TEST
In recent years I’ve read a lot more series romance. The main reason is probably just that I have been busier, and a shorter, quick read often appeals to me. Family at Stake is a meatier book, though, dealing with such weighty matters as abuse, child protective services, and troubled teenagers. Light and fluffy it isn’t, but I enjoyed it very much nonetheless.
When Rachel Filmore graduated from high school, she left her small California town as soon as she could escape it. It hurt to leave behind her best friend (and recent lover) Mac, but she knew that getting out was the only way to preserve her sanity. In the ten years since high school, she’s avoided all contact with her family, even though her chosen field is social work – and she works to protect children in abusive environments similar to the one from which she came. When her close friend Olivia is promoted, Rachel takes on some of her old cases. She is shocked to see a file with Mac’s name on it, along with a recommendation that his daughter be removed from his custody. Horrified, Rachel goes back to her hometown to check out the situation herself. It’s a breach of ethics, but she hopes no one will find out.
Mac is startled to see Rachel on his doorstep, and he’s not really inclined to trust her. She left very suddenly after high school, after telling him she would stay. He married badly on the rebound, and his daughter Amanda was born shortly thereafter. His wife died in an accident, and initially Amanda seemed to be doing okay. But lately she has been completely unresponsive. She refuses to eat, and seldom talks to him. Then one night she ran away and helped a friend set fire to a local man’s property, which is why her case ended up in the hands of child and family services. Just one glance at Amanda is enough for Rachel to figure out that something is seriously wrong, but she doesn’t think Mac is at fault. The man she knows would never abuse his daughter in any way. Rachel resolves to get to the bottom of the situation. Even though Mac doesn’t trust her, she knows she can help. Because she herself came from a tough background, she has had success in the past with troubled kids.
Of course, putting their shared past behind them is easier said than done. The more time they spend together, the more Rachel and Mac realize that their feelings are unresolved; they really haven’t changed. Then Rachel starts spending more time with Mac and Amanda, which isn’t entirely appropriate. Word gets out, and her job is on the line. Rachel needs to figure out the best way to help Amanda, because she is sure that she is the only person who can get to the bottom of the situation and really help her. As she tries to figure out the best way to help, she also needs to resolve issues from her own past. And then there is her attraction to Mac. Is it really too late for them, or can they overcome their hurt and trust issues?
Overall, I found this book really engrossing. The fuzzy, saccharine cover (which features a girl in a dorky barrette that no preteen would touch with a ten foot pole) gives a false impression; this is a suspenseful book. I was surprised that it was such a page turner. Almost from the moment I picked it up I was dying to know what really happened to Amanda. O’Keefe paces the book well, gradually giving more and more information about the situation. The resolution, when it comes, is realistic and satisfying.
Obviously, a troubled little girl does not a romance make – not by herself, at least. Though Amanda is the catalyst that brings Rachel back into Mac’s life (and is certainly an integral part of the story), the romance is still center stage. Both Mac and Rachel are worthy characters. It’s somewhat unusual to have both a hero and heroine who have difficult childhoods to overcome, but it works well here, even though Family at Stake is a relatively short book. Rachel is an interesting and complex heroine, and I really liked her. I liked that she had escaped a difficult life at great personal cost, and I liked that she had made a career of helping people. I also appreciated the conflicts and difficult decisions that she faced.
I also must confess a personal weakness for romances involving really good friends who become lovers. The reason is not really a secret; I’ve been married for over seventeen years to my high school best friend. The friendship aspect of the story works really well here. There are a lot of reminiscences about the fun they had during high school, and the fact that Rachel was Mac’s friend also helps her develop a relationship with Amanda. That ultimately enables Rachel to get to the bottom of Amanda’s problems. It’s one of the best friends-to-lovers stories that I’ve read in years.
I would encourage anyone to pick this one up, even if you don’t typically read series romance. It’s more than a series romance, and more than an “issue book.” It’s an engaging read about characters you can really care about, and definitely worth a look.
Grade: B+
Book Type: Series Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 15/09/06
Publication Date: 2006/08
I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
Related Reviews
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.