A Patchwork Family by Cathy Bramley

Gina is a woman who has had a lot of darkness in her life for the past few months, however, all is once again looking up as she starts a new chapter. Recently divorced, she now has the ticket to go out into the world and do something independent and follow her dreams as a childminder. However, as she begins to strive out into the world and become something for herself disaster strikes. The Evergreens, the place which she calls home has now been put up for sale. This is now Gina's fight for what is right for both her and friends. Does she have the confidence and tenacity to keep what is most important to her?

Gina has been living on The Evergreens estate for a while now, while renting Welcome Cottage and running her childminding business from there with great success. However, when the divorce comes through, she finally decides that it is time to branch out and expand. But this is left in tatters after her landlord unexpectedly dies and leaves the estate to both her great-niece and great-nephew, Rebecca and Dexter.

It is clear from the beginning what both Rebecca and Dexter's motivations are when turning up to their Great-Aunt's funeral. To make money and sell the estate, rather than giving much of a consideration to the people who have been living there, Gina and old pensioners, Bing and Delphine. But it is also highlighted that maybe all is not as it seems, with both of them feeling different towards the selling of the estate.

Can I just say from the moment that we were introduced to Dexter he seemed lovely? I mean really lovely. I feel like this male character compared to some of the others that Cathy has created feels really different somehow. It almost feels as though he is almost perfect. Seriously, what man goes about saying that they had a meet-cute the first time they meet a woman? It's adorable and strangely not something you hear every day from a man.

I think that it is important to note however, that in order to connect better with the story to read some of the other books by Cathy. But this is not essential, it is just that they have nice connections which you seem to appreciate much better. I might even be better if you read the other books after, because it doesn't really matter which order you read these books, because they are written so good.

It seems like there is a great emphasis on what community is and what it could be. The great thing is, Gina was a part of the community and not only did she get involved and be a part of it, but it also became her patchwork family. Sometimes we make our own families and they help us and make us stand tall in the face of disaster. This is a very important message to anyone who feels down or doesn't feel like they are appreciated in the way they should do, especially in the age of the Coronavirus. Even in such dark times, there is a guiding and shining light that makes you feel fuzzy and warm inside and that is definitely 'A Patchwork Family'.

There is little I find wrong with this book, so I have decided to award the accolade of 5 stars.

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