A friend sent me this in a box of books, and I recognize the author. Another friend and I used to read Janet Dailey often in the 80s. Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I just couldn't get into the story--and in fact, partway through actually chose to start a new book before deciding that I wouldn't force myself to continue to read a story that didn't hold my interest enough to continue it.

None of the characters seem particularly sympathetic:
Eben's shut himself off from others (probably as a result of being hurt so often. His mother died in childbirth. His father pretty much checked out after his wife died. He raised his sister who then ran off with the life savings. The girl he dated for 5 years gave up on him every marrying her and went on with her life.)
Maddie seems a bit vindictive toward Eben to me. It's almost as if she can't help but taunt him.
And these two are supposed to love each other?
The kids aren't much better. I can excuse it a bit at the beginning because they did just lose both parents and get uprooted from their home and moved to the home of an uncle they don't really know. There are new rules to learn etc. There's a sullen, moody 12 year old (Dillan). There are twin girls (Hope and Joy) who try to be helpful but end up creating more work for the adults--plus they chatter constantly, or so it seems. Only the baby (Tad)'s behavior is excusable because it's more age-appropriate.

I would guess based on the title, that Eben has a change of heart--but even late in the book, some of these issues are still present. ( )