Two diametrically different sisters—one calculating and egotistical, the other honorable, kind, and compassionate—clash in this compelling novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel.
Graduating magna cum laude from MIT is the happiest day of Billie Banks’s life, although her family is not part of it. Her mother, who always supported her, died when Billie was seventeen. Since then, her father has been slowly drinking himself to death on the family farm in Iowa, and she and her younger sister, Mickie, have grown even more estranged.
Growing up, the siblings could not have been more different. Billie was shy, small, bookish, more like their mother; tall, blond Mickie was boldly sexual, craving attention, and lacking empathy for anyone, like their father. Despite Billie’s attempts to look after Mickie following their mother’s death, her sister consistently treated her with cruelty.
So when Mickie invites Billie to move in with her in Los Angeles, Billie is both wary and hopeful. Taking a leap of faith, she joins her sister on the West Coast. While Mickie lands a questionable modeling job and falls in with a fast crowd, Billie begins working at a pathology lab and starts dating a warm, supportive reporter at the Los Angeles Times.
But then the siblings’ difficult history once again rises to the surface. This gripping story of a sisterly bond strained to the breaking point by narcissism and temptation is an unforgettable tale of good and evil from Danielle Steel.
Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
A really quick read. Took me a day. I read non stop. I loved the character descriptions. Danielle does repeat herself quite a bit. The same information is given over and over again. The book could have probably been chopped to about half the size if the repetition were eliminated.
3.5 - not my most favorite but I read it in one afternoon/evening. Like most Danielle Steel books, it was enjoyable but not life changing. This one had more spice then most of her other books.
What really stayed with me was the relationship between the sisters. Billie and Mickie are complete opposites, and watching Billie repeatedly try to protect someone who keeps making dangerous choices was exhausting in a very real way. Billie’s loyalty felt human, but it was also painful to watch her care so deeply for someone who rarely returned that care.
Mickie, on the other hand, is deeply self-absorbed, and that never really changes. From beginning to end, she looks out for herself first. Even after what happens to Alex, her concern isn’t about the damage done or the people hurt. It’s about getting the attention off herself and moving on to the next situation that benefits her. Her involvement with the plastic surgeon and the revelations about his botched surgeries only highlighted how willing she was to ignore red flags as long as the lifestyle and attention suited her. It was frustrating, but also disturbingly realistic.
This is a slow, character-driven story, not a fast-paced one, but the emotional weight carries it. Some parts were predictable, but the consequences felt earned. Overall, it’s a dark, messy, and very human story about loyalty, ambition, and the painful reality that you can’t save someone who refuses to change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.