This is a contemporary fiction novel set in modern day England and primarily featuring a woman, Kate, struggling to conceive via IVF, and her sister, Lauren, trapped in a toxic marriage while trying to raise her three children. The first few chapters are written from Kate's point of view as she grapples with the emotions of previous unsuccessful IVF treatments, an overly-optimistic husband, and the death of her sidekick father among other family drama. A sudden knock on the door during Sunday family lunch changes everything when a young woman enters the house announcing she is Harry, the women's late father's, daughter. As the family begins to grapple with shock and denial equally, the next chapter switches to Lauren's point of view, showing that her seemingly 'perfect' life with a husband and children is far from it due to her husband's mood swings, and hinting that Lauren may know something about this new arrival claiming to be the women's half-sister.
The preview shined with a relatable tone and plot that aided in building relatable characters as they were introduced. As a reader, I empathized with Kate's fertility and family challenges as well as Lauren's anxiety about her toxic marriage, while also laughing along with Kate as she used dry humor to face her challenges, and loathing Lauren's husband as much as she and Kate seem to. I loved it and was hooked immediately because of how I was easily able to empathize with the characters. I can't wait to read the rest to continue to uncover this family's secrets!
The preview shined with a relatable tone and plot that aided in building relatable characters as they were introduced. As a reader, I empathized with Kate's fertility and family challenges as well as Lauren's anxiety about her toxic marriage, while also laughing along with Kate as she used dry humor to face her challenges, and loathing Lauren's husband as much as she and Kate seem to. I loved it and was hooked immediately because of how I was easily able to empathize with the characters. I can't wait to read the rest to continue to uncover this family's secrets!