My Sister's Wedding

The Maddie Chronicles #1

by Hannah R. Goodman

Fifteen-year-old Maddie's life has been hijacked by the many alcoholics in her world, despite the numerous self-help books she devours. After her older sister’s humiliating turn as the drunk bride, Maddie becomes determined to stop "enabling" and start "living". But as she begins a quest for self-understanding, things take an unexpected turn when near-tragedy strikes.

140 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2004

About the author

Psychotherapist by day and writer by night, Hannah R. Goodman prefers tea over coffee, cats over dogs, and staying in over going out (especially if that means watching reality dating shows!). Her accomplishments include earning extra letters after her name—MFA, MEd, CGS, LMHC. Additionally, she’s been published by several online publications including MindBodyGreen, OC87 Recovery Diaries, Zencare.co, The Mighty, and Scary Mommy. In 2018, Black Rose Writing published her contemporary YA novel Till It Stops Beating, which was praised by reviewers for its realistic and hilarious depiction of first love, first loss, and first mental break down. Her publishing history goes back almost 20 years when she published My Sister’s Wedding, which won first place in the 2004 Writer’s Digest Self Published Books awards Children’s/Teen Division.

Reviews

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifteen-year-old Madeline Hickman has a sister, Barbara, who's getting married. Barbara is also a heavy alcoholic, as is Maddy's boyfriend, Justin. Justin has started acting really cruel and harsh to her. Her two best friends are dating each other and are neglecting her. Her life is a mess. At the reception, Maddy is alone. Justin didn't come because he was hung over, and she meets a guy she hasn't seen in years. Maddy is faced with responsibility, and she has to choose between what she feels would be best for the people around her and what's easiest.

My Sister's Wedding is basically about alcohol. Maddy's problem is that everyone she's really close to is an alcoholic, and it seems to her like she's the only one who cares. It sent a really good message and gave a good representation of alcoholism. My only problem was that it focused too much on drinking and not enough on the story. Still, I really enjoyed it. It's a good book for teenagers to read before they decide to begin drinking.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I got this book free from first reads. I sat done late the last night to read it because I was excited it had come in. Four hours later I found myself finished with the book. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!!! It's a story about a young girl dealing with the struggles of having an alcoholic sister and boyfriend. Normally I need to take a break while reading books, but it was exciting and interesting. Once I stated reading I was hooked. Even people who are not alcoholics can be effected by others drinking. It shows the full effect of drinking on family, friends, and relationships. I would recommend it to anyone as a good read.

[Lorna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this at all. I forced myself to finish it only because its only 100 pages. Story line is pretty good, sorry to say, very poorly written. Big disappointment.

[JD Merrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read about a teenager who has to deal with adult issues. A lot of this story will hit close to home for some; it did me.

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this for a book group...not that impressed. It either needed to be longer and more fleshed out or turned into a set of short stories. There's no resolution in the narrator's personal life except, and albeit very stretched, in her family.