I loved this novel about conjoined twin girls. Very moving- An awesome read

I was pleasantly surprised by this very moving yet humorous novel. Although I felt the story dragged a bit towards the end, I enjoyed it very much. I will continue to think of Rose and Ruby for some time to come.

A really wonderful book! Each chapter is told by one of the conjoined twins, so you get both points of view. It will make you laugh and cry!

Wonderful read! Am being generous, because I should keep it. But I want to share the greatness:)

I really enjoyed this book. It explores sibling relationships, and the world of being joined to another and never having time to oneself. It redefines what space really means. The ending seemed to just stop, but overall I liked it. Good bookclub read.

I enjoyed the book. I think that this book is written as if it is the twins writing their autobiography, which makes it interesting, but also makes it challenging to read in parts. It is a story that will stay with you and will resonate with you because some of the central themes are that on unconditional love, death, and life unpredictable moments.

This was an excellent read. If it was named as a best read for Young Adults, I would have to disagree. It is written at an adult level and has adult themes. Don't let this label limit you--It's not at all superficial.

The book is told from alternating viewpoints of two conjoined twin sisters. This makes it seem like two different novels going on at the same time. I really respect the way that the author was able to give the two different perspectives of the girls.

This was kind of different than I expected it to be, but that's ok - I really enjoyed it, although it took me awhile to get into the story. All in all, it's a good book and I recommend it :)

What a fascinating book! It was heart-rending, heart-warming, wonderful, painful, compelling… all these things and more. I loved this book, and ripped through it at top speed, which is unusual for me. I loved it and felt that I knew these twins. Each had their own personalities and body shape, hopes and dreams. I fell in love with Uncle Stash and Aunt Lovey, who raised them with love and hope. I am so very sad that I am finished reading this book, however the characters will remain in my heart for a long time to come. This was most likely my best read for the year, and in a year of excellent books that is quite saying something!

This book wasn't what I thought it would be but it was pretty good. Great character development, and writing style.

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The last 1/4 of this book really take it from three to four stars- give it a chance.

touching book.

Very interesting plot about conjoined twins. Different from anything I have read in the past. Plot lines gets a little far fetched as the story unfolds.

I really quite enjoyed this book!!!! The subject matter was something you don't read about very often!!!

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

In what has to be the best blend of heartbreaking sadness and unbelievable joy, author Lori Lansens has managed to write a novel about two girls that you will not soon forget -- if ever. After I finished THE GIRLS, I felt many emotions, but the strongest was that I had just read the story of two of my best and dearest friends. And even though I know that this story is fiction, I can't help but think that somewhere, two girls share a life that is a lot like that of Rose and Ruby Darlen.

Rose and Ruby are twins, yes, but they are also so much more. They are craniopagus twins, born conjoined at the right side of the head. As Rose puts it, she's never looked into her sister's eyes, she's never bathed alone, and she's never taken a solo walk. But what Rose lacks in aloneness is made up for with the closeness that she shares with Ruby, her sister, best friend, confidant, and greatest admirer.

The Darlen sisters were born in the small town of Leaford on the same day that a tornado struck the town and scooped up a young boy named Larry Merkel, who was never seen again. On the day that their mother, a young, frightened woman who called herself Elizabeth Taylor, gave birth, she was attended to by a devoted nurse known as Lovey. When the girls' mother later disappeared a week after that fateful day, much as Larry Merkel had been blown into the wind, it was Lovey Darlen who chose the girls as her own -- or, rather, they chose each other.

As Rose and Ruby struggle to learn to live together and yet retain their own individuality, it is their Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash who provide the love, comfort, and stability that the girls need. Being a conjoined twin has both its benefits and detriments, as both girls learn from an early age. But with the love of their family and the help, support, and dedication of a wonderful cast of supporting characters, the Darlen girls make a name for themselves in Leaford.

THE GIRLS is written as an autobiography, started by Rose to tell the story of her life -- and, with it, the story of Ruby's life, as well. Interspersed with chapters written by Ruby herself, the story doesn't always unfold in chronological order. The things Rose deems important, of course, don't always coincide with what Ruby believes to be necessity.

I laughed while reading this novel, and many times I cried. I went through joy and sorrow, much as the characters did. This is the first story I've read in a very long time that moved me to feel what the characters felt, to feel, in the end, as if I knew them. I applaud Ms. Lansens for her wonderful writing skills, and, although I am sad to say goodbye to Rose and Ruby Darlen, I wish them the best that life has to offer.

This one draws you in and makes you truly like the characters. I enjoyed it very much.

This book was hard for me to get into at first but after the first 100 pages or so I couldn't put it down. Moving story, well written and a great read.

What a wonderful, unusual novel this is, a fictional autobiography of conjoined twins. I highly recommend.

At times funny, at others heart breaking - the story of the lives of a pair of conjoined twins told from the point of view of first one sister, then the other.

A good read and not in the least predictable. An interesting view by a "double" girl - fiction book.

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