The Broken Circle by Linda Barrett

Lisa Delaney drops out of law school to care for her four younger siblings when her parents don’t survive a car accident. The children beg to stay together with their big sister rather than be split up among relatives. Lisa’s aunts insist her parents would want her to remain in school. Mike Brennan, Lisa’s fiancée, is in his rookie year with the NFL, and suggests he and Lisa marry quickly and give the kids a home. Lisa searches for legal directives her parents might have left—a fruitless effort—and finally agrees with Mike. After she obtains legal guardianship of the children, she and Mike wed. Moving from rural Massachusetts to Boston, they leave close friends behind. They are on their own. Mike is the second backup QB for the Boston Riders and focused on his dream career. He thinks his potential earnings will solve all problems. Lisa insists the children are not charity cases and works full-time to supplement their income.

Soon Lisa is overwhelmed with the responsibility of daily life, and Mike is no help. Despite counseling, her grief is constant. She has no time or interest in befriending other football wives. She twice tries to return to law school, but twice drops out. When Mike’s career takes off, he buys a large house in Boston’s elegant Beacon Hill neighborhood. Working class Lisa feels out of place. Most of all, however, she’s haunted by thoughts of her parents’ expectations. Is she a good enough mom for their precious children? Are they proud of her? Slowly the issues between Lisa and Mike lead to a meltdown of their marriage. Has love died? Or has it been buried beneath obligations faced by two young people armed only with good intentions?