Brooklyn, 1947: in the midst of a blizzard, in a two-family brownstone, two babies are born minutes apart to two women. They are sisters by marriage with an impenetrable bond forged before and during that dramatic night; but as the years progress, small cracks start to appear and their once deep friendship begins to unravel. No one knows why, and no one can stop it. One misguided choice; one … moment of tragedy. Heartbreak wars with happiness and almost but not quite wins.
From debut novelist Lynda Cohen Loigman comes The Two-Family House, a moving family saga filled with heart, emotion, longing, love, and mystery.
“Two families, both living in one house, drive an exquisitely written novel of love, alliances, the messiness of life and long buried secrets. Loigman’s debut is just shatteringly wonderful and I can’t wait to see what she does next.” – Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Is This Tomorrow and Pictures of You
“No good deed goes unpunished. In a single, intensely charged moment, two women come to a private agreement meant to assure each other’s happiness. But as Lynda Cohen Loigman deftly reveals, life is not so simple, especially when it involves two families, tightly intertwined. The Two-Family House is sympathetically observed and surely plotted all the way through to its deeply satisfying conclusion.” – Christina Schwarz, author of Drowning Ruth (an Oprah’s Book Club pick) and national bestseller The Edge of the Earth
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Although I read a lot, I’m not a quick reader. This book kept my attention the whole time through. It spans about 20 years time and examines the relationship between two families, and how they change. The changes mostly are the result of one look between two sister-in-laws and an unspoken decision. Definitely worth the read.
A very good read with a fascinating story. It jumps back and forth giving you glimpses of the end. Just enough is revealed to keep you wondering. I was very much into the drama of the story when it abruptly ended. I would have liked more completion of the drama before jumping to the end. A good story and worth reading.
Couldn’t put it down!
This story was easy to read and gave a glimpse of how extended families interact and ultimately have a dramatic effect on their lives. The portrayal of two women, the wives of two brothers, shows both the best and worst of women’s relationships with one another. It also shows the things that women will endure for those that they love. Gut-wrenching at times and heartwarming at others, it is an easy read that you won’t want to put down.
Excellent original story.
Two brothers and their wives live in a two-family house in Brooklyn. One family consists of four boys and the other family has three girls. Both of the mothers are pregnant at the same time and due around the same time. The mother of the boys would love a girl and vice versa. A decision is made on a snowy night that changes both families. This was a wonderful read. Now I am reading the second book by this author called Wartime Sisters — and it’s a great story too.
Was caught up in the lives of both families
A great blend of family drama and historical fiction. I found this book intriguing from the first page forward.
The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman was a quick read. I normally don’t pay this much for an e-book, especially from an unknown author but for some reason this book intrigued me. The cover and title spoke to me and once I read the synopsis I wanted to read a sample. The sample/book started off a little slow to me but I had a feeling that it would pick up because most novels do. I have never read historical fiction before but this read like it could have been from any time period to me. I have to say the more I got in to the book the more I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to keep reading until I finished it to see what would happen next. I enjoyed reading the different point of views from several characters. I will say that Rose was my least favorite. I know she had been through a lot but her attitude at times annoyed me. I was happy to see the character growth with most of the characters. This was a great novel and I would read another novel by this author.
Nicely transported back to the 1950s to a house shared by two brothers and their families. What would cause a bond betweens sisters-in-law who are best of friends to erode and become toxic after the home births of their babies, born minutes apart, on the night of a blizzard? The story is told from the perspectives of various family members leads to a satisfying ending. The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life.
A true family story involving close proximity and intertwined lives. Loved the characters!
The story of these two brothers and their families kept me interested through out the whole book. Interesting twist near the end! Loved it!
This book was a real page turner, the kind of book you don’t want to put down. The characters were complex and interesting and so was the plot. The story is about two women, sisters-in-law who live in a two family house, one upstairs, one downstairs and the fateful night when they each deliver a baby at the same time in a snowstorm. They make a decision that haunts them both and effects their two families in different ways over the years. Great discussion book!
I very enjoyable book. Good for book club.
This book was excellent!! It was one of the best books I have read in a long time! The book kept your interest and I didn’t want to put it down. You won’t be disappointed!!