Emma is looking forward to the best Christmas ever, and it seems to be happening when her stepdad brings home lots of expensive presents. But then the shock comes. He is leaving them to live with fellow actor Sarah. Emma and her younger sister Vita and brother Maxie are bereft. Even though he is not her real father, Emma has always been very close to him. He calls her his Princess Emerald and treats her as though she is his real daughter. Dad, who tells wonderful stories and is full of magic and games is no longer part of their lives. Gran (with whom they live) is pleased because she looks upon him as a scrounger, a lay-about, and a liar - which he is, though a loving one. Mum loves him, though, and would be willing to forgive if he wanted to come back. This is a tortured man who causes great pain to his family, and we see Emma (who has a weight problem), Vita and Maxie handling (or not) the situation each in his or her own way. Told by Emma, the story has all the heartbreak and stringency that such real life stories inevitably have, and while it looks at the end as though the magic may work and dad will return, this is not necessarily a happy ending. There has been too much pain, and Emma and her mum have grown up and must wonder if dad will ever be reliable. Jacqueline Wilson herself comes into the story as famous children's author Jenna Williams (note the initials), who encourages Emma's writing talent. A marvelously readable book, as to be expected with Wilson, and very honest.