What do you think?
Rate this book
No Ordinary Family #5
The Broken Circle
Lisa Delaney drops out of law school to care for her four younger siblings when her parents don’t survive a car accident. The children beg to stay together with their big sister rather than be split up among relatives. Lisa’s aunts insist her parents would want her to remain in school.
Mike Brennan, Lisa’s fiancée, is in his rookie year with the NFL, and suggests he and Lisa marry quickly and give the kids a home. Lisa searches for legal directives her parents might have left—a fruitless effort—and finally agrees with Mike. After she obtains legal guardianship of the children, she and Mike wed.
Moving from rural Massachusetts to Boston, they leave close friends behind. They are on their own. Mike is the second backup QB for the Boston Riders and focused on his dream career. He thinks his potential earnings will solve all problems. Lisa insists the children are not charity cases and works full-time to supplement their income.
Soon Lisa is overwhelmed with the responsibility of daily life, and Mike is no help. Despite counseling, her grief is constant. She has no time or interest in befriending other football wives. She twice tries to return to law school, but twice drops out. When Mike’s career takes off, he buys a large house in Boston’s elegant Beacon Hill neighborhood. Working class Lisa feels out of place.
Most of all, however, she’s haunted by thoughts of her parents’ expectations. Is she a good enough mom for their precious children? Are they proud of her? Slowly the issues between Lisa and Mike lead to a meltdown of their marriage.
Has love died? Or has it been buried beneath obligations faced by two young people armed only with good intentions?
Mike Brennan, Lisa’s fiancée, is in his rookie year with the NFL, and suggests he and Lisa marry quickly and give the kids a home. Lisa searches for legal directives her parents might have left—a fruitless effort—and finally agrees with Mike. After she obtains legal guardianship of the children, she and Mike wed.
Moving from rural Massachusetts to Boston, they leave close friends behind. They are on their own. Mike is the second backup QB for the Boston Riders and focused on his dream career. He thinks his potential earnings will solve all problems. Lisa insists the children are not charity cases and works full-time to supplement their income.
Soon Lisa is overwhelmed with the responsibility of daily life, and Mike is no help. Despite counseling, her grief is constant. She has no time or interest in befriending other football wives. She twice tries to return to law school, but twice drops out. When Mike’s career takes off, he buys a large house in Boston’s elegant Beacon Hill neighborhood. Working class Lisa feels out of place.
Most of all, however, she’s haunted by thoughts of her parents’ expectations. Is she a good enough mom for their precious children? Are they proud of her? Slowly the issues between Lisa and Mike lead to a meltdown of their marriage.
Has love died? Or has it been buried beneath obligations faced by two young people armed only with good intentions?
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2016
51 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Linda Barrett
56 books142 followersLinda's emotional stories of contemporary romance have earned many industry awards through Romance Writers of America chapter contests. In 2011, Quarterback Daddy took first place in the Write touch Reader's contest while in 2010, Summer at the Lake did the same. Previously, she's garnered the Holt Medallion and The Award of Excellence among others. With laughter and tears, she touches the hearts of her readers by writing stories they'll remember long after the book is finished.
This year, Linda is publishing her first women's fiction novel. Family Interrupted will be available in the spring of 2013.
This year, Linda is publishing her first women's fiction novel. Family Interrupted will be available in the spring of 2013.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Want to read
October 2, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (10/2/18)!💝
Blurb:
Lisa Delaney drops out of law school to care for her four younger siblings when her parents don’t survive a car accident. The children beg to stay together with their big sister rather than be split up among relatives. Lisa’s aunts insist her parents would want her to remain in school.
Mike Brennan, Lisa’s fiancée, is in his rookie year with the NFL, and suggests he and Lisa marry quickly and give the kids a home. Lisa searches for legal directives her parents might have left—a fruitless effort—and finally agrees with Mike. After she obtains legal guardianship of the children, she and Mike wed.
Moving from rural Massachusetts to Boston, they leave close friends behind. They are on their own. Mike is the second backup QB for the Boston Riders and focused on his dream career. He thinks his potential earnings will solve all problems. Lisa insists the children are not charity cases and works full-time to supplement their income.
Soon Lisa is overwhelmed with the responsibility of daily life, and Mike is no help. Despite counseling, her grief is constant. She has no time or interest in befriending other football wives. She twice tries to return to law school, but twice drops out. When Mike’s career takes off, he buys a large house in Boston’s elegant Beacon Hill neighborhood. Working class Lisa feels out of place.
Most of all, however, she’s haunted by thoughts of her parents’ expectations. Is she a good enough mom for their precious children? Are they proud of her? Slowly the issues between Lisa and Mike lead to a meltdown of their marriage.
Has love died? Or has it been buried beneath obligations faced by two young people armed only with good intentions?
Blurb:
Lisa Delaney drops out of law school to care for her four younger siblings when her parents don’t survive a car accident. The children beg to stay together with their big sister rather than be split up among relatives. Lisa’s aunts insist her parents would want her to remain in school.
Mike Brennan, Lisa’s fiancée, is in his rookie year with the NFL, and suggests he and Lisa marry quickly and give the kids a home. Lisa searches for legal directives her parents might have left—a fruitless effort—and finally agrees with Mike. After she obtains legal guardianship of the children, she and Mike wed.
Moving from rural Massachusetts to Boston, they leave close friends behind. They are on their own. Mike is the second backup QB for the Boston Riders and focused on his dream career. He thinks his potential earnings will solve all problems. Lisa insists the children are not charity cases and works full-time to supplement their income.
Soon Lisa is overwhelmed with the responsibility of daily life, and Mike is no help. Despite counseling, her grief is constant. She has no time or interest in befriending other football wives. She twice tries to return to law school, but twice drops out. When Mike’s career takes off, he buys a large house in Boston’s elegant Beacon Hill neighborhood. Working class Lisa feels out of place.
Most of all, however, she’s haunted by thoughts of her parents’ expectations. Is she a good enough mom for their precious children? Are they proud of her? Slowly the issues between Lisa and Mike lead to a meltdown of their marriage.
Has love died? Or has it been buried beneath obligations faced by two young people armed only with good intentions?
February 2, 2018
This didn't work for me. When you can't stand the main female character, it doesn't make for a story you want to continue reading. I really struggled to finish this because I found Lisa to be so hypocritical and self-righteous, I wish that Mike had divorced her and moved on. Even at the end, she turns it around like it's all his fault. I get that she was grieving, but I hated how she treated Mike. He deserved so much better than being stuck with Lisa.
October 29, 2018
Just ok
Spoiler alert, the story starts with a sad beginning. So the main character is pretty much sad thru the entire story. A little depressing.
Spoiler alert, the story starts with a sad beginning. So the main character is pretty much sad thru the entire story. A little depressing.
January 19, 2017
Lisa and Mike are two college kids in love with their whole future ahead of them. When tragedy strikes, their love is put to the test. Can Lisa overcome her grief and see she can still have a wonderful life with Mike or will she let her loss take her future too? This was an emotional read that had me rooting for Lisa and Mike to make it, while at times being frustrated with one or both of them. The characters felt real, flaws and all. I would recommend this book.
August 31, 2016
What a great book on what family really means and how we need to keep our eyes open that just because something tragic happens that changes our life path doesn't mean we have to give up on our dreams.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews