Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for a copy of "The Gift of Family" in exchange for my honest review.

This was a delightful and uplifting read perfect for the upcoming holiday season or really any time of the year. Eugene and Rosemary Johnson have been together since they were 22 and 18 years old. They have been married for 15 years. Eugene is a successful entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles and Rosemary owns a nail salon. At the age of 45 Rosemary is still hoping to get pregnant after several miscarriages. One day she receives the worst possible news and yet it brings the greatest joy into their lives. When Rosemary needs help around the house, Eugene's former nanny comes into their lives. She is raising her great grandchildren Anthony, Eddie and Cynthia. Faith and love turn what at first Rosemary thought would shatter them into the greatest time in their lives. How family is the greatest gift for the holidays.

An absolutely wonderful read which I read in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed.

This was a great read. This story hit close to home when it talked about Rosemary not being able to have children. I really loved how Ethel was a part of their lives and they were able to reach out and support her and the children. This story was well written and it had you smiling, feeling sad and happy all at the same time. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

You pretty much know where this book is heading by the end of chapter 2. But the story is in the details, and it's a joyous read, if you want to bring the warmth of the Christmas season back to your life right now (something we all pretty much need right now, right?)! Thanks to the thought provoking questions at the end, this book is a natural for book clubs, leading up to Christmas. They help to encourage the reader to think about the story a bit differently, and see ways to apply the ideals into their own life. And it is a solid reminder that sometimes God has a different plan, than the one we thought for ourselves, and his plan can be so much more rewarding!

I enjoyed The gift of family but it was was a little unrealistic to me. That somebody would just meet a person and after a few weeks want to adopt their grandkids sounds a little far fetched to me. At first i thought Ethel was a con artist, but I'm glad it all worked out and the story had a happy ending!

The Gift of Family is a beautifully written book. Great plot and believable characters that you will love. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

The Gift of Family
by Mary Monroe
Kensington Books
Dafina
General Fiction (Adult) | Women's Fiction

What a wonderful story!! I do not want to give anything away, but I know you will enjoy this heart warming tale!
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for the ARC.

5 star

I loved this story about Rosemary and Eugene who have been married for a while and have no children when Rosemary gets a call from her doctor which he tells her after some tests that she will have to have a a hysterectomy. She has the hysterectomy and does well. See how they go about adopting a whole family of children. As is all of this authors book this one is a very good read

Just when you give up ever having a family of your own a new one comes along. A heartwarming story of Christmas and family. You will like this book!!

This was a great read. The characters were relatable. Eugene and Rosemary are a well to do couple living in California. The one thing they want is a child. Rosemary must have surgery and due to recuperation time she needs a helping hand. Eugene recommends a woman who once worked for his family. Even though she is older she is a hard worker. Due to the time they spend with her they in a way become a family. I enjoyed this book and its gonna be a great book to read during the upcoming holiday season. The one lesson I got from this book is Family is what you make of it. You dont'have to be related by blood to have a family.

A beautiful feel good, heartwarming and heartfelt story that will leave you smiling. A story that shows you life isn’t always easy but with faith, you can overcome obstacles put in your path.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion.

Eugene is an entertainment lawyer and Rosemary is a nail salon owner with rich clientele. Eugene and Rosemary have always wanted a family but a phone call from Rosemary’s doctor thwarts that plan. As they need a caregiver for Rosemary, Eugene suggests Ethel his old caregiver when he was growing up. Ethel also takes care of her great grandchildren. Ethel takes care of Rosemary. Rosemary starts to become involved in Ethel’s life. I really enjoyed this story. It’s about hope, faith and family. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

The Gift of Family is a heartwarming story. Rosemary and her husband have yearned for a family for years, only to have their hopes dashed numerous times. After a checkup, Rosemary is told she has to have emergency surgery, destroying any chances of having biological children. Her husband hires an older woman, Ethel, to care for her. She become close to Ethel and her great-grandchildren. She and Eugene decide to adopt the children. It's not all smooth sailing, but it's a feel good story with a positive ending. Rosemary and Eugene finally get their family and children find a loving home.

I adored this beautiful story of family, friendship, belief, and love!
It is what this world needs now!
Ethel has a family, and in order to maintain her brood, she works two jobs.
Now... She is no youngster, but she does her job and does it well!
Ethel had once cared for a family many years ago in the past, and their fondness for this woman did not go unnoticed.
Eugene was a young boy when he knew Ethel, but when his wife, Rosemary needs major surgery and assistance for two months, he finds her to help with the supervision of his wife.
What is also found, is so much more than anyone can believe.
It is the gift that will keep on giving!
This is the perfect book to read anytime! Loved it!

I love the books that Mary Monroe writes. There is always something happening in them. She never holds back on the things she writes, and I am hardly disappointed. In this book It talks about the main characters Eugene and Rosemary. It talks about their struggles to have children, some family issues, and a nice but blunt housekeeper. I was almost disappointed that there wasn't enough drama, but I had tears in my eyes because it was heartfelt and touching. in the end. This is a good book to read now, not because of the Christmas in July, but because it is a good pick me up.



I am grateful that netgalley let me read this is exchange for an honest review.

I loved this story about family. Easy reading! Rosemary and Eugene’s hopes of having a child were Crushed when she finds out the she needs surgery and will not be able to conceive. When searching for help for her after her surgery they try to find the nanny he had growing. Hiring her opens their heart to her and her family. Just a wonderful book and I would recommend it!



Thanks Mary Monroe and Kensington books!

The storyline is perfect for a Christmas novel, however I really struggled with some parts of this book. Referring to the household help they hire, as a servant more than once and remarking that “ she needs the money” to their friends, made the main characters very difficult to like. There as just too much pretentiousness in their behavior and I felt like they were doing good so others would know it.