The Cradle Snatcher - Tess Stimson

We all have that one book that acts like your safety net, your blanket or even your favourite old pair of jeans that always seems to fit and hug you in all the right places. No matter how much weight you have gained or lost during the years. 

The Cradle Snatcher has always been my go to book, with its realistic perspective on marriage and feeling overwhelmed while trying to be the woman ‘who has it all’. This book reminds me on a yearly basis that life is incredibly hard, no one is perfect and we all are coping the best that we can. We must remember that we cannot see through closed doors and that how someone presents themselves on the outside is completely different to who they are in private. 

So, let’s do an overview of the story itself: 

Meet Clare, she has her own flower shop business that she has worked incredibly hard to grow, she has a young(er) and fit husband and is now getting ready to welcome two beautiful babies into this world. She has it all huh? Not quite, she struggles to connect with one of the twins and often at times wishes she only had one, her husband makes her life ten times harder than it needs be, and her business experiences its own dips as well. For a woman who often was in control, Clare needed to learn when to let go and when to fight as her character arc consistently challenges her mental strength, her beliefs and her life choices. However, throughout her journey she comes to certain realisations that benefit her personal and professional life. 

But that’s enough of the story (no spoilers), as I would encourage both men and women to read this book as it delves into mental health for both sexes, loss and an insight into restarting your life. All beautifully packaged in an easy to read book with humour and a realism that resonates within. 

When thinking about whether The Cradle Snatcher is the perfect story, I would argue that it's a brilliant read and I would encourage anyone to read it. However, I like my female protagonists to be completely independent, without a man to offer reassurance or assist. Please note that this is just a personal preference as I believe that in your own life you should be responsible for your actions and interests. Relationships are a choice because you enjoy each other's company and want to be with this person, not for them to save you. So, I believe when Clare comes to her own realisations about her private life that she needs a lot of time to process what her new norm is. I hope this is not considered a spoiler. 

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