Cassie Everson, after three years of terrible first dates, is ready to give up on marriage--and children--altogether. But when firefighter Jett Bentley reaches out, having remembered her from high school, she gives in to one more try at dating. No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps—each—they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?This is a story worthy of a comedy film. It's filled with all sorts of shenanigans and misunderstandings, with some pretty funny scenes first in Cassie's dating life, and then when both Cassie and Jett become guardians of three children each. It put me in mind of the hilarious but heart-warming movie Mom's Night Out (if you've seen it and enjoyed it, read this book!).
As fun as the story was, there was a lot of depth to the story too. Foster care is a big part of the story, and the author doesn't gloss over how challenging it can be--be it with toddlers or teens. And it isn't just the challenge for the adult doing the fostering, it's things that I wouldn't have thought of, like kids who eat sparingly and hoard leftovers for fear of going without, siblings not handling separation well at everyday functions (like church), or a bone-deep fear of abandonment that would push them to be the first to leave rather than be the one left behind. This is fiction, so it may still be prettier than what many foster families experience, but it was also eye-opening for me, who has no experience at all.
If you like books by Bethany Turner, Becky Wade, or Melissa Tagg, be sure to check this one out!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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