I had high hopes for this book. The cover art was beautiful and I love to read about sisters and family life. However, this book failed to capture my attention. Thanks to author Wendy Willis Baldwin, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Pearl and Ruby are sisters. While they once were close, their lives now couldn't be more different. Ruby is a runner, is fit and fashion conscious, has a successful job, and has moved away from the town they grew up in. She hasn't spoken to their mother - in prison - for years. Pearl is living in the house they grew up in and is morbidly obese. Heartache and trauma have defined them both in very different ways.

Through a combination of circumstances, Ruby comes home to live with Pearl and the girls are forced to face the issues that drove them apart.

What follows is a story of both sisterhood and the struggles behind being threateningly overweight.

Because of the title and the jacket description, I assumed the story of sisterhood would take the wheel. I was surprised to be drawn into a story exploring the life of someone who struggles with weight the way that Pearl did. This is not something that is talked about very often and I appreciated this look at a minority group that I am not familiar with.

Baldwin acknowledges that her insight into the thoughts and feelings of someone bearing this burden comes from living alongside her sister who, herself, struggled. You could tell there was a special connection to the story, especially, near the end, as Pearl unpacks her story saying "What I want to talk about isn't my weight, or your weight, or some number on the scale but rather the weight of the burdens we carry and our often-unhealthy coping strategies. It's taken me a long time to connect what was eating at me to what I was eating. I know most of you can relate to this. The pounds I put on over the course of my life were in direct proportion to the personal problems I was afraid to face." She talks about one of the traps of obesity being sort of a self-perpetuating maze that can be difficult to get out of. She digs into trauma and coping and how food is only one tool she was using. What was incredibly powerful to me was the letter Baldwin's own sister wrote at the end, sharing a bit of her own reflections and thoughts. It rounded out the story in a really helpful way.

There is so much hurt in the story but also so much healing. I found myself drawn in almost immediately and feeling deeply for Pearl, most of all, as it felt like this was more her story and everything else was background.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e arc of this unique perspective on life in return for my honest review.

I enjoyed this story for what it was, but I did find it a bit triggering. I struggled to related to the characters and really enjoy the story. I didn't hate it, it just was not for me.

Two sisters, who grew up together but very differently. Love a story of growth, empathy, being brave enough to ask for help. Well written and thoughtful.

I’m not usually a contemporary fiction reader, but this one is worth the read. The story of Pearl, one of the main characters, being morbidly obese and dealing hardships was so touching. I wish they other characters would’ve been developed as much as Pearl, but a good read nonetheless.

The Sisters We Were is not purely a story about weight loss or sisterhood, though those are the two predominant storylines. The story is also about trauma and how it can cause unintended, spiraling consequences. For Pearl, this results in the massive weight gain. It really starts when she blames herself for her father's death, and continues to get worse as it becomes a coping mechanism for various battles she faces. She eventually has the courage to acknowledge that her weight is out of control, and to have a surgical procedure to help her manage it. Baldwin does a great job of putting the reader in Pearl's shoes, to give them a perspective on the challenges, guilt and shame that go with being overweight. It's a gentle reminder on being judgmental when you don't know the cause behind the effect. The author also does a great job of showing that even though there are people that shame Pearl because of her weight, that she also has a great support network at her job that loves her for who she is. Perry in particular is a bright light in the story. I do wish a little more of the story was told from the perspective of Ruby, Pearl's older sister. Ruby sees things that Pearl doesn't that are also a problem - the junk that piles up, the clinging to familiar because it's easy. These are likely coping mechanisms as well, but shows that trauma is a problem that could be keeping Pearl from being happy just as much as her weight, which tends to be the primary thing Pearl focuses on. To a lesser extent, Ruby has her own problem to deal with, in that her lashing out at someone has major consequences when it goes viral on social media. While it shows very real consequences, it also reflects how when we get sucked into social media we often only see one part of a story and not necessarily everything that led up to it, but we tend to be quick to judge people in this regard too. This story is based to some extent on Baldwin and her sister, and it can feel that way at times, reading more like a validation journey from beginning to end more than a pure novel, but it is still a good story with valuable lessons. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sometimes we do not understand what others may be dealing with, and it's when we learn what's hidden beneath, only then can we fully comprehend the hows and whys of the choices they make. "The Sisters We Were" beautifully explores this, with laughter, tears, and wonderful characters that you can't help but root for. Although I found the plot predictable, it in no way diminished my love for this book, and I would not hesitate to recommend it!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this before its January 17, 2023 release.

Wendy Willis Baldwin’s debut novel about varying degrees of family drama and its long-term effects proves that not only do all actions yield consequences, but sometimes even unexpected rewards. Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an ARC copy of The Sisters We Were so I can tell you all about it.

Though very different, the main characters of this book mirror each other in poetic, humorous and painful ways—much like siblings in the real world often do. One is overweight and seriously concerned for her health as well as her happiness, still lives on her mother’s property even though the woman herself is serving prison time, and seems to be perpetually stuck teetering at a crossroads, undecided and unsure. The other is a chronic runner, the kid who checks in at home out of obligation but simmers with a deep-rooted rage that she hardly notices in her day-to-day life anymore—until the day it boils over and sets off a chain of events that changes everything for the sisters. These qualities and character flaws are amplified by the trials and triumphs that Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw navigate throughout the book (sometimes clumsily, sometimes with a bit more finesse, in both present-day storytelling and flashbacks), and in such familiar ways that readers will find a safe space in which they can acknowledge and maybe even embrace one or two faults of their own.

The fact that the author’s own sister struggled with weight issues lent a particular brand of authenticity to The Sisters We Were, and specifically to Pearl’s character development throughout the plot’s more poignant twists and turns. Wendy and Tiffany even take the conversation straight to the audience on their podcast Life After Fat Pants, discussing everything from healthy habits to benefit the physical to edifying practices for one’s mental and emotional health. Add this firsthand experience in casting off weight of all shapes and sizes to the way Ruby relates to and interacts with her recuperating sister as well as her mother, and we get a rich dynamic of female characters that encompass key human experiences of generally disenchanted adult populations across the board.

Of course, the risk in writing this kind of emotional rollercoaster is that while there are moments of understanding and community between author and reader, there can also be miscommunication or even alienation. I have to admit that there were some points where I felt that the author’s focus on Pearl left much of Ruby’s and Birdie’s respective stories lacking somewhat; in this case, I’d probably look for a series to unfold, or at least a trilogy to reveal some of the elements I think we miss in this story as far as the main influences on Pearl are concerned. The book adopted a certain tone as well, one that I felt didn’t always match the intensity of the moment or the feelings of the other characters involved, but that spoke to Pearl’s relative innocence and overall reticent nature.

If heartfelt confessions, deeply personal epiphanies, and real-world battles with one’s demons are the kinds of stories you prefer, then The Sisters We Were may be the next book to add to your TBR pile. Acquaint yourself with the Crenshaws and remind yourself what it is to be angry, vulnerable and hopeful—sometimes all at once.

I really enjoyed this book for what it was. I was really drawn to Pearl as a character and felt that she had a lot of depth and I really empathized with her. I really wish the characters around her had as much depth as she did. There were definitely parts of this book that read as a back to school special and seemed to glaze over childhood abuse as a means to an end which in this case was what created the illness. These parts did just not hit home and really took away from the reality and overall feel of this book. I really felt that this was a really good debut though and was glad to have read it. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

The Sisters We Were examines the current and past relationship of two sisters, Pearl and Ruby. Ruby returns home, under the pretense of assisting Pearl as she recovers from weight loss surgery. We later discover that Ruby has actually lost her job, and needs somewhere to stay. Pearl and Ruby lived through a traumatic childhood, which probably contributed to Pearl’s obesity. Their mother, is now imprisoned due to murdering their stepfather. Pearl has continued to visit and speak with her mother while she is in prison while, Ruby does her best to forget her mother ever existed. This story exemplifies the themes of forgiveness, family, and overcoming adversity. I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book and author. Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a surprise to me. I expected 2 sisters to just me fighting about something but it was much deeper. You do have to wait for the whole reason this book has for the family being apart. The girls are named after jewels so that made it seem cutesie but I did not mind once the Dr made the comment. I like the friend from the assisted living, he might have been my favorite. The whole weight thing was interesting how it came about and I felt sorry they had to go through the ordeal. I read this in one day I could not wait to see if she went through with the surgery and how everything turned out for the whole family.

Inspiring story of a 500 plus young woman who decides to take control of her life with a life-changing surgery, and the relationship with her sister that develops as a result

“The Sisters We Were” is a debut novel by Wendy Willis Baldwin. This book follows two sisters - Ruby and Pearl through both present day and flashbacks. I can tell that Ms. Baldwin wrote this book as an homage (possibly even love letter?) to honor her sister whose story inspired this book. I greatly enjoyed the weaving of fiction and non-fiction. The portrayal of Pearl - from her story to the medical information to her situation - read very real. So, one may ask - why only a three star review? For the simple reason that while Pearl’s story shone brightly (and I loved her co-worker!), the rest of the story and characters weren’t as richly developed on paper.

I picked this book because of the cover. I am so happy I did, and then I opened it up and read it. This is a story that most will be able to relate to. Two sisters who are oh so very different despite growing up in the same house with the same family. It just shows us how we all deal with things differently. From being an exercise fanatic to eating because of your feelings and/or emotions. This book would be very good for a book club and discussion. I also would recommend it to someone wanting a story with depth in it.

The Sisters We Were
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 1/17/23
Author: Wendy Willis Baldwin
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Pages: 400
GR: 3.86

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: The weight of their family secrets could not have shaped Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw any differently. Ruby's a runner, living in Dallas and only reluctantly talking to their mother, Birdie, when she calls from prison. Pearl is still living in her mother's fixer-upper and finds herself facing a line in the sand: her weight is threatening to kill her. She's hundreds of pounds beyond the point where she can celebrate her curves or benefit from the body positivity movement, and unless she takes drastic action, the future looks dire. But when Ruby's buried rage explodes in a hilariously viral way, the mistake has life-altering consequences that throw the sisters back into living under the same roof as they try to put back together the pieces of their lives.

My Thoughts: This story is inspired by the author’s sister, which I love. This is an interweaving of fiction and non-fiction. The rawness expressed between sisters was authentic and felt. You never know what another person experiences or what life has thrown their way. Which is why it is so important to be kind to other people, your kindness may be the hope shot they get that day. The story of Ruby and Pearl was sad, funny, happy, and just beautiful. The tone was vivid and felt authentic. The characters were well developed with depth, emotion, intriguing, and worked well for this storyline. The author’s writing was complex, clear, funny, and beautiful. This book publishes beginning of next year and I highly recommend preordering.

I never, ever, read stories like this, and for some reason I was called this this book. I cannot express how beautiful this story was, two sisters coming together through a weight loss surgery and dealing with old wounds was a story I really needed right now. Please read this.

The title of this story is perfectly accurate. It is a story of sisters, of how their relationship has its difficulties just like any other relationship. I liked the concept of this story; I just didn't connect to any aspect of it. It might be because I am an only child or it might be because I couldn't connect to either sister but wherever the reason, I just felt off while reading. The author does an amazing job of creating realistic and heartfelt characters and story lines. Family is often difficult enough to navigate but adding in the distance between sisters makes for a challenging life. I really was rooting for these two, I wanted them to find their balance inside as well as with each other. The ending was nice, and I think many people will relate to the story or at least what the deeper thread is. I received an ARC via NetGalley and Sourcebooks and I am leaving an honest review.

An ARC copy was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the book for me. I can't put my finger on why. Maybe it was the writing style, but something just wasn't speaking to me. I struggled with it. I don't want to be the one to give a bad review since we all have different reading preferences, but I believe in being honest. This one just didn't appeal to me.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. This book didn’t hook me, so I found it difficult to continue from the start. I really tried to care for these characters, but I found myself frustrated. Overall this isn’t a book I would anticipate coming out, and I wouldn’t be quick to add it to my TBR. I hate to leave a negative review since reading is SO subjective, but I have to be honest. It just wasn’t the right book for me.

3.5 stars

I normally don't gravitate much towards contemporary fiction. Not that I won't read it. I simply don't go looking for it first. However, they synopsis for this grabbed my attention and I decided to give it a go.

We have a story of two sisters with family secrets and they couldn't have grown up to be more different. And when Ruby comes down to help her sister, Pearl, with her weight loss surgery, we see a journey about growth, hope and redemption.

This may not have been a story I loved, but it was a good one nonetheless. I also love how the author drew on her own sister's life experiences with being morbidly obese which added to the authenticity of the story. Truly worth a read.