Each family has its struggles, even if we don’t always see them…

Synopsis

Sasha Greenhope has a very lovely life. Her marriage is solid, her only daughter is delightful, and the family business is going full steam ahead.

The only blip on the horizon is the upcoming family reunion for her parents 40th wedding anniversary at Chadwell House – the family pile. Sasha just does not fit with her rich family. Her French mother, Delphine thinks everything Sasha does is a faux pas.. And siblings, Adele and Beau, are clearly the favourites, leaving Sasha surplus to requirements

So when Sasha’s husband Ben takes this exact moment to reveal that they are about to go bankrupt, Sasha wants to be anywhere but stuck in a lavish marquee!

Swallowing her pride, and a whole bottle of fizz, Sasha determines to ask her family for help – and maybe even a loan – only to discover that her parents and siblings are all keeping secrets of their own!

Family secrets, warring siblings and a disastrous reunion… what could possibly go right?!

My review

Sasha Greenhope has always felt that her parents had their favourite child, and Sasha wasn’t it for sure…
Her mother obviously prefers Sasha’s brother Beau, while her sister Adele is obviously a daddy’s girl.
And Sasha marrying Ben surely wasn’t what her parents expected her to do. But Sasha proofed her parents wrong, as her marriage couldn’t be any more loving, with the addition of their daughter in the wonderful equation. Add a family business that being rather successful, and it’s clear that Sasha couldn’t be happier with her own tight unit.
So it makes sense that she is dreading to participate in the family reunion for her parents 40th wedding anniversary.
Because it’s obvious that Sasha will be in the shadows while her siblings will be taking the spotlight. To add more to a stressful upcoming event, Ben comes clean about the fact that their business may be going bankrupt.
With dread in her shoes, Sasha sees no other option than asking help from her wealthy family. But quickly discovers that each family has its own cross to bear…

Sometimes you like a book for several reasons, but when asked which point exactly made you fall in love with it, you can pin it to one specific thing.
And that is exactly the case with this wonderful book!

Sasha, Ben and LouLou are an amazing, sweet, loving family. While Sasha’s parents never really accepted Ben as their daughter’s husband, the love between them is just palpable in each shared moment.
That shows us again that richness doesn’t come from money, but from being surrounded by people that unconditionally love us.

However, no matter how great the love is, this family have their struggles… And it broke my heart a little bit, seeing how hard they worked together in their business, and because of one customer, their dreams and plans are just blown up at once…

Any normal family wouldn’t be so against asking family for help, but Sasha’s family isn’t a normal family. While her parents are the rich kind, whenever it concerns asking for money, Sasha always had to solve her own problems.
And in one way I could understand her parents’ reasoning, I thought it was also a bit mean, because it’s clear that Sasha is not one to just throw money away and won’t ask for help if not truly needed…
Also, having siblings being so perfect and successful, doesn’t make Sasha feel any better.

I was definitely in Sasha’s corner during the reunion at the Chadwell House, and got so frustrated and angry when there was obvious proof that Sasha was clearly the ‘less loved’ child. Of course, her parents love her, but just not as much as Adele or Beau…
And I ADORED Ben when he defended his little family!

But not all is as it seems in this book…
Obviously there are secrets that are going to be revealed, and some may not be a total surprise, some were unexpected and heart-breaking.
Each member is facing a struggle of their own, showing the reader that no amount of money, fancy clothes, fast cars and great houses is a recipe to save you from trouble…

While initially I truly hoped that Sasha would be finding her happiness with people who accepted her and her own family as who they are, during the story my feelings shifted.
It’s clear that communication in this family was the cause of many issues. No matter how difficult it is to express our feelings, and while it may hurt someone we love at that moment, it is always the best solution…

Now, beside my frustrations and anger, I also had many smiles and laughter while reading. Can I say that LouLou is just adorable???
The evil Tizi found it also funny how things went wrong. Like a tiramisu that was best left uneaten, or how a very important heirloom wasn’t what it seems to be.
But there were also many moments showing the strength of a family.  Because no matter what happened before, when truly needed, this family joined all forces, forgetting about their fights.

I could go on about this book for hours, but I will spare you that!
Just believe me when I say that this book is truly worth reading, as it shows us that even with family we never really knows what’s going on behind the scenes.
While speaking out may be hurtful, but in the end, it will bring us all together again. Also, with speaking out, we find a way to express our fears and realize that our fears are not always justified.
And sometimes, even if we wish for a new family ourselves, the one we got may just be perfect even with all its imperfections!