Sasha and Ray live in the same bedroom, but not at the same time. Sasha's dad and Ray's mom were once married. They each remarried and gave birth to Sasha and Ray within a few months of each other. And now these families share a summer house on alternating weeks.
There are three older sisters from the original marriage, who, of course, know both Sasha and Ray. But Sasha and Ray have never met. And then they do.
It's a complicated and compelling relationship. The three older siblings each have distinct personalities that add to the drama. And there are other secrets. And romance. As these dysfunctional parents persist in their refusal to be in the same house with each other, circumstances propel them together with disastrous results.
Brashares, as usual, unwinds this twisted tale, engrossing us in the lives of each character. I was quickly absorbed in the story and found The Whole Thing Together to be a quick and entertaining story.
Published by Delacorte, 2017
Copy obtained from the library
304 pages
Rating: 4/5
Sounds like a clever premise to have "siblings" who don't know each other, but share the same space. Makes me think of leaving notes on a desk in high school for someone in another period even though we didn't know each other.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Brasheres since the first Travelling Pants book. This sounds like one I'd enjoy. I'll have to check it out.
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