Less Than Perfect Family by Betty Hanawa
The Wild Rose Press, Last Rose of Summer
Contemporary
Full Length, spicy
Review by Snapdragon

A bitter divorce has Sam Michaels wary of commitment. His friendship with Janie McDaniel is no more than whipped cream on the satisfying life he enjoys. Widowed Janie McDaniel is content with her life with her son. She’s not going to risk her friendship with Sam with a brief fling. When Sam’s daughter is killed in a traffic accident and his ex-wife sues for custody of his beloved granddaughter, Sam persuades Janie to marry him to ensure a two-parent family for Family Court. Now can the friendship they treasure stand up under the strain of trying to form a family?

♥ ♥ ♥

Ms. Hanawa evokes an array of a warm emotions, in the midst of a continuing and  subtle sense of fun.  

The  characters, dialogue and setting all lend this an entirely believable air – it is like glancing over at the very nice neighbors next door., and imagining a bit more than you actually see.

Janie, the main character, is one of those amazingly admirable heroines who is still very human, and real.  Her day-to-day life might be anyone’s. The story opens with a slight dilemma…but very quickly, Janie’s greater challenges and past tragedies are exposed.  Yet, she is a person forcing herself to cope, and is  dedicated to her job. As a children’s writer, Janie has a very devoted group of fans; and perhaps a special understanding of children.

Janie’s sense of fun is strong throughout – and her quick banter moves the storyline forward. There is an underlying sorrow though. 

Handsome (and vibrant) Sam, a grandfather, becomes important to her all too quickly. His sense of fun is a match for hers.  Their powerful mutual attraction is undeniable –but each of them have lives and entanglements that they might choose to allow to impede a further relationship – a relationship that might just prove to be a little beyond steamy.   However, The primary concern in each of their lives  are the children in their lives. Child-related problems and misunderstandings will prove to be only their first trial.  Although it may seem a tale of ordinary lives, this story is far from predictable.   The intimate scenes are incredibly well-crafted.

Betty Hanawa has crafted an heartwarming tale about two people who completely treasure one another as friends – but can their relationship tolerate something more? Or do they risk a friendship that is deeply important to both of them?    Less than Perfect Family is very simply a delight.