Custody Down Under

Custody Down Under is a heartwarming, cross-continental family drama filled with emotion, humor, and the unexpected joys of second chances. When six-year-old Maddison Taylor is orphaned under mysterious circumstances, two grieving grandfathers-who've never met-find themselves at the center of a custody battle that spans the globe. One is a dignified retired professor of reproductive medicine from New Zealand. The other, a weathered but brilliant veterinary orthopedic surgeon from South Carolina. Both are ill-equipped for child-rearing. Neither wants to give her up.

But Maddison, headstrong and heartbreakingly perceptive, has other plans.

Set between New Zealand, South Carolina, and the Australian coast, Custody Down Under weaves a multi-generational story about love, loss, and legacy. As the two men slowly navigate their own regrets and forge an unlikely friendship, they begin to see that Maddison may be their best-and last-chance at redemption.

Adding to the mix are two very different women: Lindy, the compassionate Australian veterinarian who has had her own tragedy, and Fiona, a sharp-tongued Australian caseworker who isn't quite as jaded as she seems. Together, this unlikely circle must confront old wounds, international legal hurdles, and the biggest question of all-what truly defines a family?

With the emotional depth of The Light Between Oceans, the rugged charm of Secondhand Lions, and the heartfelt humor of The Hundred-Foot Journey, Custody Down Under will resonate with readers who love stories about imperfect people trying to do the right thing... even if they have no idea how.

Perfect for fans of literary fiction, heartwarming family sagas, and intergenerational tales of resilience, Custody Down Under is a tender and often funny exploration of identity, healing, and what it means to belong.