The Bad Son

Waco attorney Beau McCain has been hopelessly in love with childhood friend and next-door neighbor Macy Randall for as long as he can recall. Macy is seemingly oblivious to his feelings for her and regards him as her best friend. Resigning himself to his fate, Beau considers taking a lucrative job offer in Dallas, a decision met by consternation from his family, who believe that he is the glue that holds them together. To his mother, he is the son that became the man of the house when she left his abusive father as well as the peacemaker that brought his estranged older brother back into the fold. To his brothers, he is the common thread that runs throughout their busy lives and makes sure that they stay connected. To Macy, he is the all-around nice guy who has always been there for her to lean on.

When Macy’s sister Delia suddenly appears on her doorstep 8 months pregnant and subsequently abandons baby Zoe, Macy needs Beau’s help to legally gain custody of her little niece. When Zoe is found to have health problems, Beau is there every step of the way, hoping that he can convince Macy that he is more than just a friend. But devastating secrets in Macy’s past have made her unwilling to commit to any man and Beau’s past holds painful memories as well. Will these two ever find a way to live happily ever after?

Ms. Warren has written a strikingly poignant tale that revolves around the themes of family secrets that can devastate the present and affect the future. Macy and Beau are appealing characters who are allowing their flaws to prevent them from taking hold of the goodness that life has in store. Macy’s endearing commitment to rescuing stray animals and Beau’s whole “knight in shining armor” mentality are reoccurring scenarios that the entire plot turns about. While it is obvious to the reader that this story is part of a series about the McCain brothers, it is a truly stand-alone tale that is complete in and of itself, although it does reference the earlier books. Readers of the series will be glad to read about the current events in their favorite characters’ lives while first-timers will more than likely find themselves searching out Ms. Warren’s back list. This reviewer knows she will!

Ms. Warren has also done an excellent job in providing back story for Macy and Beau that go a long way toward explaining why they react the way they do. Delia is written convincingly as well. It would be easy for the reader to despise this young lady, but Ms. Warren made her surprisingly sympathetic by story’s end. The love scenes are sweet rather than steamy but compellingly real in their own way. All in all, THE BAD SON is a tale about those who have tried all of their lives to please others and feel as if they have failed. Highly recommended to readers of contemporary romance who like sweet rather than spicy!

October 2006