Finding Me: An Estranged Sisters Young Adult Romance Novel

by Jacquie Biggar

A character-driven novel spun around a big fat knot of repressed feelings, misunderstandings, and emotional turmoil.
Amazon Reviewer

Izzy

My life is not like I dreamed it would be. I had the foolish fantasy of finishing high school, going to college, making something of myself- maybe even becoming famous.
Instead, I'm the infamous kid of the father who killed himself in the family's backyard.
How's that for a legacy?

Renée
I came home for my mother's funeral, but I'm staying to mend bridges with my sister. We have another chance, and whatever it takes, we need to come together as a family or live the rest of our lives knowing we let our brother down.
They say pride goes before a fall, but it doesn't tell us how to avoid the scrapes along the way.

Finding Me is a new adult romance dealing with tragedy, restitution, and love in all its aspects. The story relates to sensitive topics that may be triggering for some readers.

Genres: Romance

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2024

About the author

Jacquie Biggar is an award-winning USA Today bestselling author of romance who loves to write about tough, alpha males and strong, contemporary women willing to show their men that true power comes from love. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and loves to hear from readers all over the world!
In her own words:
“My name is Jacquie Biggar. When I'm not acting like a total klutz, I am a wife, mother of one, grandmother, and a butler to my calico cat.
My guilty pleasures are reality tv shows like Amazing Race and The Voice. I can be found every Monday night in my armchair plastered to the television laughing at the judge's shenanigans.
I love to hang at the beach with DH (darling hubby) taking pictures or reading romance novels (what else?).
I have a slight Tim Hortons obsession, enjoy gardening, everything pink, and talking to my friends.”

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Me is the second book in the Defiant Sisters duology and I enjoyed both books. Izzy and Renée are sisters that took two different paths after the suicide of their father. Renée left town and went to college, then opened her own business, never returning home. Izzy stayed home and ended up taking care of her mother and younger brother, Ben. With her mother recently dying, Izzy is trying to keep her brother out of trouble and earn enough to keep their home. Ben is only thirteen and is on the verge of being sent to a foster home, that is something izzy won't let happen. Renée came home to attend her mother's funeral and has decided to stay. She wants to help Izzy and amke sure that Ben stays home, but it won't be easy. Can these sisters reconcile and become a family?

Letting Go is the first book in this duology and it is Izzy's story, at least the story from her POV. Finding Me picks up where it ends and this tells us Renée's story. This is a very emotional story. Anger, guilt, hurt and resentment all get in the way of the sisters listening and accepting one another. As hard at Izzy tries to push Renée away, she digs in and tries harder. There is also romance in this story, and I really liked how that played out and helped the family as well. Izzy and Jay were a couple, but had split up in the previous book. He doesn't give up, but doesn't pressure her either. He is also a great influence on Ben. Jay has a huge secret, that also plays an important role in the story. Renée and Simon were high school sweethearts and when she returned home, he was engaged to someone else. They become friends and after a time, Simon's engagement is broken, allowing them to get to know each other. He is a steadying force for her. The story is told from all four of their POVs and I really enjoyed this format. This is a story of forgiveness and reconciliation that I very much enjoyed. With themes of grief, anger, hurt, loneliness, guilt, healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, love and support, I was left smiling at the end of Finding Me.

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Finding Me” is the conclusion to the Defiant Sisters duology, and where the first book focused primarily on Renee, this one switches to the younger, emotionally volatile sister, Izzy. Izzy’s still a teenager, but she’s been taking care of her younger brother Benjamin and barely making ends meet. Renee’s return to help out only adds fire to the resentment that Izzy already feels. Her life is falling apart, and she’s too prideful to accept help or give anyone a break.

The book is partly a romance as both sisters are navigating relationships grounded by realistic challenges. Renee’s is quite solid, but Izzy’s relationship with Jay is on the rocks and full of misunderstandings. The most intriguing relationship to me was that between the sisters, including how authentically the family responded to the trauma of losing both parents. There’s a lot of emotional turmoil that felt real to me.

I read the novella-length book in one sitting. The pace moves along well, and the character-driven plot is engaging. The POV alternates between Izzy, Renee, and Izzy’s boyfriend, Jay. It was easy to root for them since they are all good people doing their best to navigate a transforming family. Highly recommended to fans of family dramas and tales of emotionally charged characters finding their footing after tragedy.

[Gwendolyn Plano · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this character-driven sequel to Letting Go, author Jacquie Biggar brings the three siblings of the Thomas family together to heal their past devastation. The haunting memory of their father’s suicide rests heavily on each of their shoulders. Years have passed, but the scars remain fresh.

As the story evolves, threads of forgiveness emerge. Old hurts are aired and slowly, a tenuous trust is formed between the siblings and among their friends. Earlier loves resurface and by the end of the story, we celebrate the promise of new beginnings.

Biggar’s approach to capturing this family drama is novel and effective. Written in the first person from multiple points of view, the book reads much like a movie in which readers/viewers feel each character’s emotions. I highly recommend the story.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Finding Me” continues the story of Izzy, Renee, and Benjamin. Their father killed himself in the backyard years before and Renee left. Izzy stepped up and helped her mother and brother, putting all her dreams and youth on hold. When the mother passes, Renee finally comes home but not to a warm welcome. Both sisters continue to grow and learn, and it is easy to follow along through both of their perspectives. Renee finally sets her roots down at home but still has a long way to go with her relationship with her sister and boyfriend, Simon, while Izzy hangs on to her anger and grief, pushing everyone away. There is a brokenness that needs to be fixed on many levels, but also a dash of hope that is weaved so skillfully into this family story. I appreciated how Jay’s story slowly unfolded through his point of view. He quickly became a favorite character to root for, along with the sisters. There are some tough mental health topics covered, including suicide and self-harming, but it also shows how love can bring people together in unexpected ways. This was a book that was impossible to put down and I read it in one sitting. I’d love to see more from this family, especially the little brother, Benjamin. I highly recommend this.

[Sandra Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renee and Izzy were as close as sibs could be till their father killed himself and Renee took off, leaving Izzy to take care of their younger brother and deal with the heartbreak of desertion from the person she trusted most in the entire world. Now Renee has come home to heal the breach. She’s determined to stay, and make a life for her and her family, even if Izzy is trying her best to run her off with hurtful words and lack of trust.
FINDING ME touches on the raw subjects of suicide and abandonment with the delicacy of feeling we have come to expect from the author. Ms. Biggar is a master at putting her finger on the pulse of acerbated emotion and she tips the scales with this tale. Her worldbuilding adds another layer to the rich fabric of this story that draws the reader in. Once again Ms. Biggar has delivered.
Her fans will devour this latest offering. And for those who have never read her, I’m sure they too will be polishing off this story at breakneck speed. A must read for those that love new adult romance.

[Jan Sikes · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book in the Defiant Sisters Series, we see Izzy and Renee dealing with their mother's funeral, worries about their little brother and trying to work through their tenuous relationship.
I love the growth I see in both girls. They both have strong walls to break through and in this story, we get glimpses of how close they were at one time, growing up. Will they ever completely mend their fences?
Another big aspect of this story is the budding relationship between Izzy and Jay. There is no question about their love for each other, but so many secrets, unsaid things and miscommunications thwart their progress at every turn.
If you are a fan of family drama with a touch of romance, you will love this entire series. I do suggest you start with the first book, The Sister Pact, to get the background. However, I do feel this book works well as a standalone. It is well-written and engaging and I read it in one sitting.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The titles for this duet—Letting Go and Finding Me—came to me after my daughter and grandson moved across the country and then continents for her schooling. She’d already been out of our home for years by the time this occurred, but it still hit me hard. I became depressed, and it’s been a long slog to overcome those feelings.

Therefore, this series is personal in a way my other books never were. I poured a lot of my loneliness and heartache into two estranged sisters who want to forgive if only they could forget the damage of the past.

It is my hope Renée and Izzy’s story will resonate and guide you to reconciliation with loved ones you’ve let go of in your lives. Time is too short for regrets.

Jacquie

[Mae Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacquie Biggar takes her reader on an emotional roller coaster of family dynamics, romantic entanglements, misunderstandings, buried feelings, and forgiveness. She doesn’t hold back but places her characters under a microscope, digging deep into the core of what makes them tick. At the heart of this touching story is the relationship between sisters Izzy and Rene, struggling through estrangement after the death of their mother. Buried deeper in the past is the shocking suicide of their father, a tragic event that upended the lives of both sisters and their younger brother, Ben.

In addition to the two leads, strong supporting characters come into play (I’m a huge fan of Jay!), all twined together in an emotional nest that had me alternately grinding my teeth in frustration and other times sniffling with heartache. Told in first person POV from the viewpoint of several central characters, the writing flows effortlessly, rolling from the pages with authentic voice for each.

This is a poignant novella with a beautiful finish that speaks to the strength of family, belief in others and the power of love.

[Miriam Hurdle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Me is an emotional family drama and romance novella. It is heartbreaking with anger, guilt, denial, and resentment, yet it is heartwarming with determination, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The entangling emotions of a struggling family Biggar portrait in this book is realistic.

The sisters Izzy and Renee are not on speaking terms. When their dad committed suicide in their family backyard, Renee didn’t even come home from Berkeley for her dad’s funeral. After their mom passed away, Izzy tried to maintain the household and be a mom to her 13-year-old brother Ben. She will do everything to keep Ben from being sent to a foster home or adoption. She is mad at Renee for not being there for them. Renee comes home to attend her mom’s funeral and wants to reconcile with Izzy. Even though Izzy tries to push her away, she wants to make it right.

Besides the family dynamics, Izzy and Jay, Renee, and Simon try to work on their romantic relationships. They all have previous relationships with others and seem to be uncertain about each other. The story is told in these four characters’ POVs. Readers will find a satisfying ending where true family love overcomes.

[Priscilla Bettis · Rating 5 out of 5]

People in Izzy’s life keep leaving. Or dying. Her dad, her sister, her mother. No wonder Izzy's so distrustful of others and she has a Mercurial temper and makes rash decisions. I liked her anyway. She tries to do what’s right, and she’s a hard worker.

Izzy’s older sister, Renee, comes back into her life. I was cheering Renee on and wanted her to mend the relationship with her sister.

But these two siblings, plus their younger brother, Ben, and those around them have been through so much. Grief, struggles with faith, misunderstandings, and secrets complicate their lives. I love how Biggar wove their complex tapestry together.

As for the romance aspect, Izzy and her boyfriend, Jay, have many misunderstandings. I won’t spoil anything by saying whether or not their relationship survives to the end of the novel. I enjoyed seeing Renee and her boyfriend, Simon, mature in their relationship, but again, I’m not revealing if they make it to the end.

The story and the characters charmed me (even if Izzy kept frustrating me!). Fabulous read!

[Balroop Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotionally charged and convincing, ‘Finding Me’ brings the estranged sisters within the range, from where they can reach out to bridge the distance that was created by circumstances beyond their control. Renee returns home after the death of her mother but Izzy’s emotions are still raw. She has not forgotten how her sister had taken the route of an escapist, leaving behind her mother, teenage sister and little brother.

Biggar has a knack of sprinkling a dash of romance on intense moments to give warmth to souring relationships. In this story she uses Izzy’s “mercurial temperament” to add charm to tense situations. I like how Jay handles her girlfriend's nature of jumping to conclusions. Despite her flaws Izzy is a lovable character. This is book-2 of the ‘Defiant Sisters’ series but can be read as a stand-alone novella - short and sweet! I really like it.

[Darlene Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family dynamics are always a roller coaster ride, but the relationship between Renee and Izzy takes it to new heights. Having read Letting Go, I was pleased to see there was a follow-up to these two estranged sisters. The first book concentrates more on Renee, but this one is more about Izzy, an angry young woman who keeps pushing away those who love her. Her assumptions and hot-headedness tend to get in her way. Throughout the book, I wondered if Izzy would ever find happiness. The story is full of emotion and as well as some surprises as the sisters try to put their shattered lives together after the death of their mother and the memories of the suicide of their father a few years earlier. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I would suggest reading Letting Go, first to get to know the sisters and why they react the way they do. An enjoyable read with a satisfying ending.

[Alison Solberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was just as turbulent as the first and just as quickly ended, but I still loved the characters and their real-feeling lives.