Fabulous reads – Bring a box of tissues for poignant read

The Whole Thing Together, Ann Brashares, Penguin Random House, ISBN: 9780385736893

The New York Times Bestselling author Brashares is best known for her book-turned-movie, The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.

While similar in genre, The Whole Thing Together deals with some complicated family dynamics and the flourishing of young love and friendship.

Ray and Sasha share a family, a home and most importantly, they share a bedroom.

But they have never met. Not once.

Ray’s mother and Sasha’s father used to be married and together they had three daughters.

These daughters, Emma, Quinn and Mattie, are Ray and Sasha’s half-sisters.

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After the initial marriage broke down, their parents both got remarried and, within months of each other, Ray and Sasha were born.

Their families not only share siblings and a past, they also share a rambling beach house over the summer – in turns.

The Whole Thing Together is not just centered around the two teenagers, but rather the book is about all five siblings and their intertwined lives.

When a crippling tragedy strikes (warning: real tears will be shed!) the two broken families will come together and break away in the worst of ways.

We watch as the past and present collide with rippling effects.

Publication day! pic.twitter.com/fYQqqo7uP9

— Ann Brashares (@AnnBrashares) April 25, 2017

This book is such a sweet and poignant read with a realistic streak of innocence and real-life emotion, it isn’t rife with drama or teenage angst.

This is a slow burn novel and it is stunning.

Five stars to Brashares for a refreshing take on blended families and young love.

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