The differences between the sisters, who were raised in the same environment and take very different directions in "The Most Fun We Ever Had," skillfully balances family bonds and drama. The story unfolds across two timelines, following the Sorenson sisters from childhood through adulthood. The engaging narrative, despite being raised in the same environment, the sisters take very different paths in life, keeps the readers intrigued and highlights their contrasts. 

This book, a substantial 624 pages, may seem daunting at first, but it proved to be a fast, page-turning read, keeping me engaged from start to finish. 

Book read: Audio/Libby; paperback/bookstore 

This is a slow paced family-saga. I liked the fact that all of the characters had flaws, as it made them more relatable, along with the fact that they all failed to communicate as a family. On the other hand they showed how families pull together during unexpected events, and that deep down they all love each other. 

This is the story of the Sorenson family, made up of David and Marilyn and their four daughters (Wendy, Violet, Liza and Grace)

We have 1 chapter told in the present tense of the story, 1 chapter which recounts past episodes that have some sort of tie to the present of the story. In the past parts, we see the story from when the parents met, got married, moved, had their brood of children and develloped as a family. In the present tense the accent is placed on the children, without following a certain succession. Wendy and her problematic growing up experience, to Violet who is scared to show her feelings towards a son she gave up in the past, afraid it would ruin her picture perfect family. Liza stuck with a guy with depression who is stuck in his vicious cycle that prevents his development. And Grace, who is never seen as an adult. She doesn't see herself as an adult and floats for a year away from her family in the failure of getting into law school.

In a way, although parents have the intention of offering a strong model of how a relationship should be like, they set their children up with a high bar. David and Marilyn are the sort of couple everyone wants to be. But kids are ultimately their own people, with their own insecurities and opportunities for development, which doesn't ensure their life will go according to the original high bar set for them by their parents.

However, even if all is complicated, being together and in each other's camp will still make existence be "the most fun we ever had" despite of all the hops along the way.