by Maeve Binchy
First published 2011
Noel receives shocking news when his former girlfriend tells him she is pregnant with his child and dying. He promises to raise their daughter after she passes away. Baby Frankie arrives, and Noel finds himself overwhelmed as a new single father struggling with his own personal battles. His Dublin community steps forward to help. Lisa, his classmate who has bad luck with romance, moves in to provide round the clock childcare. His American cousin Emily offers constant encouragement. The recently retired Dr. Hat has time to spare for babysitting duties. Dr. Declan and Fiona bring their own baby to play with Frankie. Old friends Signora and Aidan volunteer as sitters, along with Frankie's grandparents Josie and Charles. But social worker Moira disapproves of this unusual living situation. She believes Frankie belongs in traditional foster care instead. Noel must prove to Moira that his network of caring neighbors and friends can provide everything Frankie needs to thrive.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, single-parent
Setting: Dublin
400 pages · Hardcover · Knopf
Content warnings: death, terminal-illness