A well-written, emotional and riveting story about two siblings who reach adulthood and are following completely different paths.

The book is told in four different voices; Drita, her twin brother Petrit (Pete), their adopted mother Jackie and Pete's girlfriend Shanda. Drita and Pete feel tied together not just by genetics but by the Albanian heritage that was never explored growing up in an Italian-American family. Set in the 1990s against the backdrop of the Kosovo war, Drita has hit a dead end after dropping out of her school to return home and take care of her mother and Pete is on the run after leaving Shanda and his son Dakota with nothing more than a note.

I enjoyed some of the storylines more than others. Jackie's was particularly interesting and shows how misunderstood parents can be by their children but also the lengths parents go to- and the mistakes they make along the way.

Drita's storyline with Shanda and Dakota, a child is very special and unique, was really touching and the real heart of the novel. I was less engaged in Pete's storyline but perhaps that's because Pete was the least likeable of the characters, though I understand he had his reasons. What was relatable was Pete himself, in that everyone has a family member like Pete who they want save even when they refuse to save themselves.

At less than 300 pages, this book expertly tackles themes of complex familial relationships, cultural identity and belonging. The characters and the dialogue was very raw and real. The title of the book is taken from a passage where one character notes that she isn't someone's blood relative.

'That's just, like, a matter of blood. What does that have to do with anything?'

'Pete always said it was everything. Everybody says it's everything.'

The takeaway: Family is about more than blood.

I found the exploration of Drita and Pete's Albanian identity very compelling and informative- one of my reading goals this year is to diversify my reads and I feel this book was a good example of the books I am hoping to read more of in 2025. Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for an earc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a dnf for me. I couldn’t get into the story and it felt a bit all over the place with the storytelling. I’m sure others would connect with it more but I just couldn’t get into it.

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group for providing me an e-ARC!

**2.5 stars** This is my first Xhenet Aliu book I read and am intrigued to read more. I do appreciate the perspective on having a multicultural identity crisis but there was something lacking.

The story follow adopted twins, Drita and Pete of Albanian heritage navigating their separate lives. Now in their twenties, Drita, having been the star pupil and the family’s ideal daughter puts her future at pause to care for her mother while Pete has a son with his now-separated partner, struggle with an identity crisis having been adopted by Italian parents. Drita helps Pete’s ex, Shanda find Pete after he disappears, abandoning his son.

Having a huge interest in multicultural families, this premise sounded very interesting. But from the beginning, there lacked any information of the family dynamics. The novel barely explores the nuances of the twins' upbringing within the adoptive family. We get glimpses of their childhood, but the dynamics within the family remain largely unexplored

The writing style did not help clarify the family dynamic. The dialogue sounded very juvenile for characters in the twenties. The lack of detailed physical descriptions also made it difficult to fully visualize and connect with the characters. I found Pete's perspective more engaging than Drita's. His struggle to find his place in the world, torn between his adopted identity and his Albanian heritage, will resonate with a lot of readers.

While the writing was not my favorite, the core concept of exploring the complexities of identity and belonging is interesting to read about. This wasn’t my favorite read but I am curious by this author’s other works.

Interesting and surprising in places, with all characters. Jackie’s backstory was simultaneously matter of fact and compelling

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

This was such an interesting story of family as two siblings learn secret about their family. Hope to read more from this author in the future!

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An adopted brother and sister navigate challenges as young adults. Information from their unknown pasts comes to life.

I loved this multi-POV story of what it means to be family. How do we define success? How does our understanding of family shape who we are? Where should our loyalties lie? Aliu has beautiful writing that kept me enticed. Some of the characters needed a bit more depth, but an enjoyable story overall with good points to think about.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! The twin aspect was fascinating and very well done. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

This was an absolutely beautiful story of family and family ties, all the ways that we are tied to our families in ways good and bad. The subject matter is very relatable as we all have certain familial relationships that have try and test us, and tie us together all the same. All of us have certain family members that complicate things, maybe some of us even are that person. This was a very personable and relatable story, it felt very realistic and it's strongest parts were it's characterizations. The character work was impeccable here, the dialogue was the best part about this because it was so raw and unflinching and honest, it really cuts thru all the exterior. bullshit and gets right to the heart of the matter.

This was readable, and engaging but it was not the most unique book I've ever read, even with it's ethnic elements I still felt the sensation of having read similar books before, but that did not make this any less readable. It never bored me which is major, the pacing was steadfast throughout and for that I gave it 4 stars because of its enjoyability factor. The writing seemed at times to think it was smarter than it is, but for some that type of pontificating works, but for me I had to detract a star.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange of an honest review. I had difficulty staying focused on the characters. There seemed to be too much jumping around, and it left me feeling like I couldn't get interested in either the story or the characters. There was a strange undertone throughout the book that I can't put my finger on. The twins started out to be interesting, but then reverted to being about Pete's drug abuse and criminal history, and Drita's interaction with Pete's son and his mother. Then, jumps to their adopted mother, Jackie. This book was not one that I can recommend, as I had difficulty finishing it.

Plot: Siblings Pete and Drita have made choices that have sent their lives on different trajectories. Drita went to college and is a nurse and holds it over Pete’s head that he’s made mistake after mistake. When people from Pete’s life arrive in Drita’s, she considers what makes someone family and what you will do for them.

Themes: family, success, addiction

Characters: the story alternates between Drita and Pete’s POV as well as their adopted mother Jackie and Pete’s girlfriend Shanda. Honestly, Shanda’s story was the most intriguing to me. Jackie’s backstory was also interesting, but I didn’t find the majority of these characters likable at all.

Writing: The book was very well written and shines a light on Albanian/Serbian conflict that I didn’t know much about. I really disliked how much the story timeline jumped around. We alternate POV but then also jump from the early 90s to the 80s and back to present time all throughout the book.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher.

Beautifully written account of boy-girl twins raised by a woman in a wheelchair, who learn through hard lessons the meaning of family. Told from shifting points of view, structuring itself across various eras, with a twist that explains some of the choices made for better or for worst. What appealed to me most was the realistic dialogue that propelled the action and the characterizations that enhanced it.

Drita and Pete are twins, or so they believe. Their mother, Jackie, has a car accident and is unable to have children. She adopts these two children from two different mothers. The two children have very different personalities. This story weaves between the lives of these twins. Pete is married and has a child. After Pete leaves his wife, Shandra, and child, Dakota, Drita decides to locate him. The story develops each character very well. The plots with the twins’ lives and the interweaving within the plot are very clear.

I found this book thought provoking and well written. It runs deep and is very well done. While at times it was difficult to read due to the heaviness of the situation, it was realistic. It felt like a true portrayal of the challenges of life including the loss of a child, drug abuse, child neglect, and recruitment for war for the Kosova Liberation Army. Overall, it is an excellent book; and, for me, it was a page turner. I think it probably will win some awards and be a bestseller.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher, Random House, and the author for the privilege to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks for this review copy. I enjoyed reading about the twins and their sibling bond. The writing is good.

I have mixed feelings about this. I found it hard to get into, almost stopped with Pete's bowel issue so to speak. The characters didn't feel quite real to me or developed enough. I was interested in the more historical, roots part of the story and parts were moving and interesting so glad I continued.

This was a great story about family, friendship, and what it means to be a family. It was well written and the characters came alive. I loved the story and only wished that the ending had a bit more resolution. Other than that, it was great!

Drita and Pete are adopted twins raised in suburban Connecticut and are complex and compelling protagonists. Their diverging paths—Drita’s adherence to societal expectations and Pete’s rebellion against them—paint a vivid portrait of sibling dynamics and how shared origins can lead to vastly different destinies. Drita’s return home to care for their ailing mother and her determination to help Pete’s son inject the story with a quiet heroism that feels authentic and inspiring.

The novel truly shines in its exploration of identity and heritage. The twins’ initially distant and abstract Albanian roots gradually come into focus through Drita’s discovery of their family history and its ties to the war in Kosovo. These revelations are woven seamlessly into the narrative, exploring how cultural identity can shape—and heal—fractured relationships.

The supporting cast, particularly Pete’s girlfriend and young son, add depth and emotional stakes to the story. Their struggles bring urgency to Drita’s search for her brother and highlight the complexities of familial obligation and redemption. The ultimate revelation about the twins’ adoption and its connection to more significant historical events is surprising and deeply affecting, adding a powerful layer of meaning to their journey.

Aliu’s prose is tender and evocative, capturing the nuances of sibling love and conflict with authenticity and grace. The story is filled with heartbreak and hope, making it as much about forgiveness and growth as it is about uncovering the past.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was really good. Good writing (with a few awkward sentences) and complex characters. I wasn't sure any of them grew as much as I wanted them to or realized how they'd been wrong about each other, but they did a little bit. I felt the author wasn't sure if she wanted this to be an ideas book or a book of plot twists, and I wish it had gone more into the ideas it book brought up, such as the usefulness or morality of violence, and the importance of "blood" or what makes people family. I am glad I read it, though.

This is a really tough read, but it was completely worth it. I love novels that are about families and the feeling of trying to find your place within a family and within the world. Very poignant in these trying times

Did not finish - Aliu is a good writer but the characters felt rather one-dimensional to me. While I appreciated that this would probably have led to a good evolution as the characters evolved, they just weren't holding my interest.