The Other Brother

August 1, 2018

When Mona meets and falls in love with Jack, the man of her dreams, it's not until her wedding day that she learns the identity of his brother. Denny is a world-famous rock star and, once upon time, Mona's teenage crush whom she would do anything to meet. She finds it easy to keep her youthful longing a secret from Jack and to avoid Denny, because Denny is too busy touring the globe to spend time with his family. But when Mona and Jack, along with their two young sons, rent a house for the summer, Denny decides it's time he gets to know his brother better. Mona can't help but wonder if there is an ulterior motive for his sudden interest in her family and if she'll be able to keep all of her secrets with him around. VERDICT This latest from veteran author Baratz-Logsted (I Love You, Michael Collins; Zombie Alley) shines with vividly imagined characters and an unexpected ending. For fans of family dramas à la Emily Giffin and Sophie Kinsella.--Karen Core, Detroit P.L.

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2018
A woman spends the summer vacationing with her husband, her children, and her brother-in-law, the lead singer of an enormously famous band.When Mona met Jack Springer, she had no idea that his older brother was Denny Springer, lead singer for one of the world's greatest rock bands. In fact, she didn't find out who Jack's brother was until their wedding day, when Denny failed to show up. Mona and Jack have been married for years and have two sons by the time Denny finally comes home for Easter dinner. Mona, Jack, and their sons are planning to spend their summer at a rental house in Connecticut, and Mona invites Denny to join them. Jack is also a musician, although his albums are much less successful than those of Denny's band. It might, she thinks, be an opportunity for the brothers to bond over their shared love of music. But when Denny shows up, his presence is more bothersome to Mona that she thought it would be. He brings bodyguards, a driver, and a sense of entitlement that she can't stand. As their summer goes on, Mona starts to wonder how well she knows Jack and Denny in the first place. Baratz-Logsted's (I Love You, Michael Collins, 2017, etc.) writing sparkles, and Mona's voice feels pleasantly conversational. Readers will feel like they're hearing a story from a best friend, although they might wish for slightly more drama. A twist near the end doesn't carry the emotional heft that it should, since the stakes--in Mona's relationship with Jack, Jack's relationship with Denny, and Mona's relationship with Denny--are never quite high enough.A fun summer read about the secrets families keep from one another.

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August 1, 2018
Baratz-Logsted answers the question: What is it like to be the ordinary family of a world-famous rock star? Mona Springer's brother-in-law, Denny, is the Mick Jagger-like figure at the center of his family and this novel. Mona and her husband, Jack, own a travel agency in the UK, are raising two young sons, and don't see much of their jet-setting relative. When Mona invites Denny to spend some time with them during their summer vacation in coastal Connecticut, she doesn't expect him to actually show up. But he does, and over the course of their time together, Denny becomes part of the family, enjoying such humble activities as barbecues and board games. He seems almost normal despite his bodyguards, driver, and personal chef taking over the small cottage. Yet Mona can't help but wonder if he has an ulterior motive for hiding out with them. Baratz-Logsted presents a fun, surprising, and wonderfully heartwarming tale about fame, family, and truly growing up.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)