I LOVED this book! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. For the love of siblings! ( )

rabck from spoiledrotten; also have kindle; Whiskey and Charlie are twins & when they were boys, they got a walkie-talkie set and taught the radio code (we know it as how pilots talk), But as they grew up, they had a falling out. Whiskey was the daredevil and Charlie the staid one & one time Whiskey pushed his weight around too far. But then Whiskey has a terrible accident and is in a coma for months. Will he live or die? And can Charlie figure out how to forgive? ( )

This was a book I never would have picked up on my own in a million years, so I'm really glad it was sent as part of the round robin book club that I'm part of. I was pleasantly surprised by this! I really liked how the book was framed by the radio alphabet, from chapter titles to plot points. It was nifty and as I'm someone who doesn't read chapter titles, was a revelation when I got to the end and Smith kind of held your hand to that conclusion (for dopes like me, I guess).

I admit that I almost gave up mid-way through because I just did not like Charlie. I thought he was a whiny, woe-is-me, self-sabotaging ass. This was not wrong. But it's a redemption story. I appreciated that he wasn't perfect by the end of the book, but he was trying. ( )

A little bit of a slow start but once it picked up I couldn't put it down. ( )

4.5 stars.

Whiskey and Charlie by Annabel Smith is a bittersweet novel of redemption that is sure to resonate with anyone who has experienced strained family relationships. It is an introspective and sometimes heartbreaking story of twin brothers, Whiskey and Charlie, who have drifted apart over the years. When Whiskey is severely injured in an accident, Charlie faces some very hard truths as he waits for Whiskey to emerge from his coma. Grief stricken at the thought that he might never reconcile with his brother, Charlie vacillates between hope and fear as months pass with little improvement in Whiskey's condition.

Charlie has lived in the shadow of his more outgoing and friendly brother for most of his life. Popular and well-liked with plenty of confidence, Whiskey fearlessly met every challenge that came his way. Charlie never felt like he quite measured up and he eventually grew to resent Whiskey's effortless successes. As he sits at Whiskey's bedside, Charlie tries to pinpoint exactly when their relationship was irrevocably broken and in doing so, he comes to the stunning conclusion that he shoulders part of the blame for the rift between them.

While Charlie is a sympathetic character, he is also very frustrating and sometimes difficult to like. In childhood, Charlie was open and kind, but as his jealousy of Whiskey's accomplishments grew, he gradually became defensive and guarded. As an adult, Charlie is closed off and protective in his relationships and his irrational fears make it impossible for him to make a permanent commitment. Charlie is incredibly judgmental and his unfair assessments lead to contentious relationships with much of his family. It is not until he is on the verge of losing the woman he loves that Charlie truly begins to heal.

The phonetic alphabet has special meaning to the brothers and Ms. Smith cleverly incorporates it into the story. Each chapter is named after one of the letters (alpha, bravo, charlie, etc) and these vignettes offer insight into the brothers' complicated relationship. Past and present are seamlessly woven into an incredibly emotional journey of self discovery that is ultimately quite uplifting.

Whiskey and Charlie by Annabel Smith is a thoroughly captivating novel that is poignant and moving. This beautifully written story offers a realistic peek into the mind of Charlie Ferns as he weathers the darkest days of his life. It is a truly unforgettable tale of hope and healing that will linger in readers' minds long after the last page is turned. ( )