Tracey Bateman Claire Knows Best

Claire Knows Best

Tracey Bateman

Warner, Jun 2006, $12.99

ISBN: 0446696064

Claire Everett feels pretty good about the direction her life is going ever since she forgave her ex husband Rick for cheating on her and even talks to his pregnant spouse Darcy. Her relationship with her three children is solid for the first time in eons even with her mom having left town and she enjoys quality time with her significant other Greg.

A tornado tosses a tree on to her roof, but though harrowing she feels okay that no one was hurt. However, the storm has made Greg consider the direction he is going. He decides he wants to become a 24/7 pastor with Claire at his side as his wife. Instead of rejoicing at his proposal, Claire fears she is not worthy of becoming the spouse of a minister at the same time her writing career seems blocked so she turns to a "coach" to help her, but instead is adding to her confusion as CLAIRE KNOWS BEST, not anyone else.

The sequel to the delightful LEAVE IT TO CLAIRE continues to focus on a working mother struggling between caring for her offspring, her vocation, and now her significant other wanting her at his side as he reaches to do God's work. Though doing better with the kids Claire knows that remains a constant vigil especially with two teens. Her writing career seems over at least to her. With all that now, Greg wants her to become a minister's wife, something Claire had doubts she can perform properly. Though some of the sting is gone as she is no longer acrimonious, Claire's lack of confidence makes for a fine character study of a middle aged woman perhaps turning to her life coach for escape.

Harriet Klausner