Abigail Always by Linda Poitevin

 

Published on March 15, 2019

364 pages

I read the paperback version

Back Cover

Sometimes, life gives second chances...

Still grieving the loss of her husband and young daughter, Abigail Jamieson is struggling to carve out a new life on her own. With no work experience and few marketable skills, Abby falls back on the one thing she knows how to do well--run a household.

Agreeing to be a nanny for an attractive and dedicated single dad, however, turns out to be more than Abby bargained for. Mitch Abram, a widower himself, can barely keep his head above water while raising three daughters who challenge him at every turn. Sympathetic to his desperation, Abby signs on for a three-month stint to get Mitch's house and family in order, but she soon finds the entire Abrams family stirring a warmth in her she thought she'd never feel again.

It's clear that the girls and Mitch all want her in their lives, but can Abby let go of the pain of her own loss and give herself another chance at love and family?

My review

Since I am a huge fan of second chances, I was already sold before I read the book. I read two other books from this series and it was one of the first contemporary romance I read in English. I like the author writing style and it make me smile every time I close the book. Each novel is stand alone, but I will recommend to start with Gwynneth ever after because some characters are coming back and you will have an idea of the universe.

It was hard to choose my favorite character, but I will give the first place at Abigail. She seems secret at the beginning and I think it made her interesting. I was wondering who she was, so it makes me want to keep reading to know more about her. At the end, she still not an open book, but she kept surprising me. Kia is in second place, but very close to Abigail. She is one of Mitch’s daughters and she is so adorable. I can’t tell you much about her, but I have a soft place in my heart. All the daughters bring something at the story, but this little one is special.

I give Mitch third place because I liked Kia a little more, but he is also really close. First, I thought he was a distant father, but I was able to give him a second chance. He still not perfect, but I realized he is more than just a workaholic man.

I recommend it if you like contemporary romance. I had a great time reading it. I laugh and cry at the same time. I also want to give kudos to the dog that make me smile the whole time he was in the book.

Excerpts

At first, she’d told herself that it was because she couldn’t handle being so close to what was obviously a happy family when she had lost so much. However, after three months, she’s begun to think it went deeper that that-into territory that included guilt and resentment and a whole lot of other baggage she didn’t care to examine. (p.6)

She couldn’t do this. She’d been insane to consider it. Olivia and Wiliam were too fresh, too new. They would always be too fresh and new. Always be with her. And she could no more fit in with another family than she could bring back her own. That was why she’d had such a hard time fitting in at Gwyn’s. (p25)

Mary Poppins was her favorite movie of all time, and every night when she said her prayers, she askes to have the magical nanny come to their house and -he paused mid-thought as the hairs on the back of his neck prickled to life. Come to think of it, Mary Poppins didn’t stick around either. She taught some valuable lessons, danced with a few penguins and a chimney sweep and then left the same way she’d come. (p.60)

Her third Saturday on the job, all the girls at home, yet another confrontation with Rachel, a washing machine that refuse to drain..and all before nine in the morning. (p.143)