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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love the spin the authors put on our traditional views of adoption as a last option being a choice. I loved all the characters and the twists and turns of the story. I highly recommend!
emotional
funny
informative
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Abortion, Pandemic/Epidemic
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
"The problem isn't lack of representation. It's bullshit representation." This is the motivation (among others) of Frankel's fifth novel to reclaim adoption tales not as teenage pregnancy sob stories or desperate couples' last resort but as an option where one can choose freely when fully informed.
Alternating between India's past and present, FAMILY x2 is offbeat and humorous yet tender at its core. The short chapters and commercial writing style remind me of BLACK CAKE (Charmaine Wilkerson)—I love the unexpected twists and the wholesome conversations, and I find FAMILY x2 an absorbing and unputdownable read.
What I love most about FAMILY x2 is the adoption angle. Using her own experience as an adoptive parent, Frankel challenges the readers to question why adoption stories are often portrayed through lenses of trauma. From the adoptive parents' to the adopted children's perspectives, Frankel encompasses a wide range of possibilities as to why one might choose to adopt and how kids might react to their adoption stories. Just like it's important to write about the challenges surrounding adoption, it's equally vital to emphasize adoption joy—and I'm so grateful to have read FAMILY x2.
I do feel that the children are sometimes too emotionally mature, and the dialogues could veer a bit too quirky to be realistic. I also think that FAMILY x2 is written with a TV/movie adaptation in mind due to the writing style. Nonetheless, these don't take away from the brilliance of FAMILY x2. It's an excellent book for workplace book clubs, generating great discussions, and gifting one's found family. It's a book I'll recommend to everyone.
"The problem isn't lack of representation. It's bullshit representation." This is the motivation (among others) of Frankel's fifth novel to reclaim adoption tales not as teenage pregnancy sob stories or desperate couples' last resort but as an option where one can choose freely when fully informed.
Alternating between India's past and present, FAMILY x2 is offbeat and humorous yet tender at its core. The short chapters and commercial writing style remind me of BLACK CAKE (Charmaine Wilkerson)—I love the unexpected twists and the wholesome conversations, and I find FAMILY x2 an absorbing and unputdownable read.
What I love most about FAMILY x2 is the adoption angle. Using her own experience as an adoptive parent, Frankel challenges the readers to question why adoption stories are often portrayed through lenses of trauma. From the adoptive parents' to the adopted children's perspectives, Frankel encompasses a wide range of possibilities as to why one might choose to adopt and how kids might react to their adoption stories. Just like it's important to write about the challenges surrounding adoption, it's equally vital to emphasize adoption joy—and I'm so grateful to have read FAMILY x2.
I do feel that the children are sometimes too emotionally mature, and the dialogues could veer a bit too quirky to be realistic. I also think that FAMILY x2 is written with a TV/movie adaptation in mind due to the writing style. Nonetheless, these don't take away from the brilliance of FAMILY x2. It's an excellent book for workplace book clubs, generating great discussions, and gifting one's found family. It's a book I'll recommend to everyone.
I really enjoyed this story! It was heartwarming and funny, and as someone who experienced fertility issues and contemplated adoption, it was nice to read a story from this perspective on adoption. The characters were likeable and relatable. I did find it to be a little long though. I didn't need it to be as drawn out as it was, but I generally prefer a shorter book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Overall it’s a very good message. The plot itself I’m a little iffy on. It felt like too many unrealistic events happened that took me out of the story a bit. But it was a fun and engaging read.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Family, Family" by Laurie Frankel is a cute read.
just the right length to get into the various plot lines shared through the eyes of India Allwood, Hollywood actress & an adoptive mother.
the story focuses on her life & life decisions around adoption.
she navigates the challenges of public scrutiny & personal dilemmas, showing that family bonds are forged through love & shared experiences rather than genetics alone.
I thought it was well-written, albeit a little far fetched at times, but liked that we got to know the past & present India & that the author wrapped the story up nicely with a neat bow.
just the right length to get into the various plot lines shared through the eyes of India Allwood, Hollywood actress & an adoptive mother.
the story focuses on her life & life decisions around adoption.
she navigates the challenges of public scrutiny & personal dilemmas, showing that family bonds are forged through love & shared experiences rather than genetics alone.
I thought it was well-written, albeit a little far fetched at times, but liked that we got to know the past & present India & that the author wrapped the story up nicely with a neat bow.
An oft untold story about adoption, with the central thesis shirking other tales that adoption is all trauma or all sunshine. The banter is witty and the chapters are written in a way that makes you always say - just one more. There are some plot points that require you to suspend disbelief, but overall it’s a well-developed story.
I think this one will make an excellent book club pick with much to discuss.
I think this one will make an excellent book club pick with much to discuss.