REVIEW: The Forever Family by Shirley Jump

The Forever Family by Shirley Jump: Book #2 in the Munroe Sisters series sees Emma up to her usual spontaneous tricks having woken up randomly married to Luke after a bit too much punch and a guarantee that she’ll get to remain at the meditation retreat with Yogi Brown. Certain there was no consummation of the marriage, Emma realises that the whole disaster can be annulled, but when Luke and his daughter Scout move to Harbour Cove, and with a little help from her judgemental older sister Margaret, Emma begins to question more than just her faux marriage.

Like the first, the Munroe girls are a treat to spend time with, including Grandma Eleanor and their subsequent partners. Having lost their mother when they were children, the Munroe’s were raised by Eleanor who is an absolute gem and whilst their shared loss and trauma has bonded them, each still have very different views on how the others should lead their lives. For Emma, this creates significant self-doubt and despite both Eleanor and her father insisting that no matter what they have her back, Emma can’t shake the feeling that she has followed yet another career tangent which may just be a total scam.

Meanwhile there is Luke, who is learning how to be a man and a good role model for his daughter and whilst, like Emma, acted impulsively to buy into the couples retreat, seems to have convinced himself that he can make this faux marriage work given that he is naturally falling in love with her spirit and grace. But there was just something slightly off about this one, particularly given the opening chapter and the ongoing internal vacillation that was a little frustrating given it became repetitive and game-like.

Ideally, given much of the novel centred on Emma leaving Harbour Cove to join the Atlas Foundation, it would have been great to see this narrative arc start there rather than the hazy Vegas style wake up with Luke. Similarly, further contextualising their acquaintance would have also added layers, and despite that coming out in drips and drabs it was punctuated by the emotional game playing that seemed to be occurring.

Overall, there is a lot to love about this one – a good clean romance that develops from the weirdest of circumstances and the family narrative that stands as the backbone to the series. For Romance fans who love this series or who love a spontaneous character who learns to trust her own heart, this will definitely fill your cup.

Book Info:

Publication: 17th January 2023 | Hachette Book Group | Harbour Cove #2

The youngest of the three close-knit sisters, Emma Monroe is the family wild child. She’s never stayed with anything—job, apartment, boyfriend—for long, and she likes it that way. Except lately, her freedom has seemed less like a gift and more like a burden. Maybe that’s why a yoga retreat in Las Vegas leads to a spur-of-the-moment decision to marry Luke Carter, a man she’s met exactly three times.

The next morning, instead of facing Luke, Emma sneaks back home to Harbor Cove, where she should have nama-stayed in the first place. Still, it shouldn’t be difficult to annul their hours-long marriage. Except Emma’s brand-new husband arrives in town to convince her to give their marriage a chance. With the support of her family, can Emma envision a future where her biggest adventures come not from running away but from staying… and risking it all on love?