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Across the Street
Will the love between twin sisters survive? In an epic novel about the bond between twins, family relationships are complicated by anger, resentment, hidden secrets, and impossible choices.
Alex Carissa is thrilled when her identical twin sister, Sam, and her husband move into the neighborhood. For Sam, years of infertility, followed by an unthinkable tragedy, have left her despairing of ever having a child. Money is tight, and IVF is expensive. Sam’s only hope may be to ask her sister to be a surrogate. Alex will do anything for Sam, but when the sisters embark upon an unorthodox route to surrogacy, jealousy, guilt, and legal complications soon follow.
As the limits of sisterly devotion are tested, the family’s hidden wounds and secret addictions come to light, shaking the foundation of their marriages and their lives.
An emotional story of a woman’s struggle with infertility and a riveting book about the complexities of family, Across the Street makes an excellent selection for book clubs.
Alex Carissa is thrilled when her identical twin sister, Sam, and her husband move into the neighborhood. For Sam, years of infertility, followed by an unthinkable tragedy, have left her despairing of ever having a child. Money is tight, and IVF is expensive. Sam’s only hope may be to ask her sister to be a surrogate. Alex will do anything for Sam, but when the sisters embark upon an unorthodox route to surrogacy, jealousy, guilt, and legal complications soon follow.
As the limits of sisterly devotion are tested, the family’s hidden wounds and secret addictions come to light, shaking the foundation of their marriages and their lives.
An emotional story of a woman’s struggle with infertility and a riveting book about the complexities of family, Across the Street makes an excellent selection for book clubs.
- GenresFiction
645 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2013
About the author
Laurie Lisa
6 books68 followersLaurie was born and raised in small towns in Southern Illinois. She obtained her B.S. in English Education from the University of Illinois, where she also met and then married her husband Steve. Laurie earned both a M.A. and a Ph.D. in English, 20th-century American Literature, from Arizona State University, where she also taught literature and composition. In addition to her eight novels, Laurie has published two academic books, several short stories and poems, and edited other's works. After much time spent in Academia and raising her three children (Anthony, Michelle, and Caitlin), Laurie returned to her passion for writing fiction. She is a prolific writer and typically completes one novel each year. Laurie resides with her husband, Steve, in Paradise Valley and Flagstaff, Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 9, 2022
Thank you Laurie Lisa for my audio copy.
I love how this author brings you into the lives of every single one of her characters. She doesn't just tell a story, she tells multiple. You close every book as if you personally knew them all. They all feel so real because their stories aren't too far off from reality to actually happen. Not only do you get to know them, but you feel so much emotion with each of them. You feel their love, their anger, their resentment, all of it.
This one was about twin sisters and how far you would really go for one another. It explains their differences but how one is always there for the other. Their spouses, their parents, the children all have an impact on their decisions. You'll feel the emotions of them both, one chapter you'll be on the side of one, the next chapter you'll be on the side of the other. You'll like one husband more than the other, but then you start to understand the other one and feel his thoughts. The kids, well, their stories really grab you too. If you haven't read this or any book by this author, get yourself a copy of one and then you'll want to read the others. She's fantastic and her writing style is amazing.
I love how this author brings you into the lives of every single one of her characters. She doesn't just tell a story, she tells multiple. You close every book as if you personally knew them all. They all feel so real because their stories aren't too far off from reality to actually happen. Not only do you get to know them, but you feel so much emotion with each of them. You feel their love, their anger, their resentment, all of it.
This one was about twin sisters and how far you would really go for one another. It explains their differences but how one is always there for the other. Their spouses, their parents, the children all have an impact on their decisions. You'll feel the emotions of them both, one chapter you'll be on the side of one, the next chapter you'll be on the side of the other. You'll like one husband more than the other, but then you start to understand the other one and feel his thoughts. The kids, well, their stories really grab you too. If you haven't read this or any book by this author, get yourself a copy of one and then you'll want to read the others. She's fantastic and her writing style is amazing.
October 16, 2020
The Review
The author has crafted a truly engaging story here. The drama and emotional core of this story rest within the relationship not only between Sam and Alex but between their families as well as each member struggles with their own problems. The story is equally balanced with fully developed and evolving characters, who are relatable and realistically written in connection to the larger story being told.
The author’s writing style was descriptive and entertaining and written in a way to feel almost visual in its use of imagery throughout the narrative, painting a picture in the reader’s mind of the scenes unfolding here. The way the author was able to showcase the point of view of so many characters and still make the story feel fresh and alive was a fantastic accomplishment, as I felt drawn into the narrative more and more as each chapter passed by.
The Verdict
A lengthy yet entertaining and emotional read, author Laurie Lisa’s “Across the Street” is a must-read drama novel. Full of suspense, shocking secrets, and twists and turns in the character’s arcs that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, this is a novel readers won’t be able to put down. Be sure to grab your copy today!
The author has crafted a truly engaging story here. The drama and emotional core of this story rest within the relationship not only between Sam and Alex but between their families as well as each member struggles with their own problems. The story is equally balanced with fully developed and evolving characters, who are relatable and realistically written in connection to the larger story being told.
The author’s writing style was descriptive and entertaining and written in a way to feel almost visual in its use of imagery throughout the narrative, painting a picture in the reader’s mind of the scenes unfolding here. The way the author was able to showcase the point of view of so many characters and still make the story feel fresh and alive was a fantastic accomplishment, as I felt drawn into the narrative more and more as each chapter passed by.
The Verdict
A lengthy yet entertaining and emotional read, author Laurie Lisa’s “Across the Street” is a must-read drama novel. Full of suspense, shocking secrets, and twists and turns in the character’s arcs that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, this is a novel readers won’t be able to put down. Be sure to grab your copy today!
October 22, 2020
Rec'd draft copy for initial read. Purchased digital copy from Amazon.
This review is of the final published copy.
I absolutely Loved this book. Days after I've had time to organize my thoughts and all I can do is gush over Laurie Lisa's (yes, that is her last name!) Across the Street. Yes, the story is about twin sisters. Yes, one moves across the street. But the lives of both make for this breathtaking read. Unlike The Wine Club, which was a bit darker, This book has the same talented writing; but here is hope for redemption.
The layers. Layers & layers - characters that are so well-crafted, they are real. Situations that while extreme are entirely feasible. Across the Street will have you holding your breath until the end. I got this at a special introductory price; but would have paid top dollar for the writing. Lisa is that good~ This is also one of her longer stories, over 700 pages. But I was able to read it in two very long, sleepless nights. I couldn't put the darn thing down!
While there are some adult situations and mild profanity; graphic sex & violence are neither needed to push the story along; or missed. Lisa's ability to crawl inside the brains of her characters and develop the world around them so vividly is incredible. I know she has plans for more books & am anxious for her next release.
Across the Street has bumped to my 2020 #2 read. It's that good!
This review is of the final published copy.
I absolutely Loved this book. Days after I've had time to organize my thoughts and all I can do is gush over Laurie Lisa's (yes, that is her last name!) Across the Street. Yes, the story is about twin sisters. Yes, one moves across the street. But the lives of both make for this breathtaking read. Unlike The Wine Club, which was a bit darker, This book has the same talented writing; but here is hope for redemption.
The layers. Layers & layers - characters that are so well-crafted, they are real. Situations that while extreme are entirely feasible. Across the Street will have you holding your breath until the end. I got this at a special introductory price; but would have paid top dollar for the writing. Lisa is that good~ This is also one of her longer stories, over 700 pages. But I was able to read it in two very long, sleepless nights. I couldn't put the darn thing down!
While there are some adult situations and mild profanity; graphic sex & violence are neither needed to push the story along; or missed. Lisa's ability to crawl inside the brains of her characters and develop the world around them so vividly is incredible. I know she has plans for more books & am anxious for her next release.
Across the Street has bumped to my 2020 #2 read. It's that good!
November 18, 2020
It really is a gripping novel and an emotional roller coaster.
I could not put this book down. It is long, but I finished it in 3 sleepless nights. My emotions ran the gambit, having connected with all the characters. There are two female protagonists, but all the family members have major roles in the plot (which is full of twists). The character and scene descriptions are very detailed and realistic, making me feel connected to them. If you want a familiar recipe novel, this is not for you. If you want a gripping and unique novel that will cause some tears to shed and keep you reading, Across the Street fits the bill. Highly recommended.
I could not put this book down. It is long, but I finished it in 3 sleepless nights. My emotions ran the gambit, having connected with all the characters. There are two female protagonists, but all the family members have major roles in the plot (which is full of twists). The character and scene descriptions are very detailed and realistic, making me feel connected to them. If you want a familiar recipe novel, this is not for you. If you want a gripping and unique novel that will cause some tears to shed and keep you reading, Across the Street fits the bill. Highly recommended.
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March 29, 2021Gripping??
A Store
a stoey
This is a story of life, family & events that can happen? and I guess sometimes does happen? Not being a twin, i do not know The dynamics Shared by twins and i did not get such from author. I did like writing style but i kept writing for more gripping to happen and it never went there
A Store
a stoey
This is a story of life, family & events that can happen? and I guess sometimes does happen? Not being a twin, i do not know The dynamics Shared by twins and i did not get such from author. I did like writing style but i kept writing for more gripping to happen and it never went there
April 17, 2022
Across the street
Its a very plausible story with realistic characters. It was a slow read, a bit boring at times and i wasn't able to really identify with any of the characters nor did i really love any of them. While this book made me think, it really didnt evoke much feeling. Im glad to have finished it but i wouldnt suggest it, just a bit boring for my taste.
Its a very plausible story with realistic characters. It was a slow read, a bit boring at times and i wasn't able to really identify with any of the characters nor did i really love any of them. While this book made me think, it really didnt evoke much feeling. Im glad to have finished it but i wouldnt suggest it, just a bit boring for my taste.
April 28, 2021
Excellent book
Wow, this book was amazing! The book tells the story of two families and all the things they go through. It was so realistic, I cared about every one of these characters. It was a long book, but it really didn't seem that way once I got into it. Wonderful book!
Wow, this book was amazing! The book tells the story of two families and all the things they go through. It was so realistic, I cared about every one of these characters. It was a long book, but it really didn't seem that way once I got into it. Wonderful book!
December 24, 2021
Absolutely crazy in the best way! Oh man, this was incredible! What a roller coaster. What an emotional, crazy, intense and powerful story. I loved every second of this. Where to begin? Where to end? It’s so complicated and beautiful and raw. I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and it was the bomb.
May 10, 2021
Wow
Boy this book was so believable and impossible to put down. Had me laughing out loud one minute and crying the next.
Boy this book was so believable and impossible to put down. Had me laughing out loud one minute and crying the next.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews