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Like Family
Win a free print copy of this book!
2 days and 19:40:10
20 copies available
U.S. only
After a near-stranger dies in their small town, a tightknit group of friends can no longer ignore their long-dormant desires and unfulfilled dreams—a moving debut about the complicated joys of chosen family.
“Like Family is so warm, joyful, smart, and nuanced. Its depictions of friendship and middle age and marriage and the beautiful messiness of life feel familiar in the best ways, but also fresh in the best ways. I absolutely love this novel and can’t wait to share it with everyone I know.”—Curtis Sittenfeld, bestselling author of Show Don’t Tell
It was too much to ask. But sometimes too much is what we ask of the people we love most.
Radclyffe, New York, is an idyllic upstate town, nestled in the hills and complete with artisanal bakeries, pottery studios, and hidden swimming holes. Ruth and her wife, Wyn, are living the dream (or Wyn’s dream, at least) with their four children on their small farm, which is also the bucolic gathering place for their circle of friends. It’s a sweet life, but there’s a secret at its center, one that not even Ruth’s best friend, Caroline, knows.
What Caroline does know is that she loves and depends on Ruth, and on the bond between their families. More than anything, she wants her tender-hearted son not to grow up lonely the way she did. Unfortunately, no one can assure her of that, especially not her husband. He just wants things to be easy, drama-free—which is impossible, as he has donated his sperm to his cousin Tobi and her wife so that they could have kids of their own. Now those children are asking unanswerable questions.
After an unexpected death in their community, all three couples are forced to confront the tensions that have long been buried beneath the surfaces of their lives. Richly textured and big-hearted, this exhilarating debut is an unforgettable story of the alchemy of love and loyalty that makes friends Like Family.
“Like Family is so warm, joyful, smart, and nuanced. Its depictions of friendship and middle age and marriage and the beautiful messiness of life feel familiar in the best ways, but also fresh in the best ways. I absolutely love this novel and can’t wait to share it with everyone I know.”—Curtis Sittenfeld, bestselling author of Show Don’t Tell
It was too much to ask. But sometimes too much is what we ask of the people we love most.
Radclyffe, New York, is an idyllic upstate town, nestled in the hills and complete with artisanal bakeries, pottery studios, and hidden swimming holes. Ruth and her wife, Wyn, are living the dream (or Wyn’s dream, at least) with their four children on their small farm, which is also the bucolic gathering place for their circle of friends. It’s a sweet life, but there’s a secret at its center, one that not even Ruth’s best friend, Caroline, knows.
What Caroline does know is that she loves and depends on Ruth, and on the bond between their families. More than anything, she wants her tender-hearted son not to grow up lonely the way she did. Unfortunately, no one can assure her of that, especially not her husband. He just wants things to be easy, drama-free—which is impossible, as he has donated his sperm to his cousin Tobi and her wife so that they could have kids of their own. Now those children are asking unanswerable questions.
After an unexpected death in their community, all three couples are forced to confront the tensions that have long been buried beneath the surfaces of their lives. Richly textured and big-hearted, this exhilarating debut is an unforgettable story of the alchemy of love and loyalty that makes friends Like Family.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 2025
280 people are currently reading
19191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
May 9, 2025
Blue Sisters, but way more gay. This year’s “Sandwich.” A great debut family drama.
This book follows 3 couples in upstate New York, with young kids. If you are confused reading the blurb, you aren’t alone. It is kind of difficult to keep the characters straight (lol) but in the ARC I have read there is a helpful chart in the beginning of the book to tell you who the couples and their children are.
The characters are not perfect, but definitely not boring. This is slice of life, tackling themes such as; “what makes a family? What makes someone family? What do you do when you have everything you ever wanted?” The couples in this book are in their late 30s/early 40s, they are interconnected and have strong family vibes. Their inner dialogue is sometimes kind of self-indulgent. They are exhaustingly liberal, the kind of liberal where you feel like you have to care A LOT about everything all the time.
Critics may say this book lacks plot, but it really focuses on character development, and there are so many characters that it becomes very well rounded. Everything kind of builds to the couples counselor’s advice in the final act. It’s only a couple of paragraphs but it ties it together nicely.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Press for the ARC. Book to be published Nov 4th, 2025.
This book follows 3 couples in upstate New York, with young kids. If you are confused reading the blurb, you aren’t alone. It is kind of difficult to keep the characters straight (lol) but in the ARC I have read there is a helpful chart in the beginning of the book to tell you who the couples and their children are.
The characters are not perfect, but definitely not boring. This is slice of life, tackling themes such as; “what makes a family? What makes someone family? What do you do when you have everything you ever wanted?” The couples in this book are in their late 30s/early 40s, they are interconnected and have strong family vibes. Their inner dialogue is sometimes kind of self-indulgent. They are exhaustingly liberal, the kind of liberal where you feel like you have to care A LOT about everything all the time.
Critics may say this book lacks plot, but it really focuses on character development, and there are so many characters that it becomes very well rounded. Everything kind of builds to the couples counselor’s advice in the final act. It’s only a couple of paragraphs but it ties it together nicely.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Press for the ARC. Book to be published Nov 4th, 2025.
November 2, 2025
"After a near-stranger dies in their small town, a tightknit group of friends can no longer ignore their long-dormant desires and unfulfilled dreams—a moving debut about the complicated joys of chosen family."
What a stunning debut! Like Family follows three couples: Caroline and Mike, Ruth and Wyn, and Evie and Tobi who live in a small town in upstate New York. We are introduced to each couple and their children as they interact. Mike and Tobi are cousins and were raised together as teenagers so are more like siblings. We learn of each person's hopes and dreams as well as their insecurities. Themes of longing, belonging, marriage, parenthood, friendship, middle age, and more are explored. Themes that lesbian couples face are explored including top surgery and sperm donation. Family and friend dynamics are deeply examined and how these dynamics are upset in times of crisis.
This is a highly character-driven novel and I loved it. It is tastefully done and is universal in its themes. I loved the exploration of female friendships vs. spouses and how both are essential and important. Aspects of parenting challenges add to the depth of this novel which I highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley, The Dial Press, and Erin O. White for the gifted advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
What a stunning debut! Like Family follows three couples: Caroline and Mike, Ruth and Wyn, and Evie and Tobi who live in a small town in upstate New York. We are introduced to each couple and their children as they interact. Mike and Tobi are cousins and were raised together as teenagers so are more like siblings. We learn of each person's hopes and dreams as well as their insecurities. Themes of longing, belonging, marriage, parenthood, friendship, middle age, and more are explored. Themes that lesbian couples face are explored including top surgery and sperm donation. Family and friend dynamics are deeply examined and how these dynamics are upset in times of crisis.
This is a highly character-driven novel and I loved it. It is tastefully done and is universal in its themes. I loved the exploration of female friendships vs. spouses and how both are essential and important. Aspects of parenting challenges add to the depth of this novel which I highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley, The Dial Press, and Erin O. White for the gifted advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 14, 2025
I liked this a lot. The plot was a little tangled, so I’m glad I read it in print. May even go with 4.25. Full review to follow.
July 6, 2025
Like Family by Erin O. White
4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐
A story of grief, jealousy, love and what really makes a family.
First and foremost, this is a debut novel and that fact has my jaw on the floor. This was so well written and the cast of characters are so well developed that it feels like I’m getting gossip about my neighbors down the street.
This novel is very queer and follows three couples in a small town in Upstate New York. It is a delight as it fearlessly tackles the complex and often layered emotions that accompany adult friendships, parenting, marriage, and gender identity. It highlights introspection, communication, and conflict resolution in such realistic ways.
My only qualm, beyond some characters not feeling wholly wrapped up by the ending, is with the character Bex. They were treated like a unicorn by almost every other character of the book which felt strange. I can understand the point of their character and how their existence helped the other characters learn more about themselves, but in a world where every other character felt so solid, Bex came across as a mirage.
Overall, I believe this book was beautifully done and would definitely recommend this. Especially, if you enjoy emotional character driven reads that center around some of life’s biggest questions.
—
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Book to be published in November 2025.
4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐
A story of grief, jealousy, love and what really makes a family.
First and foremost, this is a debut novel and that fact has my jaw on the floor. This was so well written and the cast of characters are so well developed that it feels like I’m getting gossip about my neighbors down the street.
This novel is very queer and follows three couples in a small town in Upstate New York. It is a delight as it fearlessly tackles the complex and often layered emotions that accompany adult friendships, parenting, marriage, and gender identity. It highlights introspection, communication, and conflict resolution in such realistic ways.
My only qualm, beyond some characters not feeling wholly wrapped up by the ending, is with the character Bex. They were treated like a unicorn by almost every other character of the book which felt strange. I can understand the point of their character and how their existence helped the other characters learn more about themselves, but in a world where every other character felt so solid, Bex came across as a mirage.
Overall, I believe this book was beautifully done and would definitely recommend this. Especially, if you enjoy emotional character driven reads that center around some of life’s biggest questions.
—
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Book to be published in November 2025.
November 19, 2025
The story explores the complexities of modern, queer family dynamics and the importance of open communication. I wanted to love this book, but the flow of the story, despite its interest, was more annoying than realistic because I felt that half of the book dwelt mostly on showing animosity towards each other and gaslighting. I lost track of how many times I've heard, "They/She told you and didn't tell me?" I wish they could've talked properly, and the audiobook would have been 50% shorter in duration.
September 18, 2025
[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Like Family releases November 4, 2025
This was a struggle to get through mainly because I think there were too many themes and character arcs competing with each other, which made the narrative feel like it lacked a clear direction.
The character dynamics with the three married couples, their kids, jealousy, and identity crises, felt weirdly incestuous and like they were cheating on each other all at the same time?? It was befuddling to say the least.
A major thing that struck me as odd was the fact that the only non-binary character was solely used as a plot device for someone else to explore their own body dysmorphia. Why even bother mentioning that they’re building a recording studio if it’s never shown? Genuinely, the only thing the women in this story did was talk about the non-binary character’s physical appearance in a way that always circled back to themselves.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Like Family releases November 4, 2025
This was a struggle to get through mainly because I think there were too many themes and character arcs competing with each other, which made the narrative feel like it lacked a clear direction.
The character dynamics with the three married couples, their kids, jealousy, and identity crises, felt weirdly incestuous and like they were cheating on each other all at the same time?? It was befuddling to say the least.
A major thing that struck me as odd was the fact that the only non-binary character was solely used as a plot device for someone else to explore their own body dysmorphia. Why even bother mentioning that they’re building a recording studio if it’s never shown? Genuinely, the only thing the women in this story did was talk about the non-binary character’s physical appearance in a way that always circled back to themselves.
October 13, 2025
If you enjoy character-driven novels about family, this debut will definitely be a win for you. Set in a picturesque town in upstate New York, this emotionally layered story feels like a cozy hug. It explores themes of queer identity, parenthood, friendship, grief, jealousy, secrecy, and love, capturing the essence of the modern family in an intimate way. The book offers an inside look into three interconnected families and their children, making it a quietly moving read. I would compare the author’s writing style to that of Anne Tyler and Ann Patchett—emotional, layered, and beautiful. If you love thoughtful, heartfelt stories about complex family dynamics and found family, I highly recommend picking this one up.
Thank you Random House, The Dial Press, and NetGalley for the digital ARC.
Thank you Random House, The Dial Press, and NetGalley for the digital ARC.
August 10, 2025
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This felt very warm and cozy, I loved the deep exploration of romantic, platonic, and familial relationships. I liked reading a book with queer love and diverse family dynamics. However, a lot of the book dragged along slowly and there were so many characters and perspectives that I felt a bit lost. It could have been shorter and less all over the place.
This felt very warm and cozy, I loved the deep exploration of romantic, platonic, and familial relationships. I liked reading a book with queer love and diverse family dynamics. However, a lot of the book dragged along slowly and there were so many characters and perspectives that I felt a bit lost. It could have been shorter and less all over the place.
November 2, 2025
This story is about 3 families and how they are all intertwined. It is more of a character-driven story, so if you are looking for something to happen, that’s not what you will get from this story. But that is okay, because what you will get is to know these people and to know their flaws and all of the things they go through on a daily basis to keep their relationships real and thriving. Reading the story was like watching a TV series where they flip from what is happening with one set of people to what is happening with another set. I enjoyed all of the nuances of the different relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley & The Dial Press for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Thank you to NetGalley & The Dial Press for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
November 10, 2025
You know when you read a book and it’s not the book you were expecting (or hoping for)? And you’re disappointed, but not necessarily because it was a bad book or poorly written? That is my experience with Like Family by Erin O. White.
The novel fell on my radar after it was chosen as Barnes and Noble’s November book club pick. It is a complicated story of friendship, marriage, infidelity, parenting, secrets, jealousy. Three couples, gay and heterosexual, have intertwined relationships. It is a challenge at times to differentiate between the characters and recall how they overlap. But at its heart it is a story of the friendship between Ruth and Caroline. Their friendship is complicated by jealousy and secrets, and the relationships that Ruth and Caroline have with their spouses and extended families.
This is not a warm and fuzzy story of found family. It is messy and uncomfortable, and frequently unsettling. I struggled specifically with the secrets between spouses and infidelities. I did appreciate the focus on the importance/value of therapy. I’m rating it 3.5/5⭐️ because it’s well written and thought provoking, but will not be for everyone.
The novel fell on my radar after it was chosen as Barnes and Noble’s November book club pick. It is a complicated story of friendship, marriage, infidelity, parenting, secrets, jealousy. Three couples, gay and heterosexual, have intertwined relationships. It is a challenge at times to differentiate between the characters and recall how they overlap. But at its heart it is a story of the friendship between Ruth and Caroline. Their friendship is complicated by jealousy and secrets, and the relationships that Ruth and Caroline have with their spouses and extended families.
This is not a warm and fuzzy story of found family. It is messy and uncomfortable, and frequently unsettling. I struggled specifically with the secrets between spouses and infidelities. I did appreciate the focus on the importance/value of therapy. I’m rating it 3.5/5⭐️ because it’s well written and thought provoking, but will not be for everyone.
September 12, 2025
A huge thank you to Goodreads giveaways and The Dial Press for an ARC of this book, which publishes on November 4th!
This was an engrossing family drama that looks at the joys and complications of chosen family. In this book, readers get to know three overlapping families. A death in their small-town forces tensions that have long been buried beneath the surface of their lives to come to the surface. This is a largely character driven novel that homes in on relationships and the dynamics within the household and extended family/friend unit and is not hugely plot driven. I live for these types of novels and love the introspective look at how relationships evolve, and how characters build off of each other.
The author's editor was not wrong in her comparisons with this novel; White's writing style reminded me greatly of Ann Patchett, but with a queer spin. I loved the lovely descriptions that the author uses to bring the reader into this story, such as Ruth describing her love for teaching: "She loved the children and their rowdiness, their tender absurdities" (13). Or when Ruth describes why she and her wife ended up with four children: "She began to see siblings as a seawall against the ocean of life's hardships, and she decided to take up the task of completing theirs" (46).
Each of the families in this book are non-traditional in their own way (adoptive family, two mother households, etc.) but they all beautifully illustrate that no matter what, all families are complicated in different ways. This book is also largely about what happens when you finally achieve and obtain everything you set out to, but you still feel unsatisfied or unsure if you're living the life you should.
In addition to the beautiful writing, I loved the LGBTQ+ representation, the fact that the main characters were middle aged and in largely happy relationships, and the focus on friends and the anxieties of parenting. I absolutely loved Marcia Glassie-Greene's character. What a lady! The therapist we all need. Marcia said it best when she said, "It was too much to ask. But sometimes, 'too much' is what we ask of the people we love most" (234).
With three interconnected families and seven children between them, I did feel like there were a lot of characters to keep up with. And while really the focus was on one adult from each of the couples, I still felt like there wasn't adequate time to fully dive deep on any of them.
This was an engrossing family drama that looks at the joys and complications of chosen family. In this book, readers get to know three overlapping families. A death in their small-town forces tensions that have long been buried beneath the surface of their lives to come to the surface. This is a largely character driven novel that homes in on relationships and the dynamics within the household and extended family/friend unit and is not hugely plot driven. I live for these types of novels and love the introspective look at how relationships evolve, and how characters build off of each other.
The author's editor was not wrong in her comparisons with this novel; White's writing style reminded me greatly of Ann Patchett, but with a queer spin. I loved the lovely descriptions that the author uses to bring the reader into this story, such as Ruth describing her love for teaching: "She loved the children and their rowdiness, their tender absurdities" (13). Or when Ruth describes why she and her wife ended up with four children: "She began to see siblings as a seawall against the ocean of life's hardships, and she decided to take up the task of completing theirs" (46).
Each of the families in this book are non-traditional in their own way (adoptive family, two mother households, etc.) but they all beautifully illustrate that no matter what, all families are complicated in different ways. This book is also largely about what happens when you finally achieve and obtain everything you set out to, but you still feel unsatisfied or unsure if you're living the life you should.
In addition to the beautiful writing, I loved the LGBTQ+ representation, the fact that the main characters were middle aged and in largely happy relationships, and the focus on friends and the anxieties of parenting. I absolutely loved Marcia Glassie-Greene's character. What a lady! The therapist we all need. Marcia said it best when she said, "It was too much to ask. But sometimes, 'too much' is what we ask of the people we love most" (234).
With three interconnected families and seven children between them, I did feel like there were a lot of characters to keep up with. And while really the focus was on one adult from each of the couples, I still felt like there wasn't adequate time to fully dive deep on any of them.
July 11, 2025
Like Family by Erin O. White is a thoughtful, emotionally layered debut that explores the complexities of chosen family, parenthood, and the invisible threads that bind people together. Set in the picturesque town of Radclyffe, New York—a place so idyllic it almost feels like a lifestyle catalog—the novel offers a warm and often touching portrait of three interconnected families trying to live out their values in real life while holding onto long-held secrets.
The heart of the story lies in Ruth and Caroline’s deep, decades-long friendship, and White does a lovely job capturing the quiet intimacies and unspoken loyalties that define such relationships. The novel thoughtfully examines how love—romantic, platonic, parental—can be both sustaining and messy, especially when secrets and unresolved tensions are involved.
However, the book sometimes feels a bit too serene, even when major emotional revelations or crises occur. The stakes don’t always land with the weight they should, and some of the characters—especially the men—come off more like supporting cast than fully realized people. There are moments when the prose veers into overly reflective territory, slowing the pace and dampening the tension that the story hints at but never quite fully delivers on. I often found myself confused by the number of characters, particularly the adults and their many children, who sometimes blended together. Many of the characters had similar voices or traits, making it hard to keep track of who was who or feel fully invested in each of their stories. While the writing is warm and reflective, the pacing occasionally drags, and some emotional revelations felt muted by the calm, almost too-peaceful tone.
Still, Like Family is a compassionate and earnest exploration of modern family life and the blurry lines between friends and kin. It's not a book that will shake you, but it may leave you quietly moved—and grateful for the complicated people who make up your own chosen family.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on November 4, 2025.
The heart of the story lies in Ruth and Caroline’s deep, decades-long friendship, and White does a lovely job capturing the quiet intimacies and unspoken loyalties that define such relationships. The novel thoughtfully examines how love—romantic, platonic, parental—can be both sustaining and messy, especially when secrets and unresolved tensions are involved.
However, the book sometimes feels a bit too serene, even when major emotional revelations or crises occur. The stakes don’t always land with the weight they should, and some of the characters—especially the men—come off more like supporting cast than fully realized people. There are moments when the prose veers into overly reflective territory, slowing the pace and dampening the tension that the story hints at but never quite fully delivers on. I often found myself confused by the number of characters, particularly the adults and their many children, who sometimes blended together. Many of the characters had similar voices or traits, making it hard to keep track of who was who or feel fully invested in each of their stories. While the writing is warm and reflective, the pacing occasionally drags, and some emotional revelations felt muted by the calm, almost too-peaceful tone.
Still, Like Family is a compassionate and earnest exploration of modern family life and the blurry lines between friends and kin. It's not a book that will shake you, but it may leave you quietly moved—and grateful for the complicated people who make up your own chosen family.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on November 4, 2025.
October 12, 2025
I love a good family drama which is what drew me to this debut novel. The drama is definitely there in the tangled branches of this messy family/framily tree, but it wasn’t enough to keep my annoyances for the small details at bay.
I was super excited to see Jewish representation right from the first page, but as the chapter, and later book, went on it seemed the Jewish representation was actually Jewish misrepresentation. I’m not sure if Ms. White is a non-practicing Jew or if she’s just not Jewish, but reading about my culture (in the few instances it was mentioned) made me feel very uncomfortable. She could have written this entire book with nary the Jewish references and it would have been fine.
Aside from a very minor side character there wasn’t a single character in this book that I liked. They were all whiny, secretive, and annoying and I found the marriages to be hard to read about because I didn’t like the lack of communication between the spouses.
That being said, this was quite well written and despite my annoyance regarding the misrepresentation of my culture and unlikable characters it kept my attention throughout the few days it took me to read this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House- The Dial Press for an advanced copy of this. Like Family hits the shelves on November 4th.
I was super excited to see Jewish representation right from the first page, but as the chapter, and later book, went on it seemed the Jewish representation was actually Jewish misrepresentation. I’m not sure if Ms. White is a non-practicing Jew or if she’s just not Jewish, but reading about my culture (in the few instances it was mentioned) made me feel very uncomfortable. She could have written this entire book with nary the Jewish references and it would have been fine.
Aside from a very minor side character there wasn’t a single character in this book that I liked. They were all whiny, secretive, and annoying and I found the marriages to be hard to read about because I didn’t like the lack of communication between the spouses.
That being said, this was quite well written and despite my annoyance regarding the misrepresentation of my culture and unlikable characters it kept my attention throughout the few days it took me to read this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House- The Dial Press for an advanced copy of this. Like Family hits the shelves on November 4th.
July 26, 2025
Great story. I live the interfolding of multiple families- how they connect and the parts they play in each other's lives. Family means so many different things and that is important to remember.
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November 18, 2025
Sometimes books are just books and you’re just reading them, but other times a great book comes along, and you can feel it too. And I felt this book. It felt like taking a bath, drinking tea, wearing wool socks, getting a hug, and like warmth in the form of bonfires, big sweaters, and love. Honestly, as terribly cheesy as it sounds, this book just felt like love to me in every form.
Don’t bother reading the plot synopsis. It’s unnecessarily confusing and in my opinion, doesn’t do the story justice. There is plot here, but more so, this book is a slice of life about a group of interconnected families set in the Hudson Valley. I saw another review describe it as “blue sisters, but way more gay,” and, yup. As a huge family saga lover, this was perfect and especially perfect for this time of year. The story is charming and cozy and warm (have I mentioned that already?) and at times, a bit exhaustingly liberal, but I don’t mean that negatively. The story and writing reminded me of Ann Napalatano or Claire Lombardo or even Ann Patchett. I’m so impressed it’s a debut because White’s writing really created something special in this.
This is a quiet kind of work that snuck up on me with its intimate peak into relationships. I was happy no matter what character I was reading through the lens of and was fascinated by every dynamic in the story. There’s nothing flashy here—while the family dynamics are a little unique, these are ordinary people living (mostly) ordinary lives and sometimes that’s where the most beautiful stories are found. Just normal imperfect people who make mistakes and love each other anyways. I didn’t realize how badly I needed an escape until I found this book—each time I opened it, I may as well have audibly exhaled as I got a reprieve from the real world and slipped into Ruth and Wyn’s farm (my favorite setting in the book) or the childrens’ school or the therapist office (UM can this woman please be my therapist?!?) The writing felt so comforting, the book enveloped me and made me feel safe and the characters like my friends. By the end of the story, I was emotional from both the final scene and the overall depictions of love, friendship, family, motherhood and just being a human trying your best. If you’re looking for anything of the sort this holiday season, you’ll find it here. I loved this book so much and miss the atmospheric warmth of it already.
Don’t bother reading the plot synopsis. It’s unnecessarily confusing and in my opinion, doesn’t do the story justice. There is plot here, but more so, this book is a slice of life about a group of interconnected families set in the Hudson Valley. I saw another review describe it as “blue sisters, but way more gay,” and, yup. As a huge family saga lover, this was perfect and especially perfect for this time of year. The story is charming and cozy and warm (have I mentioned that already?) and at times, a bit exhaustingly liberal, but I don’t mean that negatively. The story and writing reminded me of Ann Napalatano or Claire Lombardo or even Ann Patchett. I’m so impressed it’s a debut because White’s writing really created something special in this.
This is a quiet kind of work that snuck up on me with its intimate peak into relationships. I was happy no matter what character I was reading through the lens of and was fascinated by every dynamic in the story. There’s nothing flashy here—while the family dynamics are a little unique, these are ordinary people living (mostly) ordinary lives and sometimes that’s where the most beautiful stories are found. Just normal imperfect people who make mistakes and love each other anyways. I didn’t realize how badly I needed an escape until I found this book—each time I opened it, I may as well have audibly exhaled as I got a reprieve from the real world and slipped into Ruth and Wyn’s farm (my favorite setting in the book) or the childrens’ school or the therapist office (UM can this woman please be my therapist?!?) The writing felt so comforting, the book enveloped me and made me feel safe and the characters like my friends. By the end of the story, I was emotional from both the final scene and the overall depictions of love, friendship, family, motherhood and just being a human trying your best. If you’re looking for anything of the sort this holiday season, you’ll find it here. I loved this book so much and miss the atmospheric warmth of it already.
November 30, 2025
I really enjoyed this, almost in spite of myself. Some of the characters were very irritating, and there was some subject matter I would not have chosen to read about. But the author succeeded in making even those people and plotlines compelling. This was pitched to me as a Thanksgiving novel, and I do think this is a good time of year to read it - kind of like if The Family Stone had 500% more lesbians.
November 3, 2025
First, I really really liked this book! I loved the variety of characters and how they all interacted with each other and how the multiple storylines all intersected and created this incredibly rich story. However, ignore the "near-stranger's death" part of the description. Sure someone dies. Sure he is connected to many of the characters. But there is so much more to this story that it becomes a footnote. Truly! And going into thinking you are going to get some huge funeral type reveal upheaval is going to disappoint a reader. Instead you get an in depth look at families, relationships, and what we owe ourselves and each other. I loved these people! I want to read more books like Like Family!
Thanks to Random House Dial for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to Random House Dial for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
November 24, 2025
The depth of these friendships, and the intensity of their importance, jumps off the page. These women are very, very real.
April 30, 2025
The cozy kind of emotional. This one’s for the moms, the best friends, the tired hearts, and the people who keep showing up.
Like Family is the kind of novel that sneaks up on you—quiet, intimate, and layered with the kind of emotional truths that feel both tender and unflinching. It explores the complicated, beautiful mess of adult friendships, parenting, marriage, and the quiet sacrifices we make for the people we love most.
Set in a picturesque upstate New York town full of farmers’ markets and hidden swimming holes, the setting feels cozy—but the real heart of the book lies in the relationships. Ruth and Wyn’s small farm becomes the emotional center of their friend group, and when tragedy strikes, every character is forced to reckon with old tensions, buried desires, and truths they’ve been too afraid to say out loud.
The writing is thoughtful and warm, with moments that made me tear up not because they were dramatic, but because they were true. It captures the ache of wanting connection, the vulnerability of being known, and the bittersweet joy of growing older alongside the people you’ve chosen.
If you love books about found family, imperfect but deeply human characters, and stories that sit with you long after you close the cover—this is one to treasure.
Like Family is the kind of novel that sneaks up on you—quiet, intimate, and layered with the kind of emotional truths that feel both tender and unflinching. It explores the complicated, beautiful mess of adult friendships, parenting, marriage, and the quiet sacrifices we make for the people we love most.
Set in a picturesque upstate New York town full of farmers’ markets and hidden swimming holes, the setting feels cozy—but the real heart of the book lies in the relationships. Ruth and Wyn’s small farm becomes the emotional center of their friend group, and when tragedy strikes, every character is forced to reckon with old tensions, buried desires, and truths they’ve been too afraid to say out loud.
The writing is thoughtful and warm, with moments that made me tear up not because they were dramatic, but because they were true. It captures the ache of wanting connection, the vulnerability of being known, and the bittersweet joy of growing older alongside the people you’ve chosen.
If you love books about found family, imperfect but deeply human characters, and stories that sit with you long after you close the cover—this is one to treasure.
November 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Like Family
Author: Erin O. White
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Like Family is an intriguing exploration of a group of close friends, united by secrets, who lead whole lives in committed relationships and marriages, including both gay, bisexual, and straight individuals, but what you find as you read this story is that there is no such thing as ordinary, regular, or totally happy families. Appearances can be deceiving, and temptations hold for all relationships, but it is what you accomplish when things get tough that reveals what you are truly made of. All families experience their own times of trial, success, disappointment, and bliss. In ‘Like Family’, we see the result of families formed with love that become challenges. In other words, this is a story of flawed and ordinary individuals coming together to create a loving community.
My chief issue was the sheer number of characters that needed to be tracked, as I would forget who belonged to whom. It was a challenge. Well done debut novel for Ms. White.
#LikeFamily @erinowhite @netgalley @DialPress #LGBTQ #contemporaryfiction #contemporary #adultFiction #literaryFiction #families #familyDrama#debutnovel
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.
Like Family
Author: Erin O. White
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Like Family is an intriguing exploration of a group of close friends, united by secrets, who lead whole lives in committed relationships and marriages, including both gay, bisexual, and straight individuals, but what you find as you read this story is that there is no such thing as ordinary, regular, or totally happy families. Appearances can be deceiving, and temptations hold for all relationships, but it is what you accomplish when things get tough that reveals what you are truly made of. All families experience their own times of trial, success, disappointment, and bliss. In ‘Like Family’, we see the result of families formed with love that become challenges. In other words, this is a story of flawed and ordinary individuals coming together to create a loving community.
My chief issue was the sheer number of characters that needed to be tracked, as I would forget who belonged to whom. It was a challenge. Well done debut novel for Ms. White.
#LikeFamily @erinowhite @netgalley @DialPress #LGBTQ #contemporaryfiction #contemporary #adultFiction #literaryFiction #families #familyDrama#debutnovel
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.
December 3, 2025
LIKE FAMILY by Erin O. White is a beautiful book inside and out. The cover is absolutely stunning and the story is insightful, heartfelt, and moving. It’s centered around three couples and focuses on complicated relationships, human connection, and family dynamics. It took me no time at all to become completely immersed in their lives. I found them all so interesting—their hopes, struggles, situations, and dilemmas were all relatable and realistic.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘬. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵. 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘪𝘨-𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺.”
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Small town vibes
- Friendship fiction
- New York setting
- Marriage and parenthood
- Modern family life
- Complex relationships
- LGBTQ representation
- Character-driven novels
- Chosen/found family storylines
One of my very favorites, Rebecca Lowman narrates the entire novel, and does a phenomenal job doing so. I just adore her soft-spokenness and the soothing cadence of her voice. I highly recommend that you go the audio route for this one.
I didn’t get the full-on “five star feels” for this debut, but it came pretty darn close. I’m excited to read more from White in the future! 4.5/5 stars for LIKE FAMILY! It’s out now!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘬. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵. 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘪𝘨-𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺.”
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Small town vibes
- Friendship fiction
- New York setting
- Marriage and parenthood
- Modern family life
- Complex relationships
- LGBTQ representation
- Character-driven novels
- Chosen/found family storylines
One of my very favorites, Rebecca Lowman narrates the entire novel, and does a phenomenal job doing so. I just adore her soft-spokenness and the soothing cadence of her voice. I highly recommend that you go the audio route for this one.
I didn’t get the full-on “five star feels” for this debut, but it came pretty darn close. I’m excited to read more from White in the future! 4.5/5 stars for LIKE FAMILY! It’s out now!
November 21, 2025
Like Family by Erin O. White
3.5 stars
I had such high hopes for this novel, based on all of the great author blurbs and especially because it had such great LGBTQ+ representation. It didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Here's what worked for me
-excellent character development
-excellent writing (I even highlighted 3 things which is rare for me to do)
-I was intrigued enough to get through it and the last 40% I did end up reading quite quickly
Here's where I found I needed more
-I needed more plot. The first 60% I was just begging for some tiny glimmer of a plot. Don't get me wrong, I love character driven novels - some of them are even favourites! But this was way too slow moving and character building that I really struggled to hold my attention.
-Pacing was very slow for the first 70%
-With all of that character development, the character I most related to still felt like they were holding back or there was something that stopped me from fully investing in her story.
This isn't one that was necessarily for me, but I can definitely see it working well for someone else as it was truly quite beautiful writing.
Thank you to Erin O. White, Random House and Dial Press for this advanced copy in exchange of an honest review.
3.5 stars
I had such high hopes for this novel, based on all of the great author blurbs and especially because it had such great LGBTQ+ representation. It didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Here's what worked for me
-excellent character development
-excellent writing (I even highlighted 3 things which is rare for me to do)
-I was intrigued enough to get through it and the last 40% I did end up reading quite quickly
Here's where I found I needed more
-I needed more plot. The first 60% I was just begging for some tiny glimmer of a plot. Don't get me wrong, I love character driven novels - some of them are even favourites! But this was way too slow moving and character building that I really struggled to hold my attention.
-Pacing was very slow for the first 70%
-With all of that character development, the character I most related to still felt like they were holding back or there was something that stopped me from fully investing in her story.
This isn't one that was necessarily for me, but I can definitely see it working well for someone else as it was truly quite beautiful writing.
Thank you to Erin O. White, Random House and Dial Press for this advanced copy in exchange of an honest review.
Want to read
November 29, 2025Yes:
A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:
Stunning cover
I love this book. I started it & love the writing, friendship, & where the plot is going!
I love what one reviewer said “explores family dynamics, friendships, and the bonds that hold them together. It's the story of three
interconnected couples whose lives revolve around a small farm in upstate New York. When a near-stranger unexpectedly dies, tensions arise and bonds are tested.This book is emotional, authentic and complex. There is an abundance of characters, which takes a while to figure out, but there is a list of characters in the beginning of the book that helps. I like the theme of queer relationships and traversing through all the good and not so good aspects of family and friendship. This book is really heartfelt and well written.”
Absolutely yes!!
BFS Amazon 24% off $22.
A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:
Stunning cover
I love this book. I started it & love the writing, friendship, & where the plot is going!
I love what one reviewer said “explores family dynamics, friendships, and the bonds that hold them together. It's the story of three
interconnected couples whose lives revolve around a small farm in upstate New York. When a near-stranger unexpectedly dies, tensions arise and bonds are tested.This book is emotional, authentic and complex. There is an abundance of characters, which takes a while to figure out, but there is a list of characters in the beginning of the book that helps. I like the theme of queer relationships and traversing through all the good and not so good aspects of family and friendship. This book is really heartfelt and well written.”
Absolutely yes!!
BFS Amazon 24% off $22.
October 11, 2025
This story is heart-warming. It’s filled with joy, tears and love -- the complicated kind.
A handful of characters are highly developed in the small town of Hudson Valley where everyone appears to get along at family gatherings with lots of food and activities. Yet, when the author gets deep into the issues of three couples, two as lesbians, it gets complicated. It presents the emotional disorientation of jealousy, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, stress and so much more.
The characters find a place in your head as you read about each one with the most intimate details of their personalities. The past resurfaces and makes you understand some of their conflicts. There’s a good feeling when a therapist is introduced. She makes you think about the importance of love above everything else.
It’s far from easy for an author to convey how family dynamics works in modern societies. Even though I felt the chapters were lengthy and long-winded at times, it was engaging and effective how it was expressed with the interlockings of each person. When everything came together, the story had a powerful conclusion.
My thanks to The Dial Press and NetGalley for a copy of this advanced book with an expected release date of November 4, 2025. My opinions are my own.
A handful of characters are highly developed in the small town of Hudson Valley where everyone appears to get along at family gatherings with lots of food and activities. Yet, when the author gets deep into the issues of three couples, two as lesbians, it gets complicated. It presents the emotional disorientation of jealousy, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, stress and so much more.
The characters find a place in your head as you read about each one with the most intimate details of their personalities. The past resurfaces and makes you understand some of their conflicts. There’s a good feeling when a therapist is introduced. She makes you think about the importance of love above everything else.
It’s far from easy for an author to convey how family dynamics works in modern societies. Even though I felt the chapters were lengthy and long-winded at times, it was engaging and effective how it was expressed with the interlockings of each person. When everything came together, the story had a powerful conclusion.
My thanks to The Dial Press and NetGalley for a copy of this advanced book with an expected release date of November 4, 2025. My opinions are my own.
October 26, 2025
White proves that life holds true in both conventional and non-conventional relationships as we all want our kids to be safe and happy, and we all just want to be loved for who we are. At its core, this is a deeply human story about universal desires that surpasses the specifics of any particular lifestyle or family.
The characters are navigating past missteps that have often turned into regrets, trying to put those wrongs to rights while keeping everyone happy and searching for happiness themselves. It's a relatable struggle, as we all try to balance our own needs with those of loved ones.
This is a story of family, extended family and the family you make from your friends. White delves into some topics that are outside of my ordinary novels, but were eye opening and gave a well rounded picture of different lifestyles. These diverse experiences are woven throughout the mundane of everyday lives, showing that regardless of how unconventional a relationship, people are still dealing with the same fundamental challenges of paying bills, raising kids, maintaining friendships, and finding connections.
This is an engaging story about what it means to build a life and family on your own terms.
*I was invited to read by the publisher, through NetGalley, for an honest review (Random House)
The characters are navigating past missteps that have often turned into regrets, trying to put those wrongs to rights while keeping everyone happy and searching for happiness themselves. It's a relatable struggle, as we all try to balance our own needs with those of loved ones.
This is a story of family, extended family and the family you make from your friends. White delves into some topics that are outside of my ordinary novels, but were eye opening and gave a well rounded picture of different lifestyles. These diverse experiences are woven throughout the mundane of everyday lives, showing that regardless of how unconventional a relationship, people are still dealing with the same fundamental challenges of paying bills, raising kids, maintaining friendships, and finding connections.
This is an engaging story about what it means to build a life and family on your own terms.
*I was invited to read by the publisher, through NetGalley, for an honest review (Random House)
October 28, 2025
This is not the typical type of book that I read. I am glad I did and it did give me insight into another way of life. The book centers around three couples. Two of the couples are lesbian and the third is a male/female couple. They all have children and are all what seems to be close friends. There is a nonbinary friend named Bex whose character just seems to be there but never really gets explored. There are a lot of character names that I see in other reviews people were confused but I did not really have a problem keeping who belonged to who straight. I felt that the book really got into just what makes a family a family. Does it really matter if there are 2 moms or a mom & dad. They all have the same problems, the same marital conflict. They all may be attracted to other people outside the marriage but a family is a family. Friendships are also like family. This book was very well written. I feel like I have a new understanding of the queer life. I would definitely recommend.
Thanks to #netgalley, #thedialpress and @erinowhite for an ARC of this great read. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to #netgalley, #thedialpress and @erinowhite for an ARC of this great read. All opinions are my own.
November 5, 2025
In the picturesque town of Radclyffe, New York, Ruth and her wife Wyn, seem to have the perfect life on their small farm with their four kids and close friends. But there’s a secret at the heart of it all that no one, not even Ruth’s best friend, Caroline, knows. Caroline depends on Ruth and their friendship while struggling with her own family issues, especially after her husband donates sperm to help his cousin and her wife have children. When a sudden death shakes their community, the three couples are forced to face the hidden tensions in their relationships.
This was warm and layered novel that explores love, loyalty, and the complex bonds that tie people together.
At its heart, the novel follows the intertwined lives of a few middle aged, mostly queer couples raising kids and navigating the everyday messiness of family life.
Like Family has a pretty large cast and I sometimes struggled to keep track of who is who, but that’s often the case for me with ensemble stories. Despite that, I found it an engaging and heartwarming read. It is well written and I never would have guessed this was a debut if I hadn’t known!
Thank you NetGalley and The Dial Press for the eARC!
This was warm and layered novel that explores love, loyalty, and the complex bonds that tie people together.
At its heart, the novel follows the intertwined lives of a few middle aged, mostly queer couples raising kids and navigating the everyday messiness of family life.
Like Family has a pretty large cast and I sometimes struggled to keep track of who is who, but that’s often the case for me with ensemble stories. Despite that, I found it an engaging and heartwarming read. It is well written and I never would have guessed this was a debut if I hadn’t known!
Thank you NetGalley and The Dial Press for the eARC!
November 23, 2025
Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook. All opinions are my own.
There are few things that grab my attention more than messy family drama. Give me all the entanglements, angst, tears, and emotions. I’m here for it. There’s no shortage of any of that in LIKE FAMILY, but it was accompanied by something that felt slightly off putting which kept this from being a stellar read for me.
The story takes place in idyllic Radclyffe, a pastoral enclave in upstate New York and centers around three interconnected families. I was thrilled to see that the families were comprised of gay, heterosexual, and non-binary partnerships. You know, like real life. Regardless of their makeup, each of these families was dealing with the same challenges and had the same goals: happiness, fulfillment, security, and love. You know, like all humans. The death of a member of their community sets off a chain reaction of introspection and tension and reveals secrets that threaten to unravel everything they value.
This is a multi layered, thought provoking novel with many characters and moving parts. I struggled at times to keep track of each character’s perspective as it didn’t seem there was much to distinguish one voice from another and the connections became fuzzy and occasionally confusing. The entire plot is based on secrets: keeping them, sharing them, hiding them; and some of those secrets crossed my personal ick factor line. That’s certainly a me thing that may not bother other readers.
I loved that there is a strong focus on therapy. The author did not leave these characters to their own devices to work through complex issues, but instead gave them effective real life mechanisms to sort through their feeling in order to move forward.
Rebecca Lowman narrates the audiobook and tackles the enormous task of voicing a large cast of characters. Her performance is well modulated and she is able to effectively convey a wide range of emotions.
This was a solid debut from an author who has a distinct and interesting voice. I am certainly interested in checking out future writing.
There are few things that grab my attention more than messy family drama. Give me all the entanglements, angst, tears, and emotions. I’m here for it. There’s no shortage of any of that in LIKE FAMILY, but it was accompanied by something that felt slightly off putting which kept this from being a stellar read for me.
The story takes place in idyllic Radclyffe, a pastoral enclave in upstate New York and centers around three interconnected families. I was thrilled to see that the families were comprised of gay, heterosexual, and non-binary partnerships. You know, like real life. Regardless of their makeup, each of these families was dealing with the same challenges and had the same goals: happiness, fulfillment, security, and love. You know, like all humans. The death of a member of their community sets off a chain reaction of introspection and tension and reveals secrets that threaten to unravel everything they value.
This is a multi layered, thought provoking novel with many characters and moving parts. I struggled at times to keep track of each character’s perspective as it didn’t seem there was much to distinguish one voice from another and the connections became fuzzy and occasionally confusing. The entire plot is based on secrets: keeping them, sharing them, hiding them; and some of those secrets crossed my personal ick factor line. That’s certainly a me thing that may not bother other readers.
I loved that there is a strong focus on therapy. The author did not leave these characters to their own devices to work through complex issues, but instead gave them effective real life mechanisms to sort through their feeling in order to move forward.
Rebecca Lowman narrates the audiobook and tackles the enormous task of voicing a large cast of characters. Her performance is well modulated and she is able to effectively convey a wide range of emotions.
This was a solid debut from an author who has a distinct and interesting voice. I am certainly interested in checking out future writing.
October 30, 2025
Like Family takes place in Radclyffe, New York. It’s here where we meet Ruth and Wyn, a married couple raising their four children. Early on we are also introduced to Caroline, Ruth’s best friend. When a death in the community occurs, secrets are unearthed that impact not only these three women, but their extended families as well.
Although I was drawn to this story’s premise initially, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. With multiple characters and slower pacing, nothing gripped me enough to want to continue. As a fan of family dynamics and friends that are family, I was disappointed that this story wasn’t resonating as much as I had hoped. Ultimately, Like Family is an ambitious debut that is finding its audience, it just didn’t meet the mark for me.
November 2, 2025
I am very thankful to have won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, because it surprised me in a beautiful way. Not gonna lie, for the first two thirds of the book, it just felt like a lot of people and a lot of stuff to keep track of. By the end, however, I understood it and felt the peace. It's about family, friends, love, healing, growth, and the complexities of life.
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