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Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Custody Down Under by Elizabeth Woolsey delivers a captivating and heartwarming tale layered with grief, hope, and the longing for family. The story follows the journey of six-year-old Maddison Monroe, who loses her father, Daniel, in a tragic car accident in South Australia. As she faces the loss, the story reveals a long-hidden family legacy. Maddison discovers that her estranged mother, Isla, is still alive and attempts to reunite with her. This confrontation sets off a chain of events involving her maternal grandfather, Nigel Buckby, a retired professor from New Zealand, and her paternal grandfather, Ben Taylor, a veterinarian from South Carolina. As they fight for Maddison's custody and navigate their painful pasts, the narrative explores the devastating impact of loss while highlighting the healing power of love and family. Can two old men find healing in their struggle to love a granddaughter?
Maddison’s journey is emotionally rich and engrossing. The characters are multifaceted and evoke empathy, especially Maddison, whose childlike innocence and precociousness shine through as she tries to comprehend her complicated family ties. Elizabeth Woolsey effectively captures the turmoil of grief through Maddison’s observations and her yearning for stability and safety. The contrasting personalities of Nigel and Ben enliven the story; Nigel is initially skeptical of his daughter's fitness as a parent, while Ben, seeking redemption, is determined to protect Maddison. The setting is ingeniously drawn, from the expansive Australian outback to the Yorke Peninsula's coastal beauty. Custody Down Under pulled me in from the first page. It kept me invested till the delightful denouement, thanks to the unforgettable characters, the strong psychological underpinnings of the narrative, and the masterful handling of conflict.
