This is a charming and clever book about family and adoption.

India is an actress and her new movie is about adoption. She finds herself in a media frenzy when she gives her own opinions on the subject, a topic that she has firsthand knowledge of. We then follow India and her own experiences through the years as a teenager, a college student and a rising actor.

I found the story very thought provoking and I feel like this would make the perfect book club book. I adored India’s children and how they all came to together to support India. I loved that it shed some light on (both sides) of adoption, and the theme that families aren't just biological. My only complaint was that I felt like it was a little too long.

This novel was so interesting and raw. I loved the concept and the bio-ethics / societal questions the subject matter raises and felt Laurie Frankel deftly dealt with them. A great discussion piece for book club for SURE, especially for folks who are considering or have children as well as those who don't.

Thank you to Net Galley, Henry Holt and Co., and Laurie Frankel for the opportunity to read and review Family Family.
This is a great story about the delicate topic of adoption told with humor and intense seriousness. The characters are well developed and the storyline was cleverly written and kept me coming back for more.
We all hear stories of adoption but I didn't think about how everyone involved in adoption has a unique story with layers of hidden thoughts and feelings. I didn't realize how many people are affected by the adoption process. The dynamics of the family are changed for generations.
I enjoyed the kids' perspectives of what adoption means to them. So many highs and lows and lots of in-betweens.
It is a difficult discussion to have because there are no right or wrong answers-its all in the moment.
My favorite parts were the humorous, light-hearted ones. I loved the children's misuse of vocabulary words-so close yet so far away! Also the use of index card was close to my heart-I still use these to help be organized and why not tear them up to use as confetti.
I did have trouble at the beginning of the story with the nonlinear timeline. It felt choppy at the beginning but I quickly adjusted my pace to understand each time frame.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

This book presents a refreshing outlook on adoption, challenging the stigma often associated with it. Laurie Frankel skillfully weaves a narrative centered around India Allwood, a character whose unplanned comments spark a media storm, putting her career in jeopardy. Through India's journey, Frankel sheds light on the misconceptions surrounding adoption, portraying it as a positive and uplifting experience. The characters are believable and likable, with unexpected twists that kept me engaged.

I found the length a bit excessive. I was ready for it to end about halfway through. The narration was excellent. There are vibrant voices with enough variation to differentiate the characters, and the narrator was easy to follow, even when sped up.

I give this 3.5 stars. It's not quite 4 stars for me.

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co., Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for advanced access to this audiobook.

This was a beautiful, if imperfect, story exploring adoption and, more broadly, the different ways families are forged. Compulsively readable, this book seamlessly floated between perspectives and managed an increasingly large and dynamic cast of characters very well. As a reader, I felt forced to engage with the ways I typically think about adoption and stories of adoption, which means that at least for me, this book accomplished exactly what it sought to accomplish.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of FAMILY FAMILY.
FAMILY FAMILY by Laurie Frankel offers a compelling exploration of the complexities surrounding adoption within a family dynamic. As a huge fan of Frankel's previous novels, I was so excited for this latest book. While her adept storytelling skills are evident in the rich character building and their interconnected narratives, I found the overarching message about adoption to be somewhat heavy-handed at times. Frankel's insistence on challenging common misconceptions surrounding adoption is commendable, yet occasionally overt. While FAMILY FAMILY still upholds Frankel's reputation for crafting poignant narratives, I must confess a lingering affection for her previous title, ONE TWO THREE, which still holds the top spot in my heart.

I wanted to love this book so much. When I requested to read the book it was soley on the premise of the book. Personally I hadnt read a book on adoption and was excited to read it. Unfortunately I disliked this book. It was slow and boring. I felt like a chore to read this book and I hate that because I read for enjoyement.

Loved this novel! The author interweaves timelines, so we are piecing together the story as we go along. I found this very intriguing and interesting. Delightful characters and a very clear message about adoption.

4.5 stars
A story about non-traditional families and the big decisions in life that will make you feel all the emotions | Loved the depth of character building, especially the complexity of the main character | The duality of timelines works perfectly for the story-telling | Laurie Frankel’s writing style always hits the mark for me

Thank you to Laurie Frankel, Henry Holt & Company and Netgalley for providing this ARC.

This review is posted on Goodreads and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ODz9Dv5H0/

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

All of the characters in this novel will stay on my mind. I did find the back and forth of time periods and points of view confusing at first, but it all made sense quickly. Also, make sure to read the Author’s Note at the end.

“Not all adoption stories are about pain and regret”. I didn’t need to read any further into the description of the book to know that this was a book that I wanted to read. I knew it was going to be good. This story and the characters took me through all of the emotions. I laughed, I cried and I even got angry. I really did not want to put this one down, page after page, chapter after chapter I was hooked and wanted to hear every bit of India and her family’s story. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “More is more. Family doesn’t take away from family. Family begets family. That’s how family works.”

This was my first time reading a Laurie Frankel book but it won’t be my last. I really enjoyed her writing. Family, Family is definitely worth reading.

Another Her families are always complicated and real and this one was no exception. Great author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. great story!

"Family Family" by Laurie Frankel is a novel that addresses adoption with a fresh and optimistic lens, diverging from the commonly held views of adoption as a last resort filled with challenges. Through the character of India Allwood, an actress disillusioned with her latest film's portrayal of adoption as tragic, Frankel navigates the complexities of adoption, offering a narrative that’s both uplifting and compelling.

"Family Family" not only presents a nuanced take on adoption but also introduces characters that are endearing and relatable, complemented by a plot brimming with surprises and moments of genuine humor and empathy. Frankel's insightful author's notes at the book's conclusion further enrich the reading experience.

The book explores various significant themes such as making life choices, the nuances of adoption, the journey of single parenting, and the quest to balance a demanding career with familial responsibilities. Frankel's narrative also courageously tackles standing up for one's convictions and the pursuit of dreams, making "Family Family" a remarkable and thought-provoking read.

Gosh, I just really enjoy everything Laurie Frankel writes! She takes topics that are possibly controversial and makes beautiful stories with lovable characters out of them. This time she writes about adoption. This is written by an adoptive parent from the prospective of an adoptive mom, so I realize it may be more of a glorified take on adoption than had it been written by an adoptee. I still really enjoyed this take and it was a fun look at nontraditional families.

Family Family was an interesting read with its diverse depictions of different family dynamics. However, I found it a tad too PG and saccharine for my taste. While the themes were heartwarming, the execution felt a bit contrived at times. Nonetheless, if you're in the mood for a feel-good, family-friendly book, this might just hit the spot.

This book was amazing! I've loved all of Frankel's books, but this is my new favorite. It was like a love letter to families and all of the different beautiful ways in which they can be made. I loved how the story of India's life was told in present time and flashbacks and how the story was also told from the perspectives of many of the different characters. Frankel addresses the issues of adoption and abortion with such care. In addition to being beautiful, this book was also unputdownable for me. I couldn't wait to see what happened next (and also previously) with India's family.

“There was no workshopping with parenting. You said the wrong thing, and you couldn’t go back and give a different read, say it again smiling instead of glowering, gently instead of shouting, with a deep breath before delivery. You had to live with your first read even though it was appalling. There was no rehearsal, either. You were live onstage from the moment you got the part. “

This was just one of many passages I marked in Laurie Frankel’s beautiful novel FAMILY FAMILY. This will absolutely be one of my favorite books this year and beyond.

What it’s about…India Allwood has wanted to be an actress her entire life. From high school theater to Broadway and finally Hollywood, India achieves this dream. When her latest movie is criticized for its portrayal of adoption, India does the unexpected (and unacceptable) announcing it’s a bad movie. Her comments set off a media firestorm and series of events no one could have ever predicted.

I loved every single character in this book. It’s a story about families in all forms and the one thing they all have in common…families are complicated.

FAMILY FAMILY was the best kind of book to me. One that I could not stop reading but also was so good I wanted to slow down to make it last.

Please move this to the top of your TBR, I promise it will be worth it.

Thank you Netgalley, Henry Holt & Co and Laurie Frankel for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5- I absolutely adored Laurie Frankel's One Two Three, so I was very excited when I received a copy of Family Family from NetGalley. Family fictions are often my favorite genre. The story really captured me right away and I did love so many themes throughout the book - most impactful being adoption. Unfortunately as the book went on I felt too many different stories were going on and I wasn't as invested as I was in the beginning..That being said, I am glad I kept with it and look forward to future books from Laurie Frankel.

I was dedicated to diving into this book and it becoming one I could eagerly recommend but for me it just fell flat.

The premise of the book in which adoption is so lovingly referred to could’ve been a unique opportunity to really spin a love story of a bond of blood and a bond of heart but instead seemed to go in circles. At least that’s how I felt reading.

I didn’t fall in love with the characters as one does when a book captivates you. There were aspects of the book that seemed repetitive and for lack of a better word, unblended.

This is my first read from this author and I’m positive that there are other books by her that I will love. This just wasn’t one of them.

Laurie Frankel once again asks her reader to qualify what it means to be a family with her unique sense of style, with and intelligence. Enter India Allwood, an actress of uncommon talent and more common fame, who is a single mother to adopted twins Fig and Jack. India is best known for portraying Val Halla, a television super hero, but has recently ventured into. the film Flower Child turns out to be a tone-deaf look at adoption which quickly garners numerous criticisms on social media. The situation escalates when India decides to respond with her own opinion creating a viral response which threatens her "cancellation". It turns out that prior to adopting Fig and Jack, India has twice "placed" children for adoption; once in high school and again her senior year in college. Birth control is apparently not India's strong suit! This twice repeated error in judgement is at first a wrinkle that is hard to accept, but as the story unfolds, Frankel weaves the stories of the biological fathers, the adopted children and their families together to create a vivid portrayal of what it means to be family and who has the right to claim that role. A lovingly told tale of identity and belonging, of acceptance and forgiveness, and what it means when you are Family Family.