What do you think?
Rate this book
Ladies of Covington #7
An Unexpected Family
Can an old betrayal turn into a brandnew beginning? National bestselling author Joan Medlicott pens a heartwarming tale of a family found.
Widowed Amelia always portrayed her marriage to Thomas Declose as complete perfection. They lived in Paris and entertained widely for a glittering crowd; only the tragic loss of their little girl marred what appeared an ideal existence. So when Miriam Smith arrives with her daughter Sadie on Amelia's doorstep in a snowstorm, claiming to be the illegitimate child of the long-dead Thomas, Amelia reacts with shock and fury. Could Thomas possibly have had a secret life he hid from her -- a life that would have made their marriage vows a lie?
Rebuffing the wise counsel of her housemates, Grace and Hannah, Amelia dismisses the possibility of a family of her own and buries herself in the pain of betrayal and humiliation. Little Sadie is the spitting image of Amelia's own lost daughter, though, and she cannot help taking mother and child into her heart. But danger stalks Miriam, and it looks as if Amelia might lose this family, too. When Mother's Day arrives, will she be left with empty arms...or with her deepest longings fulfilled?
This beautiful tale of mothers and daughters is an enchanting addition to Joan Medlicott's USA Today bestselling Covington books.
Widowed Amelia always portrayed her marriage to Thomas Declose as complete perfection. They lived in Paris and entertained widely for a glittering crowd; only the tragic loss of their little girl marred what appeared an ideal existence. So when Miriam Smith arrives with her daughter Sadie on Amelia's doorstep in a snowstorm, claiming to be the illegitimate child of the long-dead Thomas, Amelia reacts with shock and fury. Could Thomas possibly have had a secret life he hid from her -- a life that would have made their marriage vows a lie?
Rebuffing the wise counsel of her housemates, Grace and Hannah, Amelia dismisses the possibility of a family of her own and buries herself in the pain of betrayal and humiliation. Little Sadie is the spitting image of Amelia's own lost daughter, though, and she cannot help taking mother and child into her heart. But danger stalks Miriam, and it looks as if Amelia might lose this family, too. When Mother's Day arrives, will she be left with empty arms...or with her deepest longings fulfilled?
This beautiful tale of mothers and daughters is an enchanting addition to Joan Medlicott's USA Today bestselling Covington books.
191 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
13 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Joan Medlicott
24 books77 followersJoan Medlicott lives with her husband in Barnardsville, North Carolina, where she conducts the popular Tea on the Porch workshops.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 22, 2009
this was a cute story. it was a nice relaxing two hour book.
March 24, 2016
Widow Amelia Declose had always believed that she and her late husband had had a wonderful marriage. After all, Thomas Declose was a wonderful man - an honorable man who loved his wife deeply - and Amelia always portrayed her marriage to be one that was as close to perfection as she could ever have hoped to come. The couple had lived in Paris and entertained for a glittering crowd; only the tragic loss of their only child - a nine-year-old daughter, Caroline - marred what appeared to otherwise be an idyllic existence.
However, Amelia's world is rocked to its foundations when Miriam Smith arrives with her daughter Sadie on Amelia's doorstep in the midst of a snowstorm. While Amelia feels sympathy for the young woman's desperate situation, she is less empathetic towards Miriam's outrageous story. After hearing Miriam's claim that she is, in fact, the illegitimate child of the long-deceased Thomas, Amelia reacts with shock and fury. Could Thomas possibly have been living a secret life that he hid from her - a life that would have made their marriage vows a lie?
Rebuffing the wise counsel of her housemates, Grace and Hannah, Amelia dismisses the possibility of having a family of her own and buries herself in the pain of Thomas' betrayal and her own humiliation. Little Sadie is the spitting image of Amelia's own lost daughter, though, and she cannot help but take both mother and child into her heart. But it seems that danger stalks Miriam, and it looks as if Amelia may lose this new family as well. When Mother's Day arrives, will Amelia be left with empty arms...or will her deepest longings finally be fulfilled?
First of all, let me say that I really did enjoy reading this book. The story was actually really easy reading for me - truly a likable, easygoing, 'feel good about humanity' story. Truthfully, and I don't necessarily mean this as a criticism of Ms. Mendlicott's writing style - but I sort of felt like I was reading a 'Hallmark Moments' plot. I would give this book a definite A!
However, Amelia's world is rocked to its foundations when Miriam Smith arrives with her daughter Sadie on Amelia's doorstep in the midst of a snowstorm. While Amelia feels sympathy for the young woman's desperate situation, she is less empathetic towards Miriam's outrageous story. After hearing Miriam's claim that she is, in fact, the illegitimate child of the long-deceased Thomas, Amelia reacts with shock and fury. Could Thomas possibly have been living a secret life that he hid from her - a life that would have made their marriage vows a lie?
Rebuffing the wise counsel of her housemates, Grace and Hannah, Amelia dismisses the possibility of having a family of her own and buries herself in the pain of Thomas' betrayal and her own humiliation. Little Sadie is the spitting image of Amelia's own lost daughter, though, and she cannot help but take both mother and child into her heart. But it seems that danger stalks Miriam, and it looks as if Amelia may lose this new family as well. When Mother's Day arrives, will Amelia be left with empty arms...or will her deepest longings finally be fulfilled?
First of all, let me say that I really did enjoy reading this book. The story was actually really easy reading for me - truly a likable, easygoing, 'feel good about humanity' story. Truthfully, and I don't necessarily mean this as a criticism of Ms. Mendlicott's writing style - but I sort of felt like I was reading a 'Hallmark Moments' plot. I would give this book a definite A!
December 2, 2018
An Unexpected Family by Joan Medlicott is the 7th book of the Ladies of Covington series set in contemporary South Carolina. A predictable, sweet tale of family love.
One frigid and stormy night, a young woman with a child arrives at Amelia's house. Amelia is shocked to discover her beloved Thomas had a mistress and child. Amelia's best friends and housemates Hannah and Grace do their best to help Amelia cope: to recover from the emotional shock, heal her anger and denial, and eventually accept the blessing of a family. Their chance for joy is marred by a serious threat: the abusive husband.
One frigid and stormy night, a young woman with a child arrives at Amelia's house. Amelia is shocked to discover her beloved Thomas had a mistress and child. Amelia's best friends and housemates Hannah and Grace do their best to help Amelia cope: to recover from the emotional shock, heal her anger and denial, and eventually accept the blessing of a family. Their chance for joy is marred by a serious threat: the abusive husband.
September 26, 2020
It ends up being an annoying book. In the first place, it was very predictable. But beyond that, there's the question of the math. Here is what I gathered from the book: Amelia is now 75. She married young, at 18, Thomas being 29 at the time (p. 137). However it sticks in my mind that Thomas was 59 when he died in the accident, and that the accident happened 10 years ago. 29+30=59. therefore, 18+30=48+10=58. How did she get to be 75??? This is simply carelessness.
July 26, 2018
I always enjoy visiting the Covington ladies and dipping into their lives. This book, however, was somewhat of a disappointment--a little thin on plot and the ending was tied up too neatly and simply. Her other books had a lot more depth and complexity. Still an enjoyable read and I hope the next title is back up to the level of the earlier books.
September 22, 2023
What happens when one of the ladies find out not only did her husband cheat on her but resulted in a daughter being born? And how does a person react when her husband's daughter from this affair turns up on her doorstep, years later, with a child of her own and asks for help while running from an abusive and dangerous husband?
April 19, 2020
Several reviewers had a lot of unkind things to say about this Covington book -- and perhaps they have valid points, but I still admired our ladies despite their sometimes unusual reactions to things.
October 11, 2021
I didn't LOVE this book about a number of people falling in love with the newcomer and her daughter. It reminded me, though, of one of my favorite books of all time "The Widow of Larkspur Inn" by Lawana Blackwell. This book had too many unnecessary characters for me, too.
March 6, 2022
Having read Medlicott's previous 'Covington" books, I found this one the most charming. All along Amelia has been a pain! Yet, in this one, the 7th in this series, we finally get a softer, more human characterization.
May 3, 2021
Maybe I should have read the other books in the series, but maybe not. It was a nice story, wrapped up very well at the end.
May 25, 2021
Not a terrible story, just not my thing...
March 19, 2023
Big surprises are in store for Amelia as well as the rest of the Covington crew as they find themselves in danger after trying to help some people who need a safe place to stay.
September 16, 2025
Only two books left in this wonderful series.
February 28, 2017
Amelia meets her husband's illegitimate daughter. She learns to love Miriam and her daughter, Sadie. Just when they become close Miriam's ex-husband comes to town and causes trouble. In the end, all turns out well. Another winner in the Ladies of Covington series.
February 18, 2009
I was pressed for time at the libray, and this book was in a special section. The synopsis sounded okay, but I think deep down, I knew I was probably picking a book that wouldn't impress me.
I was right. The synopsis tells us exactly what will happen, and there are no surprises. And the sad thing is that the author could have really made something with this story.
I was annoyed by the following:
1. The first half of the book covers Amelia's pain, and in the second of the book she is suddenly totally accepting and loving of her husband's secret past. The end has more sap than a tree, and I laughed out loud.
2. The Spanish speaking characters speak broken English. In several pages, we are put into their thoughts for no real reason at all, and their thoughts are told in broken English, as well. I felt this was a bit stereotypical, especially since their sole purpose in the novel was to be the perfect loyal servants in this book.
3. No one has an individual character or voice. The child spoke like an adult, and I wondered if the author had ever been around children.
4. Everyone's conversations are awkward and everyone speaks so formally. Is it because a few of the characters are supposed to be well off finacially, so they ... speak better? It just didn't sound like real life.
You get what you expect in this book, or maybe even less than that.
I was right. The synopsis tells us exactly what will happen, and there are no surprises. And the sad thing is that the author could have really made something with this story.
I was annoyed by the following:
1. The first half of the book covers Amelia's pain, and in the second of the book she is suddenly totally accepting and loving of her husband's secret past. The end has more sap than a tree, and I laughed out loud.
2. The Spanish speaking characters speak broken English. In several pages, we are put into their thoughts for no real reason at all, and their thoughts are told in broken English, as well. I felt this was a bit stereotypical, especially since their sole purpose in the novel was to be the perfect loyal servants in this book.
3. No one has an individual character or voice. The child spoke like an adult, and I wondered if the author had ever been around children.
4. Everyone's conversations are awkward and everyone speaks so formally. Is it because a few of the characters are supposed to be well off finacially, so they ... speak better? It just didn't sound like real life.
You get what you expect in this book, or maybe even less than that.
June 17, 2016
The last of the Covington books! Both Grace and Hannah have had love enter their lives in this 60+ decade; however, Amelia DeClose has idealized her marriage to Thomas over the years. She had one heartbreak as an egocentric Don Juan entered her life; she felt like a fool and fell into deep depression, rescued by her friends and photography. She had experienced the death of her daughter Caroline who was about 12. That too had devastated her.
One night during a snowstorm, a knock comes at her door—Miriam DeClose-Smith, with little Sadie in hand, appears from the past, the daughter of Thomas. Miriam is on the run from an abusive ex-husband, fearing for her life, with nowhere to go. Miriam’s mother had given Thomas’ name to her—for her to pursue in the “direst of circumstances.” The time has come. Amelia is in shock—reels, rebels, rages, but eventually rights herself and discovers the joy of family as she embraces Miriam and Sadie as the daughter and granddaughter she never had.
Medlicott has done it again—a beautiful tale of mother and daughter.
One night during a snowstorm, a knock comes at her door—Miriam DeClose-Smith, with little Sadie in hand, appears from the past, the daughter of Thomas. Miriam is on the run from an abusive ex-husband, fearing for her life, with nowhere to go. Miriam’s mother had given Thomas’ name to her—for her to pursue in the “direst of circumstances.” The time has come. Amelia is in shock—reels, rebels, rages, but eventually rights herself and discovers the joy of family as she embraces Miriam and Sadie as the daughter and granddaughter she never had.
Medlicott has done it again—a beautiful tale of mother and daughter.
Read
February 6, 2012An Unexpected Family: the Ladies of Covington Series, by Joan Medlicott, produced in Braille and borrowed from the National Library Service for the Blind.
This is the latest in the Ladies of Covington series. Each of these books involves the three older women: Hannah, Amelia and Grace, who live together. Each book shows us another aspect of one or another woman’s lives as they grow older. In this one, a woman and child suddenly show up on the Covington doorstep, so to speak. She asks for shelter for herself and her daughter as they are running away from an abusive husband/father. The woman also contends that she is the daughter from an illicit affair Amelia’s husband had, which Amelia never knew about. As usual, this book involves changes in the lives of these ladies.
This is the latest in the Ladies of Covington series. Each of these books involves the three older women: Hannah, Amelia and Grace, who live together. Each book shows us another aspect of one or another woman’s lives as they grow older. In this one, a woman and child suddenly show up on the Covington doorstep, so to speak. She asks for shelter for herself and her daughter as they are running away from an abusive husband/father. The woman also contends that she is the daughter from an illicit affair Amelia’s husband had, which Amelia never knew about. As usual, this book involves changes in the lives of these ladies.
January 30, 2020
1/5 stars
While it wasn't horrible or the worst thing I've ever read, it wasn't great. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the other books in the series, but I doubt it. The story line itself was interesting, but the author dropped the ball with what she could have done with it. The book felt jumpy and rushed/forced. I found myself skimming parts because they were wordy and unnecessary. I also really disliked the ending, he crashes and dies... seriously. What a horrible, un-creative, lame (for lack of a better word) ending. I would have liked to hear about Darren searching for Miriam and Sadie. Instead you get, they ran away, they are accepted by strangers, husband shows up, they run away, he gets drunk and dies. Just terrible.
While it wasn't horrible or the worst thing I've ever read, it wasn't great. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the other books in the series, but I doubt it. The story line itself was interesting, but the author dropped the ball with what she could have done with it. The book felt jumpy and rushed/forced. I found myself skimming parts because they were wordy and unnecessary. I also really disliked the ending, he crashes and dies... seriously. What a horrible, un-creative, lame (for lack of a better word) ending. I would have liked to hear about Darren searching for Miriam and Sadie. Instead you get, they ran away, they are accepted by strangers, husband shows up, they run away, he gets drunk and dies. Just terrible.
December 8, 2013
I dearly love this series, and am so sad that there are only 1 or 2 books left in the series. Such a great story of Amelia, Hannah and Grace, who share a home in Covington, NC. Having lived in NC for a few years, it so wonderful to read about places in an around Asheville. Makes me homesick.
The author weaves great tales of these women's lives. Even 7 books into the series, when often story lines start to repeat themselves or get boring, this series continues to draw me in and keeps me wanting more. Kudos to Mrs. Medlicott!
The author weaves great tales of these women's lives. Even 7 books into the series, when often story lines start to repeat themselves or get boring, this series continues to draw me in and keeps me wanting more. Kudos to Mrs. Medlicott!
September 15, 2015
I read this book so quickly it was so real that I am sure we have all known or will know someone in our life that has gone through something similar. The need for family is very real even if it more of an adopted family. How the seed of love is in all of us whether we life to believe it or not. Made you want to move to a small community with the closeness that you can gain from relationships of that small hometown feeling.
April 5, 2014
This Ladies of Covington book evolves around Amelia when Miriam Smith comes to Covington during a snowstorm claiming to be the illegitimate child of Amelia's late husband, Thomas. Miriam has her daughter with her and is running from an abusive ex-husband. Amelia is faced with the reality that her "perfect husband and marriage" was not so perfect.
I enjoyed this book of the series very much.
I enjoyed this book of the series very much.
April 11, 2016
The continuing story of the lives of the women of Covington. In this episode, Amelia discovers that her husband Thomas had fathered a daughter. She has come to Covington, fleeing an abusive ex-husband, with her 7 year old daughter. It is difficult for Amelia, but with the help of her friends, she learns to forgive Thomas and to live this newfound daughter and granddaughter.
May 18, 2010
While I've really enjoyed the earlier books in this series, An Unexpected Family was trite and too predictable to hold my attention. It served its purpose however, as a quick, undemanding, stress-reducer.
August 12, 2013
This is book seven in the series. It would have been helpful to have read them in order to get more background on the characters, but it wasn't critical to the story line. I look forward to reading more in this series.
May 10, 2009
Uncomplicated simple mindless reading...perfect for my cluttered mind right now! The story could have and should have been fleshed out more but I still love the main characters.
Want to read
July 8, 2008Ladies of Covington series / book seven
September 16, 2008
Poorly written and completely predictable. I was thankful I bought it cheaply!
January 2, 2009
Amelia is surprised by the arrival of her husband's daughter from an unknown love affair--and her daughter. Both are fleeing an abusive husband and father.
February 7, 2010
I love the Covington series. They are fast reading books and I feel I live with these ladies and their families.
December 22, 2009
Great opening pages...I hope this keeps up the current pace. Thus far it reminds me of the Pilot Wife
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews