A review by mellabella
The Precious One by Marisa de los Santos

3.0

A cold, distant, brilliant, and demeaning father abandons his first wife and children(twins, when they are 18). He then dotes on the daughter he has with the woman he cheated on his first wife with. Taisey (Eustacia) wants her fathers love and affection (or maybe, at the very least... Acknowledgement). It seems odd that she would. Especially after he seems to have forgotten she existed and, treats his daughter Willow like she is the only child he has. But he has a heart attack and all of a sudden wants Taisey to come to his home and "ghostwrite" a book about him. Taisey agrees. After 17 years of estrangement. Her brother Marcus (who is also invited), does not. There were a few things I found not quite right. Willow's behavior for starters. Her father left his first family. Why was she so insecure and threatened with Taisey around? Where did the animosity come from? It was annoying. I wish Taisey would have (gently) given her the business. Most people would sympathize not treat Taisey like she did something wrong. Second, enough with the weird home schooled kid stereotypes. The way Willow spoke is absolutely unrealistic. She might be super pompous and intelligent. But, it was too much. The writing is good. The characters interesting (if not a little unrealistic themselves). There are family secrets, and a love story interwoven through. The ending wasn't what I expected. I did know (no matter how cliched) that Taisey and Willow would grow close. But, I liked this book. It was the first I've read by this author. I'm going to check out her other books too.