Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Relative Strangers - Paula Garner

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I can't wait for Relative Strangers by Paula Garner!

Relative Strangers
Paula Garner
Series: n/a
Release Date: April 10, 2018
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Waited on by: Sam
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.
I have so much love for Phantom Limbs! This was one of my top 2016 reads, and when I saw we were getting another Paula Garner book, I may have reacted like this:


Relative Stangers sounds like it will deliver a similar type of experience for me. The synopsis eludes to a shocking discovery, joy, and pain. I am also sensing that there may be a delicious amount of drama in this one too. Let's look at what we know:
  • Dad is MIA
  • Mom is self-absorbed and a former addict
  • Jules feels trapped in her dead-end town
  • She discovers she lived with another family when she was a baby
  • She reunites with her foster-brother, and sort of falls for him

All I know is that Garner knows how to craft amazing characters, and I can't wait to meet Jules. 

Are you feeling it? I have already bought into the entire premise of this book, so bring it on!










What are you waiting on?
Let us know in the comments!

32 comments:

  1. Oh hell yes, there's going to be drama in this for sure. Amazing pick, Sam. Note to sel: look up more of Garner's work!

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    1. Her debut was so wonderful. I need to read more of her work.

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  2. This sounds fantastic. I like the sound of Jules' character already. Phantom Limbs is still on my TBR too. Sounds like I need to hurry up and read that one. Great pick this week!

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    1. Phantom Limbs was so beautiful, and I loved Otis so much!

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  3. Oooooh yes I need to get my hands on this book when it comes out. I already want to know everything about this story. I'm super intrigued! :D

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    1. I am dying over here waiting to see if my request will be approved!

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  4. Ooooh, this sounds amazing! Adding to my TBR now!

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    1. If it is even a fraction of as good as Phantom Limbs, it will be wonderful.

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  5. Oh, this book sounds really emotional and touching. Hope you love it when you get to read it!!

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  6. This one sounds great. It sounds like it will have all the emotions in one book. I hope you enjoy it!

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    1. I anticipate a balance of emotions, which are my favorite kinds of books.

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  7. Sounds like there is a lot going on in this one. The cover is so pretty and serene. Hope you love this book as much as Phantom Limbs.

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  8. Oh, stories with crappy parents just break my heart! I hope you enjoy this one, though!

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    1. Bad parents get me fired up, but I love when the kids do ok despite not having that support.

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  9. Yes! This sounds so good, heart breaking, but so good! Nice find Sam!!

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  10. This sounds like a powerful and emotional read, and what a premise! Thanks for putting it on my radar, Sam.

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  11. Tearjerker alert! The cover looks so soft and sweet but there's clearly a lot of tough stuff addressed in this one.

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    1. I am ok with tearjerkers if there is hope in there somewhere.

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  12. Ooh nice! Totally new to me! Hope you positively love it once you read it!

    Here's my WoW

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I hope it is as wonderful as I think it will be.

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  13. Great characters and family secrets sound pretty good! Hope this one is as good as it sounds! Love the GIF too- fun. :)

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    1. I don't know how I lived most of my life without reaction gifs. They are the best!

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  14. Haven't heard of this one, but it sounds good. Great pick!
    Check out my Wednesday Post

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    1. I still think everyone should read Garner's last book, because it was wonderful.

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  15. Sounds appealing to me and I haven't read this author before. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Garner's first novel was ah-mazing! I was over the moon when I saw she had a new book coming out.

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  16. Whoa! This one sounds awesome! Headed straight to GR to add this to my TBR. This is going to be a must-read. So glad you shared this one, Sam!

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    1. Did you read Phantom Limbs? If you want to, message me. I can send you my copy. I loved it!

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