If you are looking for an end of summer read, you can’t go wrong with a new story by Susan Mallery!
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When We Found Home
by Susan Mallery
Blurb:
Life is meant to be savored, but that’s not easy with no family, limited prospects and a past you’d rather not talk about. Still, 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. Calli
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. He was clever enough to turn a sleepy Seattle mail-order e doesn’t love being alone, but at least it’s safe. 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.food catalog into an online gourmet powerhouse, yet he can’t figure out how to help his new sisters feel secure. 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 a beautiful barista teaches him that an open heart, like the family table, can always make room for more.
In this emotional, funny and heartfelt story, 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.
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*****
Review:
I love Susan Mallery’s writing style. She does a wonderful job of giving readers all the feels while adding in just the right amount of quirk and fun. And with When We Found Home, she doesn’t disappoint.
Malcolm joined the Carlesso family when he was 12. And while he had a great relationship with his mom and formed a bond with his new-found grandfather, his dad was pretty awful… and now they are finding out just how awful with the addition of a couple of half sisters. You just have to feel for Malcolm as he struggles to relate to his new family dynamic. His has no idea how to connect with his 12 year old half sister, Keira, and the sudden appearance of a new sister only a couple of years younger than him makes it even more complicated. Luckily, with the help of a lovely barista, he just might figure things out.
Callie has gone from having nothing to having everything, including a family, and she’s just not sure how to handle it. Adding in an intimidating and emotionally distant brother doesn’t help. But the relationship she forms with her new little sister, as the two of the bond over their now drastically different circumstances, will just melt your heart. Throw in a guy who thinks she hung the moon, and her life might become just about perfect.
Keira is the one I wanted to cuddle the most out of the group (although Malcolm comes in a close second – the man is just clueless but he does try … ish). Her childhood was awful, including a druggie mom and a stint in foster care. It’s no wonder that she’s convinced her new posh life won’t last. Luckily an accident, a friendly barista, and the appearance of her new half-sister just might be the catalysts to help her trust in her new situation.
Mallery uses her trademark wit & snappy dialogue, along with engaging & well-developed characters, to deliver a wonderfully emotional read. While there is a romance for both Malcolm and Callie, its the three of them trying to figure out how to become a family that really steals the show. The complications from being thrown together at this point in their lives make it even that much harder to find a way to connect but with a little guidance, some honesty, and sheer will, they just might make something wonderful out of a terrible beginning.
*****
Author Info:
#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives-family, friendship, romance. She’s known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages.Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.
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Giveaway:
Enter to win a Taste of Seattle gift bag, including:
An “I [Heart] Happy Books” tote bag
Starbucks Pike’s Place ground coffee
Seattle Chocolates gift set (3 truffle jars)
Cucina Fresca marinara sauce
Sahale Snacks (6 packs)
Maury Island Farms jam (2 jars)
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/12a5ba191/
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