This was a brilliant read and the author has a great way of striking the balance between humour and sadness when writing about such raw topics as death and relationship breakdowns and family dynamics in such a profound and thought provoking way. HOw does the saying go you can choose your friends but not your family this book totally explored how you can feel an out cast in your own family and as though you don't belong

We are family makes you laugh and cry in equal measure. This is my first book by this author and definitely going to read her others. I read this in one day as couldn't put it down

Three and a half stars.

Laura and Jess are sisters. Jess, the elder, is happily married to a lawyer, has two immaculate daughters and has a successful career as a social media influencer. Laura is a journalist for a women's magazine called Natter (which I misread throughout the book as Nutter), living with her boyfriend and their five year old son Billy. Whereas Jess is Marie Kondo, White Company, Farrow and Ball and Le Creuset, Laura has never really changed from her student days, their flat is piled high with dirty dishes, drying clothes and stacks of paper, it doesn't help that Laura's boyfriend only works part-time at a pizza restaurant because he is writing a book (although Laura knows he's been writing it for 10 years and has less than two pages written to show for his time.

The death of their self-centred mother from cancer is yet another bone 0f contention between the sisters at first, but maybe, just maybe it can bring them closer together.

Ah, women's fiction! A story where there is any amount of huge life changes and surprises all of which are pretty much glossed over - if all the things happened to my sister and me that happened to these two women in the the course of less than 12 months (COVID-excepted) I would be in serious need of therapy.

I didn't enjoy this at first, in fact I was seriously considering giving up after about 25% because I found both sisters so irritating, but I persevered and really got into the story, although I still feel the strong desire to shake Laura and tell her to woman up and grow a pair. Then, the novel just ended really abruptly with an eight months later epilogue in which pretty much everything had changed, it was as though Nicola Gill had run out of paper and had to wrap everything up really quickly, or maybe she had a dentist appointment? Anyway, I literally flipped my Kindle pages back and forth looking for the rest of the book ...

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with women's fiction because (like life) there is no resolution, no HEA, just an abrupt 'and this is where I choose to end my book' which leaves me a bit dissatisfied. However, so much of my griping can be put down to 'don't read women's fiction if you don't like the way it's structured' so make your own decision.

Overall, I did enjoy this but I found the ending rushed and I had more questions than answers.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

We Are Family is a contemporary women’s fiction novel set in England that looks at the lives and relationships of two sisters in their late 30’s after their mother’s death. Laura is the main character in the story and from the very beginning of the book we see that she has had a very complicated relationship with her mother and has felt that her mother was always very critical over her and not on her side. This makes the Laura feel like the grieving process is different for then that of her sister Jess (who Laura always believed her mother preferred).

I found this book to be very easy to read and fast-paced. At some points of the book the story goes back to when Laura is a child/teenager and describes a lot of situations where her mother does or says things that are not very supported of Laura. The characters in the book were likeable and I felt the author did a good job writing about problems that women do go through daily. I also found it really interesting that Laura’s mothers behaviour is not justified in the end by some secret tragedy that makes her so rude and selfish - it’s just who she is. I found that refreshing in a novel.

I did find that the ending came quite abruptly and wasn’t very strong. We just got a few pages that explained what happened in the 8 months at the end of the book without any real reasoning why. I gave this 3 stars as I did enjoy most of it but there were some parts that weren’t for me.

A fast paced and yet wonderful story. I really resonated with the sibling relationships throughout this story and enjoyed watching them interact with one another. I think the plot was well balanced and it provided a nice, fast read that pulled me out of my reading slump!

A tale of 2 sisters who rekindle their relationship after the death of their mother. The story is told with humour and compassion, they are very different characters and struggle to understand the other's life style choices.

As the title suggests, We Are Family takes a humorous, lighthearted look at family dynamics, the true meaning of family and the complex relationships that form the basis of our lives. Laura is a journalist for struggling woman’s magazine Natter, living in Dulwich with partner Jon and four year old Billy. We meet her just as her mother Evie passes away, so that much of the narrative focuses on her grief for a mother she didn’t have a close,loving relationship with and her unresolved grief over the death of her beloved father, twenty five years ago. I know this doesn’t sound like a bundle of fun but honestly there’s so much compassion and warmth in the writing that hopefully,like I did, you will engage with this character easily and enjoy accompanying her through this phase in her life. It is Laura’s relationship with big sister Jess that will have you laughing out loud as well as the depictions of everyday family life, with little Billy illuminating these scenes and stealing the limelight.

The author quickly paints Laura as the disorganised, untidy, financially unstable little sister compared to Jess who is living the perfect life married to Ben with two extremely well behaved daughters. The fact Jess is the woman behind Instagram blog StyleMaven sets these two women poles apart, creating a dynamic that influences much of the following events. Portraying Jess as Evie’s favourite child further adds to this sibling rivalry that has never diminished, even though Laura is now thirty seven years old!! Definitely sounds familiar!

By creating such a down to earth ordinary lead character whom we can all relate to is what sells this book for me. I was with Laura every step of the way as she navigates her way through motherhood, her failing relationship with partner Jon and sibling rivalry. She is your typical everyday woman, juggling a less than fulfilling job, the demands of a four year old, a frankly lazy selfish partner, all the while assuming she is the only one struggling in her endeavours to keep life on track. Her inability to say no to the demands of her employer, her very one sided friendship with colleague Amy and Jon’s lack of responsibility and practical support makes her seem very real. Who doesn’t know someone like this? Laura’s heart is huge, brimming with love and kindness but I really wanted her to take a piece of her own advice, advice that she is adept at giving to readers of her agony aunt column in Natter.

Whilst Laura’s grief at the loss of her mum Evie and beloved dad dominate her everyday thoughts and affect her up and down relationship with sister Jess, there is nothing in her character that is offensive or unlikeable.I connected with her on a personal level in so many ways, recognising her sometimes spiky nature when it comes to interacting with her sister. Those deep rooted feelings of inadequacy and rivalry that stem from a lifetime of remaining in someone’s shadow felt all too familiar. I think in all families it’s very easy for individuals to assume certain roles so that these almost become self fulfilling. In Laura’s case she has adopted these feelings of inferiority, believing herself to be unworthy of Evie’s love and it’s a burden that is made heavier by the loss of her dad. As other areas of her life spiral out of her control this burden seems to further increase, spreading like a virus. However I don’t want to detract from the fact all these issues are explored with a type of humour that has you laughing out loud for the duration of this novel . I loved the way Laura often resorts to such childlike,immature behaviour in the presence of perfect Jess, that big sister dynamic so well observed I wondered if the author had insider knowledge of my own personal life! The social media scenes, the making of the funeral arrangements and Billy’s birthday party are all fine examples of the humour that is ever present,proving the author’s ability to take the mundane and turn it into a comic event.

As Laura and Jess deal with the aftermath of Evie’s death, spending more time in each other’s company I wondered whether Jess’s life isn’t quite as perfect as Laura believes. Perhaps now is the time to knock Jess down from her pedestal and dismiss this idolised vision of her sister that threatens to almost engulf Laura. I was silently encouraging her to be herself and stop with the comparisons, apply for that dreamed of job and maybe start asserting herself in all areas of her life. Could Laura’s harshest critic actually be herself? Can Jess and Laura build bridges and restore their relationship back to its childhood glory? Is their love and friendship bigger than all their misconceptions and rivalry? Or will life throw them yet another curveball?

I loved Billy’s voice as a four year old energetic, inquisitive boy which sounds authentic and he is such a lovable character. Proclaiming his grandma is dead at every given opportunity is highly amusing, unless of course you’re his harassed mother but he brings such exuberance and fun to the narrative making him a welcome addition. I drew parallels with Laura’s difficult relationship with Evie and my relationship with my own mother but also identified with the loving relationship she has with her father having very much been a daddy’s girl. Perhaps that is why this storyline resonates so much with me as in many ways I could be Laura!

I think I actually preferred We are Family to the author’s previous novel The Neighbours. The author doesn’t shy away from tackling important, sensitive subjects such as grief but her writing style means she broaches them with warmth and humour. She excels at portraying family dynamics in a way that we can all identify with, making this novel relevant, entertaining and an absolute delight to read, proving also that family isn’t confined to bloodlines alone. Forgiveness is the end goal in this storyline which Jess sums up so eloquently, maintaining that ‘broken can be beautiful’.....’we need to forgive ourselves and forgive others’...’embrace our cracks’. Wise words indeed.

We are Family may be a lighthearted read but this contemporary tale of family life, with all its ups and downs brought a smile to my face with every turn of the page. As the year has progressed this type of book holds far greater appeal for me as a reader than ever before, fast becoming my go to genre when I need a boost. Who doesn’t want to lose themselves in a world that ultimately promises to lift your spirits and allow you to make (imaginary)friends with the characters, if only for a short while? Just like The Neighbours, I highly recommend this novel as in the short time it took me to read I felt I was enveloped in a little bubble of happiness and hopefulness that I didn’t want to burst.
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

A really enjoyable book. The story relates to sibling love and jealousy and also grief, but the light touch of humour makes it very readable. Although primarily about Laura's relationship with her sister, Jess, it also examines her relationship with her young son, her partner and work colleagues. Having got 2 daughters and 2 granddaughters I found so much to be true. Gill is obviously a great observer of life. I wasn't sure the final twist was necessary but wondered if that was to set up a sequel.

We Are Family by Nicola Gill is a novel centered around two sisters, Jess and Laura, who are complete opposites resulting in frequent clashes. Following the devastating loss of their mother, they are obligated to work together to handle her funeral logistics but soon grow in their own relationship. This book was both heartwarming and heart-wrenching and explored both grief and the growth that can come following a loss. The writing highlighted how powerful a sibling relationship can be and how people can vary so much in processing grief. I do think the book could be a bit shorter, but I enjoyed my time with Jess and Laura! I will keep my eye out for future books by Nicola Gill!

Many thanks to the publisher Avon Books UK and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Two sisters, totally different personalities, different lifestyles. How do they reconcile? In the light of their mothers death, resentment and old hurts are put aside. Is the surface successful one or the one who does not seem to have it altogether got it correct? Family is everything or nothing but a path to more hurt.

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Happy Publication day to #WeAreFamily⁣
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You can’t choose your family…but you can let them in.⁣
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Jess and Laura might be sisters, but they’re very different people. And when their mum dies, the sisters struggle to agree on anything, from where to scatter the ashes to whether “passed away” is an acceptable term. But as life forces them together, Laura and Jess realise: the only way through this is as a team. After all, they’re stuck with each other – and drinking wine is more fun as a pair…⁣
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A quick read that deals on family and grief. An overall enjoyable one that got me LOL sometimes and the twist was pretty good too.⁣
Thanks to @avon via Netgalley for the eARC

Oh, this one - it'll make you laugh and cry - especially if you're from a family like mine (and theirs) that isn't quite perfect!

When Jess and Laura's mother dies unexpectedly, the sisters are forced to make decisions together - even if they'd rather not. They're complete opposites and hopefully someday, those opposites will attract. There's wine, there are tears, but these two sisters are full of it and you'll surely enjoy their story.

A beautifully written story about 2 sisters trying to forge a friendship despite their differences, after their mum dies. Heart warming, funny and emotional.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

An Absolutely emotional read, I adored it, even when it hurt, tears of empathy and tears of laughter, it’s a fantastic story. The characters are so well written, I might not have a sister, but I’ve seen how true the relationship written here is via my friends relationships with their sisters. You can’t help getting annoyed, angry and defensive as you read, I find a could family relationship story always does, sign or very ‘real’ characters. Brilliant story, wonderful writing, I will definitely read more books by Nicola. Highly recommended

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Quick read about two sisters with very different personalities. I really enjoyed the narrator’s inner-banter and humor. This novel explores the complexities of family, grief, and personal growth. While at times very sad, it was also funny and tender. I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction!

This book was about two sisters who lose their mother and can not seem to get along about anything. They are very different but over time, realize that that family is everything.

I enjoyed this book..I thought maybe that it was just a little too long and that caused it to drag some.

Thank you for the early copy.

I really liked the whole premise of the book. Daughter can never live up to mother's expectations, mother dies, how to deal with the rest of your life, etc. I don't have the best of relationships with my mother and she is quite older now so I know things will never change. However, I felt like this book just went on and on and on. It felt about one hundred pages too long. Aside from that, I liked the characters and the last third of the book was the most appealing.

I really enjoyed reading this book, I liked following Laura and Jess's sisterly journey through there families ups and downs. We mainly follow Laura's journey through her grief, loss, parenting, and feeling unloved by her mother and her childhood, teen hood problems with her mum. I felt sorry for Laura and Jess and what they both had to endure with there mums attitude and behaviour (you will know what I mean when you read it) unfortunately this does happen in real life (I've seen first hand and its horrible, it can effect you badly) and I am so glad someone has written about it and have given the subject justice, as a lot of people don't believe this happens to people. I Don't want too say too much about the plot as I am worried I will spoil the storyline. I think its a great book that keeps you reading and wanting to know more, it also makes you think how you talk and act to family members (hope that makes sense, if not it will once you read this book). This was my first book By Nicola Gill and it wot be my last, I liked her style of writing, very real.

Meet Jess and Laura
Sisters
And polar opposites
Jess is a Insta influencer
Laura wears her pj’s to drop her son off to School
They have a ‘cordialish’ relationship and Jess is much favoured by her Mum ( who is never going to win Mum of the year award )
But when their Mum dies there is reproach, anger, sadness and recriminations, from both

It’s hard to say that a book centred around a death had me howling with laughter, but it did, also ( and I am not one to cry buckets at books, dunno y as do at films and tv ) I had a few tears, many grimaces, some shocked faces and as a lot of the reviews have said empathy, the author hit many a nerve for many people in this very honest, open, frank and truthful book ( after my partners recent passing of his Mum some of the narrative was spookily on point )
The book travels through Laura’s journey at this stage of her life, the good, the bad, the ugly and I would almost offer a money back guarantee that you will love her and her character, flaws and all
It’s a book of so many things, packed into one story that will have your emotions flowing and as you welcome these 2 ( and the other cast members ) into your life for the time you read about them fall in love with them, superb

10/10
5 Stars

A lovely story about sisters who aren't friends at the start but then,....Laura and Jess become orphans when their mother dies. They react differently, as they've always reacted differently. Now, though, they also begin to creep toward one another. Jess lets go of some of her control freak tendencies and Laura becomes a bit more responsible. It's all about meeting in the middle- and family, Both of them feel very real. If you find it a bit predictable, well, it's also heartfelt. it's also funny (at minimum smile worthy) in spots. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

What a wonderful book! I really enjoyed Neighbours and again, Nicola Gill delivers. I am never sure why these are filed under romance in NetGalley, because they aren't, but they are great reads if you're looking for a family type of drama. Thanks NetGalley for the free ARC.