Leave It to Claire

Leave it to Claire by Tracey Bateman is one of the most engaging, enjoyable Christian books I've read lately. Bateman writes with a strong voice for Claire Everett, almost reminiscent of Lisa Samson with her accuracy of a woman who fails more often than she succeeds but keeps trying. When writer Claire has to give up her writing for six weeks after surgery, she makes a list to try and get her life back in order, but it's going to take help from above and lots of prayer to get her life back on track. I loved Claire; I could identify with her so easily. Except for the pounds coming off fairly easily, that I've never been able to do. Claire is easy to empathize with and even better to laugh with. Her sarcastic wit made me laugh out loud several times, and her tears were just as affecting. Claire's most important lesson that change comes from the inside out and that holding on to anger hurts everyone around you are lessons we all need to take to heart, especially me. I look forward to Claire Knows Best being released next month.

This book was wonderful, I would highly recommend it. Claire is a great character. I especially liked how the subject of divorce was addressesed. As a child of divorce, it was refreshing to read a book that didn't condemn those who had divorced, and realized that divorcees can have successful second marriages. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

I found the subject matter of this book intriguing, especially the emotional baggage Claire hauls around, and how it affects her relationship with her children. The anger she held against her 'toad sucking' ex-husband was realistic. I can't imagine the pain of shattered dreams that infidelity brings to the heart of the wounded spouse with children to raise. Sharing Christmas, then being alone while the other parent has the children for the holiday. Ugh! That type of gut-wrenching pain can only be healed through a relationship with Christ, and even then, an ongoing battle for peace would ensue. I found the inner dialogue Claire used to reassure and calm herself as totally hilarious. Some of the one-liners the author came up with were to-die-for funny. I wish I could come up with stuff like that. I found Claire's emotional distancing from her children through her work, and her subsequent honest desire to right things with them, especially emotionally gripping. I felt her pain when the kids either didn't believe she was sincere, or that she only wanted to 'connect' with them because she had nothing better to do. And God bless Darcy. If I were in her shoes I would have lost patience with Claire long ago. Rick is lucky to have someone like Darcy to keep him going. I just hope Rick truly had changed because if he cheated on Darcy I'd have to hurt him. :) I don't understand what Greg sees in Claire, but I suppose because he can't read her thoughts like we can (the readers) he isn't keyed into her true feelings on certain issues. Claire isn't the most likable character because she's bitter, but she does represent many women I know and therefore I want to see her happy. I'm glad there is a continuation of this series planned. We need more novels about divorced heroines trying to find a new life and peace after such a horrible split occurs in the family. Many people are going through the same thing, and honest stories like this can make a difference in lives of hurting women. They may see themselves through Claire's eyes and realize they need to forgive to truly heal. God bless Tracey for writing something any woman can enjoy. Oh, and the going to food for comfort thing and petty little jealousy issues are just classic!

Leave it to Tracey Bateman to create a reluctant hero like Claire to mine some of the deeper issues of life. While the book is fun and laugh-out-loud funny at times, I particularly enjoyed seeing Claire face the obstacles and challenges of real-life. She not only deals with her house and her body and connecting with her kids, but spiritual issues like forgiveness, love and letting go. It's a read so refreshing you won't even realize at first just how much there is to ponder and apply to your own life. Readers will be able to relate to the so-not-perfect Claire as they cheer her on throughout the story. I'm so glad there will be more Claire to come from this great author

Reading Leave It to Claire by Tracey Bateman is as comfortable as putting on your jammies on a cool winter night and hanging out by the fireplace with your best friend. Claire leaps from the pages, a flesh-and-blood woman who has the endearing faults of your favorite cousin and is just as lovable. The characters are believable and their circumstances are as common as the family's next door. Bateman draws you in and makes you care about the people who populate Claire's world. Knocked for a loop by some unanticipated events, Claire draws up a plan to improve her life. Too bad life doesn't follow the script, but despite what comes her way, Claire faces her challenges with humor and determination. At times hilarious, and at times poignant, Leave It to Clair is an honest look at a "real" Christian woman faced with the challenge of being a single, divorced mom.