#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery masterfully explores the definition of a modern family–blended by surprise, not by choice–and how those complicated relationships can add unexpected richness to life. “Heartwarming…this book is sweet and will appeal to readers who enjoy the intricacies of family drama.”–Publishers Weekly Life is meant to be savored, but that’s not easy … savored, but that’s not easy with no family, limited prospects and a past you’d rather not talk about.
Callie Smith doesn’t know how to feel when she discovers she has a brother and a sister–Malcolm, who grew up with affection, wealth and privilege, and Keira, a streetwise twelve-year-old. Despite her trepidation, she moves into the grand family home with her siblings and grandfather on the shores of Lake Washington, hoping just maybe this will be the start of a whole new life.
But starting over can be messy. Callie and Keira fit in with each other, but not with their posh new lifestyle, leaving Malcolm feeling like the odd man out in his own home. Becoming a family will take patience, humor, a little bit of wine and a whole lot of love. But love isn’t Malcolm’s strong suit…until he learns that an open heart, like the family table, can always make room for more.more
Heartfelt, funny, and utterly charming all the way through!
I really enjoyed this book, which I received for review when I had Susan on my podcast Wine Women & Writing. It’s warm and funny, and it really covers all the unpredictable ways in which family becomes *family*. She also has a deft hand at including animals into a storyline, which I love.
In this book we meet Malcolm who has taken over running the family business since his grandfather has retired. When he was twelve he came to live with his grandfather learning along the way that he had a father who didn’t want anything to do with him. A few years after his fathers death his grandfather feels it’s time to go through his papers and Malcolm learns that he has two half-sisters that he never new about. One is twelve year old Kiera who is in foster care, they immediately bring her to live with them, the only problem, Malcolm doesn’t know how to be a big brother much less a guardian. When his grandfather finds his other sister Callie who is twenty six and brings her to live with them things become even more intense and strained. You see Malcolm has cut off his emotions thanks to the betrayal of a fiance and doesn’t know how to open up. In comes Delaney, a young woman who works as a barista at a coffee shop located in the building where Malcolm works. She steps in offering friendship and does her best to help Malcolm navigate the changes that have been brought into his life. Delaney herself has her own issues to work through and having a new friend to offer up advice might help her to. Follow along as Malcolm tries to become the brother he so truly wants to be for his sisters and maybe he will let the ice around his heart melt to let love in. This was a lovely story about how families can come together and become one and that love can be found at the most unexpected times.
I really enjoyed the contrasts of the various characters, and I love Keira – the little sister. It was an interesting weaving of the different plot lines, and I was definitely rooting for the characters to all get their happy-ever-afters 🙂
I have always enjoyed books by Susan Mallery. She does a good job of creating characters that are realistic and believable. In this book I enjoyed getting to know Malcolm, Callie, Kiera, and Delaney. People with messed up backgrounds rising up and moving forward in a positive way. The strength and power of love and family are themes in all the interwoven stories of these characters. Yes, there were some predictable parts and fortunately the family had money (Whew!), but the storyline was strong enough to overlook that. For me, this kind of book is like comfort food – it is familiar and happily satisfying.
I have been a huge Susan Mallery fan for a long time, but this is the first time I’ve read one of her non-traditional romance novels. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see how the lives of Malcolm, Delaney, Callie, Keira and Santiago unfolded. I wanted to find out so badly that I finished this book in one day, it was that enchanting. Emotional, funny, honest and still had that quintessential Mallery character connections that keep bringing me back for more. I can’t recommend this story enough.
Susan Mallery did an excellent job of writing a story about family, new beginnings, and second chances. It was so interesting to see how Keira, Callie and Malcolm interact and finally become family. I really loved this quote from the book, “When your joy comes from within, no one can take it from you.” That is so very true. I loved reading about the Carlesso family. I had a hard time putting it down, since I wanted to keep reading to see what happened next. Well done!
A page-turner from the beginning to the end of the book. There was laughter and tears in this story. It is Susan Mallery at her best. This is a book I will read again.
This was a wonderful story of two sisters and brother getting to know one another well enough to feel like a real family. Malcolm Carlesso’s father was a cad. Two years after his death Malcolm’s grandfather finds out when going through his son’s papers that he had fathered a daughter with two different women. He insisted that the girls come to live with them because they were family. Malcolm does not have a clue how to relate to twelve year old Keira and Callie Smith whose past haunts her present and future. Will Callie be able to make good on this second chance? Then there is Delaney Holbrook who becomes friends with all of them, but also has trust issues from her past. This is a heartwarming, lovely story and I enjoyed it immensely.
Loved it from front to b as ck
A lovely, heartwarming story of how the definition of “family” can change and develop. Siblings Callie, Malcolm, and Keira navigate their relationships with heart and humor — once again, Susan Mallery gives us a charming, heartfelt story filled with hope and love.
I have enjoyed every one of her books.
I love to read anything she writes.
Great book about 3 siblings
This was a book that I could not put down. It was romantic and the characters believable. Would recommend this book.
Susan Mallery writes about families that you would like to meet.
Good author. Like all her books
I couldn’t put this down because I wanted to know how each of the siblings decided to interact with one another next! I can’t imagine being in this actual situation, but I know that it can happen and I love the way Susan Mallory handled the idea.
Love her books. Great characters with a wonderful story!
Enjoyed this book. Great story and characters