I loved this story about two half sisters who are total opposites who take a road trip together to see their dying father. There are secrets, things from their past and their differences that come out. I could easily relate to each sister. This was full of emotions for me, so real and feelable. I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed her last novel and will be looking forward to the next one.

Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley

Being one in a family of 5 1/2 sisters probably influenced my decision to read this debut. That appealing book cover played a part as well. And while the story of a reclusive recipe developer with a younger TV celebrity half sister sounded iffy, the prospect of a West Coast road trip and tangled family emotions sold me. And y’know what? I made a wise choice. The straightforward plot pulled me in right away, the many secrets revealed with effective pacing, and the unexpected developments made for an enjoyable quick read for this usually-not-women’s-fiction reviewer.

I thought this was a beautiful novel that explores the complexities of blended families, sisterhood, and forgiveness.

This book was both incredibly healing and heart rendering for me to read.

Whilst the circumstances were slightly different, I also lost a Dad to cancer that I had a strained relationship with. A father whom, as much as I loved, and as hard as I worked to make him proud, I never matched up to my siblings in his eyes, either.

My husband and I also had a(n early term) pregnancy loss. My brother was also a red seal chef, and my Gran was very similar to Zahra’s in using food to connect family. So I resonated with Zahra’s story, and her cooking/recipes, deeply.

And minus the fame part, Aurora reminded me in ways of my own younger sister.

A beautiful tale of the walls we build to protect ourselves after trauma, and the (sometimes unexpected) healing lessons we can find along the way, and that’s what it’s never too late to start over as long as you’re still breathing. And the importance of forgiveness and love during grief.

I LOVED this book so much. I binge read most of it around taking care of my little ones on a day we were helping my family move, so the fact I read this in about 2 days during a busy time is a testament to how incredible this book is.

The imagery was vivid and beautiful. Whilst parts were hard to read in some ways because of my own trauma, this was simultaneously such an easy read for me (a compliment) because the words and conversation flowed so naturally - almost as simple as something that is breathing air. (Essential, and sometimes the poignance of it keeping you alive is accidentally forgotten. )

This book was like a breath of fresh air in the forest or taking a cold plunge into a lake on a summer’s day after being stuck in a freezing winter for months. This book was the refresh I didn’t know I needed until it was staring me right in the face. One of my easiest 5 stars ever. 🥰🫶🏻

Thank you so much NetGalley for the free ARC.

Sometimes going in blind on a book is the best way to find something that you absolutely love. I can honestly say that I picked this book for its cover. I was slowly drawn into a story about two sisters that were as different as night and day. I couldn't put this one down. If you need a family read, then please pick this book up and join Zahra and Aurora.

When two half sisters are summoned to visit their dying father they hope to reconnect on the trip. Zahra Starling and her younger half sister, Aurora, are driving because Zahra is terrified to fly. They begin to bond and after arriving their dad drops a bombshell that threatens their newfound bond. I enjoyed the last part of the book when the women were bonding and keeping up with each other.

A great story of two very different sisters in a forced road trip to see their dying father for the last time. I had sympathy for both sisters and where each was coming from with their relationship between each other and also their father. This story has some not so perfect endings to some of the interwoven threads, which I appreciated as not all dynamics are easily resolved and unfortunately sometimes time does run out and opportunities are missed.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc of this book to review.

I couldn't wait to read this book by Lauren Parvizi because I enjoyed her previous novel La Vie, According to Rose. Parvizi is skilled at creating fully-drawn characters that you feel like you truly know and are rooting for. The world that she created for this road trip book was immersive, charming, and ultimately heart-warming. As result of feeling like I knew the characters so well, it was satisfying to observe how they slowly but surely opened up, grew and connected throughout the course of the story.

If you enjoy smart, fast-paced sister stories, I think you should move this book to the top of your TBR for summer reading.

This book showed me that forced proximity works in books that are not romance. While the circumstances that forced the sisters together was not the best it gave them time to reflect on their life and face some of their issues. I found both POV interesting and got a great sense of their personalities. They both went on an emotional rollercoaster throughout the road trip. It was beautifully written and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you @laurenparviziauthor @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.

I enjoyed the story. However the writing style was not my favorite. Some spots felt a little slow and juvenille. I don’t know if I would recommend

This was such a delightful, heart-tugging read! Trust Me On This follows half-sisters Zahra and Aurora, who couldn't be more different but are forced into an impromptu road trip to visit their dying father. What starts as a chaotic, awkward journey soon unearths buried grudges, half-forgotten memories, and the complex layers of sisterhood. The banter is sharp, the sibling tension is real, and the emotional punches land hard. Zahra’s love of cooking adds a rich, sensory layer to the story, making it feel as much about finding one’s place in the world as it is about family. If you’re a fan of messy, complicated sister stories with a dash of dark humor and a whole lot of heart, this one’s for you. Highly recommend!

If you’re drawn to stories that delve into the messy, layered dynamics of family, Trust Me On This is a gem. Lauren Parvizi captures the emotional complexity of relationships with such honesty and nuance that I found myself deeply invested from the start.

What I loved most was how the novel never shied away from the tensions and contradictions that exist within families—the love and the resentment, the distance and the unspoken bonds. Parvizi’s writing is both sharp and tender, filled with insight and subtle humor that makes the emotional weight feel earned rather than forced.

The characters feel real and flawed in a way that’s refreshingly relatable. The story doesn’t offer easy resolutions, which I appreciated—it’s more interested in truth than tidy endings.

I did not expect this well written, emotional novel to impact me as much as it did. What an excellent story of two half sisters finding their way to understanding themselves and each other. Zahra had a hard shell, trying to protect herself after loss and grief. Her father abandoned her when he left her and her mother for a pregnant mistress. Aurora is the younger sister, beautiful, optimistic and trusting. When her acting career hits a publicity snag, Aurora has to face new truths about herself. The two travel together when their father calls to tell them he is dying. The road trip provides the reader with insights, and I could not put the book down. I highly recommend this emotionally charged novel. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

”He had fathered one and raised the other. He had abandoned one and devoted himself to the other. It was true. It wasn’t the whole truth." This quote was BRILLIANT.

I really liked the road trip setting, the dual POV, and the family dynamics, but my emotional connection to the characters fell a bit short for me. Overall, a worthwhile read because it's a moving and touching story about sisters.

If you are looking for a really good road tripping sister drama... look no further!

The story follows two half-sisters : Aurora and Zahra who are forced together on a road trip to go visit their ailing father. The two have drastically backgrounds and circumstances and yet there are pulls that bring them to reconsider their relationship. I really enjoyed the themes of desire, reconciliation, paternal expectations, familial obligations, and found family. The book just takes place over the span of several days- yet the book felt longer than that.

I really came to love Parvizi's craft and writing style and her character development. This had elements of Persian heritage which I found lovely and

Fans of Claire Lombardo, Ann Napolitano, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Ann Patchett would enjoy!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC!

I won’t lie - I wasn’t totally sure I would like this book for about the first quarter. Then it stole my heart. The characters were not necessarily relatable to me, but I did come to appreciate and root for them. The story keeps moving and you really do want to find out what happens. This story encompasses A LOT but it does all come together in the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Trust Me on This! I loved this heartwarming novel about family, forgiveness, and connection. Zahra and Aurora are half-sisters with completely different personalities — Zahra is a grounded chef, while Aurora has pursued a career as an actress. When their father’s illness brings them together, the sisters find themselves on a road trip from California to Seattle, full of tension, humor, and eventually, healing!
What made this story truly special for me was how authentically it portrayed the complicated nature of family relationships. Zahra and Aurora didn’t magically get along — especially at the start of their journey — but the story beautifully captures how reconnecting with someone you share history with can open the door to honesty, vulnerability, and ultimately love! I found myself moved by how their bond slowly deepened as they shared their struggles, fears, and grief!
Trust Me on This gave me exactly what I was hoping for: a heartfelt story about sisterhood and the unshakable ties of family, even when life has pulled you in opposite directions! I couldn’t have asked for a better novel to remind me that even through hardships, family can be your anchor!
Highly recommend it if you love emotional, character-driven stories with a strong focus on family relationships!

Warm, witty, and full of heart, this novel perfectly balances romance and self-discovery. Parvizi writes with charm and insight, making you root for every messy, hopeful step the characters take. It’s the feel-good story that leaves you smiling long after it ends.

Two estranged sisters on a cross country trip, hoping to see their father one last time. What awaits them will change everything. The trip is about bonding, healing, and growing a relationship as sisters. This was an engaging book, with endearing characters genuinely trying to get life right.

Achieve a Balanced Perspective and TRUST ME ON THIS by Lauren Parvizzi

Aurora and Zahra are very different half-sisters.

Aurora is a rising star, a celebrity who gets recognized. Aurora is bubbly and relentlessly optimistic—to a fault. Even if someone’s obviously taking advantage of her, she sees a silver lining.

Zahra is the opposite. She is a talented chef who prefers her kitchen to the outside world. If someone wants to spend time with her, or if she’s faced with a novel situation, she automatically assumes the negative.

The sisters aren’t close. But when their father calls to say he’s sick and needs them, everything changes. Aurora is excited to reconnect. Zahra isn’t. Especially since she doesn’t fly. So now, they're on a road trip headed to their father, with all the awkward silence, unexpected laughs, and old wounds you’d expect.

Aurora and Zahra use the same mental trap, mental filtering, from opposite ends. Mental filtering occurs when someone zeroes in on either the all-good or the all-bad while tuning everything else out.

Aurora’s version is sunshine: she ignores the negative, even when reality throws up red flags. Zahra’s is all storm clouds—she dismisses anything that suggests things aren’t completely terrible.

Mental filtering distorts reality. When using tinted glasses, you miss out on the full picture. Without that, making good decisions or connecting with the world is hard. Here are tools to eliminate mental filtering and achieve a balanced perspective.

Fact or Opinion: Facts are verifiable. Opinions are interpretations of facts. When you catch yourself reacting, ask: Is this a fact or an opinion? If it’s a fact, see if you are missing context. If it’s an opinion, find other ways to interpret the same info.

Question Your First Thought: If you use mental filtering, don’t run with your first thought. Pause, set it aside, and keep going—second, third, even tenth thoughts. Keep digging until you land on something that feels balanced and grounded.

Phone a Friend: Ask someone you trust how they see the situation—it might show a perspective you hadn’t considered. Or flip it: if your best friend were in your shoes, what would you tell them? Chances are, you’d be balanced and compassionate.