“A heartfelt exploration of connection, community, and the unbreakable bond between sisters. …
Her journey beautifully reminds us of the strength we find within ourselves as we seek to uncover where we truly belong.”
— Simone Knego, author of “The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You”
CHICAGO — Award-winning author Julie Ryan McGue unravels the gripping tale of adopted twins facing the turbulent tides of love, loss and identity in suburban Chicago. As their family expands and secrets emerge, will their sisterly bond withstand the test of time? Dive into a memoir that explores the heart’s complexities and the fierce quest for belonging in “Twice the Family” (Feb. 4, 2025, She Writes Press) the much-anticipated prequel to McGue’s debut memoir “Twice a Daughter.”
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. The twins’ sisterly bond holds tight as the two strive for independence, individuality and belonging. But as Julie’s parents continue adding children to their family, several 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 and even her adoption circumstances. She understands her adoptive family is held together by love, faith, support and her parents’ commitment to each other and their children. And yet, the life her parents have constructed is not one Julie wants for herself. As she matures, she chooses her own unique path. In the process, she realizes how the experiences that formed her have provided a road map for the person and mother she wants to be.
“Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood”
Julie Ryan McGue | Available Feb. 4, 2025 | She Writes Press | Memoir / Nonfiction
Paperback, 9781647427863, $17.99 | Also available as an ebook
“McGue’s writing is both insightful and deeply personal, allowing readers to walk alongside her as she pieces together her identity and defines the kind of person — and mother — she wants to be. ‘Twice the Family’ is … a universal tale of finding one’s path in the face of life’s challenges. … An inspiring read for anyone seeking to understand the power of family, the search for self, and the resilience of the human spirit.” — Diane O’Canto, media professional, podcast host, empowerment champion
“As an adoptee myself, it gave me enormous comfort and relief to hear of Julie and her sister Jenny not having been separated at birth by adoption. However as the author reflects, the profound loss she and her sister experienced from mother/child separation and relinquishment will be something the sisters will contemplate for a lifetime. I applaud Julie for her courage to write about a more three-dimensional view of what it’s like to live life as an adoptee. In addition, how to live with the biological children of your adoptive parents, as well as other adoptive siblings from a different biological family. Because of memoirs like hers, hopefully a more child-centered approach to adoption can be the norm instead of the rarity.” — Emma Stevens (aka Linda Pevac), author of “The Gathering Place” and “A Fire Is Coming”
“Through her lovely, honest and transportive writing style … Julie Ryan McGue weaves a vivid coming-of-age memoir growing up as an adopted twin in a suburban Chicago, Catholic home. … McGue intimately reveals the special bond she and her twin sister share as they navigate their childhood before emerging into young adults in this deeply moving and at times, heart-wrenching journey through life’s joys and accomplishments, as well as the tragedies. A thoughtful, brave, and compassionate story told with the underlying thread of adoption and what belonging means between the silent questions of identity and feelings of loss that adoptees live with while growing up. McGue rings resilience.” — Diane Wheaton, author of “Finding Loretta, An Adopted Daughter’s Search to Define Family”
About the Author
Julie Ryan McGue is an American writer, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. Her first memoir, “Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging,” released in May 2021, winning multiple awards. Her work has appeared in the Story Circle Network Journal, Brevity Nonfiction Blog, Imprint News, Adoption.com, Lifetime Adoption Adoptive Families Blog, Adoption & Beyond, and Severance Magazine. Her personal essays have appeared in several anthologies, including “Real Women Write: Seeing Through Her Eyes” (Story Circle Network) and “Art in the Time of Unbearable Crisis” (She Writes Press). Her collection of essays, “Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship” (Muse Literary), released in November 2023. She writes a biweekly blog and monthly column (The Beacher Newspapers), in which she explores the topics of finding out who you are, where you belong, and making sense of it. Julie splits her time between Northwest Indiana and Sarasota, Florida. “Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood” is her third book. Visit her website for more info: juliemcgueauthor.com
Follow Julie Ryan McGue on social media:
Facebook: @juliemcguewrites | Twitter: @juliermcgue | Instagram: @julieryanmcgue
In an interview, Julie Ryan McGue can discuss:
- Community connection: As a long-time Hinsdale and LaGrange resident, McGue’s memoir resonates with readers in the Chicago suburbs, especially those familiar with the local culture and community involvement.
- Nonprofit engagement: McGue’s extensive work with local organizations reflects her commitment to family and community, enhancing the memoir’s themes of support and connection.
- Adoptive vs. biological families: The book explores the nuanced dynamics and emotional complexities of being part of a blended family.
- Navigating genetic histories: McGue’s journey reveals how understanding one’s biological background can impact relationships and identity.
- Secrets and bonds: The memoir highlights the intricate balance of uncovering family secrets while maintaining strong familial ties.
- Blended family dynamics: McGue’s memoir provinces insight into the importance of understanding both biological and adoptive family relationships.
- Identity and belonging: The book touches on the psychological impacts of being adopted and highlights the unique and special bond between twins.
- Closed adoptions: McGue explores the pros and cons, and discusses ways to mitigate challenges arising from lack of genetic knowledge.
- Empowerment through knowledge: McGue addresses the empowering and terrifying aspects of discovering one’s genetic background.
An interview with Julie Ryan McGue
1. This new book is somewhat of a prequel to your debut memoir, “Twice a Daughter.” Why did you decide to write another book?
Many of the readers with whom I met during book club discussions of “Twice a Daughter” expressed interest in what it was like to grow up as a twin and an adoptee. “Twice the Family” addresses those issues. But since the family in which I was raised is a blend of adoptees and my parents’ biological children, I also wanted to write about family dynamics and the difficulties my parents faced in fulfilling their dream of a big American family.
2. Can you elaborate on the empowering aspects of discovering one’s genetic background as depicted in your memoir?
Meeting birth relatives, people who I had fantasized about for 50 years, was one of the “happiest moments” of my life. I write about this in an essay in my second book, “Belonging Matters.” The experience was all at once affirming and liberating. It elevated my sense of self and boosted my confidence. You see, I had finally attained what those who are not adopted take for granted: I knew who my parents were, the details surrounding my birth, genealogy and family medical history from both sides of my lineage.
3. You explore the pros and cons of closed adoptions in your collection of essays, “Belonging Matters.” What insights can you share about mitigating the challenges that arise from a lack of genetic knowledge?
By definition, a closed adoption adoptee is prevented from any knowledge or contact with their families of origin. Likewise, they cannot know why adoption was the plan made for them. Often, they are not given any medical information or background. Open adoption addresses some of those identity concerns, but it does not alleviate the fact that the child is not being raised by their biological parents. I was asked once in a podcast interview, “Which is better: closed or open adoption?” I surprised the host by stating that if adoption was the only recourse, then being adopted by a family member is the best option.
4. What role do you think community involvement plays in shaping our personal stories?
In “Twice the Family,” I share several stories about events that occurred in my community and how they affected not only my family’s narrative but my own sense of personal safety. An encounter with a sexual predator, as well as a plane crash and a murder involving neighbors, caused me to lose my childish naivete.
5. What advice would you give to families navigating the challenges of blended family dynamics?
Honesty, fairness, love, support and offering peer-group counseling are vital when it comes to parenting an adopted child.
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A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.
Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.
