As a huge fan of author Robyn Carr's work, I thought it would be fun to read her new book "A Family Affair". True to Robyn's heartfelt writing style, this book tenderly embraces heartache, loss, betrayal, and love. The story reminds us that forgiveness is a choice. Some people can achieve it, while others cannot.

Anna McNichols age-54, has just lost her husband Chad in a unexpected accident. Anna and Chad had been married over thirty years. Their children are grown and struggling with the sudden loss of their dad. Anna notices a pregnant woman at Chad's funeral she does not recognize. Anna's intuition tells her something is off about this situation. Who is this woman? Was Chad unhappy? Was he cheating on her?

This book has several stories going on at once. They alternate between chapters. It is easy to follow along and become acquainted with the main characters. The book is not associated with the "Virgin River" series, but is just as delightful. I recommend this novel, but please be aware it does contains sexual content.

"A Family Affair" will be published April 5th.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Robyn Carr, and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for allowing me to review this beautifully written book. I appreciate it!

Wow!! A 5-star read! This book tugged on my heartstrings! I have always been a huge fan of Robyn Carr. I have read and re-read many of her books. She puts emotions into words on the pages of her books. Her writing has always pulled me in, allowing me to become immersed in the world she is creating. A Family Affair was such a story. She captured the raw emotions of her characters. It was a story of realization, of personal growth, acceptance, and change.

This complex story starts with the sudden death of a man, Chad McNichol. A successful psychologist, husband, father, and friend. His will left a percentage of his inheritance to an anonymous person. This left many unanswered questions. His wife Anna and their children struggle to deal with the tragic loss and mess he left behind.

As the story unfolds, many long-hidden secrets come to light. Secrets that will forever change the complicated McNichol family. It chronicles the year after Chad’s death. The story is full of twists and turns and deals with untold secrets, grief, anger, forgiveness, and moving on. It touches on many troublesome issues. Death, adultery, dementia, aging, autism, mental health, and COVID are just a few. The author handled each well. I loved how each character had their own storyline, which tied into the main plot. The characters were full of depth, each one unique and well developed. I came to understand their personalities and behaviors. I became invested in this intriguing story about the realities many families face. There are possible triggers for some, but I felt the author handled them delicately. It was, as expected, an excellent read written by an exceptional author. I recommend adding this book to your to-be-read lists. The expected publication date is April 5, 2022.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Anna and her children have to face things after her husband’s sudden death. All is not as perfect as it seems from the outside. ARC from NetGalley.

I am a huge fan of Robyn Carr's having read every one of her books. The Family Affair did not disappoint. I highly recommend reading this amazing book.

Robyn Carr's A Family Affair is a book about Anna McNichol; everything is going as planned in her life until the unexpected happens, her husband dies. Throughout the book, Anna deals with secrets, the search for truth, and what the real meaning of family is.

I usually enjoy books by Robyn Carr but for me, this one didn't fit her normal sweet romance type. I thought it was too dark and I didn't really relate to any of the characters. I'm sure some people will enjoy this deviation from Carr's usually style. I finished it but I kept hoping it would get better. I'm looking forward to her next novel.

3.5
This is my nineteenth author, Robyn Carr novel. I have read many in the Virgin River series as well as Sullivan’s Crossing. My favorite standalones were "The Life She Wants" and "The Summer That Made Us"].

This story is about a family’s secrets.
Anna McNichol believes she has the perfect life; she is enjoying her career as a judge. Anna and Chad were partners in raising their three children Michael, Jessie and Bess in a nurturing loving family. The children are now adults and have moved on ~ all is good.

However, they now are in shock as dad Chad expectantly dies is a rafting accident.
The family is trying to deal with this. Anna is curious why Chad went on the trip as he has no rafting experience. Also who was the mysterious young pregnant woman at his memorial service?
Now the secrets come forth.

I thought I wasn’t in the mood for a family drama but this turned out better than I expected!
I did enjoy it and found some nice Awww moments!


Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publications for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 5, 2022

Anna has just lost her husband. Over the years they had faced many issues but now after his death Anna is finding out things she never knew about him. His children are also struggling to deal with his death and have issues of their own. This is a story about a family and learning to forgive and come together. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book. I enjoyed this family saga story. It was interesting to see how each person was able to move past the sins of the father/husband. I would have liked it if they could have addressed his mistakes to him and he could have received some type of comuppance for his mistakes. I liked how the issues with each child was addressed and dealt with. The characters were all strong in their own way yet each had issues that they had to overcome. Lots of different subplots pulled you into this book to see how it would eventually end. Another great read from Robyn Carr.

This is a complicated story line with too many characters. This family has way too many issues and every person has too many problems. This book does not have the loving family relationships and wonderfully happy ends that I am used to in her books. Not my favorite book of hers

This book was not for me. I usually fall into a Robyn Carr book and am sad to leave when it’s done. I thought I’d relate to Anna due to her stage of life; however, I never connected with the characters and felt like I was observing an endless litany of complaints and issues. Carr’s trademark joy and positivity, despite a character’s problems, were not evident until the last quarter of the book.

I thank the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title. While this wasn’t my cup of tea, I look forward to Carr’s future books. All opinions expressed are my own.

A complex story about a very complicated family that begins when the husband and father of this group suddenly dies in a river rafting accident. That he was not experienced and couldn't really swim makes it all even harder to understand and accept. The year following his death is chronicled here and in a most interesting manner. I really enjoyed this family and their development after his loss. Twists and turns for everyone make for a wonderful read.

Talk about a family plagued with problem after problem…..wow! I enjoyed the main story in this book, but there were so many offshoots and it started to drag. Overall, though, it was a good read.

This is my 9th book by Robyn Carr and I think it’s her best one yet! It opens up with Anna’s husband who recently died suddenly and they are at his funeral. He was a prominent Dr and was loved by many. They have 3 grown children, all living their own lives and they each had to come to grips with their dad’s passing. There were many challenges they faced and they discovered a few secrets he had. I really enjoyed this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

i really loved the story of Blanche in a family affair it was a beautiful story, as a person who has lost a parent reading it was very touching.

Family isn’t perfect, but it’s family, and it always shows up for you when you need it! Written as beautifully as this author can write, a book you will not want to miss!

I am a Robyn Carr fan

This book is not her norm

I am going to try to read again and will update my review

This book is about a family who loses there father and husband. They lose themselves along the way and work to find a new path forward. Self discovery is often hard and painful. This book is beautifully written. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

A truly heartwarming book about a family that grieves over the loss of the father only to be faced with his secrets that resulted in a sister that was not known prior to his death. It is a story filled with heartache and grace. It is a triumph to see how each family member grows and grows closer in spite of their loss.

Could easily be entitled once a cheater but Robyn Carr decidedly took the higher ground with A FAMILY AFFAIR which is also a double entendre. I’ve never met a book by this intriguing romance writer that I didn’t love, and A FAMILY AFFAIR certainly lives up to my expectations. After her husband Chad cheats on her, admits it, swears to be forever true, Anna stays the course so to speak. After all there are two very young children to consider. So although she secretly wishes to kill this cheat, she instead becomes a lawyer. After that she candidly upstages Chad at every point in their lives, with one marked difference. When it came to cheating it appears Chad held the record.

Anna became an expert at handling this meandering husband of hers. Did that mean she accepted his roving eyes, no of course not. But with children to support Anna quietly took on the role of nurturing wife. His ego needed tender care so Anna provided that in spades. But at what cost. Anna was demeaned by this husband in wolfs clothing. He minimized her success. And in the end when he died Anna still had to extol his virtues.

How do you build or maintain a family that is no longer supported by love. The children were loved and nurtured. The parents were partners, notice I didn’t say lovers. Love had somehow left the relationship. What remained was a determination to keep the family together. That became the new normal for Anna, Chad, Michael, Jessie and Bess. Outward appearance was that of a devoted loving family. Anna was resolved to stay with Chad whose role was that of partner in parenting and support. Anna knew she could never again trust this man. Too many lies and secrets. So imagine her chagrin when at his funeral she becomes aware of still one more secret. Another child, now a grown adult.

A FAMILY AFFAIR is a remarkable study of strength and resilience. Robyn Carr knows how to mold her characters into folks that jump off the page with their realistic dialog and situations. In A FAMILY AFFAIR it’s not a leap of faith to accept the possible reality of a situation like this family’s. How many marriages lose their luster after a time and end up in cooler version of devotion. Robyn Carr created a woman with strong survival skills with her Anna. That didn’t mean that Anna was a goody two shoes. Anna was determined to not step into her mother’s shoes. And when her marriage starts showing wear Anna knew it was necessary to secure her family. Both emotional and financially. But of course there is a price.

Now with her husband’s death Anna is going to have to shoulder more responsibility. Her children are still reeling from his death. As facts unfold about Chad and his secrets, Anna is going to have to decide what to disclose. No matter what she chooses Anna feels certain there will be blowback directed at her. Chad made his happiness her job. When does Anna get her chance.

Again I state A FAMILY AFFAIR is probably one of Robyn Carr’s best and that saying a lot. The dialog and situations are so very realistic and current. These may just be the some of the best characters this amazing author has created. Amid angst and emotional pain Robyn Carr reminds us to laugh. Laughter is the best medicine after all. And while her characters search for answers we share moments of glee and humor as well. Quite a judicious undertaking. That’s why Robyn Carr is in a class of her own.