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Blissfully Blended Bullshit: The Uncomfortable Truth of Blending Families
Rebecca Eckler’s newest book chronicles the hard truth of what it’s really like to make a blended family.
Blissfully Blended Bullshit is a witty, engaging, refreshingly candid chronicle of a modern family’s journey as they blend households. We follow Eckler as her partner and his two children move in with her and her daughter. Then, thanks to a reverse vasectomy, they add a baby to the mix. Readers go along for the ride in this poignant, often hilarious tale, as everyone attempts to navigate their new the children, the in-laws, the exes, the ex-in-laws, and even the dog.
Lighthearted and intimate, this is an indispensable story about a family determined to make blended splendid, and the juicy truth of what it’s really like behind closed doors in what is rapidly becoming a typical family makeup. Still, if Eckler had to blend again, would she?
Blissfully Blended Bullshit is a witty, engaging, refreshingly candid chronicle of a modern family’s journey as they blend households. We follow Eckler as her partner and his two children move in with her and her daughter. Then, thanks to a reverse vasectomy, they add a baby to the mix. Readers go along for the ride in this poignant, often hilarious tale, as everyone attempts to navigate their new the children, the in-laws, the exes, the ex-in-laws, and even the dog.
Lighthearted and intimate, this is an indispensable story about a family determined to make blended splendid, and the juicy truth of what it’s really like behind closed doors in what is rapidly becoming a typical family makeup. Still, if Eckler had to blend again, would she?
- GenresNonfictionParenting
280 pages, Paperback
Published June 18, 2019
20 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 10, 2019
This is a humorous book written by Rebecca Eckler about when she got began dating after her divorce and met a guy. Things progressed quickly and before they knew it they were love, she was expecting and they were moving in together. She decided to write about her experience with blended families. She was surprised at how many people it actually affected, how nerved up she was when it took place, and how much crap her guy showed up with!
She has a great, irreverent way of recounting how it all went down that I enjoyed. Especially her take on her guy’s ex when her shrink suggested that she call his ex up and let her know that: 1. she’s pregnant, and 2. he’s moving in with her so her (his ex's) two kids will be living at her place 50% of the time in the near future. Ballsy move. And not well accepted either. This one is for humorous memoir lovers. A fairly quick read that was eye-opening and fun in places, sad in others and pointed throughout. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Rebecca Eckler, and the publisher.
My BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
She has a great, irreverent way of recounting how it all went down that I enjoyed. Especially her take on her guy’s ex when her shrink suggested that she call his ex up and let her know that: 1. she’s pregnant, and 2. he’s moving in with her so her (his ex's) two kids will be living at her place 50% of the time in the near future. Ballsy move. And not well accepted either. This one is for humorous memoir lovers. A fairly quick read that was eye-opening and fun in places, sad in others and pointed throughout. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Rebecca Eckler, and the publisher.
My BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
May 12, 2019
While this book is definitely interesting and very immersively written, you also have to keep in mind that essentially, it's a book about
That can be truly emotionally draining, so I'm warning you.
However, if you're struggling in a blended family yourself, or are looking for similar experiences to your own from the past, then you will definitely find this book a wonderful source of info. The book is very emotional, easy to relate to and the author's way of presenting her own past choices in a way where you shake your head along with her is very easy to read and follow. She doesn't refrain from using humor at her own expense either, so you won't find it a boring read by any means.
But like I said, it's a painful read all the same. I am one of those people that easily identifies with other people's emotions, so I found myself often anxious or stressed out while reading this, because it talked about how Overall, I'd say it's a great read for someone who is looking for relatable stories about blended families, or just anyone who's struggling in a relationship, really. It can help you understand that the problems you're going through aren't unique to you, and help you feel better about it being relatively normal to encounter those. It might also help see the things you don't see in your own relationship because you lack the necessary distance or a point of comparison to see them. It's definitely a good book, but before reading it, you need to know whether you're at a place emotionally where it won't bring you down.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free ebook on NetGalley in exchange to my honest review. It has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
However, if you're struggling in a blended family yourself, or are looking for similar experiences to your own from the past, then you will definitely find this book a wonderful source of info. The book is very emotional, easy to relate to and the author's way of presenting her own past choices in a way where you shake your head along with her is very easy to read and follow. She doesn't refrain from using humor at her own expense either, so you won't find it a boring read by any means.
But like I said, it's a painful read all the same. I am one of those people that easily identifies with other people's emotions, so I found myself often anxious or stressed out while reading this, because it talked about how Overall, I'd say it's a great read for someone who is looking for relatable stories about blended families, or just anyone who's struggling in a relationship, really. It can help you understand that the problems you're going through aren't unique to you, and help you feel better about it being relatively normal to encounter those. It might also help see the things you don't see in your own relationship because you lack the necessary distance or a point of comparison to see them. It's definitely a good book, but before reading it, you need to know whether you're at a place emotionally where it won't bring you down.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free ebook on NetGalley in exchange to my honest review. It has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
September 17, 2019
I got really tired of the whining & victimizing repeatedly in every chapter. It basically seemed to be the author’s opportunity to dump about her ex and complain about the man and life she freely chose. She is also so self-centred she can’t seem to figure out why her Bonus Children have nothing to do with her after she has basically publicly (and seemingly with glee) ridiculed and shamed their father ad nauseam. She should have reminded herself he is also the father of their shared son and she’s put out a one-sided, bitter version of their life together that should have been kept to sharing with friends over wine, not in a “memoir” thinly disguised as some sort of helpful guidebook for people navigating blended families.
I blended 20 years ago and is it tough? yes! Could I relate to some of her feelings? Sure! But I would never be so self-centred to view the life I chose through such a narrow lens. And if my partner had been so self-centred (or thoughtless) I certainly wouldn’t go write a “tell-all” of the life we shared so his children would have to live with the humiliation of it through no fault of their own.
I blended 20 years ago and is it tough? yes! Could I relate to some of her feelings? Sure! But I would never be so self-centred to view the life I chose through such a narrow lens. And if my partner had been so self-centred (or thoughtless) I certainly wouldn’t go write a “tell-all” of the life we shared so his children would have to live with the humiliation of it through no fault of their own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2019
Rebecca gets five stars for honesty.
June 11, 2019
Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The book started out somewhat funny, but then it turned to being 90% about complaining about the authors boyfriend, and not about a “blended” family. I’m not a fan of the book
The book started out somewhat funny, but then it turned to being 90% about complaining about the authors boyfriend, and not about a “blended” family. I’m not a fan of the book
January 17, 2021
Dating a boyfriend with adult kids, I wanted to read this book to find some encouragement or understanding. What I found was the typical trajectory of infatuation followed by getting to know the real person, followed by disappointment. There was no redemption, no looking deeper. By the end , I didn’t feel like this was a person I wanted to look to for advice
May 8, 2023
If you like knowing every negative thought of a person with zero tolerance or self-awareness, get your hands on this book.
April 24, 2019
ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley.
As someone in a blended family, I appreciated Eckler’s humorous approach with this book. I read this book as a bit of a “what to expect when you’re blending families,” because she tackles a lot of the big and small questions — dealing with exes, connecting with step-children, finances, etc. She holds no punches, even those that don’t portray her in the best light. Her input from friends provide unique perspectives of those with varied experiences. This isn’t just a book about Eckler, but about the range of blended family experiences.
In describing the start of her relationship and how it developed, she tackles common “issues” that arise for parents as they date and join families. She didn’t sugarcoat any of it, and she presents her experience without judging others. She covers not the logistics of dating as a parent, but also the emotional angst that comes with it. It’s important to note that she doesn’t hold anything back. She’s graphic to a fault (didn’t need the visual for how she conceived her “Mid Life Crisis Baby”) which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Nonetheless, that fits the theme – divorce, coparenting, and blending families isn’t pretty and neat. It’s messy and crass and beautiful, too.
While Eckler’s experience certainly doesn’t mirror my own with blending a family, the issues are similar. For that, I think it’s a valuable contribution to the books available to those having to navigate such important, yet sensitive, changes to their family. I absolutely recommend it to those embarking on, in the midst of, or cruising through blending their bullshit. It’s full of insight and more than a few laughs.
As someone in a blended family, I appreciated Eckler’s humorous approach with this book. I read this book as a bit of a “what to expect when you’re blending families,” because she tackles a lot of the big and small questions — dealing with exes, connecting with step-children, finances, etc. She holds no punches, even those that don’t portray her in the best light. Her input from friends provide unique perspectives of those with varied experiences. This isn’t just a book about Eckler, but about the range of blended family experiences.
In describing the start of her relationship and how it developed, she tackles common “issues” that arise for parents as they date and join families. She didn’t sugarcoat any of it, and she presents her experience without judging others. She covers not the logistics of dating as a parent, but also the emotional angst that comes with it. It’s important to note that she doesn’t hold anything back. She’s graphic to a fault (didn’t need the visual for how she conceived her “Mid Life Crisis Baby”) which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Nonetheless, that fits the theme – divorce, coparenting, and blending families isn’t pretty and neat. It’s messy and crass and beautiful, too.
While Eckler’s experience certainly doesn’t mirror my own with blending a family, the issues are similar. For that, I think it’s a valuable contribution to the books available to those having to navigate such important, yet sensitive, changes to their family. I absolutely recommend it to those embarking on, in the midst of, or cruising through blending their bullshit. It’s full of insight and more than a few laughs.
April 25, 2019
This was an entertaining and surprisingly poignant memoir - but also one that felt repetitive quite a lot and wore on me more than I expected as a result. Don't get me wrong - there are hilarious moments, as well as ones that bright tears to me eyes and those that made me want to jump out of my chair yelling "YES!!" (I am a step parent - even though much of the book didn't apply, some bits did with startling clarity). The book feels utterly authentic in its confusion, pain, and emotions - so much so perhaps that it caught me off guard to repeatedly see this clearly strong and smart woman fall prey to do much self doubt and inertia and willingness to accept - over and over again - behavior that she clearly recognized as unproductive, unhealthy, and unsatisfying. Then again, maybe those are the moments that made the book ring most true - how many of us I've have done (or not done) similar things in similar situations, after all? This wasn't the light-hearted read I expected, and I can't say for sure that I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, but I am glad I read it.
December 13, 2019
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
This... this is the book every person needs to read! Ms. Eckler tells her story about dating after divorce and what it was like blending their families together.
She touches all the issues from step parents, to ex's, to pregnancy, dating. etc. She keeps it real and lets it all out on the table.
I could relate to this story so much and it was nice to read about somebody else going through the same thing.
A laugh out loud story. If you can relate you sure will enjoy!
This... this is the book every person needs to read! Ms. Eckler tells her story about dating after divorce and what it was like blending their families together.
She touches all the issues from step parents, to ex's, to pregnancy, dating. etc. She keeps it real and lets it all out on the table.
I could relate to this story so much and it was nice to read about somebody else going through the same thing.
A laugh out loud story. If you can relate you sure will enjoy!
June 10, 2019
This book flew by! Rebecca has that magic way of writing where you feel she's just sitting next to you and gabbing away. If anything - I just want to know more. I don't come from a blended family, I don't live in a blended family but I still enjoyed every page of this book. Thank you for writing it!
June 21, 2019
This is an honest and humorous account of what it is like when you are part of a blended family. The author didn't hold back on her accounts of how everyone, including the family dog, were impacted when she merged her family with her partner's.
August 17, 2019
Very relatable to my home situation when I was a teenager, and my mom brought a new man into our lives.
June 8, 2021
She became a writer to dump her trash about her past and ex. Never said anything cool abt them. Typical bitch
August 26, 2021
It felt like an important read for someone considering blending families.
March 27, 2023
If you want to witness what it's really like to have a blended family - read this book! It was definitely an entertaining page-turner that kept me on the edge of my couch as I devoured every word.
September 9, 2025
Hated it! I almost dnf. One of the worst memoirs I’ve read. The author just complains through the majority of the book!!
July 5, 2021
First takeaway from this book: I do not have what it takes to be part of a blended family. Thank you, Rebecca for your candid account of what's it like in the epicentre of this emotional tornado. I love that you held nothing back. Blending families is never easy.
March 19, 2019
I just have one word for it..... Enlightening. Her use of words and her narration of events makes it like you are there living the life. It made me see the struggles of having a blended family even if love still exist in the same family. Her descriptions and expressions of emotions are great. The book is like a life manual for individuals intending to become a blended home. It's all ranging hormones until it becomes real. lol. It's a must-read.
April 10, 2019
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
refreshing and funny book.
a real look at blended families with a dash of humor.
refreshing and funny book.
a real look at blended families with a dash of humor.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews