Otherwise Engaged begins with Shannon checking out a wedding venue for her mom's, Cindy, upcoming wedding. When they bump into another mother/daughter (Ava/Victoria) duo looking for a venue for a birthday party. After a moment it's very clear that there is something going on between the two moms that neither daughter understands. After an awkward amount of time has passed Ava explains that she was always supposed to adopt Shannon but Cindy changed her mind at the last minute. This obviously brings up a lot of feelings and questions.
Victoria has always known she was adopted. She's the maid's daughter. What she's never understood is why her mother doesn't seem to love her. Why they've never got along. Victoria has made it her life's mission to do the opposite of what would please her wealthy mother. Instead of college she became a stunt woman but secretly she's writing a manuscript.
Shannon has a wonderful relationship with her mom, Cindy. If anything maybe a little too close. They dress the same and celebrate their birthdays together. It's quite shocking to think her mom once thought about not keeping her.
The story unravels with each woman coming to terms with their life choices and the daughters dealing with the emotional impact of it all.
Otherwise Engaged is a really good story and a unique plot that I hadn't read before. There's a scene near the end that I can't say too much about but I don't think I'd be so dismissive and forgiving about. The only other thing I thought was a bit strange as there is really no presence in the story of Cindy's fiance. He's not crucial to the story line but I thought he could have been brought into a few scenes similar to Shannon's fiance.