Told in alternating voice, The Good Father gives the perspective of a father unable to provide through no fault of his own; a mother who gave everything up in order to keep her life; and another mother who would give anything for her lost daughter. To say The Good Father packs an emotional punch would be an understatement!
Travis Brown is a man down on his luck trying to raise his four-year old alone. When we meet Travis, his mother has just died in the fire that destroyed their home, but she died while saving little Bella. He loses his job when he has no one to care for his daughter and he loses the crappy trailer he found for he and Bella when he can't get a job - it's a horrible catch-22! His next-door-neighbor tells him about a job a few hours away and promises the guy will hold the position for him until he can get there. [Note to self: If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably IS].
Erin has been hanging around the local coffee shop each morning when Travis and Bella enters her life. After a couple of mornings of conversation with the father and daughter duo, Erin has found herself coming out of a terminal fog. When Travis does not return for Bella one morning after going out to his van, Erin is forced to make a decision - hang onto Bella and give Travis a chance to explain when she sees him or call the police and social services. Her decision almost proves fatal.
Robin is engaged to the next mayor of Beaufort, South Carolina and in the employ of the political family as head of their Bed & Breakfast. Robin grew up completely sheltered and practically smothered due to a defective heart; having to undergo a heart transplant in her teens. She becomes the sweetheart of Beaufort and a pawn in a political game.
Each person in The Good Father makes choices that has a profound effect on the lives of those around them. Diane Chamberlain has shared a story that will tug at the heartstrings. This novel ponders the questions of how far is too far to go for your child; what happens to our soul when we die; are there any lies acceptable between a parent and child?
The Good Father is a quick and easy read, perfect for one of those beach-day readings this summer. The writing is solid with the pacing just fast enough to keep you entranced in the story. Bella was definitely the scene-stealer!
Recommended for fans of Jodi Picoult, Kristin Hannah and Sophie Kinsella.
In a Word: Choices
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Publisher: MIRA | Published: April 24, 2012
368 pages | Genre: Fiction
Many thanks for the complimentary review copy from the publisher