Sistering: The Art of Holding Close and Letting Go

by Danielle Neff, Jessica Dickey

“I don't know how my life would be different if I never had my sister, but I do know that the steadiness in how I stand in the world is in large part because she exists.” Two sisters—one a playwright, one a preacher—excavate their evolving bond. Swinging between irreverent humor and achy tenderness, The Art of Holding Close and Letting Go is for anyone who has been lucky enough to find their number one fan, and for those still searching. With honesty, laughter, adoration, and a few choice swear words, author-sisters Danielle Neff and Jessica Dickey look together at their lives and the love that makes it all worthwhile.

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2023

Reviews

[Grace Kober · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely and heartfelt journey of two sisters experiencing life, laughter, heartbreak, and pain, and loving each other through all of it. A quick and easy read that will have you thinking of your own sisterings.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read this amazing book, written by two sisters from my hometown. It’s a beautiful exchange of stories and POVs, about love, heartache, growing up and carving a path in the world.

[Jess Yaukey-Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandmama got me this book for Christmas and I am so happy she did. The book discusses the lives of Jessie and Dani, two sisters who grew up in the town my dad grew up in. Hearing their stories of sistering throughout various stages of life was heartwarming, eye opening and emotional. The book took me on quite a journey and at the end I she tears at how beautifully it came together. Dani is now the pastor at the church I grew up attending (and the one my grandmama still attends) and while I tend to have religious views that align more with her sister Jessie, I look forward to attending church to hear her give a sermon some day.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gift and a joy. As the authors share their experiences and insights, it’s like you become one of the family - the third sister, the confidant, the friend. And such a cool concept as Jessie and Dani’s insights into their own lives and then into each others lives paints a fuller picture than a solo memoir. A great idea born out of a special kinship.

The book is a swift read because the writing is conversational but also a book to savor because the writing is poetic and poignant. I also appreciate the thoughtfulness around the discussion of trauma in the book. As the sisters tell their stories, there are hard moments on the journey and the vulnerability, frankness and care with which they discuss these experiences is so well done.

Also worth mentioning the humor and wit! This duo is FUNNY. And they are inspiring. The way their hold their own truth, hold each others hearts, and hold up the communities around them is soul-stirring. May we all find our Jessies and Danis. May we all hold others and be held in this way.

I simply can’t recommend highly enough. A beautiful, life-affirming account of sisterhood, womanhood, and humanhood. I can’t wait to read again and to spend more time with this marvelous pair.

[Danika Sleeger Dallam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books you desire to read in one sitting, but cringe when life interrupts and requires a pause. It is about a relationship some may never experience, a bond so powerfully beautiful, purely honest and yet one that was not chosen like a marriage, but magically born out of life lived in a familial relationship. Too often we hear/read about dysfunctional relationships and this is a refreshing change filled with raw emotions, humor, tears and cuss words! The chapters are the warp and weft of each writer that weave into a fabric of sisterhood highlighting individual stories but also how the other sister is still stitched in some manner to the story thread. This bond is so strong that the writing styles of both authors is seamless, yet their individual personalities still shine through. What a treasure for them to have had the opportunity to create this gift to readers everywhere and for us to share a glimpse into their heart space!

I was honored to be an advanced reader for this book!

[Nathan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not at all just for folks who have sisters or might assume this is only absorbable by those who have proximity or affinity for femininity- It's for everyone. (Not that those pieces aren't tremendous. They are. But, the marrow is in the "art of holding close and letting go".)

I have two daughters, and while I certainly read through that lens, I also found myself pouring into my past and present relationships. I consistently drew straight and familiar lines from their stories to my own. None more plainly than when they both discuss their brother. This memoir is an entry point for improving any intimate relationship.

A funny/daring/brave and altogether beautiful story about a family.

I cannot summon who this isn't for.

(Maybe if you're not into laughing or crying or feeling things like warmth and hope?)

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about sisters and the connection between them. Jessica Dickey and Danielle Neff could not be more different, one is a pastor and the other an agnostic writer, but they have one thing in common, they have an unwavering connection to each other. In each other they have someone that “holds them in unconditional positive regard.” This book is full of moments both horrible and wonderful that they got through, not always perfectly or without mistakes or regrets, as sisters. Reading their words and reflection had me thinking about and wanting to call my sister.

This is a beautiful expression of the relationship between sisters and would make a perfect holiday gift for your sister or the person you consider a sister.

Thanks to tlc book tours and The Pilgrim Press for providing a copy of the book for my honest review.

[Laura Crouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hard to put down. Dani and Jessie are the best kind of story tellers - honest, witty, insightful, and engaging. Their writing is achingly vulnerable, incredibly relatable, and genuinely laugh out loud funny. This book tells the story of their relationship; and through the thoughtful weaving of their shared history they allow the reader to join with them in a space of connectedness. Though their relationship is truly unique and beautiful, Dani and Jessie speak to the very human desire to be seen and to be known.

It was an honor to get to read an advanced reader copy of this book - and I cannot wait to read it again (and again). It was such a privilege to get to connect with Dani and Jessie in their story, I cannot recommend this book enough.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the #gifted copy @tlcbooktours @sisteringtogether @thepilgrimpress @preachermama and @jessiedickeyextra

"I don't know how my life would be different if I never had my sister, but I do know that the steadiness in how I stand in the world is in large part because she exists."

If you have been blessed with a sister … or better yet, a sister-friend … then this book is for you! Two sisters get real and raw as they share the good and the not so good of their journey together through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Emotional, heartwarming and totally relatable!

[Danielle L. Kardisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie and Dani are each in their own right rich and compelling storytellers, but the was their essays compliment each other evokes all the feels of being in deep relationship with someone. I laughed, cried, was angry and cheered. The depth of vulnerability touched on the tender parts of my story, and not a stomp, but a gentle hand to bring insight and comfort that the lived human experience isn’t mine to bear alone.

I was given an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What relationship has been most crucial for you? Dani and Jessie invite us into an exploration of the bond they have shared throughout their lives, a connection that provides comfort and provokes growth, forming and transforming their personal and vocational commitments and aspirations. Their vision of sistering illuminates paths to deepening relationships, whether we have our own sisters or not.

[Rebecca Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was uplifting,emotional,powerful. I loved every word penned on the pages. Jessie and Dani and both beautiful people and I am privileged to have known them and shared some of my life in that big house in waynesboro. BFGF! Madonna forever. 😉

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read and gift this memorable memoir by sisters who somehow found their collective female voices while claiming their own unique ones. Love how they create an imaginable family portrait through their stories and memories. There's still time to buy/gift by Christmas.

[Michelle myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written about two sisters, their bond and how growing further apart physically does not mean they aren't there for each other

[Amanda Porter]

I multiple times reread beautiful lines and wanted to share with the “sisters” in my life. Thank you for sharing your heart, vulnerabilities, and stories.

[Karna Converse · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world would be a better place if we all had someone with whom to share a love and support system as deep as these two sisters.

2025 Plymouth Church Faithful Readers book club selection

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book about the very strong bond between two sisters. Parts are funny, but they do not avoid some painful chapters in their lives. Despite their obvious differences, their relationship has endured from their childhood to the present. Everyone should have the kind of special connection that these two sisters have with someone in their life! A delightful read.

[Violet Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got me back into reading non-fiction! Loved every bit of it!