ShortBookandScribes #BookReview – We Are Family by Louise Walters

We Are Family is independently published by Louise Walters and is available in paperback and eBook. I purchased my own copy directly from Louise via her website and it’s also available on Amazon.

The fifth novel from the critically acclaimed author Louise Walters

Alison looked at Jennifer. How she envied the perfect make-up, the still-quite-fresh skin, the apparent lack of grey hairs, the slim figure unscarred by pregnancy and childbirth; the sophisticated, single existence

Jennifer and Alison go back years, first meeting when teenagers at school. Their friendship has seen its ups, downs, highs, lows, triumphs, and disasters.

The friends are now in their late forties. Alison is happily married to the dull but dependable Malcolm, and they have a teenage son. Jennifer is divorced, well-off, and carefree, and determined to stay that way.

So she astonishes everyone when she announces she is pregnant. Shock turns to delight, and Alison is keen to support her oldest friend. But when she finds out who the father of the baby is, the friendship must face its biggest test.

Jennifer and Alison have been lifelong friends since Jennifer came to Alison’s rescue at school. Since then they’ve had times when they haven’t been in as close contact but their friendship has always endured. Alison has a husband and an 18 year old son, and Jennifer has her dog, and both are happy with their individual situations. The book begins with Jennifer learning she is pregnant, rather a shock at almost 49 years old! For Alison, the real shock is still to come and it tests their longstanding connection.

I really enjoyed the characterisations in this book. It’s very much a character-driven story – there aren’t many of them and all are well-drawn. I felt I could imagine them in my minds-eye incredibly well: Jennifer, a rather glamorous and attractive late 40-something and Alison more frumpy and staid – opposites attract, they say! I particularly liked Malcolm, Alison’s husband, who progressed from being a bit boring to coming out of his shell and standing up for himself.

We Are Family takes us on a journey through the trials and tribulations of life. In a firm friendship like Jennifer and Alison’s, it’s often the case that when one is up, the other is down. Most of the time they are able to support each other, but Alison has more of a mountain to climb in this instance. The storyline is inspired, with a thorny moral dilemma at its heart. Whilst I understood Alison’s feelings, she’s really quite an annoying character compared to the seemingly more blasé Jennifer, but then all is not always what it seems. This book really made me think about how I’d feel in the two women’s shoes.

Ultimately, it’s a warm and uplifting read. There’s a fair amount of dialogue which keeps up the pace, the inner musings are astute and realistic, and the whole thing is well-written. All in all, We Are Family is a very enjoyable read.