Second Best by Jessica Dettmann

A hilarious and heartwarming debut that captures the dramas, delights and delirium of modern parenting

Going from one child to two is never all that easy for a family, but when Emma’s husband simultaneously fathers a third child three doors up the street, things get very tricky very fast.

No longer is it enough for Emma to be the best wife and mother. Now she needs to be the best ex-wife and the best part-time parent to her ex’s love child—and that’s before she even thinks about adding a new bloke to the mix.

Set in an upwardly mobile, ultra-competitive suburb, this is a funny, biting, heartwarming modern comedy that looks at the roles we play, how we compete and what happens when we dare to strive for second-best.