Dolla S Merrillees falls in love and finds herself cast in the role of wicked stepmother because Prince Charming rides into her life with a young son in tow. There may be a happy ending but the course of true love does not run smoothly.

There are some worthy aspects to this book, not least Merrillees’ exposure of the peculiar place occupied by step-parents (and de-facto step-parents, in particular) in Australian society. Given the enormous numbers of “blended” families these days, it does seem odd that step-parents apparently operate in some sort of shadowy parental universe, not quite recognised by the law, social services or other care providers.

Less worthy are the large tracts devoted to the anger and frustration she feels about her situation. If you’re a devotee of the "writing as therapy" school of self-help, you’ll feel right at home in these 155 pages of seemingly untamed angst.

Towards the book’s end, it seems the author’s relationship with Jonathon, the offspring of her beloved’s failed marriage, may be improving. One can only wonder what will happen when he reads this book for himself and understands how his step-mum really feels about him.

This is Merrillees’ first book. It’s a pity she didn’t have the benefit of a more ruthless editor to help her find some balance in the text. Some of it is really very engaging and her use of fairytale imagery is very good.

The typographical errors (“hapy” instead of “happy” – perhaps an emotion with which she is unfamiliar?) also point to the need for a more rigorous oversight.

Halstead Press, $28.95 (pbk)