The Accidental Family
Fashionable Sophie Mills was a corporate manager on a fast track to success. Then, in the space of a heartbeat -- the time it takes for a car to crash -- two little girls, Bella and Izzy, her best friend's daughters, change her life forever. Named as guardian in their father's absence, Sophie discovers that the soft touch of a little girl's hand can be far more precious than a closet full of expensive clothes or an exciting job. And when their father Louis returns, the word "family" takes on a whole new significance, as Sophie finds herself deeply attracted to this handsome, mysterious man.
Moving to Cornwall to be with Louis and the girls is a deliriously, frighteningly adventurous start to a whole new life for Sophie. When Louis proposes marriage, Bella and Izzy immediately vault into bridesmaid ecstasy, but Sophie is besieged by doubt. Is marrying Louis, who left one wife before, the natural next step...or a scary mistake? Can she honor her promise to the girls to be there always, forever, whatever? When startling news from Louis's past takes them all by surprise, can these individuals brought together by chance and tragedy make the commitment that a family is forever?
From the sensational Rowan Coleman, whose witty and deeply moving novels have won hearts on both sides of the Atlantic, comes a thought-provoking new tale of love, choices, and the true meaning of family.
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Book details:
- Gallery Books |
- 384 pages |
- ISBN 9781439155288 |
- September 2009
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Introduction
About a year ago, Sophie Mills’s life was turned upside down when her childhood best friend died and left Sophie in charge of her two young daughters. A true city girl, Sophie surprised everyone, including herself, when she moved to the country to be with the girls and their father, Louis—her best friend’s widower.
But adjusting to life as a semi-permanent mother in a small town isn’t as easy as Sophie imagined. She can’t quite make that final commitment to move in with Louis and the girls—she’s on her way to becoming the longest-paying guest of the local bed-and-breakfast.
Just as Sophie starts to feel secure, Louis’s first love resurfaces with some shocking news. Now Sophie can’t help but wonder: Can Louis take responsibility for his past as well as his present? And can she fulfill her solemn promise to be there for two frightened little girls “always, forever, whatever”?
Questions for Discussion
1. The prolog see more

