Scan barcode
mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
The editors should have caught the family tree mistakes and discovered what a second cousin really is.
A strange connection involving an artist who makes sculptures from car parts. Reminded me of "Death and the Hub Cap," a recent read.
I plan to read more by this author.
A strange connection involving an artist who makes sculptures from car parts. Reminded me of "Death and the Hub Cap," a recent read.
I plan to read more by this author.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
1.0
after more than one hundred pages, i found myself not interested in the characters in this book. the storyline is interesting enough - custody battle of a child whose parents have died - but the development of the plot just felt too stiffled. moving on.
wendyskeenan's review against another edition
2.0
The basic premise was good, but I did not enjoy the writing style of the author at all. I found the story had little to no "flow." I struggled to get through this book.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 STARS
"Gordon McKenna is a handsome 24-year-old science teacher who thought life was as tough as it could get when his only sister, Georgia, was diagnosed with cancer. Then she and her husband die in a car crash, leaving behind their one-year-old daughter, Keefer. Gordon willingly gives up his self-involved bachelor life and adopts his beloved niece. Georgia's in-laws, however, have different wishes for their granddaughter. Well heeled, conservative and wealthy, they believe their born-again Christian niece and her husband should get custody of the child. Their challenge to Gordon's custody lies in the fact that both he and Georgia were adopted children, with "only" love, not blood, connecting Gordon and Keefer. Thus begins the custody battle which makes up the bulk of this book. Mitchard is known for her bestseller, The Deep End of the Ocean (Oprah's very first book pick, back in Sept. '96), as well as for her nationally syndicated newspaper column about family life. As a widowed mother of five adopted children who was once part of a custody suit, Mitchard is an expert on how even the most loving and functional households can be thrown into turmoil and chaos without warning. She writes with grace and authority, and Juliette Parker's gentle and even reading of the text gives a slightly upbeat feel to this suspenseful and emotional tale that challenges the legal definition of "family." (From Amazon)
I had high hopes for this author and could not wait to read this novel. I found the novel to be uninteresting to me. I did finish it but it was more because I respect the author and her writing.
"Gordon McKenna is a handsome 24-year-old science teacher who thought life was as tough as it could get when his only sister, Georgia, was diagnosed with cancer. Then she and her husband die in a car crash, leaving behind their one-year-old daughter, Keefer. Gordon willingly gives up his self-involved bachelor life and adopts his beloved niece. Georgia's in-laws, however, have different wishes for their granddaughter. Well heeled, conservative and wealthy, they believe their born-again Christian niece and her husband should get custody of the child. Their challenge to Gordon's custody lies in the fact that both he and Georgia were adopted children, with "only" love, not blood, connecting Gordon and Keefer. Thus begins the custody battle which makes up the bulk of this book. Mitchard is known for her bestseller, The Deep End of the Ocean (Oprah's very first book pick, back in Sept. '96), as well as for her nationally syndicated newspaper column about family life. As a widowed mother of five adopted children who was once part of a custody suit, Mitchard is an expert on how even the most loving and functional households can be thrown into turmoil and chaos without warning. She writes with grace and authority, and Juliette Parker's gentle and even reading of the text gives a slightly upbeat feel to this suspenseful and emotional tale that challenges the legal definition of "family." (From Amazon)
I had high hopes for this author and could not wait to read this novel. I found the novel to be uninteresting to me. I did finish it but it was more because I respect the author and her writing.
superleeni's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I felt really connected with Gordon, and so badly wanted for him to get custody. His bond with Keefer, and the little things that he did for her was so touching. I really disliked Ray's whole side of the family, especially Delia. I was mad at Lorraine and Mark for running away with Keefer from Ray's memorial service. I liked the ending, with keefer's voice to it, but I would have also liked to hear see it from one of the adult's perspective also.
disasterchick's review against another edition
4.0
I'm giving this a four star because of the issues this book raises, and I did enjoy the read. I wish it didn't feel quite as gossipy. There are at least six voices of narration in this story which can make it confusing at times. I also felt the only character I got to know was Gordon, but he was still a mystery at times. What makes this book important is the question at the heart of the book - do you know what will happen to your child(ren) if you and their other parents were to suddenly die? Do you have a will? Have you made your wishes known? Or do you think your families will figure it out? Georgia and Ray had all the incentive to make a plan for Keefer, and failed to - especially if their deaths was a suicide. I lost my dad at a young age and always knew were I was going had my mom also died. The other important question brought up is adoption. In this story adoptive rights were not equal to blood rights. This makes me wonder about how many laws are still existing where a formally adoptive child/sibling does not have the same rights as those related by blood.
dommdy's review against another edition
3.0
2 1/2 stars. When I read a book called Breakdown that I really didn’t like I remember liking one by Jacquelyn Mithchard called The Breakdown Lane that I liked so I decided to read some of hers I hadn’t read.
This was a very complicated story about families, tragedy, a long fight over the adoption of a child that didn’t focus much on the child at all. I found most of the characters unlikeable. I do love her writing, I just didn’t get the feels from this book
This was a very complicated story about families, tragedy, a long fight over the adoption of a child that didn’t focus much on the child at all. I found most of the characters unlikeable. I do love her writing, I just didn’t get the feels from this book
kgormley's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this one and was extremely disappointed that it didn't draw me in like I thought it would. Between the cover and the "blurb" on the inside of the jacket I thought for sure this was going to be a book I couldn't put down. I actually considered more than once putting it down and not picking it back up again. I found it confusing to read at times, and there several things about the plot that I didn't understand. The subject of the story was thought provoking and interesting.
shelleyann01's review against another edition
4.0
Such an emotional read. I loved how it was part family drama and part courtroom dynamics. This book made me feel sadness while I cheered Gordie on. I always enjoy books by Ms. Mitchard, she has a wonderful way with words and story-telling.