I really liked the story but I feel like there was just too much unnecessary info that I couldn't keep my attention on the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Family Family
By Laurie Frankel
Jan. 23, 2024
Henry Holt
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Beautiful story and happy! It’s a story you won’t soon forget! As the book bounces from character to character we piece together the life of Indias childhood and the lives of her children, standing ovation to Frankel for another book well done!
4 stars

A new Laurie Frankel novel is always cause for a celebration. This time, Frankel turns her sharp eye on the issue of adoption. An author's note shares that Frankel adopted her daughter and has always intended to write a story like this albeit highly - highly! - fictionalized one. The novel brims with activity and characters - a lot happens in Family Family's 400 pages. As expected, Frankel delivers clever banter, quirky main characters and important secondary players to tell the story of actress India Allwood and the many tentacles of her family, which is really a way to tell the story of how and why society portrays adoption as either a tragic story with a tragic ending or a tragic story with a "Hollywood feel good ending." Along the way, Frankel ponders who gets to tell the story and how the story becomes co-opted by those with an agenda. Above all, Frankel reminds me us that no matter what we think about parenting a child - bio, adopted, through marriage - and how we prepare, parenthood will never be what we expect or hope and that's entirely OK! She also reminds us that the definition of family is large, flexible, unconventional and all encompassing. Thanks NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for the ARC.

Family Family was fantastic!! I loved everything about it! It’s such a beautiful story and India was such a refreshing character. I thought the way adoption was written about was brilliant. This is one of those books you will remember and tell everyone you know to read. Definitely one of my favorites of the year!

Laurie Frankel is a gifted writer - her words and plot lines draw you right in. This really appealed to me as a mother and as someone who really values family. Highly recommend!

Good messages but not a fan of the writing style. Did like the ending tho.

With thanks to NetGalley & Henry Holt and Co. for this e-ARC!

You probably don't know this about me, but I'm adopted.

At 4 days old, I was brought home by my parents because my birth mother was too young to keep me. She got pregnant in high school. Her parents made her go to a Catholic girl's home until I was born, and only after I was given up for adoption was she allowed to return home.

I met my birth mother decades ago and although we saw each other quite a bit at first, I can't remember the last time we spoke. I do know the identity of my birth father, but I've never met him and probably never will.

My story is my own, and I would change nothing. I have the best family and it was only through the selfless act of my birth mother that I'm able to be here today.

So, it goes without saying that I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the latest book by Laurie Frankel is about adoption.

Laurie Frankel writes about what she knows. This Is How It Always Is remains my favorite book by Frankel and was inspired by her transgender daughter, who was also adopted from Korea, and the inspiration behind this book.

Because this topic is so important to me, I desperately wanted to love this book. I did like the underlying story, but it was way too long and at times, tedious to read.

I wasn't a huge fan of the main character, and I felt like there were too many characters for this storyline. But, such is the reality of family! It can be chaotic, lack cohesion, confusing, and so much more. So, even though this book wasn't my favorite, I'm still so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read it.

Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt Books for the ARC, and thank you, Laurie Frankel, for writing a book about adoption.

⭐⭐⭐💫 rounded up.

Pros: I’ve read Laurie Frankel’s last three books and find her to be a dependable author for when I’m looking for a book that will make me think. I love that her books examine complex and nuanced families and make for great book club discussions. Including this book, I’ve enjoyed a lot of recent releases and soon-to-be released books that take place in or center around the theater. Structurally, I really liked this book’s use of short chapters and flashbacks/flashforwards, which kept the plot moving forward.

Cons: There were times I had to suspend reality a bit, but I understood how those somewhat-unbelievable plot points contributed to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company for the opportunity to read this book.

I will officially read anything Laurie Frankel writes! This was such a unique, funny, timely, and poignant read about the many sides of adoption. The characters were creative yet relatable and I loved how the author told a cohesive story of adoption from so many different perspective. I agree with Frankel that adoption isn’t discussed enough, and when it is, it’s often talked about as a less than ideal option. This book was incredible- a necessary and entertaining read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co for the ARC. Laurie Frankel has written another powerful book about family, the love of a parent, and all the emotions connected with it. What a beautiful book that spoke to me as a mom, as a friend, and a book lover. This book is a must read. Thought provoking and real.

India Allwood is one of a kind. She's a well known TV start and just hoping to launch a movie career when aspects of her teenage life are brought to life. They aren't secrets, but they weren't broadcast and suddenly India finds herself in a public position of discussing choice, adoption and more.

This story is just so beautiful, so happy. As the book bounces from character to character we piece together India's childhood and the lives of her children. It's truly a patchwork of stories that comes together to be a quilt you will never forget.

Laurie Frankel illustrates again and again that family comes in all shapes and sizes and India is an inspiration to us all
Pick up this wondrous book! .
#HenryHolt #FamilyFamily #laurieFrankel

Another fantastic book by Laurie Frankel. She addressed different perspectives on the origination of families. She also touches on some controversial topics.

Well-developed characters. I loved the dual timeline to get to know the main characters, their hurts, joys & accomplishments. She has become an author I will automatically read going forward.

Honestly, Laurie Frankel is someone I would love to sit down and have a conversation with based on her books that I've read - honest, straightforward, and down to earth.

Don't miss this book coming out in February of 2024
#NetGalley #LaurieFrankel #Adoption #FamilyFamily

This was so good! As an adoptive mother, maybe it resonated a little more for me, but I actually think it’s a story about all families, one that all readers will relate to. I fell in love with each one of the characters, and I feel like I’m going to miss them. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Laurie Frankel’s novels are known to be thought-provoking and often touch on hot-button topics. This one was particularly thought-provoking for me. It’s about adoption and what makes a family. I was intrigued by the topic as I am an adopted child. Adoption was a true gift for my family. My beloved parents waited a long time for a baby, and they were truly amazing parents. The premise of this book is that adoption causes trauma for many involved. Wasn’t my experience at all. India grew up wanting to be an actress and she’s destined for the stage. We travel with her on her journey from a sixteen year old to a huge star in her 30s. Her newest role is in a movie about adoption and she says some things that go viral. The media storm around her and her adopted children brings many other people from India’s past back into her life. Ms. Frankel as usual does a terrific job letting us know the characters. I loved India’s children, Fig and Jack. The three star rating is only because I personally couldn’t identify with the drama and trauma of adoption.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.

I consistently enjoy Laurie Frankel's books, and this one was no surprise. While the text veered into convoluted at times, with perhaps too many characters, I found it deeply engrossing and appreciated the character development throughout

Laurie Frankel has written another wonderful novel.I was drawn in from the first pages I loved the story the characters her writing style is so involving .Expect this book to get a lot of deserved attention.#netgalley #family family.

A family story with a famous actress in the middle. I liked it, I think if you like stories about what makes up a family and what it means to be a family you'd really enjoy this. I thought it was a little long for a not-so-complicated book.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. I absolutely loved this. The characters were lovable. The plot kept me engaged. The writing style was excellent. I will now be reading all the books by this author!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I am clearly in the minority here, but this wasn’t for me. This author’s books are LONG and this one felt way too long. I didn’t care for the main character - pretentious manic-pixie-dream-girl vibes - and thus found it difficult to care about the plot. However. I did love the kids, and the writing was pretty fantastic, characters were strong. I just couldn’t get invested. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

I haven't read such a good book in a while! I liked everything about this one -- the writing, the plot, the characters. India Allwood is a famous actress whose family secrets are exposed, causing her to come to a reckoning about what family truly is.