No Longer Strangers

Huntington Family #2

by Rachel Ann Nunes

When zoologist Mitch Huntington agreed to be named guardian to his best friends’ daughter, he was sure it meant nothing more than pony rides, presents on birthdays, and an occasional day at the circus. Suddenly he finds himself up to his elbows in diapers and soggy oatmeal. While Mitch soon discovers that animals and babies are not the same things, he quickly becomes totally devoted to the adorable baby girl. But Cory Steele, the child’s estranged aunt, has other plans. Cory will stop at nothing to rescue her little niece from the clutches of this unfamiliar Mormon man, even if it means pretending to join his strange church in order to gain Mitch’s trust and assume custody of the child.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Romance, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Adult

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 2005

About the author

Rachel Ann Nunes (pronounced noon-esh) learned to read when she was four and by seventh grade knew she was going to be an author. Now as a stay-at-home mother of seven, it isn't easy to find time to write, but she will trade washing dishes or weeding the garden for an hour at the computer any day! Her only rule about writing is to never eat chocolate at the computer. "Since I love chocolate and writing," she jokes, "my family might never see me again."

Rachel has over sixty published books, including the popular Ariana series and the award-winning picture book Daughter of a King. She enjoys hiking, swimming, spending time with her family, reading, and visiting far off places.

For more information or to join her e-mailing list, visit http://www.RachelAnnNunes.com.

Reviews

[Emily]

I give this LESS than zero stars. It was fabricated and obvious. I kept thinking "Oh...I bet there is a twist at the end, otherwise this will be the dumbest book I have ever read." No twist. Dumb book.

So, I’ll provide some example, not quotes, but just general ideas. (Remember Mitch was the main guy, Cory was the main girl.)

1) Mitch sure wanted to marry a girl who loved animals. (Next paragraph) Cory sure loved animals and was not married.

2) Cory hated the Mormon church. But she sure felt a strong spiritual feeling around the church. What on earth could that be?? Surely she could never ever join this church. (She joins the church. There is no twist.)

3) A lawyer suddenly brings a baby to Mitch’s house. He keeps her, no questions asked, even regarding the death of his friends. His family’s response: Oh, your friends died and you got a baby. Hmm. Whatever. So, the weather is just lovely, isn’t it?

So things that bother me about the book are:
1) The foreshadowing is so obvious. It makes the book not even fun to read, except for mocking purposes. I want there to be some sort of question about what will happen and how it will happen.
2) The lack of detail and actual emotions that would be experience when parents of a child dies and it gets sent to live with a single guy. Hello? There would be lots more discussion of stuff. Yes, I know that not everything can be in a book, but without it it seems fake. I think the book would have been better if it focused on the story of the child and the single guy…and then he fell in love. Instead, the baby thing is almost a subplot.
3) Also, the author adds extra “fluff” and words things weirdly. Like ‘The clouds marshmallowed up into a big, fluffy cloud of whiteness on a day so dark and dim that it looked like chocolate fudge you could eat with whipped cream and golden, creamy caramel and then nap under the shade of the old sycamore tree that swayed in the gentle breeze like an old woman sways as she strolls along the sunny, white picket fence-lined street that she walked so many years ago with her sweetheart as he valiantly went to war to fight fearlessly for the helpless orphans .”

If this book got published...how bad are the unpublished ones?

[Ada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe it's because I have a baby the same age as the baby in the novel. Or the fact that Ashley's favorite hymn was "Oh, My Father," which was played at my father's funeral, and always reminds me of him. And it certainly didn't help that I have pregnancy hormones rushing through me at the present moment. But I sobbed through this whole book. It was so real and I related to it so well. Sure, it was predictable. Sure, it's the cliche Mormon Chic Lit, but sometimes I need to just walk away from a novel feeling uplifted and inspired. I felt Nunes' testimony of the restored gospel shining through, and the sweet confirmation of the truthfulness of the Gospel. I loved the promise of a happily ever after. Quick, easy, clean, feel-good read.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rachel's books are what I refer to as, "bubble bath" books. Sometimes you just need a light, fun read with a little bit of thought. All of her's are perfect for that. They have some current social challenges in each one to ponder, too.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great LDS fiction book. Love Rachel's books. This made me want to go vacation in the Amazon; maybe I will just buy something on Amazon and call it good. :)

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although I've read a lot of LDS Fiction, I hardly read any Rachel Ann Nunes. Now, because of clearance sales and gifts, I found myself with quite a few of her books.

There are four books in this series (The Huntington series), and I apparently went backwards. The first of Nunes' books that I read was actually The Independence Club, which I loved and highly recommend. After reading it, I noticed that the characters came from one of her other books, By Morning Light (book 4 in the series!) I enjoyed that one as well, but not as much as The Independence Club... enough to try out the rest of the series.

Of course, when I went to the LDS bookstore, I forgot the order of the books, and rather than ask (because that would make sense, right?) I simply grabbed No Longer Strangers, book 2.

Now, having read the comments that many have made about the book (being too predictable, too much foreshadowing, etc) I have to agree. I mean, the book is very predictable, and I do think that the author did no research regarding the antagonist's background (she was a Baptist who had a tough father... and???). A little more background on her might have been interesting.

But then again, what did you expect?

I think the reason why I like a lot of LDS Fiction is that, for the most part, they are relatively light and fun, not too dramatic and easy to get into (After all, how many "series" can you read out of order and still not really get confused?) and this book is a prime example of that. I have several other of Nunes' books, and I hope to get to them soon, but she seems to be a prolific author that writes the typical style of book.

If you want an LDS book that is slightly different than the norm, I'd suggest Josi Kilpack's Sheep's Clothing or Her Good Name, as they deal with, shall we say, more worldly troubles (and the latter actually has some romance in it as well). But if you're looking for a light read on a Sunday afternoon, Nunes' books will do just as well, but don't expect life-altering literature.

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh, this book was bad. I made it through three others by this author, but this one was too much. I couldn't finish. It was the story of a woman with absolutely no morals or convictions who converts to Mormonism through a custody battle.

One would think that before writing a book about a vegetarian Atheist with a Baptist background, one would do research about that perspective. But no. When she writes about the LDS church from an outsider's point of view, it is plainly obvious that Nunes didn't bother.

So far, I have yet to find a non-LDS character in any of Nunes novels that isn't a villain, a drug addict, or who eventually converts. It's so nauseating.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mitch loves animals and is finally a zoologist. One day, he suddenly inherits a friend's young daughter. Cory is a budding photographer, trying to get signed on be National Geographic. When she hears of her estranged sister's death, and of a male friend (Mitch) having custody of the baby, she immediately goes to battle to try and win custody for herself.

Cute story, but for me, the hate/fighting relationship started to get a little old. They hated each other so much and then very suddenly, it all changed. It just wrapped up a little too quickly for me, after dragging out for so long.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd book in the Huntington Family series. I have mixed feelings about this one. We met Mitch in #1, and he seemed a lot more fun loving and open then he was in this book. I didn't even recognize him as the same character until one of his animals made an appearance at a church function. That being said, I liked the story. I think this whole family is going to be made up of other people's kids! It was a nice perspective on single fatherhood in the gospel, and on conversion and faith. The best was that it was believable, and not too corny. I'm looking forward to book #3.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mitch's best friend and his wife are killed in a boating accident, he becomes guardian of their 13-month old daughter, Emily Jane. At first, having a baby in the house is overwhelming for this bachelor, but he soon learns to love Emily Jane very much. Then Emily Jane's Aunt Cory shows up demanding he turn the baby over to her, since she is a relative. However, she is not LDS (and says she's an atheist), and his friends specifically stated in their will that Emily Jane is to be raised in the LDS church.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok. From the earliest chapters, the reader can surmise how the book will end. I kept reading simply to see how the author drove them to the inevitable ending. Cory's conversion story is completely unconvincing, likely because the majority of inner thoughts of hers were are privy to as readers are negative, so the swing from near-atheist to believer is illogical. Her disfunctional upbringing also isn't fleshed out satisfactorily. Then there is the awkward sub-story of Savvy and Mitch's brother, which will likely be resolved in another book starring members of the Huntington family.

[Dorry Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written a long time ago and somehow I missed it. Its the story of a single man that was left a baby in a friends will. He adjust to her and becomes devoted. Well out of the jungle springs an aunt to this baby who will stop at nothing to get her for herself. The man is Mormon and the woman is not. The will makes it clear that this baby is to be raised Mormon. Interesting how both people forgot whats best for the baby and get caught up in what they think is best of themselves.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet story by Rachel Nunes. As with her other books I have read, this is a story of hope, faith and love. Her characters are real and warm and endure their struggles with a good heart. I love having characters from previous books throughout the story. Even knowing full well how the story would end, I didn't want to stop reading even for a moment!

[Abby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Super duper predictable book. I found it super unimaginative, and I always knew EXACTLY what was about to happen. Seriously, if she can make money publishing this book, I should go into writing. I am already a thousand times more talented than this author. Who is her publisher? Call me!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am conflicted about this book. I love the way that Rachel Ann Nunes writes, she weaves great connection with the characters and explains feelings vividly, but the story was very predictable.

[Michelegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this a bedtime, I wasn't feeling well, and wound up staying up till 6am to finish it. It was a wonderful book. I fell in love with the sweet little orphaned Emily Jane. It was a typical "happily ever after" book, but so enjoyable.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mitch Huntington is given guardianship of her best friends dau Emily Jane when both parent are killed in boating accident. Cory Steel her estaranged Aunt. Amada siter finds out she is filming photo of wild life. she comes to the States to try to get her niece away from those mormons.

[Grace Tolman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Clean and had a very interesting story line. I wonder though if I would have enjoyed it as much if I wasn't LDS (Latter Day Saint). There's so many "Mormon" lingo in it that I don't think a non member would get.

[Rayni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is the 2nd book in the series, it certainly can stand alone. I was hovering between 4 stars & 5 & wavered on 5. The ending was satisfying.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Rachel Nunes and think she is a great author. This book was interesting and made you think about things a lot.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding a long lost sister

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Rachel Ann Nunes' style of writing. The book was fairly predictable but I really enjoyed it.

[Kaylee Boydstun · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this book I was thinking whats with her and custody battles?

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reccomend this to everyone!!! I couldn't put it down I loved it so much i used to for a book report and got extra credit!!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mm, probably more of a 3 1/2 star. Great read, just not enough excitement for me.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that it was a great fast reader.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best that I've read of Rachel Ann Nunes! Good book!

[Adree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good. It has a lot of humor in it and has a really good story. Love reading all of Rachel Ann Nunes's books. I have loved all of her books that I have read.

[Stephanee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this one!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huntington Family Series: 2of4