I love this cover! I love the Sense and Sensibility retelling! I love the diversity!

Thank you so much for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

3.5. Enjoyed this story. Although I have not read Sense and Sensibility, I enjoyed the relationships and intrigues explored in this novel. I felt the ending was lacking. Seemed like everything was tied up in a neat bow without exploring the impact on the characters. Particularly unsatisfying was the love interest switch at the end of the novel without discussion of its impact on the jilted individual. Recommend with reservations.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. This was a lovely short read. I enjoyed the character development and the ending. I would recommend!
The story location is based on a cancer retreat but the story itself is nothing short of lighthearted and fun.

Relatively Strange is a delightful contemporary spin on Jane Austen's classic masterpiece, Sense and Sensibility. In this enchanting tale, the charming Amelia finds herself in the aftermath of a series of unfortunate events – her father's passing, a romantic relationship gone awry, and the collapse of her culinary career right in the heart of the food glitterati. We've all been there – those moments of grief that turn us into the most self-absorbed versions of ourselves. Amelia kicks off the story in a self-indulgent funk that's both relatable and endearing.

But hold on, the real magic begins when Amelia takes the first step on her journey of self-discovery and healing, especially in her relationship with her sister. Ah, sisterhood – a tapestry of complexities expertly woven by Kim into a heartwarming and vivid tableau of love and forgiveness. Beyond the tasty pastries, the narrative dips into weightier themes like gender and racial identity with a deft touch of humor, creating a delicate balance that's as satisfying as a perfectly crafted dish.

For those well-versed in Austen's original, there's a comforting familiarity in the twists and turns, yet Kim weaves in fresh plot elements that are both of our time and timeless. As the story unfolds, it's hard not to root for a tidy, satisfying conclusion – and fear not, dear reader, for Relatively Strange delivers a positively joyful denouement that wraps everything up with a charming bow.

ALSO, I recommend eating before reading this!

Thank you to NetGalley and Graydon House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for a fun story filled with interesting character, this book is for you. If you are a foodie, you will love it even more! I found the premise very entertaining and the Sense and Sensibility vibes are real.

It took me awhile to get into this book honestly. It did keep my attention because I was curious why the main character seemed to be running from something. Characters were well developed, but it took a long time until all the messy ends were wrapped up, but the story was very good and the book is well written.

My mouth is still watering from all the food descriptions in Relative Stangers... but I wish more detail was given to developing the characters and the real romance/love of the main character, Amelia.

All-in-all, it is a beautiful book, enjoyable to read and delightful to imagine. Kim is a gifted writer but could use even more details all around.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Relative Strangers.

I'm not familiar with Sense and Sensibility since I'm more of a Charlotte Bronte fan than a Jane Austen fangirl.

But I appreciate a modern retelling as much as the next person.

I enjoyed the modern spin on Sense and Sensibility featured a mixed race family filled with plenty of drama-mama, love affairs, and everything in between.

What I loved the most about Relative Strangers was the relationship between Amelia and Eleanor.

I love stories featuring supportive siblings, especially sisters since I have a close relationship with mine.

I loved their inside jokes, their movie references (something my sister and I also do though not as often), and their close bond.

The narrative was light hearted, perhaps too much for me since I'm accustomed to reading thrillers and domestic dramas with heavy, serious themes.

I found all the messy love affairs confusing and sometimes got the names of the men mixed up, Jett, Hari, Brandon, Chong Bae, and who wanted to be with who and who was related to who.

Is Sense and Sensibility this melodramatic?

I liked the writing, the flow of the narrative, the characters, especially Maggie and Eleanor, and the purpose of the cancer wellness center.

Amelia was a bit too doormat-y for me, but Eleanor's personality and demeanor is similar to mine which may be why I identified with her.

I didn't read the author's first book but I enjoyed the author's writing style and tone, though the story is too romance-y and Lifetime-y for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: April 2, 2024
Series: N/A
Pages: 320


Loving all things regent, this story reminded me so much of Sense and Sensibility, a novel I totally loved. A.H. Kim, is a new author to this reader and her story “Relative Strangers” was enjoyable and very entertaining. I loved the pace of the story as it flowed from page to page. It is a well-written novel and the author is an excellent storyteller…bringing her character’s complicated lives to a meaningful relationship and sisterhood. I also loved the descriptive parts of the book that made your formulate pictures in your mind with every word…especially the descriptions of the pastries. There is family secrets and bit of mystery with a modern-day twist of Jane Austen’s classic. Insightful, delightful, and enjoyable read that I totally loved. Recommended read.

This book made me smile! I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future. And I will definitely recommend this book to my library for purchase. I can see this being popular among my patrons.

Thank you @netgalley for my ARC of Relative Strangers by A.H. Kim.

Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors and Sense and Sensibility is my favorite of her books. Relative Strangers is a modern day retelling of Sense and Sensibility. I loved Kim's take on it. It was light hearted, but engaging.

Amelia's life is falling apart. She and her sister Eleanor, along with their mom and Eleanor's daughter go to a cancer retreat center. There is a long list half brother, who is trying to make claims on their estate. At the cancer center, various love triangles for with the sisters and the people working at the center. This was a great book about family relationships and romance.

Amelia's life is falling apart. Her mom is being evicted from the family estate. A strange man claims to be her half brother, supposedly a love child from her father's youth. Her sister Eleanor has SO MUCH on her plate.

This is a lighthearted and entertaining retelling of the classic Sense and Sensibility. (I haven't read the original.) The plot was a little slow in a few places, but overall this was a wonderful read. Loved Amelia and Eleanor and reading about the family dynamics. Sisters are always my favorite! Modern story, relatively light, but still thought provoking. Beautiful!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

There comes a time in every voracious reader's life when they need a retelling of a beloved Jane Austen classic but situated in a cancer care retreat facility in the hills of Northern California with a Korean-American family. A.H. Kim's first novel was a huge favourite for me and this second novel does not disappoint. Clever and wry, you will enjoy getting to know and rooting for the Bae-Woods women as much as a I did. Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Grayden House and NetGalley for the ARC.

Sense and Sensibility is not my favorite Jane Austen novel, but in some ways, I think the behaviors of the characters makes it the most ripe for a contemporary adaptation. Relative Strangers is relatively (pun intended) well-plotted, although certain sequences feel very compressed. In many ways, my slight issues with the pace of the book owe themselves to the source material. But overall, this is a faithful adaptation of a timeless family drama, and one that will leave the reader fully satisfied. If you're familiar with the original, you'll see many of the twists coming, but there are some new plot points that feel both authentic and contemporary.

3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and Graydon House for the ARC.

I am not a fan of Jane Austen but really enjoyed this apparently modern take on Sense and Sensibility.

To summarize briefly the main character Amelia after years of working and being away from her family is forced to return home. However, due to the death of her father and other complications her mother, sister and niece are living at a retreat for cancer patients.

The cast of characters expands and the novel contains great descriptions of relationships, locations all along the Northern California coast and food!

I did feel sympathy from Amelia’s sister Eleanor who seemed to carry all the burdens and responsibilities of her family. In the end after some bumps along the way it was a satisfying conclusion.

Thanks for NetGalley for opportunity to read this book and now I may give Sense and Sensibility another try.

This book is like candy. Despite the story taking place at a retreat for cancer patients, it’s a lighthearted and fun read that shares thoughtful reflections on life, love, and loss.

Relatively Strange is well paced and brings the drama. A. H. Kim is a great storyteller, and by extension, so is her character, Amelia. Amelia is recovering from catastrophic loss on all fronts: her father’s death, her relationship, and the concomitant end of her career in the epicenter of the food glitterati. We are never quite as self-absorbed as we are when we are grieving, and Amelia begins the book in a self-indulgent rut. I most enjoyed reading how she begins the complicated process of repairing her relationship with her sister. Sisterhood is so complex and Kim paints a really beautiful picture of what it means to love and forgive.

I’m not a Jane Austin girlie, but I was able to enjoy this book without the references. Some of the humor in this book is a bit outdated but overall, the story is charming and the characters are memorable.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC to review.

I'm a fan of Jane Austen re-inventions (well, of Jane Austen as well). Relative Strangers is a retelling of Sense and Sensibility, an Austen novel that I'm not as familiar with as some of her other ones (and now I want to read it, and also I want to watch the Emma Thompson movie). Anyway, in brief: for various reasons, Eleanor and Amelia, along with their Mom and Eleanor's daughter, decamp to a cancer retreat in northern California. Eleanor and Amelia connect with other people working there, have crushes, deal with family issues, and try to cope with both the death of their father (and an older brother they never knew they had). It's well written, moves quickly, and the characters are incredibly likable (even the ones we're not supposed to like!). The book touches on some serious topics (like gender and racial identity) in a light way (if such a thing is possible) and that fits perfectly into the narrative. I figured that given the Austen connection it would all be tied up on a neat little bow at the end and it's nice to read a book with a positive and upbeat ending.

I recently read the author's first book, A Good Family, and liked it, and I'm pleased to say that this one fulfills the promise of the first one. I look forward to reading other books by A. H. Kim.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

If you're up for a fun and engaging read, then look no further than Relative Strangers by A.H. Kim. It's like a modern-day remix of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, with a generous sprinkling of humor and a whole lot of fresh pastries!

Kim has taken Austen's timeless creations and given them a contemporary makeover that had me totally invested. I found myself giggling and grinning as I devoured the pages of this witty and charming tale. And speaking of characters, they're so relatable and lovable that you can't help but cheer them on. Each has a unique voice and personality that will win you over. You'll feel like you've made new friends by the time you reach the end.

But let me give you a little heads-up: don't read this book on an empty stomach! Seriously, the descriptions of those fresh pastries are mouthwatering. I had to resist the urge to raid the nearest bakery every time Kim painted a delicious picture with words. It's like a gastronomic adventure mixed with a love story, and it's as decadent as it sounds.

What impressed me most about Relative Strangers is how it keeps the heart and soul of Sense and Sensibility alive in a modern setting. The themes of love, societal expectations, and tangled family ties are as relevant today as they were in Austen's time. Kim captures and weaves these elements into a captivating narrative that keeps you turning pages.

If you're into love stories with a dash of mystery and a side of family secrets, this book is tailor-made for you. It's a fresh and delicious take on a beloved classic skillfully crafted by A.H. Kim.

So, grab a cup of tea, find a cozy spot, and get ready to be whisked into the world of Relative Strangers. Trust me. You won't be able to resist its charm and humor. Enjoy the ride!

This was a modern twist on the classic Jane Austen book Sense and Sensibility. I really liked the characters and enjoyed the humor incorporated throughout. Avoid reading while you are hungry because there are numerous descriptions of fresh pastries. Overall this book cleverly maintained many of the themes from the source material in its updated setting. If you enjoy love stories with a heaping side of family secrets, this is probably for you!