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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This one definitely surprised me! Based on the summary, I completely expected the villain to be a different character. I'm afraid to say much more because I don't want to give away the twist.
To summarize the general story, the main character, Eleanor, loses the dad she's known her whole life to cancer. She's never been at all close to her mom or sister, and she suddenly finds out she may be related to a completely different family. Feeling all alone since losing her closest family members, she wants to explore who these other people are, and imagine how her life might have been different. Her plan develops beautifully, and she is suddenly spending time with others and having more friends than ever before in her life, even if some of the relationships may involve a few un-truths.
The style of this book is charmingly conversational. I could really imagine Eleanor's emotions through her successes and failures. Overall, I'd give this 3.5 out of 5 stars. I'd recommend this book as a fun read for anyone who enjoys great female characters or psychological thrillers.
To summarize the general story, the main character, Eleanor, loses the dad she's known her whole life to cancer. She's never been at all close to her mom or sister, and she suddenly finds out she may be related to a completely different family. Feeling all alone since losing her closest family members, she wants to explore who these other people are, and imagine how her life might have been different. Her plan develops beautifully, and she is suddenly spending time with others and having more friends than ever before in her life, even if some of the relationships may involve a few un-truths.
The style of this book is charmingly conversational. I could really imagine Eleanor's emotions through her successes and failures. Overall, I'd give this 3.5 out of 5 stars. I'd recommend this book as a fun read for anyone who enjoys great female characters or psychological thrillers.
Book #41 read in 2020
OᐯᗴᖇᐯIᗴᗯ: Eleanor isn’t close to her mom and sister. Only her dad. Then she finds out an awful truth when her father dies, that he wasn’t really her father at all. Desperate for answers and a connection to a family that actually accepts her, Eleanor goes in search of her real father.
ᗰY TᕼOᑌᘜᕼTᔕ: There was a slow build in this novel. I'd like to think of myself as pretty intuitive about twists, and possible plot turns, but I didn't see this one coming at all. The subtle way McKinnon told the story set the reader up for a perfect shock at the end! This novel is yet another reason why Hannah Mary McKinnon is an auto-buy author for me!
ᖇᗩTIᑎᘜ: ★★★★
Thank you to Harlequin MIRA and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
OᐯᗴᖇᐯIᗴᗯ: Eleanor isn’t close to her mom and sister. Only her dad. Then she finds out an awful truth when her father dies, that he wasn’t really her father at all. Desperate for answers and a connection to a family that actually accepts her, Eleanor goes in search of her real father.
ᗰY TᕼOᑌᘜᕼTᔕ: There was a slow build in this novel. I'd like to think of myself as pretty intuitive about twists, and possible plot turns, but I didn't see this one coming at all. The subtle way McKinnon told the story set the reader up for a perfect shock at the end! This novel is yet another reason why Hannah Mary McKinnon is an auto-buy author for me!
ᖇᗩTIᑎᘜ: ★★★★
Thank you to Harlequin MIRA and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Sister Dear was a miss for me. I felt like I saw the ultimate ending coming from far far away. I could almost see myself mentally highlighting the points where I saw it fit together. Sometimes this does not detract from enjoying the book. Sometimes it does. I think in this particular case, by the time I formed my assumptions about the ending, I was already annoyed with the story. The characters were unbelievable and the caustic relationship between Eleanor and her mother and sister was horrendous and intolerable! Combined with Eleanor's self-esteem problems made for a book I just wasn't enjoying.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin MIRA for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin MIRA for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Sometimes I read a book, and when I try to find the words to describe it, the only word that comes to mind is "Wow." Sister Dear is one of those books. Most of the story is the calm before the storm - a fascinating tale of a woman trying to connect with a biological family that she never knew she had while learning to accept herself and her strengths rather than dwell on the distorted weaknesses. Then comes the storm, and it is a strong, unexpected, and destructive storm.
I love the development of the plot. Usually, I do not care for slow builds, and I questioned whether I was reading a psychological thriller a few times (you may too). But I was reading a psychological thriller. You must wait for it, but it is worth the wait. I have never read a book developed in this way, and I loved the freshness of the approach. It lulls you in just like the characters are lulled in, and then it rapidly spins you around and stands you on your head, leaving a lasting impression.
The main character and narrator is realistic and sympathetic. The adults in Eleanor Hardwicke's life always told her that she was not good enough, and she lived in her younger sister's shadow. She binge eats to cope with her negative emotions and negative self-talk. She appears to self-sabotage for reasons that are not apparent. Life never seems to go her way. Then, she finds out her dad, the only parent who has ever loved her, is not her biological father. When she finds out who her biological father is and that she has a half-sister, she becomes hopeful that maybe they can form family connections like she has never experienced with her mother and her other half-sister. Life is looking up - until it's not.
Her newly discovered half-sister Victoria Gallinger led the ideal life. Rich, beautiful, the perfect husband, and two parents who adore her, Eleanor cannot help but feel like that should have been her life. Envy and jealousy color Eleanor's view of Victoria as she weasels her way into Victoria's life. And that is just the beginning.
To say more will give away spoilers, and I am committed to non-spoiler reviews, but know the last part of the story will leave you breathless and saying, "Wow," just as I did.
I love the development of the plot. Usually, I do not care for slow builds, and I questioned whether I was reading a psychological thriller a few times (you may too). But I was reading a psychological thriller. You must wait for it, but it is worth the wait. I have never read a book developed in this way, and I loved the freshness of the approach. It lulls you in just like the characters are lulled in, and then it rapidly spins you around and stands you on your head, leaving a lasting impression.
The main character and narrator is realistic and sympathetic. The adults in Eleanor Hardwicke's life always told her that she was not good enough, and she lived in her younger sister's shadow. She binge eats to cope with her negative emotions and negative self-talk. She appears to self-sabotage for reasons that are not apparent. Life never seems to go her way. Then, she finds out her dad, the only parent who has ever loved her, is not her biological father. When she finds out who her biological father is and that she has a half-sister, she becomes hopeful that maybe they can form family connections like she has never experienced with her mother and her other half-sister. Life is looking up - until it's not.
Her newly discovered half-sister Victoria Gallinger led the ideal life. Rich, beautiful, the perfect husband, and two parents who adore her, Eleanor cannot help but feel like that should have been her life. Envy and jealousy color Eleanor's view of Victoria as she weasels her way into Victoria's life. And that is just the beginning.
To say more will give away spoilers, and I am committed to non-spoiler reviews, but know the last part of the story will leave you breathless and saying, "Wow," just as I did.
I’ve been a huge fan of Hannah Mary McKinnon ever since I read The Neighbors and this book made me love her even more! I had so many emotions going through this book it was insane. The ending left me so speechless I had to contact Hannah to discuss! It left me completely floored!
I really fell in love with the protagonist, I loved how she was flawed and how we got to witness her transformation throughout the book. This book was full of secrets, lies, and twists!
I don’t say this lightly, but this book made me fall back in love with reading! This might be my number 1 book of 2020! A.must.read
Thank you to HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing for providing me with an electronic ARC of this book via NetGalley. As usual, my reviews are my honest and unbiased opinions.
Oh so good!! Towards the end I suspected it was going the direction I thought it would, but that ending pushed me off!! Even so, it was a great book!!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
WOW, just WOW!! This is the best book yet by Hannah Mary McKinnon. It has it all. From the very first word to the dramatic ending you will be immersed into this story of love, loss, family, envy, sadness, danger... Well done Ms McKinnon. Very well done indeed!
This is the story of two sisters. One very privileged and the other very poor. While Eleanor is taking care of her dying father she finds out that he is not her true biological father. But he has always been there for her and she loves him with all her heart. After his death she finds out who her biological dad is and she sets out to meet him. He of course wants nothing to do with her. She then devises a way to get to know her half sister, Victoria. Eleanor’s mother is an awful woman who has never ever been kind to her in any way. Nor has her other sister, Amy. They are two of a kind. Users who only think of themselves. I truly detested Sylvia, Eleanor’s mother. She was such a horrible, terrible human being. She treated Eleanor like she was nothing.
Victoria was born rich. She’s the child Eleanor’s biological father raised. The one he loved. The only one he wanted anything to do with. Victoria has her own company. A rich husband and the kind of life she well deserves. Or does she. Does she really deserve anything? That is a hard one. Getting to know her was all Eleanor wanted. She devised a way to befriend Victoria and they did become the best of friends. Eleanor designed a web sight for Victoria and for Hugh too. Victoria seem to truly like Eleanor. Of course she didn’t know that Eleanor was in fact her half sister.
This book is going to blow you away. I did not see this coming in any way, shape for fashion. I would have not believed it had I not read it for myself. It was so well crafted. Well written. It took my breath away. I love when a story truly gets me. When it comes as a complete shock. This book has an ending that honestly will leave you breathless. In some ways I hope there will be a sequel, but in others I loved the way it ended. It did end by the way. The one time it seems evil may have won. It just may have.
The characters in this story are so well written. So rich and realistic. You will love them and love to hate a few. This is a story of family but family at their worse in many ways. The love of a family sure. The love between a man and woman also. The love of a woman for her half sister. All she wanted was a family that accepted her for who she was.
Thank you #NetGalley, #HannahMaryMcKinnon, #HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada)
MIRA. This is my own review as I see it.
A big fat 5 star read for me and the highest recommendation ever. Best McKinnon book yet!
This is the story of two sisters. One very privileged and the other very poor. While Eleanor is taking care of her dying father she finds out that he is not her true biological father. But he has always been there for her and she loves him with all her heart. After his death she finds out who her biological dad is and she sets out to meet him. He of course wants nothing to do with her. She then devises a way to get to know her half sister, Victoria. Eleanor’s mother is an awful woman who has never ever been kind to her in any way. Nor has her other sister, Amy. They are two of a kind. Users who only think of themselves. I truly detested Sylvia, Eleanor’s mother. She was such a horrible, terrible human being. She treated Eleanor like she was nothing.
Victoria was born rich. She’s the child Eleanor’s biological father raised. The one he loved. The only one he wanted anything to do with. Victoria has her own company. A rich husband and the kind of life she well deserves. Or does she. Does she really deserve anything? That is a hard one. Getting to know her was all Eleanor wanted. She devised a way to befriend Victoria and they did become the best of friends. Eleanor designed a web sight for Victoria and for Hugh too. Victoria seem to truly like Eleanor. Of course she didn’t know that Eleanor was in fact her half sister.
This book is going to blow you away. I did not see this coming in any way, shape for fashion. I would have not believed it had I not read it for myself. It was so well crafted. Well written. It took my breath away. I love when a story truly gets me. When it comes as a complete shock. This book has an ending that honestly will leave you breathless. In some ways I hope there will be a sequel, but in others I loved the way it ended. It did end by the way. The one time it seems evil may have won. It just may have.
The characters in this story are so well written. So rich and realistic. You will love them and love to hate a few. This is a story of family but family at their worse in many ways. The love of a family sure. The love between a man and woman also. The love of a woman for her half sister. All she wanted was a family that accepted her for who she was.
Thank you #NetGalley, #HannahMaryMcKinnon, #HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada)
MIRA. This is my own review as I see it.
A big fat 5 star read for me and the highest recommendation ever. Best McKinnon book yet!
Sister Dear is as unexpected as it is thought provoking. It’s a story about the meaning of family, the corruption of wealth, and the needs that live within inside us that sneak up and take over our lives. The twisty ending was well paved and clever, but also a testament to McKinnon’s uncanny insight into family relationships. This is domestic noir that should be at the top of your list!