The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin

A story of a family. It begins at the end of a successful career when a young woman asks a question that brings Fiona back to the beginning and her family. She begins to share the story of her family and life and we are transfixed. After losing their dad early, their mom checks out of reality for the years the kids refer to as "The Pause". Four young Skinner kids left to fend for themselves and help each other grow up. Living on the other side of the tracks from where they spent their beginning years is difficult but they meet new friends and lean on each other to survive. Finally, mom comes back to herself and the Skinner family is up and running again. The years spent on their own strengthened them and formed a tight sibling bond. Years pass and the kids seem to be doing alright except for Joe who has left their hometown and now lives in the fast lane of New York. The story is a lovely mixture of joy and heartbreak, sibling rivalry and absolute loyalty. It is also a story about great loves - warm, messy and filled with great moments of hope. For fans of epic family stories and a joy to read.