Sunday 27 May 2012

Books Read: Diane Chamberlain - The Good Father

Source - Bought (Amazon)

A little girl, all alone, with a note that reads 'please look after me'. 

What would you do? Four years ago, nineteen-year-old Travis Brown made a choice: to raise his newborn daughter on his own. While most of his friends were out partying and meeting girls, Travis was at home, worrying about keeping food on the table. But so far he's kept her safe. And never regretted his decision for a second. 

But now he's lost his job, his home and the money in his wallet is all he has. As things spiral out of control Travis is offered a lifeline. A onetime offer to commit a crime for his daughter's sake. Even if it means leaving her behind. Even if it means losing her. 

What would a good father do?


Yet again Diane Chamberlain has come up with yet another emotional tale, this time the moral dilemma as to how far a father will go to provide for his young daughter.  I'd been looking forward to reading this book ever since I first heard what it was about, fortunately for me Amazon sent out the books early ahead of the official publication date so I was able to read this yesterday in the sun.

The book is told in alternate chapters for three main characters, Travis, Erin and Robin and soon it's clear to see how they are all connected.

Travis Brown gained custody of his baby daughter rather than have her adopted and has worked hard to keep a roof over their heads.  But when his mother is killed in a house fire which leaves them without a home and he's fired from his job, Travis fears that Bella will be taken from him.  He's moved to Raleigh after being promised a job but things are not what they seem and this could lead him and Bella into danger.

Meanwhile Erin has left her husband whilst she's struggling with her grief of losing her own young daughter in an accident.  She befriends Travis and Bella in a local coffee shop and soon she could be the answer to Travis's prayers. 

Robin has been ill all her life and was forced to give Bella up for adoption and didn't know that Travis had gained custody.  She's had to push aside her feelings for her child and is now engaged to be married to a would-be politician who doesn't know about her daughter.  But her memories are brought to the surface when his younger sister has a baby, can she push them aside again?

This was an extremely easy book to read as the story flowed easily and I actually finished it in a day.  The characters were extremely likeable especially Travis, I loved the fact that he fought to get custody so that he could raise Bella himself.  Some might say that this was selfish as what could a teenager give a baby that a respectable young couple couldn't.  And as for Bella, I could actually picture an adorable four-year-old girl who idolises her father so could understand completely why he's trying everything to keep her with him even if it did mean he made a bad judgement call...

2 comments:

  1. I started reading this book when I got into bed at 9 p.m. - and got to The End at 6 a.m. the following morning. Could not put it down. I blame the author for making me fall asleep at my desk at work that day!

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    1. Whoops! I agree it was one of those books that you didn't want to put down. I'm already impatiently waiting for her next one!

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