Annie Ferguson is a young woman making plans for her future when a tragic accident dramatically alters the goals she has envisioned herself working to achieve. She certainly never expected to raise her sister’s three children, but when her sister dies she selflessly embraces the situation and dedicates herself to ensuring that they will be raised in a loving home.
From the moment Annie makes the commitment to raising her nieces and nephew, she exerts significant efforts to raise them with a sense of normalcy, to make them feel safe and secure. However, she finds herself unable to shelter them from the inevitable heartaches associated with growing up and living life. As the children begin to make decisions about who to date and what career paths to pursue, she begins to realize that she needs to give them space to make their own mistakes—and when possible be there to provide guidance and support during their recovery. As she watches them work toward personal and professional goals of their own, Annie realizes that perhaps the time has come for her to redirect some of her energy back to herself.
Family Ties is a heartwarming novel that portrays Annie and the children she raises as a close-knit family truly committed to one another’s happiness. Steel doesn’t shy away from the fact that Annie has sacrificed a lot in order to nurture her sister’s children, but when sh’s ready to start to make up for lost time, it becomes clear that the love and support she has for the children is reciprocated. The story masterfully parallels Annie’s recognition that she must support the children as they transition into new phases in their lives with the realization that it’s time for her to allow herself to find love and transition into a new phase as well.
Family Ties includes all of the elements that readers have come to expect in a Danielle Steel book - a quick read with smart dialogue and the creation of story lines that include unique elements designed to keep the interest of the reader, as well as elements based on familiar themes designed to make readers connect with each of the characters and feel right at home curling up with her latest tale.