📖 Overview
Agnes Murphy Nash is a 16-year-old living in California with her mother, stepfather, and infant half-brother. After discovering her stepfather's secret, she flees to New York City in search of her biological father, a celebrated photographer she has never met.
On her journey through New York, Agnes uses her own photography skills to document the city while following leads to track down her father. She finds temporary shelter with her friend's cousin Brooklyn and begins to build connections in her new environment.
Agnes must navigate complex family dynamics, questions of identity and belonging, and the realities of starting over in an unfamiliar place. Her photography becomes both a tool for survival and a means of self-expression as she searches for answers.
The novel explores themes of family bonds, artistic legacy, and the ways people construct their own definitions of home. Through Agnes's perspective, the story examines how truth and art intersect in the process of self-discovery.
👀 Reviews
No consensus was found for Finding Home by Estelle Laure. The book lacks substantial reader reviews and ratings on major platforms. On Goodreads, it has only 36 ratings with a 4.08 average score. The limited Amazon reviews note appreciation for the themes of family bonds and belonging.
Readers connected with:
- LGBTQ+ representation
- Portrayal of sibling relationships
- Exploration of foster care system
- Adventure elements
Main criticisms:
- Plot moves slowly in middle sections
- Some character development feels rushed
- Resolution wraps up too neatly
Review Sources:
Goodreads: 4.08/5 (36 ratings)
Amazon: 4.5/5 (8 ratings)
NetGalley: Limited reviews available
One reader on Goodreads commented: "Authentic look at foster siblings finding their way, though pacing is uneven."
Note: This book is relatively new with limited review data available online.
📚 Similar books
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
A college freshman grapples with grief, family secrets, and her relationship with her best friend during a lonely winter break in her dorm.
Far from the Tree by Robin Benway Three siblings separated by adoption find each other and navigate the complexities of family bonds, identity, and belonging.
The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake A teen rebuilds her life in her family's coastal Maine hometown while uncovering a shipwreck's history and confronting her brother's suicide attempt.
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley Two former best friends reconnect in a secondhand bookshop while processing loss and unspoken feelings through letters left in books.
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan A girl travels to Taiwan after her mother's death, believing her mother has transformed into a bird, and discovers family history through magic and memory.
Far from the Tree by Robin Benway Three siblings separated by adoption find each other and navigate the complexities of family bonds, identity, and belonging.
The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake A teen rebuilds her life in her family's coastal Maine hometown while uncovering a shipwreck's history and confronting her brother's suicide attempt.
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley Two former best friends reconnect in a secondhand bookshop while processing loss and unspoken feelings through letters left in books.
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan A girl travels to Taiwan after her mother's death, believing her mother has transformed into a bird, and discovers family history through magic and memory.
🤔 Interesting facts
🏠 Author Estelle Laure drew from her own experiences of housing insecurity while writing this story, bringing authenticity to the main character's struggles.
📚 The book tackles the serious issue of youth homelessness - on any given night, approximately 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the United States.
🎭 The main character's interest in theater serves as both an escape and a connection point, reflecting the author's background in theater and performing arts.
🌟 Though dealing with heavy themes, the story incorporates elements of magical realism, including a possibly enchanted ring that helps guide the protagonist.
💪 The book has been praised for its realistic portrayal of resilience and the importance of found family, especially for LGBTQ+ youth who face higher rates of housing insecurity.