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The Sisters We Were
Pearl and Ruby's choices drove them apart.
Finding their way back to each other might be the only way forward.
The weight of their family secrets could not have shaped Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw any differently. Ruby's a runner, living in Dallas and only reluctantly talking to their mother, Birdie, when she calls from prison. Pearl is still living in her mother's fixer-upper and finds herself facing a line in the her weight is threatening to kill her. She's hundreds of pounds beyond the point where she can celebrate her curves or benefit from the body positivity movement, and unless she takes drastic action, the future looks dire.
But when Ruby's buried rage explodes in a hilariously viral way, the mistake has life-altering consequences. Now the sisters are back living under the same roof and forced to put the pieces of their separate lives together again. Funny, cinematic, and bursting with heart, this is a story of hope and redemption that celebrates the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
Finding their way back to each other might be the only way forward.
The weight of their family secrets could not have shaped Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw any differently. Ruby's a runner, living in Dallas and only reluctantly talking to their mother, Birdie, when she calls from prison. Pearl is still living in her mother's fixer-upper and finds herself facing a line in the her weight is threatening to kill her. She's hundreds of pounds beyond the point where she can celebrate her curves or benefit from the body positivity movement, and unless she takes drastic action, the future looks dire.
But when Ruby's buried rage explodes in a hilariously viral way, the mistake has life-altering consequences. Now the sisters are back living under the same roof and forced to put the pieces of their separate lives together again. Funny, cinematic, and bursting with heart, this is a story of hope and redemption that celebrates the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
400 pages, Paperback
Published January 17, 2023
46 people are currently reading
7565 people want to read
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February 16, 2023
EXCERPT: As she stands there looking at her reflection, Pearl can't help but contrast. It's always been this way, the star's polarity between Ruby and Pearl Crenshaw - twin sisters raised in the same nest, their mother, Birdie, now caged in the middle. Go figure, Pearl thinks, hating what she's become, hating the way her fatness is the first thing she sees in the mirror. And she detests the way she takes up so much space as much as she deplores the space she still occupies. After all these years she is still in her childhood home.....like the hermit crab who refuses to leave his shell. Her bathroom, the Jack-and-Jill she once shared with Ruby is a nineties throwback complete with never-been-updated Hunter green and white striped wallpaper, the edges of which have long since started to peel away from the sheetrock as if the paper itself is tired of being here too.
ABOUT 'THE SISTERS WE WERE': Pearl and Ruby's choices drove them apart.
Finding their way back to each other might be the only way forward.
The weight of their family secrets could not have shaped Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw any differently. Ruby's a runner, living in Dallas and only reluctantly talking to their mother, Birdie, when she calls from prison. Pearl is still living in her mother's fixer-upper and finds herself facing a line in the sand: her weight is threatening to kill her. She's hundreds of pounds beyond the point where she can celebrate her curves or benefit from the body positivity movement, and unless she takes drastic action, the future looks dire.
But when Ruby's buried rage explodes in a hilariously viral way, the mistake has life-altering consequences. Now the sisters are back living under the same roof and forced to put the pieces of their separate lives together again. Funny, cinematic, and bursting with heart, this is a story of hope and redemption that celebrates the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
MY THOUGHTS: I love that Wendy Willis Baldwin has written a realistic book about the problem of morbid obesity.
Sisters, Ruby and Pearl couldn't be more different on the surface. Ruby is slim and successful and seems to cruise through life with no difficulty. Pearl is 531 lbs, still lives in her mother's home, lives on and for junk food, is addicted to home improvement shows and is a carer for the elderly.
But beneath the surface, both girls are damaged by their childhood, both concealing secrets from that period in their lives, just dealing with it in different ways. Ruby, although she would deny it, is embarrassed by Pearl: by her size; by her lifestyle; by her choices. While Pearl is obsessed with food, Ruby is with running. She not only runs, but has run away from her old life. She has cut her mother out of her life and rarely initiates contact with Pearl. When Pearl asks for Ruby's help, events conspire to give Ruby no option but to move home, the last place she ever wanted to be.
Each sister is flawed in her own way. Ruby is judgemental and can be harsh. Pearl is vulnerable and has no self esteem. And yet they still love one another, although the road to this realisation is a bumpy one.
I never realized, until I read the author's note at the end, that this story was inspired by the author's sister's battle with obesity.
As someone who also takes comfort in food, I expected to feel some sort of connection to Pearl, but it never happened. I'm not quite sure why. It seemed that once Pearl decided to take control of her life and weight, that was it. Aside from one last great binge, there was no backsliding. Having known a couple of people who have undergone this procedure, their experiences were vastly different to Pearl's. They still craved foods and found the transition to eating differently a lot more difficult than Pearl seemed to.
I loved watching the relationship between Pearl and Ruby heal. I loved the character of Perry, Pearl's best friend. And I loved that Pearl was such a caring and compassionate caregiver. I thought the romantic thread unnecessary.
I liked this book, but didn't love it. I could easily put it down and not give it another thought until I picked it up again. But if this helps even one person take back control over their eating, or motivates someone to undertake the same procedure, then it has done it's job.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheSistersWeWere #NetGalley
I: @awendyway @bookmarked
T: @WLBaldwin @Sourcebooks
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #medicaldrama #mentalhealth #romance
THE AUTHOR: Author and freelance writer Wendy Willis Baldwin is a natural born storyteller. Her communications background includes broadcasting, marketing, talk radio, and sales. A native of Texas and a graduate of Texas Tech University, Wendy is a recent empty nester now living on a farm in New England, with one husband, three dogs, and thousands of honeybees.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Sisters We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'THE SISTERS WE WERE': Pearl and Ruby's choices drove them apart.
Finding their way back to each other might be the only way forward.
The weight of their family secrets could not have shaped Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw any differently. Ruby's a runner, living in Dallas and only reluctantly talking to their mother, Birdie, when she calls from prison. Pearl is still living in her mother's fixer-upper and finds herself facing a line in the sand: her weight is threatening to kill her. She's hundreds of pounds beyond the point where she can celebrate her curves or benefit from the body positivity movement, and unless she takes drastic action, the future looks dire.
But when Ruby's buried rage explodes in a hilariously viral way, the mistake has life-altering consequences. Now the sisters are back living under the same roof and forced to put the pieces of their separate lives together again. Funny, cinematic, and bursting with heart, this is a story of hope and redemption that celebrates the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
MY THOUGHTS: I love that Wendy Willis Baldwin has written a realistic book about the problem of morbid obesity.
Sisters, Ruby and Pearl couldn't be more different on the surface. Ruby is slim and successful and seems to cruise through life with no difficulty. Pearl is 531 lbs, still lives in her mother's home, lives on and for junk food, is addicted to home improvement shows and is a carer for the elderly.
But beneath the surface, both girls are damaged by their childhood, both concealing secrets from that period in their lives, just dealing with it in different ways. Ruby, although she would deny it, is embarrassed by Pearl: by her size; by her lifestyle; by her choices. While Pearl is obsessed with food, Ruby is with running. She not only runs, but has run away from her old life. She has cut her mother out of her life and rarely initiates contact with Pearl. When Pearl asks for Ruby's help, events conspire to give Ruby no option but to move home, the last place she ever wanted to be.
Each sister is flawed in her own way. Ruby is judgemental and can be harsh. Pearl is vulnerable and has no self esteem. And yet they still love one another, although the road to this realisation is a bumpy one.
I never realized, until I read the author's note at the end, that this story was inspired by the author's sister's battle with obesity.
As someone who also takes comfort in food, I expected to feel some sort of connection to Pearl, but it never happened. I'm not quite sure why. It seemed that once Pearl decided to take control of her life and weight, that was it. Aside from one last great binge, there was no backsliding. Having known a couple of people who have undergone this procedure, their experiences were vastly different to Pearl's. They still craved foods and found the transition to eating differently a lot more difficult than Pearl seemed to.
I loved watching the relationship between Pearl and Ruby heal. I loved the character of Perry, Pearl's best friend. And I loved that Pearl was such a caring and compassionate caregiver. I thought the romantic thread unnecessary.
I liked this book, but didn't love it. I could easily put it down and not give it another thought until I picked it up again. But if this helps even one person take back control over their eating, or motivates someone to undertake the same procedure, then it has done it's job.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheSistersWeWere #NetGalley
I: @awendyway @bookmarked
T: @WLBaldwin @Sourcebooks
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #medicaldrama #mentalhealth #romance
THE AUTHOR: Author and freelance writer Wendy Willis Baldwin is a natural born storyteller. Her communications background includes broadcasting, marketing, talk radio, and sales. A native of Texas and a graduate of Texas Tech University, Wendy is a recent empty nester now living on a farm in New England, with one husband, three dogs, and thousands of honeybees.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Sisters We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 4, 2023
Thank you to the author Wendy Willis Baldwin, publishers Sourcebooks Landmark, and as always NetGalley, for an advance digital copy of THE SISTERS WE WERE.
Sisters Ruby and Pearl both grew up in a traumatic environment that left them with a mother in prison and two dead fathers. The book mostly follows Pearl, whose trauma manifests in severe weight issues. Ruby suffers from control and rage issues, and at one point she retreats back to her childhood home to sort things out. This story is based in part on the author's real life experiences-- she's Ruby, and her real life sister is Pearl. (You should ask yourself now why her sister had nothing to do with the project, while she's the primary protagonist of the book. )
This book honestly made me feel a lot of terrible things, and not in the good way in which books can sometimes challenge us to face our negative beliefs and emotions. I'll just say that I dearly love someone who has had a gastric sleeve, the surgery described, poorly, in the pages of this book. I can't speculate why the author does this, but she mischaracterizes this surgery and the decision to have it nearly every time she mentions it. She makes it all look so easy-- the surgery, the recovery, the weight loss. Like everything can be gotten through with a witty pat on the head from one's selfish sister. It's really incredibly difficult even to qualify for weight loss surgery. It's prohibitively expensive, even with the best insurance. The recovery is very difficult, and while your body can't process the foods you ate before, often the cravings never go away. This book just makes me rage because of its ignorance and misinformation.
I take personal issue with the author's clichéd portrayal of overweight people, their choices, and their lifestyles. This author strives to create an uncharatible picture of Pearl and I'm quite angry about it.
Last, outside of smut, it is inappropriate for someone to date their sister's surgeon or doctor. Privacy is a major concern. Also, if a doctor did do this, he'd be in danger of professional reprimand at the very least.
Rating: 0.5 stars
Recommend? Sure, if you want to see what weight discrimination really looks like
Finished: April 7 2023
Sisters Ruby and Pearl both grew up in a traumatic environment that left them with a mother in prison and two dead fathers. The book mostly follows Pearl, whose trauma manifests in severe weight issues. Ruby suffers from control and rage issues, and at one point she retreats back to her childhood home to sort things out. This story is based in part on the author's real life experiences-- she's Ruby, and her real life sister is Pearl. (You should ask yourself now why her sister had nothing to do with the project, while she's the primary protagonist of the book. )
This book honestly made me feel a lot of terrible things, and not in the good way in which books can sometimes challenge us to face our negative beliefs and emotions. I'll just say that I dearly love someone who has had a gastric sleeve, the surgery described, poorly, in the pages of this book. I can't speculate why the author does this, but she mischaracterizes this surgery and the decision to have it nearly every time she mentions it. She makes it all look so easy-- the surgery, the recovery, the weight loss. Like everything can be gotten through with a witty pat on the head from one's selfish sister. It's really incredibly difficult even to qualify for weight loss surgery. It's prohibitively expensive, even with the best insurance. The recovery is very difficult, and while your body can't process the foods you ate before, often the cravings never go away. This book just makes me rage because of its ignorance and misinformation.
I take personal issue with the author's clichéd portrayal of overweight people, their choices, and their lifestyles. This author strives to create an uncharatible picture of Pearl and I'm quite angry about it.
Last, outside of smut, it is inappropriate for someone to date their sister's surgeon or doctor. Privacy is a major concern. Also, if a doctor did do this, he'd be in danger of professional reprimand at the very least.
Rating: 0.5 stars
Recommend? Sure, if you want to see what weight discrimination really looks like
Finished: April 7 2023
December 20, 2022
Ruby and Pearl Crenshaw grow up on Cherry Lane in Austin, Texas with their parents Birdie and Teddy. Unfortunately Teddy dies in a car accident and an already chubby Pearl finds comfort in food. Ruby is runner, she wins a college scholarship and once she graduates she lives and works in Dallas as a brand manager for an upscale online magazine. Pearl has a job in an aged care facility and she still lives in the rundown family home and her mother Birdie is serving twenty year prison sentence.
Pearl can no longer ignore her weight, she is so heavy doing everyday things is difficult and in some cases virtually impossible. Pearl needs to lose weight or she will die, Pearl makes an appointment to see Dr. Henry George and he specializes in bariatric surgery. Having surgery is a complex process and a very expensive one, and Dr. George has to take a look inside her stomach to see if she’s a good candidate for a sleeve gastrectomy and she has to have a variety of other tests. Pearl is scared, she has the support of a work colleague and friend Perry and she will need someone else to help her post operation.
Pearl has only seen Ruby once in twelve years, she calls her and she will try and get time off work. Ruby makes a big mistake, she loses her job and has to move home to Austin and live with Pearl. Ruby is shocked when she sees her sister for the first time, she can’t believe how large she is, how Pearl could allow her weight to get so out of control and she is used to being judged harshly. The sisters are back living under the same roof, Ruby keeps busy by cleaning and de-cluttering the house and Pearl tries to control her nerves and feelings of panic.
I received a copy of The Sisters We Were from Edelweiss and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. I am so grateful Sourcebooks published Wendy Willis Baldwin’s debut novel and they were the only ones who would print her incredible story about a morbidly obese person.
Five big stars from me, I laughed and I cried and have so much respect for people who have bariatric surgery, it’s a life changing journey and not an easy one. The story highlights how childhood abuse and trauma is the major cause of morbid obesity. Pearl takes back control of her own body and shows incredible courage and determination. Pearl makes peace with her past and with Ruby and the truth sets her free and it’s a story about hope, understanding and a must read.
Pearl can no longer ignore her weight, she is so heavy doing everyday things is difficult and in some cases virtually impossible. Pearl needs to lose weight or she will die, Pearl makes an appointment to see Dr. Henry George and he specializes in bariatric surgery. Having surgery is a complex process and a very expensive one, and Dr. George has to take a look inside her stomach to see if she’s a good candidate for a sleeve gastrectomy and she has to have a variety of other tests. Pearl is scared, she has the support of a work colleague and friend Perry and she will need someone else to help her post operation.
Pearl has only seen Ruby once in twelve years, she calls her and she will try and get time off work. Ruby makes a big mistake, she loses her job and has to move home to Austin and live with Pearl. Ruby is shocked when she sees her sister for the first time, she can’t believe how large she is, how Pearl could allow her weight to get so out of control and she is used to being judged harshly. The sisters are back living under the same roof, Ruby keeps busy by cleaning and de-cluttering the house and Pearl tries to control her nerves and feelings of panic.
I received a copy of The Sisters We Were from Edelweiss and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. I am so grateful Sourcebooks published Wendy Willis Baldwin’s debut novel and they were the only ones who would print her incredible story about a morbidly obese person.
Five big stars from me, I laughed and I cried and have so much respect for people who have bariatric surgery, it’s a life changing journey and not an easy one. The story highlights how childhood abuse and trauma is the major cause of morbid obesity. Pearl takes back control of her own body and shows incredible courage and determination. Pearl makes peace with her past and with Ruby and the truth sets her free and it’s a story about hope, understanding and a must read.
April 15, 2023
Sincere, memorable, and sweet!
The Sisters We Were is an intimate, uplifting tale that sweeps you away to Austin, Texas and immerses you into the lives of the Crenshaw sisters, Pearl and Ruby, as they must finally accept the things they cannot change, make risky, life-altering decisions, confront a past littered with tragedy and heartbreak, repair fractured relationships, and embrace a future that doesn’t involve running away or eating for solace.
The writing is effortless and polished. The characters are multi-layered, genuine, scarred, and courageous. And the plot, including all the subplots, skillfully intertwines and unravels into a delightfully touching tale about life, love, loss, guilt, grief, family drama, secrets, friendship, happiness, self-discovery, romance, the day-to-day struggles of morbid obesity, and the special bonds that exist between sisters.
Overall, The Sisters We Were is a beautiful mix of hope, heart, and healing that is not only a humorous, emotive, lovely novel by Willis Baldwin but one which I don’t think anyone could possibly read and not be completely absorbed and utterly moved.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Sisters We Were is an intimate, uplifting tale that sweeps you away to Austin, Texas and immerses you into the lives of the Crenshaw sisters, Pearl and Ruby, as they must finally accept the things they cannot change, make risky, life-altering decisions, confront a past littered with tragedy and heartbreak, repair fractured relationships, and embrace a future that doesn’t involve running away or eating for solace.
The writing is effortless and polished. The characters are multi-layered, genuine, scarred, and courageous. And the plot, including all the subplots, skillfully intertwines and unravels into a delightfully touching tale about life, love, loss, guilt, grief, family drama, secrets, friendship, happiness, self-discovery, romance, the day-to-day struggles of morbid obesity, and the special bonds that exist between sisters.
Overall, The Sisters We Were is a beautiful mix of hope, heart, and healing that is not only a humorous, emotive, lovely novel by Willis Baldwin but one which I don’t think anyone could possibly read and not be completely absorbed and utterly moved.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2022
My name is Tiffany. I am the author’s sister and for someone who used to weigh 531 pounds —just like the protagonist—I am excited to hear voices from marginalized people coming alive with this story. I recommend this book for many reasons but simply it is a story that needs to be told about the way some sisters battle their past and open the doors for their future. It is a wonderfully written story and I am very proud of this book and my sister. But also proud of Ruby and Pearl coming alive.
December 20, 2022
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Sisters We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin is an emotional story about two sisters who grew up together, but couldn’t be more different as adults.
Story Recap:
Pearl still lives in her mother’s home while her mother serves a long prison sentence for manslaughter. Her weight has crept up to a deadly number and Pearl knows it’s time for drastic measures.
Ruby has a rage-fueled incident that goes viral and has her suddenly jobless. She goes home to stay with Pearl until she can get back on her feet and help Pearl recover from weight loss surgery. Ruby hasn’t been home in years and refuses to communicate with their mother, Birdie, who is in prison.
My Thoughts:
This story is mainly about Pearl and her weight loss journey, and her transformation. Pearl, Ruby, and their mother, Birdie all have some family secrets, and it’s these secrets that are keeping them from living their best lives.
The book is very detailed about Pearl’s weight loss journey and her surgery. It gets just a bit too in-depth at times about the surgery and all the preparation for the surgery. But what I loved is that the book emphasizes the importance of all the care before and after the surgery, and all the work, both mental and physical that must go with the surgery.
It’s the characters that really made the book. Pearl is so brave and has such a giving and generous spirit. Ruby is very intense, but she loves Pearl and she learns she has to deal with her issues in order to live a better life too. And I just loved Pearl’s boss a the assisted living center, Perry. He’s a breath of fresh air and just the kind of guy you’d want as a best friend.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Sisters We Were to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Sisters We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin is an emotional story about two sisters who grew up together, but couldn’t be more different as adults.
Story Recap:
Pearl still lives in her mother’s home while her mother serves a long prison sentence for manslaughter. Her weight has crept up to a deadly number and Pearl knows it’s time for drastic measures.
Ruby has a rage-fueled incident that goes viral and has her suddenly jobless. She goes home to stay with Pearl until she can get back on her feet and help Pearl recover from weight loss surgery. Ruby hasn’t been home in years and refuses to communicate with their mother, Birdie, who is in prison.
My Thoughts:
This story is mainly about Pearl and her weight loss journey, and her transformation. Pearl, Ruby, and their mother, Birdie all have some family secrets, and it’s these secrets that are keeping them from living their best lives.
The book is very detailed about Pearl’s weight loss journey and her surgery. It gets just a bit too in-depth at times about the surgery and all the preparation for the surgery. But what I loved is that the book emphasizes the importance of all the care before and after the surgery, and all the work, both mental and physical that must go with the surgery.
It’s the characters that really made the book. Pearl is so brave and has such a giving and generous spirit. Ruby is very intense, but she loves Pearl and she learns she has to deal with her issues in order to live a better life too. And I just loved Pearl’s boss a the assisted living center, Perry. He’s a breath of fresh air and just the kind of guy you’d want as a best friend.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Sisters We Were to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 12, 2023
DNF at 5%. I can’t get past the diet culture bullshit in this book. “Global obesity epidemic” “… a normal BMI for a person her age and height is 26” - I get that the author is approaching this story from a place of love for her sister, but parroting this garbage is not helpful to anyone.
Skip this retread of anti-fat nonsense and read Aubrey Gordon’s books instead.
Sourcebooks Landmark provided a NetGalley review copy.
Skip this retread of anti-fat nonsense and read Aubrey Gordon’s books instead.
Sourcebooks Landmark provided a NetGalley review copy.
January 29, 2023
Being sisters is unique. You are each other's first cheerleaders but also your touquest critic. Pearl and Ruby are a bit estranged. They haven't spoken much since Ruby left years ago off to college and off to start her career. Pearl stayed back, in their old childhood home, after their mother was arrested. She's a bit stuck - in a work rut, a house rut, a life rut. She'd like to change things but she just can't see a way to.
Body weight and image is a tough thing to tackle in a book. It takes a lot of time and effort, compassion and sensitivity to handle it with all the respect it deserves. I think the author did a good job. Pearl's struggles were well told but not wallowed it. I also thought Ruby's personality was well done and showed the opposite side of her over-structured and control-driven life.
And even though their are family struggles and secrets, I think this read wasn't too heavy. I appreciated the growth in the characters but also the work it took to get there. I liked the addition of support groups, friends, and the leaning on each other that helped everyone through the steps.
Once I started, I felt very wrapped up in the story. I loved the fixer-upper shows and the little things that brought each girl happiness. And I loved the lipstick tip that kept coming up, it was so cute. Very interesting read that I enjoyed!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Body weight and image is a tough thing to tackle in a book. It takes a lot of time and effort, compassion and sensitivity to handle it with all the respect it deserves. I think the author did a good job. Pearl's struggles were well told but not wallowed it. I also thought Ruby's personality was well done and showed the opposite side of her over-structured and control-driven life.
And even though their are family struggles and secrets, I think this read wasn't too heavy. I appreciated the growth in the characters but also the work it took to get there. I liked the addition of support groups, friends, and the leaning on each other that helped everyone through the steps.
Once I started, I felt very wrapped up in the story. I loved the fixer-upper shows and the little things that brought each girl happiness. And I loved the lipstick tip that kept coming up, it was so cute. Very interesting read that I enjoyed!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
September 2, 2022
I received an ARC of, The Sisters We Were, by Wendy Willis Baldwin. Nobody really knows what other people are going through, dealing with, even amongst sisters. Like Ruby and Pearl, sisters helping each other through life hardships. Pearl is having weight loss surgery and Ruby is helping her recuperate. This was an ok read. It did not make me emotional or pull at my heartstrings, like a really good book does.
January 15, 2023
The Sisters We Were is the debut novel by Wendy Willis Baldwin and is the story about complicated family dynamics and the impact long-held secrets have on two sisters, Ruby and Pearl, and their mother, Birdie who have drifted apart for years after a fateful event that changed their family.
Despite years apart, when morbidly obese Pearl schedules a life-changing weight loss surgery, Ruby comes to help Pearl with her recovery. Using current day and flashbacks, Willis Baldwin shows how the childhood trauma the sisters experienced continues to affect their relationship.
Inspired by the author's sister's struggle with weight, the premise was solid and the opportunities for poignancy were there, but the delivery was weak and unbalanced. Most of the story focused on Pearl's obesity instead of including Ruby and Birdie's POVs which would have made for a more well-rounded story. Also, mystery about the event that changed their lives was clear from the onset, but not addressed in near enough depth. I wanted tension and emotion, but the sisters seemed to overcome decades of emotional baggage too easily and the dialogue sometimes felt juvenile giving the story a Hallmark/After School Special feel.
This is a story about family secrets, rebuilding relationships and is a journey of self-discovery and healing. It is a lovely way for the author to honour her sister and her struggles with obesity, but despite the topics addressed, the story wasn't as emotional or compelling as I had hoped.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for a complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.
February 27, 2023
3.5 stars
A heartwarming, and at times, very funny story about 2 sisters. The fact that it was inspired by the author's relationship with her own sister makes it even more touching.
A heartwarming, and at times, very funny story about 2 sisters. The fact that it was inspired by the author's relationship with her own sister makes it even more touching.
December 8, 2022
Pearl and Ruby are sisters. While they once were close, their lives now couldn't be more different. Ruby is a runner, is fit and fashion conscious, has a successful job, and has moved away from the town they grew up in. She hasn't spoken to their mother - in prison - for years. Pearl is living in the house they grew up in and is morbidly obese. Heartache and trauma have defined them both in very different ways.
Through a combination of circumstances, Ruby comes home to live with Pearl and the girls are forced to face the issues that drove them apart.
What follows is a story of both sisterhood and the struggles behind being threateningly overweight.
Because of the title and the jacket description, I assumed the story of sisterhood would take the wheel. I was surprised to be drawn into a story exploring the life of someone who struggles with weight the way that Pearl did. This is not something that is talked about very often and I appreciated this look at a minority group that I am not familiar with.
Baldwin acknowledges that her insight into the thoughts and feelings of someone bearing this burden comes from living alongside her sister who, herself, struggled. You could tell there was a special connection to the story, especially, near the end, as Pearl unpacks her story saying "What I want to talk about isn't my weight, or your weight, or some number on the scale but rather the weight of the burdens we carry and our often-unhealthy coping strategies. It's taken me a long time to connect what was eating at me to what I was eating. I know most of you can relate to this. The pounds I put on over the course of my life were in direct proportion to the personal problems I was afraid to face." She talks about one of the traps of obesity being sort of a self-perpetuating maze that can be difficult to get out of. She digs into trauma and coping and how food is only one tool she was using. What was incredibly powerful to me was the letter Baldwin's own sister wrote at the end, sharing a bit of her own reflections and thoughts. It rounded out the story in a really helpful way.
There is so much hurt in the story but also so much healing. I found myself drawn in almost immediately and feeling deeply for Pearl, most of all, as it felt like this was more her story and everything else was background.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e arc of this unique perspective on life in return for my honest review.
Through a combination of circumstances, Ruby comes home to live with Pearl and the girls are forced to face the issues that drove them apart.
What follows is a story of both sisterhood and the struggles behind being threateningly overweight.
Because of the title and the jacket description, I assumed the story of sisterhood would take the wheel. I was surprised to be drawn into a story exploring the life of someone who struggles with weight the way that Pearl did. This is not something that is talked about very often and I appreciated this look at a minority group that I am not familiar with.
Baldwin acknowledges that her insight into the thoughts and feelings of someone bearing this burden comes from living alongside her sister who, herself, struggled. You could tell there was a special connection to the story, especially, near the end, as Pearl unpacks her story saying "What I want to talk about isn't my weight, or your weight, or some number on the scale but rather the weight of the burdens we carry and our often-unhealthy coping strategies. It's taken me a long time to connect what was eating at me to what I was eating. I know most of you can relate to this. The pounds I put on over the course of my life were in direct proportion to the personal problems I was afraid to face." She talks about one of the traps of obesity being sort of a self-perpetuating maze that can be difficult to get out of. She digs into trauma and coping and how food is only one tool she was using. What was incredibly powerful to me was the letter Baldwin's own sister wrote at the end, sharing a bit of her own reflections and thoughts. It rounded out the story in a really helpful way.
There is so much hurt in the story but also so much healing. I found myself drawn in almost immediately and feeling deeply for Pearl, most of all, as it felt like this was more her story and everything else was background.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e arc of this unique perspective on life in return for my honest review.
September 20, 2022
The Sisters We Were
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 1/17/23
Author: Wendy Willis Baldwin
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Pages: 400
GR: 3.86
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: The weight of their family secrets could not have shaped Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw any differently. Ruby's a runner, living in Dallas and only reluctantly talking to their mother, Birdie, when she calls from prison. Pearl is still living in her mother's fixer-upper and finds herself facing a line in the sand: her weight is threatening to kill her. She's hundreds of pounds beyond the point where she can celebrate her curves or benefit from the body positivity movement, and unless she takes drastic action, the future looks dire. But when Ruby's buried rage explodes in a hilariously viral way, the mistake has life-altering consequences that throw the sisters back into living under the same roof as they try to put back together the pieces of their lives.
My Thoughts: This story is inspired by the author’s sister, which I love. This is an interweaving of fiction and non-fiction. The rawness expressed between sisters was authentic and felt. You never know what another person experiences or what life has thrown their way. Which is why it is so important to be kind to other people, your kindness may be the hope shot they get that day. The story of Ruby and Pearl was sad, funny, happy, and just beautiful. The tone was vivid and felt authentic. The characters were well developed with depth, emotion, intriguing, and worked well for this storyline. The author’s writing was complex, clear, funny, and beautiful. This book publishes beginning of next year and I highly recommend preordering.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 1/17/23
Author: Wendy Willis Baldwin
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Pages: 400
GR: 3.86
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: The weight of their family secrets could not have shaped Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw any differently. Ruby's a runner, living in Dallas and only reluctantly talking to their mother, Birdie, when she calls from prison. Pearl is still living in her mother's fixer-upper and finds herself facing a line in the sand: her weight is threatening to kill her. She's hundreds of pounds beyond the point where she can celebrate her curves or benefit from the body positivity movement, and unless she takes drastic action, the future looks dire. But when Ruby's buried rage explodes in a hilariously viral way, the mistake has life-altering consequences that throw the sisters back into living under the same roof as they try to put back together the pieces of their lives.
My Thoughts: This story is inspired by the author’s sister, which I love. This is an interweaving of fiction and non-fiction. The rawness expressed between sisters was authentic and felt. You never know what another person experiences or what life has thrown their way. Which is why it is so important to be kind to other people, your kindness may be the hope shot they get that day. The story of Ruby and Pearl was sad, funny, happy, and just beautiful. The tone was vivid and felt authentic. The characters were well developed with depth, emotion, intriguing, and worked well for this storyline. The author’s writing was complex, clear, funny, and beautiful. This book publishes beginning of next year and I highly recommend preordering.
January 31, 2023
Two words: Must. Read.
Got my hands on an Advanced Reader Copy and I’m so grateful I did. Our world needs a protagonist like Pearl and it was so refreshing to read a story about reconciliation, overcoming fear, and the necessity of a love that pursues us and never gives up. You want to cry, and laugh all at the same time. As someone who does not often read fiction I was delighted by the connection to a real-life-protagonist (the authors sister) who the story is inspired by. I love this blend of truth and fiction…but is fiction ever really not truth in some way ;)! Anyway to fiction and non-fiction friends alike, READ ON!
Got my hands on an Advanced Reader Copy and I’m so grateful I did. Our world needs a protagonist like Pearl and it was so refreshing to read a story about reconciliation, overcoming fear, and the necessity of a love that pursues us and never gives up. You want to cry, and laugh all at the same time. As someone who does not often read fiction I was delighted by the connection to a real-life-protagonist (the authors sister) who the story is inspired by. I love this blend of truth and fiction…but is fiction ever really not truth in some way ;)! Anyway to fiction and non-fiction friends alike, READ ON!
September 13, 2022
A fast read, I couldn’t put it down. I imagine this will be a book for book clubs to dissect the big problems many people are sufferIng. These two sisters deal with their emotions differently and become fractured in the process. Eventually, they come together and help each other heal and find ways to encourage each other to rise above. A story about real life.
I found the writing clear and beautifully written. The scenes vivid in my head and feelings for both characters.
I would highly recommend.
I found the writing clear and beautifully written. The scenes vivid in my head and feelings for both characters.
I would highly recommend.
September 11, 2022
Highly, highly recommend this beautiful novel!!!!
I was so lucky to read an advanced copy of this book and I could not put it down! The level of detail and character building was phenomenal! So much so, that I fell in love with the main characters, Ruby and Pearl. Their story will make you laugh, cry, and embrace sisterhood! Beautifully written. Touching and inspiring. A story of struggle and triumph- something we can all understand and love to read about!
I was so lucky to read an advanced copy of this book and I could not put it down! The level of detail and character building was phenomenal! So much so, that I fell in love with the main characters, Ruby and Pearl. Their story will make you laugh, cry, and embrace sisterhood! Beautifully written. Touching and inspiring. A story of struggle and triumph- something we can all understand and love to read about!
April 16, 2023
Couldn't put it down! A story full of triumph and healing. Absolutely loved it. I finished it in 3 days, which is saying a LOT since I haven't finished a book in under a month in probably 6 years. Relatable content and leaves you beaming alongside the characters.
February 24, 2023
Wow! Okay, so this was so much more than I anticipated. A story of obesity and bariatric surgery that is sure to open your eyes, break your heart and also fill it with hope. I am not sure how to write a review for this one as it is such a powerful story.
I was lucky enough to be able to host a "author takeover" with Wendy on my bookstagram page where she answered questions about this book and writing in general. One question that was asked was "How did you come up with the names for the characters?" I loved her answer. In short - Pearl and Ruby are both gems and she wanted to focus on the sense of worth as both characters struggle so deeply with their own. Crenshaw was the name of a road that her and her sister walked down, where for the first time in their adult life, they were able to keep pace with one another. Folks, that alone has to leave you misty eyed.
I am so happy that I read this story. I loved seeing both characters grow and thrive. And I cannot leave out Perry, Pearl's best friend. We all could use a Perry in our life.
The fact that I have struggled my entire life with my weight and I just recently had a dear friend undergo this exact same procedure made this book so relatable.
All I can say is read this book. Pick it for your book club and talk about it with your girlfriends. Support each other in ways that make lasting impressions. I am so glad Wendy wrote about this and her sister's note at the end of the book? Don't let it pass you by, read that as well.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Wendy Willis Baldwin for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was lucky enough to be able to host a "author takeover" with Wendy on my bookstagram page where she answered questions about this book and writing in general. One question that was asked was "How did you come up with the names for the characters?" I loved her answer. In short - Pearl and Ruby are both gems and she wanted to focus on the sense of worth as both characters struggle so deeply with their own. Crenshaw was the name of a road that her and her sister walked down, where for the first time in their adult life, they were able to keep pace with one another. Folks, that alone has to leave you misty eyed.
I am so happy that I read this story. I loved seeing both characters grow and thrive. And I cannot leave out Perry, Pearl's best friend. We all could use a Perry in our life.
The fact that I have struggled my entire life with my weight and I just recently had a dear friend undergo this exact same procedure made this book so relatable.
All I can say is read this book. Pick it for your book club and talk about it with your girlfriends. Support each other in ways that make lasting impressions. I am so glad Wendy wrote about this and her sister's note at the end of the book? Don't let it pass you by, read that as well.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Wendy Willis Baldwin for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 29, 2023
Wonderful!
A couple of sensitive topics in this one. But they need to be out there AND talked about! Dementia, obesity, anger.......
2 sisters coming back together as adults and finding peace with each other and themselves
A couple of sensitive topics in this one. But they need to be out there AND talked about! Dementia, obesity, anger.......
2 sisters coming back together as adults and finding peace with each other and themselves
January 10, 2023
The Sisters We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin. Thanks to @sourcebookslandmark for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sisters Pearl and Ruby couldn’t be more different. They have both taken their family secrets and buried them in different ways. Ruby is a healthy runner and makes a viral mistake that changes her life. Pearl is overweight to the point that if she doesn’t make a change, it may become fatal.
I love stories about sisters and this was another great one! One thing unique about this story was that even though the past, and childhood trauma, played a role, there was only one timeline. I enjoyed that newness and sticking with the current timeline, which was so interesting and hopeful. There were some short looks at the past, but they were framed more as flashbacks. I loved reading Pearl’s weight loss journey and learning along the way. Reading the author’s sister’s note at the end was the Cherry on top!
“We are all only one decision away from a totally different life.”
The Sisters We Were comes out 1/17.
Sisters Pearl and Ruby couldn’t be more different. They have both taken their family secrets and buried them in different ways. Ruby is a healthy runner and makes a viral mistake that changes her life. Pearl is overweight to the point that if she doesn’t make a change, it may become fatal.
I love stories about sisters and this was another great one! One thing unique about this story was that even though the past, and childhood trauma, played a role, there was only one timeline. I enjoyed that newness and sticking with the current timeline, which was so interesting and hopeful. There were some short looks at the past, but they were framed more as flashbacks. I loved reading Pearl’s weight loss journey and learning along the way. Reading the author’s sister’s note at the end was the Cherry on top!
“We are all only one decision away from a totally different life.”
The Sisters We Were comes out 1/17.
January 3, 2023
The Sisters we Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin is a story about the lives of two sisters who live very different lifestyles. Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw never thought they would be sharing their family home once again as young adults. Ruby finds herself unemployed and goes back to live with Pearl in their mother's older home. Pearl has health problems due to having gained an excessive amount of weight. Pearl decides to make a drastic change and have surgery to help her lose weight and gain some control over her future. The sisters have a few problems with the new living arrangements and adjustments. Overall, the story left me feeling a bit sad.
The publication Date is January 17, 2023. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
The publication Date is January 17, 2023. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
April 7, 2023
Told with a deep tenderness, a heartwarming story of sisters Ruby and Pearl. Ruby and Pearl took very different approaches to dealing with the pains of their pasts. Ruby took to running, shutting out her past and basking in her success. Pearl dealt with her pain with food to the point of becoming morbidly obese. When Pearl reaches the point of weighing 531 pounds, she finally recognizes she desperately needs help. She reaches out to Ruby to help her through her weight loss surgery. Following a crisis in Ruby's life, she moves in with Pearl in their family home. As they reconnect, they both find healing, hope, a path forward for the future, and a renewed closeness.
Based on the author's own sister's experience with weight loss, a wonderful novel of sisterhood.
Based on the author's own sister's experience with weight loss, a wonderful novel of sisterhood.
December 22, 2022
This book y’all! It moved me to tears! The Sisters We Were is both heartbreaking and joyful, serious and fun, poignant and inspiring. It’s also one of those stories that had me feeling so much and wondering how in the world I’m going to write a review that fully portrays how powerful this story is as a whole.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I can’t put into words how much the characters brought this book to life. Even the supporting cast brought life and atmosphere to the story. However, I became attached to Pearl’s character the most as she began her weight loss journey and started facing her past while moving forward into her future.
Also, this story brought all the emotions and had me wanting to just jump into the pages and help and hug both sisters. What really had me reaching for the tissues were those moments where both Ruby and Pearl were dealing with their heartaches and hurts together while allowing hope to help them find a path to healing.
How was the pace?
This is a fast-paced story and trust me when I say that once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down. I flew through it in less than 24 hours!
Do you recommend this book?
Overall, this is a story about struggle, strength, perseverance, and the bonds and struggles of sisters. This is an absolute MUST READ and I’m truly blown away by this insightful debut. It would also make for an excellent buddy read or book club read (truly so much to discuss in this book).
P.S. You have to read the “Author’s Sister’s Notes” at the end of the book!
Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark, for this gifted digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I can’t put into words how much the characters brought this book to life. Even the supporting cast brought life and atmosphere to the story. However, I became attached to Pearl’s character the most as she began her weight loss journey and started facing her past while moving forward into her future.
Also, this story brought all the emotions and had me wanting to just jump into the pages and help and hug both sisters. What really had me reaching for the tissues were those moments where both Ruby and Pearl were dealing with their heartaches and hurts together while allowing hope to help them find a path to healing.
How was the pace?
This is a fast-paced story and trust me when I say that once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down. I flew through it in less than 24 hours!
Do you recommend this book?
Overall, this is a story about struggle, strength, perseverance, and the bonds and struggles of sisters. This is an absolute MUST READ and I’m truly blown away by this insightful debut. It would also make for an excellent buddy read or book club read (truly so much to discuss in this book).
P.S. You have to read the “Author’s Sister’s Notes” at the end of the book!
Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark, for this gifted digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 13, 2024
Wendy Willis Baldwin’s debut novel about varying degrees of family drama and its long-term effects proves that not only do all actions yield consequences, but sometimes even unexpected rewards. Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an ARC copy of
The Sisters We Were: A Novel
so I can tell you all about it.
Though very different, the main characters of this book mirror each other in poetic, humorous and painful ways—much like siblings in the real world often do. One is overweight and seriously concerned for her health as well as her happiness, still lives on her mother’s property even though the woman herself is serving prison time, and seems to be perpetually stuck teetering at a crossroads, undecided and unsure. The other is a chronic runner, the kid who checks in at home out of obligation but simmers with a deep-rooted rage that she hardly notices in her day-to-day life anymore—until the day it boils over and sets off a chain of events that changes everything for the sisters. These qualities and character flaws are amplified by the trials and triumphs that Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw navigate throughout the book (sometimes clumsily, sometimes with a bit more finesse, in both present-day storytelling and flashbacks), and in such familiar ways that readers will find a safe space in which they can acknowledge and maybe even embrace one or two faults of their own.
The fact that the author’s own sister struggled with weight issues lent a particular brand of authenticity to The Sisters We Were, and specifically to Pearl’s character development throughout the plot’s more poignant twists and turns. Wendy and Tiffany even take the conversation straight to the audience on their podcast Life After Fat Pants, discussing everything from healthy habits to benefit the physical to edifying practices for one’s mental and emotional health. Add this firsthand experience in casting off weight of all shapes and sizes to the way Ruby relates to and interacts with her recuperating sister as well as her mother, and we get a rich dynamic of female characters that encompass key human experiences of generally disenchanted adult populations across the board.
Of course, the risk in writing this kind of emotional rollercoaster is that while there are moments of understanding and community between author and reader, there can also be miscommunication or even alienation. I have to admit that there were some points where I felt that the author’s focus on Pearl left much of Ruby’s and Birdie’s respective stories lacking somewhat; in this case, I’d probably look for a series to unfold, or at least a trilogy to reveal some of the elements I think we miss in this story as far as the main influences on Pearl are concerned. The book adopted a certain tone as well, one that I felt didn’t always match the intensity of the moment or the feelings of the other characters involved, but that spoke to Pearl’s relative innocence and overall reticent nature.
If heartfelt confessions, deeply personal epiphanies, and real-world battles with one’s demons are the kinds of stories you prefer, then The Sisters We Were may be the next book to add to your TBR pile. Acquaint yourself with the Crenshaws and remind yourself what it is to be angry, vulnerable and hopeful—sometimes all at once.
Though very different, the main characters of this book mirror each other in poetic, humorous and painful ways—much like siblings in the real world often do. One is overweight and seriously concerned for her health as well as her happiness, still lives on her mother’s property even though the woman herself is serving prison time, and seems to be perpetually stuck teetering at a crossroads, undecided and unsure. The other is a chronic runner, the kid who checks in at home out of obligation but simmers with a deep-rooted rage that she hardly notices in her day-to-day life anymore—until the day it boils over and sets off a chain of events that changes everything for the sisters. These qualities and character flaws are amplified by the trials and triumphs that Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw navigate throughout the book (sometimes clumsily, sometimes with a bit more finesse, in both present-day storytelling and flashbacks), and in such familiar ways that readers will find a safe space in which they can acknowledge and maybe even embrace one or two faults of their own.
The fact that the author’s own sister struggled with weight issues lent a particular brand of authenticity to The Sisters We Were, and specifically to Pearl’s character development throughout the plot’s more poignant twists and turns. Wendy and Tiffany even take the conversation straight to the audience on their podcast Life After Fat Pants, discussing everything from healthy habits to benefit the physical to edifying practices for one’s mental and emotional health. Add this firsthand experience in casting off weight of all shapes and sizes to the way Ruby relates to and interacts with her recuperating sister as well as her mother, and we get a rich dynamic of female characters that encompass key human experiences of generally disenchanted adult populations across the board.
Of course, the risk in writing this kind of emotional rollercoaster is that while there are moments of understanding and community between author and reader, there can also be miscommunication or even alienation. I have to admit that there were some points where I felt that the author’s focus on Pearl left much of Ruby’s and Birdie’s respective stories lacking somewhat; in this case, I’d probably look for a series to unfold, or at least a trilogy to reveal some of the elements I think we miss in this story as far as the main influences on Pearl are concerned. The book adopted a certain tone as well, one that I felt didn’t always match the intensity of the moment or the feelings of the other characters involved, but that spoke to Pearl’s relative innocence and overall reticent nature.
If heartfelt confessions, deeply personal epiphanies, and real-world battles with one’s demons are the kinds of stories you prefer, then The Sisters We Were may be the next book to add to your TBR pile. Acquaint yourself with the Crenshaws and remind yourself what it is to be angry, vulnerable and hopeful—sometimes all at once.
January 22, 2023
This is one of those books that I will be thinking about for a long time to come. It moved me on such a deep level, and I’m not sure I have the words to express how powerful and inspiring this story truly is. But let’s give it a try…
The characters. This novel is an absolute master class in writing characters that are relatable and come to life for the reader. Ruby and Pearl and especially supporting character Perry are all so incredible, and I will never forget any of them. P.S. Can Perry please be my best friend in real life? I need a Perry. We all need a Perry.
The themes. There are so many layers to this story including family, sisterhood, found family and more – but the portrayal of humanity of a morbidly obese woman trying to exist in the world brought me to my knees. I cried. I laughed. I learned. I grew.
The pace. I couldn’t put it down. I flew through it.
The authenticity. We learn in the author’s note that the story is based on the real life journey of the author’s sister. I’m going to be honest here. As a person who has struggled with my own weight, I wasn’t sure a thin sister was really going to be able to pull this off. I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. Please hear me, the genuine empathy and depth of understanding from the author truly astounded me. Further, when I read the letter from the author’s sister at the end, it sealed the deal.
Friends, you just have to read this one. You just do. I really think this would make the perfect selection for a book club or buddy read as well. There is so much to discuss and unpack here.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark @bookmarked and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.
The characters. This novel is an absolute master class in writing characters that are relatable and come to life for the reader. Ruby and Pearl and especially supporting character Perry are all so incredible, and I will never forget any of them. P.S. Can Perry please be my best friend in real life? I need a Perry. We all need a Perry.
The themes. There are so many layers to this story including family, sisterhood, found family and more – but the portrayal of humanity of a morbidly obese woman trying to exist in the world brought me to my knees. I cried. I laughed. I learned. I grew.
The pace. I couldn’t put it down. I flew through it.
The authenticity. We learn in the author’s note that the story is based on the real life journey of the author’s sister. I’m going to be honest here. As a person who has struggled with my own weight, I wasn’t sure a thin sister was really going to be able to pull this off. I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. Please hear me, the genuine empathy and depth of understanding from the author truly astounded me. Further, when I read the letter from the author’s sister at the end, it sealed the deal.
Friends, you just have to read this one. You just do. I really think this would make the perfect selection for a book club or buddy read as well. There is so much to discuss and unpack here.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark @bookmarked and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.
February 25, 2023
Great read! I finished it in 3 days
August 29, 2022
I went into this title in the dark. I was drawn to the cover, which was lovely, as well as the title. I didn't realize it was a fictional account of two sisters (Ruby and Pearl) struggling in their lives, but not realizing what the other might be experiencing. Ruby is a runner, has a great job, and seemingly a life one could envy. Pearl weighs over 500 pounds, and their mother is in prison for manslaughter. When Pearl decides to have weight loss surgery, Ruby does come to help, but we learn there are deep-seated issues with her as well. Pearl's journey was so well written, and the author clearly drew from some of her sister's real-life experiences. I was so impressed with the manner in which the author gave us characters to care about, twists in the story we think we know, as well as the journey through it all. I loved this book, and I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 2, 2022
I received this and as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me access.
•
While I have been jumping out of my comfort zone and reading things outside my favorite genres, I thought I would give The Sisters We Were a try…and I am glad I did.
•
TSWW is not a fat shaming story. It is a story about struggles, goals, dreams, family, and reality. Obesity is an illness that many face and we get to see both sides of the story with Pearl and Ruby. Baldwin did an amazing job at creating characters that many of us can relate to.
•
This was a refreshing read and wonderful story.
•
While I have been jumping out of my comfort zone and reading things outside my favorite genres, I thought I would give The Sisters We Were a try…and I am glad I did.
•
TSWW is not a fat shaming story. It is a story about struggles, goals, dreams, family, and reality. Obesity is an illness that many face and we get to see both sides of the story with Pearl and Ruby. Baldwin did an amazing job at creating characters that many of us can relate to.
•
This was a refreshing read and wonderful story.
October 25, 2022
Sometimes we do not understand what others may be dealing with, and it's when we learn what's hidden beneath, only then can we fully comprehend the hows and whys of the choices they make. "The Sisters We Were" beautifully explores this, with laughter, tears, and wonderful characters that you can't help but root for. Although I found the plot predictable, it in no way diminished my love for this book, and I would not hesitate to recommend it!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this before its January 17, 2023 release.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this before its January 17, 2023 release.
August 28, 2022
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Lovely, lighthearted read perfect for book groups.
Lovely, lighthearted read perfect for book groups.
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