The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns

I love novels with cranky heroines, and the one in this novel has a good reason for her attitude, having suffered from kidney disease since childhood that has left her hooked up to dialysis machines every other night. I like the way that Gal very slowly and very slightly softens up after the appearance of her niece Riley. She is also impacted by the hiring of a new teacher at the private school where she teaches biology. Through these relationships and several others, Gal realizes eventually that although her illness has put limitations on her life, she has to give to others as well as get something from them, and that she was not the only family member who was adversely affected by her illness. Without losing any of her edge, Gal does grow a little by the novel's conclusion. The rose/thorn metaphor might be a bit obvious, but the uniqueness of Gal's character keeps this book from lapsing into cliche. Definitely recommended.