I loved this book. Graham and Myra have had hardships in their marriage when they lose two babies. For 10 years Myra withdraws from Graham in every way until one day they take in their orphan nephews. Oliver nearly 13 and Piers who is 10. Myra doesn't really want them, she doesn't feel she knows how to behave as a mother. Through the story Myra who starts off being an awful dislikeable character becomes one of my favourites. The characters of the boys were great. Goes to show with love and affection anything is possible. A really good read.

I requested this book via NetGalley because I was in the mood for a family feel good book amidst more serious ambitions.

The story is of an ordinary couple who are living in a sort of limbo. Into this sedentary life their nephews move in with them when their father dies. Myra is not so pleased with her husband's stance that this should happen.It is a tale of two unhappy people whose existence changes drastically.

You watch the changes, but the constant back and forth in the mind of Myra(she has never healed from her past) was starting to get annoying, she gives in to change and then reconsiders her position.Her husband was the saving grace who decides to suddenly stop being a doormat. If it had happened even one less time, or more gradually (that us if eventually she decided on a stand) I would have given this book five stars. For those who are not as finicky as me, it will be a good read. It is the journey of lost souls who find a way to make it work.

I have read a great number of Rebecca Shaw's books over the years; in particular her Turham Malpas series. This is a stand alone book which definitely lived up to my expectations of this author.

Graham and Myra are in a middle aged rut. They have drifted apart and their lives have become very predictable. Their closeness has gone and it isn't just separate bedrooms but separate lives. Then Graham's brother dies and two young orphaned nephews are thrust into their ordered lives. Can Myra open her heart to these young boys who bring chaos to her home? Can Graham find the fun in life again? Can they become a couple once more and maybe even a family?

Rebecca Shaw is skilled in description. Her characters are very three dimensional to the point that you feel sure you must have met this person somewhere. The reader gets right inside the characters and, in this book, particularly into Myra's thoughts. It was quite heart breaking to read of the circumstances which led them to drift apart. As Myra rediscovers herself and sees Graham in a new light, we join her on her rediscovery of herself.

This is the sort of book that the reader has a fair idea as to the ending right from the beginning. However the story to get to that point is interesting and well written.

I am sad that this is Rebecca Shaw's last book. I will miss her characters and her detailed descriptions. I did, however, enjoy this book very much and suspect I shall re-read her previous work in the near future.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

Myra and graham have been married for a while now and didn’t have children so their life is very ordered, Myra is in fact quite anal about order in her home. Then tragedy strikes, Graham’s brother dies and he insists, against fierce opposition from Myra, that they take in the two small boys, his nephews. And this book tells the story of how that unfolds. It’s aninteresting exploration of family dynamics, but for me, lacked ......I don’t know......warmth maybe. It felt quite distanced somehow

I couldn't wait to read this book as she is one of my favourite authors and so sad to think she has passed and will not have her books any more. She didn't disappoint me at all as such an amazing book so heartwarming and shows a story of hope and love through grief and sadness and all about family life. Simply brilliant and didn't want to finish it. Worth far more than the five stars I have it for sure.
Myra and Graham are married but life a life that is neat she tidy and nothing is out of place and they don't show each other love at all. Their lives are changed as they become guardians for Graham's two young nephews and can they ride to it and bring them up together and with love or not as they really have to change. Myra is adamant that she doesn't want to have the young boys and usually Graham will always back down to his wife but this time he doesn't and as well as the two boys there ids a rabbit which will bring mess to wish she doesn't do everything has her place so how does she do. Can they bring them up and change their lives and make the boys happy with them going through so much. Can the boys settle in to their new home and can they all find love again and be a happy family or not the boys really need it for sure and Myra and Graham have always wanted a family but couldn't have one so can they be happy and find love with the young boys.
A simply excellent read.