Families is an emotional, rewarding, uplifting read.
Experience Gini’s struggles and triumphs dealing with brain damage, her awareness of the world forever altered as she fights to live a happy and fulfilled life surrounded by the love and encouragement of her friends.
The last book of the series is an intense ride with complex characters and storylines that pull you in and keep you emotionally invested.
Ever had a friend you loved your whole life no matter where they are or how often you see them?
Book 3 is that story of three men deeply in love with the same woman, Virginia Anderson (Gini), until the day they die.
This is a story of love, loyalty and devotion, touching on psychic phenomena, sexual diversity, and the mysteries of the brain.
There is much to be said about a novel (or in this case the whole series) that reads well. I’ve mentioned this before in other reviews I’ve written, but a book that keeps you reading long after you plan on putting it down ranks high for me. Not only is it entertaining, but you look forward to getting back into the book each and every time you pick it up, if you have the self-control to ever put it down. That is what reading this series (“Forever Friends”) and particularly this latest installment “Families” has done for me. Typical of many dramas, family sagas I’ve read, “Families” has much in the way of grittiness, and realistic complications with romance, family, and health… yet it remains inventive and never preposterous or unbelievable. The only thing that threw me was at the end with the ‘coincidental’ date of the three deaths – that seemed rather odd to me. But other than that, it’s a heart wrenching drama with ups and downs, unexpected births and deaths, but mostly it is about families, as the title perfectly captures. Spanning decades and countries. A very strong continuation of this riveting and emotional journey with a lovely (and sad) ending—was bittersweet to see it end because it’s unclear if Karleen Staible plans on continuing this series or not, but I for one see a lot of potential with a “Sisters” book or spin-off :-). Recommend to fans of women’s fiction, family saga, drama. 5 Stars
Laura C. –
There is much to be said about a novel (or in this case the whole series) that reads well. I’ve mentioned this before in other reviews I’ve written, but a book that keeps you reading long after you plan on putting it down ranks high for me. Not only is it entertaining, but you look forward to getting back into the book each and every time you pick it up, if you have the self-control to ever put it down. That is what reading this series (“Forever Friends”) and particularly this latest installment “Families” has done for me. Typical of many dramas, family sagas I’ve read, “Families” has much in the way of grittiness, and realistic complications with romance, family, and health… yet it remains inventive and never preposterous or unbelievable. The only thing that threw me was at the end with the ‘coincidental’ date of the three deaths – that seemed rather odd to me. But other than that, it’s a heart wrenching drama with ups and downs, unexpected births and deaths, but mostly it is about families, as the title perfectly captures. Spanning decades and countries. A very strong continuation of this riveting and emotional journey with a lovely (and sad) ending—was bittersweet to see it end because it’s unclear if Karleen Staible plans on continuing this series or not, but I for one see a lot of potential with a “Sisters” book or spin-off :-). Recommend to fans of women’s fiction, family saga, drama. 5 Stars