No One is Alone by Rachel Vincent

Michaela is a junior in high school, close with her single mom. Her dad lives a few towns away and pops in and out of her life only on holidays and birthdays. They barely know each other beyond surface obligations.

That is, until her mom dies. Suddenly on her own, Michaela has to move in with her Dad . . . and learns he's been married with kids all this time, and she was the product of an affair. Before she can even grieve her mother, Michaela is thrust into a strange house with a stepmom and three half-siblings, including new sister Emery, who is in the same grade and less than thrilled at the prospect of sharing her room and school life. Will Michaela be able to let go of everything she's ever known-and find herself anew-with a family who didn't ask for her in the first place?

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As it's not mentioned in the blurb, I'll add it here; there is a lot in here about high school theater, specifically Into the Woods. If you love or hate theater, take that under advisement.

Everything that's not taken up with theater is filled with some of the messiest family politics I've seen in a while. Mick thinks her father is a bachelor, until the Terrible Thing happens and she discovers she is actually an affair baby. Give her father credit, he immediately steps up and takes her in. So does his wife. Their three children have varying reactions.

I was never less than enthralled by the story and the gradual shift in everyone's opinions. My only problem (spoiler): having Mick be the one who talked all the other kids into visiting sick Grandma felt a little weird. Like White Savior Syndrome or something. But it did make for some very cute scenes.

I really enjoyed this. Rachel didn't take the easy way out at any point, showing how messy something like this would be even when everyone has the best of intentions. I highly recommend it to other readers. Really good.

No One is Alone publishes on the 12th July, 2022. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.