The Sisters of Summit Avenue

by Lynn Cullen

From Lynn Cullen, the bestselling author of Mrs. Poe and Twain’s End , comes a powerful novel set in the Midwest during the Great Depression, about two sisters bound together by love, duty, and pain.

Ruth has been single-handedly raising four young daughters and running her family’s Indiana farm for eight long years, ever since her husband, John, fell into a comatose state, infected by the infamous “sleeping sickness” devastating families across the country. If only she could trade places with her older sister, June, who is the envy of everyone she meets: blonde and beautiful, married to a wealthy doctor, living in a mansion in St. Paul. And June has a coveted job, too, as one of “the Bettys,” the perky recipe developers who populate General Mills’ famous Betty Crocker test kitchens. But these gilded trappings hide sorrows: she has borne no children. And the man she used to love more than anything belongs to Ruth.

When the two sisters reluctantly reunite after a long estrangement, June’s bitterness about her sister’s betrayal sets into motion a confrontation that’s been years in the making. And their mother, Dorothy, who’s brought the two of them together, has her own dark secrets, which might blow up the fragile peace she hopes to restore between her daughters.

An emotional journey of redemption, inner strength, and the ties that bind families together, for better or worse, The Sisters of Summit Avenue is a heartfelt love letter to mothers, daughters, and sisters everywhere.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Book Club, Family, Family Drama, Adult Fiction

312 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2019

Reviews

[MarilynW · Rating 4 out of 5]

June and Ruth are the daughters of Dorothy, a woman who has had a hard, often sad, life. Dorothy grew up as the daughter of servants and worked as a servant at the same place her parents worked, until something happened to that caused her to be sent away. June, when the book begins, is married to a wealthy doctor and is one of the behind-the-scenes Betty Crocker ladies, doing what the company wants so that more flour can be sold. Her younger sister Ruth, is struggling desperately to run her husband's farm, a husband who has been bedridden for eight years, due to sleeping sickness.

All three women have been caught in the trap of not being happy with the blessings they have and instead, yearning for something that they lost or that they could never have. Rather than loving her husband or even giving him a chance for her love, June is still in love with John, her former fiance, who is now Ruth's ailing husband. Ruth now feels trapped and wants something else, much more than she's ever going to get. And then there is their mother Dorothy, who still wishes for a life that was never in her grasp.

This story shows us the impact that unhappiness and the inability to express one's love to another, can have on husbands and daughters and how one's actions can be misinterpreted in destructive ways. So much goes on in this story and towards the end, things really get chaotic, but out of the chaos comes understanding and acceptance. My favorite character in the book is John, loved by two women, but shortchanged in life, by illness. It's amazing that so much was done with this character when he spent so much time barely there, because of his illness.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

[etherealfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this ARC in a Goodreads Giveaway and I thank the publisher, author and Goodreads for the opportunity. Dorothy and her daughters June and Ruth and their significant others grabbed my by the heart and kept me enthralled, exasperated and aching for them all right through to an ending that was more gratifying and satisfying than I was afraid to hope for. I loved this this story and just about every character in it, which is a rare treat. 5 stars for a compelling read and a great way to end the summer!

[Lynn Cullen]

Yes, I’m rating my own book, but to me, I don’t think of The Sisters of Summit Avenue as a book. I think of it as a love letter to my mother, who I hardly knew due to her struggles with a debilitating stew of mental disorders. Now that she has been gone for several years, I have been sifting through my childhood memories, and through her own stories of her youth, in an effort to imagine her before she was ill. I have been picturing her as a spunky girl; as a young woman with hopes and heartaches and dreams; as a young mother surviving those worst of times, yet best of times, with small children. Although I ended up telling a story in which fictitious characters do fictitious things--I'm a novelist--the way the mother's grown daughters misunderstand her because they see her only through their own experiences is very much seen through the lens of my own personal regret.

In The Sisters of Summit Avenue, the two sisters and their mother are in danger of losing the good things that they actually have by always yearning for something more. But maybe it's not too late for them. As the mother in the story says in her deadpan way, when it comes to grasping for second chances, "You're not dead yet." Indeed, writing this book gave me a second chance to understand my mother, and I’m trying. I’m really trying. Ilene Doughty, this love letter is for you.

[Lindsey Gandhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I own another of Lynn Cullen's books, this was my first of hers to actually read. The premise behind the book is very interesting. Sibling rivalries, estranged mother-daughter relationships with deep dark secrets mixed all into one big Betty Crocker cake. I want to start off by saying I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. I'm not saying it's bad, it just missed a few marks for me.

The storyline is a good and solid one. The characters are well developed and very believable, even though a few are not very likeable. I really enjoyed the rivalry between June and Ruth. It's an example you could see in a million households between sisters. Cullen vividly paints a picture of the hardships and blessings between siblings and their parents. I really enjoyed reading about all the Betty Crockers. That's a piece of culinary history I didn't know very much about and it was fascinating learning how that whole conglomerate got started. Dorothy's heartbreak felt true to the core and given the time period of the book, very realistic. Throughout the book the author reveals secrets that I didn't expect at all. If you like what you're reading so far, then stop with my review and go get this book. It does have many positives.

Here is where the story fell short for me. Overall, I had to force myself to sit down and read this book. It doesn't grab you from the get go or have a pace that holds your interest. It took far too long for me to read this book. There are aspects of the story the author draws way out to the point of frustration and yet other parts you need more explanation but are just given a line or two. For the most part I felt the writing was very choppy and just didn't flow smoothly. The ending was somewhat of a jumbled mess for me. Not that everything needs to be tied up pretty with a neat little bow, but it felt like a lot gets thrown at the reader to see what parts will stick.

Overall it's a decent book but not a great one for me.

My thanks to Lynn Cullen, the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Irene Well Worth A Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to go into the plot too much since everything you need to know is in the description. This was a stunning work of historical fiction and not just because it was set during my favorite time period. The writing is so evocative without being overly emotional or turning into a sob story. What you do need to know in case you aren't already aware is that the "sleeping sickness" was a real epidemic in those days and it truly did sicken people all over the world. No cause has ever been found. Encephalitis Lethargic was the medical term for this illness that remains a mystery to this day. I believe that at least half of the people who contracted it died. I don't want to give the impression that this story is only about illness. Marriage, and playing the hand you've been dealt in life are huge elements of this book. The bigger picture is about the two sisters, and their love for each other above all petty resentments, and their relationship with their mother "Odd Dorothy" as she had been known in the town where they grew up. Dorothy and her husband Bud "Rowdy Dowdy" are significant characters as well even if they mostly shine from the background.
I loved this book!
5 out of 5 stars

I received an advance copy for review

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn’t work well for me. I lost interest in it multiple times throughout the story. I had trouble connecting with the characters. It is a very intertwined story but at times it was too much of a stretch for me to believe I did finish the book although even the end left a couple too many open questions in my mind.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

via my blog: https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
'Her whole life, June had quietly taken whatever knocks had come her way.'

Sisters and their rivalries, the imagined and real inequalities of a parent’s love and attention, how it bleeds out upon the world, infects the future. This is a novel about how we often make life choices based on the trauma of our past, and how sibling issues can alter the course of our lives. Ruth has always felt her life has been lived in the shadow of June’s radiant beauty. Everywhere she goes, people are under the spell of it. Luck seems to ooze from her very blessed pores. Of course the natural flow of her life has made her wildly successful, working as one of “the Betty’s” conjuring creative recipes in the famous Betty Crocker test kitchens that other wives, mothers are dying to emulate. Ruth? Ruth is trapped running her family’s farm in Indiana, while her beloved husband is trapped in his body, with the mysterious ailment “the sleeping sickness”. Encephalitis lethargica was a widespread, mysterious, bizarre ailment that left a devastating number of people dead or institutionalized as they were left in a sleep like state. (Some of you may recall the movie Awakenings starring the late, great Robin Williams and Robert Deniro whose character’s symptoms present much the same as John, based on Oliver Sacks non-fiction book about patients who contacted encephalitis lethargica). This is a serious disease not even fully understood today. It is grave indeed, and Ruth is conflicted between resentment and pity.

Ruth must deal with this devastating illness that has stolen her strong husband, leaving in his stead a mostly unconscious (or is he aware still of his surroundings) man. It is on her to raise their girls, varying in ages, to keep their farm going, no mean feat! Her mother is by her side, mostly tending to John while Ruth handles the backbreaking work, becoming more and more bitter with the passing of each day. Why must she always be the one that awful things always seems to befall? Every time she has a chance at happiness, things sour and it’s made all the worse having to witness her sister always rising like cream above the drudgery of life. If God has favorites, certainly it is June, always June and never Ruth. Why, even her own husband, before the illness still longed for the golden beauty! She just knows it. It must be hard to feel like you were made up of leftovers, as if your sibling is meant for great things because of their beauty while you have to fight for every crumb of affection you can rake out of this hungry world. But things are never what they seem.

June’s always garnered attention, unwanted as much as welcome, and while many things in life appear to come easy for her, it is the very things she desires most, the very ones that give life meaning that elude her. She has never understood the bitter heart that beats in her sister Ruth’s chest, why she seems to always want what she has, why she has laid claim to the one man she loved so much. But all of that is in the past, right now she has a career, one that serves as a creative outlet and makes her very popular and while her marriage to Richard, a successful, wealthy doctor seems enviable, there lurks shame within their marriage, things that she has been told she cannot provide for him, things a woman should be able to do. How she would love children, like Ruth has.

Maybe this visit to Ruth and John’s will be a bridge reconnecting the sisters, even if she is conflicted about seeing John in his frozen state. Her heart still has wounds, there was never closure. She would never betray Ruth, she feels pity for her, for everything Ruth must bear on her shoulders, but the past is still a fresh ache. If only she had someone to confide her own sorrows in.

Everyone seems to be harboring secrets and heaping piles of guilt, Ruth with her hired help, June and Richard with what they tell each other and hide, longings that have stewed in John’s sleeping heart, and their mother Dorothy. Dorothy whose own dark past as daughter of the hired help in a wealthy home is the seed to the ruinous relationship between her girls. John’s bizarre illness and the way disabled children, adults were treated ‘back in the day’ give the novel a bit of heft and keeps it from being just another tale about sibling dynamics. Too, the mention of hard times, people at the end of their rope trying to survive and giving up. Ruth is bitter, but not everyone can be an upbeat, gracious Pollyanna when they have spent their life feeling inferior. Maybe their mother is a bit guilty of the imbalance in the sister’s relationship, and maybe her reasons make sense, but you know what people fail to realize, perception is what drives us. We are often shaped by the reactions of our first society, our own parents, and it’s there in the looks Ruth gets from her own, especially when she is John’s chosen. Ruth is hard to take, she is so used to losing that it’s hard for her to see that she has so much love. Her children adore her, and even June still loves her. But her fault has always been in romance, you cannot force the hand of love, and you cannot make people want you more by trying to muddy or take from another. Not the right people anyway.

It is a lesson in self-sabotage and maybe even pride, because as awful as everyone will likely feel Ruth is, June sure as hell doesn’t fight much for what she wants either. The ending threw me, when the past comes knocking at the door, it happened too fast. I think I was expecting more of a fight when a certain character wants to stake his claim in the family, so to speak. It’s never that simple. I expected a meatier ending, but it’s a good read all the same, even if all the characters wore my patience! Half the time you want to say, grow up, speak up, just stop this nonsense. My god but we get in our own way, don’t we?

Publication Date: September 10, 2019

Gallery, Pocket Books

[Donna Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. My thanks go to Net Galley and Gallery Books for the review copy, which I received over a year ago. I began reading this story numerous times, but I didn’t find it engaging enough to continue, and so each time I began it, I would end up returning it to my queue in exchange for something I liked. However, I recently began moving through my backlog with assistance from Seattle Bibliocommons, where I was able to get audio versions of those I’d left by the wayside. Ultimately, this is how I was able to follow through, and it’s a good thing, because the last half of this book is far better than the first half.

The story features three women, all of them in the American Midwest, starting in the early 1920s. The sisters are Ruth and June, and their mother is Dorothea. June is the golden one, the prettiest and most successful. Ruth, who is younger, just resents the crap out of June. And she can tell that their mother loves June more. June, on the other hand, is Betty Crocker; one of them, anyway. One of the few career opportunities open to women involves inventing recipes for Betty; answering Betty’s mail; and playing the part of Betty on the radio. Women visit the company expecting to meet Betty, and thy are outraged to learn that no such person actually exists.

Meanwhile, Ruth and her family remain in the family home with Dorothea, and the sisters are estranged. Their mother hates to see them this way, and she schemes to bring them together.

The narrative shifts between the three women, and from the past to the present. When we are taken back to their youths, we learn what has come between them, and what assumptions, grudges, and secrets each holds that has not been said.

The first half of this book feels like it will never end. The sloppy pop-cultural references grate on me, particularly when the shortcuts result in inaccuracy. For example, when the stock market crashes, Cullen has men jumping from skyscrapers left, right, and center, when in fact, this is mostly myth, or at best, hyperbole. At most there was a single jumper in real life. Historical fiction at its best teaches us in an enjoyable way, but when readers are presented with urban legends as reality, it is a letdown.

By the halfway point, I am only still listening to this book because I have to make dinner anyway, and having put in as much time as I have, I figure I may as well finish it up. My review is on its way to being three stars at best, and possibly two. So imagine my surprise when at the 55% mark, the whole thing wakes up! The female character that has been the least interesting up until now is Dorothea, but now we learn the meaty parts that she has kept secret, and there we find the key to everything else. I am so astonished that my jaw drops, and I stop chopping vegetables and gape at my tablet, which is streaming this story. Oh, heck! Seriously? This is why…? Oh, holy crap. Who knew?

From that point forward, it’s an entirely different ballgame. When I head for the kitchen, I’m already thinking about what I heard the day before, and looking forward to the next bit.
Those that enjoy character-based fiction could do a lot worse, as long as you take the historical parts with a grain of salt. Overall, I recommend that if you read this book, get it free or cheap, but don’t pay full cover price; and prepare to be patient.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the basic premise of the story--sibling rivalry, lost love, family secrets--to name a few themes--and the time period, I had a difficult time actually connecting with the characters. I empathized with them generally, but the book itself didn't hold my interest as I hoped it would. On a positive note, I enjoyed learning about the "Bettys" in the history of Betty Crocker, how they came up with the recipes, and that they carried on correspondence with the public. I also didn't know about the "sleeping sickness" that afflicted John and so many others in the 1920's and 30's.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary

[Pam Jenoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two grown sisters, one struggling to raise four children in the rural midwest and the other leading a charmed-but-childless city life, reunite with their mother to confront their differences and dark secrets of the past in this heartfelt tale of family and homecoming.

[Connie Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a lot to like about “Sisters of Summit Avenue.” It’s well-told historical fiction set largely in the Depression Era 1930s, the characters are well-drawn, and the underlying message is worth remembering.

While the characters may not be overly likable, they are definitely interesting. The distant mother Dorothy’s back story is an important factor in her two daughters’ intense rivalry. How that rivalry plays out is central to the story arc that kept me turning the pages. The flashbacks worked well for me.

When I read historical fiction, I like to learn something about the era, and there’s plenty of that, including fascinating descriptions of the many women who created the popular advertising character of Betty Crocker, the description of Encephalitis Lethargica (sleeping sickness) that one sister’s husband suffers from, along with the cars, the music and other details that bring that world to life.

Kudos to the author for a memorable read.

[Renée Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written story about sisters, family and love. Cullen has created an original tale, so perfectly structured. I couldn't put it down. Sad, touching, heartfelt and masterful!!

[Mom_Loves_Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always drawn to books involving relationships between sisters and their dynamics, probably since I don't have a sister (only an estranged brother) and having a sister always seemed appealing to me. "The Sisters of Summit Avenue" is a gripping story of a complex relationship between two sisters--their rivalry, betrayals, resentment and eventually their eventual healing process. (And the "sleeping sickness" was a factual epidemic back then that affected people all over the world! Who knew!) I found all the Betty Crocker stuff to be equally fascinating and historically insightful. This is an overall entertaining, heartfelt and enjoyable read! It was released by Gallery Books on September 10th. Add it to your TBR list today!

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of an angry younger sister who wants everything her older sister has. It is a compelling story, and completely believable.

It is a terrific book… but unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the ending.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. My thanks to the author, her publisher and NetGalley

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sisters of Summit Avenue by Lynn Cullen is a story of two sisters, June and Ruth, and their mother Dorothy. It switches points of view and also time periods, one chapter in the 30’s, one back in the 20’s. Readers will sense the depth of the author’s knowledge of the history of Chicago, farm life, and the masterful vocabulary and be impressed with the obvious blood, sweat, and tears that went into this creation.
I loved June and rooted for her, and felt aggravated with stubborn Ruth. I appreciated that Cullen wrote such multi-faceted characters, which will help the reader connect.
If you enjoy historical fiction, are curious about what secrets can do to families, or enjoy reading about sisters, pick this up! It comes out September 10!

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the family drama and it was sett during the 30's and earlier. But wasn't quite a favorite but it's still a decent book

[Jules The Book Junkie Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sisters of Summit Avenue is a depression-era historical fiction and family drama. Author Lynn Cullen has clearly researched the era in which The Sisters of Summit Avenue is set. From the hungry and homeless, the struggling-to-survive working class, to farmers who just manage to hold onto their farms, readers get a very realistic view of American life in the 1930s. Additionally, Ms. Cullen has included the all too real, but little known, epidemic of Encephalitis Lethargica. While not the main focus on the book, the illness does contribute to the exploration of relationships between the various characters.

The story is told primarily in mid-1930s, however, the timeline toggles to 1901 to tell Dorothy’s story. It is through Dorothy’s story that readers get much needed background on how she impacts June and Ruth’s relationship. In the present, there is a rift between the sisters that stems from wanting what the other has. The sisters and their mother each want something they don’t have, and their yearnings put in jeopardy that which they do have as well as prevent them from appreciating what they’ve got. Have their secrets and desperate desires for something more or better lead to their current situations? Is their current situation their karma?

All three characters are compelling even though they are not equally likable. It would be easy to feel compassion toward Ruth and her feelings of inadequacy, but her acrimony and envy make it hard to feel anything positive for her. June is a bit more interesting and compelling, even though she is a bit of a doormat. Their sibling rivalry is as juicy as that of the sisters in Jane Smiley’s A Thousand Acres! The secrets, lies and deception make for scintillating reading, but it is the heartbreak, love and forgiveness that makes The Sisters of Summit Avenue a beautiful family drama.

I received an advance copy of this book from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sisters of Summit Avenue by Lynn Cullen
Not a whole lot of excitement in this book but it is an interesting tale about 2 sisters and their past and Dorothy their mother and her story. I found this interesting and it did hold my attention all the way to the end. Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers for this book.

[Colleen Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read and really enjoyed two other novels by Lynn Cullen - Mrs. Poe and Twain's End - and The Sisters of Summit Avenue is no exception. I loved how Cullen drops the reader into such a unique time and place and allows us to try and unravel the complicated mysteries surrounding our two sisters, Ruth and June, and their enigma of a mother, Dorothy. I particularly enjoyed the glimpses into the world of being a Betty Crocker (I had no idea that wasn't a real person) as well as the strange and frankly terrifying sleeping sickness Ruth's husband is living with. I found myself frustrated at times with these three woman as they never seemed to be happy, regardless of their circumstances, and seemed to only realize the love surrounding them when it was (at times) too late. But life isn't always simple or easy, so in that respect it's very realistic! I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially something a little different than the norm.

*I received a free copy of The Sisters of Summit Avenue in a Goodreads giveaway*

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE SISTERS OF SUMMIT AVENUE is a book to be lingered over and relished. In this depression era saga, Lynn Cullen expertly weaves the emotional stories of two sisters and the inequities in their lives, both real and imagined.

Cullen’s tale of sisterhood is written with insight, tenderness, hope and a touch of humor.

Relax and enjoy this life affirming tale of new beginnings as you would rare wine or an exceptional dinner.

[Tommy Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Cullen has once again written a truly fine piece of work. The characters in this novel will amaze you with each turn of a page. I felt as if I was spying on them. You will love them and hate them, but in the end, you will realize how their lives all came together for the good. I would recommend that you pick up this book and start reading for a nice Thanksgiving treat. Who needs pumpkin pie when we have Lynn Cullen. Thanks Lynn!

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really had to pay attention to the dates of each chapter as this book wove back and forth. Each chapter left me wanting to keep reading to learn more. This story about Dorothy & her daughters, June & Ruthie, has many layers to it and kept me intrigued throughout. I appreciate all the research Lynn Cullen put into this book. Worth a read!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The parts about Betty Crocker and sleeping sickness were interesting but the rest of the book was too choppy. It went from person to person, from the past to the 1950’s repeated without a real introduction of who would be talking or the time frame it would be.

[Angela Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siblings: Such a weird relationship. You can be annoyed with them; you can roll your eyes and say mean things about them, but if someone else even tries to put them down you’ll be there defending your sibling in an instant.

Rivalry between siblings is a natural thing. Ruth and June are no different. June is the older sister, the one always conceding to appease her younger sister, the one trying to set a good example, and the one trying to sit poised up on the pedestal Ruth has her teetering upon. Ruth is the younger sister. Ruth uses her anger like a shield. She adores her older sister but is constantly reminded of her own shortcomings by comparing herself to the perfect June. June always has suitors calling on her. Good suitors, rich and handsome ones. June is well-liked. She’s picked for everything, like being a living mannequin for the local department store. She’s beautiful and composed and perfect. Everything Ruth aims to be and falls short of.

But the silence between them really started when Ruth stole June’s boyfriend and married him. Yep, that’s right. Ruth’s husband John is the one thing she truly won from June.

Dorothy, their mother, has had enough. So in 1936 Dorothy calls on June to come visit the family, all living on Ruth's farm.

This story was simply captivating. Cullen tells each woman’s history through different perspectives and different timelines. It’s still easy to follow and it totally enriches the content of the novel. The difficult relationships combined with the difficult era were often heartbreaking to read. But these women are strong. And they persevere every single time life throws something at them. I learned so many new things, too! I learned the history of Betty Crocker, I learned more about the great depression, and especially about the sleeping sickness which I had never heard of before! I love a book that is entertaining, relatable, and teaches you.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads for the giveaway book. I always start my reviews with something positive about the book and here it is: I love the cover of it. Unfortunately, that's about as deep as it goes, and about as deep as the book went, too. Much of this book seemed to drag on with unnecessary information. Why does the author need to spend thirty plus pages discussing the work June does at Betty Crocker? I can't say for sure. Secondly, the grass is always greener right? June has this picturesque perfect life, yet she still envies her sister working on the farm, caring for four kids, and most importantly, is jealous of her sister's bed-ridden husband with a "sleeping disease."
Most of this book seemed ridiculous to me, I had a hard time getting through most of it. Even though the characters were seemingly, vastly different, I had a hard time connecting to any of them.
Along with the poor character development, the author relied heavily on references from other classic literature which seemed overbearing and unoriginal. A dog named Stella, a woman named Blanche; are you familiar with A Streetcar Named Desire? If you aren't this book will make sure you are. It relied heavily on Pride and Prejudice's cliche romance as well as Gone with the Wind's- *cough cough Clark Gable* and by the time we reached the eightieth literary reference in this book, I just closed it for a moment, took a deep breath and urged myself to continue on.

Once again, thank you Goodreads for the advanced reading copy of "The Sisters of Summit Avenue." I don't think I will be your go-to girl to recommend this book to friends and fellow bookworms.

[Rhiannon Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of Lynn Cullen's latest novel, The Sisters of Summit Avenue several weeks ago but I only got around to reading it in the last few days. Isn't that how it goes sometimes? I loved Cullen's previous novel, the gothic and atmospheric "Mrs. Poe" but this is a totally different type of story. The storyline of two sisters wasn't what initially grabbed my attention though; it was the setting--the Midwest during the Great Depression. I've been personally drawn to these stories lately, wondering how families made ends meet and the details of their daily lives. Cullen masterfully presented the extreme division of wealth and the onslaught of advertising at a time when a majority of the nation did not have an expendable income. I was sad to leave the world of June, Ruth, John, and Dorothy when I turned the last page, but I also consider that to be a great trait in a storyteller. Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ novel from Lynn Cullen!

[Susan Mather Barone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynn Cullen’s The Sisters of Summit Avenue is a story for those who like suspense-filled historical novels. Set in the 1920s and ‘30s, Dorothy is the daughter of a butler and housekeeper for the Lambs, a well-to-do family, not unlike the Granthams of Downton Abbey. She has two daughters, June and Ruth. They fiercely love one another, but the youngest, Ruth, sees June as her rival all the same. A great divide occurs between the sisters. This is a book that has a main mystery and a secondary mystery to solve for the reader. Cullen moves back and forth through the Roaring ‘20s into the Great Depression, ending in 1950. The editor called this a “heartfelt tribute to mothers, daughters, and sisters everywhere.”

What worked for me:
1. The author-reader contract truly started for me when I read Dorothy’s harrowing tale about escaping with her baby. She told her tale to Ruth’s husband, John, we learn later. He was speechless and motionless from contracting encephalitis lethargic, the sleeping sickness. I was drawn in by the heart-pounding start as she slipped away from somewhere sinister with the baby. She was met by William Dowdy in the rain that day and I was worried for her, not knowing if she would be caught.
2. The theatre of my mind also was triggered as a read about the 1920s and ‘30s, the time when my grandparents were growing up. I had read the F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and thought the author was tipping her hat to those two authors. I started a Pinterest board about ideas found while reading. I researched Black Blizzards; Encephalitis Lethargica (Think of the movie with Robin Williams: “Awakenings”); Bes-Ben hats; flapper hairstyles; the Great Depression; Betty Crocker; and state schools for “feeble-minded children.”
3. Having a sister, I could relate to the bond they shared that held despite the fallen state of their personal lives. Since they were children Ruth had seen her relationship to her sister as one of competition. But both sisters were protective of each other in their own ways. They knew their mother was “odd.” They just didn’t know her life of sacrifice. They didn't have the knowledge about her cruel beginnings to explain why she was so secretive and lived like a hermit.
4. I was on the hook to find out what Ruth had done to damage the relationship between her sister and her. I cared about these characters. I wanted to know what happened before both sisters were married, before Ruth became a mother and June became “Betty Crocker.” How did June meet Richard Whiteleather? All was revealed with a bittersweet/satisfying conclusion.

Problem areas for me:
1. I was unclear what the emergency was that brought June to Ruth and John’s farm in Indiana-Michigan. Ruth’s animosity toward her sister was evident. Was it John’s illness? No. He’d been ill 8 years so far without June showing up at the farm. Did their father recently die? No. I had to go back to the beginning. Dorothy told June that Ruth wanted her there. She arranged the meeting, according to Richard who traveled with June. I think it would have been better to say Richard had some treatments in mind for John's sleeping sickness. I did expect Dorothy to tell her story to the sisters.
2. I took note of the times I felt like I was losing interest, bogged down in the time period, its people and scenes. In Part One, I wrote: “Some sentences have too much filler between subject and verb. Too much detail about June’s job with Betty Crocker and the ladies identified by first name, hometown.” While I did enjoy learning about the beginnings of Betty Crocker and what Minneapolis was like in the 1930s, I felt too much detail intruded on the storyline. I flipped forward to see where I was going next. 
3. I like more of a linear approach if I’m to travel back in flashbacks. I needed to hear the whole story behind Ruth and June’s falling out, which I think started in Part 3. The story of June and Ruth in the 1920s began when June and Richard arrived at the farm. That was the trigger. When June is at the door to where John lies, Ruth flashed back to when she met John, then June’s beau.   I think the story of the sisters and their beaus would have been easier to follow had it taken a step-by-step progression before returning to present-day 1934 (without any sooner returns to 1934 in our time-travelin’ Roadster!) Now, I did think of Stewart, the time-traveler of “Kate and Leopold.” He said time is a pretzel – “a beautiful 4D pretzel of kismetic inevitability.” 

Thank you to Lynn Cullen and Simon and Schuster for this uncorrected proof to read and review. Not to give away too much, but I was satisfied with the ending. When one of the mysterious men riding around the farm was revealed, I had all sorts of ideas about how that would play out and wasn’t disappointed.

[Merry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a hard time getting into this book at first but by the end, I ended up falling in love with each of the characters and their many quirks. At the beginning, it was hard to remember who was who. There were so many names, I couldn't keep them straight. I honestly felt like I needed a cheat sheet with who was who. But by the middle, I was starting to fall for young Ruth, especially. I saw so much of myself in each of these women. And quite honestly, learned a little from each of them, as well. Each woman struggles with herself, internally, and with the life she has, always wanting something else. But by doing so, they're wasting the time they do have with the person or people who truly love them the most. I honestly didn't see that ending at all. I thought it would be different and was expecting Ruth to claim what June didn't want. But with it ending the way it did, it made things a little sweeter, overall. Ruth was finally given an overall good character, who wasn't jealous or wanting more. It's truly hard to pick a favorite character in this book, even though I do seem to lean more towards Ruth because each woman had such great qualities. June never left her roots, even when she had every opportunity to do so and never look back. Dorothy never gave up on her family or John and so sweetly gave her terrible life events to him through story time, when no one else would give him a second thought. In fact, she really was the main heroine of this story. Without her sacrifices and determination, it would have never happened. And lastly, the historical fiction part about Betty Crocker and the time frame, in general, were quite interesting. I never put much thought into Betty Crocker, even though I use "her" products almost daily. But, I can see now how she became such a big brand name and why she was so important to women at the time. The makers really were quite genius to create her in the ways that they did and make her seem like a real, modern day Martha Stewart of sorts. It was also quite interesting to learn about the swimsuit policies, too. I had forgotten about those strict restrictions for women and loved the girls who tried to run from being covered up! I'm glad I gave this book a chance because it's worth the read.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when a book makes you jump on the internet to research aspects of the story. While the story line itself is fiction, there were many wonderful historical facts that piqued my interest. I had never heard of "sleeping sickness" and immediately searched for more information. What an amazing worldwide epidemic and it makes it even sadder that no cure was ever discovered.

And then the Betty Crocker "ladies" were a delight to read about. The Betty Crocker of my day is a different concept all together. So to read about the many women economists who served as the hands and feet of the Gold Medal Flour Company and how they tested and demonstrated the myriad of recipes to be shared with women was amazing.

And even with all of the wonderful historical aspects of the story, you have family dynamics that will have you gritting your teeth. You will discover a lot about the relationship between the two sisters who are the main characters. And then their mother's story comes out as she sits and talks to her son-in-law who is suffering from the "sleeping sickness."

So much information is shared and you will be turning the pages quickly to see what will happen next!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Wendy G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about two sisters, Ruth and June, who, like many sisters love each other and are jealous of each other. What one has seems to be perfect and exactly what the other wants. This is also the story about their mother, Dorothy, who does her best to raise her daughters in the Midwest during the 1920s and 1930s. I enjoyed the history of Betty Crocker and the 'sleeping sickness' disease from this time period. It was down right scary what women were taught on how best to raise their children in books, especially the one by psychologist John B. Watson that warned parents of giving children too much love and affection in his book Psychological Care of Infant and Child, released in 1928, especially infants! The effect of adhering to this was devastating all around:

"Never hug and kiss [children], never let them sit in your lap. If you must, kiss them once on the forehead when they say good night. Shake hands with them in the morning… Try it out. In a week's time you will find how easy it is to be perfectly objective with your child and at the same time kind. You will be utterly ashamed of the mawkish, sentimental way you have been handling it."