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votesforwomen's review against another edition
Tropes this book had in the first few chapters:
-Girl falls in love with much older guy! But that's okay because she's the one initiating it and he's just so HAWT!
-Sister-on-sister argument
-The "guy who's off limits for no reason whatsoever"
-Best friends who do nothing together and just complain about each other's boyfriends
-I'M EXPERIENCED AND MORE MATURE THAN MY FRIENDS BECAUSE I HAD SEX
I didn't make it very far into this, and it's a pity, because I feel like it could have been okay...but. I'm afraid I can't finish it. :P One thing I did like was that they were Jewish, and very faithful Jewish at that. I haven't seen a whole lot of that in fiction.
But...overall? Can't recommend this one :P
-Girl falls in love with much older guy! But that's okay because she's the one initiating it and he's just so HAWT!
-Sister-on-sister argument
-The "guy who's off limits for no reason whatsoever"
-Best friends who do nothing together and just complain about each other's boyfriends
-I'M EXPERIENCED AND MORE MATURE THAN MY FRIENDS BECAUSE I HAD SEX
I didn't make it very far into this, and it's a pity, because I feel like it could have been okay...but. I'm afraid I can't finish it. :P One thing I did like was that they were Jewish, and very faithful Jewish at that. I haven't seen a whole lot of that in fiction.
But...overall? Can't recommend this one :P
elizalavenza's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
rachcannoli's review against another edition
5.0
This book was heartbreakingly delightful. It takes your standard coming of age story and adds so many quirks it becomes beyond fresh. I loved the take on Judaism, sisterhood, and disease, it shows that that really isn’t a right answer for anything and when life isn’t fair it’s how we chose to deal with our time than the end fate. I wish it was longer, I wish we had more time with these girls because they grow and go through so much in one book, one year, and I can’t imagine what incredible ppl they become. When I realized what this book would be about I was worried it’d go down a my sister’s keeper path for cheap emotion and it didn’t at all. These girls are selfish, talented, naive, and beyond ambitious it’s so relatable and I ached watching them go through so much but was so relieved to see how they grow. I absolutely adored this book and highly recommend.
sophiedeo's review against another edition
2.0
I was really excited to read this when I heard about it. I’m a medical student, so I know a lot of the clinical and pathological details about Huntington’s, but I hadn't seen it with a human perspective. I had no insight into what it was actually like to have Huntington’s, what it’s like to have a family member with Huntington’s and the implications of the genetics involved.
I really enjoyed it at the start. I was ready to give it 4 stars 30% through. I liked reading about a Jewish family, I learnt a lot and it was really interesting. I liked the family dynamics, the twin sister dynamics as well as how Huntington's was dealt with..
But then like 50% through the book just became so hateful and vindictive. I kinda get it, the issues are extremely hard to deal with. But it was terrible to read, it was pages and pages of petty fights and drama and vengeance.
I really enjoyed it at the start. I was ready to give it 4 stars 30% through. I liked reading about a Jewish family, I learnt a lot and it was really interesting. I liked the family dynamics, the twin sister dynamics as well as how Huntington's was dealt with..
But then like 50% through the book just became so hateful and vindictive. I kinda get it, the issues are extremely hard to deal with. But it was terrible to read, it was pages and pages of petty fights and drama and vengeance.
tessaf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
I don't often get to read the Conservative Jewish experience, not with the same regularity as I find Reform and Modern Orthodox (and even Hasidic) experiences. For that alone I was here for this book. And then it also took my heart and tore it into tiny little pieces. And that is exactly what I am here for. I think watching Tovah and Adina lash out at each other as they tried to deal with a shared experience that they couldn't really share was heartbreaking and also deeply touching. I love stories about sisters. I often forget this.
ennitsud's review against another edition
5.0
this was a really touching story that made me feel bittersweet throughout the book.
to start off, this was not the mood i was going for when i reached this book. i wanted something light and fluffy. something happy with dramas that weren't such a big deal. but even though that isn't what i got in this book, i have no regrets.
the story of fraternal twins, tovah and adina, is one that is both heartbreaking and sweet. the troubles they go through trying to come to terms with their mom's disease and with their separate fates kept tugging at my heart. they were both selfish in different ways, both trying to cope but not really knowing how because they had inadvertently pushed each other away trying to keep themselves together. and the more you read how they do this, the more it hurts but you can't help but hope for the best because not only are they going through the what-if's that come with being new adults, but they're also dealing with an impending fate that is scary in its uncertain landing, the building anticipation, and the end result. on top of those are survivor's guilt, measuring up with their perceived view of their twin, and watching their mother go through what one of the twins herself will be going through in the next decade or so (or longer, hopefully). the latter, especially, is the double the heartache.
it's a truly heart-wrenching story, beautifully written.
but aside from that rich plot are the other details–like the practice of judaism, the different views of the twins in relation to their religion, the scattered hebrew, the touching family moments, the romance between the twins (although, one twin's romance is much better than the other's in terms of toxicity and genuineness), and the way the twins end up coming together about things.
todah rabah, rachel lynn solomon
to start off, this was not the mood i was going for when i reached this book. i wanted something light and fluffy. something happy with dramas that weren't such a big deal. but even though that isn't what i got in this book, i have no regrets.
the story of fraternal twins, tovah and adina, is one that is both heartbreaking and sweet. the troubles they go through trying to come to terms with their mom's disease and with their separate fates kept tugging at my heart. they were both selfish in different ways, both trying to cope but not really knowing how because they had inadvertently pushed each other away trying to keep themselves together. and the more you read how they do this, the more it hurts but you can't help but hope for the best because not only are they going through the what-if's that come with being new adults, but they're also dealing with an impending fate that is scary in its uncertain landing, the building anticipation, and the end result. on top of those are survivor's guilt, measuring up with their perceived view of their twin, and watching their mother go through what one of the twins herself will be going through in the next decade or so (or longer, hopefully). the latter, especially, is the double the heartache.
it's a truly heart-wrenching story, beautifully written.
but aside from that rich plot are the other details–like the practice of judaism, the different views of the twins in relation to their religion, the scattered hebrew, the touching family moments, the romance between the twins (although, one twin's romance is much better than the other's in terms of toxicity and genuineness), and the way the twins end up coming together about things.
todah rabah, rachel lynn solomon
missmary98's review against another edition
4.0
I was expecting something sad but light and probably heartbreaking. What I got was dark and angst and heartbreaking in a different way.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
This was a tough and emotional one. I have no idea what I would have done in this situation.
It is the story of two sisters. Adina, the viola prodigy. She has no friends cos all she does is play her viola. She is happy, until...
Tovah, who studies hard to get into Johns Hopkins. Who is in clubs and more, who still has time for friends and to study the Torah.
Their mother has Huntingdon's and one twin wants to take the test, one does not. They do and everything falls apart. How can you live on when you know you will die? Maybe not tomorrow, maybe you will live a long time, or maybe you will get unlucky and get it early. And it is not fair.
How can you live with the guilt knowing that your twin will suffer and die and you will live on? That you first will see your mother die and then your twin?
Then there is the thing that they have not really been friendly for years after an event. They might be twins, but they are not friends.
Guilt, depression, sadness and rage. This one tears at you and I want them all to be ok, but, it will not be ok!
It was a really good book, that stays with you. Because ultimately it will make you think
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SynopsisReviewsAwardsMedia
Short Synopsis
A heartbreaking and lyrical debut novel about twins who navigate first love, their Jewish identity, and opposite results from a genetic test that determines their fate—whether they inherited their mother's Huntington's disease.
Full Synopsis
A heartbreaking and lyrical debut novel about twins who navigate first love, their Jewish identity, and opposite results from a genetic test that determines their fate—whether they inherited their mother's Huntington's disease.
Eighteen-year-old twins Adina and Tovah have little in common besides their ambitious nature. Viola prodigy Adina yearns to become a soloist—and to convince her music teacher he wants her the way she wants him. Overachiever Tovah awaits her acceptance to Johns Hopkins, the first step on her path toward med school and a career as a surgeon.
But one thing could wreck their carefully planned futures: a genetic test for Huntington's, a rare degenerative disease that slowly steals control of the body and mind. It's turned their Israeli mother into a near stranger and fractured the sisters' own bond in ways they'll never admit. While Tovah finds comfort in their Jewish religion, Adina rebels against its rules.
When the results come in, one twin tests negative for Huntington's. The other tests positive.
These opposite outcomes push them farther apart as they wrestle with guilt, betrayal, and the unexpected thrill of first love. How can they repair their relationship, and is it even worth saving?
From debut author Rachel Lynn Solomon comes a luminous, heartbreaking tale of life, death, and the fragile bond between sisters.
You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone
Author Rachel Lynn Solomon
Narrated by Laurel Schroeder, Emily Lawrence
They did the sisters. I have heard Emily before and like her voice. She really put emotion into it.
I was not sure about Laurel, it took me a while to warm up to her, but then it did fit the sister she had.
A really good performance by both
It is the story of two sisters. Adina, the viola prodigy. She has no friends cos all she does is play her viola. She is happy, until...
Tovah, who studies hard to get into Johns Hopkins. Who is in clubs and more, who still has time for friends and to study the Torah.
Their mother has Huntingdon's and one twin wants to take the test, one does not. They do and everything falls apart. How can you live on when you know you will die? Maybe not tomorrow, maybe you will live a long time, or maybe you will get unlucky and get it early. And it is not fair.
How can you live with the guilt knowing that your twin will suffer and die and you will live on? That you first will see your mother die and then your twin?
Then there is the thing that they have not really been friendly for years after an event. They might be twins, but they are not friends.
Guilt, depression, sadness and rage. This one tears at you and I want them all to be ok, but, it will not be ok!
It was a really good book, that stays with you. Because ultimately it will make you think
MP3 Audio Sample
play
rating
goodreads logo
SynopsisReviewsAwardsMedia
Short Synopsis
A heartbreaking and lyrical debut novel about twins who navigate first love, their Jewish identity, and opposite results from a genetic test that determines their fate—whether they inherited their mother's Huntington's disease.
Full Synopsis
A heartbreaking and lyrical debut novel about twins who navigate first love, their Jewish identity, and opposite results from a genetic test that determines their fate—whether they inherited their mother's Huntington's disease.
Eighteen-year-old twins Adina and Tovah have little in common besides their ambitious nature. Viola prodigy Adina yearns to become a soloist—and to convince her music teacher he wants her the way she wants him. Overachiever Tovah awaits her acceptance to Johns Hopkins, the first step on her path toward med school and a career as a surgeon.
But one thing could wreck their carefully planned futures: a genetic test for Huntington's, a rare degenerative disease that slowly steals control of the body and mind. It's turned their Israeli mother into a near stranger and fractured the sisters' own bond in ways they'll never admit. While Tovah finds comfort in their Jewish religion, Adina rebels against its rules.
When the results come in, one twin tests negative for Huntington's. The other tests positive.
These opposite outcomes push them farther apart as they wrestle with guilt, betrayal, and the unexpected thrill of first love. How can they repair their relationship, and is it even worth saving?
From debut author Rachel Lynn Solomon comes a luminous, heartbreaking tale of life, death, and the fragile bond between sisters.
You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone
Author Rachel Lynn Solomon
Narrated by Laurel Schroeder, Emily Lawrence
They did the sisters. I have heard Emily before and like her voice. She really put emotion into it.
I was not sure about Laurel, it took me a while to warm up to her, but then it did fit the sister she had.
A really good performance by both