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zagecko's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child death
wrasea's review
3.0
The plot was somewhat predictable, but I still enjoyed the story.
"Some things we just have to accept [...] so we can save our strength for other problems."
"Some things we just have to accept [...] so we can save our strength for other problems."
booklovinalicia's review
5.0
The reason this book was so good is because of Loigman's perfect character development and descriptions of all the character's feelings and emotions. This story is told through different family members perspectives and each character's side of the story is filled with a complex mixture of emotions and thoughts. I cannot say how much I absolutely loved this novel.
Thanks to Netgalley, St Martin's Press, and author Lynda Cohen Loigman for allowing me to read and review this debut novel.
Read my full review of this book and reviews of other books at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
Thanks to Netgalley, St Martin's Press, and author Lynda Cohen Loigman for allowing me to read and review this debut novel.
Read my full review of this book and reviews of other books at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
rmarcin's review
3.0
This book is the story of two women, married to two brothers, who live together in a two-family house. Rose has 3 daughters and Helen has 3 sons. They each become pregnant and hope that their child is the opposite sex of what they already have. In a blizzard, with their husbands away from home, the women both give birth on the same night, to a boy and a girl.
What happens next is a secret that the women carry with them for many years, through tragedy and heartache and it breaks their friendship.
I knew from p.2 what they did, and therefore, it didn't keep me wondering. I was just waiting for when the secret would be revealed. I was glad to see how some of the characters changed, but was disappointed in others. I thought some of the writing was very plain and unsophisticated.
It was a quick read, but it wasn't spectacular.
What happens next is a secret that the women carry with them for many years, through tragedy and heartache and it breaks their friendship.
I knew from p.2 what they did, and therefore, it didn't keep me wondering. I was just waiting for when the secret would be revealed. I was glad to see how some of the characters changed, but was disappointed in others. I thought some of the writing was very plain and unsophisticated.
It was a quick read, but it wasn't spectacular.
areinhard's review
3.0
I enjoyed this story, though writing dialogue is definitely not a strength for the author, so it felt a bit contrived at times.
judithdcollins's review
4.0
A special thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Cover Love.
Lynda Cohen Loigman delivers an impressive debut THE TWO-FAMILY HOUSE, a multi-generational exploration of two complex Brooklyn families, in a lovely Brownstone-- rich in history, character, and love.
Two brothers, Mort and Abe buy a quaint Brooklyn brownstone. Abe and his family are upstairs and Mort’s downstairs. Busy running their father’s company, their lives are intertwined in many ways.
Rose and Mort have three daughters; however, he desires a son. Helen and Abe have four sons. She longs for a daughter.
The two wives bond, getting pregnant around the same time, and on one winter stormy night, the two go into labor. This night will change the course of their lives.
Choices, family secrets, mystery, intrigue, and strong emotions. From 1947 to 1970, we hear from different perspectives of individual family members, giving readers an inside view to the character's thoughts and actions.
From tragedy and heartbreak to love and forgiveness. The author takes you on a journey. It is not so much the destination, but the memorable journey, captured in this character-driven debut, brilliantly crafted.
I enjoyed the author’s note, the setting, and the inspiration behind the book. A tragedy resulting from a single misguided choice. Have pre-ordered the audio, narrated by Barrie Kreinik--should be fun!
Fans of Lisa Jewell, will enjoy the complex family and domestic suspense. Looking forward to more from this talented new author --a winner out of the gate.
JDCMustReadBooks
Lynda Cohen Loigman delivers an impressive debut THE TWO-FAMILY HOUSE, a multi-generational exploration of two complex Brooklyn families, in a lovely Brownstone-- rich in history, character, and love.
Two brothers, Mort and Abe buy a quaint Brooklyn brownstone. Abe and his family are upstairs and Mort’s downstairs. Busy running their father’s company, their lives are intertwined in many ways.
Rose and Mort have three daughters; however, he desires a son. Helen and Abe have four sons. She longs for a daughter.
The two wives bond, getting pregnant around the same time, and on one winter stormy night, the two go into labor. This night will change the course of their lives.
Choices, family secrets, mystery, intrigue, and strong emotions. From 1947 to 1970, we hear from different perspectives of individual family members, giving readers an inside view to the character's thoughts and actions.
From tragedy and heartbreak to love and forgiveness. The author takes you on a journey. It is not so much the destination, but the memorable journey, captured in this character-driven debut, brilliantly crafted.
I enjoyed the author’s note, the setting, and the inspiration behind the book. A tragedy resulting from a single misguided choice. Have pre-ordered the audio, narrated by Barrie Kreinik--should be fun!
Fans of Lisa Jewell, will enjoy the complex family and domestic suspense. Looking forward to more from this talented new author --a winner out of the gate.
JDCMustReadBooks
lisawreading's review
3.0
There's much to like about this debut novel, but I was never convinced by the basic premise and didn't feel emotionally connected to the characters or the events. Perhaps if there had been more mystery about what actually happened during the blizzard, it might have been more engaging, but it's completely obvious from the start that , so there's really no drama.
As a character study, though, the book mostly succeeds, as the events of that one fateful day drive everything that happens afterward. We see the impact on the various characters and how their lives are changed, for better or for worse.
I did enjoy the book, but felt distanced from the characters somehow -- maybe because almost all of the events in the book, even the ending resolution, are telegraphed way in advance. A touch more urgency or sense of discovery would have helped a great deal.
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley. My full review is posted at Bookshelf Fantasies.
Spoiler
the babies were switchedAs a character study, though, the book mostly succeeds, as the events of that one fateful day drive everything that happens afterward. We see the impact on the various characters and how their lives are changed, for better or for worse.
I did enjoy the book, but felt distanced from the characters somehow -- maybe because almost all of the events in the book, even the ending resolution, are telegraphed way in advance. A touch more urgency or sense of discovery would have helped a great deal.
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley. My full review is posted at Bookshelf Fantasies.