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Appearances
Samantha―the fashionable wife of a successful businessman and doting mother of one―struggles to negotiate the spheres of intimacy between her husband and her family of origin. Samantha loves her husband, Richard, and she loves her sister, Elizabeth. But the two of them can barely exist in the same room, which has caused the entire family years of emotional distress. Yet it’s not until Samantha’s sister is diagnosed at age forty-three with lung cancer that her family and her marriage are tipped into full-blown crisis.
A story of love, loss, forgiveness, learning to live with grief, and healing, Appearances will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced tension in their familial relationships―even as it serves as a poignant reminder that no amount of privilege can protect us from family conflicts, marital difficulty, or mortality.
A story of love, loss, forgiveness, learning to live with grief, and healing, Appearances will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced tension in their familial relationships―even as it serves as a poignant reminder that no amount of privilege can protect us from family conflicts, marital difficulty, or mortality.
328 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2019
646 people are currently reading
1419 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 13, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up
Samantha is married to a successful Boston businessman, Richard. Her sister, Elizabeth, is married to a successful real estate developer, Jake. Samantha and Elizabeth are attached at the hip (figuratively speaking). Since Jake, Samantha and Elizabeth grew up together, they are very close. Richard feels like an outsider and disengages from Samantha’s family: resulting in a long winded, passive aggressive turned direct family feud. They would probably make an interesting storyline on a Real House Wives of Boston for that alone.
Elizabeth is barely in her forties when she is diagnosed with lung cancer. The diagnosis looks grim and Samantha – allowing everyone around her – is pulled in two different directions: Elizabeth and Jake need her and Richard feels like she doesn’t put their family first. Truthfully, some of these grown-ups are whiney children. Will Samantha find the force within her to go the course she feels is right for her without disrupting everyone’s expectations of her? Are her own expectations impractical?
What I liked: it felt very realistic. The situations and dialogues can easily happen in families.
What slightly bothered me: heavy emphasis on material items and wealthy lifestyle. I think it was meant to show that anyone can be dealt a hardship regardless of social standing, but I don’t think it hit that mark as intended. It was just something that irked me a bit, but not a reason to not read this book.
Thank you to BookSparks for selecting me to be a 2019 Spring Campaign #SwipeRightonReading Ambassador! This was the first book of 3 of the campaign.
To read my reviews visit: www.saturdaynitereader.com
Samantha is married to a successful Boston businessman, Richard. Her sister, Elizabeth, is married to a successful real estate developer, Jake. Samantha and Elizabeth are attached at the hip (figuratively speaking). Since Jake, Samantha and Elizabeth grew up together, they are very close. Richard feels like an outsider and disengages from Samantha’s family: resulting in a long winded, passive aggressive turned direct family feud. They would probably make an interesting storyline on a Real House Wives of Boston for that alone.
Elizabeth is barely in her forties when she is diagnosed with lung cancer. The diagnosis looks grim and Samantha – allowing everyone around her – is pulled in two different directions: Elizabeth and Jake need her and Richard feels like she doesn’t put their family first. Truthfully, some of these grown-ups are whiney children. Will Samantha find the force within her to go the course she feels is right for her without disrupting everyone’s expectations of her? Are her own expectations impractical?
What I liked: it felt very realistic. The situations and dialogues can easily happen in families.
What slightly bothered me: heavy emphasis on material items and wealthy lifestyle. I think it was meant to show that anyone can be dealt a hardship regardless of social standing, but I don’t think it hit that mark as intended. It was just something that irked me a bit, but not a reason to not read this book.
Thank you to BookSparks for selecting me to be a 2019 Spring Campaign #SwipeRightonReading Ambassador! This was the first book of 3 of the campaign.
To read my reviews visit: www.saturdaynitereader.com
October 7, 2019
REVISED REVIEW October 7th:
Yayyyyy, I got to finish this story reading the revised version and I'm so pleased the author went the extra mile to ensure her publisher sent over the revised version.
It's a pretty harrowing read and did leave me teary-eyed a few times. The hourglass analogy was a particularly stark one for me. A terribly sad subject and I did learn a lot......there's also a great deal of Jewish words and customs. I had to keep looking these up as I wasn't familiar with them all, aside from the hora to Hava Nagila as I've seen and enjoyed that on The Jazz Singer. Things got a little TOO touchy-feely for me with the new-age/religious stuff but that was the type of family they were so I grinned and bore it !
I'm pleased Samantha started to take better stock of her life as I really felt pretty bad for her husband most of the way through as opposed to feeling sorry for HER !! I did see another reviewer mentioned something about all the named brands mentioned and I guess it just brings home the fact that nobody can buy their way to good health, however rich they are. Look at Paul McCartney....he couldn't save Linda.
Sadly, I still spotted the odd error, with cava lier having a needless space they didn't fix, warch used instead of watch, fiftiethe not fiftieth and "I could have it repaired the dish" wasn't right. I was also confused when Richard referred to his niece and nephew at one point who had lost their mum, I didn't recall them being mentioned throughout the book. Then a whole page-and-a-half was repeated for some reason as well. These still overlooked errors cost it the 5* from me. I hope the author has words with the publisher and gets them to sharpen their act up !!
UPDATE October 5th:
The author has ensured I've received an updated copy as Amazon UK hadn't pushed the update through as yet so my revised review is to follow.
Sadly I've called time on this book as the same mistakes are repeated again and again till they wore me down. I gave up with it at 25%. I am so irritated as I was really enjoying the story and I intend to keep it on my Kindle too, in the hope that Amazon may push an updated version through at some time in the future and I can try it again. It just isn't readable for me in this state. The main issue is the author's aversion to using hyphens. She just.......doesn't !! So, we have modelthin, thirtysomething, fournight, RAFmonogrammed, selfabsorption, champagnecolored, postdiagnosis, halfjoking, earlymorning......bear in mind I'm only a quarter of the way in so there were loads more yet to come.....no thanks.
And THEN to add salt to the proverbial wound she started dropping in random spacing, too, with Harri son, Cen- ter, treat ments, Gor dons, then hair-raised was written mid-sentence when it didn't need a hyphen but a comma !! Seriously needs a proper proofreading done.
I loved her fireworks analogy near the beginning and I was shocked to learn the cancer statistics she quoted as well ! I had never heard of a radiation tattoo before, either, so I was also being educated as I read. I really liked Elizabeth and I thought Richard and Jake were both pigs, Jake especially !!
I was a bit confused when Samantha explained Richard's preferring public schools, yet he does a fundraiser for a private school every year. That didn't make much sense.
Aside from this mess, there IS a good story brewing up behind it so I really hope it gets a redo soon.
Yayyyyy, I got to finish this story reading the revised version and I'm so pleased the author went the extra mile to ensure her publisher sent over the revised version.
It's a pretty harrowing read and did leave me teary-eyed a few times. The hourglass analogy was a particularly stark one for me. A terribly sad subject and I did learn a lot......there's also a great deal of Jewish words and customs. I had to keep looking these up as I wasn't familiar with them all, aside from the hora to Hava Nagila as I've seen and enjoyed that on The Jazz Singer. Things got a little TOO touchy-feely for me with the new-age/religious stuff but that was the type of family they were so I grinned and bore it !
I'm pleased Samantha started to take better stock of her life as I really felt pretty bad for her husband most of the way through as opposed to feeling sorry for HER !! I did see another reviewer mentioned something about all the named brands mentioned and I guess it just brings home the fact that nobody can buy their way to good health, however rich they are. Look at Paul McCartney....he couldn't save Linda.
Sadly, I still spotted the odd error, with cava lier having a needless space they didn't fix, warch used instead of watch, fiftiethe not fiftieth and "I could have it repaired the dish" wasn't right. I was also confused when Richard referred to his niece and nephew at one point who had lost their mum, I didn't recall them being mentioned throughout the book. Then a whole page-and-a-half was repeated for some reason as well. These still overlooked errors cost it the 5* from me. I hope the author has words with the publisher and gets them to sharpen their act up !!
UPDATE October 5th:
The author has ensured I've received an updated copy as Amazon UK hadn't pushed the update through as yet so my revised review is to follow.
Sadly I've called time on this book as the same mistakes are repeated again and again till they wore me down. I gave up with it at 25%. I am so irritated as I was really enjoying the story and I intend to keep it on my Kindle too, in the hope that Amazon may push an updated version through at some time in the future and I can try it again. It just isn't readable for me in this state. The main issue is the author's aversion to using hyphens. She just.......doesn't !! So, we have modelthin, thirtysomething, fournight, RAFmonogrammed, selfabsorption, champagnecolored, postdiagnosis, halfjoking, earlymorning......bear in mind I'm only a quarter of the way in so there were loads more yet to come.....no thanks.
And THEN to add salt to the proverbial wound she started dropping in random spacing, too, with Harri son, Cen- ter, treat ments, Gor dons, then hair-raised was written mid-sentence when it didn't need a hyphen but a comma !! Seriously needs a proper proofreading done.
I loved her fireworks analogy near the beginning and I was shocked to learn the cancer statistics she quoted as well ! I had never heard of a radiation tattoo before, either, so I was also being educated as I read. I really liked Elizabeth and I thought Richard and Jake were both pigs, Jake especially !!
I was a bit confused when Samantha explained Richard's preferring public schools, yet he does a fundraiser for a private school every year. That didn't make much sense.
Aside from this mess, there IS a good story brewing up behind it so I really hope it gets a redo soon.
August 3, 2019
This a realistic portrayal of conflicting loyalties. When women play so many roles and aim to please - not easy. I loved this novel for tackling modern challenges so well, not to mention grief. It’s the type of book that keeps you turning the page to see how Samantha copes with something not far flung, but all too familiar.
April 30, 2019
Very strong character development and realistic dialogue make this a very good read. I became invested in the present and future of each person in the book. Family drama, love, loss, redemption, and a strong central character. This book has all of that and has you rooting for the protagonist throughout. Great first novel by Sondra Helene.
September 3, 2019
This book was beyond heartfelt in so many ways. The beautiful bond and relationship between two sisters, the devastation of loss, disappointments and shortcomings of those that are supposed to be family. The reality and truth parallels so many peoples lives. I can relate to it all. So well written. It is a detailed book and hope there's another to follow.
September 6, 2019
I read the entire book in one day, which is quite unusual for me. It is beautifully written and very moving. I have never experienced the kind of family closeness that Samantha has, so I can't say for sure how I would react in the same situation. It made me think.
June 30, 2019
Such a great story that explores family & marriage dynamic. It takes a lot for a book to bring me to tears, but this story did so effortlessly.
September 11, 2020
Wow. So heartfelt and so honest. It takes a brave and talented writer to pull off this page turner !
April 10, 2019
Thank you to BookSparks for sending me a copy!
In all honesty, I was bored with this story till about chapter 15. By that point, I WAS SUCKED IN!
From the synopsis alone, I knew it was going to be sad. After really getting invested in the characters and complicated relationships it’s both sad, real and endearing.
When I just started reading this, my feelings for the husband, Richard, was anger and confusion. As the book progressed, I understood why and I, along with Samantha discovered that their marriage breakdown wasn’t Richard’s fault.
Short review: this was an endearing look at the complexities within a family.
In all honesty, I was bored with this story till about chapter 15. By that point, I WAS SUCKED IN!
From the synopsis alone, I knew it was going to be sad. After really getting invested in the characters and complicated relationships it’s both sad, real and endearing.
When I just started reading this, my feelings for the husband, Richard, was anger and confusion. As the book progressed, I understood why and I, along with Samantha discovered that their marriage breakdown wasn’t Richard’s fault.
Short review: this was an endearing look at the complexities within a family.
August 12, 2019
This drew me in completely because of the sibling relationship. I have 4 sisters and a brother and kept thinking, “what would I do in this situation?” I can’t imagine my husband not liking them and asking me to talk to any of them less or see them less often. I felt badly for Samantha at first then started to see Richard’s side as the book went on. A great read that brought me to tears, a rarity. Worth the read.
August 18, 2020
a gripping story that you won't want to put down. It made me laugh, wonder, and cry.
April 18, 2019
Samantha is married to a successful businessman named Richard and is extremely close with her family. Especially her sister, Elizabeth, and her sister's husband, Jake, who is a real estate developer. While getting his feet off the ground Jake calls in a few favors to Richard which end up going wrong and causes tension between the two and by extension, Elizabeth. Richard begins to feel like an outsider in Samantha's family.
But when Elizabeth is diagnosed with lung cancer Samantha finds herself caught in the middle between her husband and her family. Richard wants her to put their family first but Elizabeth and Jake need her. This is the part that drove me a little crazy. I felt like the adults were a little immature and whiny but it did also make them feel realistic. I could picture the petty dialogues happening between family members.
One thing I could have done without was the emphasis on wealth. The characters where made out to seem materialistic and at times it felt unnecessary. Mentions of Range Rovers, specific expensive stores, etc. It didn't really have any impact on the story itself so it didn't work for me.
Appearances is a realistic family drama filled with emotion.
Thank you to BookSparks for sending me a free copy as part of the #SwipeRightOnReading Spring 2019 campaign in exchange for an honest review!
But when Elizabeth is diagnosed with lung cancer Samantha finds herself caught in the middle between her husband and her family. Richard wants her to put their family first but Elizabeth and Jake need her. This is the part that drove me a little crazy. I felt like the adults were a little immature and whiny but it did also make them feel realistic. I could picture the petty dialogues happening between family members.
One thing I could have done without was the emphasis on wealth. The characters where made out to seem materialistic and at times it felt unnecessary. Mentions of Range Rovers, specific expensive stores, etc. It didn't really have any impact on the story itself so it didn't work for me.
Appearances is a realistic family drama filled with emotion.
Thank you to BookSparks for sending me a free copy as part of the #SwipeRightOnReading Spring 2019 campaign in exchange for an honest review!
November 18, 2019
Powerful
That is the best description for this book. Powerful and emotional. Samantha has a very close family and they share everything. She is especially close to her sister, Elizabeth. When she married Richard, he tries to break the pattern of constant phone calls and visits, putting a strain on the marriage and driving a wedge between him and her family. When Elizabeth gets sick, the stress gets unbearable. Samantha is torn. There are many emotional pages that brought tears, and I couldn't put this book down. Beautifully written! I loved it.
That is the best description for this book. Powerful and emotional. Samantha has a very close family and they share everything. She is especially close to her sister, Elizabeth. When she married Richard, he tries to break the pattern of constant phone calls and visits, putting a strain on the marriage and driving a wedge between him and her family. When Elizabeth gets sick, the stress gets unbearable. Samantha is torn. There are many emotional pages that brought tears, and I couldn't put this book down. Beautifully written! I loved it.
June 27, 2019
Being Jewish this book touched my heart. When I was young, our extended family all lived in 0ne city. We all spent holidays together. We all managed to get along. As the thirteen first cousins went to college and got married, we ended up all over the country. We still keep in touch.
I can't imagine a family breaking up because they disliked one member.
The death of a sister was heartbreaking and the religious scenes brought back many memories.
This was a free book
I can't imagine a family breaking up because they disliked one member.
The death of a sister was heartbreaking and the religious scenes brought back many memories.
This was a free book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2019
Appearances gripped me right from the beginning. I loved the closeness of the two sisters Samantha and Elizabeth. I could feel the heartbreak of the whole family when Elizabeth was diagnosed with cancer. The story is poignant about love and loss and the importance of family. The writing is vivid and Sondra Helene takes the reader as if we are experiencing things ourselves. I highly recommend Appearances.
September 10, 2019
Loved this book-well written and thought provoking
Great debut novel. Reads like an autobiography and gives tremendous insight into how a marriage can unravel, and how it is so true that so often, blame doesn’t fall on only one partner’s shoulders. The issues between family and spouse struck a chord with me. Her sister’s battle with cancer reads real, through the sickness and how family and loved ones also join the battlefront.
Great debut novel. Reads like an autobiography and gives tremendous insight into how a marriage can unravel, and how it is so true that so often, blame doesn’t fall on only one partner’s shoulders. The issues between family and spouse struck a chord with me. Her sister’s battle with cancer reads real, through the sickness and how family and loved ones also join the battlefront.
October 2, 2019
Page Turner! This is a realistic view of family dynamics and what happens when friction causes stress in families. It is also a story of a marriage and of two sisters who have an incredible bond. I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the main characters and found them all very relatable. Appearances shows us that what appears to be happening on the outside isn’t necessarily what goes on in the inside. Anyone can relate. This could be a Netflix/Amazon/Hulu show or Lifetime movie.
September 13, 2019
Too close and yet, not close enough
A story of deep love and compassion. The characters are well developed. The complex story is a wonderful offering for a first novel. I enjoyed reading this, I felt the sadness and the hope. I'm sure there will be many more good books in her future.
A story of deep love and compassion. The characters are well developed. The complex story is a wonderful offering for a first novel. I enjoyed reading this, I felt the sadness and the hope. I'm sure there will be many more good books in her future.
September 26, 2019
Great read! I couldn’t put Appearances down and read it in two days. It’s about sisterly love, marital issues and family drama. It’s beautifully written and makes the reader want to turn the page. The protagonist exudes compassionate strength in the midst of conflicting loyalties. I highly recommend this novel.
September 28, 2019
Heartening
I love the way this book has touched me! The author is fantastic in the way she seems to hit exactly on my feelings. I have a close relationship with my sister too. We are only 13 months apart and I feel like we are each part of the other. What a terrible journey to have to take; there is truly only acceptance. I am incredibly moved by this fine novel.
I love the way this book has touched me! The author is fantastic in the way she seems to hit exactly on my feelings. I have a close relationship with my sister too. We are only 13 months apart and I feel like we are each part of the other. What a terrible journey to have to take; there is truly only acceptance. I am incredibly moved by this fine novel.
October 15, 2019
Heart-wrenching beautifully written novel. I really loved Samantha's character and was surprised at how much I identified with the family conflict and tension. There was so much emotion in this story and it was so moving. I highly recommend it.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
July 6, 2020
I listened to this novel as an audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed lingering in the world Sondra Helene describes. Her subject matter is endlessly interesting--the competing attachments of biological and chosen family. The different kinds of love Samantha is called to tend. If love and attachment and obligation are topics that interest you, you'll love this audiobook.
April 11, 2019
Appearances appeared and I could not put it down. Layered with the complexities of human relationships, this is a delicate book, a fine read. Appearances takes you by the hand and pulls you into the dynamic of an intimate family circle. You won't want it to end.
September 3, 2019
Moving
This writer must be Jewish or have strong influence of members of that faith. Very moving story, I found the cancer and medical information very informative. The sister connection for this generation, not believable. Overall interesting.
This writer must be Jewish or have strong influence of members of that faith. Very moving story, I found the cancer and medical information very informative. The sister connection for this generation, not believable. Overall interesting.
September 4, 2019
Wonderful
I am glad I had a box of tissues next to me. I used quite a few. I recommend reading this book but I would have liked to see a more complete ending. There were also some editing mistakes that were missed. This is a wonderful book and worth reading!
I am glad I had a box of tissues next to me. I used quite a few. I recommend reading this book but I would have liked to see a more complete ending. There were also some editing mistakes that were missed. This is a wonderful book and worth reading!
September 17, 2019
Heartfelt and deep
This was rugged at my heart. I can’t imagine losing my sister or going through the things Samantha did. I did find the editing errors a little distracting. Spaces where they shouldn’t be, a whole paragraph repeated.
This was rugged at my heart. I can’t imagine losing my sister or going through the things Samantha did. I did find the editing errors a little distracting. Spaces where they shouldn’t be, a whole paragraph repeated.
October 13, 2019
First book good
For a.first book this was very good. I enjoyed how she developed the plot and kept it moving. I wouldn't mind a sequel with the storyline developing with the children.
For a.first book this was very good. I enjoyed how she developed the plot and kept it moving. I wouldn't mind a sequel with the storyline developing with the children.
December 15, 2019
I am very close to my sister. I can feel for Samantha and Elizabeth. I couldn’t relate to Richard. Jake loved Elizabeth and coped the best he could. Appearances is a realistic and powerful book about family and marriage. I highly recommend it.
February 1, 2020
Life's Competing Priorities
This story is heart wrenching from the very beginning. Samantha's sister, husband, daughter, parents, brother-in-law to name a few, pull her in so many direction...yet she stayed strong through it all.
This story is heart wrenching from the very beginning. Samantha's sister, husband, daughter, parents, brother-in-law to name a few, pull her in so many direction...yet she stayed strong through it all.
April 20, 2020
I loved it, this book took me from intrigued to heartbroken. If you have siblings this book will pull your heartstrings, there are quite a few spelling mistakes which I eventually got used to but over all it’s a book I couldn’t put down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews