To call Holly Chamberlin's novel, ONE WEEK IN DECEMBER, a
holiday tale would be correct, as it is set during the week
of Christmas. But it is also a family drama, a romance, and
a mystery of a sort -- all in one!
Becca Rowan has traveled to Maine to spend Christmas with
her family, but celebrating the holiday is not what Becca
has in mind. Her foremost singular thought, the thought
that had been her obsession for over a year, is that this
will be the year that she claims her daughter as her own,
and nothing will stop her.
Not even if the news will tear her family apart.
A 16 year old when her daughter was born, Becca had been
encouraged by her family to give her baby to her older
brother and his wife to raise as their own. She agreed not
to tell Rain that she was her mother until she turned 21,
but now older, and she thinks wiser, Becca longs to break
that promise and raise Rain as her own. She know that her
announcement to the family would be shocking, but the
absolute outrage and disbelief Becca encounters is shocking
to her. Her brother is livid, his wife is heartbroken, her
parents are confused and her other siblings are
disappointed that Becca would even consider doing this.
As Becca reflects on her decision and how it would affect
everyone she loves, she meets Alex, her father's friend and
next-door neighbor. She feels a sudden connection with the
gentle sculptor, and finds as she gets to know him, that
she feels comfortable revealing her deepest feelings and
secrets. And slowly but surely, Becca begins to learn the
true power of love and that sometimes sacrifice is the
greatest showing of that emotion.
ONE WEEK IN DECEMBER is one of those novels that will
remain in your heart long after you read it. Holly
Chamberlin has done a masterful job of crafting a tale that
touches the heart and soul of her readers.
The Rowans' rambling Maine farmhouse is just big enough to
contain the family members gathered there in the week before
Christmas. Becca Rowan has driven north from Boston with one
thought in mind - reclaiming the daughter she gave up when
she was a frightened teenager. Raised by Becca's older
brother and his wife, Rain Rowan, now sixteen, has no idea
she was adopted. And though Becca agreed not to reveal the
truth until Rain turned twenty-one, lately that promise,
along with all her career success, counts for little in the
face of her loneliness and longing. But while Becca
anticipates shock at her announcement, she's unprepared for
the depth of her family's reactions. Her brother is angry
and fearful of losing the daughter he adores; her sister
Olivia, oblivious to her crumbling marriage, reveals
long-buried resentments, while Becca's parents are torn
between concern and guilt. And as the Rowans' neighbour,
Alex, draws her deeper into an unexpected friendship, Becca
begins to challenge her own preconceptions about family,
about love, and about the courage needed to live with - and
sometimes change - the decisions we make.
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