Thirty-six-year-old Grace McAllister never longed for children. But when she meets Victor Hansen, a handsome, charismatic divorced restaurateur who is father to Max and Ava, Grace decides that, for the right man, she could learn to be an excellent part-time stepmom. After all, the kids live with their mother, Kelli. How hard could it be?
At thirteen, Ava Hansen is mature beyond her years. Since her parents’ divorce, she has been the one taking care of her emotionally unstable mother and her little brother—she pays the bills, does the laundry, and never complains because she loves her mama more than anyone. And while her father’s new girlfriend is nice enough, Ava still holds out hope that her parents will get back together and that they’ll be a family again.
But only days after Victor and Grace get engaged, Kelli dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances—and soon, Grace and Ava discover there was much more to Kelli’s life than either ever knew.
My thoughts...
This is an emotional story, my heart broke in several places as I read. Grace is happy with her life, loves her career and Victor, her fiance. He has two children who live with his ex, Kelli, and that makes Grace even happier. She has no desire to be a mother. Something tragic happens and the children come to live with Grace and their father. Thirteen year old Ava needs to know more about what made her mother a woman with a lot of pain. As she and Grace dig through Kelli's past the story is then being told by Kelli. So heartbreaking .
Hatveny writes with such passion you can feel the emotions from each person as they go through the grieving process...the depression... the pain... and the change in their lives. Kelli and Grace are such different people, my heart went out to Kelli. She loved being a mom and just wanted to be accepted. A beautiful story.
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
No comments:
Post a Comment