Stevi Mittman Who Makes Up These Rules, Anyway?

Stevi Mittman Who Makes Up These Rules, Anyway?: It is the voice of Teddi that the reader falls in love with. Her humor and view of life make this book a truly fun read.

Who Makes Up These Rules, Anyway?

Stevi Mittman

Harlequin Next, Feb 2006, $5.50

ISBN: 0373880804

On the Island, Teddi Gallo, mother of three preadolescent children, lives her life in accordance with the Secret Handbook of Long Island Rules. She feels everything is near perfect, as she loves her spouse and kids while enjoying her lifestyle. Perhaps the only negative is her mom June Bayer, who has a swinging door existence at South Winds Psychiatric Hospital.

However, recently things have not gone well for Teddi, who is frightened because she begins to wonder if she inherited her mom's mental illness. Teddi finds she forgets to do things, or if she did do them forgets she did them. Her family has noticed the change too. The Rulebook does not help her, nor does her spouse, whose behavior appears to target pushing his wife over the edge. Teddi struggles to come to grips with losing her mind through humor, especially when she rationalizes with her best friend Bobbi, but underneath she fears for her children.

Teddi's terrific tale is a powerful look at a woman whose mental abilities to take care of herself and her children become questionable. As her life disintegrates Teddi uses self-deprecating humor to keep going. Fans will empathize with this nice likable woman as she struggles to rewrite the Rulebook so that she can be there for her little darlings, and avoid the in and out institutionalization that marks her mother's life.