
Member Reviews

I've probably been reading Danielle Steel books since the mid-1980s. They are my comfort food for reading. As I have said in other reviews of her books, I always know what I'm getting and can just put my brain on automatic while I read and relax a bit. I read "The Whittiers" after a very intense psychological thriller that left me physically exhausted. As soon as I read through the first chapter of this book, I felt my body begin to unwind.
The Whittier kids are all grown up leading their own lives. A failed marriage, an unplanned pregnancy, and death are just some of the challenges the Whittiers face, leading them to live in the family home. Don't forget to throw in some unexpected, whirlwind relationships and a happy ending, and you've got yourself a delightful Danielle Steel book.

Of the three ARCs I have that are written by Danielle Steel coming out this year (Aug, Oct & Nov 2022) this is my favorite. A fairly close knit family of six siblings are brought together by tragedy. The Whittier’s parents die together in an accident. Their children are mostly grown ages 21 and up. All are at different stages of life with the oldest being the only one married with two children. There is small inheritances for everyone but the biggest asset is the family home. It is a 25,000 square foot house in NYC worth $50-100 million dollars. But five of the six, each for their own reasons, end up living in the house together. There is a general sense of family love and connection. Even though they aren’t all in agreement they are supportive of each other as each as their own story.
I enjoy romances so I like that many of the siblings find love during the course of the story. There is representation as one of the siblings comes out to the family. Something they couldn’t do while the father was alive. One brother is on the high end of the autistic spectrum and needs extra attention and care. It helps that everyone in the family is likable. Even the oldest sister who has some harsh things to say to the the youngest. The oldest son is going through a divorce so his wife is the only villain in the story.
I cared for the family and enjoyed following them in the year time period of the novel. And I would dearly love to have the chance to stay in their NYC home. The story is sweet, heartwarming, funny and filled with caring. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for eARC in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 stars)

received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.".
The books by Daniel Steele I have read I've enjoyed.. The Whittiers a heartwarming read no family is perfect in the end we need our family. 4 star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thanks Netgalley for a arc copy of this book for a honest review
Happy Reading Lisa 📚

Thank you NetGalley, Danielle Steel and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of The Whittiers. This is my personal review.
This book was another perfectly written Danielle Steel book. She gave me a story that had my heart in knots at times- laughing at the antics of Benjie’s two dogs he adopted from where he works- holding my breath while Annabella makes her decision and watching how each of them come to grips with a life without their parents. The love of a family and being there for each other gives them the strength to go on and find happiness.
Pick up a copy of this book to read, I know you will love it as much as I did.

The Whittiers is an easy read, a feel-good book about a family coming together. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend to someone wanting a great beach read!

I’ve said it before but reading a DS novel is like comfort food to me. The stories always draw me in from the first page. This was no exception. I loved this family dynamic and hated for it to end. Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I have to say that I always enjoy a book by this author.
Even though the books follow the same story--tragedy, romance and everyday issues, I still enjoy them. I liked all of the characters in this book and even though it centered around six grown adult brothers and sisters, it was easy from the beginning to keep track of each one and their storyline. This author always does a really good job of having several characters in a story but explains each of them without making it confusing.
I did enjoy this book and do recommend it.

They found out their mom and dad died.. they were trying to decide whether or not I to keep the house the whole time. Most of them moved into it it actually was called a mansion because of how big it is. They decided to keep it for now because most of then were living there together and it was all working out. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review.

Based on other early reviews that are in, I'm clearly in the minority with this one. I didn't love this one as much as I wanted to. In this book, over the course of a year, we follow a family dealing with tragedy. While the plot line of this was different from her typical stories, it didn't work for me as much. I felt like there were too many people that we were following up on and it just felt redundant. Just constant back and forth between siblings.

It was a very touching story.
Connie and Preston Whittier had six children. Lyle, Gloria, twins Caroline & Charlie, Benjie, and Annabelle. Every year after the holidays, their parents went away for three weeks on their "Wintermoon" to ski. But this year, when they were in France skiing, they got hit by an avalanche and they died together.
Each sibling was left money, but in the will both parents wanted their 25,000 square foot home to be sold and split by 6. That should set them up very well for life. But other factors come into play. Lyle realizes that his wife, Amanda only married him for this reason, money. So he moves out and back into his old home. Benjie is high on the autism scale and relied on Connie for everything, so taking him out of his comfort-zone isn't a good idea. Charlie has always been close to Benjie offers to move back in to help as well. Which Caro does to help the youngest Annabelle, who dropped out of school and is now 4 months pregnant. The only one who wants nothing to do with the house is Gloria, the Wall Street worker, who's married to her job.
But soon things start too turn around all for the better and everyone loves living among their siblings. They begin to appreciate each other for their close relationships and know that they will always have someone their for them.
Beautiful story.

‘The Whitters’ begins with the tragic death of Preston and Constance. Their six adult children are left to support each other through the crisis and the days to follow. In true Danielle Steel fashion, she hits you with a tragedy in the first chapter and then provides the twist and turns to overcome the tragedy. The Whitter’s are faced with everything from a divorce to an unplanned pregnancy.
Steel did an amazing job developing and exploring Benije’s life. It was refreshing to read a story that included someone with developmental delays or autism that is leading a productive meaningful life with a job and a relationship. So many times, individual’s lives are portrayed as needing constant care with no mention of employment or relationships.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for my ARC in exchange for my honest review

Who doesn’t love Danielle Steel? In The Whittiers, we meet a very close-knit family that is the American ideal. Following a terrible tragedy, they pull together to grieve and heal as they move forward. Their lives are changed forever. Coming from a large family myself, I loved the dynamics found in this family, their love for each other, their respect, and their protectiveness too. They are not perfect but together they are amazing. Well written, Steel develops the background stories of each family member in detail to help the reader understand the dynamics between them. She shows that the power of love is strong and together they can overcome anything. I enjoyed this heartwarming story and I think you will too.
Many thanks to #netgalley #thewhittiers #daniellesteel for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another great book by Danielle Steel. It shows how one family pulls together after a tradegy. It shows that love is possible when you weren't looking.

Another winner for Danielle Steel! I always look forward to her books and this one was another great story! Highly recommend to her fans!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for my ARC in exchange for my honest review

I love stories of families that come together in the face of tragedy and this book is no different. Danielle Steel is masterful at creating strong antagonists and protagonists. Her writing really allows you to get a sense of the environment and invision yourself in their places. Simply a lovely and heartwarming story.

Yet another of Danielle Steel's masterpieces. A family rocked by tragedy comes together in their time of grief. Sigblings and grandkids alike lean on each other to grieve, heal and move forward in their own journeys. Beautiful story.

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of The Whittiers by Danielle Steel. This is one of my favorites of DS. This story is of course about the Whittiers. The siblings change as they go from tragedy, to success, to love. This is such a beauty of a story!

What a great book! I thought this book would be good by the description, but you can't go wrong with a Danielle Steel book. She knows how to pull you in from the very beginning. It's like you are right there!
This book is about learning to overcome tragedy, by leaning on each other. Falling in love this family isn't hard to do.
You have the oldest son Lyle, who is holding the family together after the death of his parents. He is also going through changes in his own life. Then there is Gloria who works on Wall Street and doesn't seem to have much of a life outside of work. The next two adults are twins Caroline and Charlie. Caroline is the person in the family whom is a strong clothing designer who is trying to take care of everyone, especially Annabelle. Annabelle is a typical 21 year old that has her whole life before her, till she has to grow up. Then there Benjie a brother with special needs. He is so lovable, sweet and caring.
If your looking for a great book with a wonderful story, you will not go wrong with "Whittiers".
I rate this book a 5 out of 5
I received this complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.

What a great read to get lost in and get to fully envelope yourself with another loving family that leaves you with all the good feelings of what a family is all about. Danielle Steel must know first hand how this would be with her many children. Great read that flows so easily!
The Whittier Family has always been pretty close even though they are a big family. With pretty much all the children growing up and doing their own things, their parent's still go on their wintermoon and escape to have time with each other. Having been on the slopes numerous times before, they did not take the heed of the warnings one morning and go for their early morning ski when tragedy strikes.
Lyle being the oldest of the siblings has to take charge and inform his brothers and sisters of what has happened and to get his head together to make some tough decisions in the near future. Their parent's have a huge home that everyone has always loved, so will they decide to sell it and divide the money between them or will they decide to keep it? Benji and their youngest sister Annabelle are still living at the house for now and they don't want to have to make them move out right away.
The siblings decide that they will have someone come and stay with Benji and Annabelle while they decide what they are going to do with the house. There is a lot of paperwork that has to be done in order to be able to sell the house if that is what they decide that is what they all want to do. It has to be a unanimous vote though.
Lyle and his money hungry wife are not doing so well and when Lyle decides that it is time that he make some decisions, he moves back into the house with his other siblings as well. He also has to have his two kids with him on the weekends that he gets custody of them. The house is huge and won't be a problem for all of them to have their own room. There is just so much going on for all of them right now that it is easier for them to stay at the house than sell it.
I loved getting to know the Whittier's and to fall into their family story. Danielle Steel did such a great job of keeping everybody straight and made it so easy to love each and every one of the siblings. I was sad when the book came to an end and wanted more of this lovely family. I highly recommend this book for a great read!

Mary Cummins's review Jul 04, 2022 · edit
really liked it
Thank you to #netgalley for the the free ebook.This a very well written, feel good book from Danielle Steel about the power of love and family.When Preston and Connie are killed in an avalanche while skiing in the Alps ,their 6 adult children are left to pick up the pieces and go on.Each is dealing with an issue in their life.Through the year after their parent’s death, they grow as a loving and nurturing family and each deal with the hand they have been given. In the background is the house which shelters them and comforts them when they need it most.Great character development and heartwarming story.
#thewhittiers