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A review by presleymarie85
Familia by Lauren E. Rico
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