This was an absolutely beautiful portrayal of sisterhood and personal growth. I loved it! The themes of extreme weight loss could have been daunting or difficult, but the author made it relatable and helped the reader begin to understand how morbid obesity happens and continues to affect a person. I loved watching the sisters grow closer and begin to understand each other better. The ending is a tad cheesy but I liked it.

The Sisters We Were is an eye opening story of sisters shaped very drastically by the events of their childhoods.

Pearl finally decides to have weight loss surgery and reaches out to her estranged sister in hopes that she will help during her recovery. What she didn’t realize was that her sister was also going through a major change and her reaching out was the lifeline she also needed. Together, they finally have a long overdue discussion about their childhoods and they make steps towards healing.

Although, Pearl was the main character her sister Ruby was also going through some major changes herself and they were just an afterthought and there was no follow-up to her progress. I’m happy her sister found a nice guy, I do think it’s weird that it was her sister’s surgeon and they started dating while she was still his patient.


Thank you publishers and netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Entering "The Sisters We Were" by Wendy Willis Baldwin with little prior knowledge, I was immediately drawn in by the captivating cover and intriguing title. What unfolded was a beautifully crafted fictional account of two sisters, Ruby and Pearl, each grappling with their own struggles in life, unaware of the other's inner turmoil.

Ruby, seemingly leading a picture-perfect life with a successful career and a passion for running, contrasts starkly with her sister Pearl, who battles with obesity and carries the weight of their mother's imprisonment for manslaughter. As Pearl embarks on a journey towards weight loss surgery, Ruby's hidden insecurities and unresolved issues come to light, adding depth and complexity to their relationship.

Baldwin's skillful storytelling and intimate portrayal of the sisters' experiences drew me in from the very beginning. The characters are authentically rendered, with flaws and vulnerabilities that make them relatable and endearing. As the narrative unfolds, unexpected twists and turns kept me engaged, challenging my preconceived notions and leaving me eager to unravel the complexities of their lives.

One of the novel's standout features is the emotional depth and authenticity with which Baldwin depicts Pearl's journey towards self-acceptance and transformation. Drawing from real-life experiences, the author imbues Pearl's story with honesty and empathy, inviting readers to empathize with her struggles and celebrate her triumphs.

Overall, "The Sisters We Were" is a poignant and heartfelt exploration of sisterhood, resilience, and the power of redemption. Baldwin's masterful storytelling and compelling characters make this book a captivating read from start to finish. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a moving and thought-provoking literary experience. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Heartwarming and delightful read about two strong yet different women who come together for the sake of family. While it was a nice read, the plot didn’t move me or speak to me much so it won’t be memorable.

Thank you to Sourcesbooks, Wendy Willis Baldwin, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

The Author chose fiction to tell her sister's story of one of the most dangerous and epidemic illnesses in our country. But she also deftly opens the door to the varied world of addiction and abuse. There is not a family in America that doesn't have a member struggling with at least one form of addiction from alcohol to substance abuse. This is a national problem that is not getting better. There are many weight loss projects available to those who need free or low cost treatment, but most are ineffective and provisional - particularly for those who are morbidly obese. The same problems can be said regarding substance abuse rehabs - even at the more elite. Pearl, the authors protagonist, courageously faces her life threatening obesity and is able to choose surgery - which is the quickest and most effective in heavier people by far, I understand, but an expensive option for many. I would like to see our government wipe the fast food industry off the map . Pearl's diet certainly exhibits how destructive those food chains are. And not only to the obese. While I was aware of these insidious problems in our country, this story, well told, shocked my senses. This will not be one of those books you read, put aside and forget.

I received an advance copy of The Sisters We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Such a sweet book about two sisters who are as different as night and day and their relationship. I always wished I had a sister so this book was a great read. I have two words for you - READ IT!

Thanks @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. Pearl and Ruby are sisters, now grown and somewhat estranged. Their mother, we learn is in prison for the murder of their stepfather. Pearl weighs over 500 lbs., and she decides that she must have surgery in order to save her life. Ruby comes to take care of her. The story follows the mending of their relationship, and secrets come out about their childhood. It is a sad story but also funny. I enjoyed this one. #thesisterswewere #wendywillisbaldwin #netgalley #sisterstory #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks

Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me. The premise was there and the synopsis sounds amazing but I just couldn’t get into it.

In The Sisters We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin, we meet Pearl and Ruby, two sisters who grew apart but then, due to circumstances, are now living under the same roof. Pearl, who eats her feelings, has become very overweight and needs to change her ways before it kills her. Ruby has a great life until one day, it all comes crashing down. Together, they must now repair themselves if they want any sort of future. This was an okay book for me. I liked the dynamics between the two sisters.

Thank you to the author Wendy Willis Baldwin, publishers Sourcebooks Landmark, and as always NetGalley, for an advance digital copy of THE SISTERS WE WERE.

I found this book to be extremely uncharatible to overweight people. It absolutely is not for me.

The Sisters We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin, is such a heartwarming book. Two sisters, Pearl and Ruby do not have the best relationship and with their mom in jail, they are all they have. Although growing up in the same home, they have completely different memories of growing up. Ruby, left town and became successful, type A, while Pearl stayed behind, lived in her old house and ate her feelings. It comes to a point, where Pearl has to make a decision to change her life. She decides that she will have weight loss surgery. She will have to use every dime she has, she will have to pawn her mom’s Rolex’s but she will do it. It will be the change she needs. Ruby decides she will come home and help Pearl before and after her surgery. She is running from things and this would be a great escape for her to let things settle. Once in the house together, the sisters work to have an adult relationship. It isn’t easy. They are so different. They don’t know each others secrets and they have to trust each other to move forward. The surgery happens to the best thing for them. For such a heavy topic, there were parts that were honest and lighter and dare ai say funny. The author did an excellent job at developing their relationship. Each sister had to give something up, to get an entirely different life and it is absolutely worth it. I want to thank Netgalley and the author for my copy for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read & review this story. This was a four star read for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did..

Two very different sisters, each struggling with different issues come together. Will they confront the trauma that has shaped both of them in different, but equally dysfunctional ways?

Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC!

This story is a great example of the power families, how things affect us all differently, and overcoming very hard and painful situations.

Ruby and Pearl Crenshaw are about as different as two sisters can be. Ruby has moved away from the family home and was already on her own when the events took place leading to their mom going to prison.

Pearl, who was there for said events, has internalized everything, including the truth about what actually happened. As a result of trying to protect herself in some way, she now weighs more than she ever has. When she decides to take control of the situation, she will need Ruby’s help in a way she never has before. This will require Ruby to return to a place she swore she never would again.

This story is powerful and good and heartbreaking. On the surface it is about Pearl taking control of her life. Below that is a story of two sisters who find their way back to each other and becoming family all over again.

I wasn’t sure what to think in the beginning, but I quickly became invested in the story and am so glad I read it. I look forward to the next book this author writes.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the copy of this book. All views are my opinion.

𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝕊𝕀𝕊𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕊 𝕎𝔼 𝕎𝔼ℝ𝔼

👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻
4/5

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Pearl and Ruby are sisters who were driven apart by the choices they’ve made. Their mother is in prison, and their trauma could not have shaped them into more different adults. Pearl is living in their mom Biridie’s fixer upper, and is morbidly obese. Pearl needs to do something about her weight before it’s too late. Ruby is a runner, who’s slim and successful.

The sister must fight to get back together. Ruby has a rage filled moment that goes viral and leaves her jobless. Pearl goes through weight loss surgery and is fight to get back to herself.

I love watching these two sisters fight to come back to one another. I also really enjoyed Pearl’s weight loss journey. I also thinks it’s extremely brave that Pearl’s fight with her weight is based on the authors fight with obesity.

The Sisters We Were
By: Wendy Willis Baldwin

Secrets can hurt a relationship, even a sisterhood. When Pearl decides that her weight needs to change or her life may not last long, she decides on a life changing surgery. With surgery comes the need for support. Her sister, Ruby, is all she has since her mother, Birdie, is in jail.

Ruby decides that her sisters surgery is a great time for a hiatus from her life. Even if it's one she didn't choose. Not going home for many years has Ruby digging up all sorts of painful past memories for her and her sister. When secrets start to come out, as her sister begins to change, so does Ruby. So does their whole relationship. Some bonds can never be broken.

This book was such a good story. It had powerful characters and relatable problems. I want to thank the author and netgalley for such a powerful novel of hope and forgiveness. The bond that is seen on these pages is an enviable one. This is all around an awesome story with a good mix of romance and family drama. It had such a good message about looking forward. That change can be good. It can be healthy. This book was definitely a page turner to tell my friends about.

~Stormi Ellis~

This was a very interesting book for me. First I have always fought a weight problem. Not as extreme as Pearl's but difficult to manage nonetheless. So I could really identify with a lot of Pearl's feelings as she faced her weight issue and wrestled with how to solve it. Second, I just went through major surgery myself. Not the same kind of surgery as Pearl's but definitely the same kind of feelings as she lived through the time between scheduling the surgery and actually going to the hospital to have it done. This was a very good book and I would definitely recommend it.

Do you have problems with weight? Do you have a sister is all you wanted to be? Do you have a best friend that you trust evrything? I do. And this book really opens your eyes and make you think. Do you eat healthy? Do you move enough? It was a story with bad and happy moments. Specialy giving hope to who are losing it. Also there is a dark side with a a background you would want to scream out loud.

Thank you to my buddyreaders and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley.com for this arc

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC.

The Sisters We Were is a sweet story. While I was able to connect with Pearl instantly, I found myself longing to get to know characters Ruby and Birdie on a similar level.

While Pearl's weight-loss is the driving force of the story, readers get a glimpse at the reasons below the surface (Pearl's "origin story") throughout the book. These details are interesting and I wish we spent more time unpacking them.

Ultimately, and while an easy-enough read, there wasn't enough for me to dig into as a reader. 3 Stars.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for this arc. I do have to say that this book was hard for me to read. I could see the different dynamics between the two sisters and how they have grown apart over the years but the book read like a nonfiction rather than a fiction book. I did enjoy getting to know the two characters and the obstacles they had to overcome. Solid read but not sure that I would go out of my way to recommend to others.

Thank you for letting me read this book. It follows well the trauma of abuse and stigma of being grossly obese and would be of interest to those who share either experience. With such a limited audience, I will not blog about it.