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Cassie doet al haar hele leven alles perfect: zorgen voor de kinderen, haar man alle aandacht geven, de plichtsgetrouwe schoondochter zijn. Maar nu is ze zo moe dat ze "de vijf in de klok' steeds vroeger op de dag laat aanbreken…
Haar zus Coco daarentegen geniet met volle teugen van haar vrijheid. Mannen maken de dingen alleen maar gecompliceerd, vindt ze. Tot ze iemand uit het verleden tegen het lijf loopt, met alle verwarring van dien…
Pearl, de oma van Cassie en Coco, die voor hen heeft gezorgd sinds hun moeder hen in de steek liet toen ze nog heel klein waren, probeert de zusjes te helpen waar ze maar kan, maar ze wordt zelf geplaagd door twijfel over een beslissing die ze jaren geleden nam. Kunnen deze drie zo heel verschillende vrouwen de pijn van het verleden overwinnen en weer openstaan voor nieuwe liefdes?
Haar zus Coco daarentegen geniet met volle teugen van haar vrijheid. Mannen maken de dingen alleen maar gecompliceerd, vindt ze. Tot ze iemand uit het verleden tegen het lijf loopt, met alle verwarring van dien…
Pearl, de oma van Cassie en Coco, die voor hen heeft gezorgd sinds hun moeder hen in de steek liet toen ze nog heel klein waren, probeert de zusjes te helpen waar ze maar kan, maar ze wordt zelf geplaagd door twijfel over een beslissing die ze jaren geleden nam. Kunnen deze drie zo heel verschillende vrouwen de pijn van het verleden overwinnen en weer openstaan voor nieuwe liefdes?
464 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2015
534 people are currently reading
3063 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Kelly
115 books1,088 followersBorn in Belfast but raised in Dublin, Cathy initially worked for thirteen years as a newspaper journalist with a national Irish Sunday newspaper, where she worked in news, features, along with spending time as an agony aunt and the paper’s film critic. However, her overwhelming love was always fiction and she published her first international bestseller, Woman To Woman, in 1997. She did not become a full-time writer until she had written another two books (She’s The One and Never Too Late) and finally decided to leave the world of journalism in 2001, moving to HarperCollins Publishers at the same time.
Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.
Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.
In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.
Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.
She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com
Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.
Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.
In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.
Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.
She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com
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September 6, 2016
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Cassie Reynolds is a 38-year old married working woman with two teenaged daughters who's facing a challenge in her marriage for the first time. Issues from her past have her reacting drastically, seemingly out of character. She and her 31-year old sister, Coco, were raised by their grandmother after mother Marguerite left them when Cassie was just seven. Both have abandonment issues that are now affecting their relationships.
While Cassie and Coco are the main focus of the story, there are many, many secondary characters who play critical roles. They helped make this a much richer tale, even though at times the story was bogged down by too much detail and repetition. I liked both sisters and enjoyed their relationship as well as others who helped shape their perspectives. The conflicts were realistic and the town setting certainly gave me a strong sense of community and culture (they live in Dublin). While the ending was fairly predictable, it was a satisfying conclusion.
I enjoyed this story even though at times the story lagged because there was too much extraneous detail related to secondary characters and plots. The characterizations were outstanding as I felt I knew these people and how they would react in any situation. It's a good story with strong themes around family and long term relationships. 3.5 stars
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Cassie Reynolds is a 38-year old married working woman with two teenaged daughters who's facing a challenge in her marriage for the first time. Issues from her past have her reacting drastically, seemingly out of character. She and her 31-year old sister, Coco, were raised by their grandmother after mother Marguerite left them when Cassie was just seven. Both have abandonment issues that are now affecting their relationships.
While Cassie and Coco are the main focus of the story, there are many, many secondary characters who play critical roles. They helped make this a much richer tale, even though at times the story was bogged down by too much detail and repetition. I liked both sisters and enjoyed their relationship as well as others who helped shape their perspectives. The conflicts were realistic and the town setting certainly gave me a strong sense of community and culture (they live in Dublin). While the ending was fairly predictable, it was a satisfying conclusion.
I enjoyed this story even though at times the story lagged because there was too much extraneous detail related to secondary characters and plots. The characterizations were outstanding as I felt I knew these people and how they would react in any situation. It's a good story with strong themes around family and long term relationships. 3.5 stars
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
December 26, 2019
Between Sisters by Cathy Kelly was a beautiful contemporary drama.
This novel follows a family through their treasures and troubles. Cassie and Coco are sisters whose Mother left them when Coco was only one and Cassie was eight. That memory hurts and shapes them as adults, leading to a lot of the conflict in this novel. Pearl is their grandmother, who took care of the girls with the help of their Father, when their Mother left.
As adults, Cassie is married and is a strong, working woman. She has two beautiful daughters, Beth and Lily, and seems to have it all: a nice house, a loving husband, two beautiful girls, a lovely sister and a helpful grandmother. Alas, that is not true. Cassie enjoys the drink when life gets tough, and life has been very tough lately. Shay, her husband, seems to be more interested in his Mother than Cassie. Even when Cassie brings it up, Shay doesn't seem to realize that he doesn't spend anytime with his wife or kids anymore.
Coco is thirty, flirty and thriving... or so we think. She owns her own vintage clothing store (life goals, much?) and has an awesome bestie named Jo, and is close to Jo's daughter. A few years back, Coco broke up with her fiancee Red when she thought he was cheating on her. Ever since, she's had some dates but hasn't settled won. But, Red has been seen around town... is she over him? And what will she do when tragedy strikes close in her life?
I absolutely LOVED Cassie and Coco. Their story lines kept my hooked to this book like there was no tomorrow. I couldn't help but binge their stories because I needed to know how they turned out. I felt these girls were very relatable (either hurt or thriving in the loss of a parent) and dealt with realistic scenarios in realistic ways. I did find their intertwined stories very sad (and I kind of want to know how a couple of them played out) but in the end I think it had a good message and moral. We can either grow, do nothing, or let the hurt define us.
The ending itself is very beautiful and I'm glad a certain plot line was able to close. There are some open ended questions left with us, but the ending itself felt... good. It felt nice and made my heart sing and soar! It's the happy ending I won't get, so it makes me feel very good inside.
I didn't enjoy every plot line as much, but not because they were bad. Pearl and Pheobe's stories didn't intrigue me as much, but it's because I just didn't relate as much to them. They were still beautifully written and a marvelous addition to the book though! Don't be scared off because I don't relate to an older grandmother! I also really did not like Shay. Man, was he dumb... He loves that his wife is blunt and to the point, but doesn't like it when he's called out on his bullcrap.
If I had a negative for this book, it would be that some chapters moved at a really fast pace while others were slow. Since there was enough fast to out-weight the slow, it didn't bother me as much. I can see some people not enjoying it though.
My biggest positive is that all storylines eventually intertwine. I love books like that! When you start the book, some of the people seem like they don't belong... until they do. Cathy does this seamlessly and makes it super impressive! That's one of the reasons I can rate this book so high. Not only does Cathy have excellent style in her writing, but she can also make it work!
Overall, I am so happy I read this book! It gave me a few too many tears for my own personal liking, but it's still a gem hidden among my shelves.
Four out of five stars!
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This novel follows a family through their treasures and troubles. Cassie and Coco are sisters whose Mother left them when Coco was only one and Cassie was eight. That memory hurts and shapes them as adults, leading to a lot of the conflict in this novel. Pearl is their grandmother, who took care of the girls with the help of their Father, when their Mother left.
As adults, Cassie is married and is a strong, working woman. She has two beautiful daughters, Beth and Lily, and seems to have it all: a nice house, a loving husband, two beautiful girls, a lovely sister and a helpful grandmother. Alas, that is not true. Cassie enjoys the drink when life gets tough, and life has been very tough lately. Shay, her husband, seems to be more interested in his Mother than Cassie. Even when Cassie brings it up, Shay doesn't seem to realize that he doesn't spend anytime with his wife or kids anymore.
Coco is thirty, flirty and thriving... or so we think. She owns her own vintage clothing store (life goals, much?) and has an awesome bestie named Jo, and is close to Jo's daughter. A few years back, Coco broke up with her fiancee Red when she thought he was cheating on her. Ever since, she's had some dates but hasn't settled won. But, Red has been seen around town... is she over him? And what will she do when tragedy strikes close in her life?
I absolutely LOVED Cassie and Coco. Their story lines kept my hooked to this book like there was no tomorrow. I couldn't help but binge their stories because I needed to know how they turned out. I felt these girls were very relatable (either hurt or thriving in the loss of a parent) and dealt with realistic scenarios in realistic ways. I did find their intertwined stories very sad (and I kind of want to know how a couple of them played out) but in the end I think it had a good message and moral. We can either grow, do nothing, or let the hurt define us.
The ending itself is very beautiful and I'm glad a certain plot line was able to close. There are some open ended questions left with us, but the ending itself felt... good. It felt nice and made my heart sing and soar! It's the happy ending I won't get, so it makes me feel very good inside.
I didn't enjoy every plot line as much, but not because they were bad. Pearl and Pheobe's stories didn't intrigue me as much, but it's because I just didn't relate as much to them. They were still beautifully written and a marvelous addition to the book though! Don't be scared off because I don't relate to an older grandmother! I also really did not like Shay. Man, was he dumb... He loves that his wife is blunt and to the point, but doesn't like it when he's called out on his bullcrap.
If I had a negative for this book, it would be that some chapters moved at a really fast pace while others were slow. Since there was enough fast to out-weight the slow, it didn't bother me as much. I can see some people not enjoying it though.
My biggest positive is that all storylines eventually intertwine. I love books like that! When you start the book, some of the people seem like they don't belong... until they do. Cathy does this seamlessly and makes it super impressive! That's one of the reasons I can rate this book so high. Not only does Cathy have excellent style in her writing, but she can also make it work!
Overall, I am so happy I read this book! It gave me a few too many tears for my own personal liking, but it's still a gem hidden among my shelves.
Four out of five stars!
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
September 11, 2016
Two and a half stars.
Whether it is because I’ve had too much going on lately in life and too many things flitting through my head to concentrate on reading, but it took me a long while to read this book. It was mostly read in short snatches and then much of the time I found myself getting a bit confused at the introduction of so many characters. This is the story of Cassie, older sister to Coco. While I could sympathise with Cassie I found the way she allowed the loss of her mother, which occurred when she was young to colour all her life, grating after a while. Younger sister Coco, who never knew her mother, was a more interesting character though even some of her decisions at times were inexplicable. Yet I did keep reading, so there was enough to interest me. The book deals with alcoholism, family relationships, marriage, second chances, romance and friendship. Although it engaged the emotions at times, it wasn’t a great read for me at this time. As for the ending I thought it was too pat and clichéd. Maybe I am getting cynical in my old age? However those who like chick lit and are looking for a beach read may enjoy it more than I did.
Whether it is because I’ve had too much going on lately in life and too many things flitting through my head to concentrate on reading, but it took me a long while to read this book. It was mostly read in short snatches and then much of the time I found myself getting a bit confused at the introduction of so many characters. This is the story of Cassie, older sister to Coco. While I could sympathise with Cassie I found the way she allowed the loss of her mother, which occurred when she was young to colour all her life, grating after a while. Younger sister Coco, who never knew her mother, was a more interesting character though even some of her decisions at times were inexplicable. Yet I did keep reading, so there was enough to interest me. The book deals with alcoholism, family relationships, marriage, second chances, romance and friendship. Although it engaged the emotions at times, it wasn’t a great read for me at this time. As for the ending I thought it was too pat and clichéd. Maybe I am getting cynical in my old age? However those who like chick lit and are looking for a beach read may enjoy it more than I did.
October 4, 2017
I really don't have much to say except that now I don't have anymore Maeve Binchy books to read, I have been seeking an author to feel the void, I think that Cathy Kelly is doing nicely for me right now.
"Between Sisters" is about sisters Coco and Cassie living in Dublin. Cassie is the oldest and fiercely protective of younger sister Coco. Their mother abandoned their family when Cassie was 7 and Coco only 1. They were raised by their paternal grandmother Pearl and made do with a there but not present father who died when they were young. The whole book is mostly about them, their grandmother, their families, and other people that come into their orbit.
Cassie is struggling with two hormonal teen girls and her husband who is always over at his mother's house doing her honey do lists since her husband's father has passed away. Cassie wants the perfect family and is scared that every five minutes she is going to lose it all. She has a tyrant for a boss (don't we all) and is doing her best to not clobber her husband Shay for never being around.
Coco is still devastated over a breakup she had with over four years ago. She contents herself with her best friend Jo and being godmother to Jo's younger daughter Fiona.
I loved both sisters equally while reading though felt puzzled that halfway through Kelly introduces a girl who is going to fashion school who I didn't quite grasp what she had to do with things. I honestly thought that she slowed down the book a bit. I initially didn't get the woman we are introduced to in the prologue, but things become clearer the further along you read in the book.
Kelly also includes two male POVs and man oh man I wanted to kick Cassie's husband in the rear end.
I honestly have no complaints about anything I read. I just thought it was a lovely story. We had some humor, some sadness, and some HEAs which are always nice.
If I am going to have a quibble about anything, I would say that cutting out the fashion student POV would have made the book flow together much easier. I think going into her whole family's backstory was a bit much with everything else we got in this book.
"Between Sisters" is about sisters Coco and Cassie living in Dublin. Cassie is the oldest and fiercely protective of younger sister Coco. Their mother abandoned their family when Cassie was 7 and Coco only 1. They were raised by their paternal grandmother Pearl and made do with a there but not present father who died when they were young. The whole book is mostly about them, their grandmother, their families, and other people that come into their orbit.
Cassie is struggling with two hormonal teen girls and her husband who is always over at his mother's house doing her honey do lists since her husband's father has passed away. Cassie wants the perfect family and is scared that every five minutes she is going to lose it all. She has a tyrant for a boss (don't we all) and is doing her best to not clobber her husband Shay for never being around.
Coco is still devastated over a breakup she had with over four years ago. She contents herself with her best friend Jo and being godmother to Jo's younger daughter Fiona.
I loved both sisters equally while reading though felt puzzled that halfway through Kelly introduces a girl who is going to fashion school who I didn't quite grasp what she had to do with things. I honestly thought that she slowed down the book a bit. I initially didn't get the woman we are introduced to in the prologue, but things become clearer the further along you read in the book.
Kelly also includes two male POVs and man oh man I wanted to kick Cassie's husband in the rear end.
I honestly have no complaints about anything I read. I just thought it was a lovely story. We had some humor, some sadness, and some HEAs which are always nice.
If I am going to have a quibble about anything, I would say that cutting out the fashion student POV would have made the book flow together much easier. I think going into her whole family's backstory was a bit much with everything else we got in this book.
Read
February 12, 2016What utter crap! This book had me roiling my eyes so much I thought I was going to lose my retinas in the process! I have to ask how women can read this rubbish!
Ok, my mum bought me this book as a Christmas present & being the good daughter I am, I gave it a chance, 38 pages to be exact till I threw it down and promised myself I would never put myself through another Cathy Kelly book, ever!
Here's a list of things I despised:
Out of date teenagers
Trying to be the perfect wife, mother and job - do women still attempt to give 100% to all areas of their lives? Give over!
Work colleague who wears 'blood red nail polish' - 1986 called, they want their cliche back
Female entrepreneurs - Dear Ms Kelly, they're entrepreneurs, final
Tomboy - not a thing
Career women - they're just women, you wouldn't say career men!!
Gentlemen callers - I just can't
And the nail in the coffin was Coco sitting with her 3 college friends talking about growing up without a mum to which one character exclaimed 'with great sadness'; "but a mother... You need a mother" and another, "you won't have a mum to help you buy your wedding dress!"
This sh*t infuriated me. This isn't modern life Kelly, this isn't even close. Needless to say my mum and I have very different tastes and this brainless fluff isn't my thing.. I will never put a book like this into my daughters hands and have her think this is how all women should be.
Ok, my mum bought me this book as a Christmas present & being the good daughter I am, I gave it a chance, 38 pages to be exact till I threw it down and promised myself I would never put myself through another Cathy Kelly book, ever!
Here's a list of things I despised:
Out of date teenagers
Trying to be the perfect wife, mother and job - do women still attempt to give 100% to all areas of their lives? Give over!
Work colleague who wears 'blood red nail polish' - 1986 called, they want their cliche back
Female entrepreneurs - Dear Ms Kelly, they're entrepreneurs, final
Tomboy - not a thing
Career women - they're just women, you wouldn't say career men!!
Gentlemen callers - I just can't
And the nail in the coffin was Coco sitting with her 3 college friends talking about growing up without a mum to which one character exclaimed 'with great sadness'; "but a mother... You need a mother" and another, "you won't have a mum to help you buy your wedding dress!"
This sh*t infuriated me. This isn't modern life Kelly, this isn't even close. Needless to say my mum and I have very different tastes and this brainless fluff isn't my thing.. I will never put a book like this into my daughters hands and have her think this is how all women should be.
October 18, 2017
Cassie and Coco had to grow up without a mother. She left them when they were little girls. Even though they're grown women now they're still not over this. Their grandmother has always taken care of them, so they had a loving childhood, but they missed having a mother. Now Cassie has her own family with two teenage daughters and Coco is single. They're both successful in their careers. Cassie always tries to be perfect, both in her personal and professional life. Coco is still in love with the man who wanted to marry her four years ago and she's never been able to admit to anyone what ended their relationship.
Something in Cassie's marriage has gone horribly wrong. She wants her daughters to be happy and because she's trying to be brave so hard without relying on anyone else she's often finding consolation in a drink. Coco has her own vintage clothing shop and she's struggling with a lazy employee. When something awful happens to her best friend her life changes drastically all of a sudden. Will the sisters be able to cope and how does the past still influence their present decisions and relationships?
Between Sisters isn't a light and cheerful read. It's a story about real life and people who make mistakes. I love stories about sisters and Coco and Cassie are both great women and they are likable characters. They're both sweet and deserve to be happy. Other people don't always understand them and it takes time for them to start understanding themselves. Because of everything that's happening in their lives the sisters can't be there for each other as much as they would have liked, but they keep loving one another and they're always just a phone call away. I loved that strong connection.
Every character has their own little story inside the bigger one. I really liked reading about grandmother Pearl and designer Phoebe for example. They're both talented women who want to protect everyone around them. Cathy Kelly has paid attention to each character in the book, which is something I greatly enjoyed. They all have their worries and their ups and downs, but love and warmth is what's pulling them through. I liked the description of emotions, both the good and the bad. The not-having-a-mother aspect has been written about in a sensitive, truthful and accurate way. I admired that very much. Even the animals are playing their own important part. Cathy Kelly has paid attention to every single detail. Together this makes Between Sisters a beautiful and realistic story.
Something in Cassie's marriage has gone horribly wrong. She wants her daughters to be happy and because she's trying to be brave so hard without relying on anyone else she's often finding consolation in a drink. Coco has her own vintage clothing shop and she's struggling with a lazy employee. When something awful happens to her best friend her life changes drastically all of a sudden. Will the sisters be able to cope and how does the past still influence their present decisions and relationships?
Between Sisters isn't a light and cheerful read. It's a story about real life and people who make mistakes. I love stories about sisters and Coco and Cassie are both great women and they are likable characters. They're both sweet and deserve to be happy. Other people don't always understand them and it takes time for them to start understanding themselves. Because of everything that's happening in their lives the sisters can't be there for each other as much as they would have liked, but they keep loving one another and they're always just a phone call away. I loved that strong connection.
Every character has their own little story inside the bigger one. I really liked reading about grandmother Pearl and designer Phoebe for example. They're both talented women who want to protect everyone around them. Cathy Kelly has paid attention to each character in the book, which is something I greatly enjoyed. They all have their worries and their ups and downs, but love and warmth is what's pulling them through. I liked the description of emotions, both the good and the bad. The not-having-a-mother aspect has been written about in a sensitive, truthful and accurate way. I admired that very much. Even the animals are playing their own important part. Cathy Kelly has paid attention to every single detail. Together this makes Between Sisters a beautiful and realistic story.
September 25, 2015
Once upon a time I enjoyed the likes of Maeve Binchy, but something happened and I now generally shudder at the notion of saga-like novels involving extended families and gazillions of characters.
Embarking on my first Cathy Kelly (solely for YOUR benefit SY readers—and yes, you’re welcome) frightened the bejesus out of me as it was everything I’d decided I hated, as character upon character was introduced into the mix. However… by the time I was a third into the book I realised I was hooked.
It’s the story of Coco and Cassie, abandoned by their mother and raised by their grandmother, as both reach turning points in their adult lives. It’s pretty easy to guess where everything is headed but I still NEEDED to keep reading for that happily ever after. I was sucked in. Big time. Perhaps I just needed the feel-good read. And it’s definitely that.
Embarking on my first Cathy Kelly (solely for YOUR benefit SY readers—and yes, you’re welcome) frightened the bejesus out of me as it was everything I’d decided I hated, as character upon character was introduced into the mix. However… by the time I was a third into the book I realised I was hooked.
It’s the story of Coco and Cassie, abandoned by their mother and raised by their grandmother, as both reach turning points in their adult lives. It’s pretty easy to guess where everything is headed but I still NEEDED to keep reading for that happily ever after. I was sucked in. Big time. Perhaps I just needed the feel-good read. And it’s definitely that.
March 23, 2019
Ive always loved Cathy Kelly's books and she didn't let me down at all it's such a warm read and you feel like you are making new friends as so real and get to know them so well. Shows sisterly love and so heartwarming and thought provoking and shows you need your family at hard times.
You have two main characters who are sisters and they are Cassie who has a family but her husband feels it's more important to be at his mothers call and he's always off there and Cassie is feeling neglected and she feels her mother in law doesn't like her. Does she make a rash decision one day and can she work through it to be happy. Then the other sister coco runs a vintage dress shop and has always been close to her sister especially when her ex left her a number of years ago when he turns up on at her shop can she forgive him and move forward or not.
Both of them missed their mum as she left when they were very little and pearl their grandmother helped bring them up and has she kept some from the girls and did she make the right decision.
There mother has missed the girls but the father wouldn't let her contact them but when she's struggling with health will a friend bring them all together or is it what they don't want. Can the girls forgive their mother and can pearl help them now when they need it. Shows how families can pull together.
Brilliant read.
You have two main characters who are sisters and they are Cassie who has a family but her husband feels it's more important to be at his mothers call and he's always off there and Cassie is feeling neglected and she feels her mother in law doesn't like her. Does she make a rash decision one day and can she work through it to be happy. Then the other sister coco runs a vintage dress shop and has always been close to her sister especially when her ex left her a number of years ago when he turns up on at her shop can she forgive him and move forward or not.
Both of them missed their mum as she left when they were very little and pearl their grandmother helped bring them up and has she kept some from the girls and did she make the right decision.
There mother has missed the girls but the father wouldn't let her contact them but when she's struggling with health will a friend bring them all together or is it what they don't want. Can the girls forgive their mother and can pearl help them now when they need it. Shows how families can pull together.
Brilliant read.
September 22, 2016
Readers who enjoy long family sagas with loads of characters, secrets from the past, romance, drama and happy endings will love 'Between Sisters' by Cathy Kelly. The constant theme is abandonment: the mother of the two sisters of the title left them when they were children. And this colours everything they do in their lives, even though they are now adults. This was the sticking point for me. I got so sick that everything they did was because ' our mother left us'. No-one seemed to mature and celebrate the good things that happened to them. Their mantra is: I will abandon you before you can abandon me. So they mess up their love lives and family relationships so they won't get hurt - but, what a surprise, they are constantly being hurt. I would have thought that someone in the huge list of people listed in the Acknowledgments would have told the author the story was far too long and the characters too annoying.
April 2, 2016
A story about how the absence of a mother can impact in different ways on a person's life. Sisters Cassie and Coco were abandoned by their other as children, and now they try to cope in different ways - Cassie by being the perfect wife and mother, and Coco by shying away from commitment. Their grandmother did the best she could to raise them, but seeing their lives unravelling, she wonders if their lives would be better if she'd made a different decision all those years ago.
This book tackles some difficult issues and does it well.
This book tackles some difficult issues and does it well.
August 17, 2017
This was my first time reading Cathy Kelly. I enjoyed especially the story of Cassie and Coco and the mother that abandoned them. However I began to lose some interest with all the characters introduced, would have preferred more focus. That said, it did keep me reading to the end, although may have done some fast reading here and there! Well written.
January 1, 2016
I haven't read a Cathy Kelly book for a long time, and was overjoyed to be able to read "Between Sisters", as I truly enjoyed Cathy's earlier novels. Sadly, I didn't conect with the story at all, it was so cliched, so one - dimensional and so predictable, the characters felt so flat and it was over - sweet. The ending was totally predictable, and there is the all - knowing, wise grandmother as well. I think the only good point is that everybody got their happy - ever - after, even though I didn't warm to them and their stories at all. I am missing the "old" Cathy Kelly's stories, they didn't feel so forced, and there was a sound of truth to them. Sure, I appreciate the author and her trying to make the story true to life and the characters to make mistakes, but it just didn't work out for me.
April 6, 2016
Sigh. Knew it couldn't last. Initially a good read, it soon becomes bogged down by too many characters and so totally predictable. I am starting to find Cathy Kelly really cloying with her descriptions of women's lives. She was great in her early stories, but I can't relate to her new ones at all. Cassie and Shay's situation with Antoinette kept me reading on longer than I would have.
The story is way too long too, and drags on and on.
The story is way too long too, and drags on and on.
June 30, 2016
This book was wonderful!!! But ALL of Cathy Kelly's books are!!!
September 21, 2016
*I won this book through goodreads' first reads.
You know that tumblr post that floats around and pops up in your feed every now and again? The one about how every background character in the movie that is your life is a supporting character in someone else's movie and the main character of their own? And it makes you stop and think for a minute about just how much is going on in the world every second of every day and how much of it you will never, ever have the slightest clue about happening?
That idea makes for a beautiful tumblr post. Not so much a 450 page novel.
If this had just been the story of two sisters whose mother left them thirty years ago and how the abandonment issues affect them as they try to live out their lives it would have worked so well. But for some reason we had to shoehorn in twenty thousand other irrelevant plotlines and introduce fifty million pointless characters and all their back stories none of which add anything to the story. Characters are still getting introduced 200 pages in and it felt like every new scene was mentioning someone as if they'd already been introduced and I found myself asking, "wait, who the crap is that?!" Sure, real life has a constant stream of new and reintroduced background characters and sometimes maybe the narrative does get distracted and wander off to fifty page side stories about characters nobody has any reason to care about . . . but in books it's annoying and distracting, and in this case pretty much prevented me from enjoying the main story line, which I really wanted to like and probably would have if it hadn't gotten the least amount of screen time by far.
That's what I thought I was getting. A book about two sisters having trouble with the men n their lives because their mother left them back in the day. Simple, easy to do, and honestly probably easy to put a fresh spin on if you try. But then you throw in friends having strokes and wicked witch bosses and crappy employees and complete strangers having their own struggles a hundred miles away and random college scenes with random college characters who serve no purpose and add nothing to the story and random creepy landladies and puppy shopping and a spiteful great aunt who's pointlessly vicious and . . . and . . . and . . .
And by the end I couldn't be bothered to care about any of it. None of it was necessary, none of it moved the plot along, none of it improved anything, but all of it made me want to throw the book against the wall. (seriously. Between Sisters? More like Between Everybody in All of Freaking Ireland and Some of England.)
Lastly, I know this is nit-picky, but the constant jumping around of the narrator left being nit-picky the only way this book could hold my attention. So here are the biggest moments of bad writing and/or just plain does-the-author-live-under-a-rock-ness:
- Pretty sure this is supposed to be set in 2015, but when trying online dating characters use a website instead of an app. (Or maybe smart phones just haven't made it to Ireland yet?)
- Who on earth still has a car phone? Weren't those only a thing for, like, ten minutes in the eighties? (Or maybe they're still a thing in Ireland?)
- " 'No you're not ho-ney-y,' said Ian, making the last word two syllables." Ummmmmmm, last time I checked the word honey was already two syllables. (Or maybe it's only one in an Irish accent? Or maybe we're supposed to assume they're speaking Gaelic? Even though it's never even slightly implied?)
- There is a scene wherein the father takes his daughters to their weekend basketball games. It's very clear, stated multiple times. Basketball. Basketball. Basketball. But when they come home the girls complain about how dad didn't watch both their matches and missed one daughter scoring a goal. Admittedly I'm not a sports person (when someone mentions football my go-to response is "that's the one with home runs, right?") but the last time I checked basketball involved neither matches nor goals. (But maybe it does in Ireland? Or under the rock the author lives under?)
- In the prologue we are introduced to about half a dozen characters. Only one of whom will be seen again . . . but not until page 293. I had to read this page four times, convinced there had been some sort of mix-up at the printers and somehow the last third of a completely different book had been inserted after the first two-thirds of the book I'd been reading. Oh, and then that chapter introduced a bunch of characters that weren't in the prologue. Ugh. This thing is worse than the world's longest running soap opera when it comes to character overload and unnecessary back story.
- Everyone in this book spends most of their time acting either like idiots or like toddlers. Except for the nine-year-old. Who is one of the pointless characters.
I'd love to give the edited version of this book a chance. The one without all the irrelevant side stories. The one that's 225 pages long. Somebody give me a call when that book is written.
You know that tumblr post that floats around and pops up in your feed every now and again? The one about how every background character in the movie that is your life is a supporting character in someone else's movie and the main character of their own? And it makes you stop and think for a minute about just how much is going on in the world every second of every day and how much of it you will never, ever have the slightest clue about happening?
That idea makes for a beautiful tumblr post. Not so much a 450 page novel.
If this had just been the story of two sisters whose mother left them thirty years ago and how the abandonment issues affect them as they try to live out their lives it would have worked so well. But for some reason we had to shoehorn in twenty thousand other irrelevant plotlines and introduce fifty million pointless characters and all their back stories none of which add anything to the story. Characters are still getting introduced 200 pages in and it felt like every new scene was mentioning someone as if they'd already been introduced and I found myself asking, "wait, who the crap is that?!" Sure, real life has a constant stream of new and reintroduced background characters and sometimes maybe the narrative does get distracted and wander off to fifty page side stories about characters nobody has any reason to care about . . . but in books it's annoying and distracting, and in this case pretty much prevented me from enjoying the main story line, which I really wanted to like and probably would have if it hadn't gotten the least amount of screen time by far.
That's what I thought I was getting. A book about two sisters having trouble with the men n their lives because their mother left them back in the day. Simple, easy to do, and honestly probably easy to put a fresh spin on if you try. But then you throw in friends having strokes and wicked witch bosses and crappy employees and complete strangers having their own struggles a hundred miles away and random college scenes with random college characters who serve no purpose and add nothing to the story and random creepy landladies and puppy shopping and a spiteful great aunt who's pointlessly vicious and . . . and . . . and . . .
And by the end I couldn't be bothered to care about any of it. None of it was necessary, none of it moved the plot along, none of it improved anything, but all of it made me want to throw the book against the wall. (seriously. Between Sisters? More like Between Everybody in All of Freaking Ireland and Some of England.)
Lastly, I know this is nit-picky, but the constant jumping around of the narrator left being nit-picky the only way this book could hold my attention. So here are the biggest moments of bad writing and/or just plain does-the-author-live-under-a-rock-ness:
- Pretty sure this is supposed to be set in 2015, but when trying online dating characters use a website instead of an app. (Or maybe smart phones just haven't made it to Ireland yet?)
- Who on earth still has a car phone? Weren't those only a thing for, like, ten minutes in the eighties? (Or maybe they're still a thing in Ireland?)
- " 'No you're not ho-ney-y,' said Ian, making the last word two syllables." Ummmmmmm, last time I checked the word honey was already two syllables. (Or maybe it's only one in an Irish accent? Or maybe we're supposed to assume they're speaking Gaelic? Even though it's never even slightly implied?)
- There is a scene wherein the father takes his daughters to their weekend basketball games. It's very clear, stated multiple times. Basketball. Basketball. Basketball. But when they come home the girls complain about how dad didn't watch both their matches and missed one daughter scoring a goal. Admittedly I'm not a sports person (when someone mentions football my go-to response is "that's the one with home runs, right?") but the last time I checked basketball involved neither matches nor goals. (But maybe it does in Ireland? Or under the rock the author lives under?)
- In the prologue we are introduced to about half a dozen characters. Only one of whom will be seen again . . . but not until page 293. I had to read this page four times, convinced there had been some sort of mix-up at the printers and somehow the last third of a completely different book had been inserted after the first two-thirds of the book I'd been reading. Oh, and then that chapter introduced a bunch of characters that weren't in the prologue. Ugh. This thing is worse than the world's longest running soap opera when it comes to character overload and unnecessary back story.
- Everyone in this book spends most of their time acting either like idiots or like toddlers. Except for the nine-year-old. Who is one of the pointless characters.
I'd love to give the edited version of this book a chance. The one without all the irrelevant side stories. The one that's 225 pages long. Somebody give me a call when that book is written.
August 1, 2018
Between Sisters is a novel about mothers and daughters, families and friends.
Elsa the face of TV found a lump under her arm pit, she wondered what would happen if the lump turned out to be more than her being a bit run-down. The lump was bound to be nothing Elsa assured herself. Cassie was a mother of two daughters Lily and Beth, thirteen and fifteen. Coco Keneally runs a vintage shop, she had been running the shop for five years. It was the internet that made The Twentieth Century Boutique a success for Coco.
Between Sisters is entertaining and moving.
October 26, 2016
Originally posted on This Chick Reads
What is it with Irish authors and their knack for creating a warm, emotional read? Is it the water, the food? I honestly don't know their secret but I've been enjoying a lot of great Irish fiction in the past. In my opinion, Cathy Kelly is one of the best Irish women's fiction authors and one that never disappoints. Though I haven't read all of her books, those I've read were great and were the reason why I've been so excited about her latest book, 'Between Sisters'.
'Between Sisters' is all about the family, the drama, misunderstandings, the inevitable disagreements, but at the same time it's a warm emotional book about forgiveness and the importance of nurturing good relationships. As the title suggests, this is mostly a story about two sisters, Cassie and Coco who grew up without a mother. One day, seemingly without a reason, their mother leaves when Cassie is 7 years old and Coco is just a baby. They are brought up by their grandmother (Grammy Pearl), their father's mum, and despite all her efforts to give them the mother figure every child needs, Cassie and Coco feel a big hole and emptiness in their heart. Their father never got over their mum and the way she abandoned them and through out the years has been just a shadow no matter how much he tried. Until one day he was gone. Cassie is nearly 40 and has a family of her own. Things with her husband haven't been easy lately, but I guess no marriage is perfect. She has two daughters whom she loves with all her heart, but as all teenagers they're the cause of a lot of emotional pain for Cassie. However, she's determined to be the mother she never had, understanding them and bringing them up into two string adults who can always turn to her in hard times. Cassie works in an event planning company and is the girl you need when times get rough. Is it something she inherited or something about her face, she doesn't know, but all people treat her like a crying shoulder, someone they ask for advice and comfort when things go wrong. I guess, after all those years caring for her baby sister, Coco, she's got that deep inside her, her wish to help, comfort and protect. Even though they are adults, Cassie still feels protective over her little sister. Coco is 31 and the owner of a vintage shop. Unlike Cassie who's the tomboy, likes her flats and plain clothes, Coco is fashionable, in love with everything vintage and has gorgeous curves. Despite being very happy with her work, she's not that lucky when it comes to love. She still can't get over Red, even though it's been 4 years since their break up. But she's tough despite her fragile looks and determined to live her life the best she can.
And then there's Elsa, the famous TV presenter who lives and London and offers therapy for addicts. You might wonder at the beginning (I sure did) how is her story connected with that of Cassie and Coco. The book opens with a discovery of Elsa's illness, which she avoids to think about but still persists. Elsa seems to have it all, the money and all the stylists in the world, but deep down she's unhappy and haunted by her past.
Overall, Between Sisters is a lovely, emotional read. It's everything I expected from Cathy Kelly, who without a doubt has a great knack in creating real, authentic characters. For me, this book was all about the characters and their relationships. At times it did feel like the story is too long, somehow I couldn't shake the feeling some things are stretched, and wished we could finally get to the point. I do love family dramas, but really wished for a faster pace. But what kept me glued to the pages despite the story dragging a bit at times were Cassie and Coco. I honestly can't decide which one I liked best. I guess I loved their relationship, how they always support each other and come out as winners in the big picture. They have good hearts and are well brought up and by the end of the book, they felt like true heroes.
This book explores the relationship between sisters, daughters, daughter-mother etc, those long family strings that keep us together and make us who we are today. They can surely be the reason for the biggest suffering, yet the cause for the biggest happiness. Cathy Kelly digs deep into these relationship and shows a true understanding for all women. While the relationships are important, she also explores the topic of addiction, how it can ruin not only a person, but even the whole family and community.
While 'Once in a Lifetime' is still my favourite Cathy Kelly book, 'Between Sisters' was a real enjoyment. Not having a sister of my own, I loved hanging out with Cassie and Coco, and the ending brought a huge smile on my face. I did predict certain things, nonetheless it didn't stop me from enjoying this book. If you love women's fiction, keep this book on your radar. It's got all the elements a good family drama needs, which also includes a strong feel good factor. Enjoy!
March 25, 2022
I enjoyed being in Cathy Kelly's world for a bit. Girl knows how to write about families, im afraid i have no quotes. Sad times. Anywayyy. I'd definitely recommend for a little escape😌
July 13, 2016
To the outside world, Cassie Reynolds has it all - a happy marriage, two gorgeous daughters, and a successful career. And Cassie adores her family and will do anything to make them happy. But underneath it all, Cassie is struggling. She has never gotten over the fact that her mother had walked out on her and her sister all those years ago, and in trying to guarantee the perfect childhood for her own kids, the strain is starting to show. With her husband spending all of his spare time with his widowed mother, two teenagers who don't appreciate anything she does, and a stressful job working for the Wicked Witch of the West, it becomes all too easy to reach for that extra glass of wine...
Coco doesn't remember her mother and adores her older sister Cassie, and their grandmother Pearl, who had raised them with loving care. Self-employed, running her vintage store, Coco stays clear of commitment ever since her relationship with Red ended so badly. She has her best friend and her family, and she knows that staying clear of romantic love is the much safer option. You can't get hurt if you are on your own, even if it does get lonely sometimes. But sadly life has other plans...
When life takes a sudden turn for both Cassie and Coco, their lives will never be the same again. For sometimes to pull yourself out of the darkness, you are forced to revisit the past. Pearl begins to doubt her actions from all those years ago and yearns to help her girls face their fears so that they can truly be happy. With gentle wisdom and the beautiful little community of Delaney Gardens, this contemporary tale of mistakes, regrets, and the meaning of family is sure to bring a tear to your eye.
BETWEEN SISTERS by Cathy Kelly is an emotional story about making mistakes and trying to find a way to be happy. This story tackles the serious issues throughout with dignity and grace, and I completely fell in love with the close-knit community of Delaney Gardens. While I enjoyed this story, the pace was a little too slow for me, and I did think certain parts were a tad drawn out. But overall I would still recommend BETWEEN SISTERS by Cathy Kelly.
*Book received from Netgalley.com
Coco doesn't remember her mother and adores her older sister Cassie, and their grandmother Pearl, who had raised them with loving care. Self-employed, running her vintage store, Coco stays clear of commitment ever since her relationship with Red ended so badly. She has her best friend and her family, and she knows that staying clear of romantic love is the much safer option. You can't get hurt if you are on your own, even if it does get lonely sometimes. But sadly life has other plans...
When life takes a sudden turn for both Cassie and Coco, their lives will never be the same again. For sometimes to pull yourself out of the darkness, you are forced to revisit the past. Pearl begins to doubt her actions from all those years ago and yearns to help her girls face their fears so that they can truly be happy. With gentle wisdom and the beautiful little community of Delaney Gardens, this contemporary tale of mistakes, regrets, and the meaning of family is sure to bring a tear to your eye.
BETWEEN SISTERS by Cathy Kelly is an emotional story about making mistakes and trying to find a way to be happy. This story tackles the serious issues throughout with dignity and grace, and I completely fell in love with the close-knit community of Delaney Gardens. While I enjoyed this story, the pace was a little too slow for me, and I did think certain parts were a tad drawn out. But overall I would still recommend BETWEEN SISTERS by Cathy Kelly.
*Book received from Netgalley.com
November 30, 2015
Irish charm characterises Cathy Kelly’s latest offering Between Sisters. It is a light and cosy read, perfect for those times when you just want to get lost in a book. Between Sisters explores the bond between two sisters, who were abandoned when they were young and raised by their Grandmother. This provides Kelly with the opportunity to delve into issues such as abandonment, parenting , family, relationships and life choices. The reader learns that the two Kineally Sisters, Mum of two Cassie and Coco, a vintage boutique owner, have managed to overcome the loss of their mother figure early on in their lives. Despite the early setback, the girls have made a success of their lives in their respective ways. However, old wounds are reopened when a tragedy occurs, affecting the Kineally girls.
This is my second Cathy Kelly book, having read It Started With Paris last year. I enjoy reading stories from Irish authors and Kelly’s latest book was a nice, uplifting read. It was heartbreaking in places, but concluded in a predictable but feel good ending. What I appreciated most about this book was Kelly’s portrayal and exploration of the relationship between two sisters. Having only a brother, not a sister, I was interested in the storyline and how Kelly chose to play out the complexities of such a relationship, especially with the added adornment issues. Between Sisters was a pleasing read and satisfied my interest in the sisterly bond that I am unfamiliar with. Between Sisters is another appealing read from bestselling Irish author Cathy Kelly.
This is my second Cathy Kelly book, having read It Started With Paris last year. I enjoy reading stories from Irish authors and Kelly’s latest book was a nice, uplifting read. It was heartbreaking in places, but concluded in a predictable but feel good ending. What I appreciated most about this book was Kelly’s portrayal and exploration of the relationship between two sisters. Having only a brother, not a sister, I was interested in the storyline and how Kelly chose to play out the complexities of such a relationship, especially with the added adornment issues. Between Sisters was a pleasing read and satisfied my interest in the sisterly bond that I am unfamiliar with. Between Sisters is another appealing read from bestselling Irish author Cathy Kelly.
April 17, 2016
I've rated it a 3 stars because I don't think it's fair to give a book a low rating when I haven't finished it.
I gave up reading this book when I got to chapter 8, over 100 pages in and still nothing interesting had happened. I will try and read this again another time but I'm really struggling right now.
I think this book is perfect for really fast readers who get through half a book in a day, but as a generally slow reader anyway who only really reads for an hour each on the journey to and from work I really didn't feel accomplished when I'd finished my journey and simply read another chapter of woman finding something else to moan about.
I think the most relatable character to me was Coco, a quirky but quiet vintage store owner who is perfectly happy being single but was getting pushed into searching for a man just as I stopped reading, as her life apparently wasn't complete without it. The other characters I can't really say I had much interest in.
As I got this book in a giveaway I'm going to pass it onto a book loving friend who I think will really love it because I think the author does such brilliant imagery in this book that it deserves to be read throughout and have a really good thorough review, I will attempt this again in the fututre but right now it's a little too slow for me.
I'm sorry...I hate giving bad reviews!!!
I gave up reading this book when I got to chapter 8, over 100 pages in and still nothing interesting had happened. I will try and read this again another time but I'm really struggling right now.
I think this book is perfect for really fast readers who get through half a book in a day, but as a generally slow reader anyway who only really reads for an hour each on the journey to and from work I really didn't feel accomplished when I'd finished my journey and simply read another chapter of woman finding something else to moan about.
I think the most relatable character to me was Coco, a quirky but quiet vintage store owner who is perfectly happy being single but was getting pushed into searching for a man just as I stopped reading, as her life apparently wasn't complete without it. The other characters I can't really say I had much interest in.
As I got this book in a giveaway I'm going to pass it onto a book loving friend who I think will really love it because I think the author does such brilliant imagery in this book that it deserves to be read throughout and have a really good thorough review, I will attempt this again in the fututre but right now it's a little too slow for me.
I'm sorry...I hate giving bad reviews!!!
September 29, 2016
This is the second book I've won from a Goodreads Giveaway with the word Sister in the title so I was prepared for the usual girly, overwrought drama that accompanies sibling relationships and all that comes with it.
What I was not prepared for was:
1. Ridiculous, outdated beliefs such as the desperate need to have the perfect family, be the perfect wife, the perfect blah blah blah. What time period are we in?
2. Mother this, mother that, I don't have a mother, my life is over! Wah! I get it, the loss of your mother has affected you greatly but its a fine line when you let the loss dominate your life and affect your behavior and actions.
3. This book had too much going on, too long, too corny, too melodramatic; at times I wondered do women really talk and act like this in Dublin?
This is the first book I've ever read by Ms. Kelly but it will be the last. I'm too cynical for most chick lit books but Between Sisters really took the cake. Hmm...if it had cake in it, I might have added an extra star.
What I was not prepared for was:
1. Ridiculous, outdated beliefs such as the desperate need to have the perfect family, be the perfect wife, the perfect blah blah blah. What time period are we in?
2. Mother this, mother that, I don't have a mother, my life is over! Wah! I get it, the loss of your mother has affected you greatly but its a fine line when you let the loss dominate your life and affect your behavior and actions.
3. This book had too much going on, too long, too corny, too melodramatic; at times I wondered do women really talk and act like this in Dublin?
This is the first book I've ever read by Ms. Kelly but it will be the last. I'm too cynical for most chick lit books but Between Sisters really took the cake. Hmm...if it had cake in it, I might have added an extra star.
October 25, 2015
This is the first time that I have read any of Cathy Kelly's books, even though I have a few of her books amongst my vast collection. It is actually my sister's favourite author! So pleased to have won 'Between Sister's' recently in the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
I never write a blurb as to what the story is about, as I feel it spoils for others. I do recommend this book and I know that my sister will now be anxious to read my copy.
I never write a blurb as to what the story is about, as I feel it spoils for others. I do recommend this book and I know that my sister will now be anxious to read my copy.
November 10, 2015
I loved this book. I have read all of Cathy Kelly's books and consider this to be the best and most satisfying. I have met Cathy on three occasions - book launches in Hobart, Sydney and Brisbane and know that Cathy's intelligence, warmth and enthusiasm as a person radiate through her engaging writing.
September 26, 2024
It was a really well-rounded story with a lot of characters , emotion and storylines. The ending was super cute.
December 6, 2019
I usually love the books by this well know Irish author, but this one unfortunately came up short. I have always been a fan of Cathy’s books, her great understanding of family dynamics, the dramas that come with friendships and relationships, changes that occur in people’s lives.
Between Sisters is essentially a story of two abandoned sisters Coco and Cassie. Their mother was there one day and vanished the next, nobody talked about her, just that she is never coming back. However, there are always two sides to every story and the girls’ lives turn out to be affected more by their past than anyone could have ever predicted. They both have abandonment issues, which nearly destroy their relationships with the loves of their lives.
So far so good. However, then we have grandmother Pearl, who is suggested to be holding on to this massive secret about their mother, which makes you think she’s done something terrible. We have Phoebe, a country girl, studying fashion. We have Antoinette, the mother in law from hell. We have best friend Jo and her daughter Fiona. We have Shay, Red, Lilly, Beth, Eddie, Gloria, Elsa, the whole village and their dogs.
Just too much in this one. What could have been a great read became a hard labour of getting through and skipping paragraphs, because it just wasn’t that interesting. Which is a shame as the basis of the novel is good. So give it a go, but I feel Cathy’s other books were just a bit better and clearer.
Between Sisters is essentially a story of two abandoned sisters Coco and Cassie. Their mother was there one day and vanished the next, nobody talked about her, just that she is never coming back. However, there are always two sides to every story and the girls’ lives turn out to be affected more by their past than anyone could have ever predicted. They both have abandonment issues, which nearly destroy their relationships with the loves of their lives.
So far so good. However, then we have grandmother Pearl, who is suggested to be holding on to this massive secret about their mother, which makes you think she’s done something terrible. We have Phoebe, a country girl, studying fashion. We have Antoinette, the mother in law from hell. We have best friend Jo and her daughter Fiona. We have Shay, Red, Lilly, Beth, Eddie, Gloria, Elsa, the whole village and their dogs.
Just too much in this one. What could have been a great read became a hard labour of getting through and skipping paragraphs, because it just wasn’t that interesting. Which is a shame as the basis of the novel is good. So give it a go, but I feel Cathy’s other books were just a bit better and clearer.
April 7, 2016
I skim read a few reviews before reading this book - (I shouldn't do this!) and thought I was going to read a light hearted chic-lit book- Nope! I found parts of this book emotional and confronting - I think many people could relate to one of the sisters - One is married with teenage children and husband that isn't home a lot, and the other is single, childless, running her own business.
This is a story about people that suffer from their own, and other peoples mistakes or life hurdles - and how they cope and survive- there are light moments - and times of joy and celebration - it's a good mix of the two.
Negative was how many subplots and secondary characters- they all came together - but if I wasn't focussing on WHO I was reading about - at times I had to turn back a page or two to work out what character I was reading about and how they fit in. - a couple I honestly feel could have been left out entirely.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend others to read it - was hard to put down - but I doubt I'd read it again.
This is a story about people that suffer from their own, and other peoples mistakes or life hurdles - and how they cope and survive- there are light moments - and times of joy and celebration - it's a good mix of the two.
Negative was how many subplots and secondary characters- they all came together - but if I wasn't focussing on WHO I was reading about - at times I had to turn back a page or two to work out what character I was reading about and how they fit in. - a couple I honestly feel could have been left out entirely.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend others to read it - was hard to put down - but I doubt I'd read it again.
December 26, 2015
I have read a few Cathy Kelly books over the years, and I don't recall ever being disappointed. She has a great way of mixing the light with the serious, in that classic chick-lit style.
The characters of Coco and Cassie are both delightful. You can really see that sad, frightened little girl of 7 at the heart of Cassie - she was 7 when her mother disappeared from her life, and that loss (never really talked about) has effected everything she has done since. You never get over being abandoned by someone as important as your mother, especially when you are as close to her as Cassie was.
There are other stories around loss and the importance of talking things through within the story, and they all do a great job of getting the important message of the novel across, without moralising. There are a tonne of periphery characters too, all of which are appealing in various manners.
All in all, the perfect holiday read.
The characters of Coco and Cassie are both delightful. You can really see that sad, frightened little girl of 7 at the heart of Cassie - she was 7 when her mother disappeared from her life, and that loss (never really talked about) has effected everything she has done since. You never get over being abandoned by someone as important as your mother, especially when you are as close to her as Cassie was.
There are other stories around loss and the importance of talking things through within the story, and they all do a great job of getting the important message of the novel across, without moralising. There are a tonne of periphery characters too, all of which are appealing in various manners.
All in all, the perfect holiday read.
May 10, 2019
The story described in this book will take you through an emotional ride. It speaks about attachment, fear of abandonment, addiction to alcohol and drugs, feeling of betrayal and detachment. It depicts the importance of family especially importance of a mother figure in one's life. It also highlights the aspect of forgiveness and coping up with difficult situations with a grace and with a positive lookout.
It is a story between sisters i.e. Cassie and Coco where the past happenings reappears in their present lives which affects their stability; there is misunderstandings, lack of trust which emerges in their respective lives.
But overall the story is really fun to read. The characters are very vibrant and humorous. The bonding between the sisters and the love and affection they have for each other is narrated very gracefully.
It is a story between sisters i.e. Cassie and Coco where the past happenings reappears in their present lives which affects their stability; there is misunderstandings, lack of trust which emerges in their respective lives.
But overall the story is really fun to read. The characters are very vibrant and humorous. The bonding between the sisters and the love and affection they have for each other is narrated very gracefully.
October 21, 2016
I've been a fan of Cathy Kelly for ages. Her books are like snuggling up in a favourite armchair, however it took a while for this book to grab me. Usually with her books I am involved with the characters straight away and for a while I felt a bit overwhelmed with characters without latching on to anyone. I'm glad I kept going because I was soon making the connections and feeling involved with their lives.
A nice feel good book & my thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review it.
A nice feel good book & my thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review it.
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