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Review: RELATIVE STRANGERS by A. H. Kim
- Christina Boyd
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
ABOUT THE BOOK
From the acclaimed author of A Good Family comes a timely spin on Sense and Sensibility, a twenty-first-century family drama featuring two half-Korean sisters, their ex-hippie mother, multiple messy love affairs and one explosive secret that could ruin everything.
Amelia Bae-Wood’s life is falling apart. Unemployed, newly single and completely broke—for reasons she hasn’t told anyone yet—she finds herself hitchhiking across California to deal with the fallout of her mother’s eviction from the family estate. Amelia needs somewhere to live and time to figure out what to do with the rest of her life, so moving with her mother and sister to Arcadia, the cancer retreat center where her sister volunteers, seems like as good an idea as any.
Amelia’s sister, Eleanor, has too much on her plate, including being caught up in a court battle with a man who claims to be their half-brother from Seoul and their late father’s only son—a secret love child from his Korean youth—who’s fighting for a piece of everything that belongs to the Bae-Wood women. And when Amelia adds herself to Eleanor’s list of problems, Eleanor must figure out what to hold on to—and when to let go—before things starts to unravel.
A witty, wry, and enormously entertaining retelling, the sisters’ journey of self-discovery as they reshape their lives gives this classic tale a modern, feminist twist, as it touches on themes of blended families, race, class, and wealth.
REVIEW by Christina Boyd
Relative Strangers is a heartfelt and insightful variation on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, reimagined for the modern age. A.H. Kim brings fresh perspective to the story of two sisters as they navigate love, loss, and identity in contemporary California.
After a string of personal setbacks—her father’s death, a failed relationship, and the collapse of her culinary career—Amelia finds herself at a crossroads. Her path toward healing is deeply shaped by her complicated, evolving bond with her sister, Eleanor.
I try to imagine the scene from Jett's perspective. The ramshackle cottage spurting leaks like the fricking Titanic. Eleanor, in her Old Mother Hubbard best, down on her hands and knees to clean up the broken glass and spilled booze. Mom with JUICY written in pink rhinestones across her Pilates-toned ass and self-medicating with Glenfiddich.
And then there's me.
I see my reflection in the mirror by the front door. My threadbare hoodie is plastered against my body. My well-worn jeans are ripped at the knees, and not on purpose as a design element. My gladiator sandals have fought their last battle. The past few years have taken their toll. I'm scrawny, pale, and bald. -Chapter 3
Kim explores the nuances of sisterhood with emotional depth and authenticity, capturing both tension and tenderness in a way that echoes Austen’s original while making it wholly her own.
Eleanor, meanwhile, is grappling with more than just family drama: she’s entangled in a court battle with a man from Seoul who claims to be their half-brother—and their late father's only son. His fight for a share of the family inheritance threatens to upend everything the Bae-Wood women have left. This legal and emotional conflict adds another layer of urgency and complexity to the sisters' story, pushing both women to confront what family truly means.
With humor and heart, the novel also touches on race, gender, and belonging, striking a beautiful balance between lightness and depth. Relative Strangers is a smart, moving, and ultimately joyful read that honors Austen’s legacy while speaking powerfully to today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A.H. Kim (Ann) was born in Seoul, South Korea and immigrated to the U.S. as a young child. Ann was educated at Harvard College and Berkeley Law School, where she was an editor of the California Law Review. Ann practiced corporate law for many years and served as chief of staff to the CEO and as head of investor relations at a Fortune 200 company.
Ann is the proud mother of two sons, a longtime cancer survivor, and a community volunteer. After raising her family in the Bay Area, Ann and her husband now call Ann Arbor home.
Ann's debut novel, A Good Family, was inspired by her personal experience supporting her brother and nieces while her sister-in-law served time in Alderson Women’s Prison Camp. You can connect with Ann via her website.
Ooo, a modern S&S! I must have this. Thanks for tickling my fancy with your review, Christina. :)