Wednesday, December 14, 2011

THE FORGOTTEN CHILD (LORHAINNE ECKHART)



Story Description: 

He wasn’t looking to love again. But what he got was a woman who shook his lonely bitter world upside down, and touched him in a way no other woman could.

Emily Nelson, a courageous young mother, ends a loveless bitter marriage and strikes out on her own. She answers an ad as a cook and live-in caregiver to a three-year-old boy on a local ranch. Ranch owner Brad Friessen hires and moves in Emily and her daughter. But Emily soon discovers something’s seriously wrong with his boy. And the reclusive difficult man that hired her, can’t see the behavior and how delayed his son is.  Emily researches, until she stumbles across what she suspects is the soft signs of autism. Now she must tell him. Give him hope, and help him come to terms with this neurological disorder—to take the necessary steps to get his child the help he needs.

As their lives become intertwined, it’s unavoidable the attraction—the connection that sparks between them. And just as they’re getting close, Brad's estranged wife Crystal returns after abandoning them two years earlier. In amongst the shock and confusion there’s one disturbing fact Brad can’t shake. How does she know so much of his personal business, the inner working of the ranch and Emily's relationship with his son?

Crystal must’ve had a plan as she somehow gains the upper hand, driving a wedge in the emotional bond forged between Brad, Emily and the children. The primary focus for care and therapy of three-year-old Trevor is diverted. The lengths Crystal will go—the lies—the greed, just to keep what’s hers are nothing short of cold and calculating. Emily’s forced out of the house. Brad fights to save his boy—to protect what’s his. And struggles over his greatest sacrifice—Emily, and the haunting question—has he ultimately lost her forever. 
My Review: 

Thirty-five-year old Emily had been married to Bob for 12 years but the marriage was stale and wasn’t going anywhere and Emily didn’t love Bob anymore.   After telling him she was leaving and moving out with their young daughter, Katy, Emily finds a job as a live-in caregiver to a ranch owner, Brad and his troubled son, Trevor.  However plain it is for Emily to see that something is seriously wrong with Trevor, it’s not so easy for Brad.   After Emily does a lot of research online, she finally confronts Brad with the information that he can no longer ignore.  He has to accept that his boy is different. 

Things are also beginning to heat up between Emily and Brad when suddenly this arrogant, whirlwind of the Tazmanian devil comes sweeping through the house.  It’s Brad’s wife, Crystal.  She has to be the most ignorant, self-centered woman I’ve ever met and I detested her in the story.  Not often a character affects me as much as Crystal did and that means the author did a fantastic job.  I just wanted to shake this woman from head-to-toe.  She had no interest whatsoever in her own child and undermined all the therapy that had been done with Trevor up to that point.  Needless to say, she also drove a pretty thick wedge between Emily and Brad to the point that she moved out and was forced to find another job.  

Brad is just sick with worry over losing Emily and Katy but has he lost them forever??   You definitely have to read this book to find out.  I was hooked from the first page to the last.  Excellent!!

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