Reviewed by Natasha Jackson for Readers' Favorite

Because of Beckett is the story of Audrey Decker, Libby’s sister in the previous story For Nicky. What can you say about Audrey other than she is a spoiled bully who is mean simply for the sake of being mean. After a stint in rehab and ongoing therapy, Audrey has a lot to overcome - for herself as well as the people in her life she has harmed. In the process of getting her life onto a more positive plane, Audrey meets Army vet and single dad Jeremiah Jordan. Audrey is going to plan his son’s birthday party and that is the extent of his interest in her or any woman. A.D. Ellis has done the impossible with this story; she has humanized Audrey Decker, made her likable and even redeemed her character.

I liked that A.D. Ellis didn’t attempt to change Audrey’s character in order to give her a story. She struggled to be something other than mean and using people for sex. Although she does have reasons for her behavior — reasons that were unknown to her before — Audrey doesn’t allow those excuses to justify her appalling behavior. But the true star of this book is the title character in Because of Beckett. The four-year-old tyke is precocious, insightful and outright adorable. It is because of this little bundle of love that Audrey and Beckett even have a chance at love, but only if they are willing to overcome some pretty big obstacles to get there. This story is definitely one that hits on all of your emotions and, with the flaws and baggage they both carry, it is an emotional roller coaster.