By 
Gary Goldstein, the author of “The Mother I Never Had” has written an emotional, and heartfelt novel. This novel reminds me of the quote from Alexander Graham Bell” When one door closes another door opens.” The Genres for this novel are Family Life Fiction, and Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters and events. The author describes his colorful characters as complex and complicated.The most lovable and loyal character is Cody, the dog..
Landscape Designer Nate Cronin, who is 30 years old, becomes an “orphan” when his Dad and best friend Jim, a Literary Professor, passes away. Nate had been raised only by Jim, from birth, and the sudden loss is traumatic. Nate does excellent work, but has trouble communicating and committing to relationships.
Nate moves into Jim’s house, where Nate had grown up. Jennifer his on/off girlfriend helps him with the modest funeral arrangements. Nate is surrounded by the books that his father taught about, and loved.
Amy is a young woman, who at first hires Nate to do landscape for her, but then shocks him by telling him her story. It seems that Amy is his birth-mother, and had Nate when she was 17 years old. Jim had been her Professor, and she had fallen in love with him. Jim and his wife at the time adopt Nate, and then Jim becomes a single Dad.
Nate’s world seems so compromised. His father kept secrets that feel like a betrayal to him. He thought that his father was always honest. How can he really believe Amy? Now, Nate realizes that he has a mother who wants to be there for him now, but missed the first 30 years of his life?
I appreciate that the author vividly describes the characters and discusses topics such as the importance of family, friends, pets, honesty, communication, forgiveness, second chances, love and hope. Also mentioned is the importance of therapy, conquering fear, and choosing to learn and grow. I would highly recommend this heartwarming novel.
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