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Just Like the Brontë Sisters
A twisty spin on a gothic classic, Just Like the Brontë Sister s pairs Olympic skiing with romantic suspense , perfect for fans of Rachel Hawkins and Lisa Jewell.
"With a fast-paced story and no shortage of shocking plot twists, Just Like the Brontë Sisters is a story that will command your attention until the very last word." - Indies Today
The Blue sisters were raised in the wintry paradise of a ski village, Jo Beth craving thrills and competition while Skylar clung to security. Then an accident changes everything and Jo Beth flees to Brazil, leaving her sister behind in Colorado with only the Brontës for company. Enter Mitch. After tragedy brings him right into Skylar’s arms, a passionate Heathcliff/Catherine-like romance ensues. But trust is hard to come by for Skylar – did he harm her beloved Jo Beth? Loving Mitch could cost her everything, but can she really resist his magnetic pull?
"With a fast-paced story and no shortage of shocking plot twists, Just Like the Brontë Sisters is a story that will command your attention until the very last word." - Indies Today
The Blue sisters were raised in the wintry paradise of a ski village, Jo Beth craving thrills and competition while Skylar clung to security. Then an accident changes everything and Jo Beth flees to Brazil, leaving her sister behind in Colorado with only the Brontës for company. Enter Mitch. After tragedy brings him right into Skylar’s arms, a passionate Heathcliff/Catherine-like romance ensues. But trust is hard to come by for Skylar – did he harm her beloved Jo Beth? Loving Mitch could cost her everything, but can she really resist his magnetic pull?
- GenresRomance
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2017
About the author
Laurel Osterkamp
25 books543 followersLaurel Osterkamp is the award-winning author of roughly a dozen novels, such as Favorite Daughters and the #1 Amazon bestseller, Beautiful Little Furies. She is obsessed with writing and doesn't know how to stop. In addition to her novels, she has short fiction published in literary journals all over the web, writes a monthly column for Writer's Fun Zone, and runs her website, laurellit.com, with book reviews, lesson plans, and writing advice.
When she's not writing (which is rare) she's often teaching adult ESL or middle school enrichment classes, going running while listening to audiobooks, or educating her daughter about the OG teen soap opera, Beverly Hills 90210. She lives in Minneapolis with a family who loves to argue, and their cats, who love to hiss at each other. Ramona Quimby is her spirit animal.
Follow her on Instagram @laurel_osterkamp.
When she's not writing (which is rare) she's often teaching adult ESL or middle school enrichment classes, going running while listening to audiobooks, or educating her daughter about the OG teen soap opera, Beverly Hills 90210. She lives in Minneapolis with a family who loves to argue, and their cats, who love to hiss at each other. Ramona Quimby is her spirit animal.
Follow her on Instagram @laurel_osterkamp.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 23, 2017
Just Like The Brontë Sisters is the perfect blend of emotions, suspense and love that never dies.
Wow. I don't know how to start the review or even get my head around what I just read. First of all, the cover of this book is so misleading, I can't emphasize enough to how avoid going by the looks of that light-toned picture. When I picked this up, I was fairly certain about getting into some predictable romantic story...how wrong was I?
The story basically starts off with Joe Beth and Skylar—two sisters who love each other the most in this world—promising each other to not fall for the mainstream, handsome and charming guys. Having taken up the vow as teenagers, of course, life hit them hard in the face when Joe Beth developed feelings for Mitch, the epitome of the guy she always warned herself (and her sister) about. However, things take big turns when Joe Beth can't help but always doubt her boyfriend's motives and think of him as a potential threat to her and her unborn child. I'm trying so hard to not spoil anything which is why I'm leaving out so many character names and details; let's just say, the story is complicated. But not in the way that makes your face scrunch up, instead in a manner that makes you go all happy, sad, angry and surprised.
I don't know how long my list of pros about this book would be, but I guess I'll have to start somewhere so let me talk about the characters first. They're amazingly developed. I don't think it's often that a story would make me feel sad for a character within the first few pages. Joe Beth and Skylar were the perfectly imperfect version of sisters who loved each other wholeheartedly, willing to go to extremes for one another, but sadly failing to actually help one another out when they needed it the most. It's so heartbreaking to read the emails and voicemail they exchanged, but not being able to do anything. Each and everything that happened in their life was influenced by the other, knowingly or not, and that only increased the misery or extreme bliss.
The story is divided into two sections: Part one and Part two. While the first part has alternatSkylar and Joe Beths's PoVs from a third person limited narration, the second half had other character PoVs included in a first person narration. And trust me, while I did question, initially, about the two parts, I soon realized how important they were to the story line that had peaked at the end of Part one. While I'm on the narration, let me also take a second to appreciate the distinctive voices all the characters had. Everyone spoke according to the personalities they were given and while the story was said through each character's perspective, it still didn't fail to heighten the suspense or get the reader's senses pumped up whenever a suspect's POV came up.
Rooting from above, the writing is splendid and a pleasure to read. While some points did appear to be a retelling of a character's morning routine, and a few typos over the length of the book, overall, the prose was quick to read and said so much more than the words intended.
Another great aspect of the story is romance. This book had that right amount of romance I love and the most accurate pacing possible. Nothing starts right off the bat, of course, there might be sparks and a few cheeks-flushing, but things took time, just like they do realistically. Apart from the love that couples shared in this story, I also became a huge fan of all different sorts of love that was explored. The love between the two sisters, a one-sided love, love that drove someone psycho, and love for a little human being. The emotions dealt with and explored in this story are successfully too sensible.
Moving on to one of my ultra-favorite bits of the story: suspense. Oh My God! I won't say the revelation isn't predictable, it surely is, but did I predict it? No! Yes, I'm sounding really weird and before this review gets confusing, let me make it clear. The story gets you hooked so badly into whatever's currently being narrated that you don't actually analyze any of the characters or form a doubt against any of them. You're made to believe whatever the story is making you believe, you form opinions that the author wants you to form and then when the big bad is revealed, you pause because...why didn't I think of this before? Not only this, the way that the revelation is brought on account is so subtly sudden that it all makes sense only a second after. Again, I've tons of things to say but *cries* I want this review to be spoiler-free.
Overall, I love this book and would recommend it to all those who like a story that is so subtle yet direct that the whole essence would shake you even before you think it could.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a part of a blog tour. Thank you Enchanted Book Promotions and Laurel Osterkamp!
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March 30, 2018
Just Like the Bronte Sisters by Laurel Osterkamp follows two sisters, Jo Beth and Skylar. The first part of the book is told in dual POV between the sisters, and readers begin to understand the dynamic between the pair. After Olympic medalist skier Jo Beth is injured and any future Olympic hopes are dashed, she flees to Brazil, breaking Skylar’s heart by leaving her behind. Through a series of twists, turns, heartbreak and romance, we are led to part two of the book, which brings in more POVs for the story and adds another layer. This novel is described as “unconventional” in the synopsis, and that I would definitely agree with. As we move toward the final chapters, there are sure some eyebrow-raising moments in here. I have read from Laurel Osterkamp in the past, and was looking forward to a new offering from her.
I will say the book did start off slow for me, with short clips from each sister making it a bit of a challenge to really get invested. I decided to keep reading, and in the end, I’m glad I did. There were moments that seemed a little bizarre to me, with so much personality flip-flopping between both sisters and even other supporting cast members. It was a bit hard to feel a kinship with any said character for that reason, but it was such an interesting story that I did want to keep reading. I think the writing is very good for a story such as this, and even during slow moments managed to still keep me invested. The ending did have me quite surprised, and I found myself really enjoying the epilogue. Overall, I felt a bit conflicted after reading, but I never stopped and it sure had me thinking through the entire story after I finished it, so I still believe it was worth the read.
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
I will say the book did start off slow for me, with short clips from each sister making it a bit of a challenge to really get invested. I decided to keep reading, and in the end, I’m glad I did. There were moments that seemed a little bizarre to me, with so much personality flip-flopping between both sisters and even other supporting cast members. It was a bit hard to feel a kinship with any said character for that reason, but it was such an interesting story that I did want to keep reading. I think the writing is very good for a story such as this, and even during slow moments managed to still keep me invested. The ending did have me quite surprised, and I found myself really enjoying the epilogue. Overall, I felt a bit conflicted after reading, but I never stopped and it sure had me thinking through the entire story after I finished it, so I still believe it was worth the read.
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
December 13, 2017
Jo Beth and Skylar are about as close as sisters can be, despite seeming complete opposites: Jo Beth is a daredevil ski racer, while Skylar loves to read. But then everything changes.
I have a hard time summing up "Just Like the Bronte Sisters," since, while it's not a long read, the plot is quite complex, and doesn't fit neatly into any one genre category. It's sort of a coming-of-age romance, kind of a sports story, and kind of a thriller, with a dash of what might be magic thrown in. Readers expecting your run-of-the-mill genre fiction should be forewarned that that's not what's going to happen, and should be prepared for some twists and turns along the course.
But if you're open to some genre experimentation and melding, "Just Like the Bronte Sisters" is a gripping read, with some crazy unexpected plot twists. Jo Beth is training for the Olympics and Skylar is studying to get into Cornell, where she wants to study literature. Then both their careers are derailed, and they both end up in dreamy romances--or are they nightmares? Is Jo Beth paranoid, or are her best friend and lover really out to get her? Is this a Jane Austen love story, or a Brontean Gothic tragedy? Trying to figure that out kept me turning the pages right to the very end. The story's a bit dark for a typical romance, but literature buffs will enjoy all the literary name-dropping, and suspense fans will enjoy the way the book keeps you guessing. And skiing fans will enjoy all the fast skiing action. Recommended for readers looking for "women's fiction" that's a bit different.
My thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I have a hard time summing up "Just Like the Bronte Sisters," since, while it's not a long read, the plot is quite complex, and doesn't fit neatly into any one genre category. It's sort of a coming-of-age romance, kind of a sports story, and kind of a thriller, with a dash of what might be magic thrown in. Readers expecting your run-of-the-mill genre fiction should be forewarned that that's not what's going to happen, and should be prepared for some twists and turns along the course.
But if you're open to some genre experimentation and melding, "Just Like the Bronte Sisters" is a gripping read, with some crazy unexpected plot twists. Jo Beth is training for the Olympics and Skylar is studying to get into Cornell, where she wants to study literature. Then both their careers are derailed, and they both end up in dreamy romances--or are they nightmares? Is Jo Beth paranoid, or are her best friend and lover really out to get her? Is this a Jane Austen love story, or a Brontean Gothic tragedy? Trying to figure that out kept me turning the pages right to the very end. The story's a bit dark for a typical romance, but literature buffs will enjoy all the literary name-dropping, and suspense fans will enjoy the way the book keeps you guessing. And skiing fans will enjoy all the fast skiing action. Recommended for readers looking for "women's fiction" that's a bit different.
My thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 16, 2017
Jo Beth, courageous, funny, the girl every boy wants to date, and every girl wants to be. Skylar, the bookworm, the nerd, the one who has no one to sit with in the diner at school. The two girls could not be more different, but their bond is unbreakable.
Just Like the Brontë Sisters By Laurel Osterkamp is a compelling and heartbreaking story of two sisters and their relationship with each other as they become adults. Filled with drama, broken dreams, romance, and a ghost, this story reminded me greatly of Charlotte Brontë's, Jane Eyre, but with a very modern twist.
Of the two sisters I definitely preferred Skylar who is a much more stable character than her emotional sister. However, Jo Beth really saw the dark side of human nature as she travelled on the journey to become the next skiing superstar. Jo Beth does some spiteful and terrible things in this book. She is incredibly unstable, but this is because she is so terribly insecure and scared to love. Her life is certainly as tragic as Cathy's in Wuthering Heights.
There is a small cast of characters in this book and I liked the fact that Ms Osterkamp chops and changes between them so that we get to experience everyone’s point of view. I particularly liked it when Mitch became a more prominent figure. He is a really interesting character with a few issues of his own — think Rochester!
If you are looking for a book that will keep up turning those pages, then you can’t go far wrong with Just Like the Brontë Sisters.
I Highly Recommend.
Just Like the Brontë Sisters By Laurel Osterkamp is a compelling and heartbreaking story of two sisters and their relationship with each other as they become adults. Filled with drama, broken dreams, romance, and a ghost, this story reminded me greatly of Charlotte Brontë's, Jane Eyre, but with a very modern twist.
Of the two sisters I definitely preferred Skylar who is a much more stable character than her emotional sister. However, Jo Beth really saw the dark side of human nature as she travelled on the journey to become the next skiing superstar. Jo Beth does some spiteful and terrible things in this book. She is incredibly unstable, but this is because she is so terribly insecure and scared to love. Her life is certainly as tragic as Cathy's in Wuthering Heights.
There is a small cast of characters in this book and I liked the fact that Ms Osterkamp chops and changes between them so that we get to experience everyone’s point of view. I particularly liked it when Mitch became a more prominent figure. He is a really interesting character with a few issues of his own — think Rochester!
If you are looking for a book that will keep up turning those pages, then you can’t go far wrong with Just Like the Brontë Sisters.
I Highly Recommend.
December 4, 2017
This book is about the way your life doesn’t turn out the way you dreamed it would. The way a traumatic event that you are unable to tell anyone about leads to a a metaphorical deal with the devil that destroys your illusions and poisons your joy. About sibling controlling behaviour and self-sabotage. About who you can trust, or not, as the case maybe, let alone your own feelings and judgements. About the fine line between reality and paranoia, mental illness or merely a unique way of experiencing the world. About that agony when you have to let go when a family member doesn’t fulfil all the hopes placed upon them, separates themselves and goes their own way. About the agony of letting someone you love down and the downright cruelty that can take place within close relationships.
At first I found myself distanced by the short alternating viewpoints which darted and dabbed in and out of occasional seminal events, but once the story stayed within an intense period of time I started turning the pages, kept on the edge of my seat by trying to work out who did what to who, and who was telling the truth. Suddenly the viewpoints of more of the main characters are added in. I resisted this for a few pages, but it soon became clear that this wasn’t gratuitous, and genuinely added to the understanding of the story. It all came to an increasingly tense and explosive climax followed by a kind of epilogue written from the point of view of a decade later. Personally, I’m not a fan of finding out what happens 10 years down the line. I think it robs readers of the satisfaction of forming their own endings to fit their own emotional needs at the time. So that’s what let it down for me, especially the flat and deadening tone that the last chapter was written in. But I definitely enjoyed the main body of this book and would recommend it as a tense, compelling read that makes you engage your brain.
At first I found myself distanced by the short alternating viewpoints which darted and dabbed in and out of occasional seminal events, but once the story stayed within an intense period of time I started turning the pages, kept on the edge of my seat by trying to work out who did what to who, and who was telling the truth. Suddenly the viewpoints of more of the main characters are added in. I resisted this for a few pages, but it soon became clear that this wasn’t gratuitous, and genuinely added to the understanding of the story. It all came to an increasingly tense and explosive climax followed by a kind of epilogue written from the point of view of a decade later. Personally, I’m not a fan of finding out what happens 10 years down the line. I think it robs readers of the satisfaction of forming their own endings to fit their own emotional needs at the time. So that’s what let it down for me, especially the flat and deadening tone that the last chapter was written in. But I definitely enjoyed the main body of this book and would recommend it as a tense, compelling read that makes you engage your brain.
November 15, 2017
Not quite a perfect 5 stars but close, this book was not what I expected, but not in a bad way. There was a heap of intrigue and mystery in this tale of sibling love and rivalry.
Jo Beth, as the older, golden child and ski phenomenon, soon finds her career dreams dashed and views her sister as a future rival. I found Skylar the more sympathetic of the two, always moving in her sister's shadow, but, to me, Jo Beth's story is the most compelling. The secondary characters were pretty well drawn, though I never really understood what drove Magda, Jo Beth's business partner. And I wish I understood better exactly what was going on between Mitch, Jo Beth's boyfriend, and Magda throughout the story. The author switches points of view so the reader gets insight into the main characters' thoughts and motives, but Mitch's POV never clearly revealed what was going on with Magda.
I loved that the author left small hints along the way so that the reader could guess at the big mystery's solution. Lots of twists before it is revealed, but the subtle hints were just right -- not too obvious and not a case of the solution coming totally out of left field. All in all, an enthralling story, well-written and compelling.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Jo Beth, as the older, golden child and ski phenomenon, soon finds her career dreams dashed and views her sister as a future rival. I found Skylar the more sympathetic of the two, always moving in her sister's shadow, but, to me, Jo Beth's story is the most compelling. The secondary characters were pretty well drawn, though I never really understood what drove Magda, Jo Beth's business partner. And I wish I understood better exactly what was going on between Mitch, Jo Beth's boyfriend, and Magda throughout the story. The author switches points of view so the reader gets insight into the main characters' thoughts and motives, but Mitch's POV never clearly revealed what was going on with Magda.
I loved that the author left small hints along the way so that the reader could guess at the big mystery's solution. Lots of twists before it is revealed, but the subtle hints were just right -- not too obvious and not a case of the solution coming totally out of left field. All in all, an enthralling story, well-written and compelling.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 17, 2017
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
Just Like The Brontë Sisters is an amazing book about sisterly love and devotion. Jo Beth is the funny, popular girl while Skylar is the shy bookworm always living in her sister’s shadow. Both of them are ski sensations, but Jo Beth has always been slightly more vibrant, slightly more alive, slightly more passionate than Skylar. When Jo Beth falls in love with Mitch, a free-spirited guy who has a few secrets of his own.
I preferred Skylar as my favorite character for this book. Skylar was definitely the more down-to-earth type, stable, with a good head on her shoulders. Jo Beth was more the “all or nothing” type, but often resulted into some rather drastic actions, and although those fit her personality, I could just connect with Skylar more.
There are a lot of literary references throughout the book, which I really enjoyed. All in all, it’s a compelling read, most prominently about sisters and their relationship, although it features a variety of other themes as well. An entertaining book, perfect for those cold winter nights.
Just Like The Brontë Sisters is an amazing book about sisterly love and devotion. Jo Beth is the funny, popular girl while Skylar is the shy bookworm always living in her sister’s shadow. Both of them are ski sensations, but Jo Beth has always been slightly more vibrant, slightly more alive, slightly more passionate than Skylar. When Jo Beth falls in love with Mitch, a free-spirited guy who has a few secrets of his own.
I preferred Skylar as my favorite character for this book. Skylar was definitely the more down-to-earth type, stable, with a good head on her shoulders. Jo Beth was more the “all or nothing” type, but often resulted into some rather drastic actions, and although those fit her personality, I could just connect with Skylar more.
There are a lot of literary references throughout the book, which I really enjoyed. All in all, it’s a compelling read, most prominently about sisters and their relationship, although it features a variety of other themes as well. An entertaining book, perfect for those cold winter nights.
November 14, 2017
A sisters twisted story
This is a story of two sisters with intertwined lives. Both are ski sensations and Jo Beth has everything going her way until her dreams and career take a major turn and she begins to see her younger sister sky as competition. This is a good story filled with several unexpected twists and turns on a journey through the lives of these sisters. The characters are well developed and the story is very compelling and will draw you in and keeps you guessing til the end. I really enjoyed the story line and the progression of the story. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good twist in the fabric of a normal story. Check this one out.
This is a story of two sisters with intertwined lives. Both are ski sensations and Jo Beth has everything going her way until her dreams and career take a major turn and she begins to see her younger sister sky as competition. This is a good story filled with several unexpected twists and turns on a journey through the lives of these sisters. The characters are well developed and the story is very compelling and will draw you in and keeps you guessing til the end. I really enjoyed the story line and the progression of the story. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good twist in the fabric of a normal story. Check this one out.
December 23, 2017
Looking at the cover of this book, it isn’t something I would normally read because I thought it would be a ‘touchy-feely-girly-cry’ book. I decided to step out of my norm and give this book a try. I’m glad I did! It wasn’t what I expected at all. There was plenty of drama, and I appreciated that the intimate scenes were not graphic nor detailed. The question of what really happened lingered until the end, which was a surprise.
November 11, 2017
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, but I kept on reading and came to the conclusion that it was a wonderful book. The ending was different than I was expecting and it was so full of twists and turns that I had to keep reading to see what happened next.
I received an arc and this is my unbiased review.
I received an arc and this is my unbiased review.
November 11, 2017
Twins Skylar and Beth take us back to the world of the Bronte sisters. Heartwarming and endearing, the sister's relationship. No shortage of drama or suspense in this well written book. We follow the sisters and their relationships with men and all the emotional ups and downs. I read an advance reader copy and voluntarily chose to review this book.
November 13, 2017
Every now and then I find an author that can give me a reading experience that I have never had before and thats what I got with Laurel Osterkamp's book. Not only was she a new to me author but the writing style was very new and fresh. There was a lot of twist and hints along the way that brings you to the reveal.
January 2, 2018
This captivating book grabbed me from page one! Kudos to author Laurel Osterkamp for a very well-written story of sisterhood, suspense, the supernatural, and romance. I very highly recommend this read!
March 10, 2018
“Like the Bronte Sisters” is a contemporary romance with a hint of fantasy included.
Read full review in the 2018 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2018 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
March 18, 2018
Sisters!
Oh the twisted path that can develop when sisters are very close, and competitive. I thought this book might be interesting, and I was not disappointed. The author shows cutting psychological insight, and is a talented writer. I will be looking for more from Ms Osterkamp.
Oh the twisted path that can develop when sisters are very close, and competitive. I thought this book might be interesting, and I was not disappointed. The author shows cutting psychological insight, and is a talented writer. I will be looking for more from Ms Osterkamp.
April 7, 2018
Easy read. This was not a feel good story but I still enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews