Book Review: "Family Affair" By Debbie Macomber

I received Family Affair by #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber unsolicited in the mail about a month or so ago and decided to sit down this weekend and finally read it.

I had never read anything written by Debbie Macomber prior to reading this book and will not allow my lack of enthusiasm for Family Affair to prevent me from reading other books that are written by this noted author.

Suffice it to say I was unimpressed.

Sure it is a light enough read, short, fast moving, so fast moving that the story line to me completely loses credibility and is totally unbelievable.

The premise and characters are nice enough. But they lack substance. There is nothing in this book that really makes me "get" why one of the main characters (Jack Walker...sorry but I couldn't get the liquor Johnny Walker out of my mind every time I saw his name and I am NOT  a drinker) was smitten enough to have fallen head over heels for his next door neighbor (Lacey Lancaster, who in my opinion is portrayed with zero personality) that he would patiently wait months and months to be noticed by her.

 There has been no character development of Lacey whatsoever other than she is recovering from a painful divorce and has her proverbial guard up, and refuses to allow Jack into her heart (or her life) due to her painful past and a misconstrued impression that is set straight early in the book.

Abyssinian Cat

The book's connection to cats? Lacey has an Abyssinian cat "Cleo" who is portrayed mostly as weaving in and out of Jack's legs with her butt and tail in the air and she greatly enjoys sitting on his lap.

One of the highlights of the book for me was when Jack's cat named "Dog", (Jack always wanted a dog but has a cat and decided to name it "Dog", now THAT is funny!)  gets into Lacey's apartment while Lacey is next door speaking to Jack and "Dog" proceeds to have  his way with "butt and tail in the air" Cleo. This was so ludicrous to me that it was highly laughable.

This story is predictable, formulaic, lacking depth and adequate character development and frankly one that had virtually no impact on me whatsoever.

Another highlight? Some cat treat recipes in the back of the book that were taken from www.petplace.com, here is one I thought you might enjoy:

CHICK 'N BISCUITS

1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon soft margarine


Preheat the oven to 350 deg. F. Combine chicken, broth and margarine and blend well. Add flour and cornmeal. Knead dough into a ball and roll to 1/4 inch. Cut into 1 inch sized pieces and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Makes 18 cookies.

If you have a hankering to read a "fluff" (pun intended) book that really barely features the two cats that are in it at all, like light romance novellas that don't require thought or involvement and have about two hours to spare to read it, then this book is for you.

If not? Put your "butt and tail in the air" and proudly pussyfoot on down the road away from this one.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author with more than 140 million copies of her books in print. Along with many other books to her credit, Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle, based on an earlier Avon book by the author and starring Doris Roberts, was Hallmark Channel's most-watched movie for 2009.


FAMILY AFFAIR went on sale 1/4/2011 wherever books and eBooks are sold.
ISBN 9780061997129.