Release Date: June 21, 2018
Cover Design: Wicked by Design
Book Description:
With a history like ours, the meaning of the word family tended to tangle into something unrecognizable. DNA and bloodlines didn’t tie us together, and neither did our last names. Various shades of grey blurred the branches of our twisted family tree.
I wasn’t her brother. They weren’t my parents. Not that it mattered… She was off limits. Portia was my friend. Then my foster sister. And she’d always be the love of my life.
Giveaway:
$15 Amazon Gift Card & Signed Paperback of Family Ties
Buy Links:
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2KeewUc
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2JWoOsA
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07DWG6DBV
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07DWG6DBV
Our Review:
Reviewed by Donna ~ 4 stars
***ARC received for an honest review***
“Never doubt how much I love
you…or how long I will wait for you. My heart is yours to keep.”
Family Ties was a different kind of read from Stephie Walls,
one that I didn’t expect, because once again, I went into this totally blind, I
didn’t even read the synopsis. I love it when a book surprises you and when I
saw where this one was going I was totally invested. This was a beautiful,
emotional read from Stephie Walls, a forbidden love story of sorts when two
foster siblings fall desperately and hopelessly in love. A love born from
friendship and respect, from trust not given freely but earned and from insane
chemistry that once admitted, could no longer be dismissed.
From a young age, Jude and Portia have always had a close
friendship. Portia was the foster kid without any parents and ultimately was
adopted by her foster parents. Jude was the kid with an incredibly sick mother,
who would find himself with the same foster family time and time again when his
mother was out of remission. Living together on and off, these two shared a
close bond, they understood each other, they respected each other’s feelings
and never diminished what they had. When Jude’s mother dies and they find
themselves permanently together that friendship only intensifies. Jude shuts
himself off and the only person that can chink through his emotional armour is,
Portia.
“I was a Band-Aid when he needed
a tourniquet. He was bleeding out, and instead of stopping the loss, I merely
mopped up the pool.”
These two have never had familial feelings, despite what
they might say to try and cover their true emotions. They have no blood ties,
so as far as forbidden goes, there is nothing forbidden about it, however,
their parents see them as siblings and it is this and what others think,
knowing their situation that holds these two back from admitting what they have
both known for years.
“Portia couldn’t grasp that
without her, my nights never ended. The sun never rose. Days without her light
weren’t days worth living.”
Stephie Walls deals with grief in this book and really
brought home those emotions. The character connection was on point and Portia
and Jude firmly imprinted themselves on my heart and soul. Both having come
from totally different backgrounds yet find familiarity in where they end up.
Both bounce of one and other and each buried into the others soul. Their
connection was formidable, born from years and years of friendship, the perfect
foundation for any relationship.
“Our family tree might have
started off with different roots, but over the years our trunks had grown
together until the branches now wove an artistic tapestry of love. It wasn’t
born from DNA or bloodlines, but by choice. And we were all connected by those
family ties.”
This book was beautiful, honest, intense and it was
passionate, both in and out of the bedroom. A different twist to what I have
read before and I couldn’t put it down. The bond between these two was
unbreakable and despite their hesitancy they were only delaying the inevitable.
I loved their foster parents, selfless, compassionate and so full of love,
despite the lack of connected blood running through their children’s veins. Two
people incredibly unlucky to not have their own, but who throw everything into
the relationship they have with Jude and Portia. The love that flowed through
them was palpable. This was a stunning story and was another great read from
Stephie Walls.
About the Author:
Bestselling author, Stephie Walls is a lover of words—the more poetic the better. She lives on the outskirts of Greenville, South Carolina in her own veritable zoo with two dogs, three cats, the Mister, and Magoo (in no preferential order). She would thrive on coffee, books, and Charlie Hunnam if it were possible, but since it’s not, add in some Chinese food or sushi and she’s one happy girl.
Connect with Stephie
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