Nathan McCabe had been estranged from his now-deceased identical twin, Rob, for many years but was still shocked to discover that he had a sister-in-law and a niece who desperately needed a bone marrow transfusion that he was the best source for. Nathan McCabe had a terrible falling out with his twin brother, Robin, many years ago, but it doesn't make finding out that he was dead any easier. However, it was worse because he had a niece, Amanda and sister-in-law, Beth he never met or knew about.
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Beth had hired a private investigator to find him in the hope of saving Amanda's life, because she had leukemia and Beth was not a match. As the identical twin of Amanda's father, he could easily be the best source.
He meets them and agrees to be tested, while mourning both his brother and the fact that they never got past their final argument. Unfortunately, Nathan is not a match, but there is one more option to consider.
If he had a baby with Beth, the baby or its cord cells could save Amanda. At first he is repulsed, but then he remembers that without his help, Amanda's chances of living to adulthood are slim.
He agrees and it is obvious that there is an attraction between Beth and Nathan that they want to ignore. The conception of their son, Patrick occurs in a clinic with the use of artificial insemination. The reader also learns that the reason for the separation of the two brothers so long ago was that Rob pretended to be Nathan one night when they were both in college and he slept with Nathan's girlfriend without telling her the truth.
Beth has a problem with the pregnancy near the end of it and when she is forced to go on bedrest. Nathan moves in to help out with everything. In addition, when she was about five months pregnant, an amniocentesis conformed that the new baby is a perfect match for Amanda. The baby is born through a cesarean and again, Nathan goes home with them to help out. Amanda is alternatively jealous of the baby, proud of the baby and nervous about how the baby will feel when he grows up about the reasons for his conception.
She feels important while changing his diaper, but is still disgusted by the process. Meanwhile, Nathan and Beth grow closer and the sexual tension mounts, but he is afraid she sees him only as a sperm donor who looks like her husband. They kiss and admit their feelings for one-another ( love) but cannot get past their fears about the situation. By now, Amanda has bonded with him and she is confused about his abrupt departure.
He soon realizes that he cannot leave them for long, returns to the house and proposes to Beth, after which they make love. The novel ends with Amanda preparing for her bone-marrow transplant with her family around her and there is every indication that she recovers fully, with the support of her family.
Best part of story, including ending:
I neither loved nor hated it. It was obvious what would happen and there were few surprises. With that being said, I think more discussions should have taken place between Amanda, Beth and Nate, because both of those kids might have issues in the future with the fact that they are both cousins and half-sisters. I also think Amanda is correct in that it could be challenging for Patrick in the future, regardless of how rosy that future is.
Best scene in story:
The last scene where Amanda is preparing for weeks in isolation after chemotherapy and her bone marrow transplant from the baby, she is cheered to remember that a boy at school that she liked throughout the books asked her to be his girlfriend just before she left school for the summer. It was a nice reminder that she was still a young teenager, regardless of everything else that happened.
Opinion about the main character:
Beth McCabe was a good mother who would do anything for her children and I respected that. However, I also think she needed some counseling because of the entire situation.
