This was a most anticipated read of 2024 for me and I was left unsatisfied. So sad!! I read the first 25% in a single sitting and the second 25% over 3 weeks. It just started to drag so much and I just didn’t want to continue. I’m sad to be a grouch about it, but this just wasn’t it. I read another book about adoption last year, Any Other Family, and had the same issue. I really would love for an adoption family drama to work for me! Next time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Family Family tells the story of the Hollywood actress, India Allwood. At the moment, she is being cancelled for a movie she has done and for her thoughts on its topic. The topic is adoption, which we learn she is very well-versed. The book is told in third person, but as the reader, we are let into their motivations and emotions. Mainly, we are in the minds of India and her two children, Fig and Jack (no, she didn't name them...). Mostly India and Fig.

Listen...I would watch this if it were a movie or better yet, a TV series. There was so much exposition and story that I think it would be a well-rounded and good series. There was so much happening, jumping back and forth between the main character's teenage years and rise to fame, then we are in the present which only presents a week in her life. There were a lot of twists and turns in this book that I didn't see coming, and it was paced spectacularly considering they kept jumping between timelines.

I had a lot of fun with this book. I was a little worried at first because sometimes I found some passages confusing in that their syntax was very wordy. I definitely learned some new vocab words through this (e.g. elide, circumspect, etc.)! Regardless, I really liked the characters. I found them full of personality and of life. The only thing was that I don't think I could accurately picture them as not a lot of descriptions were given (maybe that was the point ?). It got a little sappy at the end, but I enjoyed it anyways.

Would recommend to anyone who likes a good, dramatic family story ❤️.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Family Family by Laurie Frankel in exchange for an honest review.

Family Family was a wonderfully introspective look into the assumptions we have about adoption- how it must be rooted in tragedy or pain or anger, how adoption can't be anyone's first choice, and how rarely families formed through adoption are cohesive units. All of these assumptions are challenged in this novel, as the main character, India, chooses adoption. Not only for her own unplanned pregnancies, but, later on, for herself, her career, and her desire to be a mother. From the first page, it was easy to see that India had a very unique perspective on the world and how she wanted her life to go. There were times when I loved her dearly, and times when I was so frustrated with her flaws, but she was vital to the message this novel was trying to portray: family is family.

Thank you for this ARC! I really enjoyed all the characters and this story. It used the backdrop of COVID-19 well. There were alternating time lines that also worked well to build suspense and added interesting complexity. It had a lot of important things to say about adoption and abortion, as well.

India Allwood, a popular movie stars is under criticism for comments about her most recent movie that has an adoption storyline. The movie focuses on the “tragedy” of adoption and she says “Not all stories of adoption are stories of pain and regret. Not even most of them. Why don’t we ever get that movie?” India herself has two adopted children and what most people don’t know is that she also had given two children up for adoption in high school and college. Her children scheme to get help from her biological children, her family. Family is not always formed by blood and it is always complicated.

I did not know what I was getting into when I started this book and as and adopted child, sometimes stories about adoption are always about the negative when it really is a positive experience. There were so many points in the story that I cried over the family comments and the maturity of India in high school deciding to give her birth child ip for adoption to help make someone else’s dream of having a family come true. I did feel like the story was on the long side when it could have been shorter, and that the jumping around to different times in India’s life could have been done a little better, but overall, this was a great story.

Families come in all different configurations. What makes a family varies by person and situation.

Actress India Allwood comes under fire after making a movie about adoption. Audiences blast her on social media, and this leads to a complicated quest that reunites her with past boyfriends and her children she placed for adoption.

My favorite character in this novel is her daughter Fig. She and her brother Jack were adopted themselves by India, and their quirks make the novel.

I recommend this novel for readers of Meg Wolitzer. It is funny, charming, and fairly realistic in Wolitzer's vein.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy for me to read and review. This was a my first time reading this author and I had heard a lot of the book. It deals with difficult topics of teenage/college pregnancies, abortion, adoption and blended families. The author takes a novel, gutsy approach to these subjects. She also looks at families that are not the traditional families., and that a family is a family. We sympathize and feel for the main character India through her trials and tribulations. I enjoyed the book but found the going back and forth in time a bit challenging. There are also a lot of characters. Overall it is a worthwhile but very k to read and I would recommend it.

India Allwood is a celebrity who no longer wants to hide her past. After her movie about adoption comes out, she wants to let the world know that there’s more to all the sad stories filled with regret. Sometimes, these stories can be hopeful.

Bouncing back and forth from past to present, we follow India’s journey from an aspiring teenage actress to the woman she is today. While there is plenty of pain and an undertone of regret throughout, India carefully thought out each decision made with a happy ending in mind.

I enjoyed Frankel’s clear and studied prose but wished for a bit more warmth from the characters. While there was a sense of bond between each family member, it felt a bit stunted and cold.

Overall, the message of this novel is straightforward. This story could have been shorter, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

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

India Allwood grew up wanting to be an actor. She goes from awkward 16 year old to Broadway star to TV superhero. When her new movie about adoption gets a little pushback, India herself gets into hot water. She's an adoptive mom in real life and she wants everyone to know that there's more to adoption then pain and regret. She ends up telling a journalist the truth: it's a bad movie. At the center of a media storm, her twin ten year olds decide to call upon a little help - none other then their other family. Other family that the public has no knowledge of and causes more of a storm for her, because India's not just an adoptive mother...

I thought this was a nice book and was very well written. The major problem I had with it was just the pacing. For some reason it just felt very slow and a bit of a struggle to get through. However, I love the overall message of the book regarding family and what family really is... It was so interesting to have these things in India's life be revealed but it wasn't in any kind of over the top traumatic way. For example when we learn that India had another child that she gave up for adoption that Bex had no knowledge of - it didn't become this over the top dramatic thing. It was shock for one moment then okay I guess I have a half brother. That in a sense feels a little unbelievable that there would be no trauma or push back associated with it but it was still refreshing and nice in a way as a reader.

I still don't know how I feel about books that are set during the pandemic - I especially just don't know if it's important in some cases. For example, for 80% of the book I didn't know what the author's purpose was for setting this during the pandemic and when it's finally revealed I understood why the author did it, but I think it was not necessary at all. With India's return to theater being taken away due to the pandemic, I think it would have been more interesting for India's character if it was taken away because "oh they only see you as a TV actor now" or something like that. I just don't love the pandemic set books if it's not something specifically to do with let's say someone's trauma around Covid, etc. To me it fell a little flat in that regard.

Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Company for this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you to Henry Holt Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was my first book by Laurie Frankel and I can see why she has so many passionate readers! Written with a touch of humor, this book explores the intricate and often emotional journey of adoption, while also delving into the complexities of modern relationships.

India is a successful actress who has found herself in the middle of a media firestorm. She is honest with a journalist when she says that her most recent movie is terrible. She wants everyone to know that as an adoptive mother, and as someone who placed a child for adoption, that the process does not necessarily have to be tragic and traumatic.

India has led an unconventional life, and I connected most with her as the main protagonist during the flashbacks to her life as a young actress and new mother. What sets this book apart is its ability to balance the emotional aspects of adoption with relatively lighthearted moments. Parenthood is tough no matter how you get there. The supporting characters bring an added layer of depth to the story, providing different perspectives on adoption.

𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 reminds us that family is not solely defined by blood ties, but by love and commitment. Laurie Frankel’s writing style is witty and entertaining and I look forward to reading her other novels.

“𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦, 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩.”

“Family Family" by Laurie Frankel is a touching narrative that delves into the intricacies of adoption and the unique bonds that form within adoptive families. As an adoptive parent myself, I found this book particularly resonant, as it beautifully captures the complexities and joys of the adoption journey.

The story explores the idea that not all adoptive families are born from a place of loss or sadness. Frankel skillfully navigates this sensitive topic with empathy and insight, weaving a narrative that celebrates the different ways we can become a family.

What truly sets "Family Family" apart are its characters. Frankel has crafted a cast of witty, funny, and deeply relatable individuals whose stories will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page. The unexpected twists and turns keep the plot engaging, ensuring that the reader is kept on their toes throughout the journey.

Overall, "Family Family" is a heartwarming and thought-provoking read that celebrates the beauty of adoption and the power of love to transcend even the most challenging circumstances. Laurie Frankel has crafted a truly unforgettable tale.

"Family Family" by Laurie Frankel is a poignant exploration of the complexities and nuances of family dynamics. Through her compelling storytelling and richly drawn characters, Frankel delves into themes of love, identity, and the bonds that tie us together. The novel jumps from current to past timelines as it shares the story of India’s current family, her adoptive children Fig and Jack, and her two pregnancies at age 16 and 20 which she elected to have adopted. Frankel excels at crafting children characters with humor and depth. She delves into the subject of adoption with heartfelt and thought-provoking insights. Highly recommend this novel.

4.5 stars
Family, Family
Laurie Frankel

As always, thank you to #NetGalley, to Macmillan Publishers and Henry Holt and Co. for the Ecopy of Famiy, Family by the gifted Laurie Frankel. I think Ms. Frankel is a genius at Literary Fiction and writing about thought-provoking topics. Family, Family is a heart-driven and personal novel about What A Family Is and the complicated process of Adoption. India, the mother of many, is a strong character with firm beliefs and shares those beliefs, especially about her new movie, with the smears (paparazzi), and does not realize the ramifications of voicing her beliefs to the public, to her employers and for her family. This novel is funny with laugh-out-loud dialogue, witty observations, and heart-breaking decisions. The word Family is not a Big enough word to encompass Frankels' complicated Family. I found the flow of the book, at times, to be a bit jarring and the pace set at lightning speed. I was overwhelmed, but I understand that strong beliefs demand attention. The supporting characters were given time to share their stories and how the influence of India affected their lives. Speaking of other characters, Fig was my favorite...

India Allwood has always wanted to be an actress, but she runs into a few bumps on the road to her dream. Her most recent movie is about adoption, and she knows something about that – she’s an adoptive mother herself. But when she makes some comments about the quality of the movie, paparazzi and protestors camp out outside her home.. This is the story of different types of families –India’s as well as a few others – and the action jumps back and forth between timelines. I wasn’t sure how the story was going to end, but the ending was very satisfactory – some loose ends were tied up, but there was still some question about what would happen to a few characters. The author had some lovely things to say about what makes a family, and I highlighted a number of passages. Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt &Co. and Ms. Frankel for the ARC of this title.

Laurie Frankel writes the most perfect family dramas. I love the way she approaches difficult subjects with tenderness and humor but does not shy away from the hard truths that often come with these subjects. I thought this was such a different take on an adoption story, and I loved that it was hopeful and joyful. Having friends who have had wonderful adoption experiences, this was so nice to see. I love Frankel's writing and have put all of her backlist on my TBR. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this lovely novel.

I absolutely loved how the author presented the concept of adoption from a unique perspective, especially through the eyes of children. It really highlighted that there's no "right" or "wrong" way to form a family and that any arrangement can be just as beautiful and meaningful as any other.

Sure, there were a few parts that dragged a bit, but overall, this read was incredibly thought-provoking and engaging. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and eye-opening book that will challenge the way they see the world.

India Allwood has always wanted to be an actor and puts her whole heart into it. This goes through India's life from at the age of 16 to present day. It talks about family and how sometimes family comes together in a strange way with people that aren't related, but are related. It goes through sacrifices that India has to go through to get to the point that she wants to be in life. How you can love someone, but you have to give it up for things that you want.

This book hits some issues with adoption, teen pregnancy. It also gives a good idea of someone wanting to do something they love but have every bit of their life on display when they don't want it to be.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy!

Frankel's characters are complex and unique. Her stories are multi-faceted and always an enjoyable ride. I look forward to every new release. There were so many layers and Frankel graciously unwraps each layer to take you along with her.

Laurie Frankel has found her niche: family stories populated by precocious children and their brave and bold parents, tackling the toughest stuff families and communities face. Like "This is How It Always Is" and "One, Two, Three" before it, "Family Family" looks at what binds families and neighbors together, and how those relationships enrich one's life, especially in unexpected ways. I appreciate Frankel's commitment to using humor to diffuse emotional topics. Her newest novel has plenty of comedic scenes and heartwarming revelations between parents and their children. These last three novels take a lighter-toned perspective to what I think of as a Jodi Picoult-type novel formula.

[Mild spoilers below]
All of this said - I found "Family Family" too be reaching *so* hard for a saccharine sweet outcome, that it lost me. To a number, the child characters were so precocious that they surpassed cute and believably fictional, to grating on my nerves a bit. Similarly, India's character was written to be so progressive and unique that - at least for me - she came all the way around the other end of the spectrum and ended up feeling regressive to me. Her love for all her children earned my sympathy, but her belief system and choices around adoption felt so out of reach for the average reader to relate to, that it felt farcical.

Ultimately, I think this is my last Laurie Frankel book. But, I think the right YA & adult audiences will enjoy these happy ending stories that might introduce new ways of thinking about challenges and conflicts within families.

Another home run from Laurie Frankel who understands family dynamics and relationships like no other. Frankel is a masterful storyteller and "Family Family" does not disappoint. I love how she takes on timely issues and weaves a compelling story with relatable characters. This was a story I was sad to finish because I loved the characters. Don't hesitate getting your hands on her newest novel.