Caught Looking

I really enjoyed reading this book.  The trope was unique. The insight into the foster care system was wonderful.  My hat comes off to all the amazing and generous souls that put it out there daily for a child.  

But it REALLY is an outstanding book.  Kudos to the author.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved Caught Looking.  This book is very well written with a great plot and cast of characters. I was immediately pulled into the story of two individuals, a group of homeless boys and the foster care system.  I could not put this book down.  A new to me author and I thoroughly enjoyed her style of writing.

Loved this book on so many different levels.  First we meet Frankie Vaughn who returns to her aunt's house- a place that she has a true happy memory rather than the fakeness she grew up with.  Then Frankie immediately discovers the house is inhabited by 3 brothers that were homeless and her aunt was taking care of. These boys were so sweetly written.  Although they make have had a block on their shoulder, they earned it. Their love and compassion for each other comes across so sweetly in the book.  Frankie, finding herself want to take care of them yet get rid of them, quickly is called in to action when Miles, the youngest, is sick. How could you not fall in love with those boys.

Ryan Walker lives next to the dilapidated house in a huge, beautiful home and is himself reeling from his recent life events that have burned him.  He isn't ready to get burned again and therefore comes off as a jerk to  Frankie when they meet.  Layers are revealed and Ryan soon discovers Frankie's secret with the boys and is highly impressed by this beautiful woman.

The love of this unconventional family is apparent rather admitted openly or not.  You root for the boys and worry as well.  When an incident brings to light their circumstances they are swiftly taken into foster care.  While its heartbreaking the book also is informative. When you want this gang to stay together- you have to put the welfare of the children first.

While they were caught looking hearts were stolen.  Can Ryan and Frankie survive being down and out or will love give them a grand slam?

This book gave me all of the feels.  Frankie and Ryan both end up in Minnesota trying to find something.  Ryan's a pro baseball player whose life has just blown up and he is done with it all.  Frankie needs to get away from her parents and the fiancee and the life that she isn't interested in at all.  Both of them end up in a small town to find themselves.  Frankie walks into her aunt's house where 3 young boys have been squatting.  With Ryan's help, they form a family unit.  When the boys are taken from them and put into the foster system, Frankie and Ryan realize that their family means everything to them.  I cried as both Frankie and Ryan figured out what was truly important to them.  And these boys that had no family to speak of, had people fighting for them and the right to a great life.  I loved this story even if I cried through the end of it.  It broke my heart, but in the best way possible.  Frankie, Ryan, Carter, Travis and Miles are a different kind of family, but they are a family.  Great read!