I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
My only complaint was I thought the book was a bit long and could have cut some of the scenes. But the story itself is so good, so heartfelt, and a story that needed to be told about foster care (both good and bad.) I liked the two "sisters" coming to terms with their past, and as with all great books, there were a few surprising twists toward the end. ( )

Wow, where to begin? This book is one of the best novels that I have in awhile! I'm an avid reader and average 2-3 books per week. "When We Were Sisters" follows the complicated lives of Cecilia and Robin who met in foster care, and were able to stay together as they moved through the foster care system. Now grown up with lives of their own, Cecilia is a world renowned singer/songwriter and Robin is married with children and a still photographer with talent that has yet to be pursued. Due to an accident that almost takes her life, Robin and Cecilia reconnect and so their story continues. Emilie Richards did an outstanding job of creating an intriguing plot, complicated and interesting characters and settings that keep the reader entranced. "When We Were Sisters" makes the reader realize that sometimes, blood is not necessarily thicker than water. I definitely recommend this read!

Cecilia and Robin were foster sisters. Robin went on to marry and have children. Cecilia became a singer, who made it big. Cecilia is making a film about foster care and asked Robin to talk about their shared experiences. The two women uncover long buried secrets about their lives when they were in foster care. ( )

I’ve always loved Emilie Richards’ books and this one was no different! Wonderful story about two girls that meet in a foster home and become sisters, one protecting the other throughout their lives. The documentary on foster care gives Robin and Cecilia a chance to go back to all the foster homes they used to live and gives the reader a glimpse into what foster care can be like. Understandably not all foster homes are like the ones portrayed in the book, this gives the reader an idea of what could happen if the foster care system does not have the proper checks and balances in place. Definitely a book I will read again and again! I received this book as a gift from the author, Emilie Richards. ( )

A Recommended Read.

When We Were Sisters by Emilie Richards is a heartrending, poignant and healing novel that highlights both the positive and negative aspects of the foster care system. This riveting story about two foster sisters, Robin Lenhart and Cecelia, is a sensitive and realistic depiction of a system that is oftentimes woefully overburdened and underfunded. And most heartbreaking is the all too real fact that the children who end up in foster care through no fault of their own are the ones who pay the highest price when the system fails to adequately protect them.

Cecelia aka CeCe and Robin grew up together as foster children who are consider themselves sisters of the heart. As adults, their lives took them in very different directions but there is absolutely nothing that can destroy the bond they forged as kids. While CeCe is a wildly famous and popular singer/songwriter, Robin put her career as a photojournalist on hold to stay at home with her two children, Nik and Pet. Although still deeply in love with her lawyer husband Kris, Robin is slowly realizing that everyone she knows seems to be moving on with their lives while hers remains exactly the same. After surviving a car accident that took the life of one of her best friends, Robin accepts CeCe's offer to become the photographer for a documentary about foster care. While it is a difficult yet cathartic journey for both women, will long held secrets and long forgotten memories destroy the lives they have worked so hard to build?

Robin has always found it difficult to give voice to her dissatisfaction but in the aftermath of the car accident, she is much more open and honest about her discontent. She takes full responsibility for letting Kris take advantage of her but she is no longer willing to continue on their current path. His long hours and heavy workload mean little time spent together as a family and Robin is tired of allowing him to put his career first. Kris is not at all happy about her decision to accompany CeCe but Robin refuses to change her mind and their once close marriage slowly begins to crumble under the weight of his anger and inability to see things from her perspective.

CeCe is a strong willed survivor who tackles life on her own terms. She lets nothing and no one stand in her way as she sets about accomplishing her goals. Although she has achieved success beyond her wildest dreams, CeCe is still haunted by the events of her childhood and she hopes that facing her past will finally put her demons to rest. At long last ready to face her worst memories, CeCe jumps headlong into the foster care documentary but as she soon discovers, nothing can prepare them for the sheer terror awaiting them as they confront the horror they experienced at one of the hands of one of their foster families.

CeCe and Robin's reasons for participating in the documentary are quite different yet this decision serves as a catalyst for change in both of their lives. Robin's marriage is in crisis but for the first time, she is finally putting her needs first despite her discomfort. She is also taking an important step once she begins talking about her problems instead of keeping silent. CeCe at long last reveals the darkest parts of herself and her past and although she continues to try to maintain an emotional distance from everyone but Robin, true healing does not begin until she takes a chance on love.

Despite its sometimes dark and gritty subject matter, When We Were Sisters is surprisingly uplifting and hopeful. While Robin and CeCe experienced traumatic life altering events, they also had positive experiences with foster parents and family members who truly loved them. Emilie Richards presents a fair and balanced perspective of both the good and bad elements of the foster care system. A beautifully rendered and impeccably researched story that has a realistic storyline that does not shy away from difficult or sensitive topics, this incredibly moving novel is an emotional and healing journey that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
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