Jane has moved to Boyne City, a small community in northern Michigan on the lake. She’s been teaching three years before relocating to teach second grade at the town's school. She immediately meets Duncan. He’s a charmer and their attraction is immediate. Soon they are a couple even though Duncan is in his early forties and Jane is in her twenties. But to her dismay, Duncan has seemingly slept with most of the eligible (or not) women in town and surrounding communities. Somehow, most seem to regard him with considerable affection even after he moves on. He also is still close to is ex-wife Aggie, often helping her out with things beyond the capabilities of her rather strange and hapless second husband, Gary. Duncan’s not the marrying kind, probably as a result. Regardless of these complications, Jane and Duncan are happy together for a while. Then tragedy strikes. Jane’s difficult mother is visiting them. She offers to drive the mother of Duncan’s assistant, Jimmy, home from a dinner party at their house. Jimmy's mother is killed in an accident. Jimmy has limited capabilities to live independently, and ultimately will become part of the extended family Jane and Duncan form. A witty and quite charming book about what it means to be “family,” filled with many memorable characters – Frieda with her mandolin; the femme fatale, Raylene; Jane’s awful mother -- sharply but compassionately, drawn. 317 pp.
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