This was very close to a no finish for me due to the heavy content of teen pregnancy and adoption. It was messy, wild, and sad all at the same time. It was written carefully, don't get me wrong, but it was still somewhat triggering and heavy. The plot was getting lost in the heaviness by the end. Thankful for the ARC.

Laurie Frankel does it again! I found this book incredibly affecting and recommend it to so many people.

Huge thanks to Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for sending me a copy of Family Family in exchange for my honest review.

Laurie Frankel has crafted a stunning novel that is equal parts heartfelt family drama and compulsively readable story. I was initially intimidated by the length, but every single page felt necessary—every chapter revealing something new, pulling me deeper into this beautifully layered narrative. The characters are so vividly real, their struggles and joys unfolding in ways that felt both intimate and universal.

This is the kind of novel where you don’t have to choose between character and plot—it delivers both seamlessly. The story is funny, poignant, and thought-provoking, packed with moments that made me laugh, tear up, and pause to reflect. Frankel’s writing is sharp and full of heart, making this one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

I can’t recommend Family Family highly enough. If you love immersive, beautifully written novels that balance humor and emotion while keeping you on the edge of your seat, this is a must-read.

"Family Family" by Laurie Frankel blends humor with heartfelt storytelling, creating a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of family dynamics. Frankel's wit shines through, infusing lightness into the often weighty themes of identity and relationships. While the humor adds charm to the story, some readers, like yourself, may find that deeper character development could enhance the overall depth and engagement of the narrative. Despite this, Frankel's ability to balance humor with poignant moments makes "Family Family" a memorable read, offering a nuanced exploration of family bonds and personal growth.

Another successful read for me from Laurie Frankel. Frankel continues to tackle tough subjects this time on the suject of adoption and what makes a family. When I first saw the length of this one, I was concerned it would drag on and what could the story all involve to be so long but I didn't even notice the length and I read through this. I always appreciate what Frankel does with her stories, she creates characters with flaws but they feel normal (even if they aren't-like being a famous actor).

This book is a heartfelt exploration of what makes a family, blending humor and emotion to highlight the bonds that transcend traditional definitions. It navigates themes of identity, love, and belonging, with relatable characters that make its poignant message resonate deeply.

Laurie Frankel is just a fun author to read. Last year I had read her book, This Is How It Always Is, and sped through it, also.

In Family Family, I especially love the colorful characters that Frankel created to tell the main character's (India) heartfelt feelings on adoption. India's own adopted twins' personalities in the book, Fig and Jack, are so entertaining.

The story revolves around India, who in present day has become a movie star in her own right. India always knew she would become famous, There were two things that stood in her way - an unplanned pregnancy at 16 and another unplanned pregnancy at 20. I do truly believe that the character of India was in love with each of the fathers. I also truly believe that India loved both of her babies. India knew what would be best for her children, for herself, and for the adoptive parents ultimately.

The book examines adoption in such realistic terms. Of course, we must remember we are in the crazy world of Hollywood where strange things happen, especially when the paparazzi (or smears as Fig and Jack refer to them) is involved.

This novel definitely teaches its reader that there is more to family than birth parents and adoptive parents and biological siblings. Family is Family.

Family Family is well worth the read. Thank you, NetGalley and Holt, Henry and Company, for this ARC.

Pick this one up for yourself. It's not a down and out story of adoption. You will definitely experience some smiles.

I read this book as a part of a book club and we had such a wonderful discussion about this one! A few in the group are amazing adoptive parents so it was so insightful to hear their opinions and view on this book.

I was really enjoyed this one. The characters were a bit quirky and interesting and I LOVED the theatre/acting aspect of this novel as well. It was really entertaining to see the main character's journey as an actress in the flashbacks to her high school to college to professional career. This is a beautiful novel about family and what family truly means. It tackles the subject of adoption and really puts the focus on the birth mother. It has a lot of hope and beauty and at times felt slightly unrealistic and "Hallmarky" but I am okay with that. It is beautiful to see the amazing parts of this sacrifice from the birth mother and how adoption can give children and parents a chance for love - and what all the different versions of what "family" can mean.

I read Frankel's book This Is How It Always Is - and between these two I preferred Family Family. I just connected with the characters a bit more and was also a bit more interested the entire time. But in both of them, I did find that I wasn't EMOTIONALLY connected for some reason. They are both books where I expected to find myself getting emotional, but I didn't. I can't quite put my finger on why but I just find that I lack the emotional connection that I expect to have in her books.

But overall, I really enjoyed this one and do think she is a really great writer.

Thank you to Netgalley & Henry Holt for this advanced copy.

An important look at adoption written by one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately, this was not my favorite of hers but it is easy to read and would make for a great book club discussion!

I have had a few false starts with this novel this year, but after revisiting This is How it Always Is for our book club, I knew I wanted to prioritize this story again. Frankel's quirky storytelling is magical, and I have seen this listed as a favorite among many readers I admire.

In this new family drama, India Allwood, a successful actor and adoptive mother, becomes the target of online backlash after the release of Flower Child, a film about a woman who gives up her baby for adoption. Accused of exploiting trauma and perpetuating harmful narratives, she remains steadfast in her unapologetic stance on the topic—a quality that makes her both infuriating and deeply compelling.

Fig, India's precocious fifth-grade daughter, takes it upon herself to find Rebecca, the daughter India gave up for adoption as a teenager, to prove her mother has more layers than expected. This unleashes a media frenzy of a different kind, excavating India's other decisions that examine adoption in new ways through several new characters that grow into an unlikely family that brings all of India's past together in some unexpected ways.

Frankel's trademark wit shines, but the narrative occasionally falters when India's strong opinions take center stage and override the pacing. Adding in perspectives from the fathers in this story would have yielded a more dynamic reading experience and, perhaps, more nuance to these presented adoption stories.

Frankel's message about adoption—framed as a potential "win-win" for birth mothers and adoptive families—is a heartfelt and personal exploration, as she is the mother of an adopted child. I loved her earnest effort to highlight that literature often doesn't capture these joyful adoption stories.

While this story took some farfetched turns and felt repetitive, I appreciated the opportunity to reexamine deeply rooted feelings I didn't know I had harbored on adoption. It would be an excellent exploration for any book club, but it failed to capture my heart like Frankel's earlier work.

Laurie Frankel's books are always good and this one follows suit. Her many fans will enjoy this one.

"How do you define family?" is the heart of this novel that explores the complex and life-changing issues of adoption and abortion. In Frankel's interest to provide a positive telling of an adoption story she might have gone a bit over the top. It just seems a bit far-fetched that everything would work out just so, and that everyone would be well-adjusted. But maybe that's intentional to balance out the novels of adoption trauma? A bit too long, but otherwise a fine addition to the growing and important genre of pro-choice/adoption/found family stories.

Family Family by Laurie Frankel is recommended for readers who appreciate stories that explore the complexities of family relationships. This book is emotional, reflective and at times funny. The author explores adoption from multiple points of view in this book. Her portrayal of the family dynamics with the themes of love, identity challenges the societal norms. ,

Family Family by Laurie Frankel was a deeply moving experience that delved into the complexities of family, identity, and societal perceptions. The novel centers on India Allwood, a renowned actress who, after starring in a film portraying adoption negatively, publicly criticizes its narrative. As an adoptive mother herself, India’s candid remarks ignite a media frenzy, challenging her to defend her family’s truth against widespread misconceptions.

Frankel’s writing is both engaging and insightful, offering a refreshing perspective on adoption that emphasizes joy and love alongside challenges. The characters are richly developed, each contributing to a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is heartwarming. The novel adeptly navigates the intricacies of modern parenthood, the blending of different family structures, and the societal pressures that come with public scrutiny.

The story challenges traditional notions of family and explore the profound bonds that unite us, Family Family is a must-read. Laurie Frankel has crafted a narrative that resonates on a deeply human level, reminding us that family, in all its forms, is both beautiful and complex.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first read the author, i did come across an article about her outline how she dealt with he son becoming transgender which helped write a previous novel. This one focused more on adoption. Her journey with her daughter shoes in the way the writes. You can feel the compassion for characters through the pages. I hope to read more form her soon.

This book blew my socks off! The is the first book I’ve read by award winning author Laurie Frankel, and I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to find out about her. I can’t wait to dive into some of her previous works, particularly the much lauded “This Is How It Always Is.”

The writing, the subject matter, the characters, and the unconventional way the chapters are written are all superb! This is a book about adoption, and families, and friendships, and devotion , and grit, and determination, and deep, abiding love. It is a manifesto for standing up for what we believe in, for ourselves, our principles, our values, and our rights. It demonstrates the power and strength of women, often cast as unequal partners to men, and our inalienable right to choose what we do with our bodies! No one should be denied this right, despite the current trend in many places to do just that — deny women the right to have jurisdiction over themselves. The current Supreme Court in the Dobbs case had to dig deep, into the laws of the 1800’s about slavery, to deny women our rights, completely ignoring the 14th Amendment and 50 years of precedent.

The novel also skewers the invasive and destructive nature of today’s media, both traditional and social, where much of what we read and hear is opinion, not fact. It demonstrates how the media can take anything said and spin it in a way that conforms to a particular viewpoint, regardless of the speaker’s actual intent. “Family Family” does all of this by focusing on one woman in particular and the people who have populated her life. I’m flabbergasted that Ms. Frankel was able to convey so much in just one, small, personal tale. I applaud her. This book is a must read!

Thank you to Ms. Frankel, Henry Holt and Co., and NetGalley for providing me an advanced reader’s copy of this digital book. I truly am grateful! I am leaving this review VOLUNTARILY!

Oof... So I feel this novel really highlights the pros and cons to the beautifully messy world of adoption. It can be both fulfilling and devastating. Laurie Frankel does a beautiful job of putting the reader on that emotional rollercoaster ride. The POV from children across different timelines is os unique and adds incredible depth to an already emotional story concept. However, I wish the story could have highlighted the trauma that often comes with children who have been through the adoption process. The characters just seemed too positive about it all , which isn't necessarily bad, just unrealistic.

Great read! Laurie creates deep rich characters that pull at your heart strings and remind you of your own family in some ways. Thank you for advanced copy!

Laurie Frankel has quickly worked her way up to one of my favorite authors. This is only the second book of hers I’ve read, but there’s something about her writing that’s so real, yet enlightening and hopeful and her characters that she creates are flawed but so wholly lovable. Family Family centers around one big, messy and imperfect family. This book is soo wholesome. It breaks the mold of needing to have trauma or tragedy be the center of a story, and instead places love and acceptance as driving factors. I will say, Frankel has how to write the “perfect parent” down flawlessly.

Sooooo spectacular I added all of this author’s books to my TBR list. It truly checked all the boxes for me.

Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.