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The Never Never Sisters
An absorbing, highly entertaining novel about family secrets, The Never Never Sisters introduces you to the strong-willed and big-hearted Reinhardt women, as they reunite one summer in New York. Gifted storyteller L. Alison Heller has written another witty and moving page-turner that will captivate readers and keep them guessing right up until the satisfying end.
Sometimes you just need to get away….
Marriage counselor Paige Reinhardt is counting down the days to summer, eager to reconnect with her workaholic husband at their cozy rental cottage in the Hamptons. But soon a mysterious crisis at Dave’s work ruins their getaway plans. Paige is still figuring out how to handle the unexplained chill in her marriage when her troubled sister suddenly returns after a two-decade silence. Now, instead of enjoying the lazy summer days along the ocean, Paige is navigating the rocky waters of a forgotten bond with her sister in the sweltering city heat.
As she attempts to dig deeper into Dave’s work troubles and some long-held family secrets, Paige is shocked to discover how little she knows about the people closest to her. This summer, the self-proclaimed relationship expert will grapple with her biggest challenge yet: Is it worth risking your most precious relationships in order to find yourself?
Sometimes you just need to get away….
Marriage counselor Paige Reinhardt is counting down the days to summer, eager to reconnect with her workaholic husband at their cozy rental cottage in the Hamptons. But soon a mysterious crisis at Dave’s work ruins their getaway plans. Paige is still figuring out how to handle the unexplained chill in her marriage when her troubled sister suddenly returns after a two-decade silence. Now, instead of enjoying the lazy summer days along the ocean, Paige is navigating the rocky waters of a forgotten bond with her sister in the sweltering city heat.
As she attempts to dig deeper into Dave’s work troubles and some long-held family secrets, Paige is shocked to discover how little she knows about the people closest to her. This summer, the self-proclaimed relationship expert will grapple with her biggest challenge yet: Is it worth risking your most precious relationships in order to find yourself?
323 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2014
35 people are currently reading
2537 people want to read
About the author
L. Alison Heller
3 books237 followersL. Alison Heller is the author of The Neighbor's Secret, The Never Never Sisters, and The Love Wars. She lives in Colorado with her family and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
February 15, 2016
This book was not horrible, but it wasn't great, either.
Paige and Sloane are sisters and have been disconnected for so many years when all of a sudden Sloane comes back. It's obvious that she despises her mother, but that she wants to connect with Paige. The story has many twists and turns, especially with Dave and Paige.
Dave is sent home from work one day and tells Paige there is an internal investigation going on. He has no clue why though. Paige, through Sloane tries to get to the end of things. Then all of a sudden Dave goes back to work, but he's odd... he's off. Paige knows something else is wrong.
Percy, a friend of Sloane, comes to Paige's aid. Together they try to find out why Dave was investigated. About the time that Paige finds out, Dave's firm is raided by the FBI for insider trading. Paige figures this is what he was investigated for but what she doesn't know is that it's far worse.
This is a good story... Like I said not great. Paige and Sloane connect, which I love because there are sisters. Dave and Paige write the end to their story, and Percy ends up buying a lamp... A huge jump for him.
If you don't get it.. Read the book! It wasn't a waste of time for me, but it isn't on my top five list.
Paige and Sloane are sisters and have been disconnected for so many years when all of a sudden Sloane comes back. It's obvious that she despises her mother, but that she wants to connect with Paige. The story has many twists and turns, especially with Dave and Paige.
Dave is sent home from work one day and tells Paige there is an internal investigation going on. He has no clue why though. Paige, through Sloane tries to get to the end of things. Then all of a sudden Dave goes back to work, but he's odd... he's off. Paige knows something else is wrong.
Percy, a friend of Sloane, comes to Paige's aid. Together they try to find out why Dave was investigated. About the time that Paige finds out, Dave's firm is raided by the FBI for insider trading. Paige figures this is what he was investigated for but what she doesn't know is that it's far worse.
This is a good story... Like I said not great. Paige and Sloane connect, which I love because there are sisters. Dave and Paige write the end to their story, and Percy ends up buying a lamp... A huge jump for him.
If you don't get it.. Read the book! It wasn't a waste of time for me, but it isn't on my top five list.
March 13, 2014
Once I picked this book up I couldn't put it down. It has been a long time since a book has held me and drawn me in. Reading about the troubles of the family and wondering what was going to happen next! If you haven't read this you need to
June 6, 2015
Don't let the smiling sisters on the cover fool you. This isn't a story where two sisters get together after a long time and bond so easily. There's a lot of turbulence when it comes to Paige and Sloane. Paige is facing an ordeal when Sloane announces that she's coming to see her family after twenty years of being away from their lives. It doesn't really faze Paige when her mother tells her because she has no real memories of her sister. She has always kept her in the back burner of her mind because whenever she used to mention her runaway sister Sloane, her parents would change the subject. That's a lot of the family dynamic in this story. If you don't talk about it, you don't have to deal with it. That's actually something I've seen in my own family at times. I wish we were more open and taking a sneak peek at what could happen if we don't well... let's say I never want to be in their position.
The Never Never Sisters is about trust, honesty, pain, secrets, and figuring out how to be a family. I enjoyed reading about all the characters. Paige had to deal with her husband Dave who was freaking out about his job. That unfolded unlike how I expected. I always like a surprise or two in my books so it was welcome. Sloane is an enigma of sorts. She's always really gloomy. I couldn't understand why she hates her mother so much until the secret was revealed. Although, I still didn't understand considering her past. I got to read about Paige and her mother Vanessa's POV which I really appreciated. I wanted to know the mother's perspective and how she was feeling now that her daughter was coming home again. She kind of has this facade about her that everything is okay, yet I found her to be incredibly vulnerable. It was interesting seeing that really you don't really know someone unless you are inside their head. There's so much we leave out when talking to people who are close to us, I just hope that I know my future husband more than Paige felt like she did.
Sloane really came to life when she was with Paige. It was really getting to me on how much she obviously cared for her sister. I'm so happy for Paige that she reached out even though there are some ideas that Paige doesn't really understand about her sister. Their bonding was full of ups and downs. I enjoyed exploring them with the sisters and seeing the end result. Everything isn't perfect with the lives of this family, but that's not how life is. The Never Never Sisters is a great example of how we need to be honest with ourselves and really get to know our loved ones because you never know what their secrets might reveal about them.
The Never Never Sisters is about trust, honesty, pain, secrets, and figuring out how to be a family. I enjoyed reading about all the characters. Paige had to deal with her husband Dave who was freaking out about his job. That unfolded unlike how I expected. I always like a surprise or two in my books so it was welcome. Sloane is an enigma of sorts. She's always really gloomy. I couldn't understand why she hates her mother so much until the secret was revealed. Although, I still didn't understand considering her past. I got to read about Paige and her mother Vanessa's POV which I really appreciated. I wanted to know the mother's perspective and how she was feeling now that her daughter was coming home again. She kind of has this facade about her that everything is okay, yet I found her to be incredibly vulnerable. It was interesting seeing that really you don't really know someone unless you are inside their head. There's so much we leave out when talking to people who are close to us, I just hope that I know my future husband more than Paige felt like she did.
Sloane really came to life when she was with Paige. It was really getting to me on how much she obviously cared for her sister. I'm so happy for Paige that she reached out even though there are some ideas that Paige doesn't really understand about her sister. Their bonding was full of ups and downs. I enjoyed exploring them with the sisters and seeing the end result. Everything isn't perfect with the lives of this family, but that's not how life is. The Never Never Sisters is a great example of how we need to be honest with ourselves and really get to know our loved ones because you never know what their secrets might reveal about them.
July 2, 2014
First off, I really love the cover of this book. There are two girls lying next to each other, yet the title of the book says "never never." I found that intriguing. Opening the book, I found that L. Allison Heller wrote a real-life, entertaining, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, endearing story of a dysfunctional family - and aren't we all? The book is about two sisters trying to reconnect after many years of estrangement caused in the beginning by the older sister's drug use and subsequent rehabilitation.
As the sisters begin to learn about each other as adults, you are drawn into the difficulties they face as they try to fit into each other's lives. I thought that THE NEVER NEVER SISTERS read like a memoir; that is how true-to-life the author writes. The story begins with Paige and her perfect life which soon begins to spiral out of control, leaving her wondering if she really knows those close to her. It is a story about self-discovery and how the past shapes who we are and how we think.
I think this quote sums up the book quite eloquently:
"The Never Never Sisters is a fast, entertaining and though- provoking story that explores important real-life issues like relationship, family bonding, and addiction. Through its strong and memorable cast of characters, including the sibling's mother Vanessa, the author paints a sweeping story of reconciliation, forgiveness and healing. Compelling, powerful, poignant, and at times delightfully witty... "
Although I felt the book started out a little slow, it picked up its pace and the writing was good. I would recommend this book and I feel THE NEVER NEVER SISTERS is worth five stars.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As the sisters begin to learn about each other as adults, you are drawn into the difficulties they face as they try to fit into each other's lives. I thought that THE NEVER NEVER SISTERS read like a memoir; that is how true-to-life the author writes. The story begins with Paige and her perfect life which soon begins to spiral out of control, leaving her wondering if she really knows those close to her. It is a story about self-discovery and how the past shapes who we are and how we think.
I think this quote sums up the book quite eloquently:
"The Never Never Sisters is a fast, entertaining and though- provoking story that explores important real-life issues like relationship, family bonding, and addiction. Through its strong and memorable cast of characters, including the sibling's mother Vanessa, the author paints a sweeping story of reconciliation, forgiveness and healing. Compelling, powerful, poignant, and at times delightfully witty... "
Although I felt the book started out a little slow, it picked up its pace and the writing was good. I would recommend this book and I feel THE NEVER NEVER SISTERS is worth five stars.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2014
I really enjoyed this nuanced thoughtful and compelling story. I thought Ms. Heller's debut novel, The Love Wars, was a riveting read and am pleased to find that this second novel continues to showcase the author's witty turn of phrase and observational powers while achieving increasing depth and complexity.
Paige, the heroine, is a marriage counselor who finds herself having doubts about her own marriage. As she starts to question some of the assumptions she has about her life and relationships, she ultimately grows in maturity and conviction throughout the book, and I liked seeing her find herself and her voice. I thought that the story of two sisters who restart their relationship as adults was beautifully handled. As well, the generational dynamics are presented perfectly with the mother-daughter interactions and conflicts balanced by the different perspectives of the characters.
I don't want to give away too much, but there is a big plot twist in the book, and I did not guess or predict what would happen, but the twist made a lot of sense and grounded the book in a really powerful way.
In sum, this is a read that is fast and entertaining, but it is also a read that stays with you and makes you think. I will definitely be waiting for Ms. Heller's third novel!
Paige, the heroine, is a marriage counselor who finds herself having doubts about her own marriage. As she starts to question some of the assumptions she has about her life and relationships, she ultimately grows in maturity and conviction throughout the book, and I liked seeing her find herself and her voice. I thought that the story of two sisters who restart their relationship as adults was beautifully handled. As well, the generational dynamics are presented perfectly with the mother-daughter interactions and conflicts balanced by the different perspectives of the characters.
I don't want to give away too much, but there is a big plot twist in the book, and I did not guess or predict what would happen, but the twist made a lot of sense and grounded the book in a really powerful way.
In sum, this is a read that is fast and entertaining, but it is also a read that stays with you and makes you think. I will definitely be waiting for Ms. Heller's third novel!
December 19, 2014
Heller does a great job examining the relationships between people: parents and children, spouses, siblings, etc.
This is an enjoyable book about a marriage counselor whose lawyer husband is suspended from work. He says he has no information about why he is suspended. She does not believe him and grows increasingly worried that he is lying to her and hiding something. She wonders if she can live with this. There is a lot of suspense--not the someone will jump out at you kind, but the turn the page fast, "What happens next?" kind.
The other main plot element is that Paige's sister Sloan was an addict who left home for rehab at 16 years old. 20 years later, Sloan is coming back to New York City to visit her family.
There is an additional story about Paige's mother, Vanessa, and her life during the time when Sloan was addicted to drugs. This is told via a journal and this was the one part that did not captivate me. I skimmed through these entries.
I would sit down to read this book and look up 2 hours later, oblivious to how much time had gone by. The Never Never Sisters is engrossing and unputdownable.
This is an enjoyable book about a marriage counselor whose lawyer husband is suspended from work. He says he has no information about why he is suspended. She does not believe him and grows increasingly worried that he is lying to her and hiding something. She wonders if she can live with this. There is a lot of suspense--not the someone will jump out at you kind, but the turn the page fast, "What happens next?" kind.
The other main plot element is that Paige's sister Sloan was an addict who left home for rehab at 16 years old. 20 years later, Sloan is coming back to New York City to visit her family.
There is an additional story about Paige's mother, Vanessa, and her life during the time when Sloan was addicted to drugs. This is told via a journal and this was the one part that did not captivate me. I skimmed through these entries.
I would sit down to read this book and look up 2 hours later, oblivious to how much time had gone by. The Never Never Sisters is engrossing and unputdownable.
March 27, 2014
Such a great book! Took me less than 24 hours to read. Wish I hadn't finished it so quickly because I didn't want it to end!
May 13, 2014
Heller seizes your attention by enticing the reader with floating secrets and lack of communication between the protagonists and within the narrative.
As the plot assembles secrets are slowly unraveled. Lots of assumptions and innuendo of what the core of the secrets could be. Heller slowly leaves a trail with enough curiosity to keep the readers focus and guessing what the secrets are.
Paige is a therapist, a marriage therapist to be precise. When she faces her own issues it's very interesting to see how she chooses to deal with her challenge. She has endless patience, gently probes, asks questions delicately - I'm sure her therapist training helps her remain composed. I felt the way she handled her situation seemed a bit out of context especially given her occupation. She is human facing a situation, as a result, she implements a counseling method to work for her.
An extremely quick read but I felt the narrative was sluggish. The characters were dry and lifeless. The secondary story of Paige's estranged sister could have been omitted and probably added to the storyline, it was a distraction adding a very small part to the theme or bulk of plot.
At times so much was going on but nothing moving forward, it was as if you remained in place, there was also a feel of repetitiveness with various topics. Situations were introduced without a whole lot of explanation, leaving a lot for the reader to figure out in a muted manner.
Lacking a rhythm and cohesiveness turned me off. Great theme and I'm sure most will find this appealing. Heller's style just wasn't my taste.
A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review
As the plot assembles secrets are slowly unraveled. Lots of assumptions and innuendo of what the core of the secrets could be. Heller slowly leaves a trail with enough curiosity to keep the readers focus and guessing what the secrets are.
Paige is a therapist, a marriage therapist to be precise. When she faces her own issues it's very interesting to see how she chooses to deal with her challenge. She has endless patience, gently probes, asks questions delicately - I'm sure her therapist training helps her remain composed. I felt the way she handled her situation seemed a bit out of context especially given her occupation. She is human facing a situation, as a result, she implements a counseling method to work for her.
An extremely quick read but I felt the narrative was sluggish. The characters were dry and lifeless. The secondary story of Paige's estranged sister could have been omitted and probably added to the storyline, it was a distraction adding a very small part to the theme or bulk of plot.
At times so much was going on but nothing moving forward, it was as if you remained in place, there was also a feel of repetitiveness with various topics. Situations were introduced without a whole lot of explanation, leaving a lot for the reader to figure out in a muted manner.
Lacking a rhythm and cohesiveness turned me off. Great theme and I'm sure most will find this appealing. Heller's style just wasn't my taste.
A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review
July 8, 2014
Heller does it again with another page-turner. LOVED it!
August 20, 2014
My review of this book will be posted on Romancing the Book blog in the near future.
March 13, 2016
3.5 stars I really wanted to like this book but I felt it was underdeveloped and it didn't sustain my attention.
August 16, 2022
I really wasn’t a big fan of this, it didn’t move along and I really thought there would be more to it.
November 13, 2023
DNF. It sounded good but it’s just not catching me and I have too many others I am excited to get to to keep wasting time on it
June 2, 2014
The Never Never Sisters, by L. Alison Heller, is a contemporary story revolving around Paige and her family. Paige defines herself as a successful marriage counselor, wife, and daughter. As the story begins, all in Paige's life is well. Summer is beginning and she and her husband Dave have rented a beach house for the season that they hope to use on weekends. However, all of her well thought out plans are quickly halted when two major snags appear out of nowhere to wreak havoc in her otherwise orderly life.
Paige begins to worry when she comes home early after work and walks in on Dave who has been suspended from his job at a major law firm. His story does not add up to Paige. He says he has no idea why he was put on leave and his superiors are sorting it out. Once everything is dealt with he should be able to resume his normal work schedule. Paige wants to believe him, but past trust issues begin creeping into her thought process. Dave is also acting very secretive about his job and Paige starts to worry that he may be involved in something not totally legal. She has to decide if she is going to trust Dave and take his word that all is well or take the initiative to really find out what is happening behind the scenes.
As if the drama at home wasn't enough, Paige learns from her parents that her addict sister has made contact with them after 20 years and wants to visit. Paige doesn't remember much about Sloane, other than her doing drugs and abusing alcohol as a teen. At 16 Sloane was sent to a rehab facility across the country and never returned home. As an adult, the majority of the time Paige forgets that she even has a sister. However, Sloane's reappearance throws Paige's already tipsy life completely upside down.
I loved watching Paige and Sloane's relationship unfold in The Never Never Sisters. The two siblings had a long and bumpy road ahead of them toward reconciliation, but watching them stumble and then rebound was very rewarding. Heller did a wonderful job in creating two relatable sisters with a realistic relationship. Sloane had a tough outer protective shell that she wore around her parents, but when she was with Paige and her fiancée she morphed into a different person. Sloane was no longer sullen and moody, but became excitable and creative.
The Never Never Sisters dealt heavily with addiction and the effect it had on both the addict and the family. Paige and Sloane’s mother, Vanessa, had many feeling of guilt. She believed that Sloane was an addict because of her genes. Vanessa’s father was an alcoholic and for a time Vanessa also dealt with addiction. She never wanted her girls to know about her sordid family life and their history of addiction. However, sweeping everything under the rug did not work out how she wanted. Vanessa believes that Sloane will never fully trust her but her hope is that her two girls will be able to build a beneficial and lasting relationship.
L. Alison Heller’s The Never Never Sisters is a thought provoking story that puts addiction and marital issues on the front burner, as well as healing and resolution. This is a wonderfully well written, realistic story that has likable characters and a good bit of suspense. I highly recommend The Never Never Sisters as it will keep you guessing until the very end!
*I have been provided a complimentary copy of the book, The Never Never Sisters, for the purpose of review.*
June 29, 2014
This novel appealed to me because I find myself attracted to books about sibling relationships, although to be honest I can’t think of a ton in recent memory that have actually done the complicated relationship between sisters justice. The Never Never Sisters comes pretty close to one of the best I’ve read in that aspect in the past few years. The sisters in this book are basically strangers when the book begins, but over time they get to know each other and end up pretty close by the end of the novel. While Paige’s relationship with her estranged sister is the focus of a lot of the novel, there are lots more issues happening here too – issues in her marriage, rocky relationships with her parents, and even the issues that her clients are facing come up throughout the novel. But although there’s a lot here, it never feels bogged down with all the issues. Instead, Heller handles each of these things with respect and unfolds the story and its issues out for the reader slowly, in a way that gets the reader more and more invested in Paige and her life as the book progresses.
I could really sympathize with Paige in her dealings with her estranged sister. My sister and I are about as opposite as two people can be, and for many years we didn’t get along well at all. We just didn’t get each other whatsoever. That all changed when my niece was born and my sister and I developed a bond unlike anything we’d shared in our lives up to that point, but all that being said, I completely understood Paige’s struggles to understand her sister and empathize with her. The two of them were just SO different, and they had such different life experiences because of the large age gap between them, it was a miracle they managed to find a way to connect at all. It was emotionally rewarding for me to read as the two of them knit their lives and personalities together in such a way that they came to truly understand and love each other.
The Never Never Sisters was the kind of book I really couldn’t put down. I truly found all of the complicated relationships and dramas to be incredibly compelling, and I was so invested in Paige that I absolutely needed to find out how things would end up for her. There’s a lot Paige discovers about her family, her marriage, and herself, and it was truly an enjoyable experience for me to be on this journey with her. Highly recommended.
I could really sympathize with Paige in her dealings with her estranged sister. My sister and I are about as opposite as two people can be, and for many years we didn’t get along well at all. We just didn’t get each other whatsoever. That all changed when my niece was born and my sister and I developed a bond unlike anything we’d shared in our lives up to that point, but all that being said, I completely understood Paige’s struggles to understand her sister and empathize with her. The two of them were just SO different, and they had such different life experiences because of the large age gap between them, it was a miracle they managed to find a way to connect at all. It was emotionally rewarding for me to read as the two of them knit their lives and personalities together in such a way that they came to truly understand and love each other.
The Never Never Sisters was the kind of book I really couldn’t put down. I truly found all of the complicated relationships and dramas to be incredibly compelling, and I was so invested in Paige that I absolutely needed to find out how things would end up for her. There’s a lot Paige discovers about her family, her marriage, and herself, and it was truly an enjoyable experience for me to be on this journey with her. Highly recommended.
June 10, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
the-never-never-sisters-l-alison-hellerPaige Reinhardt makes her living as a marriage counselor and is married to workaholic lawyer, Dave. She’s been counting down the days to a vacation in the Hamptons, but it keeps getting delayed. Dave has too much going on at work, and then he gets suspended out of the blue! Now he’s working from home, supposedly not knowing why. Paige knows he’s lying to her, and assumes it has to do with the insider trading scandal that’s going around. How can Paige help save other people’s marriages, when her own is crumbling around her?
And, after a two decade absence, Paige’s former addict sister, Sloane, has come for a visit. Tensions are still high between Sloane and their mother, for reasons unknown to Paige. But Paige is hoping to find out with the discovery of her mother’s journals from the year that Sloan disappeared …
Overall, I found this book to be a decent read. My relationship with this book wasn’t an instant love affair by any means though. I really struggled to get absorbed into the story. I found the first 100 pages are so to just be boring, going in one ear and out the other. I even debated passing this book onto another reviewer. But for some reason once I start a book, I have to finish it! So, I trudged on. I’m glad I did as I started to understand and even enjoy the story. Sloane’s relationship with Paige makes all the difference in this tale! Once those two start talking the story just comes together.
I also really enjoyed Percy! I knew from the moment he was introduced that he was going to somehow become involved in the Paige, Dave, love triangle. But I never expected just what would happen within Paige and Dave’s marriage. And, just how deep the deceptions ran. It made me a little sad actually. But it left way for a nice subtle ending that I really enjoyed!
This book is nice, if you have the time, and enjoy contemporary romance or chicklit. But remember that it does take some time for the story to draw you in. Stick with it! You will be glad you did!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
the-never-never-sisters-l-alison-hellerPaige Reinhardt makes her living as a marriage counselor and is married to workaholic lawyer, Dave. She’s been counting down the days to a vacation in the Hamptons, but it keeps getting delayed. Dave has too much going on at work, and then he gets suspended out of the blue! Now he’s working from home, supposedly not knowing why. Paige knows he’s lying to her, and assumes it has to do with the insider trading scandal that’s going around. How can Paige help save other people’s marriages, when her own is crumbling around her?
And, after a two decade absence, Paige’s former addict sister, Sloane, has come for a visit. Tensions are still high between Sloane and their mother, for reasons unknown to Paige. But Paige is hoping to find out with the discovery of her mother’s journals from the year that Sloan disappeared …
Overall, I found this book to be a decent read. My relationship with this book wasn’t an instant love affair by any means though. I really struggled to get absorbed into the story. I found the first 100 pages are so to just be boring, going in one ear and out the other. I even debated passing this book onto another reviewer. But for some reason once I start a book, I have to finish it! So, I trudged on. I’m glad I did as I started to understand and even enjoy the story. Sloane’s relationship with Paige makes all the difference in this tale! Once those two start talking the story just comes together.
I also really enjoyed Percy! I knew from the moment he was introduced that he was going to somehow become involved in the Paige, Dave, love triangle. But I never expected just what would happen within Paige and Dave’s marriage. And, just how deep the deceptions ran. It made me a little sad actually. But it left way for a nice subtle ending that I really enjoyed!
This book is nice, if you have the time, and enjoy contemporary romance or chicklit. But remember that it does take some time for the story to draw you in. Stick with it! You will be glad you did!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
June 5, 2014
L. Alison Heller’s THE NEVER NEVER SISTERS, a thought provoking story of addiction, marriage relationships, and family secrets---a powerful and poignant story of healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, healing, and discovering your true self.
Paige has a successful career as a marriage counselor with a loving husband Dave. She wants to spend some quality time with her lawyer husband and rents a cottage in the Hamptons for the summer weekends. However, her well laid plans, do not go as she planned. Her husband has been suspended and is working from home. He is secretive and strange, and Paige begins to question and suspect Dave is not being truthful, and could he be doing something illegal?
In the middle of her problems, her sister Sloane is scheduled for a visit after a twenty year absence. Paige cannot recall much about Sloane, except she abuses alcohol and drugs and started as a teen, prior to being sent to a rehab facility. It has been so long since Paige has seen her sister, she sometimes forgets she even has a sister.
As Paige begins going through items, she discovers the therapy journals her mother wrote when Sloane was sent to rehab. The mother, Vanessa’s journals reveal a different side of her mother---discovering Dave isn’t the only one with secrets. A complex woman, her daughters have no clue about the real person behind their mother.
The ongoing theme throughout the book deals with addiction—from different perspectives. Vanessa has feelings of guilt, as she feels Sloane’s problem is because of her side of the family. Vanessa’s father was an alcoholic, and well as Vanessa’s addiction. She refrains from telling her girls about their history of addiction.
As the drama unfolds between the relationships Dave/Page, and Sloane/Paige, Paige questions her life choices. A compelling, and powerful story written with humor, wit, suspense, and emotion. Paige discovers she may not know really know, those dearest to her, and over the summer may discover something about herself, along the way.
A mix of contemporary, family, and mystery---This was my first book by Heller, and look forward to reading more!
Paige has a successful career as a marriage counselor with a loving husband Dave. She wants to spend some quality time with her lawyer husband and rents a cottage in the Hamptons for the summer weekends. However, her well laid plans, do not go as she planned. Her husband has been suspended and is working from home. He is secretive and strange, and Paige begins to question and suspect Dave is not being truthful, and could he be doing something illegal?
In the middle of her problems, her sister Sloane is scheduled for a visit after a twenty year absence. Paige cannot recall much about Sloane, except she abuses alcohol and drugs and started as a teen, prior to being sent to a rehab facility. It has been so long since Paige has seen her sister, she sometimes forgets she even has a sister.
As Paige begins going through items, she discovers the therapy journals her mother wrote when Sloane was sent to rehab. The mother, Vanessa’s journals reveal a different side of her mother---discovering Dave isn’t the only one with secrets. A complex woman, her daughters have no clue about the real person behind their mother.
The ongoing theme throughout the book deals with addiction—from different perspectives. Vanessa has feelings of guilt, as she feels Sloane’s problem is because of her side of the family. Vanessa’s father was an alcoholic, and well as Vanessa’s addiction. She refrains from telling her girls about their history of addiction.
As the drama unfolds between the relationships Dave/Page, and Sloane/Paige, Paige questions her life choices. A compelling, and powerful story written with humor, wit, suspense, and emotion. Paige discovers she may not know really know, those dearest to her, and over the summer may discover something about herself, along the way.
A mix of contemporary, family, and mystery---This was my first book by Heller, and look forward to reading more!
April 9, 2017
The Never Never Sisters by L. Alison Heller is a remarkable novel that delves deeply into the meaning of “family” and how these relationships shape the people that we become. Do we sometimes become so caught up in our own lives that we let or relationships with those closest to us suffer? In this novel Paige shockingly realizes how little she really knows about the people that she is the closest to and must answer the question, “Is it worth risking your most precious relationships in order to find yourself?” This is a riveting novel from the very beginning and women’s fiction at its best!
The characterization of the three main women in this novel (Paige, her sister Sloan and their mother Vanessa) is incredible and very relatable. While not due to the same sort of conflict that caused the rift between Paige and Sloan my sister and I also have a distant back-and-forth relationship and I found it very easy to connect with Paige’s emotions regarding her family. All families have some sort of emotional struggle, turmoil, confusion and drama and this is exactly why readers will connect with The Never Never Sisters.
Paige’s personal journey toward self-discovery and understanding is a relatable story regardless of the age of the reader. It involves so many aspects of family life – a trouble marriage, secrets, estranged family, forgiveness – that every reader will find something that draws them in. Heller’s ability to involve so many threads and characters without allowing any one thread to overwhelm the book is amazing. This could have easily become a directionless disaster but Heller keeps everything tightly wound together. Fans of women’s fiction should really check it out and consider exploring Heller’s other novel, “The Love Wars.”
Review by Ashley LaMar
Closed the Cover
The characterization of the three main women in this novel (Paige, her sister Sloan and their mother Vanessa) is incredible and very relatable. While not due to the same sort of conflict that caused the rift between Paige and Sloan my sister and I also have a distant back-and-forth relationship and I found it very easy to connect with Paige’s emotions regarding her family. All families have some sort of emotional struggle, turmoil, confusion and drama and this is exactly why readers will connect with The Never Never Sisters.
Paige’s personal journey toward self-discovery and understanding is a relatable story regardless of the age of the reader. It involves so many aspects of family life – a trouble marriage, secrets, estranged family, forgiveness – that every reader will find something that draws them in. Heller’s ability to involve so many threads and characters without allowing any one thread to overwhelm the book is amazing. This could have easily become a directionless disaster but Heller keeps everything tightly wound together. Fans of women’s fiction should really check it out and consider exploring Heller’s other novel, “The Love Wars.”
Review by Ashley LaMar
Closed the Cover
June 1, 2014
Marriage counselor Paige Reinhardt was hoping to spend her summer in the Hamptons but her husband Dave's work has kept them in the city. Now her estranged sister Sloane has contacted her mother and is coming to visit. This novel has enough suspense between what is really going on at Dave's work and what Sloane is really like after all these years to keep the pages flipping. I think this is another good "beach read" in that the banter is funny, the settings are transportive, and book is broken down into lots of chapters (ideal for the ups and downs of getting in the water, reapplying sunscreen, etc.) Author L Alison Heller is a marriage counselor and probably has great stories from her practice, but I liked that she described Paige and Dave's marriage in daily details rather than intense analysis.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.c...
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.c...
July 18, 2015
This book was ok. That's it. Just ok. I actually found myself annoyed for a large portion of the book. Mostly with Sloane.
It was just all so unbelievable to me. As someone who has a sister with addiction issues and who is not currently in my life, I just didn't buy the way the family interacted with her. Someone doesn't just "pop" back into your life after 20 years without a lot more questions and emotions.
And then for Sloane to treat her parents the way she does, because of something she perceived her mother to be doing, really annoyed me. This was not a person who is healed.
But even with all that, this wasn't the major plot line. It was more about what Dave did. And I guess this is where I felt this story failed. I actually liked the parts of the story about Paige and Dave. I liked hearing about Vanessa and thought she could've been explored much more than she was. I really felt Sloane took from the story and prohibited this from being a good book.
In the end, it just felt like a very disjointed story, that took over 300 pages to get really nowhere...
It was just all so unbelievable to me. As someone who has a sister with addiction issues and who is not currently in my life, I just didn't buy the way the family interacted with her. Someone doesn't just "pop" back into your life after 20 years without a lot more questions and emotions.
And then for Sloane to treat her parents the way she does, because of something she perceived her mother to be doing, really annoyed me. This was not a person who is healed.
But even with all that, this wasn't the major plot line. It was more about what Dave did. And I guess this is where I felt this story failed. I actually liked the parts of the story about Paige and Dave. I liked hearing about Vanessa and thought she could've been explored much more than she was. I really felt Sloane took from the story and prohibited this from being a good book.
In the end, it just felt like a very disjointed story, that took over 300 pages to get really nowhere...
June 19, 2014
The Never Never Sister is a somewhat predictable, feel-good novel. There are a lot of secrets between the characters that are revealed as the story goes on. I can't say that I was surprised by any of the revelations.
There are two main story lines. Paige and her husband and Paige and her sister. Of the two, the story between Paige and her sister is the most interesting. I think this had the potential to be a great story if the characters were developed a lot more.
However, The Never Never Sisters is a nice, light, pool-side read. It is enjoyable and might make you look at your relationships in a bit of a different manner.
There are two main story lines. Paige and her husband and Paige and her sister. Of the two, the story between Paige and her sister is the most interesting. I think this had the potential to be a great story if the characters were developed a lot more.
However, The Never Never Sisters is a nice, light, pool-side read. It is enjoyable and might make you look at your relationships in a bit of a different manner.
June 3, 2014
Paige and Dave Turner are the all American couple. He's a corporate attorney for a big law firm and she's a marriage counselor. Her parents love him and he loves them. Then her long lost sister, Sloane, decides to finally come home for a visit. About the same time her husband is suspended from work. He claims to not know why. This starts the summer of major life upheavals for Paige. How will she get along with a sister she only has bad memories of and will she find out the truth from her husband.
I really liked this book. It makes you think about how people perceive things and what is reality. It's a good summer read and I would definitely recommend it.
I really liked this book. It makes you think about how people perceive things and what is reality. It's a good summer read and I would definitely recommend it.
March 18, 2015
For a marriage therapist, Paige Reinhardt doesn’t seem to know much about relationships. Her husband, Dave, has been suspended from his law firm and is definitely hiding the details from his wife. After the sudden reappearance of her sister Sloane, who left home for rehab twenty years ago, Paige begins to question certain events in her childhood.
Review continues at Chick Lit Plus.
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June 21, 2014
This book is wonderfully written and catches your attention right away. The story deals with parent, sibling, friend, and spouse relationships. This is the first book I have read from this author and I will read more from her. The story is a good paced book that leaves you wanting more. It is a relaxing, peaceful read that I enjoyed very much.
April 6, 2014
Paige is a marriage councilor and lives with her attorney husband in New York City. Her life is crumbling when her estranged sister shows up and helps her get her life back on track. A great family interaction book that is realistic and well written.
June 5, 2014
This book was one busy read. So much happening in certain scenes of the book and from the different character stories and then at other scenes the story seemed very drawn out. An arduous read.
2 Stars
*ARC Received from the Publisher for an honest review
2 Stars
*ARC Received from the Publisher for an honest review
July 7, 2014
Secrets which lead to the problems in the family are revealed slowly throughout the novel. I felt like parts of the book dragged and the ending was very predictable.
July 13, 2014
Good beach read.
August 25, 2014
No two people grow up in the same family--even if it's the same one. The Never Never Sisters is a good exploration of this idea. Good read.
January 2, 2022
This was an almost great book. Paige, her husband Dave and Paige's mother all felt intensely human: flawed but caring, alive yet nuanced. Heller did an exceptional job developing the story, and it kept me engaged through the final revelation. Unfortunately, Paige's sister Sloane, whose arrival set the story on fire, possessed none of the dimension or depth of the other primary characters. She felt completely underdeveloped. A reasonably successful shop manager who wore cut-off shorts and a t-shirt for days on end? A woman who was able to have friends and a loving relationship with her partner but couldn't have a heartfelt conversation with the sister she returned to see? This was the first book I read by the author and I look forward to reading another.
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