Brashares' strength is weaving different characters' story threads together in a magical way that seems strange at first but makes complete sense by the end, and this skill is certainly obvious in this book. Sometimes the omniscient POV gets unwieldy when it shifts to Emma, Quinn, or Mattie. I understand that these shifts provide valuable character development needed for the ultimate resolution, but I had to stop, refocus, and figure out who was speaking/thinking each time a shift occurred. Good love story, good character development, plot was mostly good with a few confusing twists that seem to detract the flow.

This was a quick read, I would add it to a 'beach reads' list. In regular Brashares fashion we learn about so many characters, but it is hard to keep them all straight. I would have liked to have more info about each one and also more about what happens after.

The story follows seven characters, Emma, Mattie and Quinn whose parents, Lila and Robert divorced and not quite moved on from the mistakes and bitterness of the past, and their half siblings, who live in paralel world – Sasha and Ray – sharing older sisters but never meeting each other, until the summer when the card castle finally falls apart.

The first page of the book is actually a family tree, that provides you with enough information to understand the complex family, or in this case families, that will be introduced to you throughout the book. And it was in no way helpful. I must agree with quite a lot of popular opinions regarding the beginning of the story. It is very confusing to the extent where I wasn’t sure whose point of view I was reading; was it a girl or a boy? and constantly flipping back to the family tree page.

What surprised me was how many reviews spoke about sexism, body shaming and racism. Honestly, I noticed zero – on the contrary, I enjoyed how different everyone was, physically and personality wise. How the author mentioned different types of beauty – from “barbie” looking Mattie to a complete opposite Sasha, whose beauty were praised nonetheless, to “out of this world” Quinn whose personality was more than anyone’s appearance could ever outshine.

Another thing I cannot make myself to agree with is the mentioning of references to dullness and stereotypical characters. When there is such an array of characters, it’s only fair to give them these certain personality traits that would distinguish them between each other, make them unique in their own way, even though all of them went through the same life experience together.

Yes, Emma was the more serious and college-orientated one, Mattie was the beauty of the family, while Quinn.. was Quinn, different from anyone and anything. Sasha was just finding herself, trying to be like her older sisters but also to learn her own ways of dealing with situation at hand, while Ray was the only boy who had to stay strong among everything.

But these were not their only traits, these weren’t only things that defined them! As the story progressed we learned more and more about each and everyone of them, as more and more of their qualities walked out into the open.

I give it 2.5 stars out of 5 (that I rounded to three star rating on GoodReads). I try to stay away from half ratings, but sometime there is no escape from “in-betweens”.

I picked this one up because I liked the cover (that's often what first draws me to a book). It's written by the author of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which I enjoyed. Gosh, what a fantastic read! It's all about one family - sort of. A man and a woman were married, had three kids, then got a nasty divorce. In the settlement, they both retained ownership of the family's beach house on Long Island. Both people went on to marry again, each having another child. So, you have siblings, half-siblings and step-siblings. Here's the kicker; the two children from the new marriage never, ever meet. The original couple don't get along well enough, so even though the teen boy and girl share a room at this beach house, they are never there, or anywhere, at the same time. It's a tale and a half, and I had no idea where all it was going to take me. Here's a quick tip... jot down the family tree in the front of the book so you can quickly reference it throughout (especially if you're reading the e-book), because it's a LOT of names to keep straight.

Family is one big, beautiful mess. That's the sentence I'd use to describe this book.

A little bit of a disclaimer up front: if you're looking for a Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants type story, this one is not it. You will be sorely disappointed if you go in with that expectation. This story is closer to her The Last Summer (of You and Me) which I read when it published ten years ago and I've re-read since. I think it's why I enjoyed this one so much.

Also, I'd venture to say that when I picked this one up, I thought I was reading YA but I think this is more of an NA/Adult fiction book. There are two characters who are 17-year-old but the story is told in third person omniscient (which can be a bit jarring if you're not used to this format) which means we also get the perspective of the older family members and their issues will certainly be relatable to an older reader.

The family dynamics in this book is fairly common these days but the way it's presented in the book is unique. At the beginning, I was a bit confused because it is a lot of people to keep track of so I did consult the "family tree" at the beginning of the book several times. But as I read, I thought Brashares did a great job at making each character distinct enough that I followed easily along after about the 50-page mark.

It's hard to review this one being that it's a short book and the characters, while all having distinct story lines, are enmeshed throughout. In their own way, they do grapple with their identities, even the adults. I come from a set of parents who are still together so it's always fascinating to me to read these family stories which are so different from mine. I can relate with the drama, though, because whose family doesn't suffer from a healthy dose of it?

There was something in the book that I could see coming, and was necessary to the overall story arc, but nonetheless felt contrived. And this book did include diversity and issues surrounding that diversity that I don't think was presented in a racist or stereotypical manner (as some Goodreads reviews point out). Overall, this one was a quick, enjoyable read for me. And I think I will always read anything Ann Brashares writes.

I was given an ARC of this book from Net Galley for an honest review.

I found this book about a family of divorce to be very confusing because of the author's use of multiple points of view. There were several characters in the book who belonged to one of two families and it became difficult keeping all the characters' plots clear. Add to that the fact that I only found one of the plot lines to be interesting.

The surprise ending also was not appreciated. I've enjoyed other books from this author, but this one was a disappointment.

It was an average read, nothing spectacular. I found myself getting lost in the POV changes. It was a fast read but not as enjoyable as her other series.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this awesome novel.
This has to be Ann Brashears' best yet. The writing was excellent. This bittersweet story was told so impeccably well. The characters were so lovely and charming, it is difficult to say who was my favorite.
I really would like if she could continue this with another novel on this world.

I really struggled to read this book, I found it slow, confusing and lacking dimension. All of the interesting aspects of the story are briefly mentioned and are glossed over. The story felt like it was rushed.

This story is about a variety of personalities, how they cope with life and how they manage to live together. Due to so many characters it was difficult to keep track of who is who (sorry Mattie and Emma) and to feel connected to any of them. The characters and story of Ray and Sasha are more developed but I found the whole romance to be disturbing. Even though Ray and Sasha are not biologically related the budding romance between them creeped me out.

I wish the author cut the number of characters in half and gave them more details and focus. The characters had a lot of potential for growth but due to the overwhelming number of characters, all with personal struggles, I found it difficult to get to know them. A lot is mentioned and hinted at in the book but not much is flushed out.

While I will be purchasing this book for the public library I work at due to the author's name (teens will still want to read it) I do not think I will personally recommend it to anymore.

I found the book mesmerizing, predictable in an unpredictable way. I finished it on a stormy afternoon, the perfect setting in which to immerse myself.

I am surprised that it is YA. It seems for at least a slightly older readership. Not every reader will appreciate that the points of view shift without warning, without transition.

Memorable observations about loss of family. The normal of abnormality.

This is my first exposure to the writer. I know, how abnormal is that? I never traveled with the sisterhood and the famous pants. So, I could not compare it. Perhaps that is what enabled me to like it more than other reviewers.

I typically do not read nor find myself interested in reading about family dysfunction. But I am glad that I read this rendition. I might even read it again...on another stormy afternoon, of course.

Sasha and Ray have always shared a room in their summer home. They’ve shared the same books, the same toiletries and the same bed, yet they have never actually met. Ray’s mom used to be married to Sasha’s dad and neither one is willing to give up the beach house. Now they have new families and are making new memories, but in the same house. Unfortunately, choices from the past have a way of coming back and these two families must learn to work together before the loose ties fall apart.

The Whole Thing Together is a stand-alone novel that has an interesting premise, but a faulty execution. I usually don’t mind alternating story lines, but this story did not flow easily and the middle of the book seemed muddled. The ending was great and I will think about it for a while to come, but the overall impression I am left with is just flat and uninspired. Brashares’ latest novel is not a drop everything and read book.

I got excited when I saw that it's a new Ann Brashares' book but got confused later because I thought it was a sisterhood' novel. Which it clearly isn't.

Requested the wrong book.

I rated this three stars on Goodreads, because I didn’t mind reading it. But then as I wrote my review, I realized I wouldn’t really recommend this book, unless a lot of changes have been made between the ARC and the final copy. Overall, the idea just seemed underdeveloped and not well executed. Maybe my expectations were too high, but something about it was just a miss for me.

The story is based on a unique situation: parents of 3 girls divorce, each remarry and have another child. As part of the divorce, the two new families share a summer home, one week on one week off. The two newest children share sisters but never meet each other. During one summer a sister arranges for Sasha and Ray (the new siblings) to share a job at a local grocery store. As a result of this, and a random brief meeting at a party, Sasha and Ray begin emailing each other. This is my favorite part of the book! I love the concept that they are both so closely related but also not related at all. I love that they live these parallel lives and have a connection through the spaces they share. As with Traveling Pants, Ms. Brashares doesn’t let the reader live in this humorous world but instead interjects wide swaths of reality

For a more in-depth review watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t8kt...

I received a copy of an e-ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sasha and Ray are part of the same family but they are not related. Many years ago Sasha's father and Ray's mother were married then they weren't and then there were other marriages which resulted in Sasha and Ray. They share a summer home and sisters but they have never met. But they have a connection.

"The Whole Thing Together" is told a very removed third person perspective which normally I am not a fan of but work in this context. I really liked the Ray and Sasha aspect of this book. I thought their flirty interactions were sweet and I was rooting for them to connect in person. However, this book falls victim to one of my biggest pet peeves. This is not a teen book but it is being marketed as one. Much of the story revolves around the shared older sisters who are concerned with marriages, colleges, and other major life decisions. This is a book for adult with just a little bit of teen added in.

Although the synopsis has led me to think that the book is about the romance between Ray and Sasha, in fact the book tells the problems and dilemmas of the daughters and son of the first marriage and the second of two couples. Almost Mine, yours, ours in a different way. Problem for me was to realize that the third person narration was chosen by the writer to facilitate the presentation of the situation of each of the character. This confused a lot and as she only presented a little of each one of them, I could not connect with any, much less with the protagonists.

I think maybe if the writer had written several small books about each character separately, it would have been better since it could deepen each other's relationship with their parents and the other characters.
The cover also did not collaborate in the message transmission, only the title helped.
2/5 stars.

Ann Brashares begins this book with a family tree. Make sure you study that because I found myself having to go back to it a few times over the first chapter or two. So she's his half-sister but he isn't related to her at all?

As Brashares shows, this is how it is with family: you're a part of more than one.

In the case of Sasha and Ray, it feels like they are related. Her father Robert and Ray's mother Lila were once married and had three daughters. They divorced - quite acrimoniously - and Sasha's father and mother had her, while Ray's mother and father had him. They may share three half-sisters, but they share no blood.

Another thing they share is a bed. In the course of the divorce, Robert and Lila agreed to divide time in a Hamptons family home. They alternate weeks in the summer, and for Sasha and Ray's seventeen years, they have shared a bedroom and a bed. Brashares details the minutiae of this sort of cohabitation - the scent Sasha leaves on the pillow, the crusted toothpaste Ray leaves in the bathroom - to show you how close these two are, even though they have never met and hardly communicated.

That all changes one summer, when both Sasha and Ray find themselves increasingly curious about each other. They are connected in fundamental ways - those three half-sisters - so naturally they would want to know more about each other. One of their sisters is getting married, which adds emotional drama to an already tempestuous situation.

Brashares also takes you into the minds of the sisters, Emma, Quinn, and Mattie. The young women work in the Hamptons, and they have steady relationships with their half-siblings. One of the facets of this book that I particularly enjoyed was seeing how Sasha and Ray viewed their sisters' relationships with each other. Does Quinn like Ray more? Does Mattie share more of herself with Sasha?

Another thing Brashares does well is show you that the kids have this all figured out. Emma, Quinn, and Mattie know how to operate within the shared households and families They understand how the family and sibling relationships work - how the whole thing correlates together. Their parents, on the other hand, do not. Bitterness left from the divorce lingers, nearly two decades later, and, as Brashares reveals, it renders the grownups far less capable than the children.

I enjoyed this book so much, and it made me realize that I need to read those Traveling Pants books. Brashares's sense of family is astute and empathetic: the emotional bonds we share, the emotional bonds of which we wish we could divest ourselves, the emotional bonds we wish we could forge, as well as the physical bonds that keep us together. I cried, I laughed, and I wished the best for these characters.

*** Scheduled to be published on the blog on April 25

Okay, so I know that Brashares has written more things than JUST The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but I honestly haven’t read anything else by her. I remembered really like that series though, so I decided to give this one a shot since it had a really intriguing premise to me. Right away, I really enjoyed the writing. The narration and dialogue all flowed together really well and the writing made the book very easy to read. The plot wasn’t super predictable, but there also wasn’t much that happened that was super surprising. This book is more about the characters anyway.

Family dynamics are very interesting. I’m going to say that it’s impossible for a family to be completely drama-free and the family in this book is definitely not an exception. The narration rotates between the five kids: the original three sisters (Emma, Quinn, and Mattie) and the new kids (Ray and Sasha). That, at times, got confusing for me. I was reading a digital ARC and sometimes there wasn’t a clear indicator that the book was changing narrators–I hope that’s something that is fixed or different in the physical book. That being said, if the narrators had very different tones or voices, this wouldn’t have been so confusing. Unfortunately, all of the narrators pretty much sound alike. It was very difficult to tell them apart just from the language. The only signals we get are from context.

The good thing about having so many narrators, though, is that I really felt like I got to know each of the siblings on a pretty deep level. If there had just been one or two narrators, we would have only gotten to know the other characters on a superficial level from our narrator’s perspective. I enjoyed getting to know how characters were perceived but then also having the internal viewpoint for each of them. I expected to not like at least one of the siblings, but I honestly really came to care for each of them in separate ways. Obviously they each had some less desirable traits, but I was willing to overlook them because I felt like I knew each of them on a deeper level so those things didn’t matter.

The only kind of negative thing that really stood out to me was that Jaime’s family seemed a little random. They had a ton of drama as well, but then they’re not really explored at all. I would have either liked more exploration there, or less description of it.

After reading (and pretty much loving) this book, I was surprised to see that there were many negative reviews for this book on Goodreads. One reviewer in particular (who admits to being a straight, white, female) thought that this book displayed “blatant sexism, body-shaming of all sorts, stereotyping, and some racism”. While I could see her points, I just wanted to give my two cents on some of those things. I’m also straight and female, but I’m only a quarter white so I might have a slightly different perspective.

“Blatant Sexism”. The reviewer points out a section of the book where one of our main characters, Ray, is looking at another character’s body–specifically her chest. The reviewer’s response: “This is a direct example of the ‘boys will be boys’ attitude that results in the normalization of rape and sexual assault. What could Ray do? Well I’ll tell you–he could have not looked down at Sasha’s dress, and kept his eyes to himself…” I see her point and I’m not at all trivializing the normalization of rape and sexual assault that is happening. However, I was listening to an interesting podcast the other day. It was a rerun for This American Life (great podcast if you’re not already a subscriber). It was an episode completely about testosterone (listen here). In one of the sections the reporter was interviewing a transgender man about his transition. As part of the transition, he had to be injected with a very high dosage of testosterone. It was really interesting to hear him talk about how he thought about women pre-transition (and testosterone) versus post. There was a stark difference. Obviously, we all have agency and can make our own choices, right? However, as a woman, I felt that my eyes were opened to this chemical thing that happens in boys that doesn’t happen in girls that I really had no idea about. It seems apparent to me that it’s not just a moral or ethical thing, but that natural chemicals and hormones are coming into play as well. I guess what my point is, is that even though I agree that Ray shouldn’t have been looking at Sasha’s chest, I don’t feel that this interaction was necessarily out of place. I was uncomfortable when I read it too, but I’m not necessarily angry at Brashares for including it–I feel like I get it.

“Some Racism”. The reviewer describes her frustration that an Indian American man (actually he was raised in Canada) is stereotypically a “tech genius”. Just as an aside here, I thought he was in finance, but I could have gotten that wrong. Another reviewer criticized the fact that this same character, Robert, was really trying to downplay the fact that he was Indian and wanted nothing more than to be just like all the white men out there. I can see why that’s bothersome, but I feel like we need to look at the overall context here. He was adopted by white parents and it sounded like he was raised in a white community. So from that perspective, it makes sense that he might not identify as being Indian–he wasn’t raised that way. In addition, it can be frustrating for people to make assumptions about you based on your physical appearance (I speak from personal experience here). I can understand why Robert would want to be “as white as possible” (for lack of a better term) since that’s more or less what he identifies as.

Those are just some of my thoughts about the negative comments that have been made about this book. I think a lot of the problems that people have with this book just need to be viewed in the appropriate context instead of being taken out and examined under a microscope. I, personally, was not offended by the book as a woman or as a person of color–in fact, I actually really enjoyed it! I’ll allow you to judge for yourself, but I don’t think these negative reviews should be enough to keep you from reading it if you would have picked it up otherwise.

Overall Rating: 5
Language: Heavy
Violence: Mild
Smoking/Drinking: Moderate (some drinking and some underage smoking)
Sexual Content: Moderate (nothing explicit).

Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This has been called out for extremely problematic content and it really dissappointed me.