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vickimarie2002's review against another edition
5.0
Such an incredible book! I was rooting for Allie the whole time but there are so many twists and turns in the storyline. I loved the bouncing back and forth between present day and the past until we find out what really happened to the Coach. Laura McNeill is an awesome writer and I can't wait to read more books by her!
michellef's review against another edition
"Sister Dear" written by author Laura McNeill is a mystery/suspense novel. Allie Marshall spends 10 years in jail for a time she didn't commit. Will she be able to clear her name and make a new life?
The year is 2016 and Caroline wants nothing to do with her mother who has recently bailed from jail after spending a decade for something she didn't do. Caroline spent this time with her aunt, Allie's sister, and wants her aunt to adopt her.
Caroline's best friend, Maddie, was boy-crazy with a never ending list of boyfriends. Sheriff Lee Gaines and his k-9 dog, Chief, work well together. His wife, June, lived in a nursing home, wheelchair bound, because of brain damage.
I had a hard time with this book and was unable to finish it. I did not like the sexual innuendoes including the explicit sexual themes. I would not recommend this book to anyone. I think I was expecting something entirely different than I got. I was expecting one sister helping and caring for another. In this case, I should have chosen `a book by its cover`. The cover looks dark and dreary.
Disclaimer: I received the ARC of the e-book from LitFuse Publicity for my honest opinion.
The year is 2016 and Caroline wants nothing to do with her mother who has recently bailed from jail after spending a decade for something she didn't do. Caroline spent this time with her aunt, Allie's sister, and wants her aunt to adopt her.
Caroline's best friend, Maddie, was boy-crazy with a never ending list of boyfriends. Sheriff Lee Gaines and his k-9 dog, Chief, work well together. His wife, June, lived in a nursing home, wheelchair bound, because of brain damage.
I had a hard time with this book and was unable to finish it. I did not like the sexual innuendoes including the explicit sexual themes. I would not recommend this book to anyone. I think I was expecting something entirely different than I got. I was expecting one sister helping and caring for another. In this case, I should have chosen `a book by its cover`. The cover looks dark and dreary.
Disclaimer: I received the ARC of the e-book from LitFuse Publicity for my honest opinion.
paperbacks_n_frybread's review against another edition
5.0
I can NOT imagine being locked up for a crime I didn't commit. I especially could not do this, with a child on the outside. It honestly gives me anxiety even contemplating such a thing.
But, this is exactly the case when it comes to Allie Marshall, in Laura McNeill's "Sister Dear". And if you're like me and you get emotionally attached to your characters-then your anxiety will heighten to with this read.
This is a suspense/mystery novel with a very slow burn. I consider this a good thing, because finding out the truth is as difficult for the reader as it is for the characters! There are multiple point of views from chapter to chapter, which kept my interest peaked. The writing was really well done. It caught and held my attention from the very first chapter!
But, this is exactly the case when it comes to Allie Marshall, in Laura McNeill's "Sister Dear". And if you're like me and you get emotionally attached to your characters-then your anxiety will heighten to with this read.
This is a suspense/mystery novel with a very slow burn. I consider this a good thing, because finding out the truth is as difficult for the reader as it is for the characters! There are multiple point of views from chapter to chapter, which kept my interest peaked. The writing was really well done. It caught and held my attention from the very first chapter!
rosanatc's review against another edition
4.0
I had just finished the book and I'm very grateful this reading. It's a thriller good structured with cliffhangers and a good plot. Maybe the suspense wasn't so good although the way she told us the facts is good but little predictable. Well, I liked Laura writing and the way she explains facts and describes feelings and action. Caroline's little hard to handle but in the end, I understand her actions and all her fear with her mother. About other characters: Emma's a difficult temper and strong personality, Allie's mother and father are neutral. Sheriff Gaines it's mysterious and all worried about appearance. The city where is situated the story is a typical small town in the countryside , with all the gossip and judgments. Anyway, I really enjoyed this reading and a great book for everyone who wants new adventures.
crolovr's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I have read by Laura McNeill. Allie is paroled after serving 10 years for a crime she didn't commit. Allie is determined to clear her name and reconnect with Caroline, her now teenage daughter. Her hometown is not welcoming her home with open arms and the town Sheriff is keeping a close eye on her. Allie's sister Emma has been raising Caroline while she was in prison. Emma is doing everything in her power to keep Caroline from Allie. The story is told from the past and present by several characters. Characters are well developed and I found myself routing for Allie. The book is fast paced with several twists. I read this book in two days and the last 50 pages I could not read fast enough. This book is a must read!
jillhannaha's review against another edition
5.0
I started this book a couple months ago and had to put it aside right away due to other reading deadlines. But I'd read enough of it where the nagging "what happens next" kept me in suspense until I could pick up the book again.
You may think you've got this mystery/suspense novel figured out, but you will likely be wrong. About 3/4 of my way through SISTER DEAR, I told my husband I knew the underlying secret of the plot. I finished the book last night and had to admit. I. Was. Wrong.
The author weaves you in to caring what really happened to Allie, who was wrongly accused of murder ten years ago.
Yes, the author shows her hand in what likely happened, but the "why" and the twists are what keeps you reading (and keeps you surprised to the end.)
A great read!
You may think you've got this mystery/suspense novel figured out, but you will likely be wrong. About 3/4 of my way through SISTER DEAR, I told my husband I knew the underlying secret of the plot. I finished the book last night and had to admit. I. Was. Wrong.
The author weaves you in to caring what really happened to Allie, who was wrongly accused of murder ten years ago.
Yes, the author shows her hand in what likely happened, but the "why" and the twists are what keeps you reading (and keeps you surprised to the end.)
A great read!
mxrg_z's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
amandainpa's review against another edition
3.0
I went into this book with a lot of excitement, as psychological thrillers with twists and turns are my favorite kinds of books. Because I love them so much, I tend to read a lot of thrillers and the downside to that is that they can sometimes blend together and become predictable to me. Few thrillers that I read earn a 5 star rating from me…they have to knock my socks off and surprise me in some way to garner 5 stars.
Unfortunately, this book did not stand out to me. The plot was a bit weak and I was able to pick up on the twist early on. The story started out strong but got a bit slow in the beginning, with a fairly interesting ending.
This may have been a case of “it’s not you, it’s me” with this book…I read such a large quantity of thrillers so it didn’t feel special or new. I think someone who only dabbles in thrillers or someone who is a more casual reader would enjoy this book much more than I did.
The characters were the best part of the story, in my opinion. I enjoyed following Allie through her journey after prison. I gained a lot of insight into how difficult it is for people to transition back into society after being in prison.
This book is published by Thomas Nelson, a Christian publishing company, but I wouldn’t consider this a Christian book. Readers should be cautioned that this is more edgy than typical Christian fiction. Because it’s not extremely “preachy”, this book could be enjoyed by anyone who likes thrillers.
Overall, this was a good book. I liked it but didn’t love it. I’m happy to have read it and would definitely recommend it.
I received this book from the publisher and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange of an honest review.
Unfortunately, this book did not stand out to me. The plot was a bit weak and I was able to pick up on the twist early on. The story started out strong but got a bit slow in the beginning, with a fairly interesting ending.
This may have been a case of “it’s not you, it’s me” with this book…I read such a large quantity of thrillers so it didn’t feel special or new. I think someone who only dabbles in thrillers or someone who is a more casual reader would enjoy this book much more than I did.
The characters were the best part of the story, in my opinion. I enjoyed following Allie through her journey after prison. I gained a lot of insight into how difficult it is for people to transition back into society after being in prison.
This book is published by Thomas Nelson, a Christian publishing company, but I wouldn’t consider this a Christian book. Readers should be cautioned that this is more edgy than typical Christian fiction. Because it’s not extremely “preachy”, this book could be enjoyed by anyone who likes thrillers.
Overall, this was a good book. I liked it but didn’t love it. I’m happy to have read it and would definitely recommend it.
I received this book from the publisher and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange of an honest review.
lsmoore43's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book very much. I've loved all of Laura McNeill's books.
This one was really a touching story of a mother who had to prove herself to her daughter after she had spent ten years in prison for something she didn't do. She was a sort of outcast in the town where she grew up and at one time was very popular. After spending ten years in prison she gets out, finally gets a job in a vet's office and is getting her life back on track. All the time trying to prove that she was innocent and find out who the real killer was.
In parts you will know what is happening and in others you will be totally surprised. It's a heart wrenching story of sisters. One who loves the other with all her heart and appreciates all she has done for her. The other a selfish, back stabbing, lying, trouble maker, who tries to keep things from happening the way they should.
How could one sister be so mean and cruel and at the same time love and care for a child with all her heart. Is that real love or just another lie in her many line of dark secrets.
You must read this book. It will keep you turning pages until you finally find out everything and why things happened the way they did.
It is a definite 5 star book.
This one was really a touching story of a mother who had to prove herself to her daughter after she had spent ten years in prison for something she didn't do. She was a sort of outcast in the town where she grew up and at one time was very popular. After spending ten years in prison she gets out, finally gets a job in a vet's office and is getting her life back on track. All the time trying to prove that she was innocent and find out who the real killer was.
In parts you will know what is happening and in others you will be totally surprised. It's a heart wrenching story of sisters. One who loves the other with all her heart and appreciates all she has done for her. The other a selfish, back stabbing, lying, trouble maker, who tries to keep things from happening the way they should.
How could one sister be so mean and cruel and at the same time love and care for a child with all her heart. Is that real love or just another lie in her many line of dark secrets.
You must read this book. It will keep you turning pages until you finally find out everything and why things happened the way they did.
It is a definite 5 star book.