3.5 stars

I normally don't gravitate much towards contemporary fiction. Not that I won't read it. I simply don't go looking for it first. However, they synopsis for this grabbed my attention and I decided to give it a go.

We have a story of two sisters with family secrets and they couldn't have grown up to be more different. And when Ruby comes down to help her sister, Pearl, with her weight loss surgery, we see a journey about growth, hope and redemption.

This may not have been a story I loved, but it was a good one nonetheless. I also love how the author drew on her own sister's life experiences with being morbidly obese which added to the authenticity of the story. Truly worth a read.

What a beautiful debut novel! This story explored the relationship between two vastly different sisters. Pearl weighs 531lbs and decides to take the leap for bariatric surgery. Ruby goes viral after snapping on a run and throwing actual dog shit on someone. She gets fired from her job and moves home to help Pearl through her surgery.

There was sisterhood, grief, loss, love, secrets, trauma, and everything in between. I loved the development of Pearl and Ruby’s relationship throughout the novel and how it connected to their shared but very different past. All in all, a fantastic story!

I received this and as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me access.
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While I have been jumping out of my comfort zone and reading things outside my favorite genres, I thought I would give The Sisters We Were a try…and I am glad I did.
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TSWW is not a fat shaming story. It is a story about struggles, goals, dreams, family, and reality. Obesity is an illness that many face and we get to see both sides of the story with Pearl and Ruby. Baldwin did an amazing job at creating characters that many of us can relate to.
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This was a refreshing read and wonderful story.

I received an ARC of, The Sisters We Were, by Wendy Willis Baldwin. Nobody really knows what other people are going through, dealing with, even amongst sisters. Like Ruby and Pearl, sisters helping each other through life hardships. Pearl is having weight loss surgery and Ruby is helping her recuperate. This was an ok read. It did not make me emotional or pull at my heartstrings, like a really good book does.

I went into this title in the dark. I was drawn to the cover, which was lovely, as well as the title. I didn't realize it was a fictional account of two sisters (Ruby and Pearl) struggling in their lives, but not realizing what the other might be experiencing. Ruby is a runner, has a great job, and seemingly a life one could envy. Pearl weighs over 500 pounds, and their mother is in prison for manslaughter. When Pearl decides to have weight loss surgery, Ruby does come to help, but we learn there are deep-seated issues with her as well. Pearl's journey was so well written, and the author clearly drew from some of her sister's real-life experiences. I was so impressed with the manner in which the author gave us characters to care about, twists in the story we think we know, as well as the journey through it all. I loved this book, and I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Lovely, lighthearted read perfect for book groups.