No matter what, your family always remains family…

Synopsis

Two decades on from a passionate courtship and marriage, Lucas and Esther are getting divorced.  

For Esther, it’s proving hard not to feel bitter watching Lucas enjoying his successful career, not to mention the attentions of his gorgeous, intelligent, and predictably younger lover. She meanwhile is struggling to forge a new life for herself, navigating the pitfalls of modern dating, while trying not to despair at the cost of living as a single woman of a certain age.

Then Lucas faces a shattering accusation at the same time as their children Dylan and Lily, start to implode.  When Dylan runs away, and as his father fights to save his reputation, Lucas and Esther find themselves back in each other’s lives, whether they like it or not. 

Has too much water passed under the bridge, or will long-forgotten loyalties and feelings bring the family back together, just when they need each other the most?

My review

When Esther met Lucas, she thought they would be together forever. But now, Esther is feeling jealous as Lucas moving on with his new girlfriend, and their children don’t need her as much as before.
Meanwhile, Esther herself is struggling to dive back into the dating pool, and trying to live as a single woman on her own.
But when Lucas is facing an accusation, and Dylan runs away, forces need to be joined to overcome it all.
Has too much happened in the past to stand as an united front, or is blood thicker than water no matter what?

I am part of a generation where children have parents that are still married, compared to current status, where it’s more common to have divorced parents. (I am not being judgmental here, I know that often getting divorced is the better solution compare to staying together).
And being single, I can only try to imagine how it feels when you are part of a unit and then you are not…

In this story, I found it’s not about one huge event, but several (little) things, changing the dynamics of an already disrupted family.
Picking up the pieces after a divorce is never easy, and add seeing how your ex – partner is easily moving on while you’re still struggling doesn’t make things easier.

I have to admit, Lucas wasn’t my favourite person in the book. While when Esther meets him so many years ago, he seemed like one of the good guys, his behaviour in the present is not something I particularly liked.
Especially how he behaves towards their children, and the way he acts as a teenager whenever his new girlfriend is involved, made me cringe a little bit.

This story shows not only how to ‘survive’ after a divorce, but also that even if separated, an ex – couple will always form a family unit when children are involved.
But also that each family is different. And how the family you grew up with, can form your own visions of your own family.

However, I also felt that in this book it was shown that despite a marriage that didn’t work, the differences between two people, when it truly matters, all those differences aren’t of importance.
Because there was a time that these two people loved each other, resulting in two children. And no matter what, the children always have the highest priority, even if that means facing a past you would rather forget.

We get not to know extraordinary people, but normal people with some everyday but also some devastating events. But they show us resilience, strength and an unbreakable bond.
I loved reading how Esther is getting back on her feet, even after some serious scares and terrible dates. But I also admired how Esther behaves like a mother, trying to always understand her children, how difficult it may seem, and always defended them. But I also appreciated how Esther stood by Lucas’ side when he is faced with accusations that can ruin his career.

I enjoyed reading this book, that is not filled with extravagant actions, but with the struggles of an ordinary woman with a rather ordinary life. Life doesn’t go always as planned, and it’s not always easy to get your life back on track. But blood is thicker than water, and that bond will always remain no matter what, even with new friendships, new love interests and new directions.