Review: A thoughtful, well-balanced story about adoption.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 5, 2014
I think I downloaded this book when it was on a free offer to serve as light reading when I needed something undemanding in which to lose myself for a break. I'd assumed from the pink cover that it would be a frothy romance - not my genre of choice, but hey, it was free and looked pretty on the screen.Over the bank holiday weekend from reading heavier, more serious books, I turned to this one, and was instantly engaged by the opening chapter which paints an amusing portrait of life in an advertising agency. I've worked in one of these myself years ago, and it brought back entertaining memories with its cast of eccentric creative types and bossy secretaries who keep the crazies in check. As to the lead characters, Annie and Michael, plus Annie's estranged small nephew whom she's hoping to adopt, I took to them straight away as rounded, intelligent characters, each with an interesting and considered back story. Although I was certain that the ending would be happy, I couldn't put the book down until I found out for sure.The settings and the characters are effectively painted, and as believable as their dilemmas. Adoption processes in the US are different from where I live in the UK, but even so this was a compelling storyline, cleverly told so that one empathised with all parties. Not for a nanosecond does the book ever become preachy or self-righteous, but even so it struck me that it imparts quietly memorable life lessons. Anyone affected by family conflict and estrangements might well be persuaded to reconsider their position after reading this book, so, light as it is on the surface, it's also potentially life-changing. That's quite an achievement.The writing is slick, competent and intelligent, never falling into the formulaic or cliched writing adopted by some romance books. A great read with a feel-good factor that remained with me long after I'd finished the rewarding last page.I'll definitely be reading more by this author, whatever her book covers are like!