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Relative Strangers
Why is there a gap in Jules’s baby album? A wry and poignant coming-of-age novel about finding the truth in lies, salvaging hope in heartbreak, and making peace with missing pieces.
Eighteen-year-old Jules has always wished for a close-knit family. She never knew her father, and her ex-addict mother has always seemed more interested in artistic endeavors than in bonding with her only daughter. Jules’s life and future look as flat and unchanging as her small Illinois town. Then a simple quest to find a baby picture for the senior yearbook leads to an earth-shattering discovery: for most of the first two years of her life, Jules lived in foster care. Reeling from feelings of betrayal and with only the flimsiest of clues, Jules sets out to learn the truth about her past. What she finds is a wonderful family who loved her as their own and hoped to adopt her — including a now-adult foster brother who is overjoyed to see his sister again. But as her feelings for him spiral into a devastating, catastrophic crush — and the divide between Jules and her mother widens — Jules finds herself on the brink of losing everything.
Eighteen-year-old Jules has always wished for a close-knit family. She never knew her father, and her ex-addict mother has always seemed more interested in artistic endeavors than in bonding with her only daughter. Jules’s life and future look as flat and unchanging as her small Illinois town. Then a simple quest to find a baby picture for the senior yearbook leads to an earth-shattering discovery: for most of the first two years of her life, Jules lived in foster care. Reeling from feelings of betrayal and with only the flimsiest of clues, Jules sets out to learn the truth about her past. What she finds is a wonderful family who loved her as their own and hoped to adopt her — including a now-adult foster brother who is overjoyed to see his sister again. But as her feelings for him spiral into a devastating, catastrophic crush — and the divide between Jules and her mother widens — Jules finds herself on the brink of losing everything.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2018
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2046 people want to read
About the author
Paula Garner
5 books119 followersPaula Garner spends most of her time writing, reading, or making good things to eat. Her debut YA novel, Phantom Limbs, was published in 2016 by Candlewick Press and is a 2017 Illinois Reads selection for grades 9-12. Paula lives in the Chicago area with her family and a very bad cat. Find out more about Paula and her books at www.paulagarner.com or follow her on Twitter at @paulajgarner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
April 16, 2018
Jules is a senior in high school; for as long as she can remember, it's always just been her and her mom, a recovering alcoholic. But when Jules goes to look for a baby picture to include in her senior yearbook, she makes a startling discovery: she spent the majority of her first two years in foster care. Angry at her mom for never telling her, Jules seeks out her foster family. She discovers the picture perfect family she always dreamed of, including her older foster brother, who always dreamed of finding her again. Jules is thrilled, but quickly realizes she also has a crush on him. She's always dreamed of having a family, but will she ruin it all with her unfortunate crush?
I requested this book on a whim from Librarything, and I'm so glad I did. I haven't read Paula Garner's previous book, but I will now. This was just a really enjoyable, touching story that drew me in from the start. I fell for Jules immediately and never stopped. I am typically a pretty stoic reader--it takes a lot to move me--but I actually teared up a couple of times with this one.
The main focus of the novel is Jules, and she proves to be a strong, likeable character and a good storyteller. As I said, I felt engaged with her from the beginning. I had to remind myself a few times that she was still in high school, but that was about it. She's actually pretty mature for her age, really, and does some growing up and maturing as the story progresses.
The supporting characters are varied, and while they aren't as strong as Jules, they certainly help fill out the book. (I'm looking at you, Eli.) There were definitely a few instances where I felt like things were repeated a few times too many: yes, Jules' two best friends knew each other longer than they knew Jules, etc., but they were only minor distractions from the strength of the story. The book hinges on Jules and she doesn't disappoint. Her discovery of her foster family is, honestly, fascinating, as is her newfound friendship with her former foster brother, Luke. At times I was a bit skeptical that a once six-year-old would have such fond memories of his baby foster sister, to the point he wanted to develop the relationship as an adult, but I went with it. Jules' struggle with her sense of identity and belonging is well-done, and I really enjoyed the arc of the novel.
Overall, this was a lovely surprise. It's hard not to fall for Jules, and once you do, this is just such an engaging novel. Her struggle to find herself is both heartbreaking and inspiring. 4 stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Librarything in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
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I requested this book on a whim from Librarything, and I'm so glad I did. I haven't read Paula Garner's previous book, but I will now. This was just a really enjoyable, touching story that drew me in from the start. I fell for Jules immediately and never stopped. I am typically a pretty stoic reader--it takes a lot to move me--but I actually teared up a couple of times with this one.
The main focus of the novel is Jules, and she proves to be a strong, likeable character and a good storyteller. As I said, I felt engaged with her from the beginning. I had to remind myself a few times that she was still in high school, but that was about it. She's actually pretty mature for her age, really, and does some growing up and maturing as the story progresses.
The supporting characters are varied, and while they aren't as strong as Jules, they certainly help fill out the book. (I'm looking at you, Eli.) There were definitely a few instances where I felt like things were repeated a few times too many: yes, Jules' two best friends knew each other longer than they knew Jules, etc., but they were only minor distractions from the strength of the story. The book hinges on Jules and she doesn't disappoint. Her discovery of her foster family is, honestly, fascinating, as is her newfound friendship with her former foster brother, Luke. At times I was a bit skeptical that a once six-year-old would have such fond memories of his baby foster sister, to the point he wanted to develop the relationship as an adult, but I went with it. Jules' struggle with her sense of identity and belonging is well-done, and I really enjoyed the arc of the novel.
Overall, this was a lovely surprise. It's hard not to fall for Jules, and once you do, this is just such an engaging novel. Her struggle to find herself is both heartbreaking and inspiring. 4 stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Librarything in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
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March 23, 2018
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Candlewick Press in exchange for my honest review**
Relative Strangers was a sweet story about learning of loss and family, and finding your true self. Overall, I liked the idea of where the story stemmed from, Jules' finding her family of the lost 15 months that she had no memory or pictures of. But, it could have been much stronger than it turned out to be.
I quite enjoyed each character, Jules, Luke, Mima, Buddy, Leila, Gab, Eli, but they mainly just stayed stagnant throughout the story, to where I wasn't really excited when anything happened.
The main downfall for me after reading this was that the romance aspect was heavily lacking. Romance for me, especially in a novel like this, is very important. It could have made the story a bit more astounding because in my opinion Jules' needed somebody of that figure to help her get through everything she recently found out.
There was so much potential in this plot line and that's why I'm giving it 3 stars. I didn't hate the story, I actually enjoyed the beginning much more then the end because nothing really was new or shocking. I loved the family aspect of it, and how much Mima and Buddy cared for Jules' after all of those years. But, it wasn't something that kept me on my toes and that's why I knocked down the two stars.
Check out the full review on my blog!
www.savedbythebook.com
Relative Strangers was a sweet story about learning of loss and family, and finding your true self. Overall, I liked the idea of where the story stemmed from, Jules' finding her family of the lost 15 months that she had no memory or pictures of. But, it could have been much stronger than it turned out to be.
I quite enjoyed each character, Jules, Luke, Mima, Buddy, Leila, Gab, Eli, but they mainly just stayed stagnant throughout the story, to where I wasn't really excited when anything happened.
The main downfall for me after reading this was that the romance aspect was heavily lacking. Romance for me, especially in a novel like this, is very important. It could have made the story a bit more astounding because in my opinion Jules' needed somebody of that figure to help her get through everything she recently found out.
There was so much potential in this plot line and that's why I'm giving it 3 stars. I didn't hate the story, I actually enjoyed the beginning much more then the end because nothing really was new or shocking. I loved the family aspect of it, and how much Mima and Buddy cared for Jules' after all of those years. But, it wasn't something that kept me on my toes and that's why I knocked down the two stars.
Check out the full review on my blog!
www.savedbythebook.com
March 12, 2018
This review can also be found on my blog.
This was good, but I did have a few problems with it overall.
First of all, I think it started out REALLY strong. I was laughing in the very first few pages and I got an amazing sense of who our main character was. I liked her. I liked her love of food and her complicated home life and her diverse best friends. The premise was very unique as well. I have never encountered a book with a similar relationship dynamic before.
The writing was very introspective, focusing heavily on our main characters many, MANY feelings. I do feel like the author went a bit overboard on the emotions in this book. At times, it could be cloyingly sweet and repetitive. Near the end, it felt like the author was having a hard time letting the story go and finally wrapping it up. It felt overextended and just too much for how small the story really was in scope.
I can't say that I liked Luke. He was too "perfect" for my tastes. I was also kind of disappointed in the author's idea of what "poor" is. Jules was not poor. I'm poor. I don't have a car. She did. She may eat Ramen throughout the book, but she adds in a ton of semi expensive ingredients. She goes out to eat. She has a roof over her head, a cell phone, etc. She's not "poor". She just isn't rich, like her friends and former foster family.
Those things aside, this was still a good book and definitely worth reading. Just can't say it will be a book that will stay with me now that I'm done.
Thank you NetGalley, for providing me with an arc.
This was good, but I did have a few problems with it overall.
First of all, I think it started out REALLY strong. I was laughing in the very first few pages and I got an amazing sense of who our main character was. I liked her. I liked her love of food and her complicated home life and her diverse best friends. The premise was very unique as well. I have never encountered a book with a similar relationship dynamic before.
The writing was very introspective, focusing heavily on our main characters many, MANY feelings. I do feel like the author went a bit overboard on the emotions in this book. At times, it could be cloyingly sweet and repetitive. Near the end, it felt like the author was having a hard time letting the story go and finally wrapping it up. It felt overextended and just too much for how small the story really was in scope.
I can't say that I liked Luke. He was too "perfect" for my tastes. I was also kind of disappointed in the author's idea of what "poor" is. Jules was not poor. I'm poor. I don't have a car. She did. She may eat Ramen throughout the book, but she adds in a ton of semi expensive ingredients. She goes out to eat. She has a roof over her head, a cell phone, etc. She's not "poor". She just isn't rich, like her friends and former foster family.
Those things aside, this was still a good book and definitely worth reading. Just can't say it will be a book that will stay with me now that I'm done.
Thank you NetGalley, for providing me with an arc.
April 11, 2018
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
After loving the author's debut, Phantom Limbs , I knew I had to get my hands on this book. And yay, it did not disappoint! Let us talk about why!
Paula Garner does an amazing job of getting the feels into her books. This is the second time that I have felt more empathy and love for characters than I ever assumed I would, and I love it. I cried and frankly, tears are the mark of a good book to me.
I found Jules so, so relatable. Our life situations had zero things in common, but I could relate to her on such a human level. On the level of someone who just wanted to be loved and accepted, as we all do. She had amazing friendships, and an often difficult relationship with her mom, but she genuinely cared about the people in her life. She made plenty of mistakes, and she often took the hits hard, and I guess she just seemed so well fleshed-out, so very human.
The plot was quite family-focused. Of course, you may have gathered this from the synopsis, but it made for quite a powerful story. Hence the tears and such. I loved that Jules was reconnected with loving people from her past, and that it forced some honest, real talk with her mother.
Now, the matter of Jules's crush is... hard to talk about without being spoilery. I will say, it was written (and as we are reading from Jules's POV, it could be just projection, but I don't think so) as though her thinking that Luke's feelings for her were more than a quasi-foster brother's would be. I will also say that Luke wasn't my fave. If you've read the book... That didn't make me not like the book but it did leave me with some questions.
Bottom Line: Lovely and full of feels, this book was one of my most anticipated of the year, and I am quite glad that it lived up to my own self-hype!
After loving the author's debut, Phantom Limbs , I knew I had to get my hands on this book. And yay, it did not disappoint! Let us talk about why!
Paula Garner does an amazing job of getting the feels into her books. This is the second time that I have felt more empathy and love for characters than I ever assumed I would, and I love it. I cried and frankly, tears are the mark of a good book to me.
I found Jules so, so relatable. Our life situations had zero things in common, but I could relate to her on such a human level. On the level of someone who just wanted to be loved and accepted, as we all do. She had amazing friendships, and an often difficult relationship with her mom, but she genuinely cared about the people in her life. She made plenty of mistakes, and she often took the hits hard, and I guess she just seemed so well fleshed-out, so very human.
The plot was quite family-focused. Of course, you may have gathered this from the synopsis, but it made for quite a powerful story. Hence the tears and such. I loved that Jules was reconnected with loving people from her past, and that it forced some honest, real talk with her mother.
Now, the matter of Jules's crush is... hard to talk about without being spoilery. I will say, it was written (and as we are reading from Jules's POV, it could be just projection, but I don't think so) as though her thinking that Luke's feelings for her were more than a quasi-foster brother's would be. I will also say that Luke wasn't my fave. If you've read the book... That didn't make me not like the book but it did leave me with some questions.
Bottom Line: Lovely and full of feels, this book was one of my most anticipated of the year, and I am quite glad that it lived up to my own self-hype!
April 2, 2018
I absolutely adored Phantom Limbs, and just had to read this book. I was so intrigued by this premise of Jules discovering this whole missing part of her life, and was quite moved by her journey.
•Pro: I was glued to the this book for the first half. Fully rapt by Jules and her story, I could not put the book down.
•Con: BUT the story took a few turns in the middle there that I was not too pleased about.
•Pro: HOWEVER the ending was really strong.
•Pro: This was a pretty thought provoking look at how complex relationships can be, between both family and friends.
•Pro: Jules was a really interesting character. She loved old things and making ramen based meals in under 15 minutes (girl after my own heart). She didn't get the emotional support at home that she needed, but she was able to find a surrogate family through her friends. It contributed greatly to who she was and how she turned out the way she did.
•Con: The alcohol and drug use would not have bothered me so much, if Jules did not directly question her predisposition to addiction given that she was the product of an addict. Garner's treatment of that issue was a little too cavalier for me, and all the drug use seemed wholly unnecessary for the story.
•Pro: Garner didn't hide Jules' mom's flaws, however, she did help me understand why she was the way she was, and sort of let her redeem herself in her own way. I feel like she grew along with Jules over the course of the story, and I was really pleased with the ending Garner gave to each of them.
•Pro: That cameo!!!! I think I squealed there towards the end when an old friend made an appearance. Well done, Ms. Garner.
•Pro: At its heart, this is a story of family and what makes a family. I really enjoyed the exploration of all the different "familial" relationships Jules had, and how they all contributed to the woman she became.
Overall: A beautiful and emotional story that examines intricacies of families and friendships and how they mold and shape us.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
•Pro: I was glued to the this book for the first half. Fully rapt by Jules and her story, I could not put the book down.
•Con: BUT the story took a few turns in the middle there that I was not too pleased about.
•Pro: HOWEVER the ending was really strong.
•Pro: This was a pretty thought provoking look at how complex relationships can be, between both family and friends.
•Pro: Jules was a really interesting character. She loved old things and making ramen based meals in under 15 minutes (girl after my own heart). She didn't get the emotional support at home that she needed, but she was able to find a surrogate family through her friends. It contributed greatly to who she was and how she turned out the way she did.
•Con: The alcohol and drug use would not have bothered me so much, if Jules did not directly question her predisposition to addiction given that she was the product of an addict. Garner's treatment of that issue was a little too cavalier for me, and all the drug use seemed wholly unnecessary for the story.
•Pro: Garner didn't hide Jules' mom's flaws, however, she did help me understand why she was the way she was, and sort of let her redeem herself in her own way. I feel like she grew along with Jules over the course of the story, and I was really pleased with the ending Garner gave to each of them.
•Pro: That cameo!!!! I think I squealed there towards the end when an old friend made an appearance. Well done, Ms. Garner.
•Pro: At its heart, this is a story of family and what makes a family. I really enjoyed the exploration of all the different "familial" relationships Jules had, and how they all contributed to the woman she became.
Overall: A beautiful and emotional story that examines intricacies of families and friendships and how they mold and shape us.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2018
Now that is what I call character development!
At the beginning of this book we meet Jules, a naive, anxious and painfully self aware senior in high school. After a life of not terrible but not warm and fuzzy family dynamics with her distant young mother she discovers that for almost two years she was in foster care with a loving family that wished to adopt her. This discovery leads to her finding her long lost brother and his family and growing into the role she always wanted. Sounds lovely and fluffy right?
What I love about Paula Garner’s stories is that she has the basic plot line of a wonderfully cute Ya contemporary and spins it around to make it realistic. When Jules develops feelings for her long lost adoptive brother is not only complicates things but it brings the wonderful family dynamic she yearns for to a crashing halt. Jules’ voice changes from a somewhat irritating juvenile voice to one that finally seems to grasp the reality of her life. I love that this story goes down the road you don’t necessarily want it to go down and that it gets into the nitty gritty of friendship, relationships and family. It’s not easy and pretty and things get tricky and awkward. I love that she includes the uncomfortable situations that we have all experienced and dwell on but really help develop you mentally. This isn’t exactly the type of story you are dying to get back to (that sounds harsher than I intend) it’s important and it sucks you in to Jules’ headspace so well. You put it down and really think about life and I think that’s what makes for a great story.
At the beginning of this book we meet Jules, a naive, anxious and painfully self aware senior in high school. After a life of not terrible but not warm and fuzzy family dynamics with her distant young mother she discovers that for almost two years she was in foster care with a loving family that wished to adopt her. This discovery leads to her finding her long lost brother and his family and growing into the role she always wanted. Sounds lovely and fluffy right?
What I love about Paula Garner’s stories is that she has the basic plot line of a wonderfully cute Ya contemporary and spins it around to make it realistic. When Jules develops feelings for her long lost adoptive brother is not only complicates things but it brings the wonderful family dynamic she yearns for to a crashing halt. Jules’ voice changes from a somewhat irritating juvenile voice to one that finally seems to grasp the reality of her life. I love that this story goes down the road you don’t necessarily want it to go down and that it gets into the nitty gritty of friendship, relationships and family. It’s not easy and pretty and things get tricky and awkward. I love that she includes the uncomfortable situations that we have all experienced and dwell on but really help develop you mentally. This isn’t exactly the type of story you are dying to get back to (that sounds harsher than I intend) it’s important and it sucks you in to Jules’ headspace so well. You put it down and really think about life and I think that’s what makes for a great story.
March 31, 2018
*Thank you to LibraryThing for a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
I actually did enjoy reading this book quite a bit, but I enjoyed the family aspect much more than the romance part, which felt a little weird to me. I know it's supposed to be a main part of the book, but I felt like it was a little rushed - as in she went from being nostalgic to being completely "in love" with him the next.
I did really like the development of the relationship between Jules and her mother, and I liked the friendship subplot as well, though honestly, I didn't like Leila at all. She kept saying she wasn't judging by oh my god. SHE WAS, and it annoyed the crap out of me.
I actually did enjoy reading this book quite a bit, but I enjoyed the family aspect much more than the romance part, which felt a little weird to me. I know it's supposed to be a main part of the book, but I felt like it was a little rushed - as in she went from being nostalgic to being completely "in love" with him the next.
I did really like the development of the relationship between Jules and her mother, and I liked the friendship subplot as well, though honestly, I didn't like Leila at all. She kept saying she wasn't judging by oh my god. SHE WAS, and it annoyed the crap out of me.
April 9, 2018
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
When I received this book I didn’t have any idea what this is going to be about, and secretly I was hoping it to be a good YA, I was literally craving for a good YA and Yes it was, It is the sweetest YA I’ve read.
Jules, while searching for her childhood photo for her yearbook found it she had a foster family for 19th months when she was two her mom got her book, she was shocked as well as curious to get to know about her foster family, She and her mother got a complicated relationship so she couldn’t ask her. She found her foster-brother on social media and contacted him and meet her foster family which turned out to be a lovely family but Jules is struggling, she doesn’t know how to behave around her foster brother who turns out really cute and loved her as his real sister and due to her stupidity she made all the situation a big mess for luke.
The story was really different from other YA, It was really sweet and family oriented and really emotional. All the characters were well focused and different having own nature and stories, I liked all of them everyone got their own history and how Jules naivety changed their lives.
Jules, who is obsessed with food is not no doubt a really good friend, her life rotate around her friends, she is never been centre of anyone’s attention so it was overwhelming for her when she found a whole family who loved her too much, she is struggling to figure out her emotions for her newly found family.
Luke(Duke), He is more than happy when he found his long-lost foster-sister, he loved her so much since their childhood.
Jules real mother got a complicated history and after half of the book, I started to feel for her.
Mima and Buddy are the sweetest creatures.
Leila and Gab are friendship goals, they are always there for each other whatever the situation is despite their differences.
If you are a family-oriented story’s fan then this book is obviously for you.
I can’t believe it I am really giving 5 stars to a YA/Contemporary 😁
When I received this book I didn’t have any idea what this is going to be about, and secretly I was hoping it to be a good YA, I was literally craving for a good YA and Yes it was, It is the sweetest YA I’ve read.
Jules, while searching for her childhood photo for her yearbook found it she had a foster family for 19th months when she was two her mom got her book, she was shocked as well as curious to get to know about her foster family, She and her mother got a complicated relationship so she couldn’t ask her. She found her foster-brother on social media and contacted him and meet her foster family which turned out to be a lovely family but Jules is struggling, she doesn’t know how to behave around her foster brother who turns out really cute and loved her as his real sister and due to her stupidity she made all the situation a big mess for luke.
The story was really different from other YA, It was really sweet and family oriented and really emotional. All the characters were well focused and different having own nature and stories, I liked all of them everyone got their own history and how Jules naivety changed their lives.
Jules, who is obsessed with food is not no doubt a really good friend, her life rotate around her friends, she is never been centre of anyone’s attention so it was overwhelming for her when she found a whole family who loved her too much, she is struggling to figure out her emotions for her newly found family.
Luke(Duke), He is more than happy when he found his long-lost foster-sister, he loved her so much since their childhood.
Jules real mother got a complicated history and after half of the book, I started to feel for her.
Mima and Buddy are the sweetest creatures.
Leila and Gab are friendship goals, they are always there for each other whatever the situation is despite their differences.
If you are a family-oriented story’s fan then this book is obviously for you.
I can’t believe it I am really giving 5 stars to a YA/Contemporary 😁
May 7, 2025
"'It just..." He shook his head. 'It seems so unfair. To you, I mean. You had so much love... I wish you had the memory of how much we loved you.'
My chest flooded with warmth. "I don't have to remember it to know it,' I told him. 'I feel it.'"
If it weren't for the slightly awkward/gross semi-romance between adopted brother and sister, this book would have been perfect.
Jules knows next to nothing about her early life. No baby pictures line the wall of her tiny house, and no memories come back when trying to talk with her mother about her early childhood. So when she is tasked with trying to find a baby picture for the school yearbook, she draws a blank... until she finds the box in the closet. To her surprise and horror, she spent nearly the first two years of her life in foster care with a family who wanted to adopt her. Feeling betrayed by her mother for keeping that secret for all those years, Jules goes out in search of her other family, the one that shaped the early part of her life. Those feelings become all the more confusing when she starts to fall hard for her foster brother, who's extremely happy to see his former foster sister again. In this raw and poignant novel, Paula Garner shows us that the true meaning of family can sometimes be in the unlikeliest places.
What a lovely read! I'm not usually one to go for hard-hitting contemporaries, but this one was extremely touching! Jules was a very likable character, and the author explores all of the different emotions she's facing as she's discovering and learning about the early part of her life in a very believable way.
Where the author really hits the high points in this novel were the relationships Jules has with her friends and her foster brother. Jules friends Leila, Gabi, and Eli were amazing in their own unique way. The chemistry and easygoing warmth between them was very realistic and natural, and the fact that they actually freakin' communicated with each other was something that's extremely rare in the YA contemporary world. There was some competition and jealousy between them, but instead of annoying me, it felt natural and representative of normal teenage friend groups.
And Luke... I want him to adopt me as his little sister. He was pretty much the best big brother/older sibling I'd read about in a long time. He was so open, warm, and accepting of Jules- as was his entire family. You could practically feel the love they had for her radiate from the pages, and some part of your heart will wish that they would have been able to adopt her as their own. Which made the plot point of Jules having a crush on her brother kind of a buzzkill. It didn't add anything to the plot that was monumental, and the story would have been just fine without it, if not better. If the story had just focused on the struggle of Jules finding out and building a relationship with her former foster family, this book would have been near perfect.
A bittersweet story of family, friends, and finding where you belong.
My chest flooded with warmth. "I don't have to remember it to know it,' I told him. 'I feel it.'"
If it weren't for the slightly awkward/gross semi-romance between adopted brother and sister, this book would have been perfect.
Jules knows next to nothing about her early life. No baby pictures line the wall of her tiny house, and no memories come back when trying to talk with her mother about her early childhood. So when she is tasked with trying to find a baby picture for the school yearbook, she draws a blank... until she finds the box in the closet. To her surprise and horror, she spent nearly the first two years of her life in foster care with a family who wanted to adopt her. Feeling betrayed by her mother for keeping that secret for all those years, Jules goes out in search of her other family, the one that shaped the early part of her life. Those feelings become all the more confusing when she starts to fall hard for her foster brother, who's extremely happy to see his former foster sister again. In this raw and poignant novel, Paula Garner shows us that the true meaning of family can sometimes be in the unlikeliest places.
What a lovely read! I'm not usually one to go for hard-hitting contemporaries, but this one was extremely touching! Jules was a very likable character, and the author explores all of the different emotions she's facing as she's discovering and learning about the early part of her life in a very believable way.
Where the author really hits the high points in this novel were the relationships Jules has with her friends and her foster brother. Jules friends Leila, Gabi, and Eli were amazing in their own unique way. The chemistry and easygoing warmth between them was very realistic and natural, and the fact that they actually freakin' communicated with each other was something that's extremely rare in the YA contemporary world. There was some competition and jealousy between them, but instead of annoying me, it felt natural and representative of normal teenage friend groups.
And Luke... I want him to adopt me as his little sister. He was pretty much the best big brother/older sibling I'd read about in a long time. He was so open, warm, and accepting of Jules- as was his entire family. You could practically feel the love they had for her radiate from the pages, and some part of your heart will wish that they would have been able to adopt her as their own. Which made the plot point of Jules having a crush on her brother kind of a buzzkill. It didn't add anything to the plot that was monumental, and the story would have been just fine without it, if not better. If the story had just focused on the struggle of Jules finding out and building a relationship with her former foster family, this book would have been near perfect.
A bittersweet story of family, friends, and finding where you belong.
February 2, 2018
RELATIVE STRANGERS is a gorgeous meditation on the complicated nature of family and how we’re shaped by our past, our memories, loss, and love. When Jules makes an unexpected discovery about her early life, she goes on a painful, but ultimately rewarding journey of self-discovery. Her character felt so achingly real, as did her mistakes. Oh god, she made some TERRIBLE decisions, but I TOTALLY UNDERSTOOD WHY, you know?? This book is full of very true, very emotional moments - the revelations Jules fumbles toward are real and rewarding, and her relationships (with her mother, with her former foster family, with her friends) are all part of a nuanced portrait of a girl-on-the-edge-of-adulthood grappling with difficult questions about her self and the world. BONUS: there are chocolate croissants, men in kilts, rat obituaries, old buttons, and inappropriate kisses.
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April 28, 2018DNF @15% unrated
I’m sad to say I couldn get into this and just couldn’t push on.
I’m sad to say I couldn get into this and just couldn’t push on.
March 29, 2018
I don't know what I was expecting from this book. I was expecting to love it, but I know I wasn't expecting to be sobbing a very high percentage of the time it took me to read it. I made a mistake taking the book with me when I knew I was going to wait around for a bit. And I achieved a kinda weird goal: To be reading a book & sobbing publicly.
Because this book...well it gutted me. In ways her debut, Phantom Limbs didn't. Phantom Limbs made me cry, but Relative Strangers made me bawl like a starving infant pretty much through the entire book. I found myself relating to Jules and I honestly wasn't expecting that. I was expecting to like her, but relate to her? Nah
But I felt like I was hit with a Mac truck when I realized that I, too have gaps in my family. I mean, I always knew I did, but to feel it slap me in the face like that was startling. I actually have a bit more family than Jules did and I was never in foster care, but like Jules, my father and his side of the family are still a giant mystery to me. Unlike Jules, my mom and I have a great relationship, but I sometimes wonder if it's hard for her to look at me because I look so much like my father...er...sperm donor sounds more accurate.
Like Jules' mother, Abby, my own mom had addiction problems and she too stopped when she found out I was on the way. See, a lot of similarities between my mom & I and Jules and Abby.
Jules had some great friends to turn to when things blow up between her and her mom. Eli, her out and proud co-worker who was also a rat owner. I swear, every time the rats came up, I shivered. I don't generally mind rats, but when you're eleven and see a decapitated rat behind your refrigerator, that sticks with you. My heart broke when I learned that his mother had died when he was little. I couldn't imagine losing my mom.
Jules also had Gab, a fierce friend and who she had gone to many Jewish celebrations with, including Gab's bat mitzvah. They had been friends since they were both six years old. Gab was more of a risk taker than Jules and definitely more than the third member of the trio.
She also had Leila, the aformentioned third member of the trio. Leila was aggravatingly judgy, especially towards Gab, but we do learn something about the complex nature of their friendship that makes it harder to judge.
Both Gab & Leila had a "normal" family and Jules was often jealous of that. I understood that. Even though my mom and I have always been close, I wanted something a bit more normal too.
As much as I loved the complexity of the relationship between Jules and her mom, what really broke me was the Margolis clan. They really loved her and more than anything, they wanted to add her to their family. Tiny Jules called Mrs. Margolis, Mima, close to Mama, but not quite Mama and Mr. Margolis was called Buddy. And Luke, their son, Jules called him Duke.
Every time I read about how much they had loved Jules, I sobbed. I couldn't help but think about my dad's family. If they had thought about me as much as the Margolises had thought about Jules. If they missed me at all. I felt things, a lot of things the first time Jules met Mima. Ugh, I cannot believe how beautiful this moment was. They had saved home videos of Jules from the year and a half she lived with them and I sobbed through that part too.
Told you I cried a LOT.
They had so many beautiful memories of Jules when she was little and it just broke my heart. While I know I was supposed to be glad Jules's mother had gotten herself together and had gotten Jules back, my heart was shattered beyond recognition at the realization that she had also been loved by the Margolises. And then, all that did was make me wonder some more about my dad's family. I've met some of them as an adult, but the entire time I was reading this book, I wondered if I had written them off too soon because I wanted to remain loyal to my mom.
The thing with Luke was weird. He had grown up in a "normal" family and had always considered Jules a sister. That's why, when things go too far between them, everything is just decimated. Jules blurred the lines between family & something more. Probably because things between her and her mom were always blurry.
Final thoughts: Read this book if you like stories with complex characters, and examples of different types of families.
Because this book...well it gutted me. In ways her debut, Phantom Limbs didn't. Phantom Limbs made me cry, but Relative Strangers made me bawl like a starving infant pretty much through the entire book. I found myself relating to Jules and I honestly wasn't expecting that. I was expecting to like her, but relate to her? Nah
But I felt like I was hit with a Mac truck when I realized that I, too have gaps in my family. I mean, I always knew I did, but to feel it slap me in the face like that was startling. I actually have a bit more family than Jules did and I was never in foster care, but like Jules, my father and his side of the family are still a giant mystery to me. Unlike Jules, my mom and I have a great relationship, but I sometimes wonder if it's hard for her to look at me because I look so much like my father...er...sperm donor sounds more accurate.
Like Jules' mother, Abby, my own mom had addiction problems and she too stopped when she found out I was on the way. See, a lot of similarities between my mom & I and Jules and Abby.
Jules had some great friends to turn to when things blow up between her and her mom. Eli, her out and proud co-worker who was also a rat owner. I swear, every time the rats came up, I shivered. I don't generally mind rats, but when you're eleven and see a decapitated rat behind your refrigerator, that sticks with you. My heart broke when I learned that his mother had died when he was little. I couldn't imagine losing my mom.
Jules also had Gab, a fierce friend and who she had gone to many Jewish celebrations with, including Gab's bat mitzvah. They had been friends since they were both six years old. Gab was more of a risk taker than Jules and definitely more than the third member of the trio.
She also had Leila, the aformentioned third member of the trio. Leila was aggravatingly judgy, especially towards Gab, but we do learn something about the complex nature of their friendship that makes it harder to judge.
Both Gab & Leila had a "normal" family and Jules was often jealous of that. I understood that. Even though my mom and I have always been close, I wanted something a bit more normal too.
As much as I loved the complexity of the relationship between Jules and her mom, what really broke me was the Margolis clan. They really loved her and more than anything, they wanted to add her to their family. Tiny Jules called Mrs. Margolis, Mima, close to Mama, but not quite Mama and Mr. Margolis was called Buddy. And Luke, their son, Jules called him Duke.
Every time I read about how much they had loved Jules, I sobbed. I couldn't help but think about my dad's family. If they had thought about me as much as the Margolises had thought about Jules. If they missed me at all. I felt things, a lot of things the first time Jules met Mima. Ugh, I cannot believe how beautiful this moment was. They had saved home videos of Jules from the year and a half she lived with them and I sobbed through that part too.
Told you I cried a LOT.
They had so many beautiful memories of Jules when she was little and it just broke my heart. While I know I was supposed to be glad Jules's mother had gotten herself together and had gotten Jules back, my heart was shattered beyond recognition at the realization that she had also been loved by the Margolises. And then, all that did was make me wonder some more about my dad's family. I've met some of them as an adult, but the entire time I was reading this book, I wondered if I had written them off too soon because I wanted to remain loyal to my mom.
The thing with Luke was weird. He had grown up in a "normal" family and had always considered Jules a sister. That's why, when things go too far between them, everything is just decimated. Jules blurred the lines between family & something more. Probably because things between her and her mom were always blurry.
Final thoughts: Read this book if you like stories with complex characters, and examples of different types of families.
April 21, 2018
This book totally took me by surprise.
To be honest, I had tried to read it a few weeks before but I just couldn't get into it. After checking out some other reviews, I figured it was just me and shelved it for a short bit-promising myself I would try again later. A couple weeks later, I picked the book back up and gave it another go. I loved it.
Relative Strangers is one of those books that allows you to so easily fall in love with the characters and become completely immersed in an interesting story. Jules, her friends, her family(s)... every character is interesting in their own right and has their own special quirks.
Even though the situation Jules finds herself in is beyond complex, you can't help but want her to find that sense of belonging and love. And while Jules' mother is rather disappointing in so many moments but my heart truly felt for her because she felt so authentic. As for Luke, I get Jules' feelings - one moment I adored him and in the next... well, no spoilers.
I really loved this book and could not put it down. I breezed through this fun, often-times emotional, exciting read in just a day. Loved it.
To be honest, I had tried to read it a few weeks before but I just couldn't get into it. After checking out some other reviews, I figured it was just me and shelved it for a short bit-promising myself I would try again later. A couple weeks later, I picked the book back up and gave it another go. I loved it.
Relative Strangers is one of those books that allows you to so easily fall in love with the characters and become completely immersed in an interesting story. Jules, her friends, her family(s)... every character is interesting in their own right and has their own special quirks.
Even though the situation Jules finds herself in is beyond complex, you can't help but want her to find that sense of belonging and love. And while Jules' mother is rather disappointing in so many moments but my heart truly felt for her because she felt so authentic. As for Luke, I get Jules' feelings - one moment I adored him and in the next... well, no spoilers.
I really loved this book and could not put it down. I breezed through this fun, often-times emotional, exciting read in just a day. Loved it.
December 20, 2024
The ending was the only reason this book received two stars.
Throughout the book, Jules remained stagnant. The plot felt repetitive and contrived. Jules is stubborn and obstinate, and she refuses to try to think about others emotions, putting herself before them, even when she knows she shouldn’t. Example? When she kissed Luke, and he rejected her. Leila goes to comfort her, and mentions that she might want to try to picture it from Luke’s point of view, and she flips out.
Jule’s relationship with Luke was weird. They were adopted siblings for a year, then Jule’s birth mom took her back, and years later, she found Luke and fell in love with him. She’s jealous and possessive over him, and frequently daydreams about him. I felt uncomfortable for Luke, even though he was clueless and I didn’t like him that much.
In the end, Jules basically gives up her relationship with Luke, which is for the best. She accepts the fact that they’ll only ever have a familial relationship, and takes steps to preserve that relationship with him. It wraps up nicely.
Would I recommend this book? No. But I’m not you. If you want to read this book, do it. Ignore me. Don’t let me negatively influence your opinion of this book. Have fun reading, fellow book nerds.
Throughout the book, Jules remained stagnant. The plot felt repetitive and contrived. Jules is stubborn and obstinate, and she refuses to try to think about others emotions, putting herself before them, even when she knows she shouldn’t. Example? When she kissed Luke, and he rejected her. Leila goes to comfort her, and mentions that she might want to try to picture it from Luke’s point of view, and she flips out.
Jule’s relationship with Luke was weird. They were adopted siblings for a year, then Jule’s birth mom took her back, and years later, she found Luke and fell in love with him. She’s jealous and possessive over him, and frequently daydreams about him. I felt uncomfortable for Luke, even though he was clueless and I didn’t like him that much.
In the end, Jules basically gives up her relationship with Luke, which is for the best. She accepts the fact that they’ll only ever have a familial relationship, and takes steps to preserve that relationship with him. It wraps up nicely.
Would I recommend this book? No. But I’m not you. If you want to read this book, do it. Ignore me. Don’t let me negatively influence your opinion of this book. Have fun reading, fellow book nerds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2018
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of RELATIVE STRANGERS in exchange for my honest review.***
Paula Garner is one of those writers whose realistic young adult fiction is guaranteed to be unique, brave and worthy of multiple reads, so I was excited to score an ARC of RELATIVE STRANGERS.
Jules’ honest, heart-felt narration had me following her quest for answers from page one. Always on the outs, she partially resented her single mom for not giving her the life like her best friends’. Jules’ mom was short on details, so when Jules discovered she spent two years in foster care, she wants more. Her quest for answers gives her more than she ever expected. Her doting older brother Luke never got over losing the sister he hoped his family would adopt. Then Jules’ feelings become more complicated and soon she questions all her relationships.
Without giving away spoilers, I was certain RELATIVE STRANGERS would be a five star read, but the plot lost some of its steam after a Big Event and fizzled some as the pace slowed. The themes of family, friendship and coming of age resounded strongly throughout the pages. I can’t wait to see what Garner writes next.
Paula Garner is one of those writers whose realistic young adult fiction is guaranteed to be unique, brave and worthy of multiple reads, so I was excited to score an ARC of RELATIVE STRANGERS.
Jules’ honest, heart-felt narration had me following her quest for answers from page one. Always on the outs, she partially resented her single mom for not giving her the life like her best friends’. Jules’ mom was short on details, so when Jules discovered she spent two years in foster care, she wants more. Her quest for answers gives her more than she ever expected. Her doting older brother Luke never got over losing the sister he hoped his family would adopt. Then Jules’ feelings become more complicated and soon she questions all her relationships.
Without giving away spoilers, I was certain RELATIVE STRANGERS would be a five star read, but the plot lost some of its steam after a Big Event and fizzled some as the pace slowed. The themes of family, friendship and coming of age resounded strongly throughout the pages. I can’t wait to see what Garner writes next.
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December 20, 2017my review for this book will be in the February issue of School Library Journal Magazine
March 29, 2018
I received this book from NetGalley and Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.
Relative Strangers is an amazing coming of age tale that tackles all the feelings that come with trying to figure out who you are, where you fit in, and unrequited love. Garner tackles important topics like alcoholism, addiction, loss of a parent, sexuality, and abandonment issues. It is a big challenge to stuff that many topics and issues into one book and Garner does it with finesse and grace; and most importantly not leaving any loose ends.
The whole story happens within the course of Jules’ senior year of high school. She discovers something about her past that her mother has kept a secret from her for her entire life. Through detective work, support from her friends, and Facebook, she finds the one person that might be can tell her everything that is missing from her history. Jules’ embarks on a quest to find herself, her past, and her way back to reconnecting emotionally with her mother.
Not only does Paula Garner write such a wonderful story but she creates characters that suck you into the intricate weavings of the story. You feel like you’re one of the girls. I felt like Jules, Gab, and Leila were some of my closest friends. I laughed with them, cried with them, and I cheered for them. One thing I often find difficult when you have so many characters is how to make them grow as the book goes on. Garner did this without making it feel forced. Each of the characters grew in their own way as they took on the rights of passage set in their paths.
Relative Strangers is a story that I think all people will be able to relate to in one way or another. I also think that it’s a great book for teens to read that teaches about appreciating and enjoying the relationships you have with the people around you. Garner kept the emotional twists coming, the pages turning, and the tears flowing well into the night. I highly recommend checking out this book if you’re into Contemporary Coming of Age stories.
Relative Strangers is an amazing coming of age tale that tackles all the feelings that come with trying to figure out who you are, where you fit in, and unrequited love. Garner tackles important topics like alcoholism, addiction, loss of a parent, sexuality, and abandonment issues. It is a big challenge to stuff that many topics and issues into one book and Garner does it with finesse and grace; and most importantly not leaving any loose ends.
The whole story happens within the course of Jules’ senior year of high school. She discovers something about her past that her mother has kept a secret from her for her entire life. Through detective work, support from her friends, and Facebook, she finds the one person that might be can tell her everything that is missing from her history. Jules’ embarks on a quest to find herself, her past, and her way back to reconnecting emotionally with her mother.
Not only does Paula Garner write such a wonderful story but she creates characters that suck you into the intricate weavings of the story. You feel like you’re one of the girls. I felt like Jules, Gab, and Leila were some of my closest friends. I laughed with them, cried with them, and I cheered for them. One thing I often find difficult when you have so many characters is how to make them grow as the book goes on. Garner did this without making it feel forced. Each of the characters grew in their own way as they took on the rights of passage set in their paths.
Relative Strangers is a story that I think all people will be able to relate to in one way or another. I also think that it’s a great book for teens to read that teaches about appreciating and enjoying the relationships you have with the people around you. Garner kept the emotional twists coming, the pages turning, and the tears flowing well into the night. I highly recommend checking out this book if you’re into Contemporary Coming of Age stories.
August 7, 2018
Garner, Paula Relative Strangers, 360 pages. Candlewick Press, 2018. $18. Content: Language: R (41 swears; 50 “f”) ; Mature Content: R; Violence: G.
Jules asks her mother for a baby picture for her senior yearbook, but is confused by the lack of baby pictures. She decides to snoop and discovers that when she was a baby for a year and a half she was in foster care because her mom was an alcoholic. The family who cared for Jules loved her and wanted to adopt her, but Jules mother cleaned herself up and since Jules was a baby never told her she was in foster care. Jules decides she wants to connect to the family who cared for her and in the process she falls for her foster brother Luke.
I hated this book. If I had to describe it in one word it would be-yuck. The overall premise was super frustrating because Jules couldn’t see how courageous her mother had to be to overcome addiction to raise her, instead Jules wanted a family who knew her for a short time when she was a baby. Jules spent most of the book comparing her life to everyone else’s -at one point she calls herself a “chronic malcontent” and that is an understatement. Then she obsessively crushes on her foster brother who sees her as a sister which is just awkward and weird and she has zero self control so she kisses him. Also Jules’ best friends talk Jules into drinking and smoking pot when they know both of her parents struggled with addiction (Jules father actually died from an overdose). I could go on and on, but story line wise that’s what I didn’t like about this book. The other half of my dislike is the content which is out of context overuse of the ‘f’ word; underage drinking and drug use; technical and descriptive explanations about sex and penises. And my very least favorite part of the whole book is an explanation of young kids exploring each other’s bodies which was just yuck. Hard pass on this book.
HS – NOT RECOMMENDED. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Jules asks her mother for a baby picture for her senior yearbook, but is confused by the lack of baby pictures. She decides to snoop and discovers that when she was a baby for a year and a half she was in foster care because her mom was an alcoholic. The family who cared for Jules loved her and wanted to adopt her, but Jules mother cleaned herself up and since Jules was a baby never told her she was in foster care. Jules decides she wants to connect to the family who cared for her and in the process she falls for her foster brother Luke.
I hated this book. If I had to describe it in one word it would be-yuck. The overall premise was super frustrating because Jules couldn’t see how courageous her mother had to be to overcome addiction to raise her, instead Jules wanted a family who knew her for a short time when she was a baby. Jules spent most of the book comparing her life to everyone else’s -at one point she calls herself a “chronic malcontent” and that is an understatement. Then she obsessively crushes on her foster brother who sees her as a sister which is just awkward and weird and she has zero self control so she kisses him. Also Jules’ best friends talk Jules into drinking and smoking pot when they know both of her parents struggled with addiction (Jules father actually died from an overdose). I could go on and on, but story line wise that’s what I didn’t like about this book. The other half of my dislike is the content which is out of context overuse of the ‘f’ word; underage drinking and drug use; technical and descriptive explanations about sex and penises. And my very least favorite part of the whole book is an explanation of young kids exploring each other’s bodies which was just yuck. Hard pass on this book.
HS – NOT RECOMMENDED. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
October 14, 2024
I was prepared to rag on this book, because I already have to my sisters, but having sat with it for a minute I have come to understand it a bit better and find more appreciation for it. I was prepared and excited for a found family, sweet brother-sister relationship story and was instead met with a constant barrage of weird "he's my foster brother I can't fall in love with him" "oh my god I want to kiss his soft lips" as he is talking about how much he missed her and how he changed her diapers BECAUSE THEY KNEW EACH OTHER AS CHILDREN! She doesn't remember, so I'm giving her a pass on the weirdness, but it was just so annoying to lose what could have been a great book. But honestly, I didn't like Luke's character. All we see is how great he is, like literally nothing else, so I barely feel like I know him. I thought he was also into Jules for a second because of how he was acting, so when he was disgusted I was a bit shocked. I understand why the situation went awry for her as she's meeting this cute boy who is giving so much love and attention to her, something she is clearly lacking, so of course some feelings are going to develop- especially since she has no past memories of him, so it's not as weird for her as it was for him. I didn't LOVE this book, it was a bit cheesy and too cutesy between Luke and Jules, like to tee-hee teasing and stupid jokes that were weirdly flirty but also just cringey...like the food stuff and eating I think went on a bit too long, where she has an obsession with making ramen noodles and it becomes like her and Luke's thing? I just didn't really find it cute or endearing the 10th time it was brought up. I think if they better developed Luke past "super nice, sweet foster brother" and gave him some more depth maybe the whole story would have worked better for me.
3.7/5
3.7/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2018
*This is a free ARC (Advanced Reviewing Copy). All thoughts, however, are my own.*
3.5 stars
What I liked:
-The Jewishness. I bet you a thousand dollars Paula Garner is Jewish. There aren't any observant families but both the main character's best friend's family and her old foster family are Jewish and how the culture is just slipped in there is very nice (also a non-Jew wouldn't have any idea of what even a mezuza is).
-I did like that her mom wasn't blamed for becoming an addict and Jules having to go into foster care, and there wasn't anything of that it would have been better for her to stay in foster care after her mom recovered.
-Eli. I just liked his angsty, slightly annoying self. I also liked how it wasn't really a *big deal* that he's gay. It was just there, along with Jules being straight, part of their lives.
-Also, Gabbie is bi. :D
What I didn't like:
-Jules falling in love with her old foster brother who she doesn't remember. For me personally any kind of 'siblings' falling in love, even just kids who grew up together and considered each other siblings until they hit puberty, is a squick. But I do feel like it was dealt with very well, and I was actually pretty comfortable with how it turned out in the end.
-Inseparable teenage friends. I don't know why, but this trope just annoys me. It seems unrealistic to me. What that says about me... but the truth is they're in high school, they have jobs, they're applying for college-how do they still manage to meet up so often or as often as the book makes it seem? (Okay, it's true that in America there's a two-day weekend and they can drive on it so that probably accounts for it.)
-The very Aesop's fables ending. The last few pages of the book every other paragraph has a clear message or moral and obviously that's annoying. I found it really took my enjoyment away from what otherwise could have been an okay ending.
3.5 stars
What I liked:
-The Jewishness. I bet you a thousand dollars Paula Garner is Jewish. There aren't any observant families but both the main character's best friend's family and her old foster family are Jewish and how the culture is just slipped in there is very nice (also a non-Jew wouldn't have any idea of what even a mezuza is).
-I did like that her mom wasn't blamed for becoming an addict and Jules having to go into foster care, and there wasn't anything of that it would have been better for her to stay in foster care after her mom recovered.
-Eli. I just liked his angsty, slightly annoying self. I also liked how it wasn't really a *big deal* that he's gay. It was just there, along with Jules being straight, part of their lives.
-Also, Gabbie is bi. :D
What I didn't like:
-Jules falling in love with her old foster brother who she doesn't remember. For me personally any kind of 'siblings' falling in love, even just kids who grew up together and considered each other siblings until they hit puberty, is a squick. But I do feel like it was dealt with very well, and I was actually pretty comfortable with how it turned out in the end.
-Inseparable teenage friends. I don't know why, but this trope just annoys me. It seems unrealistic to me. What that says about me... but the truth is they're in high school, they have jobs, they're applying for college-how do they still manage to meet up so often or as often as the book makes it seem? (Okay, it's true that in America there's a two-day weekend and they can drive on it so that probably accounts for it.)
-The very Aesop's fables ending. The last few pages of the book every other paragraph has a clear message or moral and obviously that's annoying. I found it really took my enjoyment away from what otherwise could have been an okay ending.
March 9, 2020
Okay but why does this book make me feel so crappy for whining about the little inconveniences in life? I have a family who love me, friends who I cherish and an amazing man to Marry, but I still get caught up on how expensive things are, the constant cleaning my house needs, my coworkers not respecting me. I really need to try to remember I’m okay and try to find the good in every moment.
And then here is Juls, finding out she was fostered when she was a baby, but it so much more than her resentment for her mother not telling her and her connecting with her former family. It’s about this continual doubt that you fit in no where, that no one really wants you and every little situation that proves that theory right only encourages you anxiety to believe it more.
My favourite part of this story is Juls characters growth, she went from a kid just trying to find out who she really was with a quick fix, to realising that may be a life time journey and she’s okay with that. The friends in her are really well flushed out and I loved how genuine and real it all felt.
There is so much representation and trigger warnings in here that I must warn you - death, foster care, anxiety, LGBTIA+ characters.
And then here is Juls, finding out she was fostered when she was a baby, but it so much more than her resentment for her mother not telling her and her connecting with her former family. It’s about this continual doubt that you fit in no where, that no one really wants you and every little situation that proves that theory right only encourages you anxiety to believe it more.
My favourite part of this story is Juls characters growth, she went from a kid just trying to find out who she really was with a quick fix, to realising that may be a life time journey and she’s okay with that. The friends in her are really well flushed out and I loved how genuine and real it all felt.
There is so much representation and trigger warnings in here that I must warn you - death, foster care, anxiety, LGBTIA+ characters.
October 16, 2020
The author handles a number of very difficult adoption related problems very well.
September 30, 2019
A silly and rather outdated book. I felt the characters were forced and their plot line just didn’t make sense.
March 11, 2018
Relative Strangers is a great story. Jules grows up without a father, has a mom who replaced alcohol addiction with art, so she’s there but unavailable, and finds out during her senior year that she was in foster care for the first two years of her life. It is a great story, but I didn’t enjoy the book. I disliked most everything about Jules, especially the foster brother situation. I didn’t like the mom or the best friends. I think Eli was probably the only character that I did like, and that’s not enough for me to really like a book. I received an Early Reviewers copy of Relative Strangers from LibraryThing.
June 9, 2018
It's been a long time since I have hated a book this bad. If I could give this book one word it would be-yuck! The main character is a selfish, illogical and (as she calls herself at one point) a chronic malcontent. I hated the story line-girl falls for her old foster brother but continues to pretend like she wants to be siblings with him while his mother is dying. I hated the minor characters-her friends talk her into drinking, disregarding her worrry that her parents were both addicts/alcholics. I hated the amount of swearing-the jarring use of the 'f' word which usually didn't even work contextually. The amount of penis discussions and descriptions (including her mother's boyfriend, and a sexual exploration when kids were young-totally inappropriate and just yuck!). Just bad-the whole book. If I wasn't reviewing it for Kiss the Book blog and I hope I can warn people away from this book-I would never have finished it. I would like to scrub my mind clean of this book.
March 13, 2016
This book is incredible. I'll write a longer review closer to pub date!
April 27, 2018
I had a right to find the people who had met my every need when my own mother hadn't.
For years, Jules has accepted that her family is different from most. She never knew her father, and her mother, an ex-addict, is so caught up in her art that she barely gives Jules the attention she craves. Now eighteen, Jules can't wait to graduate and go to college. But it's her graduation - and the specific request that all seniors submit a baby photo for yearbook - that causes her world to unravel. While questioning why she doesn't have many baby photos, Jules learns that for the majority of her first two years of life, she was in foster care. Now she can't stop thinking about her foster family and what could've been if she'd stayed with them. A mission to find them reveals a wonderful, loving family going through their own issues... and a now-adult foster brother who is thrilled that Jules has found them. But even this fragile new family is at risk - the relationship she has with her mother is continuing to fracture, and her not-so-sisterly feelings for her ex-foster brother are threatening to destroy her.
For me, Relative Strangers was one of those books that I went into without any expectations. I saw it at the library and thought that it sounded like an interesting read, and so I checked it out, a completely clean slate. While I thought that the storyline had some potential, I'm left feeling a little meh about the whole thing, so I'm going to give it 2 stars.
Part of this book was exactly what I had expected of it; Jules is struggling with the what-if. She has sort of tolerated, if not accepted, her lot in life. She's spent years wishing that her family was more like those of her friends, close and trusting and all-around more stable. And the fact that in another world, she could've had another family, leaves her confused and caught up in wondering what her past was like, and how her future could've been.
Where were they now? Did they ever think of me? Was I just one in a long stream of foster children?
But, the majority of this book was very different than I would've thought. I wasn't surprised to see Jules meeting and falling in love with her foster family, nor was I surprised to see her struggling to truly connect with her mother. However, a very large part of the book was focused on Jules's friendships. She has her two best friends, Gab and Leila, and while she loves both of them, she often feels as though she's the third wheel. She also has this sorta one-sided friendship with this dark, strange bakery worker, Eli.
But also... I found myself thinking about Luke in... wrong ways. I didn't remember him as a brother enough to disable the mechanism of attraction. Why did he have to be so darling, so sweet, so perfect? It didn't seem reasonable that I should not find him attractive.
And honestly, the romance was not what I expected at all. Of course, Jules develops feelings for her former foster brother, a college student who is excited that she's back in their lives. I didn't like Luke. I know. He was way too peppy and fake for me, and, truthfully, I thought he was very boring for a love interest.
Which brings me to one of the reasons why I'm only giving this book two stars; for a character-driven novel, the characters are pretty boring. Jules had some substance and some growth in her relationships and understanding the people around her. But her supporting cast, from her mother to her foster family and to her friends, are all very dull and uninteresting, at least for me.
The second reason why I wasn't a big fan of Relative Strangers is that the writing felt very cyclical. Jules was this weird combination of extremely self-aware and kinda petty and immature. She would complain about how jealous she was of her friends' families, only to turn around and say that she knew that they had their own problems, too. She'd complain that her two friends were closer to each other than either one was to her, then she'd say that she was glad that they were telling her things they didn't tell each other, and then she'd sort of reprimand them for not sharing with everyone. And, most annoyingly, she blamed her mother for the fact that she didn't have a relationship with her foster family, only to say that she understood why her mother did the things she did. It was tiring and felt like we were just going in circles for 360 pages.
I just feel like Relative Strangers didn't make much out of its potential. I didn't feel connected to the characters or their issues as much as one would expect from a coming-of-age story. It was simply okay, nothing more, nothing less.
March 30, 2018
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Jules has never met her father and lives with her estranged and closed off mother, desperately wishing for a close knit family others take for granted. When she's asked to find a baby picture for her school's senior yearbook, she discovers that there's a very noticeable gap in her baby albums, which leads her to making a shocking discovery. She actually spent the majority of her first two years of life in foster care, which was kept a secret from her until now. The clues she manages to uncover lead her to a loving family who never wanted to give her up and planned on adopting her but, never had the chance to do so. They are overjoyed to see her and their now adult son couldn't have been happier for getting his foster sister back after so many years. But, as she starts to develop feelings for him, she loses sight of what's important and finds herself on the brink of losing everything.
I went into Relative Strangers having a quite vague idea of its premise and not wanting to spoil myself by reading reviews, since I feel like it's just one of those books you better go into without doing so. Which is pretty ironic since I just dedicated a paragraph to explaining the story but, I think I kept it pretty spoiler free since it's just information you're already aware of if you've read the synopsis of the novel! I really enjoyed the story itself and found the idea of it very unique and different from anything I've personally read before. Which is what drew me to it in the first place!
The writing was also great and focused on giving us the best perspective for the story itself, with introspective descriptions that made it easy to get a glimpse into what the characters were feeling. It got a bit repetitive at times though and I have to say that I actually liked the beginning so much more than the ending. It started out being extremely interesting and well thought out, since I just had to keep reading in order to see what would happen next and what action Jules would choose to take after the truth was revealed. It was quite engaging and kind of suspenseful, something you don't really come across that often in Contemporary novels of this nature. Seeing the author's take on such a sensitive topic was definitely thought provoking and I couldn't help but imagine myself in the main character's shoes, while wondering what choices I would've made in her place.
My biggest problem with this novel were the characters themselves. I did like Jules, even though I couldn't really relate to her since sometimes, I didn't really agree with her way of thinking and overall behavior. The rest of the characters were quite inconsequential and didn't really matter to me that much throughout the novel. I sincerely hope that doesn't make me a bad person. Luke was an okay main interest but, didn't really add much to the romance aspect with his personality because he just lacked that certain depth that makes readers ship couples and crust on fictional characters. Their romantic relationship, if there ever was one, was there one minute and then it just wasn't, which was quite frustrating.
There was so much more potential into the story that wasn't taken advantage of, something that became even more obvious with the ending. Even though Luke wasn't my ideal male character, I can't help but admit that I wasn't really satisfied with how things progressed with him and Jules. I feel like he could've been a bit more understanding and determined in helping her navigate through all these new discoveries and figure things out.
Overall, Relative Strangers was a good coming of age story that could've been much better with some slight changes! I loved the beginning but, after the initial shock of the unpredictability surrounding the whole family drama wore off, nothing managed to get me back on my toes and make things interesting again.
Jules has never met her father and lives with her estranged and closed off mother, desperately wishing for a close knit family others take for granted. When she's asked to find a baby picture for her school's senior yearbook, she discovers that there's a very noticeable gap in her baby albums, which leads her to making a shocking discovery. She actually spent the majority of her first two years of life in foster care, which was kept a secret from her until now. The clues she manages to uncover lead her to a loving family who never wanted to give her up and planned on adopting her but, never had the chance to do so. They are overjoyed to see her and their now adult son couldn't have been happier for getting his foster sister back after so many years. But, as she starts to develop feelings for him, she loses sight of what's important and finds herself on the brink of losing everything.
I went into Relative Strangers having a quite vague idea of its premise and not wanting to spoil myself by reading reviews, since I feel like it's just one of those books you better go into without doing so. Which is pretty ironic since I just dedicated a paragraph to explaining the story but, I think I kept it pretty spoiler free since it's just information you're already aware of if you've read the synopsis of the novel! I really enjoyed the story itself and found the idea of it very unique and different from anything I've personally read before. Which is what drew me to it in the first place!
The writing was also great and focused on giving us the best perspective for the story itself, with introspective descriptions that made it easy to get a glimpse into what the characters were feeling. It got a bit repetitive at times though and I have to say that I actually liked the beginning so much more than the ending. It started out being extremely interesting and well thought out, since I just had to keep reading in order to see what would happen next and what action Jules would choose to take after the truth was revealed. It was quite engaging and kind of suspenseful, something you don't really come across that often in Contemporary novels of this nature. Seeing the author's take on such a sensitive topic was definitely thought provoking and I couldn't help but imagine myself in the main character's shoes, while wondering what choices I would've made in her place.
My biggest problem with this novel were the characters themselves. I did like Jules, even though I couldn't really relate to her since sometimes, I didn't really agree with her way of thinking and overall behavior. The rest of the characters were quite inconsequential and didn't really matter to me that much throughout the novel. I sincerely hope that doesn't make me a bad person. Luke was an okay main interest but, didn't really add much to the romance aspect with his personality because he just lacked that certain depth that makes readers ship couples and crust on fictional characters. Their romantic relationship, if there ever was one, was there one minute and then it just wasn't, which was quite frustrating.
There was so much more potential into the story that wasn't taken advantage of, something that became even more obvious with the ending. Even though Luke wasn't my ideal male character, I can't help but admit that I wasn't really satisfied with how things progressed with him and Jules. I feel like he could've been a bit more understanding and determined in helping her navigate through all these new discoveries and figure things out.
Overall, Relative Strangers was a good coming of age story that could've been much better with some slight changes! I loved the beginning but, after the initial shock of the unpredictability surrounding the whole family drama wore off, nothing managed to get me back on my toes and make things interesting again.
March 21, 2018
**Thank you to Candlewick Press and Netgalley for the Relative Strangers Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Lately I've been reading a ton of contemporary books and Relative Strangers was one of the best ones I've read so far!
Everything about the story was captivating and it hit a spot. I cannot say I relate to the situation the main character goes through, but I definitely understands the way she feels.
It's weird to explain!
This book you guys, this book. I was sort of expecting a romance book, but at the same time that felt like the wrong thing to expect from this kind of story.
Okay let me start by saying I loved this story. I truly did and there are not very many books that I like where romance is not the final sort of destination to the story.
What I mean is, for me to really love a story (as weird as it is) romance has to be a huge part of the plot, and even though this one does have a romantic subplot, it is not important to the development of the story until it is and for the wrong reasons.
Okay, I don't think I'm explaining myself as good as I want, but maybe that's okay. Maybe that will spark some interest in you and you will decide to pick up this awesome story when it comes out just to know what the hell I'm talking about.
And that would be awesome.
So let me tell you about Relative Strangers, when I first requested this book, I have to be honest I wasn't totally into the description. I mean it did spark my interest, but I wasn't totally looking forward to getting the book. But once I did and actually started reading it, I was extremely thankful that I actually got to read it.
Relative Strangers follows Jules in her journey of discovering who she is and how some events that happened early in her life have shaped the way her life is now.
What I wasn't expecting of this story is is just how real and honest if felt to me. Not in the sense of how things developed, but in how good Garner was at describing the feelings the character was experiencing.
Man was I impressed. There are not very many books that hit me in the feels, but this book managed to do just that. I just felt the pain and the doubt and pretty much everything Jules was feeling. Maybe I was just in a sad mood or something and that is why I just FELT her pain the way I did.
Thought I would like to believe that is the writing that did such thing to me.
Obviously everything wasn't totally perfect in the story and I do have to point out what I wasn't totally on board with.
The thing that bothered me the most I will say is Jules' foster brother, Luke.
He wasn't bad per say, he was actually an amazing character and super nice to Jules, is just that he had all these memories and all these, brother like feelings for Jules and sometimes he expressed them a little too much and expected Jules to just go with the siblings feelings. But to me he was a little immature and should have been more understanding of the fact that even though he had amazing memories of Jules being his "sister" she had none of that.
Also it was kind of weird for the story to like go THERE, you know, making Jules have feelings for this guy, though I understand why it was done at the same time.
Here is this guy who acts as if you are the center of his universe because he didn't think he'd see you ever again, any young girl (I mean even to an older girl too) would develope feelings that weren't at all acceptable.
So even though that was problematic, it was realistic as hell.
And that is why this story is awesome!
There is all the family drama you would expect, hearts are broken, too many emotions and a conclusion that leaves you with hope and that is just what we all need in life. Hope.
Hope that things will get better, that no matter what there is always a tomorrow.
Lately I've been reading a ton of contemporary books and Relative Strangers was one of the best ones I've read so far!
Everything about the story was captivating and it hit a spot. I cannot say I relate to the situation the main character goes through, but I definitely understands the way she feels.
It's weird to explain!
This book you guys, this book. I was sort of expecting a romance book, but at the same time that felt like the wrong thing to expect from this kind of story.
Okay let me start by saying I loved this story. I truly did and there are not very many books that I like where romance is not the final sort of destination to the story.
What I mean is, for me to really love a story (as weird as it is) romance has to be a huge part of the plot, and even though this one does have a romantic subplot, it is not important to the development of the story until it is and for the wrong reasons.
Okay, I don't think I'm explaining myself as good as I want, but maybe that's okay. Maybe that will spark some interest in you and you will decide to pick up this awesome story when it comes out just to know what the hell I'm talking about.
And that would be awesome.
So let me tell you about Relative Strangers, when I first requested this book, I have to be honest I wasn't totally into the description. I mean it did spark my interest, but I wasn't totally looking forward to getting the book. But once I did and actually started reading it, I was extremely thankful that I actually got to read it.
Relative Strangers follows Jules in her journey of discovering who she is and how some events that happened early in her life have shaped the way her life is now.
What I wasn't expecting of this story is is just how real and honest if felt to me. Not in the sense of how things developed, but in how good Garner was at describing the feelings the character was experiencing.
Man was I impressed. There are not very many books that hit me in the feels, but this book managed to do just that. I just felt the pain and the doubt and pretty much everything Jules was feeling. Maybe I was just in a sad mood or something and that is why I just FELT her pain the way I did.
Thought I would like to believe that is the writing that did such thing to me.
Obviously everything wasn't totally perfect in the story and I do have to point out what I wasn't totally on board with.
The thing that bothered me the most I will say is Jules' foster brother, Luke.
He wasn't bad per say, he was actually an amazing character and super nice to Jules, is just that he had all these memories and all these, brother like feelings for Jules and sometimes he expressed them a little too much and expected Jules to just go with the siblings feelings. But to me he was a little immature and should have been more understanding of the fact that even though he had amazing memories of Jules being his "sister" she had none of that.
Also it was kind of weird for the story to like go THERE, you know, making Jules have feelings for this guy, though I understand why it was done at the same time.
Here is this guy who acts as if you are the center of his universe because he didn't think he'd see you ever again, any young girl (I mean even to an older girl too) would develope feelings that weren't at all acceptable.
So even though that was problematic, it was realistic as hell.
And that is why this story is awesome!
There is all the family drama you would expect, hearts are broken, too many emotions and a conclusion that leaves you with hope and that is just what we all need in life. Hope.
Hope that things will get better, that no matter what there is always a tomorrow.
May 31, 2018
When Jules searches for a baby photo to put in the high school yearbook, the high school senior finds clues to a missing chapter of her life. A photo album, paperwork from a social services agency and a sapphire blue scarf-packed away in an old box- spark Jules’ curiosity. The 18-year-old soon discovers that she was once a foster child. A moving story of family, friendship and betrayal thoughtfully unfolds in RELATIVE STRANGERS by Paula Garner.
The well-crafted novel takes place in a small Chicago suburb. “Not much ever changed in Maplebrook,” where Jules lives with her single mom in a dilapidated, rented ranch house. Jules confesses, “Our house was a thing of sadness, and our dispassionate mother-daughter team wasn’t exactly Disney Channel material.” Sadness pervades the descriptive pages until Jules finds hope in a loving brother from her former foster family.
Jules sets out to locate Luke Margolis --- whose name is neatly stitched into her worn scarf --- after her mom, Abby, admits that she had placed Jules in foster care for 19 months. How does the shocked teen find a long-lost foster brother? On Facebook, of course! The very cute Luke with dark blond hair and hazel eyes is now a college senior and a talented pianist studying in Wisconsin. After several startling messages (i.e. “Please tell me this isn’t a joke. Is this really Jules??”) the two reunite. Author Paula Garner packs her story with emotional drama.
The gripping story soon becomes a serious soap opera as Jules reconnects with the affectionate family who cared for her when her own mother was battling alcohol addiction. The Margolis family warmly welcomes Jules back into their lives at a time when they are struggling with their own heartbreak: Luke’s mom Sarah has cancer. To complicate matters, Jules develops a crush on Luke, her “pseudo-brother.” As I read RELATIVE STRANGERS, I became drained from the drama. Alcoholism, foster care and cancer add up to too many serious topics for one novel.
Yet these themes send meaningful messages to readers: don’t take anyone for granted, and make the best of what you have now. Jules often wonders what it would have been like to be raised by a mom and a dad, but then she realizes there would be “no Luke, no Margolises.” The 18-year-old accepts her situation and sees the positive. Jules believes that “the best things in life always seemed to be doled out in limited portions.” Perhaps that is why she savors food (especially chocolate croissants), adores her BFFs Gab and Leila and relishes her time with Luke. Genuine Jules is a heroine we can all learn from.
Like Jules, most teens have struggled to understand their parents’ actions at one time or another. Author Paula Garner succeeds in giving readers characters they can relate to. Jules’ first person narration is powerful because it is so personal. Her feelings seem genuine, and her quirky friends capture the conflicts of teendom. RELATIVE STRANGERS is a beautifully written, sensitive story to add to your summer reading list.
Reviewed by Juliette G., Teen Board Member
The well-crafted novel takes place in a small Chicago suburb. “Not much ever changed in Maplebrook,” where Jules lives with her single mom in a dilapidated, rented ranch house. Jules confesses, “Our house was a thing of sadness, and our dispassionate mother-daughter team wasn’t exactly Disney Channel material.” Sadness pervades the descriptive pages until Jules finds hope in a loving brother from her former foster family.
Jules sets out to locate Luke Margolis --- whose name is neatly stitched into her worn scarf --- after her mom, Abby, admits that she had placed Jules in foster care for 19 months. How does the shocked teen find a long-lost foster brother? On Facebook, of course! The very cute Luke with dark blond hair and hazel eyes is now a college senior and a talented pianist studying in Wisconsin. After several startling messages (i.e. “Please tell me this isn’t a joke. Is this really Jules??”) the two reunite. Author Paula Garner packs her story with emotional drama.
The gripping story soon becomes a serious soap opera as Jules reconnects with the affectionate family who cared for her when her own mother was battling alcohol addiction. The Margolis family warmly welcomes Jules back into their lives at a time when they are struggling with their own heartbreak: Luke’s mom Sarah has cancer. To complicate matters, Jules develops a crush on Luke, her “pseudo-brother.” As I read RELATIVE STRANGERS, I became drained from the drama. Alcoholism, foster care and cancer add up to too many serious topics for one novel.
Yet these themes send meaningful messages to readers: don’t take anyone for granted, and make the best of what you have now. Jules often wonders what it would have been like to be raised by a mom and a dad, but then she realizes there would be “no Luke, no Margolises.” The 18-year-old accepts her situation and sees the positive. Jules believes that “the best things in life always seemed to be doled out in limited portions.” Perhaps that is why she savors food (especially chocolate croissants), adores her BFFs Gab and Leila and relishes her time with Luke. Genuine Jules is a heroine we can all learn from.
Like Jules, most teens have struggled to understand their parents’ actions at one time or another. Author Paula Garner succeeds in giving readers characters they can relate to. Jules’ first person narration is powerful because it is so personal. Her feelings seem genuine, and her quirky friends capture the conflicts of teendom. RELATIVE STRANGERS is a beautifully written, sensitive story to add to your summer reading list.
Reviewed by Juliette G., Teen Board Member
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