After the Sucker Punch: a Novel

While mourning her father's death, Tessa Curzio learns that he left behind a diary, one that reveals his true feelings about his children. Shocked by what he's written about her, Tessa struggles to make sense of the man she thought she knew.

The author, Lorraine Devon Wilke, does a masterful job revealing Tessa's family dynamics, from her complicated relationships with her brothers and sisters to the aunt, who as both a nun and therapist, does much to help Tessa come to terms with her father's “sucker punch”. As a former therapist myself, I was impressed by how well these family interactions were portrayed. And what a great title! A very satisfying and enjoyable read.