For better, for worse
Wildlife vet Holly's life seems blissful: husband Dylan is the man of her dreams, she has a rewarding career and a lovely home. And yet, a tiny niggle is growing daily. Dylan is becoming increasingly remote - but why? Holly is determined to mend the fissure in their relationship. But a shocking discovery changes everything...
Family ties
Then there's Dylan's family: his wayward twin Seth and their widowed mother Elaine, who is rather fond of a glass or two of sherry. Nothing in Elaine's life is easy, bringing up teenage granddaughter Megan while the family grieves the loss of Megan's mother.
Family lies
A tragic event rocks the foundations of the family, and Holly's life starts to unravel. Dylan drifts ever further away. Megan is left uncertain and alone, while Seth falls deeper into himself.
The bonds that once bound the family together are breaking. Can they ever be repaired?
It's been a long time since I last read a Linda Huber novel and what a fantastic novel to reintroduce me to this fabulous author. The Un-Family is a real page-turner; it's like watching a family implode in slow motion and I loved it.
This is one massively dysfunctional family that might look cosy from the outside but they're practically fizzing with resentment for each other. Elaine is the matriarch of the family, she's a mother of three and grandmother of one. I really felt sorry for Elaine, her twin sons came along late in life and then her daughter Bryony died leaving Elaine to bring up her granddaughter, Megan. It's no wonder she's a little tired and forgetful these days.
The twin brothers are something else - Dylan really doesn't like his twin brother Seth. In Dylan's eyes, Seth appears to be Elaine's favourite and Dylan can't forgive him for that. Dylan is absolutely delighted to know something about Seth's past and he likes to frequently remind Seth about it. All this hate for his brother seems to be affecting his relationship with his wife and poor Holly can't say or do anything right.
I really loved Megan, her love for her grandmother really shines through and she is nothing like her uncles. It was so lovely to see her relationship with Holly grow and it just shows how lovely Holly is when she devotes so much time to Megan even while her marriage is crumbling around her.
Suspense and tension oozes out from every page and I couldn't read The Un-Family fast enough. There are so many shocks and surprises in store for the reader and you never know what's going to happen next. A highly recommended read that makes you appreciate your own family that little bit more.
I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
My rating:
Buy it from Amazon
Follow the tour:
Thank you very much for a lovely review - so glad you liked it!
ReplyDelete