Book Review – We Are Family By Beth Moran

Thirty-three-year-old Ruth Henderson and her daughter Maggie have some hard choices to make. Following the tragic death of Maggie’s father, they are left with a mountain of debt and broken hearts. So, despite her vow never to return home after the fall-out from her teenage pregnancy, Ruth can’t see any option other than for the two of them to move back in with her parents.

Going home means many things – finally confronting her estranged father, navigating her mother’s desperate need to make everything ok despite the wobbles in her own marriage, not to mention helping a still-grieving Maggie to settle into a new school, find new friends, and stop expressing her emotions through her ever-changing hair colour.

What Ruth needs are friends, but she abandoned her childhood ones when she left all those years ago. Luckily for Ruth, they haven’t abandoned her. Slowly she lets herself be embraced by a group of women who have always had her back – even when she didn’t know it. And as the grief and shock recede, Ruth can even begin to imagine sharing her life with someone other than just Maggie – if Maggie will let her.

Published Date: 15 June 2023

My Review

Ruth and her daughter Maggie are making a fresh start due to Maggie’s father’s death and their overwhelming debt. They move in with Ruth’s parents to sort out their finances and support Maggie. Maggie had left home years ago after a conflict and had vowed not to return. Now, she’s grieving and adapting to a new school and town with Ruth’s help. Ruth also needs a job to support them and pay off the debt, but she’s uneasy about her parents’ conditions for assistance. Fortunately, Ruth’s old friends, including her past love, welcome her back warmly.

The book delves into complex family dynamics and intergenerational relationships, adding depth to the narrative. The characters’ backstories add richness and emotional depth, while the story tackles challenging topics with compassion and empathy. “We Are Family” is a compelling read that lingers in your thoughts long after you finish it.

My Rating