Justin O’Dwyer is 19. Four days ago, his mother died of a drug overdose, and now Justin is back in Enterprise, Oregon, trying to figure out how to raise the younger siblings he’s afraid of losing to the foster system. Justin is completely out of his depth. Harper is six, and hates him. Wyatt is four and doesn’t remember him. And baby Scarlett, at fourteen months, has never even met her big … brother before. When Scarlett gets sick and won’t stop screaming, and when Harper runs off in the middle of the night, Justin is at the end of his tether. In desperation, he knocks on a neighbor’s door begging for help.
Del Abbot is 38, and living in his grandparents’ old place in Enterprise after his marriage broke down and he lost his restaurant in the divorce. He’s a chef, even had his own show on cable for a while, but now he’s looking for a new start, if he could just figure out what exactly that entails. When the O’Dwyer family barrels into his life one night, Del can’t refuse to help. What begins as a trip to the hospital becomes a regular child-minding gig while Justin struggles to find his feet. And the more time Del spends with Justin, the more they both want more than friendship. But small town life comes with its own bigotry, and, in Justin’s case, that bigotry has always been close to home.
When an act of violence threatens to destroy the small family they’ve built, both Justin and Del need to put aside their pasts and reach for their future together.
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I read this in one sitting because I had to know what happened next. The story is emotional and heartbreaking, violent and hopeful; hurt-comfort perfection. The age gap brings a uniqueness to the relationship and adds another layer to the insecurity and doubts.
I love how Justin and Del put aside their own differences and personal stress to help each through their pain and brokenness. At its core this is a story about family, no matter how broken or dysfunctional, there’s still love and love conquers all. Plus, the ending is the best kind of HEA – heartwarming and sappy sweet.
Family Recipe sounded like a special story and I’ve enjoyed a couple books from both authors so I jumped right in after reading the blurb. The main characters and their stories were compelling and I loved how the entire book reflected the steadying force love and a supportive family can provide, especially since Justin and his siblings experienced the highs and lows families can offer.
The start of Family Recipe hooked me right away- detailing two men faced with new, tenuous futures. Justin’s character and experiences were especially well written. His fears, anxieties, and uncertainty were palpable and had me pulling for his happily-ever-after. I also liked Del, his steady personality came through as clearly as his nerves regarding what was next for him. I liked how the cooking element wove throughout the book and brought as well, giving it a comforting feel. Where I fumbled a bit was the start of the relationship. It felt very abrupt, like an awkward insta-love setup. Initially, it made sense and I assumed it was due to Justin’s situation and age and expected the authors would draw it out, establishing a balanced connection and chemistry as palpable as those initial moments with Justin, but it never really happened. Admittedly there were a lot of details to cover and a myriad of conflicts in Family Recipe, so I suspect the relationship simply was rushed a bit to get to the heart of the story- which was beautiful. That said, the transition of Del and Justin as strangers to lovers felt clunky compared to the rest of the plot development and had me nervous about how it would all end up. Happily, all the resolutions, including the progression of Justin and Del’s relationship felt complete and I really enjoyed the book as a whole. I especially loved the epilogue and how it brought the family’s story full circle. If you like romances involving found family, children, or main characters with an age gap and can weather a bit of insta-love, I’d definitely recommend Family Recipe.
*eARC received via author distribution. The authors had no influence over this review*
Some stories scream to be read! How can you resist a story where children, who try to survive, are involved.
How can you resist a story about broken families and chosen families. Where neighbors are saviors. Where people open their arms and hearts just like that.
It was hard sometimes but this story had so many warm and beautiful moments, those were the moments who were stitched into my heart. The hurt, the powerlessness was palpable, the violence was horrible to experience, still the way Del and his family embraced Justin and his family was what stayed with me.
The power of love was enormous.
“one day, when you’re ready, I’m going to date the hell out of you.”
After their mother died from an od Justin returns back home to take care of his young neglected siblings. He is only nineteen while Harper is six years, Wyatt four, and little Scarlett just 14 months. Justin escaped his home four years ago and now, he knows nothing about raise little children. After four days he’s desperate, exhausted and at his wits’ end.
He ends up at his neighbor’s threshold on his knees. Del, the angel he is, immediately take care of them. His food brings them together.
Del made me cry more than once with his soft heart and kind voice. These children were so in need of positive confirmation.
There are hurtful, heartwarming, heartbreaking moments. The love and all-day activities of Del, Justin, and their kids were the main stories here. We can see the process of how they survived, how they grow together, how broken souls heal.
Dang, this was a beautifully written, overwhelming story.
A must-read!
When he got the news of his mother’s death, Justin O’Dwyer’s life as he knew it ended. Not so much of a life to begin with, but at least he had recently found a semblance of stability, with plans to better his future. But now he has to raise his three younger siblings, and try to offer them a normal childhood. Not an easy task for someone who doesn’t know what it entails, not having lived one himself.
The help his neighbor, Del, offers is providential, to say the least. Soon Del’s home becomes a sanctuary for the O’Dwyer siblings, a place where Justin can forget about his gloomy prospects and the children are well cared for and actually blooming. Del seems to have a magic hand with them, somehow instinctively knowing how to talk to them, when to praise or to be stern. They’re also a great distraction, a reason for Del to delay any choices regarding his future.
So, I guess they met at the perfect time, each having what the other needed. Justin has someone to help him find his footing and Del sees his dream come true: a family of his own to take care of. Maybe it doesn’t come as a surprise when they’re slowly more and more attracted to each other, but I appreciated the fact they don’t just throw themselves into a relationship. They doubt their connection and question the validity of their feelings, considering how dependent on one another they are. I’ll admit I would of preferred they tested their doubts, maybe have Justin step away from Del, try to make it all by himself and only afterwards see if they could build something together.
That doesn’t mean that I don’t like them as a couple, because I do, they’re absolutely perfect for each other. I’m just sorry for the lingering insecurities that neither Del or Justin seem to lose.
I really liked the family they’ve built together. I particularly enjoyed the fact that the little ones aren’t just mentioned in the book. In fact, the authors gave them clear personalities and voices, making them active participants not just secondary to the romance. That’s why Family Recipe felt more like reading the story of how five people found each other, two adults and three children interlocking their lives into a durable bond of love.