"Newest story of the Candellano clan."

Nine years ago, Samantha Marconi's new husband, Jeff, walked out. She was left with an unplanned pregnancy, a dying mother, a divorce and responsibility for her family. Making a difficult decision, she gave the baby up for adoption and took care of her family.

Now, Jeff is back. He's engaged, the divorce was never filed, and he has the daughter she gave up. How did he get their daughter, why was the divorce never finalized and whose idea was the divorce anyway? Now that she has a second chance, Sam's not about to let her daughter go again. Even though she's never gotten over Jeff, she'll do whatever she must to keep her daughter in her life, to be the mother she always wanted to be.

In AND THEN CAME YOU, Ms. Child returns us to the quaint town of Chandler, California, home of the Candellano clan. Her story is fresh, well-crafted and humorous, with plenty of cameos by the Candellanos. Family is important to the residents of Chandler, and the Marconi family is one you'll never forget. Poignant and endearing with a great setting and quirky characters, this is one book you don't want to miss. A good read.

Reviewed by Lory Martin
Posted June 4, 2004

Summary

Nine years ago, Samantha Marconi was swept away in a whirlwind wedding...even though she'd only known her new husband for a month. When Jeff left her just weeks after the wedding-she found out she was pregnant and had nowhere to turn. So Sam did the only thing she thought she could do. She placed her daughter up for adoption and tried to forget the past-until her past came knocking on her door... Jeff never received Sam's letters, nor did he know she had their child-until after the little girl was put up for adoption. Jeff managed to find their daughter, Emma, and lovingly raised her on his own. He's about to remarry-but his divorce from Sam never went through. Jeff needs Sam's help to get "unmarried," and quick. Yet when Jeff shows up on Sam's doorstep, he's shocked to find the sparks that once flew between them are still burning strong. Can he let Sam go again? Especially when the truth about what really happened nine years ago is finally revealed...