ric, his mom, his sisters[Val & Jan]? How will all of this even help Arla with her son and daughter in law[Ria]? To get these questions answered and so much more I would definitely recommend you pick up this well written read. This is one those reads that any married woman may be able to relate to. This author really showed the readers that he was a good writer.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2018
    Ah, family. Relationships are nitty gritty, and I appreciate that the author not only created characters who had the kind of complexity that made them real, but also dove into the intricacies of relationships that often we don't take the time to acknowledge. I appreciate the way the book wrapped things up in the end, balancing the reality of the depth of pain years of broken relationships. For one part of the book I wanted desperately for the family to fix things, and found myself enjoying hanging out with them for the journey.
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    An Honest Story of Relationships

    Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2018
    Ah, family. Relationships are nitty gritty, and I appreciate that the author not only created characters who had the kind of complexity that made them real, but also dove into the intricacies of relationships that often we don't take the time to acknowledge. I appreciate the way the book wrapped things up in the end, balancing the reality of the depth of pain years of broken relationships. For one part of the book I wanted desperately for the family to fix things, and found myself enjoying hanging out with them for the journey.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Dr.Meenakshi Agarwal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read book for all the gals and their mothers
    Reviewed in India on April 13, 2024
    Ohh my God.What an excellent book Stevie has written. Although written by an English author but this is a replica of Indian Society as well.
    I ve learnt a lot from this book as a daughter in law.After many years when i ll become a mom in law,i think ,i ll be a better person.
    I ll suggest all my friends to go through this book.Thanks.
  • SH
    5.0 out of 5 stars In-law blues
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2020
    The cover made me chuckle a bit... is this a self-help book for quarrelling in-laws? The Daughter-in-law Syndrome is a women's fiction novel about Arla and her husband Ric. Sick of playing second-fiddle to Ric's family Arla suggests marriage guidance counselling. The story unfolds with each appointment, I was invested in this because marriage guidance must be a very tricky job. The characters were brilliant. Ric is a people pleaser- but he has his reasons. Arla is spikey and disappointed in life but becomes less so as the book progresses. Arla herself becomes a mother-in-law and the same thing happens again! As for Grandmother Edna, blimey what we have here is a master manipulator. Actually, Arla had a bit of luck thrown in to provide a beautiful resolution to the story. Bravery was employed by the characters, proving there is nothing wrong with saying how you feel. Back to my original point, this is fiction, the cover is fitting and this book will probably make you feel better if you've got the in-law blues.
  • Mr. F. Parker
    4.0 out of 5 stars Perceptive Analysis of Family Relationships
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2016
    I can still remember my mother's reaction when, aged 20, I announced that I was engaged to be married. It was my fiancee's 17th birthday and I had made the proposal some six months previously. My mother believed I was throwing my life away, that the young woman she referred to as a 'floosy' was certainly not good enough for me. That was 54 years ago and 'the floosy' and I are still happily married. It took a long time for the pair of them to become reconciled to the fact of our love for each other.

    I mention this to illustrate how easily I can relate to the problems faced by Stevie Turner's female protagonist, Arla, and her controlling mother-in-law Edna. After 30 years of marriage, Arla still feels ostracised by her mother-in-law and her husband's two sisters. She is frustrated by her husband's apparent indifference and his determination to support and defend Edna. Arla engages a counselor who helps her to analyse these feelings but it is only when her son, Stuart, introduces the woman he intends to marry that understanding begins to dawn.

    I found all of the principle characters in this novel to be entirely believable. The nuances of relationships; the little irritations we accept rather than cause upset by pointing them out, the lies, not all of them little, we tell to justify our prejudices, are all well realised. I particularly liked Ric, the husband, and the way he and Arla interacted with each other.

    Stevie has a section of her blog devoted to feminism and its heroines so it was a surprise to find that the woman in this story who plays the most important role in helping Arla and her in-laws to settle their differences, is someone whose sole ambition is to be a stay-at-home wife. Stevie evidently believes in the importance of women being able to make such choices without being subjected either to peer pressure or financial constraints.

    This is a book that will be unlikely to appeal to many men. Many women, on the other hand, will find much to enjoy in this perceptive analysis of contemporary family relationships.
  • Mazz W
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2019
    I really enjoyed this book. I tried to compare her to my mother in law, then I realised that I need to watch out when my children get married. Especially when my son gets married.. hard letting go. This book is a good read..

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