Posts Tagged 'sisters'

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor

Published April 22, 2025 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Noa’s sister died tragically the summer before Noa’s senior year and, although there is sadness there, she also felt relieved in some ways because she is no longer in Leah’s shadow. No matter what Noa was interested in, somehow Leah would be better at it and get all the attention. For example, Noa has wanted to be an investigative reporter for a long time so she was devastated when she heard Leah had gotten an internship reporting on society for a Manhattan newspaper. Leah tried to reach out to Noa shortly before her death, but Noa was still angry and did not connect with her. After Leah’s death, Noa learns there were some suspicious circumstances and she feels she owes it to her to investigate. As she tries to get in with the NY elite, it becomes very clear that these people do whatever they want and get away with it. She also learns she isn’t sure whom she can trust. Could one of them really have hurt her sister? Why would anyone want to murder someone over a society column? Is there a way to find the truth before they discover who she really is?

This exciting mystery story follows an aspiring reporter as she tries to find the truth about her sister’s death. She doesn’t hide the fact that they were not close and she often resented her, but in the end she does want to do right by her. The wealthy, powerful people appear charming and accommodating at first, but quickly things turn as she starts to notice cracks in the façade. Everything seems so shiny and exciting at first, but she quickly learns that these people are only out for themselves. The big question is whether or not Leah found out something that got her killed or if she simply couldn’t handle the pressure. Recommended for fans of fast paced mysteries such as April Henry.

Bittersweet in the Hollow by Kate Pearsall

Published October 1, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Fantasy

Linden and her sisters all have the ability to taste the feelings of those around them. Over the years, people in their small town have started to get spooked by the James women because of their supernatural abilities. They run a popular cafe in town, however, and many can’t resist their fried green tomatoes. Linden went missing in the woods one night and does not remember what happened to her or how she found her way home, but when another girl goes missing shortly after and is not so lucky as to return home safely, many start to wonder if there is a creature in the woods preying on young women. Meanwhile, it feels like someone is specifically targeting the James women and Linden is not sure how to stop it before they lose everything. Can Linden and her sisters get to the bottom of who is behind these attacks? Can Linden find a way to use her ability to her advantage with those around her? Will she ever be able to find a way back to her beloved boyfriend, Cole, who fled when he learned of her abillity?

Fans of fantasy books will enjoy this title because it has a unique premise, interesting characters, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. The mystery itself has more twists in it than it originally appears and the ending is very exciting and dramatic. There are also many secrets amongst the characters that all prove to be very important to the story once they are revealed. The James women are the real star of this novel and readers will want to know more about this charismatic family.

The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnold

Published September 10, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Historical Fiction

This powerful story set in 1930s-1940s Romania is based on the author’s grandmother. Rieke is a young girl whose father frequently abandons her, her mother, and her sister. Finally, in an act of desperation, her older sister Astra begs a neighbor to call her grandfather, Opa, and he comes to take them all to her house where he can keep them fed and healthy. Unfortunately, they are invaded by the Soviets who do not care for Jews and they all begin to face hardships regarding all aspects of daily life such as going to school, getting groceries, and even Opa’s jewelry shop. Throughout it all, Rieke tries to remain positive as her Opa prays and her sister begins running around with a secret boyfriend. Eventually, Romania falls to the Germans who somehow make life even worse for the Jews. As Rieke witnesses terrible things happen all around her she can’t help but think about all she has been through and what she will do in order to survive.

This powerful story is important for us to know about because Romania during WWII is not discussed as much as other areas and many people are unaware what life was like for Jews during this time. There were instances of forcing Jews from their homes, sending them to work camps, senselessly murdering them in the streets and so much more. These are important stories for us all to know about. Rieke also has a very unusual relationship with her sister, Astra. She both loves and adores her and also feels she is treated cruelly by her. In her eyes, no one can ever refuse Astra anything she wants which makes her a powerful force. That is great if she is on your side, but not so great if she’s not. Highly recommended for anyone who likes WWII fiction and stories about strong families overcoming hardship.

Have You Seen My Sister? by Kirsty McKay

Published April 25, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Esme is visiting her older sister, along with her parents, all the way from England. Her sister is taking a gap year and is currently working at a ski resort. On the night before Esme is supposed to leave, her sister, Gaia, disappears and no one has any idea where she might have gone. Obviously, Esme’s family stays to look for her and it quickly becomes quite a group effort as searches are organized all over the snowy mountains. Esme has a condition called dyspraxia, which means she has trouble keeping track of details such as how much time has passed and when she last saw her sister. As Esme and another resort worker, Bode, try to retrace her sister’s footsteps, she quickly realizes that her sister was not telling her family everything about her life in the U.S. The other resort workers all seem to be hiding something as well. Is it possible they know where Gaia is? Could Gaia have run away? Esme and her parents are determined not to leave until they know what happened to Gaia.

This mystery is engaging from the beginning, but does set itself apart due to the fact that the main character has dyspraxia which does hinder her ability to help in the investigation. Slowly, information comes out about Gaia’s relationship with the family and how her being in another country all of this time has greatly challenged those relationships. The way all of her friends handle the disappearance really shows how much technology has changed reality in both how they try to find clues for finding Gaia to actually trying to use her disappearance to bring more attention to themselves and possibly elevate their online presence personally. It is unclear exactly why no one really thinks Esme could be helpful in locating her sister, but in many ways it works in her favor as she is able to do her own thing and investigate in ways that the adults around her might not approve of. Recommended for mystery lovers.

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

Published February 13, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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                  Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

The Davenports are one of the few prominent, wealthy Black families in 1910 Chicago. They have a son, John, who is ready to not only take over the carriage business, but hopefully bring it into the modern era. He has also fallen for the maid, Amy Rose, who is mixed race and therefore poses more than one obstacle for them to ever be together. The Davenports also have two daughters, Olivia and Helen, who are both supposed to be trying to find suitable husbands. Olivia has always taken her role seriously and knows how proper ladies should act and run a household. Helen, on the other hand, is much more interested in working on cars in the family garage and would love to be a part of the family business even though that is considered highly inappropriate for a woman at this time. Is there any way she can convince her father to let her help with the business? When Olivia meets a human rights lawyer her entire view on life changes, but can she really give up everything she has ever known to pursue a very dangerous life of potential violence and protests? Ruby, Olivia’s friend, has always dreamed of marrying John and becoming family with the Davenports, but when she meets a new man she cannot help feel he might be a better match for her. Can she go against her parents wishes to marry for love?

The first installment about the Davenport family introduces several great characters as well as historical background that helps the reader truly see the obstacles facing people of color at this time in the nation’s past. The action in the story is also really exciting and keeps the reader guessing as to what might happen to these characters as they balance what is expected of them with what they actually want to do with their lives. The setting is really engaging and there is still a lot of story left to tell with not only the main characters, but several of the minor ones as well. Fans will be very excited for the second installment to find out what happens next with these dynamic characters. Recommended for fans of The American Royals series.

Stardust in their Veins by Laura Sebastian

Published April 19, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Fantasy

This sequel to Castles In Their Bones follows the two remaining sisters, Daphne and Beatriz in the wake of Sophronia’s death. Daphne is still in denial that their mother could have had anything to do with her sister’s death and partly blames Sophronia for failing in the mission they have been trained to do since birth. Beatriz, meanwhile, has been imprisoned along with her husband for treason. Luckily, there are people willing to risk everything in order to help these sisters avenge Sophie and they do not want those efforts to be in vain. As Beatriz starts to explore the real possibility that she is an emphyrea she quickly learns that whatever her magical strength is is not a common one. Daphne is determined to find out exactly what happened to Sophie while also taking everything with a grain of salt, because up until now she has never had any reason to question what her mother tells her and it feels unnatural to stop trusting her now. As the stakes get higher, both sisters must choose where their loyalties lay in order to make the tough decisions they know are ahead. Can they get to the truth about their mother’s plan for them? How do the circumstances surrounding their birth explain their paths in life? Will they ever feel whole again without Sophie?

This was one of the most satisfying sequels that has been published in a while and fans will clamor for another installment. The plight of Beatriz and Daphne is so real and carefully created so that the reader cannot help but feel their anger, desperation, and pain as the true actions of their mother come to light. The action is so vivid that it’s easy to get caught up with both of their stories as the chapters switch between them. The characters are all really well described and despite how many there are, it’s easy to really become engrossed with what is happening with the supporting characters as well as the sisters. Highly Recommended.

Family of Liars by E. Lockhart

Published November 21, 2022 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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In this prequel to We Were Liars, Carrie narrates the story of the first summer on the Sinclair island after they lost their beloved sister, Rosemary. Carrie, Penny, and Bess, the three remaining Sinclair sisters, are all doing their best to cope with the loss of their baby sister and each doing it in their own way. Carrie seems to be struggling the most as she had to undergo painful jaw surgery during the school year that has led to a pill addiction now. She is very much looking forward to her cousin coming to join her for the summer, but when Yardley finally comes she is joined by her boyfriend and two other boys. That greatly changes things as Carrie has never before had a boyfriend of any kind. As they frolic on the small island, she begins to form a relationship with Pfeff, but every time she gets her hopes up he always manages to disappoint her until they reach a breaking point. Will she look back on this summer with affection or not? Will she come to regret some of the things said and done during that fateful summer? Will she ever make peace with losing her baby sister?

Fans of the original story will enjoy learning more about the famous Sinclair family and how things got to be so difficult. There are a lot of twists in the plot of this story and the writing style is very descriptive and rich, but sometimes can be a little hard for struggling readers. It is refreshing to meet the sisters at such a young age and learn about some of the things they struggled with before they became adults. There is definitely a lot of pressure on them to be perfect in every way to the outside world. The characters in this story will leave readers thinking about them long after the book is finished. Recommended.

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price

Published November 7, 2022 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Historical Mystery

In this fun retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Lizzie is desperate to work for her father’s law firm, but he has kept her to the side working small office jobs because he doesn’t think it’s proper for a young lady to aspire to become a lawyer. Meanwhile, the heir to his estate, a dour Mr. Collins, is working at the firm and frequently takes credit for Lizzie’s work as he seems to have very little work ethic himself. Lizzie’s mom would love to see one of their five daughters marry Mr. Collins so that they will not be turned out of their house when Lizzie’s dad eventually dies. Lizzie has made it clear she has no interest in Mr. Collins and finds him rather repulsive. When Lizzie learns that there has been a murder and a Mr. Bingley has been accused of the crime, she immediately feels this is her shot to prove to her father that she can be a valuable asset to the firm. She goes to the jail to meet Mr. Bingley, but is not there very long before a Mr. Darcy arrives to post bail for his client and good friend. Mr. Darcy is not amused that Lizzie is inserting herself into this case, but Mr. Bingley is desperate for anyone to help him out of this predicament. The man who was murdered was Mr. Bingley’s brother-in-law and it was well known that the two were not getting on very well at the moment and that Mr. Bingley’s sister was planning to leave him. Lizzie decides she needs to prove her ability to solve a case by continuing to investigate and comes across a young man working as a runner named Mr. Wickham who seems very eager to help her. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy has made it very clear that he doesn’t want her meddling in his case. Who can Lizzie trust to help her get to the truth? What secrets are the Bingley’s hiding? Can Lizzie every prove to her father that she is more valuable than Mr. Collins?

This fun retelling will interest anyone who enjoys historical mysteries. Fans of the original will have fun seeing how each character fits into this version. The mystery itself is very engaging and has some serious twists and turns leading up to its big finale. Mystery fans will not be disappointed by the resolution of the mystery. Lizzie’s character is true to her original nature, but pushes her to be even more forceful in her wish to find the truth for Mr. Bingley. There are several characters who do not play as big of a part as they did in the original, but that doesn’t detract from the interesting plot of the mystery. It was thoroughly entertaining throughout and it will be fun to see more in this series in the future.

My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding by Sajni Patel

Published October 31, 2022 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Romance/Realistic fiction

Zurika Damani is nervously awaiting her college acceptance letters to see if she can go to school for music (her passion is the violin) or if her parents will force her to go into pre-law as they do not believe music can be a viable career. There is a huge music competition coming up that she very much wants to go to because several elite college scouts will be there, but it during her sister’s weeklong wedding celebration. In the Indian culture there are many events around a wedding and Zuri’s family has made it very clear they expect her to be present at each and every wedding event. She must also rehearse several choreographed dance numbers and it is no secret that everyone thinks she and her partner would make a wonderful couple down the road. When she finally meets Naveen she realizes that he is not only charming, but a very talented singer who is also planning to go to the music competition. Zuri loves her family and wants to make them proud, but she can’t deny her natural inclination to pursue music as a career. Can she find a way to go to the competition without her family knowing? Is there any way her family would support her pursuing music in college? Does she think there could be a future for her and Naveen?

This story nicely depicts an American Indian family trying to incorporate all of their traditions into a wedding. There are not a lot of books about the American Indian culture and this is a good book to help normalize how students view the Indian culture around them. In many ways, Zuri’s family is like any other American family, but it is easy to see how even between generations there is a difference in how wedding traditions are viewed, which is something many families can relate to. Zuri is a very sympathetic character because she wants to be supportive of her family whom she loves, but she desperately wants some of that support for herself and her academic pursuits as well. Many students, regardless of culture, will be able to identify with feeling like you are an outsider in your own family. The relationships between the sisters and cousins are well developed and it’s easy to feel connected to this family and their story. Recommended for those who enjoy romances or books celebrating other cultures.

Sense and Second Degree Murder by Tirzah Price

Published October 18, 2022 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Historical Fiction Mystery

Elinor Dashwood is greatly saddened when her father suddenly dies working at his desk one night. She has to break the news to her younger sisters, Marianne and Margaret, and their mother. To make matters worse, everything their father owned legally now belongs to his son from his first marriage, and his wife makes it very clear that they want them out of the house. With very little to their names, they must rely on the kindness of a distant relative who offers to rent them a tiny apartment in a bustling part of the city. Marianne, the middle sister, had previously worked with their father in his detective business and very much wants to keep it going, but is denied by her brother and his wife who now legally own the business and have chosen to close it. Before they move out of their home, Marianne notices that the teacup their father was drinking from the night he died contains an unusual substance. Elinor likes studying chemistry and immediately tries to find out what the substance is, but it does not appear to be a commonly known one. As they settle into their new life, they find that many of their old friends have forsaken them now that they are no longer a part of high society and they quickly learn who they can really rely on. Can they trust Edward Farrell, their brother’s brother-in-law, who seems to be eager to help the Dashwoods? Who is this mysterious man Mr. Willoughby who has begun to show a romantic interest in Marianne? Is it possible someone intentionally hurt their father and if so, why?

Fans of Jane Austen will enjoy this fun updated mystery version. All of the main elements are there from the original story, but the sisters seem more modern and savvy in their quest for truth and wisdom. The mystery itself holds up very well considering the characters are already set from the original version. Somehow the personalities of the characters remained in tact even as their role in the story changed to fit the mystery of how Mr. Dashwood died. There are many satisfying twists to the mystery and the resolution seemed fitting for the time period the story is set in. Highly recommended for Jane Austen fans and those looking for a fun historical fiction mystery.

Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets by Chelsea Ichaso

Published September 13, 2022 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Savannah’s sister, Piper, was in a mysterious hiking accident that left her in a coma. Everyone thought it was a tragic accident, but Savannah is taking it particularly hard since she always felt like she was in Piper’s shadow. Piper seemed to just excel at everything she did and often Savannah felt resentful, which feels really wrong now that there’s a good possibility she won’t wake up. In order to try and connect with her sister a little, Savannah takes up one of Piper’s activities, which was the winderness club. In fact, they give her Piper’s backpack filled with wilderness essentials and it’s there that she finds a note telling Piper that there will be a wilderness meeting at the same time and place where she had her tragic fall. However, everyone in the group assures Savannah that there was no such meeting. Was someone with Piper when she fell? Did someone lure her there on purpose? Can Savannah find out what really happened to her sister?

This mystery presents several different characters who all seem to be involved in the story in some way, which makes it fun for the reader to follow along and find out who really knows what happened to Piper. It’s also easy to understand why Savannah has such mixed feelings toward her sister as you see how everyone continues to treat her even now that Piper’s not around. The mystery itself is fun and the ending is satisfying. It’s a fun read for those looking for something quick and light.

The Project by Courtney Summers

Published December 10, 2021 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Realistic Fiction

After a terrible accident kills her parents, Bea is willing to do anything to save her sister, Lo. When Lev Warren approaches her in the hospital he claims he can save Lo as long as Bea commits to his religious community, The Unity Project. Bea agrees, but doesn’t know exactly what that means until she’s expected to give up her sister and everything else she’s ever known and move to the Unity Project. Lo, meanwhile, grows up and believes the Unity Project is a cult who stole her sister. Every time she’s tried to reach out to her, she is blocked by members who claim Bea wants nothing to do with her. Now, as an adult, Lo works for a news publication and longs for the day she can write an article herself. When the opportunity presents itself to investigate the Unity Project she jumps at the chance to expose them, but is it what she thinks it is? Lo finds there are many surprises in store for her at the Unity Project, but can she get to the truth and not just what everyone wants her to see? Can Lo find a way to reunite with Bea or is it too late for them?

This book is for those looking for a more serious read. Bea and Lo both struggle with the loss of their parents and the fact that Lo almost died as well. It has changed the way they see the world, but in different ways. In trying to find truth, both have taken very different paths in life, but Lo very much wants to find a way to have a sister again and she’s willing to do almost anything to get it. The characters are very well developed and it’s easy for the reader to see how everyone came to make the decisions they did. This book has action, suspense, and so much more, but it does tackle some serious topics, such as death and abuse so anyone looking for a light read will want to pass on this one.

Night Swim by Megan Goldin

Published September 15, 2021 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Rachel Krall has a murder podcast that has gained her some notoriety, but she is used to being fairly anonymous which is why she’s so stunned when she starts receiving letters on her car, in her hotel room, and other places that no one should know about. The letters are from the sister of a girl, Jenny Stills, who died 25 years ago under mysterious circumstances. Officially, the death was ruled a drowning, but as Rachel starts investigating it does seem like the facts don’t add up. In the meantime, the reason Rachel is in this small town is to report on a rape trial going on that has divided the town. Everyone has an opinion about the two people involved in this case and feels like they should have a say in what happens. The boy is a promising swimmer and many believe that he shouldn’t have his reputation sullied by a girl they believe simply changed her mind. The girl’s parents, however, say she hasn’t been the same since that fateful day and they know it was indeed rape. Can Rachel report on this case in a way that portrays both sides equally and fairly while holding off the growing hostility of the people in the town? Can she get to the bottom of what happened to Jenny Still all those years ago and bring peace to Jenny’s sister?

This story is engaging from the beginning as both the ongoing trial and the mystery from the past have many twists and turns in them. The fact she runs a podcast is also interesting because more and more people have been enjoying crime podcasts lately. Rachel’s character seems fleshed out and you can definitely see how motivated she is to make her podcast relevant, but also factual. The eventual resolution is satisfying and doesn’t feel too rushed as the pieces start to come together. Fans of The Escape Room, The Woman in Cabin 10, and the Woman in the Window will enjoy this title.

The Invention of Sophie Carter by Samantha Hastings

Published January 13, 2021 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Historical Fiction

Number of pages: 258

In 1851, identical twins Sophie and Mariah Carter are struggling to get out of the difficult situation they found themselves in when their adoptive family cast them aside after 8 loving years and sent them to live with a family who treated them as slave labor. Despite many years of loyal work, they are not treated well and any money they earn outside the home is kept by the wife or spent at the local pub by the husband. Sophie has never understood why their mother’s sister refused to take them in when their mom died in childbirth. She has become quite fond of science and technology from working in a clock shop and she desperately wants to go to London where she hopes to become an inventor. Sophie writes to her aunt and her aunt replies that she can take one of them for one season in the hopes of helping her find a husband, but Sophie cannot leave Mariah behind so they go to London together and pretend to both be Sophie. Mariah’s interests are literature and art, which takes her in a different direction in London and both sisters end up meeting men who like them as individuals. Can they keep up the charade of both being Sophie? Will the men they like forgive them for not telling them the truth up front? Will their aunt ever find any affection for her only nieces?

This historical fiction story is full of adventure and romance. Both Sophie and Mariah desperately want to make their way in this exciting city, but they have grown up realizing they really only have each other they can depend on which makes them a little slow to trust people they meet. They are fortunate to meet many kind, generous people in their London adventures, but they always have the fear that it will be discovered they are both posing as Sophie and be cast out. The romances are both realistically built up over time and the two men are sufficiently different for two such different sisters. Recommended for historical fiction and romance fans.

Prince in Disguise by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Published December 18, 2020 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Romance

Number of Pages: 307

Dylan is a typical high school student in Alabama, except for the fact that her sister, Dusty, is a former Miss Alabama and recently found love with a Scottish Laird on a reality tv show called Prince in Disguise. Now, she has to give up her Christmas vacation to go to Scotland for her sister’s wedding, which will be filmed for an upcoming television event as a follow-up to the original show. Dylan feels like the reality film crew is setting her up to look bad as the comic relief in their show when no one comes to get her from the train station, she never receives an itinerary but it still chastized for being late to events, and even when they force her to attend a formal dinner in muddy running clothes. What she does not count on, however, is that there will be a funny, sweet young man there to make her feel visible at all times in a world where she thought everyone only saw her sister. As soon as she meets Jamie, she is instantly intrigued by him as he seems to truly like her just the way she is. As they spend more time together she thinks she could actually find her first boyfriend in a Scottish castle. Can she find a way to spend more time with Jamie without the cameras following her every move? Can she handle all the planned twists and turns the reality show producers throw at her? Could she find her first love in the last place she would have looked for it?

This delightful Christmas romance is fun for anyone looking to escape for a bit or for fans of Holiday TV movies. Dylan’s initial awkwardness fits with the build up of a southern girl in Scotland for the first time and readers will want to see what happens as she becomes more confident with Jamie. Many readers will pick up on some of the big reveals long before Dylan does, but that doesn’t take away from the charming nature of the story at all. Even Dylan’s relationship with her sister, Dusty, feels developed and real instead of the generic backdrop to Dylan and Jamie’s story. Recommended for romance fans looking for a Christmas story.

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