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booksofjj's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely loved this book. Definitely one to read
shivholl's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
debtat2's review
5.0
Yet again Kathleen McGurl has done it yet again.
A completely immersive read that sweeps you along with its characters and there lives.
You cannot help but become invested in the story and keeps you hooked and reading well past bedtime
A completely immersive read that sweeps you along with its characters and there lives.
You cannot help but become invested in the story and keeps you hooked and reading well past bedtime
georgilvsbooks's review
4.0
The Lost Sister has just recently been released and if you love historical fiction and of course the titanic then this is one I would recommend!
I love what Kathleen has done here with the story being about three sisters, Emma, Ruby, and Lily and there sister ships - The Olympic, The Titanic, and The Britannic.
I was actually quite good at guessing a lot of the story however, the main plot of the story I did not and was pleasantly surprised.
I got emotional a few times when reading this story.
The popular Violet Jessop was apart of this story and is a reminder that I must read her book! I have it on my shelf and I think that will be my next titanic read.
I love what Kathleen has done here with the story being about three sisters, Emma, Ruby, and Lily and there sister ships - The Olympic, The Titanic, and The Britannic.
I was actually quite good at guessing a lot of the story however, the main plot of the story I did not and was pleasantly surprised.
I got emotional a few times when reading this story.
The popular Violet Jessop was apart of this story and is a reminder that I must read her book! I have it on my shelf and I think that will be my next titanic read.
portybelle's review against another edition
4.0
I'm quite fascinated by anything to do with the Titanic and was aware that there were two other White Star liners, her sister ships the Olympic and Britannic. With this book also being about three sisters, my interest was piqued as I wondered if they would suffer the similar fates as the ships - my lips are sealed on that of course! This is also a dual timeline story and the part set in the present featuring Harriet had some parallels to the story in the past. For example, Harriet goes on a short cruise on the Queen Mary II with a friend, which gives her a sense of what life might have been like for her grandmother working on the great liners in the past. The Queen Mary II was the biggest cruise ship of its time just as the Olympic and then Titanic were the biggest ships of their time.
Another common feature was difficult sibling relationships and mother/daughter relationships. Emma, Ruby and Lily in the early 20th century were very different kinds of people. Emma was the hardworking responsible, eldest daughter and the narrator for most of that part of the story. Ruby was the middle daughter, harder to like, a bit of a handful and a bit flighty. The youngest daughter Lily was so sweet and having been ill for much of her young life, was well looked perhaps a bit babied, by her mother. In the present day, Harriet has drifted apart from her brother, though not because of any great falling out. She also has an estranged daughter and grandchildren she never sees. Her daughter Sally who stayed nearby always looked out for her mother, although was a bit over-bearing at times, However, with another issue having a huge impact on her life, I could see why she was so protective of her family. The author portrayed all these relationships very realistically and they felt like an accurate portrayal of the sometimes strained relationships within families
Kathleen McGurl had me fooled for quite a bit of her story with her clever way of writing about the sisters and what Harriet knew about her past. Just as Harriet found out things about her ancestors that she hadn’t known, the author took me completely by surprise at points too. I found the story revolving around the ships and the sisters particularly fascinating, especially knowing what happened to each of the ships. I was reading eagerly to find out the fate of the sisters. The contemporary storyline was more of an unknown of course making it just as absorbing a read. This is a story of secrets, sacrifice and loss but at the same time manages to be a very uplifting read. A lovely story blending historical fact and fiction with a compelling contemporary strand too.
Another common feature was difficult sibling relationships and mother/daughter relationships. Emma, Ruby and Lily in the early 20th century were very different kinds of people. Emma was the hardworking responsible, eldest daughter and the narrator for most of that part of the story. Ruby was the middle daughter, harder to like, a bit of a handful and a bit flighty. The youngest daughter Lily was so sweet and having been ill for much of her young life, was well looked perhaps a bit babied, by her mother. In the present day, Harriet has drifted apart from her brother, though not because of any great falling out. She also has an estranged daughter and grandchildren she never sees. Her daughter Sally who stayed nearby always looked out for her mother, although was a bit over-bearing at times, However, with another issue having a huge impact on her life, I could see why she was so protective of her family. The author portrayed all these relationships very realistically and they felt like an accurate portrayal of the sometimes strained relationships within families
Kathleen McGurl had me fooled for quite a bit of her story with her clever way of writing about the sisters and what Harriet knew about her past. Just as Harriet found out things about her ancestors that she hadn’t known, the author took me completely by surprise at points too. I found the story revolving around the ships and the sisters particularly fascinating, especially knowing what happened to each of the ships. I was reading eagerly to find out the fate of the sisters. The contemporary storyline was more of an unknown of course making it just as absorbing a read. This is a story of secrets, sacrifice and loss but at the same time manages to be a very uplifting read. A lovely story blending historical fact and fiction with a compelling contemporary strand too.
jasminegalsreadinglog's review against another edition
4.0
The Lost Sister is a dual and parallel storyline of three sisters in 1911 and of Harriet and her family in 2019. The cover of this novel is so beautiful and it just pulled me to request it through NetGalley. And the novel absolutely does not disappoint. I love historical details in my books and this novel is full of details regarding White Star Line ships Olympic, Titanic and Brittanic called three sisters. These three ships and their voyages play a major role in the novel. I loved how the author interspersed the story of Emma, Ruby and Lily with the historical details of these ships.
This wonderful novel is full of strong and courageous women. Its a novel of love, family ties and challenges. A very gripping story that once you start has to be finished. I highly recommend this book!
This wonderful novel is full of strong and courageous women. Its a novel of love, family ties and challenges. A very gripping story that once you start has to be finished. I highly recommend this book!
catreader18's review against another edition
5.0
This book is two stories. One story is from the early 1900’s when ships sailed from England to New York and the other story is in the present. The story in the present is about the granddaughter of one of three sisters from the 1900’s story. It may sound confusing but it’s not. I enjoyed the 1900’s story the most because it was a time period I love to read about. It’s also a story of three sisters finding their way, mostly on steamships.
The granddaughter’s story is about learning of her past and helping a sick family member.
The thing I loved most about this book was all the small things that later turned into story changing events. I also loved how each chapter switched stories so you were never wondering about a story for very long. I would recommend this book to historical fiction lovers and people who enjoy a healing story.
The granddaughter’s story is about learning of her past and helping a sick family member.
The thing I loved most about this book was all the small things that later turned into story changing events. I also loved how each chapter switched stories so you were never wondering about a story for very long. I would recommend this book to historical fiction lovers and people who enjoy a healing story.
55_sallymander's review
5.0
THE LOST SISTER by Kathleen McGurl
The Lost Sister has dual-time narration, between 1911 and 2019. In 1911, responsible sister Emma Higgins has left her employment at a local hotel, to take the chance of seeing the world as a stewardess on board the Olympic, a sea-going vessel. She hopes that her mother can keep their little family together, while she's gone for the three-week voyage. Ruby is the wild child sister, never satisfied with anything and always pushing the rules of home and society. Lily is the sickly sister, she has had a devastating case of TB as a youngster and seems to catch any little illness that comes along. Emma and Lily are close. Ruby and her mother are close.
The Olympic is a sister ship to the Titanic, the Britannic is also a sister ship to the Titanic. At one point, all three sisters go to sea, Emma is the sister who goes on board each of the ships, with her two sisters. Each ship has its own adventure.
In 2019, Harriet has recently lost her loving husband and has decided to consolidate her holdings and purchase a much smaller home. She finds a trunk in the attic that was her grandmother's and begins to go through all of the mementos enclosed in it. It was her grandmother's trunk that she used for her sea-going excursions.
There are parallels in the dual timelines, of missing sisters who have taken a path away from their loving families. There are unexpected twists in the story that catches you off guard that make it a memorable and favorite book.
It is an interesting take on the Titanic disaster of 1912. Highly recommend.
Thanks a million to #netgalley for the complimentary copy of #thelostsister I was under no obligation to post a review.
The Lost Sister has dual-time narration, between 1911 and 2019. In 1911, responsible sister Emma Higgins has left her employment at a local hotel, to take the chance of seeing the world as a stewardess on board the Olympic, a sea-going vessel. She hopes that her mother can keep their little family together, while she's gone for the three-week voyage. Ruby is the wild child sister, never satisfied with anything and always pushing the rules of home and society. Lily is the sickly sister, she has had a devastating case of TB as a youngster and seems to catch any little illness that comes along. Emma and Lily are close. Ruby and her mother are close.
The Olympic is a sister ship to the Titanic, the Britannic is also a sister ship to the Titanic. At one point, all three sisters go to sea, Emma is the sister who goes on board each of the ships, with her two sisters. Each ship has its own adventure.
In 2019, Harriet has recently lost her loving husband and has decided to consolidate her holdings and purchase a much smaller home. She finds a trunk in the attic that was her grandmother's and begins to go through all of the mementos enclosed in it. It was her grandmother's trunk that she used for her sea-going excursions.
There are parallels in the dual timelines, of missing sisters who have taken a path away from their loving families. There are unexpected twists in the story that catches you off guard that make it a memorable and favorite book.
It is an interesting take on the Titanic disaster of 1912. Highly recommend.
Thanks a million to #netgalley for the complimentary copy of #thelostsister I was under no obligation to post a review.
manda_ruthie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0