Sister of Mine

by Laurie Petrou

Two sisters. One fire. A secret that won't burn out. The Grayson sisters are trouble. Everyone in their small town knows it. But no-one can know of the secret that binds them together. Hattie is the light. Penny is the darkness. Together, they have balance. But one night the balance is toppled. A match is struck. A fire is started. A cruel husband is killed. The potential for a new life flickers in the fire's embers, but resentment, guilt, and jealousy suffocate like smoke. Their lives have been engulfed in flames - will they ever be able to put them out? Steeped in intrigue and suspense, Sister of Mine is a powerhouse debut; a sharp, disquieting thriller written in stunning, elegant prose with a devastating twist. Fans of Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies and Shari Lapena's The Couple Next Door will be utterly absorbed by this compulsively readable novel. ------------------------ 'Beautifully written, insightful and thought provoking, with twists I did not see coming - Cecilia Ekbäck, bestselling author of Wolf Winter and The Midnight Sun 'This book is a cracked mirror - sharp, disquieting, impossible to look away, refracting our worst fears and best hopes back at us' - Elan Mastai, author of All Our Wrong Todays 'Laurie's prose is stunning but it was the complicated relationship between the two sisters, and the secret that threatens to destroy them that had me furiously turning the pages' - Hollie Overton, bestselling author of Baby Doll and The Walls 'Imaginative, beautifully observed characterisation. Masterfully written and enchanting, with more than a hint of menace' - Caro Ramsay

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense, Contemporary

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2023

About the author

Author, Professor, PhD, drinker of tea.
Most of my adventures take place inside books.

Reviews

[Crumb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tense and unflinching thriller.

The backdrop to this story is in a sleepy little town, the perfect environment in my opinion for what lays in wait. This type of thriller does not come around every day. It was atmospheric, dark, and unnerving in the best way possible. The relationship between sisters, Penny and Hattie, was raw and exposed. There was such a frankness to the way that they communicated. However, beneath the surface there was a sisterly bond that may not have been the healthiest. They shared a secret that if ever revealed would destroy them. That secret is constantly lurking in the background. It's actually as if the secret itself was an additional protagonist, in a way.

Laurie Petrou's writing was on point. The tension that was always skulking and seeping into the veins of the story was another key component that added an "extra something, something" to the narrative. This was an extremely compelling and compulsive suspense novel that shouldn't be missed. Really.. what are you waiting for?

[Norma ~ The Sisters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the title of this book and found it to be extremely fitting for this story and it reminded me of all the times that I have said “That sister of mine!” whether it be when I am a little annoyed with her or loving her at that time! Also, what made this book extra special to read for me was reading it with my sister, Brenda!

SISTER OF MINE by LAURIE PETROU is an engaging, tense, and haunting domestic suspense novel about the bond and secrets shared by two sisters, Penny and Hattie. Once I started reading this one I couldn’t put it down as I was totally committed and consumed in this story. I was intrigued in learning their secrets and was totally entertained with their love/hate relationship. The underlying suspense that arises from this novel here is more for us readers to see if they can actually keep their secrets between the two of them. I really enjoyed this approach because it definitely kept me captivated right to the very end.

What really shined the most for me here was the creative way that Petrou delivered this story as she really made it an extremely interesting portrayal with the dynamics between Penny and Hattie.

I absolutely loved LAURIE PETROU’S unique style of voice here and her writing style which made this an extremely quick, enjoyable and entertaining read. Would recommend!

Thank you so much to Sarah at Crooked Lane Books for sending me a physical copy of this book.

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Sister Sister Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

"A sister is both your mirror —and your opposite."

I’ve read quite a few books lately with complicated sister relationships... I unfortunately or fortunately, depending upon how you look at it do not have a sister... I have brothers, my daughter has brothers, I haven’t had to navigate the sister relationship as a sister or as a mother of sisters.... so the sister relationship is a bit of an enigma to me... just asked my daughter if she wished she had a sister... and her answer was an emphatic “NO,” our house only has room for one princess!

This was a compelling domestic thriller that really focus on the complex relationship between sisters Penny and Hattie... its about that fine line between love and hate.... and how your best friend can also be your worst enemy.... The relationship between these two sisters was so dynamic, it change from minute to minute... I didn’t always know who the good sister or bad sister was... I found One sister more empathetic than the other, but my opinions did change throughout the book....

The story is narrated by Penny... I found her narrative to be very compelling, emotional, and uncomfortable.... as the older sister she felt responsible for her little sister... and at the core of everything lies a secret... A secret that binds the sisters together and also tears them apart...

This was a unique dark thriller... The story was really more about these characters, rather than a shocking twist... there was a surprising ending... however that was simply the icing on this thrilling cake....

Absolutely recommend this book to people who enjoy domestic thrillers with complex characters and relationships...

*** many thanks to Crooked Lane for my copy of this book ***

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

"Keep your enemies close and your sister closer."

Sisters Penny and Hattie have always had secrets! It began in childhood and continues to the current day. But the current secret is the biggest one of all - it is the one which could lead to their downfall. Will the truth come out or will they crumble under the weight of the secret they share? After Penny's husband dies in a house fire, Penny and Hattie live together in their childhood home and things appear to be great between them. But then Penny brings a man home and he enters their lives changing things between all of them forever. Words such as "you owe me" are said, hidden resentments, jealousy, secrets and lies bubble to the surface. Will their loyalty and sisterly bonds be enough to weather any storm? Will the burden of keeping a secret burn a hole in their relationship and sever their bond?

"Let no man put asunder. Let no man pull us under."

I read this book in one day, which was very easy to do. I was drawn into these sister's world and wanted to know what would happen next. Relationship are complicated, and they certainly are in this book. There are a lot of dynamics going on between the two sisters. They have a close bond not only because they are sister very close in age but also because they share a secret which can only tear them apart or keep them close together.

This is a book is a mystery and not a mystery at the same time – confusing I know. The reader is given hints and will eventually learn the truth, but this book is about more than just a mystery. It is about family ties, domestic abuse, secrets, lies, resentments, sharing a history with someone and love. How far are you willing to go for someone you love? What are you willing to sacrifice? What are you willing to do to pay a debt?

I found this book to be well written and captivating. These women had a dysfunctional family that leaves the reader to question "what is going to happen next?"

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fire that never goes out.....

Sister of Mine entails the comings and goings, the connections and disconnections, the bound and the unbound in one misshapened family nest. Believe me, there's a catch-all of crooked twigs in this little abode.

Laurie Petrou reveals the burnt ashes at the core of her novel from the very first pages. Sisters Penny and Hattie live as adults in their family's home in the small town of St. Margaret. Petrou gives no markers of time nor geographical location. As readers, we envision familiar streets and long-established homes with big wrap-around porches. A place where eyes look sideways through windows and lips pass along secrets, true or untrue.

Penny, the older of the two, has been married to Buddy. Buddy owns a wooden house just a few minutes away from Hattie. Buddy will take the prize for his cruel and abusive nature. His world will be lit up as his makes his final exit through an unquenchable fire that burns down upon him late one night. Officer Moore lifts an eyebrow in Penny's direction. Does Penny know more than what she is telling about that night?

Laurie Petrou leaves that question lingering in the air just like that wafting smoke from the fire. Penny and Hattie weave in and out of each other's lives like the threads tightly wound from their births. Penny, the widow, brings home Jameson to have dinner. Both sisters express interest as sisters tend to do. Penny steps back and Jameson and Hattie begin a relationship.

But what is front and center here is the deep, dark, secretive relationship between these two sisters. Petrou does a fine job with shifting back and forth from the earlier years to the present. Liking or disliking this pair doesn't really matter. They are thick as thieves, one moment, and estranged in the next. Complicated is an understatement. But all will be revealed, dear readers, in the final pages. Their lives will shift like the sands beneath the tides. Just pull up a wooden chair somewhat singed and observe.

I received a copy of Sister of Mine through Crooked Lane Books for an honest review. My thanks to them and to Laurie Petrou for the opportunity.

[Mackenzie - PhDiva Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no greater love and greater betrayal that occurs than between two sisters… Wow, what a wonderful book this is by Laurie Petrou!!! I had the pleasure of reading this with Brenda, Norma and Berit as a mini Traveling Sisters read. Of course, as many of you know, Brenda and Norma are real life sisters and they live in Canada! In fact, they recognized many of the settings in this book, so that was an added layer of delight I got to have when we discussed it.

About the Book

Penny and Hattie lost both of their parents at different points in childhood, and developed a sort of dependency that can only happen through a tragedy such as the one that took their mother from them. Penny was in a challenging marriage when Hattie assisted her in freeing herself from the hold her husband Buddy had on her. But a secret that large can both strengthen and overwhelm the bond two people share.

This story then truly begins, like many stories do, with a stranger coming to town. A stranger named Jameson who will soon become anything but a stranger. As Jameson, Hattie, and Penny become more entangled with one another, the secrets and demons that haunt the sisters may come to light and destroy the bond holding them together. Can the love of sisterhood prevail?

Reflection

The title of this book I found to be perfect. Sister of Mine has a certain old-fashioned charm to it, but it also suggests a bit of that possessiveness and competition that sisters have. The love between sisters is stronger, but more volatile, than the love between others. I have a sister, and what I will say is that sisters are capable of intensely loving and intensely despising eachother almost in conjunction. Of course, my sister and I do not despise eachother, but let me say we’ve had a few fights over the years that at the time we would have said that’s what we were feeling!

There is something old-fashioned feeling about this book. Brenda mentioned that this is how thrillers used to feel—like dark character-studies. It wasn’t about the twists, it was about the way the characters developed over the pages. That is the perfect way to describe this book! In fact, many of the twists you will know even from reading the back cover of the book. This book doesn’t rely on twists and it doesn’t need them. The characters and the smoothness of the writing and the story are what propel this book forward.

And finally, we should probably talk about those sisters. Oh, these sisters!!! What to make of them? It is a huge credit to Laurie’s writing that I couldn’t decide what to make of each of them. Which one was the good sister? Which one was the bad sister? Of course, the reality is neither of them is the good or the bad sister. But they both have such an intense bond. It is as though they want to free themselves of that bond, but when they find themselves away from it they are afraid. But boy, do these sisters know how to get under the other’s skin!!! The conclusion did shock me, I will say. It wasn’t what I expected at all! But that was the brilliance of this book. In a way, it was the perfect conclusion and it rounded out the development of the characters and plot in a wonderful way.

See my full review here!

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for my advanced copy of this book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister of Mine by Laurie Petrou is a 2018 Crooked Lane publication.

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves- a special kind of double. -Toni Morrison

This book explores a much more complicated sisterly relationship than most, which creates a taut, atmospheric environment, with tension building and building, finally reaching a riveting breaking point.

Penny’s husband becomes abusive which, in total desperation, causes her to pull her younger sister, Hattie, into a scheme to rid herself of him before he kills her.

While it appears as though their plan has gone off without a hitch, the relief they are expecting never materialized. Instead, they have traded one unbearable situation for another, as the dynamic between the sisters begins to shift, slowly at first, but becoming more pronounced as time passes. However, as sisters, they are bound together by their terrible secret.

But, when a private investigator takes an interest in the case the tension becomes even more miserable. In addition, Hattie tries to move on with her life by marrying and trying to start her own family, which creates an atmosphere akin to a pressure cooker.

Will Penny and Hattie ever find peace? Will their sins finally catch up with them?

This book is marketed as a domestic thriller. It does fit into that category, but not in the traditional sense. There is a crime, but we know, beginning with the first chapter, who is murdered, why, and how. The suspense comes from the aftermath, and it’s not so much a cat and mouse game, although that element does factor in, but the sense of foreboding that hangs in the air, that feeling that something is about to implode or explode, and when it does, it won’t be pretty.

In some ways this book is an interesting character study as well as a complex exploration of sisterly bonds and duty, which can be as mysterious and complex as the mother/daughter relationship.

The rivalry is paralleled by the sacrifices one makes for the other, and the loyalty that was once more freely given, that is now forced.

It’s a strange, almost claustrophobic feeling at times, but the author did an amazing job at developing the suspense with precision timing and pacing. Once all is said and done, it seems to me this novel defies classification. The story is as much of a family drama as it is a thriller. The 'for fans of' Liane Moriarity comparison is a bit of a stretch, in my opinion, but, overall, this is a nice, fresh, and original debut novel.

I appreciated the unique take on sisterhood, and the interesting approach to the domestic thriller trope. This was quick and easy read for me, but it took me by surprise, in a good way.
This is an author I’d like to hear from again.
4 stars

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 chilling stars to Sister of Mine! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

Sisters always have their share of secrets, but Penny and Hattie’s are dark and world-shattering. Their mother passed away in a tragic accident, and their father walked out on the family. Penny, as the oldest, was the caregiver for Hattie, the younger and more carefree sister; however, their relationship is complicated and dysfunctional.

When Penny’s husband becomes a tyrant and physically abusive, an accident involving a fire is orchestrated resulting in her husband’s death. Not long after, a detective is hot on the heels of solving the cases of a string of arsons, which may in turn unfurl all of Penny and Hattie’s deceit.

Sister of Mine is described as a domestic suspense, which is a great fit for this title. It is a quick, engaging read, well-written, and full of tension. The narration by Penny is uncomfortable and haunting. These two sisters with their back and forth feelings towards each other were enmeshed, and each needed the other to survive, to cover up all the secrets, and to keep up the charade.

Overall, I found Sister of Mine to be a stirring, original, and captivating story of two sisters using their symbiotic relationship to hide their sinister behavior.

Thank you to Sarah at Crooked Lane for the invitation to read Sister of Mine. All opinions are my own. Sister of Mine will be published on August 7, 2018.

My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested Sister of Mine by Laurie Petrou from NetGalley earlier this year after the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, contacted me about this new 2018 release. It sounded fantastic, so I added it to my August 2018 TBR queue. I enjoyed this family drama with a few twists and look forward to more from the author.

Fires are dangers. Sometimes they burn out. Sometimes they kill people. And even worse, sometimes, they're deliberate. From the very beginning, you know something bad happened between these two sisters, but you don't truly find out the extent until close to the end of the novel. Along the way, they fight over a man, raise a child together, learn how to hate and love one another... all the while trying to live a normal life. Is that even possible after all they've been through?

Petrou is a new author for me, and I'm glad to have connected with her book. I enjoyed the writing style and the in-depth analysis of the relationship between Hattie and Penny. I immediately liked one and disliked the other, but my attachments waffled a few times before the end. A good author can cause readers to doubt what they're thinking... then bring it all together with a final and powerful ending. While it was powerful, I'm not sure I liked the ending for this one, if I'm being honest. I felt it could have gone a different way, but I still enjoyed the entire ride.

Kudos to the author and publisher. I will look for more from Laurie Petrou and recommend this as a good book to read one weekend... or by a nice cozy fire!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
As an only child, I’m intrigued by the ties and bonds of siblings. That ability to often hate and love someone at the same time. Here, two sisters have a really twisted relationship. What do they owe each other?

In the beginning, the writing style is a bit disjointed, like the author is purposely trying keep you off balance. Or at least it felt that way to me. But then it gets going and it’s a fast paced ride to the finish.
Nothing liking the same man to really screw things up. And there were some serious mental health issues as well. Add in a few ominous characters on the fringes. You just know things aren’t going to end well, the only question is how it’ll go bad.

I enjoyed this and found it an interesting psychological thriller.

My thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of this book.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

"You owe me." "You owe me." "You owe me."

Two sisters......forever bonded. The younger, a wild and vivacious beauty of a redhead; the older, a tortured soul of a brunette. Add to the mix a handsome man desired by both, a secret that must never be revealed and you have one complex and volatile relationship.

A tragic loss exacerbates the on-going sibling rivalry, a policeman becomes an eerie threatening presence, and a dangerous, evil man causes heated upheaval.

SISTER OF MINE is a fast, easy to read entertaining novel with a bit of drama, a bit of mystery and a family home that seems to hold two sisters captive for life.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the reading opportunity via NetGalley in exchange for review.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure how to classify this book as it had elements of suspense, a little bit of mystery, but really the heart of the story is the relationship between the two sisters. I have to say when I finished reading I was feeling very thankful I don't have such a complicated relationship with my sister. Penny and Hattie have only had each other for much of their lives as their father left when they were children and their mother died when they were teenagers. A secret they share threatens to destroy an already complicated relationship.

I ended up reading this in a day as I found it to be a really easy story line to get caught up in and wonder what would happen next. What I appreciated the most about the book was the main character, Penny, was not your typical protagonist. It's always good to come across a book that is a little different and unique.

There is one aspect to the story I didn't feel was fully explained. It's probably something most readers will pick up on early but I was so into the story it wasn't until late in the book I had a "wait a minute" type moment. It is a question involving the police officer Iain Moore and while it didn't hamper my enjoyment of the book, I think it might drive some people nuts.

Overall, a really enjoyable read and I definitely recommend if you are looking for something a bit dark and different.

Thank you to Crooked Lane for sending me a free copy of the book! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion.

[Holly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bond between two sisters is tested.

I was quickly drawn into this well-written novel about two orphaned sisters. It was sprinkled with mystery, suspense and drama.  How strong is their sister bond? Penny and Hattie will test it and stretch it until it becomes a tangled web of emotions and deceit. Penny is the oldest and her sisters wellness is always on her mind.

The sisters share a secret that rules over their lives like a dark cloud and will ultimately lead to them to make a  sister pact.   They always seemed to be surrounded by swirling controversy and and I could feel the tension throughout. As the secrets pile on, the sisters push the limits and their love is tested.

I enjoyed this one and look forward to more from this author.  She seems to tantalize the reader with the unraveling of the plot and I found it quite fascinating and sharp with a hint of darkness.

Thank you Crooked Lane for my copy to read. All opinions are mine. Published on August 7, 2018.

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/



Have you ever wondered what happened after the conclusion was reached that . . . . .



If so, Sister of Mine may very well be the book for you! This is the story of sisters Penny and Hattie, an abusive husband that needed to go away and never-ending familial debt. Obviously not much else can be said about this book without taking a risk of ruining everything for everyone. I will say that the approach to the storytelling was a bit different from what I’m used to (which worked for me, but might not work for others). I also found the two sisters to be very reminiscent of women who might live in Grey Gardens, just without so many other tenants . . . . .



3.5 Stars, but rounding up because I would most definitely pick up the next thing Laurie Petrou puts out.

ARC provided by Crooked Lane in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that my eager little finger couldn't resist hitting the request button for over at NetGalley even though I knew nothing about it and I hadn't heard of the author before. The cover struck something in me so I figured what the hell. I am so glad I did. I love it when you have no expectations and the book ends up being very unique and incredibly compelling. Sister of Mine was that book for me.

We have Penny and Hattie, two orphaned sisters, that are bound to one another in lies. They live together in their deceased mother's home and rarely let the outside world into their orbit. They prefer each others company because they are afraid that if anyone should enter their secrets will be discovered and their perfectly safe existence will be destroyed in a flash.

Then, one day, a man enters their life and they become three. Laughing and drinking in the hot summer breeze. Enjoying each others company until the facade begins to crumble right before our eyes.

I really don't want to say much more about the plot. Just know that there are plenty of secrets to be revealed in these pages.

Watching the relationship between these sisters was fascinating. Love? Hate? Undying loyalty? Resentments? Envy? Protector? You never really know what you're going to get at anytime between these two. This book is one big mood swing but I mean that in the best way possible. I honestly couldn't stop reading. Sometimes I liked them. Sometimes I hated them. But through it all I always had an understanding of where they were coming from and for why they were feeling the way they were feeling.

I loved Laurie Petrou's voice and writing style and I'm eager to check out more of her work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books from proving me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[L A i N E Y (will be back) · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is something inexplicably sinister about this one. Both the writing and story have such prevalent claustrophobic feeling to it through and through.

“I look back and see now that this is what we spent our lives doing: trying to contain the flood.”

What a bummer, the longer I read, the more I was fed up with Penelope. Who’s so attached to wallowing in her self-pity and her beloved “victim” mindset and managed to swallow up so much space in the story - which got dull and irritating pretttt~ty fast. Who, even after her “biggest betrayal” and even after giving a thought (as she so rarely did) to the impact of this huge thing for her sister and her sister’s boyfriend, sure enough - this:

“But mostly I felt sorry for myself.”



Oh GOD

Make it sto~aaapp!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Sister of Mine chilled me right down to the hairs on my head. Sisters Penny and Hattie have a very dark and twisted relationship that began in childhood and continued into their adult lives. Laurie Petrou managed to keep me in the edge of my seat and also completely terrified me. Being in Penny's head was quite uncomfortable and yet, there were moments that I felt more empathy than revulsion to her dilemmas.

A powerful and chilling story that leaves me eagerly awaiting what the author will write next.

[Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do have to start off by commenting on the title like Norma did. I love the title and every time I think of the title I think of Norma calling me That Sister of Mine. Which she did quite regularly. So when I saw this title I knew we had to read it.

Well, let me just say that’s where any similarity to this story ended. These sisters and their dynamics and complicated relationship is nothing like my boring relationship with Norma. Thank goodness!

When we first meet the sisters Penny and Hattie we were drawn into their bond to protect each other and soon the tensions rises as we start to see just how complicated their relationship is. We start to see a secret that binds them and soon a competition between them sets in and things start to spiral for them.

Laurie Petrou does a fantastic job here creating the dynamics between Penny and Hattie and we were fascinated by their dynamics and couldn’t turn those pages fast enough to see how things turned out for them.

There is some good storytelling here that focuses on family ties, secrets and things that complicate and threaten relationships to move this story forward and not with any shocking twists and turns. Laurie Petrou’s writing and storytelling reminded me of the days when thrillers were more driven by suspense and you could rely on the storytelling over shock value.

We highly recommend Sister of Mine to anyone who likes a character-driven suspense domestic thriller that is light on the drama but high on complicated relationships.

Just some fun facts that Norma and I found interesting Sister of Mine was first published in Canada by HarperCollins and then sold in the US to Crooked Lane Books. The US version is slightly different due to some editing. Norma and I received physical copies from Crooked Lane Books.

Thank you so much to Sarah at Crooked Lane Books for sending me and that sister of mine a physical copy of this book.

[Jill McGill · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sisters, like secrets, are best kept close."

Sisters Penny and Hattie have been extremely close since childhood. So close that they even share a deep dark secret that they can't escape from. Will this secret be the one thing that finally tears them apart?

Tragically, one night, Penny's abusive husband is killed in a house fire leaving Penny alone with nowhere to live. The sisters decide to move into their old family home together so Penny can move on with her life. A year goes by after the fire and things seem to be going very well for Penny and Hattie, that is until Penny brings home Jameson, a charming guy she met at the school in town. Each sister lets him into their heart - but will their love for him destroy everything they have tried to keep secret? The bonds of sisterhood start to unravel as lies begin to grow one right after the other - will the secret they share start to unravel and blow up in flames too?

This is a compelling, well-written domestic suspense novel that I was drawn right into from the start. A riveting story of family ties, unthinkable acts, and seeing just how far someone will go to protect the ones they really love.

*Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the invite to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penny and Hattie are sisters who have always relied on each other. As an adult, Penny finds herself in a troubled marriage with an abusive husband. When an unlit cigarette results in a tragic fire, the sisters are bound together more than before. To complicate matters, a new man enters the sisters lives and the detective working the arson is doubtful it was an accident.

An intriguing story of two sisters. The characters are well-developed and have a very complex relationship. While they are close and love one another, they are also each other's biggest secret keepers. The family drama is enhanced with mystery as the sisters protect one another following the questionable fire.

Tragic and haunting. Great for fans of suspenseful family dramas.

I received a copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sister of Mine by Laurie Petrou was not quite the book that I was hoping for. The story sounded like something different that I would enjoy but I struggled to get into it and found it to be pretty slow paced. The sisters were just awful people who I could not connect to.

The Grayson sisters Hattie and Penny only had each other. Their mother died in a tragic accident when they were young and their father walked out on them. They live in a small town where everybody knows everybody, but these sisters are hiding dark secrets. Penny's husband dies ins housefire that is caused by the sisters. The girls don't really like each other, but they feed off each other.

Thanks to NetGalley and Old Castle Books for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

[Linda Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Penny and Hattie ... sisters bound by love, hate, secrets and lies. Theirs is a complex, twisted relationship on the brink of breaking wide open.

Penny's abusive husband is killed in a house fire. A year later, a new man appears in her life ... a man that Hattie is also attracted to. As their feelings grow for this man, resentment sets in and sibling rivalry rears its ugly head.

This is a well-written debut novel of psychological suspense. The sisters are finely drawn and the central focus remains on their volatile relationship throughout. Secrets are best kept close, as are sisters. What happens when that closeness snaps?

Many thanks to the author / Crooked Lane Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of SISTER OF MINE. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penny and Hattie's mother died in a tragic accident. Their father had walked out on the family. Penny and Hattie's relationship is complicated. They prefer each other's company, scared that their secrets will be discovered. But then a man comes into their lives. They enjoy his company, that is until it all begins to crumble before their eyes.

It was clear from the start of the book that things weren't going to end well. The pace is slow at times. It's one of those books that you don't want to say to much about in fear of spoiling it for potential readers. A story of jealousy, love, hate, secrets and sister rivalry. But they are always there for each other. I did not really like the sisters for several reasons. I also found it confusing at times.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Oldcastle Books and the author Laurie Petrou for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is always something quite fascinating about the relationship between sisters, for some reason. However, the relationship between Penny and Hattie is a tad on the dysfunctional side.

The two sisters have always found themselves on the outside of the small community where they’ve lived their entire lives. As a teenager, Hattie makes a break for freedom but young love and the lure of her hometown soon bring her back home. After Hattie’s husband dies in a fire, the sisters retreat to their family home and try to live with a massive secret. Sibling rivalry is a dangerous thing, however, and cracks start to appear in their relationship.

Sister of Mine makes for some compulsive reading. While relatively on the slow side, I found myself glued to the pages; wondering what would happen, all the while feeling it couldn’t be anything good. These two characters don’t exactly come across as particularly likeable. Is one a good sister and the other a bad one? Are they both bad? I had a heck of a time trying to decide. Yet, having a younger sister of my own, there were some moments I could absolutely relate to.

There’s a rather great sense of claustrophobia throughout this novel. It’s not only brought on by the small town feeling, where everybody seems to know your business, and no matter how hard you try there doesn’t seem to be any escape. It’s also in the relationship between the sisters themselves. This secret they both keep is an explosive one. One that could change their lives if it ever came out. If you’re not entirely sure the other person will keep their mouth shut, there’s little you can do but constantly keep an eye on them, ultimately putting your own life on hold.

Sister of Mine is a tense and character-driven psychological thriller that really brings to the fore how thin the line between love and hate can be. There are no dazzling twists or shocking surprises but there didn’t need to be. This dark story is all about the complex characters and how far they will go to test the bond between them and this gripping tale of sisterhood will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the domestic family genre.

[Malina Skrobosinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I sit here... reflecting on this novel, I have no words. This isn't what I would call a memorable read. It's not a bad read, certainly not of poor writing, but what it doesn't hold for me, is that captivating nature.

I should mention that I have two siblings... an older brother, in which we are very close in age, and a younger sister, who is almost 13 years younger (12ys and 11 months if you want to get technical). I suppose there is a connection that we all have with our siblings, but in truth, we all have that point when we draw the line. This novel for me, somewhat pushes the boundaries of those connections. Then again, every family is different. I expected this one to have a bit more of an impact for me, given my relationship with my siblings, yet, in the end, it didn't end up that way.

There looms a secret between sisters Penny and Hattie, one with great consequences if it were ever to get out. It's clear that someone has committed murder. Buddy, Penny's husband was an abusive man, and Penny, at the point where she can't take anymore makes a decision, it has to stop. Buddy is killed in a house fire. How the fire starts, and by whom, well, that's not really clear. Both sisters are involved, but to what extent? We, the reader are taken through what feels like endless babble of inner turmoil as we watch this secret slowly eat away at these characters like a cancer.

I felt little to no connection to these characters or the storyline. You know that experience when you read a REALLY good book, and you have that book high for a while, and it takes a while to come down, and every other book you pick up after just seems to pale in comparison... yeah well... that might be what happened here. It's the sad truth, but nonetheless, it's the truth. So, with all fairness, this again, is not a bad read, but in reality maybe just wasn't a good read for me at the time... maybe?

I want to thank NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Laurie Petrou for allowing me the chance to read this novel in exchange for my review.

[Monnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love-hate relationship? Sisters Penny and Hattie Grayson have taken it to a whole 'nother level. Now that I think about it, that's kind of the way I feel about this book. At one sitting, I loved it; at the next, not so much. The only thing my split brain could come together on is that I really didn't like either [twisted] sister.

That's not to say, though, that it's not a good book; in fact, I finished it easily in two days, actually carving out time to read more when I should have been doing other things.

The two girls - Penny is the elder - have been bonded by shared secrets ever since childhood and their father's decision to walk out and their mother's subsequent (and untimely) death. Much later, that bond is fueled when a fire destroys Penny's home (and in it her abusive husband). Now, the sisters move into their old family home, trying to make a new life for themselves and escape the rumors, innuendos and hatred of former friends and neighbors over something their gone-missing father did.

Their uneasy truce continues until the day Penny meets a handsome, intriguing new teacher and introduces him to Hattie. Ever the outgoing, charming sister, Hattie charms him away from Penny, who rationalizes that she "owes" it to Hattie to give up her claim on the guy - to the point of supporting their marriage and agreeing to live together in the same house (a quote from the book offers one explanation for that: "Let no man put asunder. Let no man pull us under.")

From the first page, of course, it was clear that all's well wouldn't end well - the only question was when, and how, would it all start to unravel, and which sister would be the one to call, a la Shakespeare's Macduff, hold enough? Tension builds as the sisters continue to bicker - each afraid the other might spill the secret beans - and they grudgingly agree to a somewhat unique approach to motherhood. In the end, faced with a son whose behavior appears to be fueled by his mother's and aunt's actions, everything comes to a head (amid a few surprises).

For my part, I was left with a few questions, not the least of which is what did their father do all those years ago to become a social pariah? Was their mother's death really an accident? And why did it take the local cop so many years to figure out the incongruity at the scene of the fire that killed Penny's husband?

All in all, though, this is a well-written book that those who enjoy psychological thrillers should enjoy, and the length makes it an easy read that's great for the beach or a doctor's waiting room. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance review copy.

[Thelma Fountain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book in a goodreads giveaway. This was an in depth examination of a complex relationship between two sisters. They conspire to commit a crime and keep that secret between them. This has a detrimental affect of their own mental health as well as their relationship with each other. We also see the far reaching affect their actions and secrets have on other people in their lives. It was a very interesting read.

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK TAGS⇣
⇢ 3.5 ✰STARS✰
⤏ THE BOND OF SISTERS
⤏ WEBS OF DECEIT
⤏ THE TRUTH COMES OUT
⤏ THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE

MY THOUGHTS⇣

This is one of those thrillers/suspense novels...you know the ones that aren't all that thrilling or suspenseful, the slow-burns that rely on characterization more than action. It's also another story about the relationship between two sisters, I have read a lot of these lately.

At its core, it's about the things they do to each other and for each other. How you can be both close to each other and be each other own worst enemy...sisters have a unique bond, that can be both tenuous and resilient at the same time. An atmospheric read/listen that leaves a taste of melancholy in the air...and, left me feeling sort of depressed. A dispiritedness that even Andi Arndt's usually pleasing narration couldn't chase away. Maybe...what I need is a happy read/listen right now.

BOOK DETAILS⇣
AUDIO PERFORMED BY⇢ ANDI ARNDT
SOURCE⇢ LIBBY AUDIOBOOK (LIBRARY)
AUDIOBOOK LENGTH⇢ 7 HOURS, 10 MINUTES

BREAKDOWN⇣
Plot⇢ 3.7/5
Characters⇢ 3/5
The Feels⇢ 3/5
Pacing⇢ 3.5/5
Addictiveness⇢ 3.7/5
Theme, Tone or Intensity⇢ 3/5
Flow (Writing Style)⇢ 3.7/5
Twisty-ness/Mystery⇢ 3.7/5
Originality or Believability⇢ 4.5/5
Ending⇢ 3/5

[OutlawPoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this is a thrilling beach read!

Our two sisters are very unexpected. There's a lot of darkness in this book and it went in completely different directions than I anticipated.

I honestly didn't like either of the sisters, though for very different reasons. Even at the end of the book, when shocking secrets were revealed and I finally knew who these people really were, I hated them.

But, even as I hated them, I loved to read them. The book simply kept me riveted (and horrified) all the way through.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sisters Hattie and Penny rely on one another especially when it comes to secrets. As they grow into adulthood the bonds are tested and secrets get more tangled cracking the bond.

I thought this was ok, I liked the idea of it but their relationship was so toxic you really did not like any of the characters. It had moments where you are definitely pulled in. Not quite what I expected.