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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What Happened to my Sister by Elizabeth Flock- TLC Tour Book



Synopsis of What Happened to My Sister:

Nine-year-old Carrie Parker and her mother, Libby, are making a fresh start in the small town of Hartsville, North Carolina, ready to put their turbulent past behind them. Violence has shattered their family and left Libby nearly unable to cope. And while Carrie once took comfort in her beloved sister, Emma, her mother has now forbidden even the mention of her name.
When Carrie meets Ruth, Honor, and Cricket Chaplin, these three generations of warmhearted women seem to have the loving home Carrie has always dreamed of. But as Carrie and Cricket become fast friends, neither can escape the pull of their families’ secrets—and uncovering the truth will transform the Chaplins and the Parkers forever.


I absolutely loved the author's book, Me and Emma.  Knowing that What Happened to My Sister was the book that would hopefully bring closure to all my questions from the prior read, I was really excited to accept a review copy. I was captivated by the first paragraph because I could hear Carrie's voice and picture her little emaciated face and bruised body. I was ripping through the pages and then all of the sudden the author introduces a new voice into the story and something changed for me. I was a bit upset because I was trying to figure out how this new character and her family would fit into the story.  It wasn't a cohesive pairing whatsoever, and actually it was like hitting a huge bump in the road because it threw my reading mojo off course and influenced my overall reaction to the book. It didn't help either that by mid-point I knew what was going to happen. I don't know how I did, but I just did and it felt so contrived that I was a bit ticked. And of course, it went down exactly as I thought and when I finished the book, I honestly wished I'd never read it, because it came no where close to the powerful and intense read of Me and Emma.

Recommend? You MUST read Me and Emma first...without that prior knowledge I'm not sure that this book will stand on its own.  I didn't hate it, but I sure didn't love it. So I guess you could categorize it as an okay read for ME. Now, plenty of other bloggers and readers have given this one high marks, so please make sure you read some other reviews before deciding whether or not you want to read this book.

Please take the time to visit the other bloggers on this tour and read their thoughts.....


Disclaimer: Thank you to TLC Book Tours for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.



Review Book #25
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

20 comments:

  1. Bummer that this one didn't work out better for you, but I think the introduction of the new voice threw you off if you were so absorbed in the first part of the story.

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  2. I don't think I've ever "hit a bump" in the middle of a book like you did here. It sounds strange and distracting. I appreciate your thoughts, Staci.

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  3. The title practically screams answers to questions will be revealed but not as satisfactorily as you would have liked, huh? I will consider the Me and Emma book.

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  4. Bummer it didn't wrap up for you.....

    I was hoping that there would be a good review on this one... bummer for me... lol :)

    LOVING the new bloggy look too!!!

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  5. Every review I've read of this book mentions a love for Me and Emma. It sounds like I need to get that book!

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  6. Really like your honest approach to this review. It is so distracting when a book seems to change midstream and I can see where you would be ticked. I've never read this author so have no clue about Me and Emma. Will be checking out GR for reviews of that one.

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  7. It is so frustrating when that happens!

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  8. Sorry to hear this one was a disappointment. I would say that maybe Me and Emma didn't need a sequel, but you mention having questions that needed answering.

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  9. Noted, book 1 must be read first

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  10. I didn't know that there was a book before this one.

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  11. I have Me and Emma, on the shelf but unread. Sad that this book didn't tick all the boxes after Me and Emma made such an impression. Maybe the first book should have been longer and tied up all the unanswered questions??

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  12. Oh, sorry to hear this was a letdown after you loved the previous one so much.

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  13. Oh I hate bumps. I never got over the bump in "Breaking Dawn". It ruined the whole series for me.

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  14. Is disappointing when the second book doesn't live up to the first one. I find it very unsettling as well when author's introduce characters into a story that just don't seem to fit. I hope you get a really good read soon!

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  15. So sad this one disappointed you. :( I actually really liked it, but I agree that Me & Emma is the better of the two novels.

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  16. I've been seeing this same reaction from other bloggers. Sometimes it's better not to sequel or follow up.

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  17. Hmmm . . . "absolutely loved" Me and Emma . . . another book on my TBR shelves! Maybe I need to explore that option a little more. :)

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  18. Sorry to hear this didn't live up to your expectations.

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