Lori Verni-Fogarsi

Lori Verni-Fogarsi’s Unexpecting offers a pleasing blend of serious issues and gentle humor, with well-timed introspection. The characters all feel very real, as Shelley and David’s perfect world starts falling apart. Perfectly well-intentioned and well-behaved children, perfectly successful, perfectly promising all the best for the future, they’re surely the perfect example of a blended family. But the unexpected offers a blend too far, and too much for the heart to hold.

Shelley meets her family’s invader with heartfelt sympathy. She even feels a gentle empathy for a pregnant teen’s plight. “It reminded her of years earlier, when she’d gotten divorced from her first husband and all of her neighborhood friends treated her like a pariah.” So now Shelley ploughs a path through life, determined to help everyone, however undeserving. But being a grandma isn’t at all what she expected, and soon her friends are treating Shelley as the local pariah too.

Nicely placed chapters offer different points of view – a life falling apart, sullen anger growing, love sinking beneath a haze of regrets. The result is a story that might sometimes be overly wordy, but is always achingly real. And the wisdom it offers is genuine, gently taught, and convincingly told.

Disclosure: I won a free ecopy and I offer my honest review.… (plus d'informations)

Shelley and David Morsony are relishing the day that they will be empty-nesters. With three children in college and one a senior in high school, they're planning the next stage of their married life. But life sometimes has a funny way of unexpectedly throwing curve balls that will ultimately change their plans.

Unexpecting is a poignant story about family, heartbreak, forgiveness and unconditional love. Author Lori Verni-Forgasi weaves a realistic tale written in the third person narrative that documents the changes, challenges, responsibilities and obligations that occur in a blended family when a new and unexpected family member comes into their lives.

Set in Spring Valley, North Carolina, the reader follows along with the trials and tribulations that Shelley and David Morsony along with their children Michael (24), Russell (22), Rose (19) and Grace (17) face when Alexandra Johansen (17) shows up on their doorstep eight months pregnant and claiming to be David's daughter. This emotional tale of family drama, turmoil and emotional baggage is mainly told from the perspective of Shelley, but does include the perspectives of David and Alexandra, which provides the reader with a view into the family's complexities as they face and overcome the troubling issues of teen pregnancy and substance abuse that Alexandra brought into their already blended family. The story has a way of captivating the reader, it takes you on a palpable roller coaster ride where you feel the full gamut of emotions, you can't help but become emotionally invested in the Morsony family's story.

With a realistic cast of characters who are complex and flawed; witty dialogue and dramatic interactions; and a powerful storyline about a family that could be yours or mine; Unexpecting is a compelling story that will tug at your heartstrings and stay with you for a long time.

Unexpecting is an amazing story that captures the gritty, real-life portrayal of a family's emotional journey to overcome life's challenges with unconditional love.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/04/unexpecting-by-lori-verni-foga...… (plus d'informations)

A fun book about the issues suburban and long-time married women face. The fantasies of the protagonist are great and her inner dialogue is sometimes what happens to me. I related to the character in many ways.
A fun and relatable read for married suburban women who have lost their groove after having children. A reminder for these women to remember about themselves and their needs too.
i received this book from the member giveaway through Librarything. It was easy to read in digital format!… (plus d'informations)

A story written in the first person about a woman whose husband is a real jerk. She takes us through the agony of "should I" or "shouldn't I" divorce him. It seems to take a long time for her to come to a decision. The middle of the book was to me rather redundant, but when she does finally come to a decision, it definitely picks up and is hard to put down. There is also the first chapter of her next book which leaves you wanting more. Overall, it is different, but a good read. Looking forward to the next one.… (plus d'informations)