THE HALF SISTER conveys the struggles within a relationship (marriage or partner) that is made even more difficult when a couple is struggling to conceive. The pain- emotional and physical- of infertility treatments is described in such a way that any reader should be able to relate to the situation. Kudos to another aspect of this author's writing: the ability to capture everyday conversations that can be very hurtful when people don't stop to think that brutal honesty may end up being remembered as only brutal. For people who enjoyed one of Jodi Picoult's earlier novels, MY SISTER's KEEPER, as well as historically-based stories about childhood such as THE ORPHAN TRAIN by Christina Baker Klein, don't miss THE HALF SISTER