This was such a sweet story with even sweeter characters. I have fallen into a reading slump over the last couple of weeks and this book was exactly what I needed to boost me and get my head back into reading. 

Although there is a plot, it wasn't what I enjoyed most about this book. Most of the story was every day family life; antics, laughs, upsets and all. Following this thrown together family through their ups and downs was so heart warming and I grew to love each one of the characters for what they contributed to the story. 

I don't know if I was supposed to, but I loved Gene as soon as he entered the clan. Something about him was so endearing and charming that I couldn't help but smile whenever he appeared on the page. His way of communicating with the children was adorable and made me wish for my very own Grandpa Gene. Most of the story was told from Lila's perspective so I naturally felt closest to her and I was dying for her to find herself the whole way through. The woman deserved a break and her own happiness so much, it was impossible for me to not cheer her on from the sidelines (even through her mistakes).

Although this story wasn't complicated, the characters had depth and provided me with smiles and a warm heart. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a smile and a warm hug in the form of a book.