You Can't Choose Your Family

Jay and Fran are a committed gay couple, and have been for 20 years. However, while Jay has a family that loves and cares about both men, Fran’s hate-filled preacher father has turned his family against Fran and the fact that he has a gay partner. The story begins with the death and funeral of Fran’s father. It appears that there is hope that Fran’s mother may be more welcoming that he had previously thought. However, Fran’s brother puts a cold stop to that idea.
Jay’s mother insists on inviting Fran’s family to Thanksgiving dinner and a tentative peace begins. It flows and retreats. Old feelings die hard.
I loved all of the characters in this book, except Fran’s brother. He’s a necessary character, but not a loveable one. It is a wonderful Christmas season story, with love, forgiveness, and the gift of peace for anyone who is willing to accept it. A beautiful story.

This is a story of a wonderful committed couple that have been able to be half open and half in the closet. Jay's family has always been warm and welcoming. But Fran's family have been closed off to them as a couple.
This story opens with a funeral just before the holiday season that may be the possibility of doors opening. As they move through Thanksgiving and Christmas Jay's family continues to be warm and welcoming not just to Fran but to his other family members as they begin to connect with each other. They offer support and model true caring and acceptance.

You can only hope and wish for a New Year that is filled with all the family embracing and loving each other.