What do you think?
Rate this book
An Unexpected Family
Jamie Petty never planned to be anyone’s anchor.
Drifting through life behind a bar, she was good at keeping things casual and walking away before anything could break her. But when a single phone call shatters her world, Jamie finds herself suddenly responsible for the one person who matters more than anything — her young niece, Hailey.
Grief doesn’t come with instructions. Neither does parenthood.
Overwhelmed and terrified of doing it alone, Jamie reaches out to the one person who once knew her better than anyone else — Ava, her former best friend, the woman she lost years ago without ever understanding why. Ava arrives ready to help, but what begins as temporary support slowly becomes something shared mornings, sleepless nights, and a fragile, growing sense of home.
As Jamie learns how to be a mother and Ava learns how to stay, the lines between friendship and love blur in ways neither of them expected. Together, they navigate loss, healing, and the quiet courage it takes to choose happiness when nothing looks the way it once did.
An Unexpected Family is a heartfelt romantic dramedy about grief, second chances, and the families we build — not by accident, but by choice.
Drifting through life behind a bar, she was good at keeping things casual and walking away before anything could break her. But when a single phone call shatters her world, Jamie finds herself suddenly responsible for the one person who matters more than anything — her young niece, Hailey.
Grief doesn’t come with instructions. Neither does parenthood.
Overwhelmed and terrified of doing it alone, Jamie reaches out to the one person who once knew her better than anyone else — Ava, her former best friend, the woman she lost years ago without ever understanding why. Ava arrives ready to help, but what begins as temporary support slowly becomes something shared mornings, sleepless nights, and a fragile, growing sense of home.
As Jamie learns how to be a mother and Ava learns how to stay, the lines between friendship and love blur in ways neither of them expected. Together, they navigate loss, healing, and the quiet courage it takes to choose happiness when nothing looks the way it once did.
An Unexpected Family is a heartfelt romantic dramedy about grief, second chances, and the families we build — not by accident, but by choice.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2026
23 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 7, 2026
Lovely
I fell in love with this book right away. So easy to get into and feel the love. This book takes you on a journey and you feel so many emotions. I highly recommend this book.
I fell in love with this book right away. So easy to get into and feel the love. This book takes you on a journey and you feel so many emotions. I highly recommend this book.
February 24, 2026
So good
I think I cried more reading this than any other book, both sad and happy tears. Ava is very patient, helpful and understanding during a very rough situation.
Enjoy this HEA!
I think I cried more reading this than any other book, both sad and happy tears. Ava is very patient, helpful and understanding during a very rough situation.
Enjoy this HEA!
February 12, 2026
amazing!
Everything in a book I didn’t know I needed. The tension between the mains was amazing and the beautiful dance of love they had is so relatable.
Everything in a book I didn’t know I needed. The tension between the mains was amazing and the beautiful dance of love they had is so relatable.
February 9, 2026
Fantastic
This book took me on a roller coaster ride of grief and family and all those things that families are. I felt like I was there with them. Once again fantastic. I would love to see more of their adventure together.
This book took me on a roller coaster ride of grief and family and all those things that families are. I felt like I was there with them. Once again fantastic. I would love to see more of their adventure together.
February 3, 2026
Sweet story
This book kept my interest from beginning to end. The characters are likable a well written. Loss and having the responsibility for a small child overwhelmed and calling on and old friend to help. Very good read . thanks
This book kept my interest from beginning to end. The characters are likable a well written. Loss and having the responsibility for a small child overwhelmed and calling on and old friend to help. Very good read . thanks
March 13, 2026
when life happens
This book was well written, sad story line but wonderfully told story. Let me quantify there are many moments of joy, family, laughter. You couldn’t help but fall in love with Hailey, Ava, Jamie. Everything that happens when your life falls apart and you suddenly find yourself raising your sister’s daughter. Overwhelmed you contact your best friend from college who you haven’t spoken to in four years. She drops everything reschedules work and lovingly helps you survive.
This book was well written, sad story line but wonderfully told story. Let me quantify there are many moments of joy, family, laughter. You couldn’t help but fall in love with Hailey, Ava, Jamie. Everything that happens when your life falls apart and you suddenly find yourself raising your sister’s daughter. Overwhelmed you contact your best friend from college who you haven’t spoken to in four years. She drops everything reschedules work and lovingly helps you survive.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews