Taylor

Jill and Justin fell in love at first sight. That Jill was a white, 27-year-old single mother and Justin, 24, was black, didn't matter to either of them - or to Jill's 8-year-old daughter, Taylor. But it did matter to some. What could have been a story of happily ever after takes a tragic turn when Jill is killed in an automobile accident, only days after she and Justin have decided to get married. Taylor has no grandparents or other relatives to take care of her. She has only Justin - and he has only her. How societal norms in general, and the pall of racism in particular impact Justin and Taylor as they try to build a life together is the focus of this penetrating novel about family, loss, sacrifice, but most of all, love.

Justin's quest to adopt Taylor is the backdrop as the two of them fight to become a family. Justin has no idea how to raise a child by himself, let alone a white child who is so close to him in age. How he has to re-conceive his racial attitudes all the while helping Taylor adjust to a new reality, while keeping her racial identity, is uplifting and inspiring. The love that binds Justin and Taylor is unshakable and undeniable, but is that going to be enough in a world that tries to keep them apart?