Watching Glass Shatter by James J.Cudney

Karen’s Magic Review

I follow James’s blog, and it was on here that I saw this book. There was something about the description that intrigued me, but I didn’t download it straight away. It was only while I was looking for something to read that I remembered it. The reason I hadn’t downloaded it was because it was 399 pages long, but here I am several days later having read the whole thing.

This is a family drama in every sense of the word. Olivia and Ben have five sons, Matt, Caleb, Teddy, Zach, and Ethan. There is also Diane, Olivia’s sister, and in the first chapter I was bit worried that with so many characters it would be complicated.

I needn’t have worried. There were chapters about each person and their relationship with their mother. Every detail about their lives and loves is described so you get to know them well.

I loved how from the outside they looked a perfect family; the perfect sons working hard and seemingly lived a privileged life. But it is only when you get to the nitty-gritty, you see that underneath things are not how they seem. Olivia wants the best for her sons and doesn’t aways make the right decisions. That is exactly how families are, they accept each other, even if they are not always honest.

It was interesting and intriguing. Misconceptions and misunderstandings come to the forefront. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and also running the through the story was the life altering secret mentioned in the description. Which of their sons was not a blood relative? In the end, does it really matter? Your family is always your family.

There is no doubt this author is a great story teller and has a wonderful way with words. He understands the dynamics of a family as he weaves a tale making you feel you are part of them.

This is book one, of two, and if you love great family sagas, then you will really enjoy this, and will no doubt end up having James J. Cudney on your list of favourite authors.

Description

After 40 years of marriage, Olivia’s husband unexpectedly passes away. But when Ben’s will reveals a life-altering secret, she suffers a blow no widow should ever experience.

Olivia learns that she gave birth to a baby who later died in the nursery. Instead of telling his wife what happened, Ben switched the child with another. And as if that’s not enough, Ben’s will doesn’t reveal which of their five sons is truly not hers.

Olivia visits each of her sons to share a final connection before facing the truth that will change their family, and discovers that each of them has been harboring a painful secret, just like their father. But will the secrets destroy their family, or bring them closer togeth