Book Review:
Wow!! A 5-star read! This book tugged on my heartstrings! I have always been a huge fan of Robyn Carr. I have read and re-read many of her books. She puts emotions into words on the pages of her books. Her writing has always pulled me in, allowing me to become immersed in the world she is creating. A Family Affair was such a story. She captured the raw emotions of her characters. It was a story of realization, of personal growth, acceptance, and change.
This complex story starts with the sudden death of a man, Chad McNichol. A successful psychologist, husband, father, and friend. His will left a percentage of his inheritance to an anonymous person. This left many unanswered questions. His wife Anna and their children struggle to deal with the tragic loss and mess he left behind.
As the story unfolds, many long-hidden secrets come to light. Secrets that will forever change the complicated McNichol family. It chronicles the year after Chad’s death. The story is full of twists and turns and deals with untold secrets, grief, anger, forgiveness, and moving on. It touches on many troublesome issues. Death, adultery, dementia, aging, autism, mental health, and COVID are just a few. The author handled each well. I loved how each character had their own storyline, which tied into the main plot. The characters were full of depth, each one unique and well developed. I came to understand their personalities and behaviors. I became invested in this intriguing story about the realities many families face. There are possible triggers for some, but I felt the author handled them delicately. It was, as expected, an excellent read written by an exceptional author. I recommend adding this book to your to-be-read lists. The expected publication date is April 5, 2022.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Life’s biggest dilemmas can provide its sweetest rewards.
Anna McNichol knows how to take charge. Raised by a single mother, she’s worked to ensure her three children have every advantage she didn’t. And while her marriage has its problems, she values commitment and believes in “till death do us part”. Now an empty nester, she’s at the peak of her career and ready to seize the opportunity to focus on her future.
But life can change in an instant, and when her husband dies suddenly, Anna’s carefully constructed world falls apart. The mysterious young woman at the memorial service confirms her husband had been keeping secrets, and Anna is determined to get to the truth.
For once, she doesn’t have the answers. Her kids are struggling with their grief, her mother’s health is in decline, and Anna needs closure. Faced with one challenge after another, she finds support from an unexpected source. And as she puts her life back together, Anna realizes the McNichols may not be perfect, but they’ll always be family, and family is forever.