***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Life’s biggest dilemmas can provide its sweetest rewards
Anna McNichol knows how to take charge. Raised by a single mother, she’s worked to ensure her three children have every advantage she didn’t. And while her marriage has its problems, she values commitment and believes in "till death do us part." Now an empty nester, she’s at the peak of her career and ready to seize the opportunity to focus on her future.
But life can change in an instant, and when her husband dies suddenly, Anna’s carefully constructed world falls apart. The mysterious young woman at the memorial service confirms her husband had been keeping secrets, and Anna is determined to get to the truth.
For once, she doesn’t have the answers. Her kids are struggling with their grief, her mother’s health is in decline and Anna needs closure. Faced with one challenge after another, she finds support from an unexpected source. And as she puts her life back together, Anna realizes the McNichols may not be perfect but they’ll always be family, and family is forever.
A Family Affair by Robyn Carr is a stand-alone novel about one family who lost one of its own, and how they came together to help each other survive the loss and examine their past. I was riveted by this family drama and wanted each of the characters to find some happiness.
Anna McNichol was raised by a single mother and is now the mother of three adult children. Her work ethic is a result of being raised on the edge of poverty, and never feeling settled. In response, Anna works hard as a judge, working her way through law school with young children. Anna’s husband Chad is a therapist and active in the community. Their marriage on the outside was perfect, but after Chad’s sudden death in a rafting accident, secrets come out that affect the entire family, and maybe their marriage wasn’t as perfect as it seemed.
I love Robyn Carr’s heartwarming style of writing, and it shines in this book as well. She has a knack for exploring families, and their dynamics and her writing is compassionate as well as compelling. The characters are well developed and I wanted them to succeed and be happy. I especially related to Anna, the main character, and how her past dictated the decisions she’s made while raising her own family. Also, I thought it ironic how Chad was a therapist, and yet, his wife and children needed help as much as some of his clients.
I highly recommend A family Affair to anyone who loves a good family drama. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Robyn Carr
Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of almost sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel A FAMILY AFFAIR is coming in April 2022. The fifth novel, THE FAMILY GATHERING, in her fan-favorite Sullivan's Crossing Series was released in Jan. 2020 and a Sullivan's Crossing TV series is in production! The Virgin River TV Series, season 3 is now streaming on Netflix (July 2021) with season 4 and 5 coming soon.
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As you know, I loved this story so much too! It was ironic that with Chad being a therapist his family needed help and he was so unhappy and unfulfilled. What a self-centered man!
Book Review: A Family Affair by Robyn Carr – The Bitchy Bridesmaids…
One of my favourite things to read (well at least on this blog, I don’t count the Medium Medium stories) is the “New Adult Romance” genre. They are definitely a hot topic and that they generate hundreds of thousands of views on Facebook every month really shows you what their fans and adulation mean at least in part. If we had more people taking an interest in book reviewing there would be less people commenting on people who write them, so here’s mine:
Just recently I came across what could be described as A Beautiful Bad book in “The New Read That is absolutely gorgeous and full of steam. It‘s not for everybody — those people reading it will get it just right but other would struggle through some parts even before they decide their next career goal — the sex. There’s a lot but it doesn’t go into lengthy descriptions of how hot each character’s hair is because you won’t find it there. The characters are also two halves that come together with so much humour, sexiness and raw emotion that readers will find themselves falling more in…
I have this one coming up in a couple of days for the blog tour. It sounds emotional, but cleansing. I always go into stories with grief slowly as they usually hit me hard. Wonderful review Wendy.
I think that often happens with therapists because they have compassion and can see the person behind the mental health challenges but they can’t actually act as the therapist for their loved ones. It’s a weird conundrum. I will have to try a Robyn Carr book one of these days. I’ve thought about it many times but never have. Excellent review!
Hi Wendy! I have never read anything by Robin Carr, but I did watch the first two series of Virgin River. This does sound like a good family drama and your review was lovely.
I haven’t read a book by this author in such a long time! (Probably 2016). I’ve missed her writing a lot, so this sounds really good and I can’t wait to check it out! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
As you know, I loved this story so much too! It was ironic that with Chad being a therapist his family needed help and he was so unhappy and unfulfilled. What a self-centered man!
Book Review: A Family Affair by Robyn Carr – The Bitchy Bridesmaids…
One of my favourite things to read (well at least on this blog, I don’t count the Medium Medium stories) is the “New Adult Romance” genre. They are definitely a hot topic and that they generate hundreds of thousands of views on Facebook every month really shows you what their fans and adulation mean at least in part. If we had more people taking an interest in book reviewing there would be less people commenting on people who write them, so here’s mine:
Just recently I came across what could be described as A Beautiful Bad book in “The New Read That is absolutely gorgeous and full of steam. It‘s not for everybody — those people reading it will get it just right but other would struggle through some parts even before they decide their next career goal — the sex. There’s a lot but it doesn’t go into lengthy descriptions of how hot each character’s hair is because you won’t find it there. The characters are also two halves that come together with so much humour, sexiness and raw emotion that readers will find themselves falling more in…
Thank you, Nia.
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I’ve had really good luck with Carr’s standalones and this one sounds really wonderful. I need to give it a try.
I have this one coming up in a couple of days for the blog tour. It sounds emotional, but cleansing. I always go into stories with grief slowly as they usually hit me hard. Wonderful review Wendy.
This sounds like a lot of fun. I love books like this. I’m putting it on my TBR right now.
Thank you, Jenni. I hope you enjoy it!
Sounds like a well written story.
Thank you, Nadene. Robyn Carr has been writing for decades! She knows what she’s doing.
This does sound a bit emotional but I do love to read a family drama so sounds good 💕
Thank you, Jenny. It’s a good one!
I haven’t read any by this author but it sounds good!
Thank you, Linda. She’s been around for quite a long time. I always enjoy her books.
I think that often happens with therapists because they have compassion and can see the person behind the mental health challenges but they can’t actually act as the therapist for their loved ones. It’s a weird conundrum. I will have to try a Robyn Carr book one of these days. I’ve thought about it many times but never have. Excellent review!
Nice insight, Tessa. He was a great therapist, but not such a good husband! Robyn Carr is excellent at writing family dramas.
Well developed characters are a must have for me to enjoy a book.
Thank you, Rosie!
Hi Wendy! I have never read anything by Robin Carr, but I did watch the first two series of Virgin River. This does sound like a good family drama and your review was lovely.
Thank you, Mareli. I think her books are better than the series. She’s an excellent writer.
Books about family relationships and dynamics do make for interesting reading. Loved your review of this one Wendy🙂 will look up the book sometime
Thank you, Mallika!
This wouldn’t usually be my type of read, but your review has pulled me in and I actually want to add it to my TBR list. Thank you!
Thank you, Nikki!
I haven’t read a book by this author in such a long time! (Probably 2016). I’ve missed her writing a lot, so this sounds really good and I can’t wait to check it out! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
Thank you. Robyn Carr writes such heartwarming books. I’ve read most of her books, and I always enjoy them.
It’s so hard to go on after loss, especially one that comes with many secrets. This sounds so good, I love your review!
Thank you, Rae!
Intriguing! I have discovered a love for family drama books recently, and this seems like a great one to add to the list. Thanks for the review!
Thank you, Kami. Robyn Carr writes such good family dramas.
Another cracking review! I really enjoy Robin Carr’s writing
Thank you! Yes, Robyn Carr is always good IMO.
Wonderful review Wendy! I’m reading this one shortly and can’t wait!🤗📚❤
Thank you, Susan. I hope you enjoy it!!
This sounds really good. I’ve only read one of Robin Carr’s novels previously but I did enjoy her writing style.
Thank you, Cathy, it was pretty good