Child's Play: A Novel

4 1/2 STARS! Danielle Steel's latest release CHILD'S PLAY brings us the story of an accomplished woman who portrays the perfect life and how it all plays out when the perfect things in her life turn out to have crumbling foundations. It shows the emotion a person goes through as things in life don't go exactly as planned, but also has a very strong foundation of loving no matter what. I really enjoyed it and found it to be pretty fast paced. Kate Morgan was an easily redeemable character. She kept parts of her life secret from her kids until a time when it seemed it might be a stepping stone to show them she understood how life can sometimes get away from you no matter how much you try to stay on course. She showed great restraint when faced with adversity and showed a beautiful side of a parent's love supporting their child no matter the decisions and mistakes they made. Eldest child Tamara came across as a bit distracted and cold to a bystander, but she was supportive of her mother and siblings and once we got to enter the true sanctuary of her world, her true side emerged with a softness that made her shine. Middle child Anthony seemed like the one with the biggest heart and put in the most effort with the mom he adored. His fall from grace was a bit spectacular and redeeming him took a bit of work. The spoiled baby of the family Claire quickly turned into a nightmare of an attitude. She was never totally redeemed but she was relaxed a tad towards the end. Overall, I highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a close-knit single parent story that showcases her devotion to her kids and her support as they live their way into their happily ever afters before she relaxes into her own.

I have read and loved many of Danielle Steel's books. Child's Play is a revealing tale of one mother's life. Kate Morgan was widowed nineteen years ago and has singlehandledly raised her three children. She has it in her head that they have to be perfect. She has really set the bar high. Her son is engaged to Amanda who Kate feels would be the perfect wife for him. Not sure if her son agrees with her but she persists. Claire is headstrong, stubborn and very independent. She is also quite dramatic and a spoiled brat. Tammy has a job with a very prestigious fashion house. She has been hiding a secret for a very long time. In the course of less than a year Kate will find out that she really didn't know her children at all. They turn her world upside down. I found that once I started this book I could not put it down. I loved every minute of it and I hope you will too!

Great read, but the book itself started falling apart by the 15th page!! Bummed about the physical quality of my order. Not sure if it's the maker or the storage, but it should be addressed.

ALL DANIELLE STEELS NOVELS ARE WINNERS AND I BUY ALL FROM AMAZON IN PAPERBACK I HAVE ALMOST EVERYBOOOK SHE WROTE AND YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM IS GREAT AS IT WILL TELL YOU IF AND WHEN YOU BOUGHT ONE SO YOU DO NOT REPEAR, GREAT SYSTEM

This book is very thought provoking and makes you wonder how you would handle situations with your children as adults. The characters are great and the writing is amazing. Totally enjoyed this book.

It’s a tenderly-written novel that breeds hope in the finding and acceptance of love - outside of every imaginable box. Solid proof that love will always prevail. Cynthia Ramos, an Amazon Customer and Danielle Steel fan

Not bad, I read it straight through, however, it was overly repetitious. I found myself skipping through it to get to something new. I did not like Kate. I thought for a woman living in 2019 she should have gotten past the out of wedlock stuff. I don't believe the kids would have taken her side against Claire either. I thought she should just keep her opinions to herself and she deserved Claire being mad at her. Though Claire acting like a brat was ridiculous too. She spoiled her kids and then acted shocked when something "real life" happened that she did not approve of.

D. Steel will always get 5 stars. I have read all her books. This one however, was pretty predictable. Although the characters were basically the same, she mixed them up by hzaving her children having a gay partner, one cancelling a wedding to a rich debutante and falling in love with a tough girl he met at a gym and a spoiled daughter. But 5 stars anyway. It's a comfortable read.