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kcbatts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I liked the idea of the plot but not the execution. It felt like they were playing their characters, not being them. And sometimes it felt like something happened because it should fit in the plot, not because it actually did.
I liked the little Santiago and Coquí twist, and enjoyed the epilogue.
I liked the little Santiago and Coquí twist, and enjoyed the epilogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Moderate: Rape and Death of parent
fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’m reluctant to give this a four because I’m still kinda angry about the way the story unfolded. I want all the secrets revealed so that everyone can move on with a clear conscience, but there were still so many secrets held at the end of the book, and it felt like the story was never going to end with every new secret being revealed. It was a good book, and I would’ve given it a four if there had been even one less secret.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
ukponge's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infertility
leslie_overbookedsocialworker's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Rape, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Cancer and Fire/Fire injury
presleymarie85's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is going to be an unpopular opinion review, and it hurts that I didn't enjoy this book as much as I was hoping and wanting to. Please don't let this review turn you off from reading Familia, as it is a good book, I just happened to not enjoy it while reading.
Familia has it all, mystery, murder, family secrets, drama, alternate timelines and alternate character perspectives. All the ingredients for the making a great read. Familia tells the story of Gabriella Di Marco a fact finder for a popular magazine company, with dreams of being a head writer. When Gabby's boss Max, has everyone send in their DNA to see if there is a story among the company to tell, Gabby is shocked to see a match for a sister. The reason this is a shock, is because Gabby is an only child to Lucy and Mack Di Marco, both of whom have passed away. As you can imagine Gabby is in shock and disbelief when Isabella sends her a message saying "I think you are my long lost sister". Max is ecstatic about the possibility of a major storyline developing, but when he tells Gabby that she will not be writing it, Gabby quits and books a flight down to Puerto Rico in search of Isabella and the answers she desperately wants.
Once in Puerto Rico, Gabby and Isabella try to piece together the ever growing mystery surrounding the night that baby Marianna disappeared, while also trying to find footing in their relationship as possible sisters. Told in alternating timelines of past and present as well as multiple character perspectives, Familia is a novel that will keep the reader engaged as the story develops and unfolds.
What I struggled with as the reader, was Familia just couldn't hold my attention for more than a few chapters. It wasn't the plot or the cast of characters, as I did find both enjoyable, but just something made me put it down for long periods. I think maybe I was just in a rut, and that shouldn't reflect on Familia as a whole. I think this novel has everything that a reader would like, so please give Familia a read.
Familia has it all, mystery, murder, family secrets, drama, alternate timelines and alternate character perspectives. All the ingredients for the making a great read. Familia tells the story of Gabriella Di Marco a fact finder for a popular magazine company, with dreams of being a head writer. When Gabby's boss Max, has everyone send in their DNA to see if there is a story among the company to tell, Gabby is shocked to see a match for a sister. The reason this is a shock, is because Gabby is an only child to Lucy and Mack Di Marco, both of whom have passed away. As you can imagine Gabby is in shock and disbelief when Isabella sends her a message saying "I think you are my long lost sister". Max is ecstatic about the possibility of a major storyline developing, but when he tells Gabby that she will not be writing it, Gabby quits and books a flight down to Puerto Rico in search of Isabella and the answers she desperately wants.
Once in Puerto Rico, Gabby and Isabella try to piece together the ever growing mystery surrounding the night that baby Marianna disappeared, while also trying to find footing in their relationship as possible sisters. Told in alternating timelines of past and present as well as multiple character perspectives, Familia is a novel that will keep the reader engaged as the story develops and unfolds.
What I struggled with as the reader, was Familia just couldn't hold my attention for more than a few chapters. It wasn't the plot or the cast of characters, as I did find both enjoyable, but just something made me put it down for long periods. I think maybe I was just in a rut, and that shouldn't reflect on Familia as a whole. I think this novel has everything that a reader would like, so please give Familia a read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Rape
carmenvillaman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
afrenette's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
bageltop's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
theycallmebookish's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
As a Cuban/Puerto Rican woman I was so happy to receive this audiobook ARC. This is a multi POV/multiple timeline story of a sister (Isabella) not giving up on finding her long lost sister. Gabby’s life is turned upside down when she receives a message from Isabella saying that she may be her sister. From there we go on an adventure to PR in present day and over 20 years in the past when PR had some dark times. I really enjoyed this book and the plot development and twists.
The only thing that bugged me a bit is that PR is painted it a bad light. Yes that past time period was a rough time in PR but I wish the present day had more positive talk about the changes and the resiliency of the Puerto Rican people. As a Puerto Rican, I know the truth but if I wasn’t a Puerto Rican and was reading this, not knowing anything about Puerto Rico, it may have painted Puerto Rico and not great way. So to all those listening to this audiobook, don’t let PR’s past jade your opinion of the island and it’s people.
The only thing that bugged me a bit is that PR is painted it a bad light. Yes that past time period was a rough time in PR but I wish the present day had more positive talk about the changes and the resiliency of the Puerto Rican people. As a Puerto Rican, I know the truth but if I wasn’t a Puerto Rican and was reading this, not knowing anything about Puerto Rico, it may have painted Puerto Rico and not great way. So to all those listening to this audiobook, don’t let PR’s past jade your opinion of the island and it’s people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Rape, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
alexutzu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author and narrators for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
This was an unexpectedly nice book to listen to. The plot and hooked me and the pace of the story was not too slow either. I really liked the different narrators, they had great storytelling abilities. The alternating plans and the multitude of characters made the plot a bit confusing to listen to at some points, though.
I also enjoyed the cultural elements of the book and its overall positive vibe towards life, family and relationships. The characters didn't seem very lovable at first, but they grew in my eyes through the story due to their development and interesting humour. The plot twists kept happening and making me wonder about what's next! Not the most realistic plot, but exciting, emotional and somewhat deep.
This was an unexpectedly nice book to listen to. The plot and hooked me and the pace of the story was not too slow either. I really liked the different narrators, they had great storytelling abilities. The alternating plans and the multitude of characters made the plot a bit confusing to listen to at some points, though.
I also enjoyed the cultural elements of the book and its overall positive vibe towards life, family and relationships. The characters didn't seem very lovable at first, but they grew in my eyes through the story due to their development and interesting humour. The plot twists kept happening and making me wonder about what's next! Not the most realistic plot, but exciting, emotional and somewhat deep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Drug use and Rape
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury