Stronger Together: How We’re Living While Fighting

by Linda Nolan, Anne Nolan

"It's okay to be scared, to feel lonely... we'll get through it, because we have to.''

For more than 40 years Linda and Anne have performed side by side on stage as members of iconic Irish girl group The Nolans. But in 2020 the sisters sat next to each other for a very different experience. Soon after returning home from filming their hit TV series The Nolans Go Cruising, with their sisters Coleen and Maureen, Linda and Anne received devastating cancer diagnoses within days of each other and soon began gruelling rounds of chemotherapy together. It was a stark reminder of how cruel life can be, and, of course, of their beloved sister Bernie, who also faced and lost the same battle.

Stronger Together is Linda and Anne's story. A reflection on their close-knit relationship, in the limelight and behind the scenes, and of how family helped them hold it all together when things got tough. Deeply personal, incredibly moving and told with trademark humour, it's a story they hope will help you too.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2021

About the author

Linda Nolan was an Irish singer, actress and television personality. After moving with her family to Blackpool at the age of three in 1962, she attained fame as a member of the girl group The Nolans in 1974, along with her sisters Anne, Denise, Maureen, Bernie and Coleen. As a member of the Nolans, she toured with Frank Sinatra in 1975, won the Tokyo Music Festival in 1981, and had seven UK top 20 hits between 1979 and 1982.
Soon after leaving the group, Nolan supported Gene Pitney on his 1984 UK tour. She then went on to perform in theatre, including an eight-season residency as Maggie May on Blackpool's Central Pier (1986–1993), where she clocked up over 1,000 performances, followed by two seasons as Rosie O'Grady on Blackpool's South Pier (1994–1995). She reunited with the Nolans for the 2009 I'm in the Mood Again album and tour, and in 2014, she took part in the thirteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother. In 2018, she was a recurring guest panellist on Loose Women.

Reviews

[Chrissie Littler · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the best book i have ever read. It was "soul searching" and so true to the heart.


What those 2 Nolan sisters have been through, with losing Bernie and fighting their own personal battle with cancer. They were so brave to write about their experiences and it made such good reading and so emotional as well. It pulled at my heartstrings, but it is just my sort of book.

I would love it if Goodreads could pass on my comments to Linda and Anne on such a brilliant production.

[Samantha Mosedale · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED READING THIS BOOK!

I am a fan of The Nolan Sisters and had to read this book as soon as it came out. It was superbly written, informative, funny and sad in parts. Anne and Linda describe their journey (sorry to use the J word)! with cancer and the effects it has had on them as well as their family and friends. It goes into detail about their lives before diagnosis and after. Most of all, it offers advice, assurance and encouragement to people dealing with the same illness. We are all different and deal with things differently, but together we are stronger and we can beat cancer! Stay safe everyone!😊

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a big fan of The Nolans & I have read all their other books too. This was a really good, informative book about living with cancer. It also showed how strong their bond is as a family & how a positive attitude really helps but that it is also ok to not be ok. It was good to get both of their stories side by side.

[eileen briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

What a fantastic book this is i am so glad you are both doing great you are an inspiration to everyone .I started to read and you so engrossed in it that i couldn't put it down thank you all

[glittering reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

very well written and not depressing. Two very brave women.

[Kay Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this a really good book to read but so sad at times.

[dawn caroline dinsdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

A wonderful story about two amazing sisters and their journeys together and with their families you are truly inspiring girls

[Lyndsay Rafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to read about how they are both coping with cancer together. Also there Cruise they went on.

[meryl gormley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read.