The Way It Should Be

Back Cover

After years of estrangement, the lives of Zara Mahoney and her twin sister, Eve, are suddenly intertwined again.  When Eve's troubled lifestyle causes the state to contract Zara about taking custody of Eve's two children, Zara feels wholly unprepared.  Besides never knowing she was an aunt, her new house, new husband, and plans for the future were meant to give her a fresh start.

Meanwhile, Eve may have a real chance at a new beginning with the help of Tiff Bradley, who, after facing a heartbreaking tragedy in her own family, is dedicated to helping women everyone has given up on.

Over the course of one summer, all three women's hearts and lives hang in the balance as Eve desperately works toward a new life.  Can they redefine their expectations of how life should be to find the hope they - and those they love - so desperately need?

Review

Christina Suzann Nelson has a remarkable talent for creating an original storyline and down-to-earth characters you really want to root for.  I loved her novel, More Than We Remember and equally enjoyed The Way it Should Be. I would never hesitate to buy one of her books!

This novel is an story about the lives of three different women and how through an interesting turn of events, they become intricately connected.  Zara, Eve, and Tiff have all encountered tragedy, and are going through hardships that have impacted or are currently impacting their immediate relationships. For Zara, she has been estranged from Eve for a number of years by her own choice. Eve feels trapped in the web of addiction, but desperately loves her children and wants only the best for them. Tiff walks through the depths of sorrow over the tragic loss of her daughter, causing a deep rift between her and her husband and son. You can't help but feel enormous empathy for each woman, especially realizing that their stories probably ring with more truth than fiction. 

One thing I really enjoyed was how the writer did the narrative of the story.  For two of the women, Zara and Tiff, it is written through third person narrative.  But for Eve, it is written through first person narrative through her journal entries.  It provided a unique style of writing to combine all points of views and provided a wonderful depth to the stories.

In all, I loved this story and can't wait to see more books from Christina!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.