Sisters Loved and Treasured: Stories of Unbreakable Bonds

by Deborah Roberts

A celebration of sisterhood, featuring more than 50 personal stories by Viola Davis, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush, Arianna Huffington, Octavia Spencer, and many more.

The heartwarming follow-up to the inspiring New York Times best seller Lessons Learned and The Teacher Who Changed My Life from Deborah Roberts, veteran ABC News correspondent and 20/20 co-anchor.

Beacons of support, understanding, and love, sisters are there for us through it all—childhood, the formative teenage years, and, if we’re lucky, through adulthood. But how often do we step back from our busy lives to acknowledge what they truly mean to us? Sisters everywhere deserve to feel that love.

In Sisters Loved and Stories of Unbreakable Bonds, award-winning ABC News journalist and New York Times best-selling author Deborah Roberts curates a giftable collection of conversations, meditations, and anecdotes from her own sisters, celebrity friends, and everyday people alike who share deeply personal accounts of how their relationships as sisters shaped their lives.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

Published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[Ivy Kaprow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deborah Roberts has put together a beautiful anthology of essays about the joys and tribulations of sisters. Written by celebrities and everyday people and women across the ages these essays have something that every group of sisters will find relatable.
I listened to this and while one might think an audiobook of essays might be a bore, one would be completely wrong. Each essay is narrated by a different group of narrators and they captured the essence of the sisters beautifully. In between the essays, Ms. Roberts narrates the lead ins and given that she’s a reporter it sounds like you’re listening to a segment she’s reporting on TV. This easily could have been a prime time special I listened to instead of a book.
Stories about growing up and getting on each other’s nerves to being adults and trying to find that connection, reading these will make you cherish your relationship with your sister(s) and you just might find yourself picking up the phone to give her/them a call.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish with each group of sisters there was a picture of them. It would have been nice to see them. I hate, sorry, dislike strongly when someone says, "pardon my language" before they let loose. I don't think so. 3 swear words which is not horrific but totally unnecessary. It has made me think about my sisters and our relationship.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the stories were all sweet everyone said the same thing.

[Paula Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Mostly I think because I have 3 sisters who are very dear to me. We as have others in this book have lost parents & husbands. We don’t live in the same communities but have always kept in touch. Not so much with our two brothers!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been introduced to so many accomplished and interesting people thanks to Ms. Roberts and this book was another wonderful source! The stories beautifully illustrate the unique, powerful bonds between sisters, lifting and supporting each other through the rollercoaster that is life. None are perfect, making the relationships relatable. Highly recommend!

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book really quick because I couldn’t put it down. I appreciated the short chapters for each family. They were heartwarming, interesting and priceless. It’s not a long book and it really made an impact on me. Highly recommend it.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently, I read of 87 year-old twin sisters, who chose to die together, in a country where assisted suicide is legal. I felt I could relate to them, because I get not wanting to be in the world without your sister. This book explores all the complicated facets of the sister relationship. I first thought it was a book of essays by different writers about sisterhood, but it’s not. Instead, the author presents interviews that she’s done with many sets of sisters, some famous, and some not. Each interview is short and they are quickly readable. The book covers a diverse selection of sisters, and shows the many different kinds of relationships that sisters can have. There’s a chapter on sisters who only share one parent, and I wish she had also covered sisters through adoption. It’s a nice book to have around and to look through and maybe even give to your sister. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Goodreads & the publisher for a review copy.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad that I picked up this book. I loved each and every story! Some were happy some were sad but having that sister bond is absolutely wonderful!

This book reminded me of the bond that my sons have towards each other. They are 10 days shy of 2 days apart. They speak everyday, whether it’s a phone call or a text - not a day goes by.

I have 2 1/2 sisters that are much older than me. I actually speak to one more than the other.

I am definitely going to tell them to both read this book.

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about the importance and specialty that comes with sisterhood. There are many touching stories about how special it is to have sisters and I really couldn’t wait to read this one since I have sisters myself. This book includes many stories from many different people about their relationship with their sisters. Each story is different, but it makes you really appreciate sisterhood.

[Courtney Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters Loved and Treasured is a beautiful collection of essays and interviews with people of all backgrounds and experiences, reflecting on their relationships with their sisters. I felt like I was sitting in a room with the women featured in this book, listening to them reminisce, laugh and express their strong bonds. This book would be the perfect gift for any female in your life!

[Ardyth Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! It made me think about my relationship with my sister and how I can make it strong. Wonderful insights into the dynamics of sisters. I am going to share this book with my sister as well as gift some to my nieces.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me miss my sister so much! She passed away in August 2016. I was inspired to do some writing about my relationship with my sister. I would love to have my sister still with me to share her memories.

[Pam Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming! Love the sister dynamics and insights. A good read!

[Susan Boyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t get thru the whole book. For the most part each contributor said the same or similar thing.

[Patricia Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

adored this book of love, kindness, communication, ups and downs in relationships with sisters! It was a treasure to read and even to re-read.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75. I liked the message, but it just sort of dragged on a bit for me. I have the best sister in the world, so I understand going on long.

[Prosperidad Paz Vida e23944 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attended the Q&A, at Atlanta Fulton Public Library in FEB 2026, and received the book as part of the promotion that night. I must confess that I have a biased because I love NPR and Viola Davis. Keeping that in mind, this book is a good coffee book read. It is laid out like you are listening to a group of women (*sisters) speak about different topics. Each of the topics allows for considerable expansion on the topics. There are noted-able sisters of course, but the author Deborah Roberts also interviewed her own sisters, and many other sister-sets. She interviewed twins. There are many nuance information pieces in understanding how a sister will see her fellow sister, along life's journey. It is an interesting and unusual read, set out more like interviews, little than a story line book. I hope that description helps the reader decide to pick this one up.