Sister to Sister

Wife After Wife

by Olivia Hayfield

The battle lines are drawn . . .

Following the scandalous revelations about his love life, disgraced media mogul Harry Rose is searching for redemption. His daughters - bright, winsome Eliza and dark, difficult Maria - have taken over his beloved company and are making major changes.

Guided by Harry, Eliza navigates life as Rose Corp's new queen. But Maria is standing in her way. And then there's the distraction of Eliza's childhood playmate, the twinkly-eyed Rob Studley, and the unresolved death of her mother . . .

After a stellar start, things take a turn for the worse and ultimately Eliza will have to make a choice: career, or love?

Loosely based on the turbulent reigns of Tudor queens Mary and Elizabeth, this is a scandalous tale of love, power and betrayal . . .

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook

434 pages, kindle_edition

First published January 12, 2021

About the author

What would Henry VIII, Elizabeth 1st, Richard III or King Arthur be like if they lived today? Questions like these inspire Olivia Hayfield's modern-day retellings of historical tales.

Olivia is in fact like her characters – a reimagined version of the truth. Olivia Hayfield is the pseudonym of author and editor Sue Copsey. Olivia is more glamorous and fair bit younger than children's writer Sue, and her behaviour is far worse.

Sue has two children and a husband; Olivia probably has lovers and a pedigree cat.
Olivia spends most of her time in London, while Sue is usually in Auckland, New Zealand.

For news on books and Olivia's strange double life (and to subscribe to her newsletter), visit https://www.oliviahayfield.com and follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/suecopseyaut...

Reviews

[Cortney - Bookworm & Vine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely loved Wife After Wife... it was in my top 10 reads of last year, so I was super excited for this sequel. But, it was just OK. Just very, very OK. Nothing great or special. Definitely missing what made Wife After Wife such a fun and enjoyable read.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember roughly about this time last year I raved about a book called Wife After Wife loosely based on Henry VIII and his six wives set in modern times.
Sister To Sister is the sequel and I was so excited to get right into it.
Dethroned businessman and scoundrel Harry Rose has taken a back seat to his big media corporation following the news frenzy about his shocking love life.
Wanting to make big changes, his daughters, strict religious and tough Maria and smart and sassy Eliza take over the reign of the company.
Between problems from the past getting in the way, love blossoming and Harry unable to sit still and interfering everywhere, the women have their hands full.
When ambitious cousin Mackenzie arrives claiming a piece of the action, everything is about to explode.
It starts pretty much where Wife After Wife finishes but this time the author tackles the modern retelling of the Tudor children and the battle and power for control of Rose Corp, their love lives and behind the scenes scandals.
Similar to the old style 70’s and 80’s nostalgic books from Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz, in fact Eliza reminds me of Jackie’s leading lady Lucky Santangelo.
While this sequel is more romantic and less business savvy and dramatic than Wife After Wife, it’s still a fabulous and compelling read.
The charisma of this plot is the discovery of how clever the writer reimagines the historical figures and their life situations, circumstances and consequences into the modern world.
I so look forward to what Olivia comes up with next and maybe what time in history she will convert and undertake.
A well written, addictive and intelligent story based on a tantalising period of history with a contemporary spin.

[Kristin Contino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister to Sister is a fabulous and fun retelling of Elizabeth I and her half-sister, Mary as they battle for control of a modern-day media empire. Packed with plenty of emotional punch as Eliza and her father, Harry (aka Henry VIII), navigate the challenges of how their legacy will play out, this novel is a must-read for royal history fans. I loved the clever Tudor references sprinkled throughout and Eliza’s best friend, Kit (Christopher Marlowe) stole the show.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun sequel to Wife =After Wife with the not so loveable Harry no departed and his children now taking on the business empire he has left behind, With clever Tudor references it was an enjoyable read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those books I generally enjoyed reading, but also felt kind of like *shrug* when I finished.

It's super fun to see all the historical parallels, BUT it's still also super weird in a world that IS still ours and where the Tudors existed exactly as they did in our world. Like, at some point, wouldn't someone say "Wow, isn't super weird how much are lives are like theirs were?"

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author/publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wife After Wife was one of the most unique and fascinating takes on Henry VIII and his wives that I've ever encountered, and Sister to Sister follows in that tradition! Hayfield's modern update to Elizabeth I, Mary I, and Mary, Queen of Scots is a fun and entertaining read, and is more than perfect for lockdown life. If you love your Tudor history, you will love the many, many Tudor references (including Shakespeare and Marlowe)! I would recommend that you read Wife After Wife first though, as many of the characters are either present or referenced. All in all, non-stop Tudor intrigue!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me two years to finish this and I cried at the end ;)

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the first book in this duology, Wife After Wife, so I've been eagerly awaiting Sister to Sister and it did not disappoint. Once again, I'm in awe of the ways Olivia Hayfield found to modernize the history of Mary I and Elizabeth I (the way she brought Phil Seville to the table - quite literally - was fantastic and her handling of the Eliza-Rob relationship felt both very modern and very authentic to what history tells us of the relationship between Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley) while still keeping faith with the original facts. Some of the choices of which characters got modernized confused me a little, like her choice to have a modernized Jane Grey character, especially since not much of the actual history of Jane Grey - save her romantic relationship - really factored into the story; if there had been more, I might have seen the need for her inclusion. If any Grey sister should've gotten a modern equivalent, I would have loved to see Katherine Grey; I feel like there could have been a really interesting storyline there with her and Eliza. But there's such a wealth of material from this period that I don't fault her for not including it. Once again, loved the cheeky little throwaways to real history, like Kit and Will constantly quoting Shakespeare and Marlowe or Eliza's bedroom at Richmond having once been used by Elizabeth I.

[Caroline O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing, I just couldn’t put it down.

When I read Wife after Wife I really ended up liking Harry and after reading this I can tell you I’m completely in love with him. Yes, he definitely has his downsides and has been a bad boy in his day, but this man loves fiercely. He loves Eliza so much and has so much pride in her, he loves Claire and has the most perfect marriage with her, talk about saving the best to last!

Eliza, what a strong beautiful woman she is, she knows what she wants from life and she works hard to get it. She absolutely thrives in her job and doesn’t let the power go to her head. She treats everyone with respect, though she doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

I adored the storyline of this book and really felt it did the first book justice. It’s not a small book but I can guarantee that it won’t take you long to read it as it’s so very addictive. The characters in this book are brilliant and every single one of them played their role well within the storyline. I feel like I’m really going to miss Eliza as she was such a great character and definitely one I will think about in the future.

Brilliant book and one that I definitely recommend to everyone to pick up.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Hayfield does it again. I am in awe of her capacity to keep so many balls in the air. No pun intended but considering the nature of the cast perhaps a double entendres is fair enough. What I really mean is so many very important historical figures demanding their time on the page - yet she executes (I did it again!) each one with such flair.

Yes, like everyone else, I fell for Kit Marley. He is an irresistible dissolute, corrupting us all. And, as always, Harry lights up the page. His scenes with Eliza are my favourites, and brought me to tears on Harry’s path to redemption.

I deeply admire Hayfield’s modern take on the historical events and I so appreciate the places where she has seized hold of creative license to satisfy the reader and do justice to the character arcs. I kept having jarring moments where I would remember these were once real people and be torn between a sort of longing and hopelessness but Hayfield saves the reader from despair, but not cheaply. She makes the characters work.

I so hope these books are snapped up by clever producers, it would be a marvelous watch on the telly!!

[Paul Conder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Hayfield has provided an excellent second instalment in the Wife After Wife Series.

Ms Hayfield has continued the updated 21st century media conglomerate as a setting for the Tudor story, focussing on the battle for control of Rose Corporation between Maria (Bloody Mary) and Eliza (Queen Elizabeth 1) and later Mac (Mary, Queen of Scots).

Don't expect a simple retelling of the story that you know too well. Ms Hayfield places her own spin on the story, testing the Tudor characters motivations and relationships in new ways. Some of this is how she would have liked them to act, while some is speculating in the gaps left to us by history.

There is even some excellent banter between characters about Queen Elizabeth I and other Tudors even as they act out parts of the same story.

The characters are fun to follow and very hard to put down. Very highly recommended.

[Kate (KitKat07210) · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc of this book, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Sister to Sister by Olivia Hayfield is the sequel to Wife after Wife (a modern retelling loosely based on King Henry VIII and his many wives.)

Sister to Sister follows Harry’s daughters Eliza (Queen Elizabeth I) and Mary (Bloody Mary) as they battle for the modern day Rose Media.

Featuring characters like maybe couple Will (William Shakespeare) and Kit (Christopher Marlowe), lesbian editor Terri/Cruella (Sir Thomas More), nice cousin Chess (Lady Jane Grey), evil cousin Mac (Mary Queen of Scots) and slimy Rob (Robert Dudley.) This is a fun and fast paced read. Though a sequel, it can easily be read as a standalone, as I did. Though I will be reading the first now as this was so enjoyable.

Keep an eye out for Kit. He’s simply the best. A fabulous 4 star read.

[Lauren Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I Re-read Wife After Wife first, so I remembered the characters well.
This book expands on the first’s characterisations. I especially loved Kit and Will who were finely drawn. Loved the Shakespearean and Elizabethan and Tudor references, cunningly woven into the contemporary tale. An excellent romp, and loads of fun.

[Lisa Glanville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
Couldn't put the damned thing down.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister to Sister is the delightful sequel to Wife After Wife and follows the life of Queen Elizabeth I--or what the author imagines her life wold have been if she had lived in modern times instead of the 16th century. Like Wife After Wife, it is a lot of fun to read and there are many Easter eggs hidden for true Tudor fans. If you enjoyed Wife After Wife, I would recommend Sister to Sister--but read Wife After Wife first for the full experience!

2023 Reading Challenge Category: A book about a family.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hadn't read the first book in the series but easy to pick up the storyline. Really enjoyed the modern take on the Tudors. Sparked interesting conversations with my work colleagues who are history buffs!

[Sara Eames · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent reimagining of the lives of Henry VIII, his wives, children & other relations. Highly recommended.

[Fran Gilchrist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generously giving it 3*

[Wren Vale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect follow up to Wife After Wife. It was good to see Harry daughter point of view

[Emma Cranby · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING: This review is the work of an obsessive Marlovian, and may not reflect the experience of the general public (by which I mean, it's basically just about Kit Marlowe).

•

I need some time to get my thoughts right on this. Books don't tend to make me emotional like this one did when it ended.

I'll admit, part of it is the context - I've been reading this for a while now, and I finally finished it on what I genuinely believe has been one of the most difficult and significant days of my entire life.

But that’s not all of it. What it mostly is, actually, is Kit. As his own figure, Christopher Marlowe (the playwright) means the world to me. I love his plays, I love his story, I love his character, at least as I imagine him to be. He's one of my favourite figures in history. And that's Kit Marlowe. But Olivia Hayfield's Kit, in Sister To Sister? Not only is he Marlowe, but he's also his own figure - kind, empathetic, dark, unbelievably intelligent - and a wonderful one at that.

For Kit alone, the book was worth reading to me. But then it went beyond that too, offering one of the first female protagonists in fiction I think I've ever really, genuinely liked; a relationship (!) between Shakespeare (Will) and Marlowe (Kit); even Australian representation! And at the end of the day, it was just a lot of fun, in a way I hadn’t been expecting when I first picked up the book.

Of course, it has some shortcomings. Perhaps this is just because it's a departure from what I normally read, but I thought the writing style was only good, and some parts seemed disjointed - for example, Eliza's 'soulmate' connection with Kit, which felt inadequately explained or developed. The climax, too, seemed only to lurch into being in the last hundred-odd pages, with no indication that it was what the story had been building up to.

Some parts (at least to my mind) were almost unbearably cringeworthy (Will BARDINGTON? Frankie Mallard, for Sir Francis Drake?) and I would have liked to see more of Will and Kit than we were given.

But overall, it did everything it was meant to. Sister To Sister told a good story and kept me interested, while still being something relaxing and easy I could come back to at the end of the day.

The end moved me enormously (probably because I loved Kit so much) and it was well-researched - though I do take exception to Kit quoting Shakespeare’s "hell is empty, and all the devils are here" line. After all, Marlowe’s "this is hell, nor am I out of it" (said by a devil, too) was right there!

But as I said, this is a small thing. While I don't imagine I'll reread it, and probably won't buy a copy, it was an enjoyable read, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something fun and enjoyable, that still has substance. 3.5/5 stars.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loosely based the reign of Elizabeth I, this tale of a British media empire covers a lot of ground with a lot of characters. It's a bit soapy with a bit too much happily-ever-after (particularly with characters whose Tudor-era equivalents met grisly ends). Enjoyable enough, but I liked Wife After Wife better.

Read it Because:
I previously enjoyed Wife After Wife (one of the last books I got from the library in March 2020 before everything shut down) and am generally fascinated by the Tudor era.

[Mallory Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! I liked the first one more but I think it is well written AU, I enjoyed seeing Eliza's (Elizabeth's) motives from a 21st-century perspective. The only thing I didn't care for was Kit and his story which is why it's not a 5-star book from me. If there is a third installment I plan to buy it!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had quite a different vibe to Wife After Wife, which was interesting. I loved all the little details that connected back to the Tudors - the author obviously did some very thorough research. Kit was not my favourite character, but I understand why he was included in terms of the historical basis.

[Ace]

1). Wife After Wife ★★★

[Kitten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Around The Year In 52 Books 2022: A book with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads.

[Jill Shortt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable escapist reading

[Hannah]

This is a fun summer beach read. I thought the historical interweaving was a bit clunky, and it does make the book predictable at times, but other bits were done very cleverly for the 21st century!