Sean Doran has been away for over twenty years, in third world countries trying to do as much good as possible. THE SHORTEST WAY HOME is all about Sean coming home to Belham, MA as he is burned out and needs to recharge. His mother died when he was young of Huntington's Disease and its something he has been running from ever since. He has a fifty fifty chance of getting the disease himself. Once home, he realizes his Aunt isn't as healthy as she once was. His Aunt Vivian is the legal guardian for Kevin. Kevin is the son of Hugh, Sean's brother, who died a few years before of pneumonia. Sean soon learns that Kevin is in need of a father figure in his life. They develop a very special bond and Sean is quickly attached to the boy.

Sean's sister Deidre also lives at home with Aunt Viv. She is an aspiring actress and a waitress who has been helping out as much as possible. Once Sean comes back home she pretty much washes her hands of it all. She tells Sean it was all about him for all the years he was away and now it's his turn to take the responsibility of his family.

THE SHORTEST WAY HOME also finds Sean running into his old school mate named Rebecca. They used to be the best of friends in high school until Sean moved away. They start to rebuild their relationship that was left behind.

Sean doesn't want to be tied down to his family. He likes the freedom of being able to keep moving around doing the most good he possibly can. To make matters worse, his father, who abandoned him thirty years ago, shows up. Sean is torn with wanting to meet him and telling him to get lost. This is one dysfunctional family and you will find yourself cheering them on while you are reading. The characters are complex but, lovable.

THE SHORTEST WAY HOME is filled with humor, as well as sadness. It is filled with memorable characters that I won't soon forget. I was so wrapped up in all their lives and couldn't wait to see how Juliette finished their stories. I fell in love with them all and found myself cheering for them through out the book. I could see THE SHORTEST WAY HOME being made into a movie for Lifetime or the Hallmark Channel.

Book Summary

Sean has spent twenty years in Third World war zones and natural disaster areas, fully embracing what he'd always felt was his life's mission. But when burnout sets in, Sean is reluctantly drawn home to Belham, Massachusetts, the setting of Fay's much-loved Shelter Me. There, he discovers that his steely aunt, overly dramatic sister, and quirky nephew are having a little natural disaster of their own. When he reconnects with a woman from his past, Sean has to wonder if the bonds of love and loyalty might just rewrite his destiny.

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