Publisher's Weekly Review
Pearlman's poignant novel examines the complicated relationship between two sisters (first introduced in The Christmas Cookie Club) going through tumultuous times in their lives. Sky is still recovering from the sudden death of her best friend Mia when her husband Troy falls ill. He succumbs to a staph infection, leaving Sky and their daughter Rachel on their own, struggling to cope with the tragedies. The night before his death, Tara-Sky's sister-promises Troy that she'll take care of Sky. Tara has always felt like an outsider in her family, and uses those feelings of alienation to inform her passion: music. Although her band is on tour, Tara makes time for her sister, and together they embark on a journey from California to Michigan with Tara's band mates never far behind. Pearlman's narrative is executed smartly, with complex social issues (e.g., unemployment) woven in seamlessly. Her main characters are fully developed, and Tara is crafted particularly well. This is a story about love, loss, embracing second chances, and finding courage to move forward in spite of life's most difficult moments. Agent: Peter Miller, PMA Literary & Film Management. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Half sisters Sky and Tara have, at best, a fragile bond. Will it be enough to save them? Pearlman (The Christmas Cookie Club, 2010, etc.) offers another warm tale of sisters rescuing each other. As children, Sky and Tara had a wary relationship. Sky's father died when she was seven, and Tara's father abandoned her. Each jealous of the other--"at least you knew your father" counters "at least your father is alive somewhere"--neither realizes that having each other is enough. That is, not until tragedy strikes. All grown up, Tara has it all. In an interracial relationship with Aaron, her band mate, she has a beloved child, Levy. Their rap band, Special Intent and Li'l Key, is on the road and poised for stardom. She may even have the opportunity to strike out on her own as a solo act. That is, if she is willing to abandon Aaron and accept the rather creepy attentions of King, the music mogul. Sky has it all, too. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Troy, she has a promising job as an attorney. After many miscarriages and stillborn births, Sky and Troy finally have their beloved Rachel. Suddenly, Troy falls ill, and no antibiotics can eradicate the MRSA from his body. Utterly bereft, Sky can barely acknowledge her own daughter, much less her sister. Among the women who swoop in to help her recover are familiar faces from The Christmas Cookie Club: Marnie, Sissy and Allie. The Plan? Send Sky home with Tara's traveling band. This, of course, gives the sisters time to work out their relationship. And after screaming arguments, the near death of another loved one and finally released prejudices, the two begrudgingly learn to trust, love and respect each other. The conflicts here are big--abandonment, grief, race, the unfairness of fate. The healing powers of sisterhood are comforting but, in the end, the resolution is too easy. ]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Themes of belonging and fairness run through this complicated family story. Sky and Tara share the same mother but different fathers. Sky is cautious, dutiful, marrying the perfect man, practicing her dream career as a lawyer, and raising their daughter, Rachel. Music is all Tara cares about until Aaron, a black rapper with a juvenile record, comes along. Tara gets pregnant in high school and runs away with Aaron and his rap crew. About the time Tara and Aaron's music takes off and they are on their way to stardom, Sky's life crashes. Tara attempts to step in and help only to be met with anger and jealousy. The two sisters, along with an interesting collection of other characters, spend the time on the road, and between gigs, trying to understand what it's like to be the other sister and just what love and family mean. This is a fast-paced novel, full of a varied cast of characters. There are no easy answers but lots of soul searching and heart-racing action.--Dickie, Elizabeth Copyright 2010 Booklist
