Review: Becoming the Talbot Sisters by Rachel Linden

Becoming the Talbot Sisters

by Rachel Linden

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 336

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Twin sisters Waverly and Charlie Talbot have drifted far apart as they pursue opposite dreams of stardom and service to the poor. On an astonishing journey across Central Europe, they must come together to face their fears, find their courage and fight for what they love.

Celebrity chef Waverly Ross has built a successful career with her home-entertaining show Simply Perfect. Yet she and her husband, Andrew, have never been able to realize the true desire of Waverly's heart: to become a mother. Meanwhile Waverly's twin sister, Charlie Talbot, buries her bitter disappointment and shattered idealism beneath a life spent serving others as an international aid worked in Budapest, Hungary.

When the beloved aunt who raised them passes away, Waverly and Charlie come together in their grief after living years on separate continents. Struck by a fierce desire to bridge the distance between them, Charlie offers Waverly and her husband the selfless gift of surrogacy.

But soon the sisters find they are each in danger of losing their jobs, seemingly putting their dreams on hold once again. When Waverly shows up unannounced in Budapest with a plan to rescue Simply Perfect, the sisters embark on an adventure across Central Europe that could save them both from occupational hazards. Though the twins haven't had to rely on each other since childhood, an unforeseen dangerous turn in their journey across Europe forces them to stand together to save their careers, the baby, and each other.

Kritters Thoughts:  Waverly and Charlie are twins.  After the death of their parents and graduating from high school, their lives went in two different directions.  Their aunt who raised them has recently passed and her death brings them back together where they vow to keep their relationship intact.  

This book frustrated me so much.  The beginning of the story I was so invested and loved both of these sisters and their reconnection seemed so genuine and real.  I loved what they had going and even loved one of the reasons that was going to keep them together.  And then further along in the book something happened and my believability and enjoyment went downhill.  I won't spoil anything, but just to say at a certain point I went OH NO and was glad I was near the end and could race through it.  I didn't like where the plot went and felt it was a little over the top and just a little too dramatic for my taste - at least when it comes to a good women's fiction book.

All in all, I liked the writing and the characters.  I wouldn't rule out this author, but I would hesitate to read another and would maybe read the synopsis and some reviews before doing so!
Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.