In One Summer, David Baldacci tells us about Jack Armstrong, who is dying. After surviving against all odds through years of military service, being shot at and nearly blown up, Jack Armstrong is terminally ill, with very little time left, Jack tries to hold on til Christmas, living one day at a time. On Christmas Eve, in the cruellest twist of fate, Jack's wife, Lizzie, is killed in a car accident. Jack is left to take care of their 3 children. Lizzie was the glue holding the family together.
Devastated at their loss, her parents make plans for Jack and the children. They will all be separated, and Jack will be left to die alone. But miraculously, Jack's health takes a turn for the better.
Slowly but surely, he begins to improve and grow stronger. Almost back to his old self, he makes plans to fetch his kids and be a family again. But Jack has no idea how difficult it is being father and mother, breadwinner and caregiver, all in one.
His kids suddenly resent him, he was supposed to die, not their mom, huge adjustments need to be made.
Slowly, painstakingly, Jack finds the way to draw his children closer. They all learn to love and give again, and to become a family.
Totally removed from his usual fast-paced thrillers, One Summer shows a different side to David Baldacci.
This is a moving family drama, a lovely, tender book, thoroughly enjoyable, although I must warn you, its a tearjerker.
Happy reading!
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