The Other Family

A Novel

By: Loretta Nyhan

Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal

From the bestselling author of Digging In comes a witty and moving novel about motherhood, courage, and finding true family.

With a dissolving marriage, strained finances, and her life in flux, Ally Anderson longs for normal. Her greatest concerns, though, are the health problems of her young daughter, Kylie. Symptoms point to a compromised immune system, but every doctor they’ve seen has a different theory. Then comes hope for some clarity.

It’s possible that Kylie’s illness is genetic, but Ally is adopted. A DNA test opens up an entirely new path. And where it leads is a surprise: to an aunt Ally never knew existed. She’s a little wild, very welcoming, and ready to share more of the family history than Ally ever imagined.

Coping with a skeptical soon-to-be-ex husband, weathering the cautions of her own resistant mother, and getting maddeningly close to the healing Kylie needs, Ally is determined to regain control of her life. This is her chance to embrace uncertainty and the beauty of family - both the one she was born into and the one she chose.

©2020 Loretta Nyhan (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Loretta Nyhan has a knack for creating colorful characters with emotional depth and sharp wit. The Other Family is a heart-warming story of what it means to be family and the sacrifices we make for those we love. Nyhan weaves together sensitive and tender moments, delivering a flawless tale of faith, understanding, and perseverance.” (Rochelle Weinstein, USA Today best-selling author of Somebody’s Daughter)

“Through the eyes of Ally Anderson, a delightfully vulnerable and surprisingly powerful woman who will stop at nothing on her quest to cure her daughter’s mysterious illness, Nyhan redefines the traditional boundaries of family and reminds us that strength can be displayed in unexpected and unusual ways. I loved every minute of this book and its cast of lovable, eccentric people--don’t miss it!” (Kerry Anne King, bestselling author of Whisper Me This and Everything You Are)

“Ally Anderson has a problem any parent can relate to: she’ll do anything to save her daughter’s life. Kylie has severe allergies that seem to be getting worse. When Ally enlists the help of an unconventional doctor who has a protocol that might help, she finds more than she bargained for as she embarks on a journey that leads her to her birth family as well as a new philosophy of life and love. Written with Loretta Nyhan’s trademark humor and compassion, The Other Family is a beautiful, suspenseful story of hope standing up to fear in a world where we never have the control we wish for.” (Maddie Dawson, best-selling author of Matchmaking for Beginners)

🥰🥰🥰

I absolutely loved this book!! So many lessons on love, patience and understanding! Healing on so many levels!!

Realistic DNA outcome

Interesting storytelling about how DNA testing doesn’t always have life-shattering or overdramatic changes that create false narratives on the bounds of what we call family. In this case, DNA testing is initially done purely to help with medical research into allergies with a side of curiosity into the identity of actual birth parents. Thankfully, this was done creatively where the info has an equal balance of realistic expectations and realistic outcomes.

Tho the daughter, Kylie, I did not believe a kid of her age would act so mature or level headed about her medical problems.

A lighthearted and worthwhile story that I feel is one of the better stories about DNA testing scenarios.

Thoughtful!

Thoughtful. As a mom whose child has experienced much of this it hit so close to home! It made me laugh and cry. From start to finish I was hooked!

Wonderful BOOK!!!

Great story!! this is what I need for these crazy times not only was light but also was heart-melting and very moving.

Ally's life takes a very different path when she separates from her husband, trying to find a balance in her life she decided to continue searching for alternatives to help her daughter that has been very ill for such a long time, she is tired of the unknown always having a hard time to let go and trust in new methods to finally make her daughter healthy again.

I love the determination and strength Ally shows at all times, trying to do what's best for her daughter even if she has to open a can of worms or situations that were buried behind but now she needs her past to know the next step for her daughter's treatment and future.

Kylie is a wonderful character, she was very smart for her age and also very bold and sensitive, I love the way she always was kind to everybody no matter how hard was to feel good with her ups and down due to this terrible illness.. she was the silent glue that held Ally and the rest of the characters together.. she was the main reason for such an amazing adventure.

The other family when I started this book I thought it was going to be the typical Comedy with a lot of irreverent laughable comments, but to my surprise, this book was very different in a very good way, I'm so glad I picked it, I enjoy it so much!!

Love the Narrations by Mary Robinette Kowal, I really enjoy her voice the way she told the story and the characters making them even more wonderful and even giving them so much more depth!! great work

I don't want to give much away but The other family is a book that will give you hope, faith, and so much joy, it is a book that has the right amount of everything a little angst, a little sadness, but so much happiness.

Overall it was Amazing!!

Very good

Sometimes you wonder how someone can write with such realistic details. It was an everyday story of someone’s everyday life and it worked. The narrator did an awesome job. All the characters knew their parts. Enjoyed very much.