The Good Sister

by Karen Crane

After her seemingly perfect sister disappears, leaving behind a loving husband and a new baby, Mattie Owens, the black sheep of the family, learns painful truths about her family and her sister and becomes closer to Collier, her sister's husband, discovering the true meaning of home. Original.

350 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending of this book was the perfect one that allowed Mattie to stay true to her character. Granted it was not how I wanted the story to end, especially on Valentine's Day. Collier's mother was one of the best people to ever come into Mattie's life; she (Mom) didn't waste a moment letting Mattie see her strength and goodness. For a long time I have believed that if you raise a child telling them they are bad or evil, that is how they will behave, but not necessarily who they become. If you are in this difficult and negative environment, stay strong and true to yourself; there are good people who will validate you as the good sister (or brother, daughter, son...). I sure hope the Baby grows up healthy and knowing his wonderful Aunt.

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its not really my genre: slice-of-life, family drama, self-discovery, but I picked it up and finished it. It was realistic from start to finish from the way the characters and their relationships are shaped by circumstance and timing, to their inner dialogues reflecting their interests and desires... It was a little melodramatic, but the raw emotions are there. (Spoiler) I like Mattie a lot, and like her, we can't hate Meredith. Underneath her perfect facade she's self-cantered, but she's as human as everybody else and as complicated and messed up: though the way Mattie phrased it was a bit self-justified "whereas I wanted attention, she wanted to get away from it" (fitting description, though she's sounds like she's flattering herself). While Mattie fills the the role of housewife in her older sister's absent, she eventually gets the approval she craves exactly like Meredith gets the attention she wants (interesting parallel). But well, Meredith comes back because she knows that she belongs there with Collier, and for Blake's sake, she kind of comes to terms with her imperfections and she's willing to move forward in "their golden life plan", but both Mattie and Collier are still sorting their emotions when she comes back. For someone manipulative, she miscalculated the turn Collier and Mattie's relationship took, but based on their interactions I'm not surprised and neither were they: from the rational conversation they had in the bedroom after a passionate kiss that led to a platonic sleep, they consider each other friends (more like kindred souls) who are in the same situation with their life and take comfort in understanding what the other is going through (a deep understanding that no one else can give them). Meredith helped Mattie realize she can't play house forever, and that she's better off making a life for herself first. I kind of hated the fact it was Meredith who was the one to push her little sister in the right direction, but only because she did it out of self-gain and interest than family love. However, it's good Mattie gets over her insecurities and resolves to better her life. So who's the good sister ? Who knows.

On the side note: when Jack's true nature is revealed I totally called it.
On another side note: when Mattie was like "another time and place you could've been my hubby Collier and Blake would've been my son" made me think about the characters' past and present; Meredith met Collier at the right time and helped launched their career, and though it was initially intimate, I think by the end of the book it morphed into a convenient political marriage. Had Mattie and Collier met back then, it wouldn't have been the right time and place, because he wouldn't have given Mattie a second glance. But the whole Meredith mess had them getting to know the other and develop feelings. Which is sad, because I think Collier is a great guy and Mattie is a great girl, but it wasn't meant to be from the beginning.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, until the last chapter. I still gave it a 4 star rating because I did like it.... So I am several hours away from when I finished this book and wrote my original review, and I am still thinking about it so I came back to edit and add to my review, This is one of those books where you really love or hate a character. there is no HEA, but there is a form of closure which is good, but it also frustrated me, spoiler: There is no punishment for Meredith she wins again, there is something very real about that and also very disappointing.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very well written. There are 2 sisters, one who was unloved and a mess up as a child, the other was adored and perfect. The perfect one runs away. It ended the only way it could end, but it was a tricky situation. The story and characters were all in shades of gray - no easy happy-ending here. Not a romance really either, 1 or 2 kisses, the plot was focused on the main character and her coming of sense of self.

[Sofia The Great · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending blowed.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written and kept me hooked. The ending was good, if not what I wanted to happen. :)

[Carol Lowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok not gr8

[Christina Valleroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Definitely read more by her. Love the twist