A Friend of the Family

Rating:
Summary: What a Treat!
Review: Who is this friend of the family? He is quite a mystery. And the lives of the boys introduced in this satisfying story about the relationship between three sons prove to be somewhat of a mystery also. Ms. Jewell has managed to create a genuine-feeling novel about 3 very different men, the women they love and hate, the mother & father they adore, the stranger who seems to know things, and the ensuing clashes they have with each other.

Somehow Ms. Jewell has the ability in this book to shift from one son to another through each separate chapter smoothly and without a break in momentum. When you've finished a chapter and it's now moving on to another character, you think, "Oh yes! What's happening with this person now?" But it wasn't too soon to find out or too late to be moving on. It was just at the perfect time. And I love how she has subtitled each chapter, it's a tiny appetizer to whet our appetites for the great meal that's to come.

At first I was totally enthralled by Tony's story, who is this guy? Why is he so obsessed with this other woman and has such a rude derision for the totally nice gal he's with? Ned's story was just a fluffy, quaint little wrapped story with a wacky beginning and a cotton candy ending. But in the end, I felt the most satisfied by Sean's story. You will just have to read it yourself to find out.

I am not male with two brothers, but I totally can imagine that this is what it really and truly could be like. All in all a completely satisfying, touching, funny, authentic and uplifting story that you will not want to put down.

Rating:
Summary: What a Treat!
Review: Who is this friend of the family? He is quite a mystery. And the lives of the boys introduced in this satisfying story about the relationship between three sons prove to be somewhat of a mystery also. Ms. Jewell has managed to create a genuine-feeling novel about 3 very different men, the women they love and hate, the mother & father they adore, the stranger who seems to know things, and the ensuing clashes they have with each other.

Somehow Ms. Jewell has the ability in this book to shift from one son to another through each separate chapter smoothly and without a break in momentum. When you've finished a chapter and it's now moving on to another character, you think, "Oh yes! What's happening with this person now?" But it wasn't too soon to find out or too late to be moving on. It was just at the perfect time. And I love how she has subtitled each chapter, it's a tiny appetizer to whet our appetites for the great meal that's to come.

At first I was totally enthralled by Tony's story, who is this guy? Why is he so obsessed with this other woman and has such a rude derision for the totally nice gal he's with? Ned's story was just a fluffy, quaint little wrapped story with a wacky beginning and a cotton candy ending. But in the end, I felt the most satisfied by Sean's story. You will just have to read it yourself to find out.

I am not male with two brothers, but I totally can imagine that this is what it really and truly could be like. All in all a completely satisfying, touching, funny, authentic and uplifting story that you will not want to put down.