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irinna's review against another edition
5.0
The Forgotten Sister by Caroline Bond is a novel that centres on a teenager named Cassie and her quest to uncover her past. Adopted at a young age, Cassie discovers she was separated from her older sister, who was seven at the time and not adopted with her. Initially unaware of her sister's existence, Cassie's desire to find her birth mother is complicated by her adoptive parents' reluctance to reveal her sister's existence, opting instead to conceal it. Throughout the narrative, Cassie confides in her younger sister, Erin, highlighting the deep connections and potential bonds between siblings, reflecting on what might have been with her older sister. Eventually, Cassie locates her older sister and they begin to meet secretly, following a social media search that brought them together. However, their reunion is fraught with challenges, leading to events that ultimately expose their secret to their parents.
lousnewchapter's review against another edition
3.0
This book was definitely not what I was expecting at all! It took me through a roller-coaster of emotions and the story was so much darker and complex than I had anticipated.
It was a fantastically written book and the characters were written so well. I felt alot of anger towards leah in some points but then I also felt understanding of her actions and developed a soft spot for her. I especially loved Erin aswell, so sweet and innocent and just trying to hold her family together whilst it was falling apart. I felt deeply for the main character Cassie aswell, she had alot on her shoulders and so although she made some of the wrong decisions in parts all she wanted was answers and she didn't know who she could trust.
This is a story of family and trust and delves into some really important topics and has made me realise just how many problems there are within the care system.
I wouldn't necessarily say this is an easy read because it isn't at all. It's very emotional and broke my heart but it's a powerful story and there was some light at the end of the tunnel in the end, it's definitely worth the read but be prepared for the whirlwind of emotion!
It was a fantastically written book and the characters were written so well. I felt alot of anger towards leah in some points but then I also felt understanding of her actions and developed a soft spot for her. I especially loved Erin aswell, so sweet and innocent and just trying to hold her family together whilst it was falling apart. I felt deeply for the main character Cassie aswell, she had alot on her shoulders and so although she made some of the wrong decisions in parts all she wanted was answers and she didn't know who she could trust.
This is a story of family and trust and delves into some really important topics and has made me realise just how many problems there are within the care system.
I wouldn't necessarily say this is an easy read because it isn't at all. It's very emotional and broke my heart but it's a powerful story and there was some light at the end of the tunnel in the end, it's definitely worth the read but be prepared for the whirlwind of emotion!
jackierobinson's review against another edition
3.0
I’m a little disappointed.
I did enjoy this book and will easily give it 3.5 stars but after the author’s previous book “The Second Child”, this just fell a little flat for me.
Nearly every character was so unlikeable, and I’m not sure this book was proofread before it was distributed. That shouldn’t bring the quality of the book down, but when you’re having to mentally pop a word into a sentence so it makes sense, it kind of ruins the experience.
Overall I did enjoy this, and thought it had a truly beautiful ending, but it didn’t grip me like some of the books I’ve read this year have. Would definitely consider reading any books that this author writes in the future.
I did enjoy this book and will easily give it 3.5 stars but after the author’s previous book “The Second Child”, this just fell a little flat for me.
Nearly every character was so unlikeable, and I’m not sure this book was proofread before it was distributed. That shouldn’t bring the quality of the book down, but when you’re having to mentally pop a word into a sentence so it makes sense, it kind of ruins the experience.
Overall I did enjoy this, and thought it had a truly beautiful ending, but it didn’t grip me like some of the books I’ve read this year have. Would definitely consider reading any books that this author writes in the future.
readingwithgee_'s review against another edition
3.0
This book started out pretty slowly, in fact I’ll be honest, the first half of the book was pretty slow for me,
There are some sensitive topics in this book (please scroll to the end of this review for trigger warnings if you need them before reading the book) and I’ll give credit where credit is due, Caroline wrote them well.
Heartstrings were pulled whilst reading this book, just thinking about the neglect that children go through, the abuse and the effects it has on their mental health in the future..well it makes me ill.
Check out my full review on my blog https://georgiabooks.wordpress.com/2019/05/10/the-forgotten-sister-caroline-bond-review/#more-308
There are some sensitive topics in this book (please scroll to the end of this review for trigger warnings if you need them before reading the book) and I’ll give credit where credit is due, Caroline wrote them well.
Heartstrings were pulled whilst reading this book, just thinking about the neglect that children go through, the abuse and the effects it has on their mental health in the future..well it makes me ill.
Check out my full review on my blog https://georgiabooks.wordpress.com/2019/05/10/the-forgotten-sister-caroline-bond-review/#more-308
georginadaw's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
faysieh's review against another edition
5.0
This was a truly super read and I am in awe of the author Caroline Bond. She has created the most heart-breaking moral dilemma of a tale, a story of sisters, of love and guilt, deception and neglect as well as a vivid portrayal of the parents' (misguided?) attempts to protect. It is terrifyingly realistic, brutal in its honesty about the care system and the psychological damage of abuse, trauma and separation. It is an exploration of blood ties versus ties formed from love, structure and parents who are able to give and provide a nurturing home. It is a journey of self discovery for Cassie, for her parents Tom and Grace, for Erin and also for Leah. I don't want to say too much as I don't want to spoil the story for anyone! Cleverly written to keep you guessing who the forgotten sister is and to try and decide who features in Cassie's occasional flashbacks. Is it her birth mother or is it someone else? At times this is an uncomfortable read simply because it is so honest and real. This might be a novel but there will be children and young people out there who are living this and don't have the luxury of being a character in a book. I was completely emotionally invested in the characters, living out events with them and so wanting a happy ending. Is there one? Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out! I am going to read Caroline Bond's debut novel The Second Child on the strength of this book.
phoenixfaie's review against another edition
5.0
I actually won this from Readers First earlier this year yet I have only just got round to reading it- we all know what it’s like to have a TBR list that is NEVER ending right?
I won’t lie, this is quite a difficult book to read given the subject matter, at a young age Cassie had been taken into care and then adopted by Tom & Grace Haines, you might think that the problems started because she didn’t know she was adopted, but that is not the case for this story, she knew she was adopted, but she just didn’t know the story of her birth mother.
It would be wonderful to say that she found the answers she was looking for, but was the search for her history that started the problems.
While Tom & Grace were honest about her adoption to some extent, they also kept a huge secret from her- Cassie had an older sister called Leah, who unfortunately hadn’t had the same type of upbringing that Cassie was given.
I don’t actually believe Leah to be a bad person, she had tried to protect Cassie to some extent, but unfortunately driven by jealousy of Cassie’s “fake” family and a lifetime of pain Leah was more than unstable.
Not only did she put Cassie at risk by introducing her to Naz, but she was constantly putting herself at risk as well by seeing him herself.
I think if she had been given a stable upbringing she would have been able to have a proper relationship with Cassie and her “other” family.
Caroline Bond created such a heart wrenching story that actually felt so real, as I was reading, my emotions were all over the place. I felt anger towards Leah to some degree but then I also felt for her. I found myself growing irritated with Cassie the more she pushed her family away while putting herself in danger by going to visit Leah without telling anyone. I truly felt for Erin because to her, Cassie was her older sister and she was being ignored by her in favour of a “stranger”
I am hoping that after the end of the novel, Leah is able to start over without Naz, and maybe she can be included in Cassie’s family- after all before she had Tom and Grace, she only had Leah.
"To lose your family is heart-breaking
To be forgotten by them is unforgivable"
I won’t lie, this is quite a difficult book to read given the subject matter, at a young age Cassie had been taken into care and then adopted by Tom & Grace Haines, you might think that the problems started because she didn’t know she was adopted, but that is not the case for this story, she knew she was adopted, but she just didn’t know the story of her birth mother.
It would be wonderful to say that she found the answers she was looking for, but was the search for her history that started the problems.
While Tom & Grace were honest about her adoption to some extent, they also kept a huge secret from her- Cassie had an older sister called Leah, who unfortunately hadn’t had the same type of upbringing that Cassie was given.
I don’t actually believe Leah to be a bad person, she had tried to protect Cassie to some extent, but unfortunately driven by jealousy of Cassie’s “fake” family and a lifetime of pain Leah was more than unstable.
Not only did she put Cassie at risk by introducing her to Naz, but she was constantly putting herself at risk as well by seeing him herself.
I think if she had been given a stable upbringing she would have been able to have a proper relationship with Cassie and her “other” family.
Caroline Bond created such a heart wrenching story that actually felt so real, as I was reading, my emotions were all over the place. I felt anger towards Leah to some degree but then I also felt for her. I found myself growing irritated with Cassie the more she pushed her family away while putting herself in danger by going to visit Leah without telling anyone. I truly felt for Erin because to her, Cassie was her older sister and she was being ignored by her in favour of a “stranger”
I am hoping that after the end of the novel, Leah is able to start over without Naz, and maybe she can be included in Cassie’s family- after all before she had Tom and Grace, she only had Leah.
"To lose your family is heart-breaking
To be forgotten by them is unforgivable"
toofondofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Forgotten Sister is the story of Cassie, who was adopted by her parents when she was two. She’s had a happy, safe life with them but she is beginning to wonder about her birth mother. This leads to secrets and lies being uncovered and life as Cassie knew it could be about to be destroyed.
This novel is told predominantly in the present day, with some flashbacks to a few years previously. It opens with Cassie’s parents getting a phone call that she’s been hurt and then goes back to four months previously. I was gripped by this novel right from the beginning. The characters are all so real and believable and I was intrigued by how they got to where they were.
Cassie is such a great character. She has a normal relationship with her parents, and a close relationship with her younger sister Erin. She has a boyfriend who her parents don’t fully approve of so there is some normal teenage sneaking around but on the whole she’s honest with her family. Then one day she realises she wants to know more about her birth mother but when she asks her parents she senses that they’re not telling her the whole truth. Her parents do go down the route of trying social services to see if her mother can be found but in the meantime Cassie takes things into her own hands. Cassie now has secrets and she becomes very determined to do what she has to to find her birth mother. She develops quite an attitude at times, but whilst I could see how reckless and naive she was at times I never stopped sympathising with her.
I can’t imagine what it’s like to be adopted and to not know anything about your birth parents. The moment Cassie has the realisation that she doesn’t know if there are any illnesses in her family was startling to me, and I really felt for her as she reacted with shock at all the things she doesn’t know, and might never get to know.
I did feel for Cassie’s parents too. They made a decision when they adopted Cassie and have had to live with that ever since. I was shocked at the way they behaved at times but over the course of the novel I could see that they had done the best they could with the place they were in. What initially seemed like a cut and dry situation actually had many degrees to it, and this is what gave this novel its strength.
Ultimately, this is a novel that explores what makes a family, and how keeping secrets – even with the best of intentions – will always have consequences down the line. I felt that this novel was a very real, and emotional look at adoption from many angles and I really appreciated the insight it gave me.
The Forgotten Sister is a powerful and emotional novel that is very readable; it will linger in your head long after you’ve finished reading. I recommend it!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
This novel is told predominantly in the present day, with some flashbacks to a few years previously. It opens with Cassie’s parents getting a phone call that she’s been hurt and then goes back to four months previously. I was gripped by this novel right from the beginning. The characters are all so real and believable and I was intrigued by how they got to where they were.
Cassie is such a great character. She has a normal relationship with her parents, and a close relationship with her younger sister Erin. She has a boyfriend who her parents don’t fully approve of so there is some normal teenage sneaking around but on the whole she’s honest with her family. Then one day she realises she wants to know more about her birth mother but when she asks her parents she senses that they’re not telling her the whole truth. Her parents do go down the route of trying social services to see if her mother can be found but in the meantime Cassie takes things into her own hands. Cassie now has secrets and she becomes very determined to do what she has to to find her birth mother. She develops quite an attitude at times, but whilst I could see how reckless and naive she was at times I never stopped sympathising with her.
I can’t imagine what it’s like to be adopted and to not know anything about your birth parents. The moment Cassie has the realisation that she doesn’t know if there are any illnesses in her family was startling to me, and I really felt for her as she reacted with shock at all the things she doesn’t know, and might never get to know.
I did feel for Cassie’s parents too. They made a decision when they adopted Cassie and have had to live with that ever since. I was shocked at the way they behaved at times but over the course of the novel I could see that they had done the best they could with the place they were in. What initially seemed like a cut and dry situation actually had many degrees to it, and this is what gave this novel its strength.
Ultimately, this is a novel that explores what makes a family, and how keeping secrets – even with the best of intentions – will always have consequences down the line. I felt that this novel was a very real, and emotional look at adoption from many angles and I really appreciated the insight it gave me.
The Forgotten Sister is a powerful and emotional novel that is very readable; it will linger in your head long after you’ve finished reading. I recommend it!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com