An outstanding 5 stars!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for allowing me to read an ARC of Family Family by Laurie Frankel in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely love Laurie Frankel's writing style. It feels almost like I'm with the characters, and listening to their thoughts and dialog.

Laurie tackles tough subjects and gives them life and makes them make sense (does that make sense?). I feel as though I not only learn more, but I also feel more through her stories.

Family, Family is enchanting, engaging, amusing, and amazing! I loved India in all her forms, and India's family family is perfection!

I would like to thank Henry Holt and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC.This is a difficult book for me to write about. There are several time lines and story lines, all intersecting. It starts with a woman named India Allwood. She is an actress who has 2 adopted children. The story begin in 2020, during covid lockdown. India has been in a film about adoption and has been criticized for the film by a group of people who feel it wasn't a true portrayal of adopted children and the parents who placed them. India tries to respond and creates more problems , and finally criticizes the movie itself. India's adopted daughter , Fig tries to help, with semi disastrous results. As we find out in the flashbacks to India as a High school student, she became pregnant her senior year and placed her child for adoption. This is only part of the story, and I do not want to give away any spoilers. On one level, it was an interesting story based on the adage of the family we choose, as opposed to the one we are given. It is also , to me any way, confusing and meandering. I liked the ending, and the characters for the most part.It just was long and convoluted for my tastes.

Bravo to Laurie Frankel who wrote a fun-loving novel about adoption, the definition of family, race and culture, and how we can all be better humans if we just love each other.

Frankel takes us into the life of India Allwood. We first meet India as a young woman living with her single mother through her life as a well known actress living in California who is known for her character on a hit tv series. India has done what to some people is unthinkable, she got pregnant and gave up her child for adoption when she was a teen. And guess what? She did it again.

As she decided later that she wanted kids, she adopted children, and they were a different race. The story takes a crazy turn when her fans take umbrage to comments she makes criticizing a film she did about adoption which she was meant to be promoting. These comments set off a giant media storm, which leads to a release of her private information, and a personal tsunami . The story follows the aftermath and how it galvanizes her children, all her children, to act on her behalf.

I don’t want to spoil all the ins and outs of the book, but essentially the book is a positive take on adoption and what family means to India. In her view she has always done the right thing and came from a place of love even if it was crushing to her at the time.

The writing is quick paced, easy to digest and makes for an enjoyable read. Characters are well drawn and likable. I could not put it down. I think that Frankel gave us a great many things to think about, and she succeeds in opening up my eyes to what a family can be.

Laurie Frankel has such a gift for crafting social issues into compelling novels. With her storytelling, she presents a perspective that is unique and yet totally accessible. In Family Family, adoption is the main topic, with the story told from different voices and shifting timelines.

India Allwood is a young woman with a strong sense of who she is and who she wants to be. She makes choices that are unusual but totally in character. Family Family has several strong female voices who all contribute to the novel. The book has an important message and told in a way that keeps the reader engaged from the very start all the way through to the Author’s Note.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Holt/Macmillian publishers for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

Laurie Frankel seems to write as a form of wish fulfillment: she creates, on the page, the world she wants to see, the one she hopes for for herself and her family. This time she’s writing about adoption, something she knows intimately as an adoptive parent herself. I loved this and can't wait to talk about it with everyone I know—especially because this is a book that BEGS to be discussed!

I loved everything about this book. The imperfect characters were perfectly delightful and written with nuance and care. Frankel took the topic of adoption and presented its many beautiful facets, acknowledging the truth in the prevailing narrative, but gorgeously illustrating another set of truths. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

FAMILY FAMILY was downright delightful. Laurie Frankel is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is the third novel I've read of her's, and by far the best. It is surprising, witty, heartwarming, and has a propulsive plot. This is for sure going to be a massive hit next year.

This is a book about adoption. But it's not full of trauma, or sadness, or broken lives. Instead it's about love, purpose, and, most of all, making your own family. India Allwood, a famous actress, has had an interesting journey to get to where she is now - the single mother of two adopted kids. But when she makes a movie about adoption that is criticized by the community, her unexpected past is revealed in fun and delightful ways, and we learn more about why the movie is meaningful to her.

The book has a plot that I believe is best to dive into without knowing much about. I had such a fun time going on India's ride, and fell in love with her as a character, as well as her family. If adoption stories are important to you, this is a MUST READ. If you love a fantastic literary fiction book with a great cast of characters, most heartfelt and zany, than this is also a must read. I can't wait to see what else Frankel has to offer in the future.

3.85 Stars - Rounded Up to 4.

"Sometimes less is more, but not with family. With family, more is more."

Overall, I really enjoyed this heartwarming story about adoption and family. I read Laurie Frankel's book "This Is How It Always Is," and I was looking forward to the strong character development and simple yet thought-provoking writing style that hooked me in the last book I read of hers. I appreciate how Laurie Frankel humanizes hot-button issues in an impactful way. For the most part, she delivered. I thought India was a powerful character and I was instantly hooked by her story. Although I am not a mother and have little experience with adoption, the author's note put a lot of perspective on the story for me. However, I think that the "more is more" approach should not necessarily apply to the plot. While I was really into India's story, I thought that the 3rd person POV coupled with switching timelines made the overall plot disjointed at times and it was harder to get to know the characters in greater depth. I also thought that the book took me longer to get through than I would have liked - I think parts towards the end describing the longevity of the kids' travel could have been cut for length.

I think this book is definitely going to be talked about in 2024 and will be a strong contender for book club picks. I Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, and I look forward to discussing this book with others!

A first read for me by this author -and a really good one. A difficult review to write without divulging too much of the plot.India Allwood is the central character and we follow her from her childhood dreams to her role as a major star. Her latest movie is about adoption and SHE HERSELF gives its one-sided view of adoption a “ negative review” and thus engenders a controversy. Without revealing too much of the novel, she herself has had 2 pregnancies-both given for adoption-and has in turn adopted 2 emotionally scarred children. She’s the main character but FAMILY-in all its variations and nuances -is really the main theme of the book. A long read but well worth it-at times funny at times heartbreaking, but most of all insightful with lots of “ food for thought”.

Family Family by Laurie Frankel covers several topics, but one of the primary ones is what constitutes a family? How do families come into being, and of the multitude of ways that can happen, what are the benefits and drawbacks? Other topics touched upon are adoption, abortion, celebrity and privacy etc.

My daughter, in the past year, told me that there is controversy surrounding adoption/ adoptees and I wasn't aware of it. As in many areas, there is much to learn here. Families, no matter their origin or iteration, are complicated and imperfect.

Family Family was a good solid read. If you like Family Drama, you will likely enjoy this book.

Four stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Laurie Frankel writes from her heart and from her experiences, drawing in her readers as if they are her friends. Family Family is a complex story about India Allwood and the unique path she took to her own family. As a teenager, India made the bold decision that she was going to become an actress, but as predicted, the path is not an easy one. Loaded with secrets and heart wrenching realistic life experiences, Frankel weaves India’s story about pregnancy, adoption, love and heartbreak all while not losing sight of your dreams.

Bouncing between characters and story lines, Family Family is one of those books you can’t wait to finish but also don’t want to end. Much like Frankel’s other novels, you are left asking yourself questions and reflecting on your own life and experiences.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review

Utterly charming and engrossing, I could not put this book down until I'd finally reached the last page. Focused on adoption from all angles, and focused on the myriad definitions of the word "family", this book will touch your heart and make you think deeply. I can't wait to nag everyone I know to read this one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance!

FAMILY FAMILY is a big-hearted (you guessed it…) family drama that explores the nuances of adoption and the family we choose.

Actress India Allwood finds herself in the midst of a media storm when she asserts her true feelings about her latest movie: its depiction of adoption as tragic is one-dimensional and flat out wrong. India knows firsthand the complexities of family as an adoptive mother to twins and her own layered past.

I just adored the way this story unfolded. Through this rich cast of characters, Laurie Frankel confronts readers with ideas about who and what constitutes a family. As an adoptive mother herself, Frankel has a clear message about the way “unconventional”/non-biological families are perceived by those with “traditional” family structures. Rather than viewing adoption as a last resort to build a family, Frankel explores the various reasons why people choose the path of adoption as their first option.

If you love complicated family stories be sure to pick up FAMILY FAMILY.

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: January 23, 2024

READ THIS IF:
-Reading about fictional celebrities and musical theater strike a chord
-You appreciate authors who write from personal experience
-You read and enjoyed ANY OTHER FAMILY by Eleanor Brown

Many thanks to Henry Holt and NetGalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Laurie Frankel is back! I really enjoyed this story about adoption and family. Lots of layered themes in this fun, fast read about how families come in together in many different ways. This would make a great book club read.

What makes a family? Laurie Frankel’s newest novel explores this question by taking a deep dive into adoption, choice, single parenthood, same sex parenthood and the struggles that all families deal with. India Allwood knew early on that she wanted to be a serious actress and she planned her life accordingly until she became pregnant at sixteen. She is resolute in her decision of what she will do and what follows is a beautiful story that follows both her professional and personal journey into her early 30’s. There’s a wonderful cast of characters of children and adults and their point of views and how they fit together is handled with compassion, humor and love. If you are a parent, you will likely see pieces of yourself and your children somewhere in this thought provoking novel. Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Co and Laurie Frankel for writing a story we can all relate to and giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Publication date: January 23, 2024.

Look, all I'm saying is there's a reason that Laurie Frankel is one of my favourite authors of all time, and this book is it. A beautifully told story that was equal parts hilarious, poignant, insightful, and thoughtful. Readers who loved books like The Celebrants will flock to this one, and I cannot wait to recommend this book as a Librarian to all my readers.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy! Family Family by Laurie Frankel is the story of India Allwood, an actress. The story starts with her in high school, and continues with her as she grows up. She gets pregnant twice and gives both babies up for adoption, then she adopts two children of her own. She is an advocate for adoption, and tries to show that there are different reasons for people to adopt and also to offer their baby for adoption. We meet all the children, their adoptive parents, and their fathers. A lot of the story moves toward a big conclusion, with all parties represented. There is a lot going on in this book, a lot to keep up with. #familyfamily #lauriefrankel #netgalley #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday

Laurie Frankel’s latest book, Family Family, is an ode to the beauty of families everywhere. Every family is unique and every family has a story to tell, and Ms. Frankel’s tribute is beautiful indeed. This book has it all, young ingenue who turns into a major celebrity, scandal, no-regrets characters intertwined throughout the story, and the central theme of love conquering all. As is always true with Ms. Frankel’s work, Family Family is beautifully written and is sure to be a hit.

Thank you @henryholtbooks for this @netgalley ARC of Family Family!

When I read One Two Three back in 2021, it burrowed under my skin and has sat with me ever since. So when I saw this come up on NetGalley, I knew I had to read it.

And oh, did it burrow under my skin just the same. Laurie delivers characters who are complicated, layered, both heart wrenchingly relatable and also surprising and unpredictable. She tells stories that make you think and gives you characters from diverse lives and backgrounds. And she makes you cry while doing it.

When India Allwood’s prestigious acting career opened the door for her to tell a story about adoption, she was apprehensive. Not for any of the reasons you might expect, though.

As an adoptive mother, India doesn’t feel that her or her children’s lives are any “less than” because of the circumstances that lead them to each other. She is open and honest (sometimes maybe too honest) with her twins Jack and Fig, and while she agrees that adoption is a complex and nuanced and, all too often, traumatic experience, she also knows that sometimes, it is wonderful, too.

But when she says this out loud, her high-profile and unapologetic nature results in a near instantaneous backlash that sends shockwaves through the internet - and then her world.

Because India is much more than an adoptive mother. And as the threads of her and her children’s lives are plucked and unraveled, she knows one thing for certain: no matter how much love, or blood, or history, or lack of any (or all) makes a family, one thing all families have in common is complexity.

Propulsive, heartfelt, and oh so beautiful, Family, Family takes the reader on a journey through India Allwood’s self-discovery. What does it mean to raise a family? To raise yourself? With her trademark poignant humor, Frankel delivers another compelling tale full of quirky characters and family drama. 5 big stars for this one! Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt for my gifted ARC!