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The Phoebe Variations
The acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World returns with a stunning coming-of-age novel about girls, mothers, and finding one's way in the world.
Seventeen-year-old Phoebe was never interested in her birth family. But on the cusp of her high school graduation, her adoptive mother, Greta, insists on a visit to meet her biological parents and siblings. The encounter is a jolt, a revelation that derails Phoebe.
With the help of her best friend Luna, Phoebe runs away—as far as their friend Patrick O'Conner's chaotic home, where she hopes to go unnoticed among his thirteen siblings. But when Phoebe asks Patrick to chop off her hip-length hair, she's suddenly transformed. Patrick's older brothers can't help but notice the striking, Peter Pan-like stranger who has suddenly appeared in their midst.
What starts as an adolescent rebellion soon spirals into a whirlwind of self-discovery and unexpected connections. As she grapples with her shifting identity and strained relationships, Phoebe must navigate the tumultuous road out of girlhood and chart a new and unknown course.
Seventeen-year-old Phoebe was never interested in her birth family. But on the cusp of her high school graduation, her adoptive mother, Greta, insists on a visit to meet her biological parents and siblings. The encounter is a jolt, a revelation that derails Phoebe.
With the help of her best friend Luna, Phoebe runs away—as far as their friend Patrick O'Conner's chaotic home, where she hopes to go unnoticed among his thirteen siblings. But when Phoebe asks Patrick to chop off her hip-length hair, she's suddenly transformed. Patrick's older brothers can't help but notice the striking, Peter Pan-like stranger who has suddenly appeared in their midst.
What starts as an adolescent rebellion soon spirals into a whirlwind of self-discovery and unexpected connections. As she grapples with her shifting identity and strained relationships, Phoebe must navigate the tumultuous road out of girlhood and chart a new and unknown course.
359 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2025
215 people are currently reading
10431 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
May 8, 2025
ARC for review. To be published September 23, 2025.
3 stars
Seventeen year old Phoebe is already reeling from a setback during her senior year and when her single mother, Greta, forces a meeting with her birth parents (and her three sisters) it really is the last straw. Her best friend Luna helps her run away to their friend Patrick O’Connor’s house (called the Asylum) where she thinks she can remain hidden because there are so many O’Connor children.
However, Patrick’s older brothers notice the once-invisible Phoebe, leading down a number of paths and things quickly escalate, with the brothers, with Patrick, with Luna and with Phoebe’s view of herself.
I have LOVED some of Jane Hamilton’s books in the past (especially A MAP OF THE WORLD) but this left me a little cold. I could not, for the life of me, relate to Phoebe, though I should have been able to, at least in some ways, from my past, I think. And then there was the plot. I get that Phoebe was upset with her mother, but it was a bit hard to buy this good girl acting out in quite this way. And I was….I don’t know….puzzled by the Luna storyline. I don’t know that I understood what Hamilton was trying to do/say here, or maybe I do, but it would only be a guess.
Anyway, there were aspects of the book I liked but it just didn’t coalesce for me; others may have a different experience. I would always read Hamilton again, though!
3 stars
Seventeen year old Phoebe is already reeling from a setback during her senior year and when her single mother, Greta, forces a meeting with her birth parents (and her three sisters) it really is the last straw. Her best friend Luna helps her run away to their friend Patrick O’Connor’s house (called the Asylum) where she thinks she can remain hidden because there are so many O’Connor children.
However, Patrick’s older brothers notice the once-invisible Phoebe, leading down a number of paths and things quickly escalate, with the brothers, with Patrick, with Luna and with Phoebe’s view of herself.
I have LOVED some of Jane Hamilton’s books in the past (especially A MAP OF THE WORLD) but this left me a little cold. I could not, for the life of me, relate to Phoebe, though I should have been able to, at least in some ways, from my past, I think. And then there was the plot. I get that Phoebe was upset with her mother, but it was a bit hard to buy this good girl acting out in quite this way. And I was….I don’t know….puzzled by the Luna storyline. I don’t know that I understood what Hamilton was trying to do/say here, or maybe I do, but it would only be a guess.
Anyway, there were aspects of the book I liked but it just didn’t coalesce for me; others may have a different experience. I would always read Hamilton again, though!
October 22, 2025
I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I first read one of Hamilton's novels in high school and loved every subsequent book of hers, until this one. I always found her to have a unique insight into human nature via her characters, their personality quirks, and decisions. Unfortunately, I found Phoebe to be an underwhelming and somewhat boring protagonist, with a huge portion of the book focusing on a prank she pulls with some male friends. Less of the plot focuses on her internal struggle upon meeting her birth parents, and her perspective doesn't change significantly as she transitions to adulthood - there is little to no evolution in her character. She also has a harsh perspective towards her single, adoptive mother that likewise doesn't change significantly. I kept reading, thinking there would surely be a turning point, but I never found one and wished I had not struggled for many weeks to finish the book.
I first read one of Hamilton's novels in high school and loved every subsequent book of hers, until this one. I always found her to have a unique insight into human nature via her characters, their personality quirks, and decisions. Unfortunately, I found Phoebe to be an underwhelming and somewhat boring protagonist, with a huge portion of the book focusing on a prank she pulls with some male friends. Less of the plot focuses on her internal struggle upon meeting her birth parents, and her perspective doesn't change significantly as she transitions to adulthood - there is little to no evolution in her character. She also has a harsh perspective towards her single, adoptive mother that likewise doesn't change significantly. I kept reading, thinking there would surely be a turning point, but I never found one and wished I had not struggled for many weeks to finish the book.
July 15, 2025
I don't think I "got" this novel. The initial event of Phoebe meeting her birth family would've been interesting, except that she runs away from her family and whole life rather than processing it, and the rest of the book is mostly just the ways she avoids her life. It takes place over a few days in the 1970s, mixed with reflections from present day. In a way a lot happens, in that it changes the whole trajectory of Phoebe's life, but also very little happens, she just hangs out with a bunch of boys.
February 4, 2026
I'm torn between 3-4 stars because I loved the first and last third but kind of stumbled through the center part. I should also say up front that I met this author at a book talk and, through the nature of our very small world, knew her mother in my theatre days. I also really loved this author's book, A Map of the World So, I'm biased.
I should also say that I was somewhat distracted by how much of this story mirrored my mother's life, something the author could not possibly have known. But abandonment and self-determination are important themes of this work and of my mother's life at exactly the time this story takes place around 1970. It was almost eerie.
I loved the deep introspection and the almost giddy innocence of these high school senior girls in love with each other, and Jane Eyre and their dreams of life. All until the reality of life creeps in. If I could have stayed in the first 100 pages, I would have. There's a lot more - with music and literary references and boys and timeline shifts and that's where it got a bit messy for me. Perhaps that was intentional but I wasn't as rapt until I sort of caught up with the storytelling in the final third.
Would I be more critical if I didn't feel so connected? Maybe.
I should also say that I was somewhat distracted by how much of this story mirrored my mother's life, something the author could not possibly have known. But abandonment and self-determination are important themes of this work and of my mother's life at exactly the time this story takes place around 1970. It was almost eerie.
I loved the deep introspection and the almost giddy innocence of these high school senior girls in love with each other, and Jane Eyre and their dreams of life. All until the reality of life creeps in. If I could have stayed in the first 100 pages, I would have. There's a lot more - with music and literary references and boys and timeline shifts and that's where it got a bit messy for me. Perhaps that was intentional but I wasn't as rapt until I sort of caught up with the storytelling in the final third.
Would I be more critical if I didn't feel so connected? Maybe.
May 20, 2025
It's the 1970s. Phoebe's 18 and about to go off to college, so things are changing fast for her. She's adopted, and has always sort of feigned disinterest in her birth family. Her mother- her adopted mother- persuades her to meet them, and this experience shocks her so much that she pretty much loses her mind. From this point on, Phoebe just kind of bounces crazily about her world, launched like a pinball and taking a long time to come to any rest. She has a really good friend, Luna, who she is probably overly influenced by, but I have to say, this friendship is the brightest and most interesting thing in this novel, and is probably why I kept reading. Anyway, partly as a result of Luna, and partly as a result of the aforementioned pinball effect, Phoebe quickly and thoughtlessly discards her mother and moves into the basement of her friend Patrick's house. Patrick is one of 14 children in the family, and the theory is that no one will notice that she's there. But after Phoebe gets a haircut that very much changes her appearance, Patrick's older brothers definitely notice her.
It all seemed kind of random to me.
Thanks to the publisher, who gave me access to the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
It all seemed kind of random to me.
Thanks to the publisher, who gave me access to the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2026
4 stars ✨ I’ve been waiting a long time for another book from Jane Hamilton. Two of her older books The book of Ruth and A Map of the World left quite an impression on me.
This book is about a girl named Phoebe and how people in her teen aged life shaped her whole life even though she no longer had those people in her life.
J.H. paints the picture so clearly with beautiful prose.
I hope I don’t have to wait as long for the next book by Jane.
I believe if you like Ann Napolitano you will like this book.
This book is about a girl named Phoebe and how people in her teen aged life shaped her whole life even though she no longer had those people in her life.
J.H. paints the picture so clearly with beautiful prose.
I hope I don’t have to wait as long for the next book by Jane.
I believe if you like Ann Napolitano you will like this book.
September 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ Enjoyable exploration of family, friends and coming of age in the 1970’s told from the POV of Phoebe, a 17 year old high schooler on the verge of graduation and adulthood.
Phoebe has always known she was adopted, but the circumstances of that event were never important to her. When her mother Greta takes her to meet her adoptive family the Dahlgrens that all changes. Phoebe’s life reverses course and she questions everything.
This book is heavily character driven, Phoebe and her best friend Luna, and a cast of friends and family, the multiple O’Conner brothers, and Herta the all knowing neighborhood cleaning lady.
No grand mysteries or action packed thrillers, just a few weeks in a young girl’s life and some insight into her future told by an adult Phoebe.
Thank you NetGalley and Zibby Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review
Phoebe has always known she was adopted, but the circumstances of that event were never important to her. When her mother Greta takes her to meet her adoptive family the Dahlgrens that all changes. Phoebe’s life reverses course and she questions everything.
This book is heavily character driven, Phoebe and her best friend Luna, and a cast of friends and family, the multiple O’Conner brothers, and Herta the all knowing neighborhood cleaning lady.
No grand mysteries or action packed thrillers, just a few weeks in a young girl’s life and some insight into her future told by an adult Phoebe.
Thank you NetGalley and Zibby Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review
October 26, 2025
I really wanted to like this one—there have been a couple of Hamilton's previous novels that I remember thoroughly enjoying. I found Phoebe insufferable and self-important, and the story meandering. I struggled to finish it, and only did so by skipping many pages.
September 27, 2025
3 stars. 🎧
January 20, 2026
I read an advance copy expecting a light, easy, coming of age story. I was quickly pulled into the lead character and into the story. I was really struck by how the author captured both his wisdom and her naivety in first person. While much of the plot seemed hyperbolic it never veered into unbelievable and the angst and ennui were so palpable. There are many great threads to explore and and discuss, particularly around parenting styles and cultural assumptions. I can’t wait to share this with my book club.
September 19, 2025
This is a coming of age novel set over just a few months, the end of Phoebe’s high school and the summer after. Although it is set during the 1970s, it’s told as Phoebe’s reminiscing from the present day some 50 years later as she describes her memories and feelings, and occasionally throwing in things from her future.
This definitely is a character-driven novel - at the beginning I was kind of wondering what it was about - and even perhaps a little bit at the end too. However, the story it tells and the characters are pretty unique, and the writing is wonderful. I have a suspicion this is going to be one of those books that’s not for everyone - but if you’re a fan of any or all of the Ann(e)s (Patchett, Packer, Tyler, Napolitano, Hood) then I’d recommend it to you. I’m also glad my Read Spin Repeat Book Club chose it as our book for the month as I look forward to discussing and dissecting some of the character motivations and actions.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 9/23/25); all opinions are my own.
This definitely is a character-driven novel - at the beginning I was kind of wondering what it was about - and even perhaps a little bit at the end too. However, the story it tells and the characters are pretty unique, and the writing is wonderful. I have a suspicion this is going to be one of those books that’s not for everyone - but if you’re a fan of any or all of the Ann(e)s (Patchett, Packer, Tyler, Napolitano, Hood) then I’d recommend it to you. I’m also glad my Read Spin Repeat Book Club chose it as our book for the month as I look forward to discussing and dissecting some of the character motivations and actions.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 9/23/25); all opinions are my own.
September 18, 2025
Thank you Zibby Publishing for my #gifted ARC and PR Box and thank you Libro.FM for my #gifted ALC of The Phoebe Variations #ThePhoebeVariations #ZibbyPublishing #ZibbyBooksAmbassador #librofm #RachelJacobs #JaneHamilton
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐛𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
4★
The Phoebe Variations is a coming of age novel about Phoebe, an adopted teenager who is about to graduate high school and has no interest in her birth parents. But when her adoptive mother, Greta, insists on taking her to meet her biological parents and siblings, the meeting goes terribly wrong and flips Phoebe’s world upside down. Leaning on her best friend Luna, Phoebe decides to run away to their friend Patrick’s house who is one of fourteen siblings. There, she thinks she will go unnoticed. While there, Phoebe has Patrick cut off her long hair to a much shorter style, which catches the attention of Patrick’s older brothers.
This book was a bit of a surprise to me. It was nothing like what I expected, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I really enjoyed Phoebe’s character and I appreciated her growth throughout the book. I felt like the author did a great job writing about a teenager during a difficult time in her life in the 1970s. I think you kind of have to realize that this book, as a coming of age novel, is going to have disappointments and challenges for the main character, and I felt the author did an excellent job articulating those challenges and showing how the main character demonstrated growth as a result. There was a lot of focus on friendship and mother/daughter relationships and just the unknown as she was facing life and new and shifting identities.
🖤Coming of Age
🖤Navigating Relationships
🖤Mother/Daughter Relationships
🖤Self-Discovery
🎧Rachel Jacobs was an excellent narrator and I thought she did a phenomenal job breathing life into Phoebe and the rest of the characters. I found it hard to put stop listening once I started this audiobook because I was so hooked on not only the story, but also the narration!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐛𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
4★
The Phoebe Variations is a coming of age novel about Phoebe, an adopted teenager who is about to graduate high school and has no interest in her birth parents. But when her adoptive mother, Greta, insists on taking her to meet her biological parents and siblings, the meeting goes terribly wrong and flips Phoebe’s world upside down. Leaning on her best friend Luna, Phoebe decides to run away to their friend Patrick’s house who is one of fourteen siblings. There, she thinks she will go unnoticed. While there, Phoebe has Patrick cut off her long hair to a much shorter style, which catches the attention of Patrick’s older brothers.
This book was a bit of a surprise to me. It was nothing like what I expected, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I really enjoyed Phoebe’s character and I appreciated her growth throughout the book. I felt like the author did a great job writing about a teenager during a difficult time in her life in the 1970s. I think you kind of have to realize that this book, as a coming of age novel, is going to have disappointments and challenges for the main character, and I felt the author did an excellent job articulating those challenges and showing how the main character demonstrated growth as a result. There was a lot of focus on friendship and mother/daughter relationships and just the unknown as she was facing life and new and shifting identities.
🖤Coming of Age
🖤Navigating Relationships
🖤Mother/Daughter Relationships
🖤Self-Discovery
🎧Rachel Jacobs was an excellent narrator and I thought she did a phenomenal job breathing life into Phoebe and the rest of the characters. I found it hard to put stop listening once I started this audiobook because I was so hooked on not only the story, but also the narration!
September 17, 2025
I picked up this book at the library thinking it would be sci-fi of the “Sliding Doors” variety. When I realized it was a coming of age story, I still thought I would like it. But Phoebe just seems to wander for most of the book and to allow things to happen instead of taking agency over her life. And I guess finally she does make her own decisions, but overall the book and her journey just irritated me.
December 23, 2025
3+ A coming of age story as two young girls as they graduate from high school in the 1970’s. Phoebe’s activist single mom and her best friend are dominant women. She drifts away from their overshadowing influence, but is unable to articulate her own desires as her life turns away from the standard path. Hamilton uses an abstract viewpoint for Phoebe’s ‘not choosing is a choice’ approach to life that is frustratingly effective. + for narrative by Rachel Jacobs.
January 14, 2026
I have loved some of her past books starting with The Book of Ruth in 1988, so was drawn to her newest novel. Another well written tale, though a quirky one. A coming of age story with some odd twists and characters. Would rate it 3.5 but rounded up to balance out a surprising number of negative reviews here (though critical reviews are positve). It may not be for everyone, but glad I didn’t let them deter me.
January 29, 2026
Maybe not even a 4, but I can't give Jane Hamilton's below a 4. The sentences were beautiful. The story, not. Burning all your bridges, harshly judging everyone who loves you and cutting them off, not letting your child know who their birth father is and cutting off his whole family so you can keep the secret, etc, but writing this as if the character has grown and emerged a pheonix from the ashes of a mediocre childhood does not make for a powerful plot crashed. started out good then crashed and burned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2025
Phoebe is standing at the cusp of adulthood. It’s her senior year of high school and her adoptive mother takes her to Wisconsin to meet her birth parents. Phoebe has always known she was adopted, but meeting her biological family turns her world upside down.
What follows is an examination of identity, friendship, family, and coming of age. Set in the 1970s, the story is told through Phoebe’s recollections some fifty years later. It is a heavily character driven novel with reflection on the challenges facing the MC as she faces her future with particular emphasis on the mother-daughter relationship.
Sometimes tender, sometimes funny, always honest; this is a book that meanders as personal reflection often does. It requires patience and is rewarded.
The audiobook narration by Rachel Jacobs is conversational and captures the emotions felt by Phoebe as she looks back of the moments, experiences, and people that shaped her life.
Thank you to Zibby Publishing and Libro.fm for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
What follows is an examination of identity, friendship, family, and coming of age. Set in the 1970s, the story is told through Phoebe’s recollections some fifty years later. It is a heavily character driven novel with reflection on the challenges facing the MC as she faces her future with particular emphasis on the mother-daughter relationship.
Sometimes tender, sometimes funny, always honest; this is a book that meanders as personal reflection often does. It requires patience and is rewarded.
The audiobook narration by Rachel Jacobs is conversational and captures the emotions felt by Phoebe as she looks back of the moments, experiences, and people that shaped her life.
Thank you to Zibby Publishing and Libro.fm for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
July 3, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I am already a huge Jane Hamilton fan so I was very eager to read this book and it did not disappoint. A fantastic coming of age book about girlhood and identity. I absolutely adored Phoebe’s character and was rooting for her as she navigated secrets, relationships, and figuring out who she was. This will always be an endlessly relatable theme for women. I will be reading this again and again because it was so beautifully written.
September 23, 2025
Unfortunately this book just did not work for me. The story of Phoebe, as told by her almost 70 year old self, did not seem to have a point. I usually enjoy literary fiction, but I kept waiting for something that didn’t happen. The story begins when Phoebe, who has always know she was adopted, meets her birth family. This, combined with her tumbling academic standing, sets her off on an adventure with no real direction.
Thank you Netgalley and Zibby Publishing for the digital ARC.
Thank you Netgalley and Zibby Publishing for the digital ARC.
October 10, 2025
This is Phoebe’s coming of age story - Phoebe who has grown up with her adoptive “single” mother, who stayed in contact with Phoebe’s biological mother (despite Phoebe’s non-interest).
As Phoebe graduates high school, she decides it is time for her to determine her own future, relying on the help of her friends.
As Phoebe graduates high school, she decides it is time for her to determine her own future, relying on the help of her friends.
September 29, 2025
Magical nostalgia
Just as Phoebe was unable to sum up her life to her birth mother, knowing that somehow it would become a lie in the telling, I am unable to adequately describe my reading experience of The Phoebe Variations. I can however, wholly recommend it.
Just as Phoebe was unable to sum up her life to her birth mother, knowing that somehow it would become a lie in the telling, I am unable to adequately describe my reading experience of The Phoebe Variations. I can however, wholly recommend it.
Read
December 27, 2025Undoubtedly my last book of the year. On audio, I'm going to listen to U2 music for the rest of 2025. Maybe a little Fleetwood Mac too.
I loved Hamilton's WHEN MADELINE WAS YOUNG (5 stars!). This? Not so much? I think . . . bear with me . . .
I had high expectations
My friend commented that Hamilton's writing reminded her of mine--so I was, like, fluttering my eyelids with her flattery. I THINK this is true in that Hamilton is rather perceptive about, um, the weight of subtle moments. (How's that for being full of oneself??????) Put another way, we're a little obsessed with nuances? THAT SAID, I thought the book was slow. Uh-oh. Too much. And then I was OBSESSING, "I'm too much too." Which I am.
Of course Hamilton is a great writer. I didn't especially agree with the protagonist's choices either. I was a bit disappointed in some of her choices, but okay.
I loved Hamilton's WHEN MADELINE WAS YOUNG (5 stars!). This? Not so much? I think . . . bear with me . . .
I had high expectations
My friend commented that Hamilton's writing reminded her of mine--so I was, like, fluttering my eyelids with her flattery. I THINK this is true in that Hamilton is rather perceptive about, um, the weight of subtle moments. (How's that for being full of oneself??????) Put another way, we're a little obsessed with nuances? THAT SAID, I thought the book was slow. Uh-oh. Too much. And then I was OBSESSING, "I'm too much too." Which I am.
Of course Hamilton is a great writer. I didn't especially agree with the protagonist's choices either. I was a bit disappointed in some of her choices, but okay.
November 14, 2025
This was a coming of age story about a 17 year old adopted girl that is on the verge of graduation. Her adopted mother forces her on a day trip to meet her birth parents who have 3 other daughters. It really bothers Phoebe and she decides to leave home. I really didn’t enjoy the story.
January 27, 2026
I find Jane Hamilton’s novels very satisfying: interesting plots, great character development, and a satisfying ending. This novel about protagonist, Phoebe and her coming of age and maturity in the 1970s checked all the necessary boxes for a very enjoyable read.
September 23, 2025
A very character driven coming-of-age story. Full review is up on https://www.instagram.com/p/DO8TOQDDW...
October 10, 2025
Kind of all over the place.
October 1, 2025
A coming-of-age story set in the suburbs of Chicago in the 1970s.
Phoebe was raised by a liberal single mother. She is a good student, an excellent musician, and has two best friends: Luna and Patrick. Although Phoebe is well aware that she's adopted, she's never been interested in her birth mother.
Just weeks before high school graduation, Phoebe's mother, Greta, insists they drive to Wisconsin so Phoebe can meet her biological parents. Shortly after their return home, Greta announces that she plans to foster two young boys. These two events have a profound impact on the teenage Phoebe, who decides to leave home immediately--but where to go?
Luna helps her come up with a scheme, but it will have to wait a couple of days until after their graduation ceremony. Meanwhile, Phoebe begs Patrick to let her sleep in his basement, figuring she won't be noticed among his thirteen brothers and sisters.
One decision and two eventful days change the trajectory of Phoebe's life forever, causing her to question who she really is.
I love the way Hamilton writes; the ambience of this novel is so evocative of the time period. I wonder if younger readers will be able to relate, as their upbringings were so different from ours. Granted, Greta was extra even for those times, but not as extreme as one might think.
I'm still thinking about this book, which begs to be talked about with other readers. I have many thoughts, all recorded in my reading journal.
Rachel Jacobs performed the audiobook. Although she didn't create heavily distinct voices for the characters (thank you!), I didn't have trouble following dialogue. She did an excellent job letting Hamilton's work stand on its own and well conveyed Phoebe's complex feelings and emotions. I was immersed in the story. Don't miss the author's note at the end.
Thanks to Zibby for the review copy.
Phoebe was raised by a liberal single mother. She is a good student, an excellent musician, and has two best friends: Luna and Patrick. Although Phoebe is well aware that she's adopted, she's never been interested in her birth mother.
Just weeks before high school graduation, Phoebe's mother, Greta, insists they drive to Wisconsin so Phoebe can meet her biological parents. Shortly after their return home, Greta announces that she plans to foster two young boys. These two events have a profound impact on the teenage Phoebe, who decides to leave home immediately--but where to go?
Luna helps her come up with a scheme, but it will have to wait a couple of days until after their graduation ceremony. Meanwhile, Phoebe begs Patrick to let her sleep in his basement, figuring she won't be noticed among his thirteen brothers and sisters.
One decision and two eventful days change the trajectory of Phoebe's life forever, causing her to question who she really is.
I love the way Hamilton writes; the ambience of this novel is so evocative of the time period. I wonder if younger readers will be able to relate, as their upbringings were so different from ours. Granted, Greta was extra even for those times, but not as extreme as one might think.
I'm still thinking about this book, which begs to be talked about with other readers. I have many thoughts, all recorded in my reading journal.
Rachel Jacobs performed the audiobook. Although she didn't create heavily distinct voices for the characters (thank you!), I didn't have trouble following dialogue. She did an excellent job letting Hamilton's work stand on its own and well conveyed Phoebe's complex feelings and emotions. I was immersed in the story. Don't miss the author's note at the end.
Thanks to Zibby for the review copy.
November 7, 2025
So well written but some missed opportunities here, the main character cuts ties with her mother much too easily. The story stagnates in places. I wanted more Luna & Greta and less Patrick and his brothers. I also wanted another encounter with her birth family
December 30, 2025
I picked this up from the library on a whim, and then when I looked it up on Goodreads I did not have high expectations because the reviews are SO low. Tbh I think that this book did not reach the target audience... so many of the reviews were from older people (also judging on those profile pictures) that I feel do not fully take into account or understand/remember all the complexities of female friendships.
This book was one of the best that I have read in a long time. Maybe it was best suited for someone like me because I feel so strongly and deeply about the friendships I have with other girls, and I remember how tumultuous that period of transition from girlhood--> womanhood is. A friendship changing is one of the most heartbreaking things to experience. It really really reminded me of My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante.
God, how wonderful a deep connection with another girl can be- but also how torturous!!! To be honest there were a lot of plot points that remained quite underdeveloped like her relationship with Greta, which is where a lot of critique comes from. But I don't think the book was as centered on motherhood but rather on that deep platonic verging on homoerotic (...oh God) bond between two girls. There is that theme of jealousy and also yearning for things to stay the same when life ultimately takes a far different path. Her emotional fulfillment when she was surrounded by the O'Connor men vs. Luna were so different because sometimes friendships are so so close you cannot even imagine who you are without the other. She is someone you love the most but at the same time nearly hate. Again, beautiful but also torturous. The ending really made me sad but only because of how realistic it is. Sometimes you simply outgrow each other, sometimes that love and bond is really blinding. And it often takes that "falling out" to grow even though we all wish it never had to happen that way. I think the book does a really good job of capturing Phoebe's acceptance at the end, almost a loneliness that she ultimately needed precisely because she had never truly realized it before.
Such an unnecessarily long review but I really really truly resonated with the book. I'm just beating a dead horse at this point but those bonds and friendships are SO special and how I wish they were unbreakable too.
This book was one of the best that I have read in a long time. Maybe it was best suited for someone like me because I feel so strongly and deeply about the friendships I have with other girls, and I remember how tumultuous that period of transition from girlhood--> womanhood is. A friendship changing is one of the most heartbreaking things to experience. It really really reminded me of My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante.
God, how wonderful a deep connection with another girl can be- but also how torturous!!! To be honest there were a lot of plot points that remained quite underdeveloped like her relationship with Greta, which is where a lot of critique comes from. But I don't think the book was as centered on motherhood but rather on that deep platonic verging on homoerotic (...oh God) bond between two girls. There is that theme of jealousy and also yearning for things to stay the same when life ultimately takes a far different path. Her emotional fulfillment when she was surrounded by the O'Connor men vs. Luna were so different because sometimes friendships are so so close you cannot even imagine who you are without the other. She is someone you love the most but at the same time nearly hate. Again, beautiful but also torturous. The ending really made me sad but only because of how realistic it is. Sometimes you simply outgrow each other, sometimes that love and bond is really blinding. And it often takes that "falling out" to grow even though we all wish it never had to happen that way. I think the book does a really good job of capturing Phoebe's acceptance at the end, almost a loneliness that she ultimately needed precisely because she had never truly realized it before.
Such an unnecessarily long review but I really really truly resonated with the book. I'm just beating a dead horse at this point but those bonds and friendships are SO special and how I wish they were unbreakable too.
October 24, 2025
This was just bad and so unsatisfying. Nothing really happens, and it just kind of peters out. The story and characters are underwhelming and boring. I finished the novel hoping it would get better, but it never did. If anything, it got worse. There is no evolution or development to the main character and she was way too harsh on her adoptive mother.
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