The Accidental Favorite: A Novel

This author has obviously suffered through family reunions with attendant strife, jealousies and latent rivalries. The Fisher family convenes in an over-the-top mansion constructed of glass—then the stones fly. The family has three daughters; Alex, Nancy and Eva. Eva is the youngest, and possibly the wealthiest, but is the host of this gathering. Alex is the most maternal of the group with three children. Eva has a teenage daughter who receives considerable attention from her new stepbrother. Nancy, the middle daughter is a doctor. When there is an accident and their father rushes to aid his youngest, it awakens open hostility between the sisters and their family.It doesn’t help matters that the mother, Vivienne is less than maternal herself.

Fran Littlewood is a skilled writer who manages to make this large cast of characters distinct and memorable. Each has their own backstory as they deal with the challenges of coming together to celebrate the newest baby and to deal with their own process of growing up.