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As an adoption attorney, Toby Dillon is in a unique area of the law. Generally speaking, he's exposed to a more positive side of things than the average lawyer. A woman who is unable to raise a child will arrange to have that child adopted; Toby makes sure the legalities are covered and a new, happy family is created. Some adoptions are more satisfying than others, as is the case when he connects a young pregnant woman with his best friends, Rita MacElroy and Brogan Barlow. Rita and Brogan are a celebrity couple, but they are completely down to earth as people. Toby is well pleased to place their new daughter, Remy, in their arms. But then things go awry. The birth mother, Samantha, disappears and there's a revelation that raises the stakes considerably beyond resolving the circumstances around her disappearance. Although the police are called in right away, Toby finds himself investigating, since there are ramifications for Rita and Brogan. He uncovers some shocking information, and strong relationships rapidly unravel. Hicks has a wry and wonderful sense of humor that is integrated into the narrative. In the opening chapters, that humor seems a bit forced; but once the story gets underway, it's a natural and endearing element of the writing. Where he really excels is in the development of the characters; and in particular, Toby, Rita and Brogan. He writes of their childhood days as if he had been there; he brings the insecurities they faced growing up into their adulthood as well. Yet, even though Rita and Brogan are renowned celebrities, you can see the essence of what they really are as people, the teenagers who worked the pig section at the county fair. As Toby says, they share a history of childhood nerd-dom that became a lifelong bonding experience. I loved THE BABY GAME. What at first seems to be a comic romp turns into a heartbreaking and very humane tale of love, loss, friendship and betrayal. There are some great plot twists; the ending is touching and sweet and optimistic. THE BABY GAME is quite an accomplished debut, and I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Maddy Van Hertbruggen, August 2005
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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