Family Fractures: The Harmon Family's Story

by A. Paige Turner

Family Fractures

A gripping emotional drama about mental illness, blended families, and the damage love can’t always undo.



When 17-year-old Ethan is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, his once-promising future collapses—and so does the fragile peace in his blended family. His stepmother sees danger. His biological mother sees only guilt. His father is stuck in the middle. And his little sister? She just wants to stop being afraid.



As Ethan spirals into denial and self-destruction, long-buried resentments surface and loyalties are tested. This family isn’t just struggling to survive a diagnosis—they’re fighting to stay together through it.



Told from multiple perspectives, Family Fractures is a heart-wrenching, page-turning novel perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Celeste Ng, and Liane Moriarty.

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an emotional, heartbreaking novella about the struggles a family goes through when their son is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. It is told in multiple points of view to depict how each family member is affected. While not everyone is on the same page regarding a treatment plan, they are torn in their approach of how to handle the situation. It is sad to know that this is real life when it comes to mental illness.

[Lena Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a read! I loved it. Get ready for a novella that's going to grab from the start and not let you go.This is my first novel by @a.paigeturner and it will not be my last by this talented, author. I'm looking forward to my next read.

She's touches on a very difficult subject, mental illness, bipolar. She takes you down this rocky road of how does a family's deal and cope with it. The writing is vivid, emotions are raw, and the family dynamics are right there for you to experience as if you were there watching it first hand.

Thank you, for writing such a dynamic book on a subject that needs to talked about more.

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Fractures is a powerful novella told through multiple POVs, exploring the emotional toll a teenage boy’s developing bipolar disorder takes on his family. It dives deep into the complexities of divorce and the often-overlooked role of a stepmom, capturing the raw, messy reality of trying to hold a fractured family together.

The mental health representation is especially strong, it offers an honest, vivid portrayal of bipolar disorder, particularly the mania phase. The emotions run high, and the character motivations are thoughtfully explored, making this a short read that leaves a big impact. Highly recommend for those looking for authentic, emotional storytelling with strong mental health themes.

[Mabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Fractures is a heart-rending novella in which A. Paige Turner brings your attention to bipolar disorder.

Ethan is a teen who has been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. Multiple points of view are shared to make you realize that this affects every family member. They all see what they want to see but it isn’t reality.

Mental illness is real. The first step to recovery is to ascertain there IS an illness.

Blended family members struggle to understand what is best for him. Unfortunately, you realize that you have to do things that make everyone uncomfortable.

Ethan doesn’t believe he requires assistance therefore, he fights the process. Sometimes you have to reach rock bottom before you finally come to terms with the truth.

You may be able to heal the fractures, but you have to follow professional guidance.

I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

[Jessica North · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella about a split family who battles the challenges of a child who is was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It was so beautifully written and told in different POV’s of the different characters. I really enjoyed reading this!

[Yesenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Fractures is not your ordinary novella; it’s a poignant narrative that explores the intricate dynamics of a family torn apart by a teenager’s bipolar disorder. Through multiple perspectives, the novel skillfully navigates the challenges of divorce and sheds light on the pivotal role of a stepmom in the family’s recovery. The portrayal of mental health, particularly during manic episodes, is strikingly authentic. For those seeking genuine storytelling intertwined with profound mental health themes, this novella is a must-read.

[Kim Finazzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an eye opener for people who have not experienced family or close friends with bipolar. This novella was a quick story of a family who the parents were divorced and the father was remarried. I loved the different POV in each chapter explaining how each member feels and how they come together to help Ethen get the help he needs. This is a must read.

This is the 1st book I have read from this author and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

it hits hard

I swear the author knows my life. She has portrayed what life is like dealing with bipolar. It wasn’t just from the patients point of view but also from each person in the family.

I cried, I remembered going through similar, and still coping with it. Mental health is not to be played with or hope that the chaos goes away. You get help and you continue with help.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 star read. Very well written story about a young man’s diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This story gives you the POV of the young man during his manic psychosis and his treatment as well as the POV of his family as they struggle to cope with his behaviors. The way the writer writes about the mental health crisis and its effects on everyone is insightful and heartbreaking.

[Melanie Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story about a family finding out their son has bipolar.Not wanting to accept it was hard for some family members.Learning you have to stay on you medication for it to work and to get help for yourself most of all having family support behind you means the most 💯 recommend everyone read this 5 ⭐️ read for me mental health matters 💗

[Lisa Gainers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute amazing read! This book was written so well, it is just a little over 100 pages and managed to make me feel, anger, sadness, anxiety, heartbreak and hopeful. This is a get to the point story, with no fluff and I absolutely loved every minute!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic and pogniant

This is the first book I've read by this author; however, it won't be my last! It shines a light into the lives of family struggling to survive. A very realistic glimpse of various options each of us may choose to utilize in an attempt to deal with a mental health issue within a family structure and how those affect ourselves and those around us. Excellent story!

[Kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-written, quick read that really shines a light on the mental health crisis. Turner does a phenomenal job of epitomizing raw, messy family dynamics in these pages. Definitely worth your read whether you’re directly affected by someone with mental illness or not. Great insight into the true struggles of some families across the world

[S.P. Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A. Paige Turner’s Family Fractures is a quiet, deeply personal exploration of a family coming undone and learning to live again. What stands out most is its tone—though the story confronts grief, denial, and pain head-on, it never descends into despair. Instead, it moves with a steady sense of hope, showing that healing doesn’t mean erasing what’s broken but learning to live with the cracks.

One of the most striking elements of Turner’s writing is how the household itself becomes a character. The home seems to breathe alongside its inhabitants — at times holding its breath in an awkward silence, at others compared to a rotting corpse, mirroring the emotional decay within. This personification makes the story feel tangible, almost haunted by its own memories.

Like Ordinary People and Beautiful Boy, Family Fractures looks at family trauma not through bombastic spectacle but through the lense of intimacy — through the parents’ eyes as they struggle to find meaning and some version of “normal” again. That word, so often dismissed as dull or conformist, becomes a kind of salvation in this story: where love intersects with accountability. The novel feels lived-in, grounded by experience, and written with such emotional honesty that it lingers long after the last page.

[Kacie Robles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Family Fractures is a short book that packs a serious punch. It follows Ethan, a teen living with bipolar disorder, but what I loved most was how it showed the way his illness affects everyone around him. The story switches perspectives, so you really get to see the confusion, frustration, and love from every angle… parents, siblings, and even the stepmom who’s just trying to keep everything from falling apart.

It doesn’t sugarcoat anything. The manic episodes feel real, the family drama feels messy (because families are messy), and at times I honestly felt like I was in the room with them. It’s not always comfortable to read, but it is powerful.

If you’re looking for a fast read that makes you stop and think about mental health, family, and the complicated ways love shows up, this one’s for you. Highly recommend.

[J.D. Goland · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read, one of the most important reads I have read in a while. While reality may not be my forte, I am also a type 2 Bipolar disorder who got diagnosed at an early age. I was 10 years old when I got the news, but I knew better. Over ten years, I fought it because I didn’t want to be the guy on the meds. I didn’t want to be that guy who had “the condition.” While mine never got as severe as this, I did have my own issues. Everyone needs to read this, not only for yourself but for others too. Learn what signs are there, how to help, and never be afraid to be harsh but supportive when needed. There is a line in here that I love and is the reality of it. When someone says they might hate you for being firm on things, “At least he will be alive.”

[Sasha Smart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thought-Provoking Read

This book offers a nuanced exploration of mental health within the context of blended families. A. Paige Turner provides relatable examples and insightful analysis, shedding light on the complex dynamics that can arise in these situations.

The book's strengths lie in its ability to normalize the challenges faced by blended families and offer practical advice for navigating them. The author's writing style is engaging, making it easy to follow along and reflect on one's own experiences with mental health and how family dynamics affect each character.
The description of Ethan's bipolar disorder was spot on.

[E.D. Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, Honest, and Eye-Opening
As someone who has never personally encountered bipolar disorder beyond general awareness of depression, this book was a profound and immersive experience. It offers a raw glimpse into what it’s like for both the individual suffering and the family members trying to cope. From the denial and confusion to the heartbreaking reality of a mental break, the perspective feels honest and deeply human. It’s a quick yet powerful read that stays with you.
10/10 – Highly recommend.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a book club read for me & nearly had me triggered a few times, but I am glad I pushed through.

The emotional impact truly resonated with me. The author does a great job at bringing light to what happens behind the scenes and the helplessness we are faced with when dealing with a mental health crisis at home.

I really love that the author chooses to use her pen to bring awareness to these difficult subjects.

[James Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife read this first, and then suggested I read it, and it was amazing! The author did a great job of hooking you right from the get-go and keeping you enthralled to the end. "Family fractures" presents a real look at mental illness, seen through several POVs and is unflinching in its narrative. The author examines not just the illness itself, but how the diagnosis affected the whole family. Very thought provoking and highly recommended!

[Katelyn M ChaosBookReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Fractures is a raw, emotionally gripping read that completely wrecked me—in the best way. I read it in one day, unable to put it down. The portrayal of mental illness, blended family dynamics, and love under pressure felt painfully real and deeply compassionate. I’m already halfway through book two, and this story has its hooks in me for good. Powerful, heartbreaking, and absolutely worth the read!

[Nicole Gemme · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

A powerful novella with so much raw emotion trapped within this just over 100 page book.

Following the Harmon Family and their emotional story dealing with a son diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

This is a story that is told through multiple POVs. Every family member has a role and reaction to the impact and coming to grips with the reality and damage metal illness can bring to a family if not addressed.

Check your triggers, this truly is a powerful read.

[🐷Shay loves books🐷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This one was tough. This book takes you on a journey and lets you see and feel the real struggle with sickness in your family. It’s real, it’s raw and it was so emotional. This is the type of book I love to read. You see these scenarios happen everyday to families that don’t know what to do or how to deal with them. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is what needs to be done to help someone with a mental illness, esp when they are a huge part of your world.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in just a couple of hours. It hit so close to home for multiple reasons. One because I’ve worked in the mental health and addictions field for over a decade, and two, because of personal ties to those struggling with mental illness and substance use. This was spoke such truth from the different perspectives of those involved in this young man’s life, even to the point of HIS perspective. Thank you, for bringing these perspectives to life.

[Jessica Ehmcke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real and thought-provoking

This story follows Ethan and his mental heath journey along with his family and how their actions and support can affect his journey.
This is a short novella with a powerful message. In family fractures we get a glimpse of each family member and how they're processing Ethans illness and behaviors. We also learn how avoidance, blaming, and acceptance can either fracture a family or heal a family. A great read!

[Ashley Mindykowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought so many emotions to the surface. As a child of a parent with bipolar disorder and drug addiction, I have seen the absolute disastrous outcome when people enable. This story did a wonderfully real job and painting exactly how quickly things can spiral. The raw emotion, acceptance of the situation and the grief of the situation are so realistic.

[Heather Shower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Fractures is an unforgettable and deeply human novel about the fallout of 17-year-old Ethan's bipolar diagnosis. Told through multiple authentic voices, it offers a raw, compassionate look at mental illness. This is a powerful meditation on the enduring strength of family love when everything is tested.

[Jadella Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Fractures is a gripping, emotionally charged novella that pulls you into the chaos of a family trying to survive the challenges of a teenage boy’s bipolar disorder. Told from multiple perspectives, it doesn’t shy away from the messy realities and the quiet struggles of a stepmother trying to hold it all together. Heartbreaking, honest, and impossible to put down.

[Reader Brandy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing novella about mental illness and how it effects everyone! It gives each persons point of
View! It hit home for me about my family and having members that suffer with illnesses and how some choose to act like it doesn’t exist or it will get better, I could relate to each character and see their point of view! Really good read!

[J.B. Rafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige Turner skillfully conveys emotion through her writing, which is no small feat. From the first chapter to the last, she draws the reader into the story. Family Fractures tells a relatable and timely tale through the perspectives of everyone involved, offering insight into an unsettling situation many will recognize. This is a compelling and thoughtful read. I highly recommend it.