antoniopoe

** spoiler alert ** The main storyline is of the Peytons. Bruce realized he loved Rachel in the last book, and rushed a wedding, in spite of negativity from his 13 year old daughter, Jolene. And he did not address Jolene's feelings, banking on them working themselves out (as Rachel & Jolene used to get along so well). But Jolene got progressively more angry, more sullen, more withdrawn. Rachel is pregnant, Bruce is happy, Jolene is upset... and after 4 months, Rachel leaves them because she knows the stress is bad for her and the baby. This book is about them... about Bruce's desperation, about Jolene growing up (though we don't get any insight into her thoughts, only her words and actions) as she sees her father's pain, she misses the pre-wedding Rachel, Rachel's gentle invitations, but steps back when she lashes, and the baby becoming a reality. Bruce finally goes to counseling, starts to set limits with Jolene, gets her into counseling, and just as Jolene thinks nothing will change, they start to ... and she has hope... and then food poisoning puts her in emergency, Jolene fully comes to her senses - and has some understanding and tools to deal with the negative emotions, and Jolene gets to come home in time for Christmas. 2nd storyline - Charlotte and Ben - especially Charlotte is starting to forget things - leading to a fire in the kitchen, staying with Olivia while it's repaired, and moving into an assisted living space, with medical evaluation to come after Christmas. Grace and Cliff - end up caring for a motherless puppy - and in spite of her best efforts, Grace falls in love with the little thing. Will steps up to help Olivia with Charlotte and Ben - and he and his art store assistant are noticing one another. Miranda is not physically or personality wise Will's usual woman, she doesn't put up with his nonsense, and she speaks her mind. But they kiss... and spend Thanksgiving together... and... hmmmm Link & Lori - Lori's dad is sabatoging Link's business. when he finally confides the truth to Lori, she tells her dad she's out of his life - they go to live in firefighter Mac's duplex so as not to impose on dad. Mom leaves dad, and even files for divorce when he takes steps to disinherit Lori... Mac and sheriff throw Link business, and he's starting to make a go of it... and then, knowing the importance of family, he goes to Lori's dad, sees that dad is upset over his wife leaving... apologises for not gaining dad's approval before marrying Lori and getting off on the wrong foot (dad, who's father was a welder, waited 5 years for his wife's father to accept him)... and then they arrange for mom and dad to be at their apartment at the same time, and Link smooths things; allowing dad to face savingly apologise and win his wife back - of course dad is starting to realize the goodness of Link. and finally, Gloria and Chad. Gloria's father, Roy, tells Chad that gloria is pregnant (she tried, but he brushed her off on his way on a date). and bit by bit, Chad and Gloria are becoming friends - and at the end of the story, admit they love one another (never Chad's problem - just that Gloria couldn't accept him)... I'm guessing they'll e the focus of the last story.

2022-11-14 18:33