This book totally took me by surprise.
To be honest, I had tried to read it a few weeks before but I just couldn't get into it. After checking out some other reviews, I figured it was just me and shelved it for a short bit-promising myself I would try again later. A couple weeks later, I picked the book back up and gave it another go. I loved it.
Relative Strangers is one of those books that allows you to so easily fall in love with the characters and become completely immersed in an interesting story. Jules, her friends, her family(s)... every character is interesting in their own right and has their own special quirks.
Even though the situation Jules finds herself in is beyond complex, you can't help but want her to find that sense of belonging and love. And while Jules' mother is rather disappointing in so many moments but my heart truly felt for her because she felt so authentic. As for Luke, I get Jules' feelings - one moment I adored him and in the next... well, no spoilers.
I really loved this book and could not put it down. I breezed through this fun, often-times emotional, exciting read in just a day. Loved it.

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This book totally took me by surprise.
To be honest, I had tried to read it a few weeks before but I just couldn't get into it. After checking out some other reviews, I figured it was just me and shelved it for a short bit-promising myself I would try again later. A couple weeks later, I picked the book back up and gave it another go. I loved it.
Relative Strangers is one of those books that allows you to so easily fall in love with the characters and become completely immersed in an interesting story. Jules, her friends, her family(s)... every character is interesting in their own right and has their own special quirks.
Even though the situation Jules finds herself in is beyond complex, you can't help but want her to find that sense of belonging and love. And while Jules' mother is rather disappointing in so many moments but my heart truly felt for her because she felt so authentic. As for Luke, I get Jules' feelings - one moment I adored him and in the next... well, no spoilers.
I really loved this book and could not put it down. I breezed through this fun, often-times emotional, exciting read in just a day. Loved it.

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I honestly didn't think i was going to like this book but i loved it. it didn't seem to suffer from what i call the "no one talks like this" trope and all the characters were so real and fleshed out. I was amazed at the complexity the author managed to put in without making it too confusing. at times i thought the main character was stupid but other wise a great novel. ( )

Jules is a senior in high school; for as long as she can remember, it's always just been her and her mom, a recovering alcoholic. But when Jules goes to look for a baby picture to include in her senior yearbook, she makes a startling discovery: she spent the majority of her first two years in foster care. Angry at her mom for never telling her, Jules seeks out her foster family. She discovers the picture perfect family she always dreamed of, including her older foster brother, who always dreamed of finding her again. Jules is thrilled, but quickly realizes she also has a crush on him. She's always dreamed of having a family, but will she ruin it all with her unfortunate crush?

I requested this book on a whim from Librarything, and I'm so glad I did. I haven't read [a:Paula Garner|9879155|Paula Garner|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1457455505p2/9879155.jpg]'s previous book, but I will now. This was just a really enjoyable, touching story that drew me in from the start. I fell for Jules immediately and never stopped. I am typically a pretty stoic reader--it takes a lot to move me--but I actually teared up a couple of times with this one.

The main focus of the novel is Jules, and she proves to be a strong, likeable character and a good storyteller. As I said, I felt engaged with her from the beginning. I had to remind myself a few times that she was still in high school, but that was about it. She's actually pretty mature for her age, really, and does some growing up and maturing as the story progresses.

The supporting characters are varied, and while they aren't as strong as Jules, they certainly help fill out the book. (I'm looking at you, Eli.) There were definitely a few instances where I felt like things were repeated a few times too many: yes, Jules' two best friends knew each other longer than they knew Jules, etc., but they were only minor distractions from the strength of the story. The book hinges on Jules and she doesn't disappoint. Her discovery of her foster family is, honestly, fascinating, as is her newfound friendship with her former foster brother, Luke. At times I was a bit skeptical that a once six-year-old would have such fond memories of his baby foster sister, to the point he wanted to develop the relationship as an adult, but I went with it. Jules' struggle with her sense of identity and belonging is well-done, and I really enjoyed the arc of the novel.

Overall, this was a lovely surprise. It's hard not to fall for Jules, and once you do, this is just such an engaging novel. Her struggle to find herself is both heartbreaking and inspiring. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Librarything in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).

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I found this book quite an unusual and at times uncomfortable read. Jules finds out shocking truths about her past that will put her strained relationship with her mom into perspective. She tries to handle this new information as best as she could, unfortunately, her emotions gets the better of her. Jules ends up crossing a line that will alter her relationship with a boy from her past.

For the most part I liked Jules, she's a very caring and nurturing character. However, I found her instant attraction to Luke strange. She also comes off as envious and lacking self esteem. Other than that I like her character development in the story, especially the transformation of her relationship with her mother as well as her friends. I also like the fact that the author handled the story realistically, ending the story on a positive note and not romanticizing it.

Relative Strangers is about people who are flawed yet trying to be better individuals. It's about how broken relationships can be mended and how crossing the line could make ideal relationships fall apart. It's about growing up, falling in love and learning to let go.

Thank you to LibraryThing and Candlewick Press for the review copy. ( )