The House of Cavanaugh - two families are confronted with a decades-long secret.

It's 1989, and Joan Cavanaugh, wife and mother of three young women, has succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 48. She had intended to take a deep family secret to her grave—the true paternity of one of her daughters. The story shifts to 1964, when Joan is caring for her first daughter, Ceci. Husband Graham is focused on his law degree, leaving Joan alone in their New York City apartment, and feeling unfulfilled. When Joan meets Peter “Hutch” Hutchinson, a sweet friendship develops that quickly turns passionate. After their brief relationship ends, Joan devotes herself to Graham and her children, which soon includes daughters Anne and Carolyn. After Joan's death, her memory becomes revered by her grieving family. They frequently asked themselves the question WWJD: What Would Joan Do? when faced with tough decisions. By 2014, Carolyn is living with her family in Portland, and in a twist of fate, her next-door neighbor and best friend happens to be Julia, Hutch's daughter. When Anne receives the results of a DNA test, the lives of all concerned are thrown into complete disarray. 

The House of Cavanaugh by Polly Dugan is an engaging exploration of two complex families confronted with a shattering secret. This emotional story delves into the choices people make and their consequences. Was Joan being selfish by hiding her secret, or was she protecting those she loved? This short yet rich novel leaves a lot to think about. 

Many thanks to Sibylline Press for the opportunity to read this book in advance. 

Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.

Family Fiction.

Publication Date: October 7, 2025.

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