Jess Thomas is a single mother working two cleaning jobs to support her genius daughter, Tanzie, and her bullied stepson, Nicky. When Tanzie earns a chance to attend a prestigious school on a scholarship, Jess realizes she cannot afford the travel costs for a mathematics Olympiad in Scotland that would provide the remaining funds. Ed Nicholls, a wealthy tech professional facing a legal investigation for insider trading, offers to drive the family across the country. The group crowds into Ed’s car with a large, smelly dog for a multi-day road trip defined by financial stress and social differences.
Readers who enjoy character-driven fiction about class divides and unconventional family structures will find this narrative practical and detailed. It appeals to those looking for a story where romance develops through shared crisis rather than instant attraction. The book provides a look at the logistical realities of poverty and the friction that occurs when sudden misfortune forces a wealthy individual to confront a struggling family's daily life. A reader finishes the story with a clear picture of how small acts of grace influence personal recovery and survival in the modern era.
- Published
- 2014
- Language
- EN
