The Accidental Mother by Rowan Coleman

Family and friends are more important than money, occupations, and love interests. This statement that should be obvious to all that are close to family and friends, is explored in Coleman's novel. Sophie, a middle aged woman living in London, is forced to take a break from her well paying, life shadowing job when her childhood best friend dies and her kids are without a legal guardian. Sophie thinks that taking care of two little girls is going to wreck her life, and is therefore determined to find Bella and Izzy's father who abandoned the family right before Izzy was born. The kids wreck her couch, prevent her from working on many parties, and put a sharp knife into a relationship with a client. When the girls' father, Louis, is found by a private detective found by Sophie, she has become attahced to the girls like they are her own. Sophie does not want to leave them. When the kids have gotten used to their father, Sohpie leaves, and after working for three months and receiving a promotion nothing feels right for her. Sophie realizes that the kids, and their father who loves Sophie, are who she really wants to spend their time with. I loved this book because the reader observes Bella and Izzy mature. Izzy refuses to take off her fairy dress, while Bella acts like an ignornat snob when forced to go to the zoo with Louis at the beginning of the book. However, by the end the family is close-knit and with Sophie and Louis's help the girls grow up and realize both guardians are there for them whenever, forever, whatever.