Families are never quite what they appear to be, sometimes even to the family members. A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards brings this point home in persuasive fashion. Ryan and Wendy were far apart in age and nothing like each other as sisters. Wendy was the perfect one and Ryan was the screw up, never quite as good as her perfect older sister. When Ryan gets a call from Wendy asking her to help take care of her two young daughters for the foreseeable future she is surprised, but even more surprised when she discovers that the sister she thought she knew is not the sister that she has. Ms. Richards brings forth tension and suspense in this very readable novel that will keep you turning pages to the end. I greatly enjoyed this novel and thank NetGalley, the author and Harlequin-MIRA for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Don't miss this one!

This is the first book I’ve read by Emilie Richards and I really enjoyed it. I thought it crossed several genres, such as women’s and contemporary fiction, romance, mystery and a bit of suspense. I spent most of my time reading this poolside, so I’m recommending this as great summer read.

The story is about the relationship between two sisters, Ryan and Wendy. Ryan is quite a bit younger than Wendy and has grown up thinking she is the perfect older sister. Due to the age difference, Ryan doesn’t know Wendy as well as most siblings know each other.

When Wendy unexpectedly calls Ryan asking for help with a big problem, Ryan doesn’t hesitate. Ryan produces a podcast on unsolved crimes and between her and her staff members, they have the skills to try and help with Wendy’s problem.

In the meantime, Ryan is back in her old hometown where some major life events occurred for both sisters. As Ryan tries to get the bottom of what is going on with Wendy, she discovers quite a treasure trove of old secrets that will ultimately change everything about her opinion of Wendy.

I enjoyed trying to guess at all the secrets. Some I predicted but others were not so easy and it was fun following along with Ryan as she discovered all the clues to revealing what Wendy’s life was like. Also, I especially loved the addition of the police dog, Biz.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin-Mira for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

Ryan Gracey has never quite fit in with her family. She grew up with a perfect sister and a mother she could never seem to please. Now the host of a popular podcast on unsolved crimes, Ryan is in the midst of celebrating her successes when she receives an unexpected phone call from her perfect sister, Wendy. Wendy needs Ryan to return home and take care of her two children, but is unclear about how long. What is clear is that Wendy thinks she is about to be arrested for murder and that she doesn't think their parents are going to be able to handle her children for the long haul. However, Ryan's skills in true crime may make her into a far better ally than childcare.

Emilie Richards captures the odd feeling of returning home and trying to step into shoes that most certainly don't fit, all while trying to keep things normal for the kids.

3.5 Stars

Thanks to #NetGalley #Harlequin for my free digital copy of #afamilyofstrangers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is my first book by Emilie Richards, so I didn't come into it with preconceived ideas about the writing style or genre.

If you love women's fiction, interesting characters, and complicated family drama/dynamics, you might like this story. I found it just Ok....I didn't love it and I didn't dislike it. This might be a book that some readers might classify as a beach read....most of it is engaging and entertaining, the plot is a little far fetched in places, and it has a straightforward timeline which makes for more relaxed reading. The title aptly conveys the main theme: this family lives behind pretense, image, and assumptions. Kuddos to the main character for drawing a line in the sand and confronting/revealing the charade. Some of the way the events unfolded were slightly implausible but it does keep you turning the pages! I feel like the story could have been stronger with some additional editing. I started skimming some parts that dragged with unnecessary details.

If you love the genre, you might enjoy this. Others have loved this story, so please check additional reviews before making your reading choice!

Review posted to Goodreads 5/27/2019.

I usually love Ms. Richards books, but this story did then to drag on for me and seem to have ended quite a few chapters back. I definitely will read another one but this was just not my story I guess b

This book is dark, well written and full of twists and turns. It's a page turner you won't be able to put down.
I liked the fleshed out characters, the plot and the setting.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Received a copy of this book through Netgalley thanks for that.
It's a book that you can not take at face value, it starts off slowly but then dark secrets start to come to light ,if you enjoy a good mystery then this is the book for you,it kept me on my toes and could not wait to find out the ending.
If readers enjoy dark family secrets with a twist then this is the book for you.....

Remember when Emilie Richards used to write feel-good novels about women making quilts and helping each other through hard times? Someone must have told her that darker is in fashion now, because A Family of Strangers goes to some pretty bleak places. Still, it has Richards’ characteristically thoughtful portrayal of family dynamics, and although the plot takes a while to hit its stride, it’s ultimately a rewarding read.

True crime podcast journalist Ryan Gracey receives a shocking phone call from her much older sister Wendy, who claims she has to disappear to avoid being framed for a murder she didn’t commit. Wendy is by all appearances the loving mother of two adorable daughters and the loyal heir apparent to their father’s real estate development company, so Ryan has no choice but to temporarily move back to her hometown, become her nieces’ caretaker, and shield the truth from her parents, especially her father who is recovering from heart surgery.

The Gracey family has never been close, and they especially don’t talk about their feelings. Ryan always felt like an underachieving afterthought who never held her parents’ full attention. But as Ryan puts her professional skills into finding out the truth about Wendy’s disappearance, she realizes that everything is about to change, including her relationships with her parents, nieces, and especially the sister she never really knew.

The story starts a little slowly, especially while the focus remains on Ryan’s initially unrewarding forays into parenting the nieces she barely knows. But once the suspense/mystery plot kicks in things move more quickly. The appearance of Ryan’s ex-lover Teo and his talented dog Bismarck provide some welcome additional layers to the story and give our heroine someone to strike sparks off. Their relationship ended badly, and even as they tentatively reconcile, Teo has definite opinions about Ryan potentially putting herself in danger through her investigations. Ryan’s podcast partner Sophie and her fan network of true crime podcast sleuths also provide more richness and make it feel more realistic that Ryan would have the tools and knowledge necessary to solve the mystery of Wendy’s disappearance.

Although the novel ended strongly, I couldn’t help thinking that this wasn’t Richards at her most genuine. She seemed to be channeling Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell or any one of those bestselling authors who create dark stories about troubled women. In these challenging times, I need a reliable author like Richards to reassure me that the world is full of strong, compassionate women who will stand up for each other, like the characters in her Goddesses Anonymous or Shenandoah Album series. There are plenty of authors who can make me uneasy; I need Richards to make me feel better.

ARC received from Net Galley.

A Family of Strangers is a family of many secrets. Ryan goes to help her sister look after her nieces, but her sister is hiding many details. As Ryan probes into her sister"s life, she also discovers secrets pertaining to her own past. She also becomes familiar with her two nieces who are bewildered by their mother' absence. The end is sad and also shocking.

Ryan Gracey’s older sister, Wendy, was a teenager when Ryan was born. Ryan always looked up to her with envy, the Perfect Sister, excelling in everything, school, sports, looks ... Ryan knew she could never compete and didn’t try. She felt ignored by her family. Now, Wendy calls her out of the blue for help. She has been somehow involved in a murder, and is hiding until she can clear her name, begging Ryan to go looks after her two girls. Ryan goes to her hometown to look after two nieces that she barely knows. And there, she discovers something isn’t right. She wonders about what her sister is telling her, as some things don’t ring true. But, why would she lie?

This is a compelling book with an original storyline, very well written, and as it unfolds, it is a definite page turner. Things just aren’t what they seem, and sometimes a lifetime goes by before everyone figures it out. I highly recommend this book, and this author.

Oh wow, I have read mist everything Emilie Richards has written and have loved most all of them, this book is my new favorite. Its full of family relationships and secrets. The characters are believable and the writing is very well done. You will start to wonder about secrets in your own family.
I love a book that is unpredictable. This book kept me reading way past my bedtime. I highly recommend A Family of strangers. Thanks to netgalley for the gift of the arc. The opinions are my own.

This is a wonderfully written story that is so good I ignored everything else going on so I could read. If you're interested enough to read this book, don't read reviews that might have any spoilers in it. The impact of what the story turns out to be is greater when you don't suspect a thing. The characters are skillfully crafted and believable. The plot gave away nothing about what was coming next. There was no hesitation giving it a five star rating.

Family secrets and family relationships are the heart of this story.

Excellent family drama with a mystery and deep emotional secrets. I was intrigued by Ryan Gracey’s adventure into figuring out what is going on with her sister, Wendy who is on the run. Wendy has abandoned her family and only contacts Ryan sporadically. This is a family that is full of complicated issues and what you see on the surface is not what it really is. Well written, interesting characters, and thought provoking read. I enjoyed and recommend this story with mystery, family loyalties, humor, family secrets, and a second chance love story.
Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (April 24, 2019)

A Family of Strangers is a women's fiction novel with a hint of family suspense/drama.

This story barely held my interest to be honest. It was so wordy and wayyyy to drawn out. It was too long and could have been 75-100 pages less.

Family secrets and family relationships are at the core of this novel. There again was just too much going on in this novel and caught myself rolling my eyes wondering where the story was going. It didn't have enough punch to the max in this story. I was bored and wondering is the end yet? Which is never a good sign in my book.

I feel like I've been running across to many books that are too wordy and wayyyy to long.

It didn't hold my interest... but give it a try this may be enjoyable for you! :)

Overall, 2.5 stars for me on this one.

Thank you to Harlequin/Mira and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 6/25/19
Published to Goodreads: 4/21/19

Really enjoyed this book,interesting characters and a complicated family story. We trust family because they are family but should we?

A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards. I've read past books by this author and enjoyed them and this book hasn't disappointed me. A drama with issues and secrets between family members. A fast paced roller coaster of a ride.

Ryan has lived in her sister Wendy’s shadow most of her life. She never felt like she “fit in” with her family. Wendy calls Ryan and asks her to come home and take care of her neices because Wendy may be accused of murder. Ryan discovers family secrets. How far will one go to protect family?
This was a fascinating story and had many layers. There was mystery, family drama, secrets, and a little romance. Many thanks to Harlequin-MIRA and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have read all of Emilie Richards books and even though this is a slight change from her normal genre, it's fantastic and my favorite of all of her books. Her past books have been women's fiction but her new book has a central mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.

Though Ryan and Wendy are sisters, they were never close because there were so many years between them. Wendy was ready to start college when Ryan was born. Wendy was a successful business woman who helped her dad run the family business. She was married to a military person who was gone for long periods of time in submarines and they had 2 young daughters. Ryan had a successful podcast about cold cases. Out of the blue, Wendy calls Ryan and says she can't come home because she may be accused of a murder and asks Ryan to move into her home (4 hours away) and take care of her daughters until she can get home. That is all she tells her! Ryan has to try to keep the truth from her mother and her father who is recovering from a heart attack without worrying them. The two little girls are not overly friendly to Ryan and as she tries to win them over, she is spending most of her time trying to figure out what is really going on with her sister. The more she learns, the stranger things get! Blood may be thicker than water, but what does Ryan owe a sister who, with every revelation, becomes more and more a stranger?

This is an excellent family drama with a central mystery that affects the entire family. Even though Ryan is the sister who didn't feel like she was part of the family, she stepped up when she was asked for help from her sister. I thought that she was a very strong and resilient character who went well beyond to help her family. I enjoyed her scenes with her nieces as she tried to pull them out of their shells. There is also some romance for Ryan when she meets up with her old boyfriend. This is a wonderful story about love and family and how far people will go to protect the ones they love.

Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I love this author’s books! I thought this was well written. It had some twists and surprises thrown in! Thank you for the early copy

Slow and mundane. The story dragged with too many details. It made it difficult to connect with the characters.