Against all odds by Daniel Steele

"Against all odds" by Daniel Steele - Story of a family.

This book is published by Macmillan in 2017 and has 400 pages. 

Kate Madison, a widow and mother of four,  owns a resale fashion store. She has raised her children single handedly. She has four children. Elder daughter Izzy is a lawyer. Julie is a fashion designer. Justin is a reporter and is gay. Freddie,  the youngest,  has a very active sex life. Her mother Louise is a very active lady nearing 80.

What are their problems? Can they overcome them? How does it pain Kate? How will they survive against all odds?

The book covers romance and/or marriage of Kate as well as her offsprings. But every pairing comes with its own problems, issues and obstacles. They cause heartache,  emotional and physical distress, friction and strained relations. However, eventually they also makes them appreciate life. 

Izzy marries an estranged rich heir who has no education,  doesn't work and has no will to work, has had an altercation with law but has a very pleasant personality and easy manner. How long can it continue?

Justin is a gay. He and his partner Richard have got a baby through IVF and surrogacy. Can they cope up with the demands of the child rearing? Will it strain their relationship?

Julie is dating a perfect man. He is little too perfect. Are there hidden surprises? Will dyslexic Julie be able to live with him?

Willy is dating multiple girls. Now he is in love with a woman 10 years older who has 2 children. Will the association work?.

Kate is involved with a married man who has an 'arrangement' with his wife. What's the arrangement? Will Kate accept it? Will this relationship have a future?

The book is an easy story. It's all about relations and relationships. It takes us through the story of a family over a period of 2-3 years. It also takes us through the turmoil of the family. She has assembled an assortment of characters in this family to give us multiple side stories. 

However, death of Liam's wife appears to be too convenient. The story might have been better without the final pairing. 

Daniel Steele books, that I have read, are family stories. They deal with the issues faced by common people. Hence, the reader feels connected. There is drama and mild excitement but hardly any action. 

Why did I read this book? Last one by the author was good.  

What I didn't like? Dearth of Liam's wife.    

What did I like? Ease. 

Recommend reading if  you like the genre.