After I started reading this book, I hopped on Goodreads to read some reviews of other readers. It was a mixed bag of opinions. Some gushed about how wonderful the book was and others about how slow the plot moved, how the characters were bland, etc. I found points of agreement with several of the reviewers.

This is the second book I have read by Susannah B Lewis, and I have a mixed bag of emotions about the book myself. I did feel the plot was too slow, the characters were caricatures, exaggerated beyond believability, but there were parts I could relate to all too well.

Della and Darby are twins raised by their grandmother after their alcoholic mother killed herself drinking and driving. After that episode, they were bullied all the way through school. Della wanted nothing more than to fit in, while Darby just crawled into herself and hid there. Their thirtieth birthday is coming up and their Grandma Birdie wants to throw them a party. At first they resist, but Della comes on board and wants to show the town they aren't the no-accounts they've always been presumed to be.

Della works with the doctor in town and believes herself to be in love with him. The fly in her ointment is that the two nurses who work with her take on the role of "mean girls" in her life. She wants so much to befriend them and knows she's quirky (at best), but they seem to get their jollies by tormenting her.

Darby works at the local prescription bottle factory and stays to herself as much as she can. Cliff tries to talk to her every single day, in spite of her rebuffs.

It's not until the birthday party that everything seems to fall into place for Della and Darby, and it's not until the birthday party that I gained a real interest in the book. It just wasn't my favorite. Three Stars.

This was my first book to read by this author but won't be my last! The story and its characters will stick with you long after you finish the story. Highly recommend!

I absolutely loved Della and Darby--especially since being from the South-- all of Birdie' s words of wisdom were things I have heard and said all my life long as she apparently had. The bullying and degrading that the twins suffer is devastating but is still unfortunately felt by many in society today. This novel alarmingly reminds us of our prejudices and unfair judgements that we make daily.

3 ⭐️
Perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant!

Following the perspectives of Della. Darby, and Birdie, we learn the quirkiness of this family and their difficult past. Della and Darby are twins who are nearly 30, single, and unique in their own ways. Della works in a doctor's office, is constantly tormented and bullied by her coworkers, and LOVES the colour purple 💜. Darby works in a factory where she has an admirer with who she is constantly annoyed. Birdie, their grandmother, spends a lot of time with a widow while also constantly worrying about her granddaughter's happiness as they grow up without a mother. We slowly learn about their mother's death and how they struggled to live in a small town where everyone knows everyone's business.

What I liked:
- i enjoyed reading the characters as they went through their special routines, navigated new and old friendships and relationships, and grew up so much in just one year.
- the story felt very real. Because there was so much detail into the girls' everyday routines, it was very relatable - especially their small town, high school experience.

What I didn't like:
- the writing felt plain. Nothing stood out to me as incredibly well written or moving. It wasn't comical or emotional. I didn't feel anything when reading 😐.
- parts of the plot fell flat. I was hopeful for some of the mysteries of the book to bring some energy to the story but when the shoe finally dropped, it wasn't anything shocking or climactic.

Overall, I just didn't feel moved or compelled by the story. It was an enjoyable, easy read though.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this eARC! 💓

DELLA AND DARBY by SUSANNAH B LEWIS is a quick and fun read in spite of the very real emotional pain suffered by Della and Darby. We see how each of them handle the shame of their alcoholic mother’s death. Whilst Della has always tried unsuccessfully to be popular and ends up feeling bitter, Darby is reserved and has forgiven those who have been unkind to her. With a grandmother like Birdie Redd who has a great deal of advice for these twins who look alike but are completely different, with her friendship with her old friend Mr Prentice, and her desire to see the girls happily married, we wonder what she will be up to next!
It is a delightful read, with a strong Christian message of hope running through it. It is a story about families, forgiveness and redemption, and not letting oneself be defined by the past or other people’s opinions. It is also about reaching one’s full potential.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This is a compelling, heartwarming story of family and friends. Twins, Della and Darby were born to a teenage mother with a drinking problem. When they were 5 years old, their mother caused a fatal car accident when she drove drunk that killed her and the occupants in the other car, a mother and her 3 children.

The twins had always lived with their grandmother, Birdie, so continued to be raised by her after the untimely death of their mother. Because they lived in a small town, the girls never felt accepted, were teased and taunted and had very little friends. The reputation of their mother hung over them like a black cloud. Darby totally withdrew into herself, barely spoke and always kept her head down and avoided looking at anyone. Della was obsessed with wanting to belong to the popular crowd and attempted a number of unsuccessful stunts to make this happen. The unhealthy behaviors of both carried into their adult lives.

As the twins anticipate their upcoming 30th birthday, there are some surprising situations in this enthralling story. I loved how Susannah managed to insert the most perfect scriptures in places where those valuable reminders were needed.

There are many unanticipated situations, even a bit of romance in this unpredictable, heartfelt, beautiful story. The characters are so well developed it was easy to forget they aren't real. When the last page was turned, I had to pause and absorb how it all came together.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions and comments are my own.

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

Two sisters who couldn’t be more different if they tried.

I was reading daily, but not really enjoying any of the books. Della and Darby had me hooked from beginning with the sisterly relationship and humor that only Susannah Lewis can produce. I read authors that can write funny nonfiction and those who produce humorous novels, but Susannah Lewis is talented enough to give us both.

Della and Darby are twins that are identical in looks and the fact that both are outcasts in their small town due to the accident that killed their mother. In every other way they are completely different. Della still wants former classmates to accept her into their grown up cliques. Darby is happy working at a factory and coming home and writing poems in her room. They live with their grandma Birdie who wants more for both of them. The novel takes us through a year of life before they turn 30 and readers cheers for Darby to try a new friendship with Cliff at work and wish Della for more self-confidant and not make a fool of herself for her interest in her boss.

Della and Darby is a unique story and will be one of my top reads for the year.

I received a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

Della and Darby by Susannah B. Lewis
I loved Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton so I knew I'd enjoy her newest novel.
And yall it didn't let me down.

Two sisters Della and Darby Redd are twins, but they are completely the opposite.
On the verge of turning 30, they are single and currently living with their grandmother, Birdie.
The two sisters find connections else where. But when one of the sisters discovers a terrible secret that could push the twins even further apart or bring them closer.

Once again Susannah B. Lewis has written a beautiful story about family and love.
A heart-warming story that had me so consumed I finished this in one day.
These very interesting and delightful characters are so wonderfully developed that I could vividly picture all of them. Each personality is different, unique and loveable.
Their banter back and forth is refreshing and comical.
It was alot of fun, there are some very charming and heartwarming parts.
This book had me feeling all the feels.
The story itself is phenomenal. The writing is fantastic and engaging.

A heartwarming story of two sisters learning to love who they are and face the world—alongside their charming, wise grandmother.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thomas Nelson,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my blog, platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.

Darby & Della’s relationship reminds me a lot of how explosive Serena & Blair’s was in Gossip Girl. It’s cool to see a book centered around Sisters.