This book touches on a lot of big topics: first love, dealing with the death of a parent, teenage rebellion, dating after a divorce and/or the death of a spouse, and unexpected pregnancy, among others. There are a number of different characters and plotlines woven together, but the author does so very skillfully, and I really liked that so many characters were able to provide their perspective on the story's events. It's easy to see how this book could turn into a series set in Pecan Valley given the hints of potential future romances that were seen here.
As for the central romance in this story between Dr. Graham Murphy and Felicity Otto-Buchanan, I found it very easy to root for them to find a way to be together. They were both very likeable characters, and had been shouldering too much responsibility on their own for too long. Each of them deserved a partner to share their burdens and appreciate how truly special they were. The way their kids and Felicity's sister Charity played matchmaker for them was very sweet and led to several of the story's lighter moments, such as when Graham and Felicity were dancing together at a block party and Charity and the kids watched and jokingly critiqued their technique.
I hope that this is not the last we'll see of the inhabitants of Pecan Valley! I look forward to seeing what Sasha Summers writes next.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "Accidentally Family"
Welcome to Pecan Valley, where the town may be small but the townspeople will always lend a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on. Where good times, good humor, and good people will always lead to happily ever after.
Life for Felicity, and her teen children, is finally back on track. After her divorce, she wasn’t sure if her sweet family would ever be the same. But things are good––right up until her ex’s spirited toddler lands on Felicity’s doorstep. If the universe is going to throw lemons at her, thank God she has her best friend, Graham, to help her make lemonade out of them. How did she never notice how kind and sexy he is?
Graham is still recovering from his wife’s death years ago and trying to help his teen daughter get her life together. Who is he kidding? His daughter hates him. Forget lemons––he’s got the entire lemon tree. So when Felicity suggests they join forces and help each other, he’s all in. And suddenly he can’t stop thinking about her as more than just a friend. Too bad their timing couldn’t be worse…
Because life rarely goes as planned. Luckily there are many different kinds of family to hold you together and lift you up...plus maybe even a little love between friends.
Read an Excerpt from "Accidentally Family"
Why was he doing this? He didn’t have to. Her family was too preoccupied to notice what he was or wasn’t doing. He could drag Emily into the bushes and make out with her and no one would be the wiser. Except for her. She would be. And she wouldn’t like it. At all. Oh my God, what is wrong with me?
“What’s wrong?” His voice was soft. “You look pissed off.”
“Nothing.” She stirred her brush with more force than necessary, sloshing water onto the table. Nothing at all. She wasn’t upset about him having a fantasy make-out session with Emily. Not in the least. Because that would be ridiculous. “Seriously, Owen, what am I painting?”
“Whatever you’re best at.” He turned to wink at the toddler in line. “I trust you.”
Honor was momentarily distracted by the sharp angle of his jaw and thick column of his neck. He smelled incredible. He had a mole high on his cheek and the thickest lashes—
He was staring back at her now, unflinching. So much so, it was hard to breathe. Too close. Way, way too close.
“Owen.” She cleared her throat.
“Honor.” He tilted his head, those hazel eyes flashing.
“Fine.” He wanted to tease her. To make her…squirm? She’d do exactly what he said. She was best at butterflies. And Owen Nelson deserved the best and brightest butterfly ever. She was tempted to do a full face but that would keep him in her chair, up close and far too personal, for longer than she was prepared to handle.
“Let’s do this.”
In order to paint a person’s face, she had to lean in. Sometimes, on an adult, she’d stand to get a better angle. Owen was tall, so she was standing. But that put things in awkward places. Every time she leaned in, he took a sharp little breath. She hadn’t touched him, wouldn’t touch him, but something was definitely bothering him because he was sitting, eyes closed, hands gripping the arms of her chair.
The butterfly was beautiful.
With long, black antennae, massive wings in brilliant rainbow hues, and—because it was a girl butterfly—she had to have rosy cheeks and long eyelashes. It was so pretty, she decided to add a flower on the side of his nose. And, just to make it perfect, sprinkled the whole thing with iridescent glitter.
“Um, Honor.” Emily was horrified.
Looking at it now, on his gorgeous face, she was a little horrified too. She’d gone too far. It was too late to wipe it off. Everyone had seen it.
“Done?” he asked, his eyes popping open.
She stared down at him. “I guess so.” But she didn’t offer him the mirror. In fact, she hid it behind her back and stepped back. “I should probably apologize.”
His brows shot up. “Does it look bad?
“It’s pretty,” one of the little girls in line reassured him.
“Pretty, huh?” He stepped forward. “Let me see, Honor.”
***
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