American Family

A Novel

by Catherine Marshall-Smith

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.

Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org

*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

Pub Date Jun 13 2017 | Archive Date Jun 17 2017

She Writes Press

General Fiction (Adult) | LGBTQIAP+

Description

Richard and Michael, both three years sober, have just decided to celebrate their love by moving in together when Richard—driven by the desire to do the right thing for his ten-year-old-daughter, Brady, whom he has never met—impulsively calls his former father-in-law to connect with her. With that phone call, he jeopardizes the one good thing he has—his relationship with Michael—and also threatens the world of the fundamentalist Christian grandparents who love Brady and see her as payback from God for the alcohol-related death of her mother. Unable to reach an agreement, the two parties hire lawyers who have agendas far beyond the interests of the families—and Brady is initially trusted into Richard and Michael’s care. But when the judge learns that the young girl was present when a questionable act took place while in their custody, she returns Brady to her grandparents. Ultimately, it’s not until further tragedy strikes that both families are finally motivated to actually act in the “best interests of the child.”

Richard and Michael, both three years sober, have just decided to celebrate their love by moving in together when Richard—driven by the desire to do the right thing for his ten-year-old-daughter...

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781631521638
PRICE	$17.95 (USD)
PAGES	380

Additional Information

Average rating from 8 members

See all member reviews

Featured Reviews

V N, Reviewer

Richard and Michael are in a relationship and have just moved in together. All should be good, but something heavy is on Richard's heart. His daughter, Brady from a one time relationship. Brady lives with her deceased mothers' parents who are older. Richard makes one phone call that sets this storyline in motion. We get to journey with the main characters when Richard wants company. It is an absorbing look at child custody case with 2 gay males wanting custody. This book is realistic but sweet at the same time. I started this book and could not put it down. I will recommend this book to quite a few readers that I know. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Debbie M, Reviewer

This book started off a bit slow, but once it got going, I really liked the book and it's message!

Richard & Michael are recovering alcoholics, 3 years sober, who have just moved in together.

Richard has a daughter he's never seen. He left her mother while she was pregnant as he could no longer pretend he was not gay. The mother was killed and his daughter, Brady, now ten, has lived with her maternal grandparents.

At a place in his life where he is sober and stable, Richard reaches out to get to know Brady. Brady is interested, the grandparents are not.

He is granted a visit, things happen, and a custody battle begins. We see the ups and downs and the effect this has on everyone involved.

Brady is quite a kid! I found myself cheering for her throughout the book.

Thank you to Netgalley & She Writes Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Jennifer S, Reviewer

I really liked this book because it was realistic. The two main characters Michael and Richard both had flaws and were not perfect. Brady is Richard's daughter who he has never seen or had any relationship with. He decides that he wants to pursue a relationship with her which is nice for both of them. A custody battle starts and the author shows the good and bad points of what it entails. I love Brady, too. She is an awesome kid:)! Definitely glad that I read this as it illustrates 2 gay males engaged in a custody battle. Very interesting and great writing!!