ARC Review: Insta-Family by Linda Kage


Insta-Family by Linda Kage
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

LUCY GAMBLE, KNOCKED UP BY DYING MAN SHE GAVE SYMPATHY SEX, NOW MOVING ON TO HIS BIG BROTHER.

Have you ever tried to come up with a headline for your life? Well, mine’s so cringeworthy I can’t believe it’s actually my story...or a hundred percent true.

But honestly, how could I say no to the one-night-stand when he begged? Only a monster could deny someone their dying wish, right?

I mean, okay, getting pregnant from the encounter was a regrettable, irresponsible mistake; I can fully admit that.

Turning to his brother, however, was never part of the plan. Initially, I didn’t even like the guy.

Except Vaughn Merrill is a force to be reckoned with. He’s determined to be an “involved” uncle, and no matter how much I tell him he doesn’t have to be so helpful, he’s just so freaking helpful.

And gorgeous.

Plus not at all the ass I assumed he was. Then there’s this massive pain and grief and loneliness I see in his eyes. I just want to hug him constantly and give him the sense of family he so desperately needs.

So really, can you blame me for falling for the one man I know I shouldn’t? 



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REVIEW


I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

For those of you who don't know, Linda Kage was one of the first authors I read when I first ventured into the contemporary genre. Before I found Colleen Hoover, it was Linda's books that made me appreciate the genre. For her first book "Forbidden Kiss" and after she built a whole generation of characters and their families whose children now I enjoy to read about in her new spin-off series.

Insta-Family follows Lucy one of the children from one of the first couples in her previous series (mainly from her book "To Professor with Love"), who finds herself in a tight predicament. She becomes pregnant and the man dies shortly after. But then Vaughn his brother, becomes entangled with the family in a sweet tale of grief, acceptance, love, and found family.

The pace is steady, there is a lot of fun times, humor, and deep emotion. Sure some misunderstandings could have been avoided but that is the beauty; it is so realistic it could easily be a Netflix series. I loved Lucy and Vaughn their romance bloomed beautifully and I liked how he had to face his emotions and grief over his brother's death along with the guilt he felt because he was left behind.

It is a sweet gem of a book and I can not wait for the rest of the series!




About the author:

Linda writes romance fiction from YA to adult, contemporary to fantasy. Most Kage stories lean more toward the lighter, funner side with a couple meaningful moments thrown in that center around love and hope. Focuses more on entertainment value and emotional impact than realism. She likes the drama and crazy, over-the-top plots that make you cry then laugh, get mad then sigh happily.

Published since 2010. Went through a 2-year writing correspondence class in children’s literature from The Institute of Children’s Literature. Then graduated with Bachelors in Arts, English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University.

Now she lives with hubby, two daughters, cat Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas, USA. Farm girl. Parents were dairy farmers. Was youngest of eight. Big family. Day job as a cataloging library assistant.

Harry Potter House Gryffindor, Patronus White Stallion, character match Hagrid. Supernatural Team Dean. Game of Thrones Team Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. The Walking Dead Team Daryl. Outlander Team Jamie Fraser. Teen Wolf Team Stiles. Avenger Team Thor...or Hulk (can’t decide). Justice League Team Flash. Arrow Team Stephen Amell. Stranger Things obsessed. Heard Laurel, not Yanny.

Started out reading with the Baby-Sitters Club. Then moved to Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, and LaVyrle Spencer in high school. Now all over the place with her romance reading tastes.

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