Shadow Family

Shadow Family is the story of a birth mother, an adoptive mother, and their struggles with life's pitfalls. Their son, after searching diligently for his birth mother, brings them together in the end. Told in these three voices, it is a story of perseverance and, ultimately, hope.



Shadow Family invites readers to reflect on the boundaries of family, highlighting the differences between genetics and the environment in terms of what makes a good parent. It deals with themes of trauma and regret, showing how these things change people. Each character experiences pivotal moments that cause them to flip a switch, almost as if they die several times while dealing with the losses of relationships as the book moves forward. Each character voice is distinct, offering various lenses through which readers may view events. This book is deeply emotional, deeply real, and everyone is left to wonder how they would handle these situations and extend grace to the imperfect humans they find here.

-Mike Hilbig, author of Judgment Day and Other White Lies