Della and Darby

Title: Della and Darby

Author: Susannah B. Lewis

Genre:Christian Fiction, Contemporary Fiction,

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Source: Library

My review:

I love the cover of Della and Darby, Susannah B. Lewis' newest release. I have been looking forward to this one for months.

Della and Darby is told from three POVs, these two and their grandmother Birdie. It worked out alright, but it also made it a bit repetitive in parts. 

Della and Darby may be identical twins, but they could not be more different. I found Darby to be a bit more relatable, but Della got on my last nerve. She was immature and just shy of her thirtieth birthday, still acting like a teenager. I get that we can struggle well into adulthood with who we are and how we want others to see us, but she was over the top.

I enjoyed the character growth that Darby and Della had. I just felt like Della's was almost too late. I am torn on whether or not she was redeemed in my mind.

This book was not what I expected. I thought it would be a humorous, light read with a romcom feel. It wasn't. I didn't get humor from the book, it's a bit heavy in parts, especially as we explore their past, and it was very much a drama. The fights between the sisters got tense!

If you can't tell from the review, the book was a mixed bag for me. I wanted to love it, but in the end, I liked it.

★★★/5

Synopsis (Goodreads):

 In this small Mississippi town, everyone has long memories and loud opinions.

Twins Della and Darby Redd may be identical in appearance, but they couldn’t be more different. Della is outspoken, obsessed with purple, and desperate to be accepted by her peers. Darby is introverted, creative, and sees no need to speak to anyone besides her sister and grandmother, Birdie. Due to a tragedy from their past, all three women’s lives have been blanketed in judgment, scandal, and rumor, preventing them from experiencing true peace and contentment in their small town of Clay Station, Mississippi.

When the sisters enter the final year of their twenties, Birdie and Della begin planning an elaborate thirtieth birthday bash. Della believes the party will finally win her acceptance with the in-crowd and dreams of bringing her boss, Dr. Brian Faulkner, as her date. But when Darby begins to form an unexpected friendship with her goofy coworker, Cliff, she learns through him about a scandalous secret involving Dr. Faulkner that is sure to end in disaster. Telling her sister the truth will force them both to face the reality of who they have become—and whether they still have a place in each other’s future.

In her latest novel, beloved Southern author Susannah B. Lewis explores the burden and blessing of family legacies and the moments along the way for which to give thanks and celebrate.