I received an ARC for an honest review from Kensington Publishing through NetGalley. The Gift of Family was an interesting book because life is not always easy. Eugene and Rosemary always wanted to be parents and they were foster parents two different times to teenagers. Each time as the teenager became adults they got in contact with their original family and Eugene and Rosemary stopped hearing from them.
When Rosemary was told by her doctor she would need a complete hysterectomy, they thought there dream of being parents had come to an end. When trying to find someone to care for Rosemary after her surgery wasn't working out, Eugene thought about Ethyl, who took care of him and his brother when they were growing up. Rosemary started searching and found her. She agreed to come and take care of Rosemary. It was nice seeing Rosemary and Ethyl connect and get to know each other. We met Ethyl's family and how they all connected with Eugene and Rosemary.
With all that is going on today, this book is a good book to read. It is about coming together, accepting differences, and understanding people who are different than we are and welcoming them. Eugene and Rosemary were welcomed into Ethyl's home and church and Ethyl and her family were welcomed into Eugene and Rosemary home and church.
Life goes on and in this book, we see how life goes on for Eugene and Rosemary. At the end are questions to discuss or think about. The questions were different than I was expecting but I did enjoy thinking about each one and answering them. I do highly recommend this book.

This story is told to us by Rosemary. She has wanted to have children all of her life but she finds out that she has to have a hysterectomy. She is heart broken but her husband Eugene is very supportive. They need to find someone to take care and watch over Rosemary for a few weeks after her operation. They find the housekeeper Ethel that Eugene's family used when he was a kid. Ethel is watching over her great grandchildren and shares her life with Rosemary daily. Rosemary cares for Ethel just like her husband did all those years ago.
This is a wonderful book. I did not want to put it down. It is a heartwarming story.

This was a cute quick read. Eugene & Rosemary are a great couple whose only wish is to expand their family. Unfortunately due to medical reasons, they will not be able to naturally. This doesn't stop them from living and moving on with their lives. Due to her medical issues, the couple is put into touch with Ethel, Eugene's caregiver from the past. Ethel has gone through a lot of hardships in her life and it makes Eugene & Rosemary's hearts happy to help her and her grandbabies out. You'll have to read to find out just how they help. Feel good book that doesn't have to be read at Christmas time. Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
This is a sweet and clean story that has family at its very heart. It tells the story of a couple who have been experiencing fertility issues, to finally be given the heartbreaking news that they will never have children (that’s not a spoiler- it happens at the start of the book). This book definitely packs an emotional punch and there was many times reading this that I got a lump in my throat. I loved the optimism in this book and the idea that family doesn’t have to just be blood. I also loved the discussion questions at the end of the book. Even though I haven’t read this for a book club, I still felt they added to the experience of reading this book and considering other angels which I may have glossed over or not considered during the actual reading.
A lovely story and a beautiful cover to match. Would recommend but with trigger warnings for infertility. 3.5 stars

What a lovely heartwarming story this is! Neither Rosemary or Eugene thought that Ethel will do anything more than help out when Rosemary has emergency surgery. Ethel was Eugene's housekeeper when he was young but he's lost sight of everything going on in her life- notably that she's caring for her great grandchildren. Rosemary and Eugene always wanted a child, even fostered some, but somehow things never worked out. Now. though, they learn that you make your family. You can guess how this will turn out but it's not always predictable. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good characters and a positive spirit make this a good read.

When an old faithful nanny is needed to help this couple she does all she can to help. This feels as though it could be a true account of peoples lives and what happens to them. Very well written and enjoyable, 5 stars and I recommend this novel.

.Thanks to Net Galley and publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Having enjoyed Mary Monroe’s Neighbors series, I was excited to read more of her work, starting with her new release, The Gift of Family. And while it is a very different sort of story, I still enjoyed it, and found it a wonderfully heartwarming story of love and hope.

I loved seeing Rosemary and Eugene’s love remains strong, in spite of the tests they faced, such as fertility struggles. And despite their connections to the glitz and glam or the entertainment industry, they remain unaffected by its notorious vices.

And when Ethel comes to work for them, I loved how she became much more than an employee, to the point of being like family. And as she has her own family to care for, I love how they too become incorporated into this family unit, and become a way for Rosemary and Eugene to have the family with children that they have long wanted.

This is a delightful story releasing in the lead-up to the holiday season that reminds us that family isn’t just about blood, and can be formed through other bonds by choice. If you’re looking for a sweet holiday read, then you’ll enjoy this one.

A heartwarming and engrossing story that made me smile and moved.
The plot is well developed and kept me hooked, the characters are fleshed out and relatable, the atmosphere is lovely.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Mary Monroe’s, “The Gift of Family” was a beautifully written, thoughtful, heart-warming story about the power of loving-kindness and what family can mean in all its variety.

Eugene and Rosemary Johnson presumably have it all. A married couple living in California where dreams become reality and in essence have done well for themselves in both business and material wealth. All that’s missing is the family that they’ve each dreamed of since they were children. While they have attempted to build such a thing, they’ve not been successful and have even gone so far as to foster children. All of which has given them some temporary comfort until a dreadful phone call from Rosemary’s doctor one day.

Now faced with news that will change their lives forever, the Johnsons are challenged with limited options and an immediate need to help them get through. That is until Eugene recalls the blessing of Ethel Perkins on his family as he was growing up. The moment the Johnsons find her and hire her, all of their lives change in the most monumental ways.

This book was very relatable. Rosemary’s story hit home for me. In that same breadth the characters were charming and the plot and pacing were well done.

I have been a Mary Monroe fan for a very long time. This book solidifies for me why I have followed her work for so long. I have always appreciated how she’s brought a little of her self to each of her novels. This was an excellent pivot away from her last series and a great, feel-good holiday story. Bravo!

A huge thanks to NetGalley for providing this digital ARC in advance for an honest review.

Life is a journey and sometimes it takes us in a different direction from what we have hoped for, or expected. The Gift of Family is one such story that brings joy from disappointment.

40-somethings Eugene and Rosemary Johnson are a couple in love who have everything they had ever wanted. That is, except for a child of their own. Any remaining hope of Rosemary bearing their child is taken away when they learn that Rosemary requires emergency surgery. When trying to find someone to provide support to their household, Eugene suggests a woman that his family had employed in the past and had loved. Rosemary agrees to meet with Ethel Perkins, a feisty Christian woman who proves to be exactly what Rosemary and Eugene need to get Rosemary back on her feet after her surgery.

Ethel’s life has been filled with tragedy. Now left in her sixties to care for her three great-grandchildren, Ethel is not a stranger to hard work. Despite this, she’s having a hard time financially to make ends meet. As they approach Christmas, devastating news comes to Ethel and her family. In the true spirit of the season, Eugene and Rosemary bring the family into their home lightening the load for this hard-working woman. Will this beneficial relationship work beyond the holiday season?

I enjoyed this Christmas story and all the feelings of good will that we associate with Christmas that came from it. I found the characters to be well-developed, highly personable and very likeable. The book flowed well and while absolutely predictable, this worked for this story of love. I really appreciated the metaphor Rosemary uses with Ethel’s Great-Granddaughter and the respectful relationship that was developing between the two near the end of the book. I did, however, feel that the relationship between the two families developed just a little too fast which felt a little unrealistic to me. Having said that, I’d recommend this book to those that appreciate a story of good will at Christmas.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, The Gift of Family by Mary Monroe. This book was just ok. I did finish it, but I felt the story lacked substance, the characters were boring and the the ending was predictable. I would not recommend this book nor would I persuade someone not to read it.

I loved this book! Such a sweet family and a happy ending. I'm a huge advocate for adoption. I will be recommending this book to my friends as a great holiday read this year. I may purchase some copies as gifts as well. Mary Monroe did not disappoint with this one!

I thought it story was very predictable. Rosemary and Eugene are a upper middle case, very devoted to each other. The only thing missing is a child. They have tried for years and then Rosemary needs an emergency hysterectomy. Eugene searches out his family old housekeeper, can do it all Ethel to take care of Rosemary after her surgery, Ethel was founded quickly, but has her own set of issues. She has taken in her 3 great-grandchildren, 2 preteens and a teenager. Rosemary just loves the feisty Ethel and just adores her grandchildren. The couple had tried fostering children in the past, but decides they should adopt. Yes, I am sure you can guess were it’s going.
A fast read, very Christian based story. Good read if you just want to read a happy story.  I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.

Thank you netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. It was a very enjoyable read. For a change the main characters were a happy and long married couple. The only thing missing in their lives were children. When the wife, Rosemary, has a sudden illness and discovers she will be unable to have children, they are heartbroken. But a surprise gift is on the way to make it the best Christmas of all.

Thank you Netgalley for given me a chance to read this book. This hook is about Eugene and Rosemary who livei in California and have been happily married for many years. This book was very enjoyable and well written.. I cant wait for her next book.

Rosemary and Eugene Johnson meets all our couple goals. She owns a nail salon and he is an entertainment lawyer. They live in a beautiful home and are in love. The only thing missing is a child. When Rosemary needs emergency surgery and needs to stay home to recuperate, Eugene brings in Ethel Perkins, the woman who his caretaker.
Once Ethel begins working for them, she becomes more than an employee and the bond they form with her will have a lifetime impact on both families.
The Gift of Family was a sweet, heartwarming read. The characters were relatable and the overall message, uplifting. I loved the faith element. This wasn't drama-filled but it tugged at my heart strings. I think many will enjoy this story.
Memorable quote:
"Without boundaries and structure, anything could happen. Unfortunately, when there are no boundaries or when they are ignored, bad things are more likely to happen."
Thank you, Netgalley!

I received an advance copy of The Gift of Family, by Mary Monroe. This is the first book i have read of Mary Monroe, and it was very good. Eugene and Rosemary Johnson, have always wanted to be parents, will this Christmas be the one where there wish will be fulfilled? I loved the characters in this book.

This was such a heartwarming story. I loved it from start to finish. And I loved all the characters. I found them really relatable. I also really liked that the story dealt with deeper subjects, but still managed to be heartwarming and uplifting!

Rosemary and Eugene are a successful couple, but have been unable to have children. When Rosemary has to have a hysterectomy, ending her hopes for children, she and Eugene start a search for someone to help her during her recovery from surgery. Ethel helped Eugene’s family when he was younger, and he searches for and finds her! Meanwhile, Ethel works 2-3 jobs and is doing her best to raise her 3 grandchildren. The two families come together in this heartwarming story!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Such a lovely Book in and a great read.

I found the characters were relatable.

The main characters Eugene and Rosemary are a couple living in California. The one and only thing they want is a child.

But, Rosemary has to have surgery and due to recuperation time, she will need a helping hand so her husband recommends a woman who once worked for his family.

The time spent with her, they in a way they’d never though, become a family.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it’s a book that the upcoming holiday season will, I’m sure be read by many.

If you take anything from reading this book., that is .

Family is what you make of it.
It’s not always about being related by blood to become a family.