Reviews

Like a Sister by Kellye Garrett

hollyrkenny's review

1.0

I really wanted to like this. I got it for my BOTM. I found it incredibly boring, I felt like there were a lot of loose ends, me going ‘whaaaat?’ Not because of shock or excitement, but because I was like wait who is this person? What’s going on? I’m basically still reading this, and have 30 pages left. I’ve been on this book for about a month and just have no interest in finishing. I probably will because I’m so close. The similes and analogies were cheesy and too much. Shitnuts needs to go too. Also, we knew nothing about Desiree except that she was a spoiled rich girl. How on earth are we supposed to relate to her, or feel bad for her in Lena’s search for answers. 1/5 stars for me.

gelizabethcook's review

mysterious medium-paced

3.0

nessa_2's review

emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

Great read! 

kimdavishb's review

5.0

LIKE A SISTER, by Kellye Garrett, grabbed my attention from the very first line and took me on a roller-coaster ride filled with twists and turns for the rest of the story. The protagonist, Lena Scott, may seem like a strong young woman, ready to take the world on. But in reality, she hides her hurt and vulnerability beneath sarcasm and wit. There is a wealth of emotions woven into the book via the death of her estranged sister and the relationship struggles with their father, all the while tackling social issues that are all too real for women, particularly Black women. Ms. Garrett expertly walks a fine line between providing an entertaining, suspenseful mystery while incorporating today’s social media #culture, the party scene, and societal issues. Without a doubt, Like a Sister lives up to the much anticipated hype of being THE book to read in 2022!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

mrsmitchell2010's review

2.0

2.5 stars.

laurnor4's review

mysterious medium-paced

3.75

kaytay35235's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

henrygravesprince's review against another edition

funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I really enjoyed this book. It’s incredibly twisty and gripping (if a little convoluted). My only real qualm is the overuse of the word shitnuts. Looking at this after reading the author’s more recent release, Missing White Woman, this displays a lot of the same positive elements of the clever style and structure of Garrett’s work, while also showing how she’s improved her craft since writing this book. Her newer work is equally twisty but more streamlined and tightened, though Like a Sister is still an incredibly compelling read. I like that the books share a throughline of similar themes around trust, complex family relationships and friendships, the past’s hold on the present, the complexity of grief while learning things you may not want to know about the person you’re grieving, etc, portrayed in unique ways in each of them. I’m interested in reading the author’s other three books and looking forward to future releases; Garrett is well on the way to becoming a favorite author of mine.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Murder, Grief, and Addiction

Moderate: Racism, Suicide, Abandonment, Car accident, and Death of parent

Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Abortion, Medical content, Alcohol, Body shaming, Classism, and Gun violence

Specific drugs referenced in book: heroin & cocaine, references to weed

katie_masz's review

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

dannitasreads's review

1.0

Didn’t finish. It was really hard to relate to the character and the writing was just, meh. Also, I get it. You live in New York.