By: Julie Ryan McGue
ISBN: 978-1647427863
She Writes Press, 2025
In this coming-of-age memoir, set in Chicago’s western suburbs between the 1960s and ‘80s, adopted twins Julie and Jenny provide their parents with an instant family. Their sisterly bond holds tight as the two strive for identity, individuality, and belonging. But as Julie’s parents continue adding children to the family, some painful and tragic experiences test family values, parental relationships, and sibling bonds.
Faced with these hurdles, Julie questions everything—who she is, how she fits in, her adoption circumstances, her faith, and her idea of family. But the life her parents have constructed is not one she wants for herself—and as she matures, she recognizes how the experiences that formed her have provided her a road map for the person and mother she wants to be.
About the Author
Julie Ryan McGue was born in Chicago, Illinois. She and her identical twin sister were adopted together. An award-winning author, she writes about finding out who you are, where you belong, and making sense of it. Her weekly blogs focus on identity, family, and life\'s quirky moments. If she\'s not at her computer writing, she\'s out exploring with her camera, or on the tennis court. She is the mother of four adult children, a grandmother, and splits her time between NW Indiana and Sarasota.
To learn more about Julie Ryan McGue and her work, please see juliemcgueauthor.com
