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Family Forever #4
An Accidental Family
"I do," the bride and groom said… and without love they wed. Jonas Winslow knows nothing about fatherhood, yet he's determined to keep his orphaned nephew. But the toddler's aunt, Robin Hampstead, isn't about to let go of her only remaining family. The a temporary - strictly platonic - marriage… or so they think. Their agreement is to share the house and all child-rearing responsibilities, which seems an uncomplicated arrangement until… Jonas begins seeing Robin in a new light, not as a pretend wife, but as a very real woman whose bedroom is enticingly close to his. * * * Many people say family is everything. There is nothing more beautiful than two people coming together for the sake of a child, finding love, and forming A Family Forever. Look for other stand-alone stories in the A Beautiful Stranger Made in Paradise A Reason to Believe An Accidental Family Nanny and the Professor
157 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1996
60 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 28, 2013
An AudioBook Review
Have you ever wondered why most romance stories are not laden with children, families and other assorted issues that real people face each day? Because we read to escape, we read to find potential in dreams penned of dashing heroes and damsels in distress, that hope for the happy ending. It’s a difficult balance, because we all have those groundhog days in our relationships, when family is the overwhelming attention grabber, and the time for romance gets pushed to the side.
Donna Fasano has managed that delicate balance in An Accidental Family and creates a story that both entertains and realistically portrays many of the situations faced in today’s relationships. Although Jonas and Robin are tossed into turmoil with the loss of family members and the responsibility of parenting their just one year old nephew, they also must learn to work together and deal with their own personal conflict while doing the best for young Tony.
While they are struggling with their own and the baby’s grief, the sleepless nights and the inevitable battles that all parents know, Fasano has also managed to give Robin and Jonas incredibly strong and well defined interior voices, some interesting and often humorous conflicts and dialogue that is real in tone and content. Both characters grow throughout the story, both personally and in their estimation and feelings for one another.
Beautifully narrated by Laura Jennings, you can hear her smile in the words that she is reading, especially in the parts that would strike a reader as humorous. A good combination of story and narration made for a perfect listen on a rainy and cold afternoon.
I received an AudioBook version from the author for purpose of honest review and feature on the Heard Word at I am, Indeed. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Have you ever wondered why most romance stories are not laden with children, families and other assorted issues that real people face each day? Because we read to escape, we read to find potential in dreams penned of dashing heroes and damsels in distress, that hope for the happy ending. It’s a difficult balance, because we all have those groundhog days in our relationships, when family is the overwhelming attention grabber, and the time for romance gets pushed to the side.
Donna Fasano has managed that delicate balance in An Accidental Family and creates a story that both entertains and realistically portrays many of the situations faced in today’s relationships. Although Jonas and Robin are tossed into turmoil with the loss of family members and the responsibility of parenting their just one year old nephew, they also must learn to work together and deal with their own personal conflict while doing the best for young Tony.
While they are struggling with their own and the baby’s grief, the sleepless nights and the inevitable battles that all parents know, Fasano has also managed to give Robin and Jonas incredibly strong and well defined interior voices, some interesting and often humorous conflicts and dialogue that is real in tone and content. Both characters grow throughout the story, both personally and in their estimation and feelings for one another.
Beautifully narrated by Laura Jennings, you can hear her smile in the words that she is reading, especially in the parts that would strike a reader as humorous. A good combination of story and narration made for a perfect listen on a rainy and cold afternoon.
I received an AudioBook version from the author for purpose of honest review and feature on the Heard Word at I am, Indeed. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
August 5, 2016
This wasn't bad. It was just a little ho hum and and the romance didn't hook me. It has fun baby stuff though if you like to press your face to glass and watch new parents freak out and adapt like I sometimes like to do. :)
May 31, 2019
Beautiful Heartwarming Reading.
After Jonas' sister and Robin's brother die in an accident, Jonas and Robin end up together, in an otherwise unlikely relationship, attempting to do what is best for their 14-month-old nephew, Tony, who’s just lost his parents.
While comforting a grieving child who doesn’t understand what’s happening, although inexperienced, Jonas and Robin become a team, raising a child amidst an upheaval of emotions along with some humorous moments.
Little did they know when they married for the sake of their nephew, they would accidentally discover what they didn’t even know they were looking for.
A beautiful heartwarming read which I highly recommend!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After Jonas' sister and Robin's brother die in an accident, Jonas and Robin end up together, in an otherwise unlikely relationship, attempting to do what is best for their 14-month-old nephew, Tony, who’s just lost his parents.
While comforting a grieving child who doesn’t understand what’s happening, although inexperienced, Jonas and Robin become a team, raising a child amidst an upheaval of emotions along with some humorous moments.
Little did they know when they married for the sake of their nephew, they would accidentally discover what they didn’t even know they were looking for.
A beautiful heartwarming read which I highly recommend!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 11, 2019
A mismatched couple if ever there was one, the sister of the groom and the brother of the bride are left at odds when the couple is killed in an accident. Jonas and Robin are at sea about raising a baby, and raising him together makes it even scarier. Robin has held herself away from attachments after her childhood. Jonas has just signed a contract to write a book and doesn't have time to raise a baby. These two have some realistic adventures as they try to live together, keep house and raise a toddler old enough to understand that his mom is missing. Fasano does a great job with this, injecting humor into a sad tale. There's a quickie wedding in Vegas, an adventure at the supermarket and some teamwork to make sure the toddler will be OK.
September 1, 2019
Loved this series
I really loved this series but this book only gets a 4 because I expect a clean book to be clean and this came too close to not clean with the sex scenes.
I really loved this series but this book only gets a 4 because I expect a clean book to be clean and this came too close to not clean with the sex scenes.
August 24, 2011
There is an old Chinese proverb that says “the journey is the reward.” I’ve come to view romance novels the same way. The setup happens early. Start with two people –traditionally one man and one woman, although I think most states allow other combinations, at least in books– with at least one of the two not at all interested in the other, often actively disliking them. You know how the story is going to end. The entertainment, insight gained, or whatever reward the reader receives, is in the journey.
Working within the conventions of the Romance genre while keeping the story fresh and believable requires both creativity and a keen insight into human behavior. A good romance author needs to understand the range of emotions, inspirations, and reactions of both men and women in many situations. Fasano has this, and her success thus far demonstrates it. For example, in "An Accidental Family," the man and woman don’t like each other, but their reasons are based on faulty first impressions and misunderstood motivations. Helping them make that journey from not-a-chance-in-hell to happy couple while maintaining credibility is a talent, amply demonstrated here. Fasano’s talent is the reader’s reward.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Working within the conventions of the Romance genre while keeping the story fresh and believable requires both creativity and a keen insight into human behavior. A good romance author needs to understand the range of emotions, inspirations, and reactions of both men and women in many situations. Fasano has this, and her success thus far demonstrates it. For example, in "An Accidental Family," the man and woman don’t like each other, but their reasons are based on faulty first impressions and misunderstood motivations. Helping them make that journey from not-a-chance-in-hell to happy couple while maintaining credibility is a talent, amply demonstrated here. Fasano’s talent is the reader’s reward.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
August 1, 2014
I don't know what else I can say here that hasn't already been said. What I liked most about this story was the mutual respect that grew into a loving relationship.
Jonas and Robin were both on the career path, neither looking for a relationship or ready to start a family. Both were grieving in their own ways. Both were hard headed and both were eventually willing to change for the well-being of Tony.
Jonas was the more likable character, he was easy going and secure in his abilities to handle things. Robin was more insecure and lacked confidence in her abilities. Tony challenged them both.
I would have liked more friend involvement. But seriously Robin didn't really have any close friends. She didn't commit to anything but her career. The turmoil was mostly in her, she had to come to grips with herself, before she could allow herself to be happy and be loved.
I love the journeys Ms. Fasano takes us all on in her books. She has an insight into human emotions and tells the most engaging stories. Wow, it looks like I had more to say than I thought I did. :)
Jonas and Robin were both on the career path, neither looking for a relationship or ready to start a family. Both were grieving in their own ways. Both were hard headed and both were eventually willing to change for the well-being of Tony.
Jonas was the more likable character, he was easy going and secure in his abilities to handle things. Robin was more insecure and lacked confidence in her abilities. Tony challenged them both.
I would have liked more friend involvement. But seriously Robin didn't really have any close friends. She didn't commit to anything but her career. The turmoil was mostly in her, she had to come to grips with herself, before she could allow herself to be happy and be loved.
I love the journeys Ms. Fasano takes us all on in her books. She has an insight into human emotions and tells the most engaging stories. Wow, it looks like I had more to say than I thought I did. :)
May 17, 2013
Jonas and Robin had only met a couple of times and didn't get along. Then his sister and her brother die, leaving their young son, so they get married in order to take care of their nephew together. This book really shows their struggles as they try to get along with one another while also adjusting to being parents and grieving the loss of their loved ones. There were some funny moments as well as some heart-breaking moments.
February 15, 2012
After a tragic accident, two writers marry in order to assume guardianship of their mutual nephew. There are plot devices galore, but the scene where the toddler mourns the loss of his parents rings sadly genuine.
August 4, 2012
This was a cute love story between a man, woman, and toddler. And I have to say my favorite character in this book is the toddler, his part in this book is adorable and very real. I have never read a book by Donna Fasano but will definately read another. It was a nice summer read.
November 16, 2011
Very good book. Obviously a heart string tugger. A little annoyed at the main female character,Robin, but still a good book.
September 19, 2011
I'm totally embarrassed that I actually read this, I bought it on sale from Amazon for my Kindle and didn't realize that it was a full on romance novel.
November 14, 2013
Good plot, believable characters and amazing story telling.
The scene where the child sees a home video of his dead parents and gets upset was simply heart breaking!
Loved this book.
The scene where the child sees a home video of his dead parents and gets upset was simply heart breaking!
Loved this book.
March 26, 2015
Not a fan of romance books so my review matters little.It was my first free E-book so of course I dragged though it and wasted my time.I did find a few moments of smiles but that was it.
November 6, 2011
Just a corny feel good book. My only expectation was that i be entertained and that i was.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews