Envious

Forever Family #1-3

by Lisa Jackson

Dear Reader,
 
It’s always wonderful to return to a favorite place. That’s how I feel about Bittersweet, Oregon, the fictional setting for my 1990s trilogy, Forever Family, now collected here in one volume with a new title—Envious! I’m delighted to revisit Bittersweet in the company of Bliss, Katie, and Tiffany—three women who’ve just discovered they are half-sisters . . .
 
Bliss Cawthorne is John Cawthorne’s only legitimate daughter, but her father’s wealth has complicated matters. Mason Lafferty believed he wasn’t good enough for the boss’s daughter and broke Bliss’s heart after saving her life. Yet now he’s back in Bittersweet, determined to make her trust him again.
 
Tiffany Santini is widowed and struggling to raise two children after a car accident. That doesn’t mean she needs interference from her powerful brother-in-law. And Katie Kincaid is too busy wrangling her rambunctious son to get involved with the enigmatic cowboy next door. Then there’s the mystery at the heart of Bittersweet—the recent disappearance of an elderly local, Isaac Wells, who has vanished without trace, casting a dark cloud over all their lives . . .
 
Join me in Bittersweet as these three very different, independent women try to escape the shadows of their pasts . . .
 
 
Lisa Jackson 

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance

689 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2020

About the author

Lisa Jackson is the number-one New York Times bestselling author of over ninety-five novels, including the Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya Series, the Pescoli and Alvarez Series, the Savannah series, and numerous stand alone novels. She also is the co-author of One Last Breath, Last Girl Standing, and the Colony Series, written with her sister and bestselling author Nancy Bush, as well as the collaborative novels Sinister and Ominous, written with Nancy Bush and Rosalind Noonan. There are over thirty million copies of her novels in print and her writing has been translated into twenty languages.

Before she became a nationally bestselling author, she was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.

With dozens of bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity—and back—in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional, and the downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies, and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.

Visit http://www.LisaJackson.com where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.

Reviews

[Val Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was quite long (apparently 704 pages) and had some very long chapters but was a really good read. I have previously read and enjoyed one book by Lisa Jackson prior to this and was keen to try another. I was definitely expecting something different but it was a nice surprise.

I decided to look it up and found out that its 3 books (which explains the length, put into one which was written in the 90s, but rebadged as Envious.

I have to say they've done a good job of rebranding it as a thriller rather than romances and I would not have picked up any of those books the Forever series books based on their original covers.

John Cawthorne has a heart attack and wants to open up and bring his family together before its too late. He has three daughters - one legitimate, Bliss and two others outside of his marriages. Its the story of the three half sisters who are unaware of one another until Bliss returns to her home town. I didn't really like the name of the town Bittersweet, but it didn't really take away from the story at all. As I said, the book was split into 3, and each section was based on a different sister starting with Bliss, then moving on to Tiffany and then on to Katie. They are 3 very different women and keeps coming back to them all and how their lives were entwined and how they come to live in Bittersweet with all sorts of going on along the way, with a romance theme throughout, but much more enjoyable than that.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this - A thoroughly enjoyable book.

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up on this since I have better books waiting and this was such silly romantic nonsense. Very repetitive and trite. This is a consolidation of three of Ms Jackson’s earlier books. A waste of time.

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was too much of a romantic novel for me. The love-hate relationships were just crazy stupid. I never made it to the end finally gave up more challenging.

[Foxy Vixen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bittersweet, Oregon... what a place to be! This is a Trilogy that involves 3 half sisters, their louse of a father and their love affairs that all end up with good endings! I thought this was going go be a book of mystery... or that’s how Amazon had it listed.
Well, yes, there was 1 mystery that ran thru the whole book... and finally did find the end of the mystery. But this needed to be more classified as a romance Trilogy... hence that is why I gave it 3 stars.
As far as the romances... they were about all the same... girl meets boy... they have fights.. and great sex to make up... and eventually end up married.... .Romances all end up happy and this was true to form.

I read this on my Kindle, I bought it at Amazon for $0.99.... for the price it was ok. It is available on Kindle Unlimited or Hoopla.

This is a BOTM April 2021 book at Snag A Read For Free

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

This trio of romances was an okay read. I will write a longer review at a later date.

[D.K. Hundt · Rating 2 out of 5]

‘ENVIOUS is a condensed version of Jackson’s 1990s trilogy, Forever Family, that takes place in a fictional location, Bittersweet, Oregon, and centers around three women who have just discovered they are half-sisters.’

I’m a huge fan of Lisa Jackson’s books, and I love her writing—but ENVIOUS—a book categorized as a Domestic Thriller that should have hit the mark for me, unfortunately, failed to do so.

I would describe the Forever Family series as romance novels, which I liked; however, they didn’t read like thrillers to me—more like forbidden love stories taking center stage and a bit of a mystery playing out in the background.

One aspect of the book, I didn’t care for the constant repetition of the same information throughout, which felt like filler, failing to drive the narrative forward at a steady pace.

Even though ENVIOUS didn’t tick off all the boxes for me, I am looking forward to reading more books by Lisa Jackson.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, for loaning me an eBook of ENVIOUS in exchange for an honest review.

[Mara Giuliano · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never would have picked this book up if I hadn't been mislead, being under the impression it would be a mystery. The only mystery I can tell is how I managed to finish it. Very corny 3 part love story, with a "mystery" in the background.

[Louise Scholl · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. I loved the flow from one story to the next. Everything was perfect. I just hope the brothers get a book too.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Envious by Lisa Jackson

This collection of three vintage romances from around 1990 tell the story of three half sisters unaware of one another until their biological father suffers a health crisis that makes him realize he needs to make some changes and make things right with his daughters who do not know they have sisters. Throw into this a missing many mystery that appears in all three books and is resolved in the finale and you have an interesting tale that reminded me of similar books I read in that era. I had no idea that Lisa Jackson had written simpler romances as I met her work later when romantic suspense filled with thrills and chills were more her style so it was interesting to see what she was writing earlier in her career.

A FAMILY KIND OF GUY
Second Chance Romance – Bliss and Mason were falling hard for one another when their young love was thwarted by more than one occurrence and though their lives continued for ten years...neither was really happy. Seeing one another again after ten years apart the chemistry was still there but so were the hurts that lingered from the past. This book introduces the main characters and provides the first romance as well as introducing the mystery man who disappeared without a trace.

A FAMILY KIND OF GAL
Widow and her Brother-in-Law – J.D. Santini and his sister-in-law, Tiffany, met years before when Tiffany was engaged to J.D.’s older brother. Years have passed, much has taken place and now that both are free there is potential for them to be together...maybe. Tiffany is dealing with issues related to the feeling that father abandoned her while working, running an apartment building and raising her two children. This was an interesting relationship to watch unfold and there was a bit more about the missing man.


A FAMILY KIND OF WEDDING
Single Mother meets Hot Cowboy – Katie is a reporter looking for a story. She has never divulged the name of her child’s father and this is an issue in this story. She meets Luke while looking for a story and there is definitely chemistry. Luke is a quiet man but sometimes still waters run deep. I enjoyed watching how the two managed to get together, eventually, and also how all three stories and the mystery were tied up by the end of the trilogy.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington – Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

[Kamdon Laman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

I was disappointed in this book. If you like to read love stories it a great book. I have always love to read Lisa Jackson books. I am not into reading love stories. Yes I was disappointed.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three half sisters are a ragtag of a family. A family filled with bitter memories, distrust, and skeletons tucked away in every available closet. Can they come together in a crisis?

Bittersweet Orgeon lives to its namesake with the three sisters. Bliss Cawthorne, Tiffany Santini, and
Katie Kincaid. Bliss now lives away from Bittersweet but comes back when her father John has taken ill. It is then that he tells her that he plans on marrying the mother of his illegitimate daughter Katie. Oh and by the way, he confesses that he bore another daughter before he married Bliss's mother. So suprise, you have two sisters. Bliss of course is stunned and realizes that her parents marriage was a sham. It is this premise that three stories into one book come together. Each sister has a past, a crisis, a romance and how to reconcile their father's indiscretions. They forge a relationship with each other grudgingly and find out they have more in common than the same father. Can they build a sister bond that each one secretly desires? Tension, love, and mystery is makes this a fast read.

A Special Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice trilogy!

Three books together that tells the story of three women who discover, late in life, that they are step-sisters. A family saga, each with their own story, their own lives and the people who eventually become family, is told. This is light reading with a few complications & a mystery here & there. It was a nice read!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is going to shock you, make you upset, have you shed a tear or two and generally root for love. With amazing characters and stories woven into each other that make this a very enjoyable read. While not a quick it you won't regret reading it.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great trilogy, all in one book. Set in a small town in southern Oregon. Three sisters fathered by on man by three women, they don't find out until they are adults.... crazy, fun, romantic. Won it in a giveaway, thank you!

[Twobchelm · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a sweet story of a family coming together .
I found it quite repetitious and predictable .

[Erica Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Found this book in the “thriller” section. The only thing thrilling was the fact that I actually finished it. Extra repetitive, same story lines with all three books. The theme: “We don’t need no men…just kidding yes we do.” If you’re into romance novels, this might be for you but it’s certainly not a thriller or even a mystery like it alludes to.

[Linda Vincent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Umm sooo predictable bla bla bla

[Jenny Coyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

With this cover, the title Envious, and a subscript on the cover that says, "Some people will do anything for what they want ...", I expected a thriller. This is actually a love story trilogy in one book. I felt a little duped.

[Wolf (Alpha) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It followed the same family and we read about the three sisters. I loved Bliss so much and I hate how she had to find out about her mother like she did. I loved that Mason returns to Bittersweet and how Bliss and he find love together. I love how Mason proposes in the end. I love Tiffany and I feel bad because people think shes mean. I love how JD comes and ends up helping the family. I love how he gets her son out of trouble with the cops and t he people trying to hurt them.I love how they also become engaged. I loved Katie and how she was always looking for a story. I love Luke so much. I love how they are determined to avoid each other but end up getting married. I love how Luke saves her in the end. I love the double marriage at the end. Great book! 10 stars!!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Lisa Jackson, NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book. This is my honest opinion.

John Cawthorne is an older man who just had a heart attack. This is when he decides to come clean so to speak. His wife passed away a few months ago and he has just declared to his daughter he is getting married again to the love of his life. His only daughter, Bliss is shocked but that was just the beginning. He now told her she has to half sisters! One older to a brief fling and one younger than her who is the daughter of the woman he’s about to marry. Neither sister knew he was their father till now. Pain, disappointment and resentment is felt by all three. Bliss the middle girl but the one he raised gave his name and treated so well. Or so she thought. Not yet knowing how he changed her life years ago.

The story is told in three parts. First from Bliss and the challenges of being asked to the wedding of her father to another woman. It wouldn’t be bad except it’s only been a few months and to find out he’s been unfaithful to her mother for years. She struggles with meeting her half sisters. Apparently her father thinks they can now all be one happy family. Bliss left the ranch her father runs, along with other holdings as he did well in business and rancher, after he heart was broken by the love she can’t forget. Having to go back to ranch for a wedding is compounded by learning the man she loved, who left her without a word, has moved back there after his divorce. . Now how can she meet the half sisters how can she not.
The second part is from the perspective of the oldest half sister Tiffany. Her mother didn’t ever marry and they struggled to survive. Never ever hearing from a dad she though dead or just gone. She is bitter and is trying to survive herself as a widow and mother of a thirteen year old boy heading for trouble and a three year old girl who suffers nightmares since her father died. She really resents. Bliss and thinks of her as the princess. The one who had their dads name and was raised in affluence.
The third part is Katie, daughter of the woman who had John Cawthorns heart. Her mother has married so many times they run together. But she was told her father was husband number two. Katie has twin younger brothers and she is full of life and boundless optimism. Even finding out who her father really is, although surprising she is excited to meet her half sisters. She is a a bit embarrassed in her mothers part but is willing to reach out to both her family. Katie has a son, no husband and doesn’t talk about him to anyone her son is being quite a challenge and it takes a lot to keep him I going in the right direction. She and her son are fine. Then a new neighbor moves in the ranch next door and things get complicated.

I enjoyed this book. Reading the different perspectives, the pain, disappointment and the joy and then happiness that can possibly come out of it. Without giving too much away, there are complications in girls lives including the new groom and bride. Secrets come out that could prove to be too much to forgive. There are some explicit sex scenes but they are not overly through the book. Just letting you know. Overall I’m glad I read the book and it held my interest. It’s a romance story, lots of difficulty especially with past love and trying to move on. But old love stays in your heart doesn’t it.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three women have just found about about their past and now they will need to find a way through to the other side. Bliss, Tiffany & Katie have just found out that they are sisters with the same father and they all don't know how to deal with it and try to find a way to get along. Bliss left home along time ago after getting her heart broken by Mason but she is back for awhile as her father John just had a heart attack and she promised to look after him. But he has broken her heart as he has just come clean about having an affair for many years and she now has two sisters that she never knew about. She feels that he has betrayed her & her late mother by lying all these years and Mason is back in town as well and Bliss doesn't know how long she can pretend that he still affects her. Mason should never have left her without telling her the truth but she felt that he had no choice and he didn't think that she cared all that much about him. Can he win her over and can Bliss find a way to forgive her father for everything that he has done? Can she find a way to be with the man that she loves, accept her new siblings and forgive her father for all that damage that he has done?

Tiffany is battling to keep herself afloat so when she finds about her long-dead father and two sisters she isn't thrilled. She can't just accept that John wants to be part of her life now it is too late and now that JD has come into town things are even more stressful. Her son is in trouble and she worries that JD will try and take her children from her as she knows that her in-laws would do anything to hurt her. Can she allow him back into her life? She is scared that she won't recover if he leaves him, she isn't even sure that they are doing the right thing by getting involved. Will she allow her new family into her life and will JD become the last piece of the puzzle? He always wanted her from the very first time but he knew that she only wanted his brother and now that there is no one standing in his way, he will claim what is his. But can he win the children over as well? Is this what they have been waiting for?

Katie is the lucky sister as both her parents are now married and no more secrets between them all. But she has one that she kept for so long and she was hoping that she could find her son's father and to let them meet at long last. But she has just found out that he is dead and that she is too late. What is she going to do now? Luke is in town to find out what thing and he didn't think that Katie was part of his search. He knows that he needs to be honest with her but he is afraid that she will bolt. Can he get her to trust her? Luke knows the truth now about the father but he fears that Katie won't want anything to do when he hears everything. She can't believe that she thought Luke was different but will she get the chance for him to prove her wrong?
A good read of three strong women that made choices that either make or break them. They all get to start a new life with new hopes & dreams. I was lucky enough to receive a copy from Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honset review.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

If you read the Forever Family series back in the 1990s, as I did, then finding those three stories in one book to read once again will be a treat. If you had no clue about the books previously then Envious is an even sweeter treat for you since you’ll get to experience these stories for the first time. Either way, there is no denying that Bliss, Katie, and Tiffany will draw you into their lives, maybe break your heart a bit, and heal not only themselves but their relationships with women who they’ve only recently discovered are their sisters… eventually.

I enjoyed stepping back into this world once again. There’s conflict, anger, tensions between these three women. Add to that their (collective) father has suffered a heart attack and now is trying to make amends to the women who never knew about each other. With an underlying mystery going on as well there is a lot to keep you engaged throughout Envious. Finding real, true love hasn’t come easy to these sisters but love is on their horizon as they all learn to trust, forgive, and take a chance on a forever love for themselves. I had fun with this combined story, and seeing it with fresh eyes caught things that I didn’t remember from my previous reading of the trilogy. That’s always a fun discovery for me, and one of the reasons I do re-reads for I always find something new.

If you love a good, solid second chance at love romance with a bit of suspense then you’d enjoy the Forever Family trilogy brought together in Envious.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Ashley Gillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Envious” is really three books in one, as it is the repackaged trilogy “Forever Family,” which was published in the 1990s. Therefore, it’s a pretty long book, but I love Lisa Jackson’s work, so I was game. And these books really tie together nicely and create a good, full story.

Each book revolves around one of three women, who are tied together by a lying, cheating father (who revealed his affairs in a death bed confession). Each sister is going through a lot of personal drama and is now dealing with their pasts and the secrets that surround it in their small town. And of course, each is butting heads with the man in their life.

This book was really more of a romance series than romantic suspense, though it did have some suspense in the subplots, but the main stories were the romances with each of the women. But that wasn’t really a huge problem, because obviously, Lisa Jackson knows how to draw really great characters and romances. Each story had the push and shove that Jackson is great at portraying as the couples work toward their HEA, and it is indeed work.

Also, each woman is pretty badass.

I also liked how the women were dealing with the revelations about their father and how to deal with his, un, indiscretions. It added some humanity to the characters as they tried to work through something that happens a lot in the real world: family secrets, affairs, etc. It was nice to have that grounding in what can seem like a bit of an idyllic world.

Overall, Lisa Jackson remains the First Lady of romantic suspense, even though this series leans more heavy on the romance. I would recommend for all fans of hers and anyone looking to dip their toe into her vast catalog.

[Jennifer Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book. As I am a big fan of Lisa Jackson. And this didn’t disappoint. I was surprised that I hadn’t read the stories before. As this is a re-release of three previous stories of hers.
This book consists of three stories about three half sisters, in the series Family Forever. A Family Kind of Guy, A Family Kind of Gal, and A Family Kind of Wedding. These stories are about three half sisters that grow up, not knowing each other. All growing up with different lives. In the first, you meet Bliss Cawthorne. She’s the ‘legitimate’ daughter and grew up with money and a privileged life. The second is about the oldest sister, Tiffany Santini. She grew up with her mother, at first not knowing her father was alive. Then learns he is John Cawthorne. Who suddenly wants to be a part of her life. And the last story is about the youngest sister, Katie Kinkaid. Who grew up with her mother, who was married several times. She always thought that her father was one man, on of her mother’s husband’s. Then she learns of her mother’s lies, and the affair she had with the married John Cawthorne for years.
All three women struggle with the new life and family they are learning about. And each fight attraction to the men who show up in their lives.
This was another amazing story from Lisa Jackson. The characters were well written and incredibly likable. The story just came off the page and held your interest. It was a beautiful story of accepting family, and finding love. And all three of these women are strong and resilient. I definitely recommend giving it a read.

[Kavita · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Envious' by Lisa Jackson and published by Kensington books is a trilogy of the stories of three women. This is the first time that I am reading a novel by the author and I enjoyed it immensely.

The cover is beautiful but does not in any way relate to the story or give a hint about it. The blurb is crisp enough to eelicit curiosity.

The story is about three women, Bliss Cawthorne, Tiffany and Katie all of whom have rcntly discovered that they are sisters from the same father. Each sister processes this information in her own way and has her unique perspective to the whole situation. Amidst all the new chaos of news about their father, each of the sisters is going through a life change in her own life. This book is a journey through each of their lives.

The author has given each of the sisters a unique personality and even though I fell into the trap of judging a sister when I was reading a certain part of the story, I ended up loving each one of them for their strength and personality. The secondary characters have been fleshed out well. The story is not fast paced but it is compelling enough to make me want to read all three stories in one go. With more than one romance and a bit of mystery thrown into the mix this book can be a great companion in the dull times of the present.

If you love long stories with romance and mystery in it then you will definitely enjoy this one.

I thank Netgalley, the author Lisa Jackson and the publisher Kensington books for providing an eARC of this book

[Sue Gosland]

This was a lot of fun! 3 women find out the are half sisters when their father goes to marry his long time mistress, mother of his youngest daughter. Bliss, once called the Princess, is John's only legitimate daughter, is the first story, where she meets again the first man she ever loved, Mason Lafferty. He was just the hired hand, and thought he had gotten another girl pregnant and didn't think he was worthy of her.

Tiffany Santini knew John was her father, but doesn't want to have anything to do with him. She's a widow with 2 kids, who doesn't need her late husband's younger brother hanging around. But he's here to buy property for his Family's Winery Corporation, and he won't leave her alone, because he can't.

Katie Kincaid is trying to raise her 10 yr old son and keep all the balls in the air that every single mother does. She thinks she's doing OK, until she meets Luke Gates, and she gets the news that her son's father has died, before she ever got a chance to tell her son about him. She also realizes he is very hot, and she can't seem to avoid him. He wants her as well.

I loved this visit to Bittersweet, OR. I hope Lisa Jackson goes back there and follows up on the next generation. I would love to see how these women raise all their children, as well as how those children turn out.

[Deb Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Envious by Lisa Jackson was a complete surprise. I don't know what I expected but it wasn't 3 fantastic stories in one book. Ms. Jackson has provided three different stories. John Cawthorne had a daughter out of wedlock that never knew who her father was. He went on to marry and have another daughter. During the time he was married he met and fell in love with someone else and had another daughter that believed her step-father was her father. After John's wife died he was free to marry the woman he loved but a heart attack interfered. He had a come to Jesus moment and now wants all his daughters in his life. Each book in this collection is the story of one of those daughters. These well-written stories are loaded with phenomenal characters, humor, drama, spice, action and a little suspense with the mystery running through all 3 books of where is Isaac Wells. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from Lisa Jackson in the future. Envious is books 1-3 of the Forever Family Series. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nancy]

It’s always wonderful to return to a favorite place. That’s how I feel about Bittersweet, Oregon, the fictional setting for my 1990s trilogy, Forever Family, now collected here in one volume with a new title—Envious! I’m delighted to revisit Bittersweet in the company of Bliss, Katie, and Tiffany—three women who’ve just discovered they are half-sisters . . .

Bliss Cawthorne is John Cawthorne’s only legitimate daughter, but her father’s wealth has complicated matters. Mason Lafferty believed he wasn’t good enough for the boss’s daughter and broke Bliss’s heart after saving her life. Yet now he’s back in Bittersweet, determined to make her trust him again.

Tiffany Santini is widowed and struggling to raise two children after a car accident. That doesn’t mean she needs interference from her powerful brother-in-law. And Katie Kincaid is too busy wrangling her rambunctious son to get involved with the enigmatic cowboy next door. Then there’s the mystery at the heart of Bittersweet—the recent disappearance of an elderly local, Isaac Wells, who has vanished without trace, casting a dark cloud over all their lives . . .

Join me in Bittersweet as these three very different, independent women try to escape the shadows of their pasts . . .

Fair - didn't finish. Predictable.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Envious (Forever Family #1-3) by author Lisa Jackson is very different from all the other books I have read by this author. Envious is about family, lost loves, an romance. Bliss Cawthorne is about to receive the shock of her lifetime! Bliss goes to the hospital to visit her father as he recovers from a heart attack and surgery. John Cawthorne reveals secrets to Bliss he has kept hidden all her life. She has two half-sisters from different mothers! Her father had a daughter, Tiffany from an affair before he married her mother and he has been having a long term affair with another woman even while he was married to her mother. Bliss is horrified that her father could have been unfaithful to her mother. John is determined to marry his mistress and he wants Bliss to meet her and the two half-sisters. The three books feature the love lives for the three girls Bliss, Katie, and Tiffany. If you enjoy romantic novels you will enjoy the family conflicts and the romantic ending of Envious.
Publication Date: March 31, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and ARC of this book.

[Dianne McMahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Amazing Story of Family !

"Lisa Jackson" is one of my all time favorite authors,but I admit,this novel in triplicate is not one of my usual genres.
Having read the first chapter,it did get me interested though.
The story tells about three ladies,all daughters of the same man,but two of them,not knowing for many yrs.One of them,it took over thirty yrs.to come out.
Knowing that anything can happen in a family & it usually does.I read on.
This was a lengthy read & was divided into three parts,each focusing on one of the sisters,either Bliss,Katie or Tiffany.
John Carruthers,the father of the three,was a real, whore dog,but after a heart attack,leaving him
feeling especially vulnerable,he wanted nothing short of forgiveness & family harmony to prevail.

I believe that this is one of the best family novels,that I have read in many a yr.maybe ever & you will like it too.
So jump in & give yourself over to the wonderful workings of a great novel & be prepared to believe !