TABLE FOR FIVE

Author: Susan Wiggs ISBN: 0778321673 4/2005 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: MIRA

A gifted teacher, Lily Robinson adores her students, but fiercely guards her independent lifestyle. Deep inside, she is afraid of loving too deeply for fear of getting hurt. Only her best friend, Crystal, has ever been able to get close. Now an unthinkable tragedy has drawn Lily into the shattered lives of Crystal's family—a family that suddenly needs her. Sean McGuire is a rolling stone used to living in the shadow of his famous brother, Derek. He's made his own way in life, playing by his own rules. Then one April night everything changes when a fatal car crash orphans Derek and Crystal's three children. In an instant, Sean finds himself in the roll of guardian. Sean and Lily are brought together by tragedy, joined in their grief and their mutual love for these children. But raising three kids is a monumental job, and Sean realizes he's in over his head. And though Lily has been unofficial aunt to these children since they were born, planting emotional roots means taking risks—and Lily's not so sure she can. The ups and downs of love and family life can be a roller-coaster ride: thrilling, unpredictable and downright terrifying, yet filled with incredible delight. And Sean and Lily are about to discover the possibilities that make everything seem worthwhile—a future filled with hope, happiness and the certainty that trusting love is the best choice of all.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

There are many things that I can say about TABLE FOR FIVE, not the least of which is that it touched me deeply. There were all the things that I look for in a good romance with Lily and Sean, and yet I found that they weren't the only reason that I sat and read this entire book in one evening. The story is that moving. It is one where you sit and ask yourself, "How would I feel if that was me?" And surprisingly, I found myself feeling much the same way as everyone in the story at different points in time. In the beginning, I felt the sorrow, the confusion, the hurt and anger in all of these wonderful people, and then as the book moves forward, I felt the sense of hope, the love, the utter trust and respect that this family has for one another—thrown together though they may be.

There is the wonderful aspect of three very different children in TABLE FOR FIVE. All three children bring something to this story without taking from it or overpowering the other characters. As a matter of fact, the younger two children were just so adorable that you had to smile over their funny sayings and their little-girl antics. Cameron is such a lost soul, just wanting to understand it all and so hurt and betrayed by his parents who left him behind. It is heartwarming watching Lily and Sean try to get through to him and the wonderful relationship that it forges.

TABLE FOR FIVE is a wonderful story full of trials and tribulations, and yet, a lot of love, and a family who is not going to give up on each other. This is one that will stick with you long after you turn the last page.

Kristal Gorman