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Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson - 3* - My Review

This novel is an unusual tale of a young woman, Lillian, asked by her wealthy friend, Madison, to take care of her husband’s ten-year-old twins from a previous marriage. The twins, a boy and a girl, share a bizarre quality � they occasionally burst into fire, especially when they become upset. The storyline follows Lillian’s relationship with the children, her friendship with Madison, and the family’s circumstances.

Needless to say, suspension of disbelief will be necessary, but it is not that difficult if catching fire is viewed as a metaphor for a severely troubled child. These children have been through a lot. Their mother died by suicide while they were present, and they rarely saw their Senator father. He takes them in out of guilt and tries to keep them out of sight for fear their strange trait will decrease his chances of becoming Secretary of State.

In the past, Lillian made a significant sacrifice for Madison, and cares deeply for her, so she takes the job even though she has no childcare experience. She believes it may be a catalyst for a better life. The story reflects elements of both humor and tenderness. I think the reader’s enjoyment will depend on the reaction to the children’s ability to spontaneously combust. Magical realism is not my favorite device, but I decided to “just go with it� and ended up enjoying it.