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The Half Sister
Kate and Lauren meet for Sunday lunch every week without fail, especially after the loss of their father--but a knock at the door is about to change everything. A young woman by the name of Jess holds a note with the results of a DNA test, claiming to be their half sister. As the fallout starts, it's clear that they are all hiding secrets, and perhaps this family isn't as perfect as it appears.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 16, 2020
1182 people are currently reading
26840 people want to read
About the author
Sandie Jones
18 books3,328 followersSandie Jones has worked as a freelance journalist for over twenty years, and has written for publications including the Sunday Times, Woman’s Weekly and the Daily Mail. She lives in London with her husband and three children. The Other Woman is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,009 reviews
July 15, 2021
Nope! This didn’t work with me! When I see something illogical and nonsense point which affects the entire story’s development, I truly lose my interest. That’s exactly happened during my reading!
The story told by Kate and Lauren, two sisters, polar opposites, envying each other’s lives. Kate is successful reporter, climbing her career ladder faster, having a lovely husband Matt but she wants to have a baby, trying too hard, exhausted from IVF treatment process. She wants to have a family. And Lauren is married, with lovely children, exhausted to turn into a stay at home mom and dealing with mood-swings, mental abuse of her husband Simon. She wants a career, freedom and she misses her old love for 20 years.
Their Sunday family gathering with her mother Rose who was still grieving because of their father’s sudden decease turned into bitter, cold, weird interactions. Nobody can stand with each other. And one day, a young woman named Jess knocks their door and demands to see her father Henry. She tells them she is their half-sister! Yes, everything couldn’t be get better, could be?
Later we found out Lauren brought Jess into their lives because she was always doubtful about her father’s sincerity and thought he might have been having an affair behind their mother’s back. They found each other from DNA match side! Yes; THAT’S THE PART THIS BOOK STARTED TO FAIL: The idea of finding your sister by DNA match website didn’t make sense to me! (the same so called sister has no idea about her biological past because she is adopted and as far as I know: because of carrying XX chromosomes, for getting accurate result about DNA, you need mother’s DNA!)
Lauren also needed a confidante because she was estranged more with her family members after her father’s dying. She wanted her family back. Her intentions were sincere. (At least what she tells to herself which I don’t buy!)
But Jess has no intention to stop till she finds her biological mother and the facts about secret relationship with her father which will ruin everything in sisters’ lives and make them question everything they know about their own childhood as they see their entire family life consisted of lies and secrets!
I liked the intriguing pacing and moving chapters, fast building tension but there are things absolutely irritated me:
I’m not genealogy expert but Lauren and Jess’ way of finding each other on DNA website didn’t work with me.
I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and I couldn’t relate with their pain, suffer and motives. They were so annoying, flat, dull characters.
The ending was also twisty but a little foreseeable and mediocre.
Overall: It was still fast pacing, quick and easy read. I didn’t get bored and but unlikable characterization and big plot-holes of the story and predictable revelation disappointed me. So I’m giving 2.5 stars to round up to 3! This turned into I didn’t love it but I didn’t truly hate it-Switzerland books!
I still enjoy the author’s writing style and I loved her previous works. But this one failed me just a little because she’s great writer and I expected more from her.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for sharing this mysterious ARC in exchange my honest review.
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The story told by Kate and Lauren, two sisters, polar opposites, envying each other’s lives. Kate is successful reporter, climbing her career ladder faster, having a lovely husband Matt but she wants to have a baby, trying too hard, exhausted from IVF treatment process. She wants to have a family. And Lauren is married, with lovely children, exhausted to turn into a stay at home mom and dealing with mood-swings, mental abuse of her husband Simon. She wants a career, freedom and she misses her old love for 20 years.
Their Sunday family gathering with her mother Rose who was still grieving because of their father’s sudden decease turned into bitter, cold, weird interactions. Nobody can stand with each other. And one day, a young woman named Jess knocks their door and demands to see her father Henry. She tells them she is their half-sister! Yes, everything couldn’t be get better, could be?
Later we found out Lauren brought Jess into their lives because she was always doubtful about her father’s sincerity and thought he might have been having an affair behind their mother’s back. They found each other from DNA match side! Yes; THAT’S THE PART THIS BOOK STARTED TO FAIL: The idea of finding your sister by DNA match website didn’t make sense to me! (the same so called sister has no idea about her biological past because she is adopted and as far as I know: because of carrying XX chromosomes, for getting accurate result about DNA, you need mother’s DNA!)
Lauren also needed a confidante because she was estranged more with her family members after her father’s dying. She wanted her family back. Her intentions were sincere. (At least what she tells to herself which I don’t buy!)
But Jess has no intention to stop till she finds her biological mother and the facts about secret relationship with her father which will ruin everything in sisters’ lives and make them question everything they know about their own childhood as they see their entire family life consisted of lies and secrets!
I liked the intriguing pacing and moving chapters, fast building tension but there are things absolutely irritated me:
I’m not genealogy expert but Lauren and Jess’ way of finding each other on DNA website didn’t work with me.
I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and I couldn’t relate with their pain, suffer and motives. They were so annoying, flat, dull characters.
The ending was also twisty but a little foreseeable and mediocre.
Overall: It was still fast pacing, quick and easy read. I didn’t get bored and but unlikable characterization and big plot-holes of the story and predictable revelation disappointed me. So I’m giving 2.5 stars to round up to 3! This turned into I didn’t love it but I didn’t truly hate it-Switzerland books!
I still enjoy the author’s writing style and I loved her previous works. But this one failed me just a little because she’s great writer and I expected more from her.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for sharing this mysterious ARC in exchange my honest review.
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May 18, 2020
Unfortunately, this was my least favorite book of the author's to date. When it comes down to it, the entire plot is tired, predictable, and less a mystery/thriller and more a family drama. If you are new to the genre and are looking for a light, fast read, maybe give this one a try for yourself.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
June 21, 2020
Family Drama, Family Secrets, Motherhood, Marriage, Lies, Deception, Shock
That knock on the door that changes everything!
Sisters Kate and Lauren have been getting together for a weekly lunch with their family after their father's death. One day there is a knock on the door and a young woman who claims that she is their half-sister. A sister they never knew about. A sister who has DNA proof which rocks all their worlds, or does it? Is the DNA proof real or is a forgery? Because if it is real, it means the father that they loved and admired cheated on his wife. What does their Mother think of all of this? Did she know? Did she have any idea?
This book is told through both Kate and Lauren's POV. One is more shocked than the other upon hearing the news. Both go at each other in the book to prove the "these sisters are polar opposites" theme. As the story unravels, we learn that some characters have more secrets than we originally thought.
I breezed through this pretty fast and although enjoyable, this domestic suspense did not blow me away. I cannot fault the writing, but I just found that I wasn't as engaged with the storyline as I would have liked to have been. It was a fast and light read for me.
Fans of this author will most likely enjoy this book. I just wanted the characters to be more fleshed out. I found them to be a little lacking, but I did enjoy Kate the most. Will the ending be a surprise or obvious? Read and find out.
I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
That knock on the door that changes everything!
Sisters Kate and Lauren have been getting together for a weekly lunch with their family after their father's death. One day there is a knock on the door and a young woman who claims that she is their half-sister. A sister they never knew about. A sister who has DNA proof which rocks all their worlds, or does it? Is the DNA proof real or is a forgery? Because if it is real, it means the father that they loved and admired cheated on his wife. What does their Mother think of all of this? Did she know? Did she have any idea?
This book is told through both Kate and Lauren's POV. One is more shocked than the other upon hearing the news. Both go at each other in the book to prove the "these sisters are polar opposites" theme. As the story unravels, we learn that some characters have more secrets than we originally thought.
I breezed through this pretty fast and although enjoyable, this domestic suspense did not blow me away. I cannot fault the writing, but I just found that I wasn't as engaged with the storyline as I would have liked to have been. It was a fast and light read for me.
Fans of this author will most likely enjoy this book. I just wanted the characters to be more fleshed out. I found them to be a little lacking, but I did enjoy Kate the most. Will the ending be a surprise or obvious? Read and find out.
I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 17, 2020
3.5 rounded up!
NOW AVAILABLE!
This story may have you thinking TWICE about sending in a DNA sample to a genealogy company!
Remember-you cannot choose your family, and you could be opening a whole “can of worms” when you embark on this adventure!
Lauren has sent in a “sample” but she never expected “half sister” Jess, to show up at the family’s Sunday dinner!
Full sister, Kate, an investigative reporter, (and a “Daddy’s girl”) isn’t buying into the claim, that Jess is making, because if true, it tarnishes the memory she has of her late father.
Everyone hears a HALF TRUTH, and makes an ASSUMPTION, and you know what happens when you do that??
2+2 does not equal 5!
This is a LIGHT, domestic suspense book, but you know what?
It kept me engaged, I was not tempted to skim, and overall, despite it being a bit predictable, I was entertained!
Thank You to Netgalley, Minotaur books, and Sandie Jones for the digital ARC, received in exchange for a candid review!
NOW AVAILABLE!
This story may have you thinking TWICE about sending in a DNA sample to a genealogy company!
Remember-you cannot choose your family, and you could be opening a whole “can of worms” when you embark on this adventure!
Lauren has sent in a “sample” but she never expected “half sister” Jess, to show up at the family’s Sunday dinner!
Full sister, Kate, an investigative reporter, (and a “Daddy’s girl”) isn’t buying into the claim, that Jess is making, because if true, it tarnishes the memory she has of her late father.
Everyone hears a HALF TRUTH, and makes an ASSUMPTION, and you know what happens when you do that??
2+2 does not equal 5!
This is a LIGHT, domestic suspense book, but you know what?
It kept me engaged, I was not tempted to skim, and overall, despite it being a bit predictable, I was entertained!
Thank You to Netgalley, Minotaur books, and Sandie Jones for the digital ARC, received in exchange for a candid review!
June 13, 2020
3.75 STARS
More of a family drama and has quite a slow start (actually the first half), but really picks up in the second half with lots of family secrets revealed. I really enjoyed the book from 50% forward and wanted to pick it up and see what surprises were coming.
And there are surprises and twists that entertained me quite a bit. My expectations were low after reading lots of meh reviews, but it made for a entertaining domestic drama with a bit of edge towards the end.
I do feel that some editing would have helped the pace overall and kept it engaging throughout, but it had a great weekend, lifetime movie feel with some added twists.
I would recommend if you enjoyed her previous novels. I know I did and this one was along the same vibe.
Thanks to NG and Minotaur for my advanced copy. Available on June 16,2020
December 4, 2020
I wish I could say I loved it...but I didn’t.
I wish I could say I somewhat enjoyed it...but even that would be a stretch.
Who knew a simple DNA test could wreak total havoc on an already struggling family. Uh…hello, apparently everyone!
Kate and Matt are struggling to start a family, having failed all previous attempts at in vitro. Could they finally have their dreams come true?
Raising 3 children, Lauren and her husband appear to have a comfortable marriage. Looks can be deceiving. One never know what goes on behind closed doors...do we.
Rose is the matriarch of the family, dealing with her grief over losing her husband while trying to keep her two daughters happy.
And in walks Jess, claiming to belong to this family. But how exactly does she fit in?
This was a book chocked-full of deplorable if not downright nasty characters. Lauren standing out as the only character I could warm up to.
Girl...you need a new family!💁🏻♀️
I’ve enjoyed this author in the past and looked forward to this latest release. But no... just plain NO. It didn’t work for me at all. Hope you have better luck if you decide to pick this one up.
A buddy 🎧 with Susanne. We decided to try listening to this one hoping it would help our reading experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press
I wish I could say I somewhat enjoyed it...but even that would be a stretch.
Who knew a simple DNA test could wreak total havoc on an already struggling family. Uh…hello, apparently everyone!
Kate and Matt are struggling to start a family, having failed all previous attempts at in vitro. Could they finally have their dreams come true?
Raising 3 children, Lauren and her husband appear to have a comfortable marriage. Looks can be deceiving. One never know what goes on behind closed doors...do we.
Rose is the matriarch of the family, dealing with her grief over losing her husband while trying to keep her two daughters happy.
And in walks Jess, claiming to belong to this family. But how exactly does she fit in?
This was a book chocked-full of deplorable if not downright nasty characters. Lauren standing out as the only character I could warm up to.
Girl...you need a new family!💁🏻♀️
I’ve enjoyed this author in the past and looked forward to this latest release. But no... just plain NO. It didn’t work for me at all. Hope you have better luck if you decide to pick this one up.
A buddy 🎧 with Susanne. We decided to try listening to this one hoping it would help our reading experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press
March 25, 2020
The Half Sister wasn't a bad book by any means. The story had great potential and was mostly compelling. I enjoyed getting to know sisters, Kate and Lauren, who tell their tale through dual narratives. Kate, especially, was feisty, congenial, and likable. I personally wish the novel would have delved more deeply into her story...it was the sole focus at the beginning, but then melted into the background and all but disappeared. Jessica, the half sister, wasn't at all fleshed out, and Lauren, whom I believe was meant to be a sympathetic character, wasn't.
I also agree with a few other reviewers about the slow pacing. The story gets dragged down in a beaucoup of needless information and unnecessary story lines. It most certainly would have benefited from flashback chapters told from the girls' father, Harry's, point of view. I think that would have broken things up a bit, and made a more compelling read.
The conclusion is mildly satisfying and ties everything up, but it ended quite abruptly.
Overall, this is a fairly average story. Having read Sandie Jones' earlier works, I honestly expected more.
**Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
I also agree with a few other reviewers about the slow pacing. The story gets dragged down in a beaucoup of needless information and unnecessary story lines. It most certainly would have benefited from flashback chapters told from the girls' father, Harry's, point of view. I think that would have broken things up a bit, and made a more compelling read.
The conclusion is mildly satisfying and ties everything up, but it ended quite abruptly.
Overall, this is a fairly average story. Having read Sandie Jones' earlier works, I honestly expected more.
**Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
May 19, 2020
2.5 stars, rounded down
The Half Sister deals with family secrets and how so often we don’t really know our parents or siblings. Jess shows up on the doorstep announcing she is the third daughter of Henry. Henry, deceased these past 10 months, is in no position to confirm or deny.
This book never engaged me. The first half just crawled along, as Lauren and Kate disagreed about everything, especially this new arrival. It finally picks up in the second half as everyone’s lies (real and of omission) start to come out. But I had figured out the big twist at the end well before it was revealed.
The characters didn’t feel real. For a smart woman, Kate seemed extraordinarily naive about her father. And I didn’t find Lauren sympathetic. I couldn’t believe that the sisters were so oblivious about each other’s lives.
So, this one just didn’t ring any bells for me.
My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
The Half Sister deals with family secrets and how so often we don’t really know our parents or siblings. Jess shows up on the doorstep announcing she is the third daughter of Henry. Henry, deceased these past 10 months, is in no position to confirm or deny.
This book never engaged me. The first half just crawled along, as Lauren and Kate disagreed about everything, especially this new arrival. It finally picks up in the second half as everyone’s lies (real and of omission) start to come out. But I had figured out the big twist at the end well before it was revealed.
The characters didn’t feel real. For a smart woman, Kate seemed extraordinarily naive about her father. And I didn’t find Lauren sympathetic. I couldn’t believe that the sisters were so oblivious about each other’s lives.
So, this one just didn’t ring any bells for me.
My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
November 6, 2024
Loved how easy it was to read this, with plenty of suspense.
December 5, 2020
How about No? Absolutely Not! This book was Absolutely Ludicrous.
Lunacy doesn’t even begin to describe it. None of the plot points in “The Half Sister” added up or made sense and it got more ridiculous as the book went on.
Family. Parents. Siblings. DNA.
Deception. Secrets. Lies.
If only that said it all!
If lunacy and deplorable characters are what you’re after, this book is for you!
While I’ve loved all of Sandie Jones’ prior novels, this one just didn’t do it for me. 1.5 stars.
A buddy listen with Kaceey, to coincide with our arc.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 12.5.20
Lunacy doesn’t even begin to describe it. None of the plot points in “The Half Sister” added up or made sense and it got more ridiculous as the book went on.
Family. Parents. Siblings. DNA.
Deception. Secrets. Lies.
If only that said it all!
If lunacy and deplorable characters are what you’re after, this book is for you!
While I’ve loved all of Sandie Jones’ prior novels, this one just didn’t do it for me. 1.5 stars.
A buddy listen with Kaceey, to coincide with our arc.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 12.5.20
May 8, 2020
Once again Sandie Jones has come up with an entertaining story. I truly enjoyed watching everything unfold and this ended up being a quick read for me. However, even I can admit the story is kinda missing the wow factor. The family dynamics was the strength of the novel rather than the mystery/thriller/suspense elements.
Sisters Kate and Lauren eat lunch together every Sunday along with their husbands, Lauren's kids, and their mom. Kate and Lauren's father died about a year ago. During one of these Sunday get togethers a woman named Jess shows up uninvited and claims she is Kate and Lauren's half sister. Uh oh, the you know what has hit the fan. Gotta stick around to see how this one is going to play out.
I loved the complicated relationships in this one. Parent-child dynamics can be fascinating as was the case here. I liked getting the backstory bit by bit so I got a better picture of why one sister maybe had a different relationship with a parent than the other sister. And I also enjoyed seeing how Kate and Lauren reacted to the bombshell dropped by Jess.
I've read the author's other two novels and in my opinion this book is more similar in style to The First Mistake rather than The Other Woman. This book is a solid fiction read but if you try to pigeonhole it into a specific genre like mystery or thriller, I think you will wind up being disappointed. If you are a frequent reader of those genres like I am there really isn't much here that moves the needle in terms of being shocking or surprising. However if you are just looking for something that you can sit back and relax with and forget everything going on in the real world for awhile, this is a good choice.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
Sisters Kate and Lauren eat lunch together every Sunday along with their husbands, Lauren's kids, and their mom. Kate and Lauren's father died about a year ago. During one of these Sunday get togethers a woman named Jess shows up uninvited and claims she is Kate and Lauren's half sister. Uh oh, the you know what has hit the fan. Gotta stick around to see how this one is going to play out.
I loved the complicated relationships in this one. Parent-child dynamics can be fascinating as was the case here. I liked getting the backstory bit by bit so I got a better picture of why one sister maybe had a different relationship with a parent than the other sister. And I also enjoyed seeing how Kate and Lauren reacted to the bombshell dropped by Jess.
I've read the author's other two novels and in my opinion this book is more similar in style to The First Mistake rather than The Other Woman. This book is a solid fiction read but if you try to pigeonhole it into a specific genre like mystery or thriller, I think you will wind up being disappointed. If you are a frequent reader of those genres like I am there really isn't much here that moves the needle in terms of being shocking or surprising. However if you are just looking for something that you can sit back and relax with and forget everything going on in the real world for awhile, this is a good choice.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 26, 2024
This was a twisty, twisty good book! Kate and her husband have struggled for years with infertility. Lauren has three children and a miserable marriage. The two sisters have never gotten along, terribly envious of one another. Rose, their mother, always sides with Lauren. Harry, their deceased father, always sided with Kate. Add in a terrible husband, a side of infidelity, and a half-sister who shows up out of the blue, claiming to have found them as the result of a DNA test and you have a shocker of a family drama. But the great thing about this novel is the characters and the relationships, and also the shocking twists and revealed secrets that keep on coming with every chapter. Sandie Jones is a master at great pacing and delicious surprises and without giving away spoilers, this one had some great ones in store!
May 26, 2020
I was so happy to receive a copy of The Half Sister by Sandie Jones and I drove straight in. It was a fast read for me and I finished it in a few days. I enjoyed the story and the twists that it threw up. Not my favourite book by this author but still a fun, light read and I needed it.
One Sunday afternoon Kate and Lauren are having their usual Sunday lunch with their mother who is recently widowed when there is a knock on the door. A young woman called Jess is there and she claims to be their half sister. From an online DNA site a match she has been matched to their late fathers side of the family. Lauren is ready to welcome her with open arms but Kate, a self confessed daddy's girl, is not so sure. She is a reporter and does some digging of her own and finds out that all is not what it seems to be with Jess and her own family.
Told in alternate chapters by each sister we uncover family secrets that could destroy everything that they have ever known.
Thanks to Macmillan Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
One Sunday afternoon Kate and Lauren are having their usual Sunday lunch with their mother who is recently widowed when there is a knock on the door. A young woman called Jess is there and she claims to be their half sister. From an online DNA site a match she has been matched to their late fathers side of the family. Lauren is ready to welcome her with open arms but Kate, a self confessed daddy's girl, is not so sure. She is a reporter and does some digging of her own and finds out that all is not what it seems to be with Jess and her own family.
Told in alternate chapters by each sister we uncover family secrets that could destroy everything that they have ever known.
Thanks to Macmillan Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
August 28, 2020
3 1/2 or so Stars, rounded down. This was another solid release from Sandie Jones, and 3 Stars is not a bad rating for me, it's just that I've read so many great thrillers/suspense novels lately that this one in particular will most likely not stand out among them all when the year is up. I enjoyed this one's pacing and didn't feel that there were any dull moments, however it was most definitely a family drama and not a suspense or thriller, IMO. The characters in this drove me bonkers (Kate, Simon, etc.)! Jones simply has a knack for creating really annoying, sadistic yet realistic and incredibly unlikable characters! This was told in two perspectives, alternating from Lauren to Kate, who are sisters and not on the best of terms when this novel begins. They are at a family gathering at their mother's home when a woman named Jess unexpectedly arrives, claiming to be a long lost daughter of their late father and therefore their half sister. Is this truth, or is it fiction? What are her motivations? Is there more to this story than meets the eye? These were all questions I asked myself as I read this one, and for the most part I had this one figured out, however there were a few twists at the end that definitely threw me! I'd recommend this to those who are already Jones fans as well as slow burn mystery and family drama lovers. I still think Jones' first novel is her best, but this one may perhaps be a bit better than her second novel. I will continue reading Jones as her books seem to always grab me and pull me in, despite the unlikable characters!
August 10, 2025
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I am so happy to have the opportunity to be part of the blog tour for The Half Sister by Sandie Jones. Thank you to the team at Pan Macmillan, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About The Author:
I have heard a lot about Sandie Jones, but I haven’t read any books by her prior to The Half Sister. Sandie Jones has worked as a freelance journalist for over twenty years, and has written for publications including the Sunday Times, Woman’s Weekly and the Daily Mail. She lives in London with her husband and three children. The Other Woman is her debut novel.
Synopsis:
I need to mention that the original synopsis of the book may be a bit misleading. Lauren and Kate are two sisters, but they don’t get along too well and their relationship is complicated.
Kate is a reporter, married to lovely Mark, and going through many rounds of IVF treatment, hoping to start a family. Kate had a very close relationship with her father until the day he died, but was never too close to her sister Lauren and their mother, Rose.
Lauren, on the other hand, is a full time mom of three, with a demanding and overprotective husband. She is very close to her mum, and had a complicated relationship with her father, never forgiving him for understanding her in the past.
One day, while Kate, Lauren and their mum are having their usual Sunday roast, a woman knocks on their door and drops a bombshell. Jess claims to be their half-sister.
This allegation is met with denial - how could she be a secret daughter of their father. Their mother is devastated, Lauren is not surprised, and Kate doesn’t believe Jess at all. But as more secrets start to unravel, no one can know who to trust anymore…
My Thoughts:
I loved the idea of this book, even though I am not too big of a fan of domestic mysteries and drama. My impressions were that this would’ve been more psychological thriller, but I was in the wrong. However, despite this, the book is really surprisingly well-written and kept me on my toes until the very end.
The lives of Lauren and Kate in particular were very well written. I can imagine people being able to easily relate to their struggles. The difference between the two sisters is like night and day. I loved the fact that this book was not sugar coating this, and it didn’t end it with a “happily ever after”. Instead, it ended with “we know we are different, and we are working to fix our relationship in its natural course”.
The story about how Jess comes into their lives, and the whole DNA situation was extremely not believable. As well as the fact that doing another DNA test at the beginning of the novel would have solved all assumptions, rather than people believing hearsay and creating more drama. However, I am also aware that drama was needed to keep the story going, so I can’t hold a grudge.
The ending was predictable half-way through the book. Some scenes are completely unnecessary and make the story more complicated. There are many triggering moments in this book. Cheating, domestic violence and abuse, both physical and emotional and abortion. This book may also trigger people that have had difficult relationships with their parents and/or siblings.
Even though not a favorite thriller, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone that loves domestic thrillers. It is a fast-paced read, and the plot twists are juicy.
Wishlist | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
I am so happy to have the opportunity to be part of the blog tour for The Half Sister by Sandie Jones. Thank you to the team at Pan Macmillan, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About The Author:
I have heard a lot about Sandie Jones, but I haven’t read any books by her prior to The Half Sister. Sandie Jones has worked as a freelance journalist for over twenty years, and has written for publications including the Sunday Times, Woman’s Weekly and the Daily Mail. She lives in London with her husband and three children. The Other Woman is her debut novel.
Synopsis:
I need to mention that the original synopsis of the book may be a bit misleading. Lauren and Kate are two sisters, but they don’t get along too well and their relationship is complicated.
Kate is a reporter, married to lovely Mark, and going through many rounds of IVF treatment, hoping to start a family. Kate had a very close relationship with her father until the day he died, but was never too close to her sister Lauren and their mother, Rose.
Lauren, on the other hand, is a full time mom of three, with a demanding and overprotective husband. She is very close to her mum, and had a complicated relationship with her father, never forgiving him for understanding her in the past.
One day, while Kate, Lauren and their mum are having their usual Sunday roast, a woman knocks on their door and drops a bombshell. Jess claims to be their half-sister.
This allegation is met with denial - how could she be a secret daughter of their father. Their mother is devastated, Lauren is not surprised, and Kate doesn’t believe Jess at all. But as more secrets start to unravel, no one can know who to trust anymore…
My Thoughts:
I loved the idea of this book, even though I am not too big of a fan of domestic mysteries and drama. My impressions were that this would’ve been more psychological thriller, but I was in the wrong. However, despite this, the book is really surprisingly well-written and kept me on my toes until the very end.
The lives of Lauren and Kate in particular were very well written. I can imagine people being able to easily relate to their struggles. The difference between the two sisters is like night and day. I loved the fact that this book was not sugar coating this, and it didn’t end it with a “happily ever after”. Instead, it ended with “we know we are different, and we are working to fix our relationship in its natural course”.
The story about how Jess comes into their lives, and the whole DNA situation was extremely not believable. As well as the fact that doing another DNA test at the beginning of the novel would have solved all assumptions, rather than people believing hearsay and creating more drama. However, I am also aware that drama was needed to keep the story going, so I can’t hold a grudge.
The ending was predictable half-way through the book. Some scenes are completely unnecessary and make the story more complicated. There are many triggering moments in this book. Cheating, domestic violence and abuse, both physical and emotional and abortion. This book may also trigger people that have had difficult relationships with their parents and/or siblings.
Even though not a favorite thriller, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone that loves domestic thrillers. It is a fast-paced read, and the plot twists are juicy.
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November 3, 2020
3.5/5 ⭐️’s
Those do-it-yourself DNA tests have become very popular. In fact, I’ve had one sitting on my dresser for months…just begging to be submitted. I think I’ll finally take the plunge, and hope I don’t find myself in a sticky situation like the family in this story!
Jess knows how to ruin a family get together! She knocks on the door, interrupting a family meal and shocking everyone when she claims to be the half-sister of Kate of Lauren.
It all started when Lauren submitted a DNA sample. And she’s quite receptive to the news of having a new sister. Doesn’t doubt Jess for one second. Kate isn’t taking the news so well. She’s adamant that Jess is lying, and determined to uncover the truth.
I didn’t care for either sister. Lauren was meek and a total pushover. While Kate was quite the opposite. She refused to consider facts that were right in front of her face and put her father on a pedestal, deeming him perfect.
This was my first Sandie Jones novel and I was hoping for more. It was good, just not great. Some readers seem to be more impressed with her other novels, so I’m not giving up!
Thank you to Edelweiss, Sandie Jones and Minotaur Books for this free digital ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion!
My Rating: 3.5 ⭐️’s (rounding down)
Published: June 16th 2020 by Minotaur Books
Pages: 320
Recommend: Yes
@realsandiejones @MinotaurBooks @weiss_squad
#FamilySuspense #NoRulesJustThrills #InExchangeForReview #BookReview #JustFinished
Those do-it-yourself DNA tests have become very popular. In fact, I’ve had one sitting on my dresser for months…just begging to be submitted. I think I’ll finally take the plunge, and hope I don’t find myself in a sticky situation like the family in this story!
Jess knows how to ruin a family get together! She knocks on the door, interrupting a family meal and shocking everyone when she claims to be the half-sister of Kate of Lauren.
It all started when Lauren submitted a DNA sample. And she’s quite receptive to the news of having a new sister. Doesn’t doubt Jess for one second. Kate isn’t taking the news so well. She’s adamant that Jess is lying, and determined to uncover the truth.
I didn’t care for either sister. Lauren was meek and a total pushover. While Kate was quite the opposite. She refused to consider facts that were right in front of her face and put her father on a pedestal, deeming him perfect.
This was my first Sandie Jones novel and I was hoping for more. It was good, just not great. Some readers seem to be more impressed with her other novels, so I’m not giving up!
Thank you to Edelweiss, Sandie Jones and Minotaur Books for this free digital ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion!
My Rating: 3.5 ⭐️’s (rounding down)
Published: June 16th 2020 by Minotaur Books
Pages: 320
Recommend: Yes
@realsandiejones @MinotaurBooks @weiss_squad
#FamilySuspense #NoRulesJustThrills #InExchangeForReview #BookReview #JustFinished
June 22, 2020
Two sisters, Lauren and Kate, are visiting their mother when they get some interesting news. A young woman knocks on the door, and claims to be their half-sister. She has proof, a DNA test. The sisters react differently to the news, with one being more welcoming than the other.
Told using alternating points of view of Lauren and Kate. The characters are well-developed, and the different points of view work well for this story. As the story progresses, secrets from the past and present are revealed. It seems the sisters didn't know one another as well as they thought, and they both have struggles in their lives.
A great read for fans of domestic suspense with family drama. Fast-paced, entertaining, and clever.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Told using alternating points of view of Lauren and Kate. The characters are well-developed, and the different points of view work well for this story. As the story progresses, secrets from the past and present are revealed. It seems the sisters didn't know one another as well as they thought, and they both have struggles in their lives.
A great read for fans of domestic suspense with family drama. Fast-paced, entertaining, and clever.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2020
Imagine getting a knock at the door during a family lunch and in that single moment after answering, your life is changed forever, in fact everyone in your family will never be the same. On the other side of the door is a young woman looking for her father. No big deal, right? She has the wrong house, right? No because she is looking for your Dad. The man who recently passed away. The man who was "faithfully" married to your mom, Rose, and father to two children, Lauren and Katie.
Do you believe her? Why now?
Sisters, Lauren and Katie, now have to decide even with DNA proof if Jess is really their sister or is the DNA wrong? Could Jess have ulterior motives other than finding her Dad and siblings?
What if anything did their Mom know? Sandie Jones' book, The Half Sister, was mostly compelling but slow paced and gets bogged down in a lot of unnecessary storylines.
It was a book with great potential but only mildly satisfying with an all too neat ending.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #TheHalfSister
Do you believe her? Why now?
Sisters, Lauren and Katie, now have to decide even with DNA proof if Jess is really their sister or is the DNA wrong? Could Jess have ulterior motives other than finding her Dad and siblings?
What if anything did their Mom know? Sandie Jones' book, The Half Sister, was mostly compelling but slow paced and gets bogged down in a lot of unnecessary storylines.
It was a book with great potential but only mildly satisfying with an all too neat ending.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #TheHalfSister
July 21, 2020
3 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’ve ever thought about trying one of those DNA tests to discover your ancestry, you just might think twice about doing so after reading this book!
After reading Ms. Jones’ last book - The First Mistake - and really enjoying it, I couldn’t wait to get this one when I saw it was available to request. Unfortunately this book was not as fast-paced or juicy for me.
Two sisters, Kate and Lauren, enjoy lunch at their mother’s house every Sunday since the passing of their father Harry. Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door and it’s a young woman with DNA results in her hand claiming to be their half sister. When I read the synopsis for this book, I thought it sounded perfect!
The story is told in alternating POV‘s between the two sisters. I’m a big fan of this writing style, but this just lacked something. I have to agree with some of the other reviewer‘s comments about including the deceased father‘s (Harry) POV - just to include a little bit more of a backstory.
There were a lot of unnecessary storylines going on and the ending was pretty abrupt, but it was neatly wrapped up in a tiny little bow.
Recommended for domestic drama fans!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur Books and Sandie Jones for my advanced copy to read and review.
If you’ve ever thought about trying one of those DNA tests to discover your ancestry, you just might think twice about doing so after reading this book!
After reading Ms. Jones’ last book - The First Mistake - and really enjoying it, I couldn’t wait to get this one when I saw it was available to request. Unfortunately this book was not as fast-paced or juicy for me.
Two sisters, Kate and Lauren, enjoy lunch at their mother’s house every Sunday since the passing of their father Harry. Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door and it’s a young woman with DNA results in her hand claiming to be their half sister. When I read the synopsis for this book, I thought it sounded perfect!
The story is told in alternating POV‘s between the two sisters. I’m a big fan of this writing style, but this just lacked something. I have to agree with some of the other reviewer‘s comments about including the deceased father‘s (Harry) POV - just to include a little bit more of a backstory.
There were a lot of unnecessary storylines going on and the ending was pretty abrupt, but it was neatly wrapped up in a tiny little bow.
Recommended for domestic drama fans!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur Books and Sandie Jones for my advanced copy to read and review.
March 2, 2021
This book was off-the-wall and not in a good way! Definitely my least favorite book of the year so far and I’m not one to say something like that.
Sunday lunch has always been a routine fixture for the quaint little family of four. Both daughters, Kate and Lauren make every effort to come sit and chat with their mom, especially after their father passed away. It’s not even been a year with him gone, and they all miss him dearly. He was the glue they held them all together.
But, this particular Sunday there’s a knock at the door and there on the doorstep stands a woman, spitting image of Lauren, claiming to be their half-sister. All three jaws drop. Her name is Jess and she’s 21 years old.
“She feels sick, unable to watch any longer as this girl, who she didn’t know existed until a few weeks ago, wrecks her world, piece by piece.”
This upsets the see-saw, and instead of two sisters constantly at war with one another, now there’s three. But who is the real liar here? For Kate, her dad was her very best friend and he could do no wrong. Lauren believes every single word that her mom has to say about this encounter, and points the blame at their Dad. But, there’s more than one betrayal going on here, everyone has a secret. So who is going to pull the rug out from the other first?
“That’s the difference between you and me, Lauren. I trusted Dad with all my heart, and I will continue to do so until my dying day.”
“If she realized that maybe he wasn’t the man she thought he was, she might not feel his loss so profoundly.”
The sisters are envious of one another, each desiring a life that they can’t have. Lauren would love a night out; a bit of freedom from her abusive husband and three needy kids. Whereas, Kate and her husband have been desperately trying to conceive to no avail.
“Aren’t you glad you're not me?”
“You’re exactly who I want to be...”
Are these feelings of hurt what is really dividing the family, or is someone hiding a past that they hoped the other would never find out? This family doesn’t come from money, so what is it that Jess wants after all of these years? Why now?
“You might discover something you don’t want to find.”
This was such a let- down after how much I loved her debut “The Other Woman” and gave it 5 stars. My friends and I read this as a buddy read and all agreed that there were too many angles, twists, theories; reveals, which took the reader all over the place. This was a fast-paced, enjoyable thriller until the last 25% where everything and everyone went haywire. It felt like the author brainstormed a bunch of great ideas and instead of picking one or two, just decided to add them all. I had whiplash.
Just, no ...don’t do it.
2 ⭐️.
SPOILERS BEWARE:
The things that didn’t have to be included in this book : the abusive husband, the affair at the workplace with Jess and Finn (who?) , the abortion, Julia’s murder, the ending where they debate about inviting her over ( say what?), the attempted baby kidnap, the entire baby room at Jess’s house that was never explained...I could go on and on....
Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Sandie Jones for this E- Arc in exchange for an honest review.
Sunday lunch has always been a routine fixture for the quaint little family of four. Both daughters, Kate and Lauren make every effort to come sit and chat with their mom, especially after their father passed away. It’s not even been a year with him gone, and they all miss him dearly. He was the glue they held them all together.
But, this particular Sunday there’s a knock at the door and there on the doorstep stands a woman, spitting image of Lauren, claiming to be their half-sister. All three jaws drop. Her name is Jess and she’s 21 years old.
“She feels sick, unable to watch any longer as this girl, who she didn’t know existed until a few weeks ago, wrecks her world, piece by piece.”
This upsets the see-saw, and instead of two sisters constantly at war with one another, now there’s three. But who is the real liar here? For Kate, her dad was her very best friend and he could do no wrong. Lauren believes every single word that her mom has to say about this encounter, and points the blame at their Dad. But, there’s more than one betrayal going on here, everyone has a secret. So who is going to pull the rug out from the other first?
“That’s the difference between you and me, Lauren. I trusted Dad with all my heart, and I will continue to do so until my dying day.”
“If she realized that maybe he wasn’t the man she thought he was, she might not feel his loss so profoundly.”
The sisters are envious of one another, each desiring a life that they can’t have. Lauren would love a night out; a bit of freedom from her abusive husband and three needy kids. Whereas, Kate and her husband have been desperately trying to conceive to no avail.
“Aren’t you glad you're not me?”
“You’re exactly who I want to be...”
Are these feelings of hurt what is really dividing the family, or is someone hiding a past that they hoped the other would never find out? This family doesn’t come from money, so what is it that Jess wants after all of these years? Why now?
“You might discover something you don’t want to find.”
This was such a let- down after how much I loved her debut “The Other Woman” and gave it 5 stars. My friends and I read this as a buddy read and all agreed that there were too many angles, twists, theories; reveals, which took the reader all over the place. This was a fast-paced, enjoyable thriller until the last 25% where everything and everyone went haywire. It felt like the author brainstormed a bunch of great ideas and instead of picking one or two, just decided to add them all. I had whiplash.
Just, no ...don’t do it.
2 ⭐️.
SPOILERS BEWARE:
The things that didn’t have to be included in this book : the abusive husband, the affair at the workplace with Jess and Finn (who?) , the abortion, Julia’s murder, the ending where they debate about inviting her over ( say what?), the attempted baby kidnap, the entire baby room at Jess’s house that was never explained...I could go on and on....
Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Sandie Jones for this E- Arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2020
“The half sister” was my first Sandie Jones book and I still don’t know if it will be my last. If I had to describe it in just one word it would be meh.
The story is told through dual narratives, Kate and Lauren, sisters that are polar opposites but equally annoying. In fact there wasn’t a single character in the whole story I empathized with. Jess, honey, are you sure you wanna be part of that family? One of the reasons I couldn’t find the characters relatable at all was cause I listened the audiobook and found that some characters‘ acting was way over the top, so it got a bit distracting.
The pace for the first half was quite slow. Thankfully it picked up some in the second half but it lead to a quite predictable and abrupt ending. This being a domestic suspense story it had more soap opera drama than suspense.
Quick listen but a pretty average story that promised more than it delivered.
2,5⭐️
The story is told through dual narratives, Kate and Lauren, sisters that are polar opposites but equally annoying. In fact there wasn’t a single character in the whole story I empathized with. Jess, honey, are you sure you wanna be part of that family? One of the reasons I couldn’t find the characters relatable at all was cause I listened the audiobook and found that some characters‘ acting was way over the top, so it got a bit distracting.
The pace for the first half was quite slow. Thankfully it picked up some in the second half but it lead to a quite predictable and abrupt ending. This being a domestic suspense story it had more soap opera drama than suspense.
Quick listen but a pretty average story that promised more than it delivered.
2,5⭐️
June 16, 2020
3.5/5!
Sisters Kate and Lauren have a strained relationship. Kate, a journalist for a gossip magazine lives a fast-paced life chasing down stories and interviewing celebrities. Happily married and child free, Lauren is envious of Kate's seemingly glamorous life. Lauren is a nurse on maternity leave and is staying at home with three young children. Her husband is frequently out of work, often drinks away their extra cash, and they struggle to make ends meet. But on the surface, Lauren has everything Kate wants and can't seem to have - a household full of happy, healthy children.
After the death of their father, the sisters drift further apart. Kate was always more connected with their father while Lauren was more connected with their mother. With the lines drawn in the sand and their father now deceased, Kate feels even more isolated. Trying to keep her family connected, the girls' mother, Rose, has weekly family dinners. One night, an unexpected visitor arrives, claiming to be their father's daughter and the girls' half sister. Shock rips through the household and the tension and mistrust grows as the family tries to comprehend this upsetting news.
It soon becomes evident that Lauren previously made contact with their alleged half sister, Jess. Finding each other on a DNA Ancestry website, the women connected to discuss the unexpected relation. But Kate refuses to believe her father was a philanderer, let alone had a child he abandoned with another woman, and decides to put her journalism skills to use to dig into her own family history. Digging into her father's and family's past brings up secrets and suppressed memories, creating deeper rifts within the family and causing further mistrust. Who is telling the truth? What kind of man was their father truly? Will the truth bring more harm than good?
This was a fast paced read that I could not put down. There were a few red herrings thrown in to keep the mystery alive, but it wasn't overly unpredictable. I definitely recommend and I always enjoy work by this talented author!
Thank you BookishFirst and Minotaur Books for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Sisters Kate and Lauren have a strained relationship. Kate, a journalist for a gossip magazine lives a fast-paced life chasing down stories and interviewing celebrities. Happily married and child free, Lauren is envious of Kate's seemingly glamorous life. Lauren is a nurse on maternity leave and is staying at home with three young children. Her husband is frequently out of work, often drinks away their extra cash, and they struggle to make ends meet. But on the surface, Lauren has everything Kate wants and can't seem to have - a household full of happy, healthy children.
After the death of their father, the sisters drift further apart. Kate was always more connected with their father while Lauren was more connected with their mother. With the lines drawn in the sand and their father now deceased, Kate feels even more isolated. Trying to keep her family connected, the girls' mother, Rose, has weekly family dinners. One night, an unexpected visitor arrives, claiming to be their father's daughter and the girls' half sister. Shock rips through the household and the tension and mistrust grows as the family tries to comprehend this upsetting news.
It soon becomes evident that Lauren previously made contact with their alleged half sister, Jess. Finding each other on a DNA Ancestry website, the women connected to discuss the unexpected relation. But Kate refuses to believe her father was a philanderer, let alone had a child he abandoned with another woman, and decides to put her journalism skills to use to dig into her own family history. Digging into her father's and family's past brings up secrets and suppressed memories, creating deeper rifts within the family and causing further mistrust. Who is telling the truth? What kind of man was their father truly? Will the truth bring more harm than good?
This was a fast paced read that I could not put down. There were a few red herrings thrown in to keep the mystery alive, but it wasn't overly unpredictable. I definitely recommend and I always enjoy work by this talented author!
Thank you BookishFirst and Minotaur Books for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
June 23, 2020
Sisters Kate and Lauren and their mom Rose have been dealing with great loss in their lives. First, the matriarch of their family, their dad and husband, died suddenly leaving terrible grief in the close knit family. Kate has been desperately trying to get pregnant through IVF with her husband Matt. This is their last shot. Lauren, who has three children with her husband Simon is beginning to realize her life is miserable. Unbeknownst to her family, Simon is verbally and physically abusing her.
But, during their weekly Sunday dinner, a knock at the door will create a chaos no one could ever see coming. A girl who introduces herself as Jess is looking for her father. She claims to be his daughter.
Kate who idolized her father knows Jess is lying. Lauren whose relationship with hem was strained at best welcomes Jess with open arms. Rose is just speechless. And then each of their worlds begin to explode.
Kate, a journalist by trade begins to investigate Jess’ claim. She uncovers untruths, deceptions and malice. Lauren on the other hand embraces Jess and agrees to assist her in finding out who her mother could be. Rose will have no part of this circus. She loved her husband and he loved them all, end of story.
Then Kate and Lauren begin to remember a time years before then they heard bits of conversations and perhaps saw things which at the time meant nothing. When Kate begins questioning her mother, she shuts her down, which only makes Kate more suspicious. DID something happen years ago? What is Rose not saying? Was their father not the person they thought he was? Could Jess really be telling the truth? What family secrets have been buried and what will happen if and when they are exposed? Will their family survive?
Sandie Jones, author of the best-selling book The Other Woman has once again written a cat and mouse thriller with so much suspense that it allows the reader to just go along for the psychological chilling ride and wait for the stunning conclusion.
My thanks to #NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #SandieJones #TheHalfSister for the advanced copy.
But, during their weekly Sunday dinner, a knock at the door will create a chaos no one could ever see coming. A girl who introduces herself as Jess is looking for her father. She claims to be his daughter.
Kate who idolized her father knows Jess is lying. Lauren whose relationship with hem was strained at best welcomes Jess with open arms. Rose is just speechless. And then each of their worlds begin to explode.
Kate, a journalist by trade begins to investigate Jess’ claim. She uncovers untruths, deceptions and malice. Lauren on the other hand embraces Jess and agrees to assist her in finding out who her mother could be. Rose will have no part of this circus. She loved her husband and he loved them all, end of story.
Then Kate and Lauren begin to remember a time years before then they heard bits of conversations and perhaps saw things which at the time meant nothing. When Kate begins questioning her mother, she shuts her down, which only makes Kate more suspicious. DID something happen years ago? What is Rose not saying? Was their father not the person they thought he was? Could Jess really be telling the truth? What family secrets have been buried and what will happen if and when they are exposed? Will their family survive?
Sandie Jones, author of the best-selling book The Other Woman has once again written a cat and mouse thriller with so much suspense that it allows the reader to just go along for the psychological chilling ride and wait for the stunning conclusion.
My thanks to #NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #SandieJones #TheHalfSister for the advanced copy.
January 24, 2021
What happens when a knock on the door changes everything?
Sisters Lauren and Kate have a lovely tradition of spending time with each other weekly over lunch with their mother Rose on Sundays. This particular Sunday, they receive a visit from a young woman named Jess who claims that she is their half sister following the results of an online DNA testing kit. Uploading the data, she is able to connect with Lauren. Kate working as a journalist is sceptic by nature and put her investigative skills into action, which uncovers family secrets long forgotten and thought buried and never to be unearthed.
I loved this book more than I thought I would. I guess I really like a page-turning domestic thrillers. I enjoyed learning about the characters, their spouses, their jobs and daily workings of their lives. The story alternates between Lauren's and Kate's POV which I enjoyed - Lauren the more insecure sister and Kate the stronger one of the two. The mystery element comes later as more secrets surface and a few clever plot twists added to the complex shocking revelation of the whodunnit element.
Overall, I really loved Sandie Jones' writing and would definitely make it a goal to read her other books. She writes amazing characters and delves deep into the details of the plot which I really appreciated. I found the novel to be somewhat thrilling as the mystery of who Jess truly is, is revealed and that made for an exciting revelation that made this a page turner of a book.
This was an easy read that I would recommend for readers who love a great page-turner domestic thrillers.
Sisters Lauren and Kate have a lovely tradition of spending time with each other weekly over lunch with their mother Rose on Sundays. This particular Sunday, they receive a visit from a young woman named Jess who claims that she is their half sister following the results of an online DNA testing kit. Uploading the data, she is able to connect with Lauren. Kate working as a journalist is sceptic by nature and put her investigative skills into action, which uncovers family secrets long forgotten and thought buried and never to be unearthed.
I loved this book more than I thought I would. I guess I really like a page-turning domestic thrillers. I enjoyed learning about the characters, their spouses, their jobs and daily workings of their lives. The story alternates between Lauren's and Kate's POV which I enjoyed - Lauren the more insecure sister and Kate the stronger one of the two. The mystery element comes later as more secrets surface and a few clever plot twists added to the complex shocking revelation of the whodunnit element.
Overall, I really loved Sandie Jones' writing and would definitely make it a goal to read her other books. She writes amazing characters and delves deep into the details of the plot which I really appreciated. I found the novel to be somewhat thrilling as the mystery of who Jess truly is, is revealed and that made for an exciting revelation that made this a page turner of a book.
This was an easy read that I would recommend for readers who love a great page-turner domestic thrillers.
May 20, 2020
The Half Sister is told from alternating perspectives of sisters Kate and Lauren. A knock on the door during Sunday lunch - a DNA test and a woman claiming to be their half sister turns everything upside down. From there the story unfolds...
I would have loved much more from both Harry (flashbacks perhaps as he's deceased) and Jess's characters. A thrown in chapter or two told from their perspective would have been really satisfying.
Overall this was a quick read, I just feel I craved more from certain aspects and the story ended very abruptly. I also didn't get the mystery/thriller vibes but more of a family drama feel.
I loved The First Mistake and enjoyed The Other Woman ... unfortunately this one was just ok - with that being said I will still be adding Sadie Jones future work to my TBR.
Huge thank you to St. Martins Press/Minotaur Books & Netgalley for my review copy!
I would have loved much more from both Harry (flashbacks perhaps as he's deceased) and Jess's characters. A thrown in chapter or two told from their perspective would have been really satisfying.
Overall this was a quick read, I just feel I craved more from certain aspects and the story ended very abruptly. I also didn't get the mystery/thriller vibes but more of a family drama feel.
I loved The First Mistake and enjoyed The Other Woman ... unfortunately this one was just ok - with that being said I will still be adding Sadie Jones future work to my TBR.
Huge thank you to St. Martins Press/Minotaur Books & Netgalley for my review copy!
October 11, 2021
I have a confession to make --I peeked at the ending of this new thriller from Sandie Jones when I was about halfway through. Aargh! Don't do what I did. It made the last chapters less enjoyable. Had I not previewed the last pages, I would have found it to be much more engaging. As with her previous books, Sandie Jones manages to misdirect the reader. Then you get that pleasant "aha" moment when the plot twists in yet another direction. My reading experience was at about a 3.5, but if I had been disciplined enough not to skip to the end, it would have been more like a 4. Thus I am rating it with that lense. Lauren and Kate are sisters with believable dilemmas already in their lives and then there is that surprise visitor at the door during Sunday dinner. Cue the complications and enjoy the ride.
Thank you to Bookish First for a paperback ARC and to Minotaur Books and Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Bookish First for a paperback ARC and to Minotaur Books and Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2022
'The Half Sister' does not hold back in indicating what the storyline is about right out of the gate. We are introduced to what appears to seemingly typical, little family which has its equilibrium turned upside-down when a youthful young lady appears on their threshold declaring to have a father in common with the two half-sisters she is - only now - meeting for the first time. What ensues is a twisty tale of hidden secrets, broken trusts, and a quest for facts "most of" the characters are determined to unearth - but at what cost(s)?
Narrator Kristin Atherton does a fantastic job as the solo voice for all of the characters - delivering (as always) a well above par listening experience.
Narrator Kristin Atherton does a fantastic job as the solo voice for all of the characters - delivering (as always) a well above par listening experience.
August 11, 2020
Meh. It was a decent family drama.
I was expecting a thriller/suspense type, so not what I was expecting.
********** FREE FROM GIVEAWAY ***********
I was expecting a thriller/suspense type, so not what I was expecting.
********** FREE FROM GIVEAWAY ***********
September 16, 2022
This was not my favorite of hers. It was very slow getting started and just kind of fizzled out in the end.
May 18, 2020
The Half Sister
is a predictable family-drama with a light mystery component. I loved The Other Woman, but have struggled with Sandie Jones' follow up works. I don't think I will continue with this author's journey, but I definitely feel as if this book will resonate with light mystery fans and will be a great summer read. I've gotten strict when it comes to mystery novels, and I just feel as if this story has been told already.
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