Last year I was very impressed with Molly O’Keefe’s His Wife for One Night giving it a B+ rating. The secondary characters from that book cried out for their own story, and luckily for readers, Ms. O’Keefe agreed. Needless to say, I have been watching for that sequel. And while Unexpected Family didn’t have the “wow!” factor that a book of a newly discovered author does, it definitely proves to me that the first wasn’t a flash in the pan.

Jeremiah Stone’s life in the fast lane as a rodeo superstar abruptly ended with his sister’s death which left three boys orphans. His brother-in-law’s parents do all they can to help out but at close to seventy, they are unable to handle the full-time responsibility of an eleven, nine and five year old. Parenting is difficult enough with no experience but when you add into the mix grief-stricken children, it becomes nearly impossible. Jeremiah desperately misses his freedom and old way of life and because of this, guilt eats away at him. He loves his nephews but he wasn’t ready for this type of obligation.

All Lucy Alatore has ever wanted to be is a jewelry designer. Just when it seemed that success was finally in her future, her lack of financial and business proficiency cause her to make ill-advised decisions. Closing her shop, she sells all her inventory and supplies just to make the final payroll. Now she is waiting to hear back from her adviser on the financial damage and the amount of money needed to get her of this mess. Unsuccessfully hiding her problems from her family, she prevaricates by saying she deserves a vacation. Needing a place to hide out, she is forced into accepting the hospitality of Walter McKibbon, the owner of Rocky M. Walter was Lucy’s parents’ former employer and now her sister Mia’s new father-in-law.

Both Jeremiah and Lucy are ripe for a fling, since there is no way that it could be anything more. Their love scenes have plenty of steam and the chemistry between the two is tangible. As the saying goes, sometimes a window opens when a door is closed but can Jeremiah and Lucy get past their troubles to recognize this?

I don’t often to read stories filled with angst because I tend to feel like I am being pounded over the head with it. However, Ms. Keefe’s ability with words to convey emotions is impressive. Here is an example of Jeremiah’s despair: “There was no abundance in his days right now. Every bone was rubbing up against another bone, his stomach growled, his body hurt, and he went to bed every damn night hungering for what he used to take for granted. And now he had the current superstar, Reese, on his couch reminding him of everything he no longer had.”

I also enjoyed the fact that real issues are not glossed over. So many books incorporate miracle cures but not here. This is also a story of second chances, new beginnings, and the reminder that every individual has value or worth irrespectively of earlier mistakes.

While this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. The first book provided background which is nice to know but not necessary to enjoy this one.

It’s no surprise that I can easily recommend this newest release by Ms. O’Keefe. And luckily I won’t have to wait long for her next book. In July she will be releasing her first single title, Can’t Buy Me Love.