The Mummy Quest (Silhouette Superromance) [Paperback]

THE MOMMY QUEST by Lori Handeland

March 18, 2006

Amazon rating 4/5

"This final book in The Luchetti Brothers series focuses on brother Dean who made a previous appearance in The Daddy Quest, in which young runaway Rat found his way to the farmlands of Ohio with an ex-stripper who was searching for her father. Rat, later known as Tim, latched on to Dean, the first person to show him any love after he was abandoned by his parents.

Tim, now eight-years-old, is having problems fitting in. He doesn't have any friends and is often teased because he has no real parents. One day, Tim is sent to the principal's office for hitting a boy who made fun of Dean. When Dean shows up, he discovers that the new school principal is none other than the high school sweetheart he thought he'd never see again, Stella O'Connell. She left for college nearly fifteen years before after Dean told her that he never loved her. But now she's not sure she's over him. She finds living in the same town difficult, but is unaware that it's just as hard for Dean who, despite what he said, had always loved her.

Tim, in the meantime, decides he needs a mother. Now that he's found his daddy (though the adoption is not yet official), Tim is on a mommy quest. He's searching for that special woman who will make his daddy happy, and be the mother he always wished for. He sets Dean up on all sorts of dates, to Dean's frustration, but when Tim discovers that his principal is his daddy's old girlfriend, he begins to act up so he can get sent to the principal's office on a daily basis. No one can figure out what Tim is up to, but they do know he has an agenda." - Complete review found at BookLoons - M. Lofton

I loved this last book in the Luchetti Brothers series. All the characters are easy to warnm to, especially young Tim as well as Ellie, the matriarch of this huge family of brothers (and one sister). Good plot, great characters, the perfect combination for a good romance. Recommdended.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Finally, Dean, the oldest Luchetti Brother, gets his story.

Dean has been alone for far too long. He has his family around him, a young adopted son Tim, and the farm, but what he really needs is a wife. Or so Tim thinks anyhow, especially if it means he'll gain a new Mommy in the process. And Tim has the perfect woman picked out... his school principal, Stella O'Connell. Thus begins Tim's latest adventure, The Mommy Quest.

Dean and Stella have history between them and he has never quite been able to recover from it. Now, they have a second chance at the love long denied them. But when that history starts to rear its ugly head again, can they overcome everything to find happiness with each other? And most importantly, keep from hurting Tim?

Though traditionally, a romance novel is about the couple, The Mommy Quest is really about Tim. Even the title hints at the heart of the story. As much as I like Dean and Stella, I truly love Tim so it's only natural I focus on him first and foremost. Tim has had a rough life. Abandoned very young, he lived on the streets until fate brought him into the Luchetti fold and Dean's heart. (See The Daddy Quest.) Later diagnosed with ADD, some balance was able to be brought into his life. But what he truly longs for is his own Mom and Dad. He struggles to adapt to his new life but his own history unfortunately makes him the brunt of schoolyard snubs and abuse. Watching him grow and change will tug at your heartstrings like few characters do.

Dean hides his unhappiness and loneliness under a gruff exterior, never letting anyone see his deepest secrets and feelings. With Tim, Dean has been able to slowly let down those shields. When Stella drifts back into his life, things change once more. It was an enjoyable experience to go the journey with Dean as he learns much about himself, and her as they rebuild their faith in each other to find the love they've so long denied.

Stella has her own personal demons to face when she returns to town. Having come from her previous job in the LA school system, Stella experienced things no one should ever have to go through at a school, and those fears haunt her still. She has returned home to emotionally recover and is unprepared for the emotions that swamp her upon meeting Dean again. Not to mention se has never quite forgiven him for breaking her heart so many years ago. She has a long road to walk to get herself back. As her heart warms for Tim, she grows closer once more to Dean and finally has to let go of the past and let him into her new life. This makes her growth all the more rewarding and real.

Of course no Luchetti Brothers story would be complete without seeing the whole brood so we find plenty of time to catch up with the rest of the family and what's been happening in their lives. Then there is the motley bunch of critters that make the Luchetti farm their home. These loveable animals provide plenty of lighter moments that are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. After all, who can resist Wilbur, the pig who thinks he's a dog? And he is just one of many creatures I couldn't help but love.

I must say, I've enjoyed this series from the very first book and I'm more than a little sad to see the final book on the shelf. I can only hope that someday we will be gifted with stories of the next generation of the Luchetti brood. Happily, there are many young ones to choose from so maybe one day we'll meet them again.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, March 2007. All rights reserved.

Funny, fast-paced, and hard to put down. In fact, I didn't until I finished it.