When We Were Sisters

Cecilia and Robin first met in foster care when Cecilia and was 13 and Robin was 9 and they became very close and decided that they would be sisters forever. Once grown up Cecilia makes it big as a singer but she never forgets her sister and is godmother to Robins daughter

When Robin has an accident in which she is nearly killed she starts to revaluate her life and so when Cecilia wants her to take part in a project filming foster homes and in particular Cecilia's life in foster homes she wants to take the opportunity to restart her life as a photographer. Her husband Kris is not so keen though it would mean him stepping up to the plate and getting home from work and becoming a parent!

The journey is harrowing for both girls - their life in foster care was mainly unhappy and it was the bond between them that kept them going but are they strong enough to withstand all the long kept secrets that come out, secrets that they even kept from each other.

A great story, very emotional in parts, and one that I couldn't put down until I reached the end - great characters and story showing how they became the people they are today. The story was told in different chapters by Cecilia, Robin and Kris which was great so that you got all of their viewpoints.

Powerful insight into the lives of foster children. Shows that some bonds are thicker than blood.

As the tension builds, the story gets stronger and stronger. Some difficult subjects are tackled through the creation of a documentary. Using three narrators also works well (once you've got used to the different perspectives of Robin, Cecilia and Kris).

I enjoyed reading this book - though it was tough in places, it felt both realistic and emotional.

4.5*