Connie Finnegan and Samuel Sheppard are both single parents. Connie has 13 children from her first marriage. Samuel has 10. When they announce their engagement, Hilarity Ensues.
The book is a first-person novel that regularly switches narrators, between Scooter Finnegan and Rory Sheppard. It documents the family after the marriage, as everyone adjusts to moving to a new city with new siblings.
This book provides examples for the following tropes:
- Blonde, Brunette, Redhead: According to Rory, the Finnegans are so diverse in looks. Her specific examples are Nora (blonde), Dana (Brunette), and Jimi (Red Head). None of them actually have the specific traits that come with their hair colors, though.
- Gender-Blender Name: Scooter, Rory, and Jimi. All girls.
- Heroic BSoD: Rory goes into this, refusing to narrate her chapters, after Scooter goes into a coma.
- Massive Numbered Siblings: Thirteen Finnegans, ten Sheppards, 23 kids total. Originally, it was one family with 43 kids. Taken down to more realistic standards.
- Team Pet: Quincy, Alphonse's pet snake.
