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Sisters

Michelle Frances (Goodreads Author)

3.69 · Rating details · 476 ratings · 96 reviews

Is blood really thicker than water?

Abby and Ellie were never close as children. Now in their thirties, they each harbour deep-rooted resentment for the other - Abby for her sister's looks and her status as their mother's favourite. Ellie meanwhile is envious of Abby's perfect husband and picturesque home, a villa on the sun-soaked Italian island of Elba.

When Abby invites E ...more

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Published July 23rd 2020 by Pan

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· 476 ratings · 96 reviews

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May 23, 2020 Ceecee rated it really liked it

Abby is exceptionally hard working, successful, makes a mint but is frugal, retires at 36, marries an Italian called Matteo and they settle on Elba. Sister Ellie is a teaching assistant, massively in debt, lives life to the full, a bit frivolous and somewhat resentful of Abby’s success. The sisters have very contrasting attitudes to life. As a child Ellie missed a lot of school through illness and mother Susanna nursed her devotedly and they are very close. Abby frequently felt and still feels l Abby is exceptionally hard working, successful, makes a mint but is frugal, retires at 36, marries an Italian called Matteo and they settle on Elba. Sister Ellie is a teaching assistant, massively in debt, lives life to the full, a bit frivolous and somewhat resentful of Abby’s success. The sisters have very contrasting attitudes to life. As a child Ellie missed a lot of school through illness and mother Susanna nursed her devotedly and they are very close. Abby frequently felt and still feels like the outlier. This is story of truth and lies, family jealousies and dynamics which erupts one summer when Ellie goes to spend the six weeks holiday with Abby and Matteo on Elba. What unfolds is a Thelma and Louise style chase across Europe in a quest to uncover the root cause of the issues between the sisters. The story goes backwards and forwards in time telling the story of their lives from the perspective of both sisters.

First of all, the settings of the story are superb and are probably the closest us Brits will get to a European tour this summer! We travel through Italy and France to Spain and arrive near Vixia Herbeira Cliffs (621m above sea level) for a tense finale. You cannot tell whose ‘truth’ is correct until the end which keeps you intrigued. The tension between Susanna and the sisters can be cut with a knife at times, as is the case between Susanna and her odious mother Kathleen. Kathleen is a piece of work and it’s easy to see where Susanna gets her selfish streak. I’m not sure I totally bought into Kathleen’s character but she did provide a valid explanation for the narrative and helps to account for the lack of self worth of the sisters. There are several emotions in the novel ranging from guilt, fear, rejection, suspicion and rivalry which all comes to a head in a dramatic way. My only negative is that initially the style of writing feels a bit flat and lacks pace but then it ramps up a gear and begins to accelerate and becomes full of twists and turns, some literal ones as the sisters hurtle across Europe.

Overall, this is an easy read and perfect for days when deep concentration eludes you. That’s not to deride the book by any means as it’s well written, very entertaining and I really enjoyed it.

With thanks to NetGalley and Pan McMillan for the ARC. ...more

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Jul 10, 2020 Ivana - Diary of Difference rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs-2020, stars-4, format-print, genre-crime-mystery-thriller, read-in-2020

I am extremely happy and excited to be part of the blog tour for Sisters by Michelle Frances. Thank you to the team at Pan Macmillan - for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. Check out the other book bloggers that are part of the tour as well:

Synopsis:

Is blood really thicker than water?

Abby and Ellie were never close as children. Now in their thirties, they each harbour deep-rooted resentment for the other - Abby f ...more

flag 30 likes · Like · see review

Jun 21, 2020 Mandy White (mandylovestoread) rated it liked it

Shelves: z-read-in-2020, net-galley

Sisters by Michelle Frances is a quick, fun summer read. It is twisty and fairly unpredictable makin*. It a page turner in my book. The ending was shocking and crazy!

Abby and Ellie are sisters than have never really bonded. Ellie was clearly her mother’s favourite and Abby is resentful of that fact. But things are looking up when newly married Abby invited Ellie to holiday with her at her gorgeous villa in Italy. Maybe they can finally be friends. But their mother arrives, throwing a spanner in ...more

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Jun 20, 2020 Amanda rated it it was amazing

Sisters Ellie and Abby are like chalk and cheese and have never been close. Growing up Ellie was often poorly and was quite clearly her mother’s favourite.

Now they are adults Ellie has gone to visit Abby who has retired at the age of 36 and married an Italian policeman. The same jealousies are there as Ellie a teaching assistant struggles with her finances whilst her sister has money, but is very frugal with it. They are hoping that their time together will make them closer, but when their moth ...more

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Jun 22, 2020 Mark rated it it was amazing

‘The Temp’ ‘The Girlfriend’ ‘The Daughter’.....if you have read the authors 3 previous books you will have a good idea of what to expect from ‘Sisters’, and it doesn’t disappoint
Its tricky not to give anything away suffice to say they are 2 Sisters, leading very different lives with polar personalities and ‘just about get along’, this suits the Mum very well, she fuels it, until something happens and the Mum no longer controls the situation and what happens next is a full on, fast and furious ad ...more

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Jan 03, 2021 Zoe rated it really liked it

Simmering, twisty, and intricate!

Sisters is a fast-paced, character-driven, domestic thriller that takes you into the lives of two sisters, Abbie, a hardworking, overachiever and Ellie a younger, prettier, free spirit as they each grapple with sibling rivalry, enduring jealousy, resentments, and long-buried secrets that will change their lives forever.

The prose is crisp and intense. The characters are envious, secretive, and troubled. And the plot told from differing perspectives unfolds rapidly ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Sep 29, 2020 Tripfiction rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-set-in-europe

Psychological thriller set around the MEDITERRANEAN

Our You Tube review: https://youtu.be/nlUhyIbQpus

3.5*
The author has taken the concept of sibling rivalry and set it at the heart of her novel. Susannah is the mother of the eponymous sisters of the title, Abby, the older sister and Ellie, the younger. Ellie, throughout her childhood spent a great deal of time being ill with an undiagnosed condition. She had a lot of time off school and now struggles financially and with her career. Abby, by contrast, is a high flyer, she has already earned significant money but she has really grafted for it. She has always resented Ellie, her mother’s seemingly favourite child.

And it is on the island of Elba where Abby now lives with her policeman husband Matteo. Mum and sister have been invited to regroup and let bygones be bygones. Indeed it is a stunning location and frankly what’s not to like? Can family dynamics be laid to rest? Of course not, there couldn’t be a story otherwise.

An unexpected incident, however, see the girls taking the car across to mainland Italy and driving hell for leather around the Mediterranean towards, as it turns out, Spain.

There is some inkling that Ellie’s on-going childhood illness was not really due to a physical condition but that she was being administered drugs, perhaps poison even. Mum Susannah points the accusing finger at Abby and her resentment of her younger sister; Abby points to Susannah as being the perpetrator. And it is this mystery that keeps the tension humming throughout the story – was Ellie indeed fed detrimental substances and if so, who was responsible?

The author is very good at driving the plot forwards, providing pacy swerves in the narrative. I was gripped to see the outcome. Overall, though, I had to suspend belief – estranged grandmother arrives to add her ha’penny worth, a helicopter appears to fly in at the denouement. It all goes a bit wild. There is a little too much focus on the road trip that the sisters are forced to take – it is clearly designed to explore their relationship a little deeper but they rattle around the glorious locations and the psychology doesn’t go very deep.

This is a reasonably entertaining poolside read which will take you through some lush, Mediterranean countryside. ...more

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Jun 08, 2020 Rach rated it liked it

Abby and Ellie are sisters. They have never really got on and Ellie appears to be their mum’s favourite. Abby invites Ellie to stay at her villa on the Italian island of Elba. Ellie is a bit envious of Abby’s husband and villa. Tension is at high between them especially when their mum turns up. A big secret is revealed and the sisters have to rely on each and slowly mend their relationship.

The book is told in past and present.

This book is mainly about relationships. Both sisters in the book have ...more

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Nov 25, 2020 Natalie Vellacott rated it it was ok

Shelves: fiction

Not much depth to the plot

I began reading this and wondered if it might have been written for teens. It is extremely simplistic and full of stereotypes. One sister is frugal, straight laced, dowdy and plain but rich. The other is beautiful, reckless, friendly and broke. The mother has always favoured the latter but the reason is unclear. This has caused simmering tensions which come to a head on a joint holiday.

The plot is far fetched. There are a lot of loose ends. There is bad language and vi ...more

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Jun 06, 2020 Akcherrybomb rated it it was amazing

Intense thriller had me hooked.

Two sisters. Two stories. Who to believe.

Abbi & Ellie, both craving things the other has ever since they were small children. Abbi a high flyer, with plenty of money and leads a charmed life, but with her own demons ; Ellie lacked in schooling, missed out on so much, struggles for money, the one who had all the attention from their mother.

Can past resentments be put to bed? Abbi invites her sister for a holiday at her new home. Their mother tags along and doesn' ...more

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Aug 05, 2020 Beth (tea.andtales) rated it liked it

I enjoyed this book and did find myself intrigued by the storyline, however, I almost found it a little too simple. The “twist” happens quite early on and even though I was swaying between what to believe throughout the book; the ending was a little disappointing. Overall I don’t have tonnes to say about it, it was the perfect holiday read and I’m glad I’ve read it, but it’s not one of my favs.

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Sep 04, 2020 Jess Rendle rated it really liked it

Loved this book soooooo much.... the twists were so unexpected and it was so hard to know who was being honest. Made you second guess and not know who to root for. Loved reading this!! Highly recommend... so hyped yet dont know what to write

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Jul 27, 2020 Kelly Lacey rated it liked it

Review to follow

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Aug 01, 2020 Bridget rated it it was amazing

Shelves: peach-vanilla, psychological, thrillers, netgalley-arc

After reading The Girlfriend, as well as The Temp, and The Daughter, all written by Michelle Frances, I was really looking forward to reading this book, Sisters.

Teaching assistant Ellie and hard working, successful Abby are sisters, very different in temperament, and not particularly close. Fun-loving, frivolous Ellie is envious of her sibling's achievements. At 36, Abby is retired, married to an Italian, Matteo, and comfortably settled in a glorious villa in Alba. But Abby is resentful of Ellie ...more

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Jun 27, 2020 Beth Alessandra rated it really liked it

4.5 stars
I got into this straight away and once I started I couldn't put it down. I loved the setting of Italy and really felt it added a lot to the story and worked well.
I found the character of Ellie to be a bit naive and young for her age however I think that was the point! The relationship between the sisters felt real and the jealousy was well conveyed.
I can really see this working well as a TV show.
A thrilling read!
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC. ...more

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Dec 04, 2020 ABookishRainbowSanctuary Nat rated it really liked it

Yes! I really enjoyed this story from the author than I did The Girlfriend.

I have to admit I didn’t know who to believe either. I was gasping, OMG’ing, the plot was intriguing and I liked the where the author went with it.

I have to admit I wasn’t 💯 on the ending with the mom, but I did like the fact that it had me guessing until I got to the end.

I listened to this on Audible, so i really didn’t like the authors Italian accent LOL.

Other than that enjoyable!

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Jul 20, 2020 Esther Bultitude rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2020

Abby has always been in her sister Ellie’s shadow ever since they were young. A sickly child, Ellie had all her mother’s attention and Abby felt left out.

As they grew up Abby was successful- enough so to retire to the idyllic island of Elba when she was 36 along with her handsome husband Matteo, an Italian policeman.

Ellie comes to stay for a long dinner holiday, unfortunately followed by their mother Susanna. After a freak accident, leaving their mother for dead they go on the run after Ellie le ...more

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Jun 11, 2020 Kayleigh Churchman rated it really liked it

"Is blood really thicker than water?

Abby and Ellie were never close as children. Now in their thirties, they each harbour deep-rooted resentment for the other - Abby for her sister's looks and her status as their mother's favourite. Ellie meanwhile is envious of Abby's perfect husband and picturesque home, a villa on the sun-soaked Italian island of Elba.

When Abby invites Ellie to stay, both sisters see the break as a chance to relax and put aside their differences. But with their mother Susanna ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 07, 2020 Abbie rated it liked it

Abby and Ellie are sisters who have never seen eye to eye. Abby is jealous of Ellie for being their mothers favourite and Ellie is jealous of Abby's success. Things take a dramatic turn one night and sees the two sisters on the run. Being alone together forces them to clear the air..but will they both make it out alive?

I've been a fan of Michelle Frances' writing ever since I read The Girlfriend and this was no exception. The author is great at creating a tense atmosphere from the outset making ...more

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Aug 06, 2020 Beachbubblesbooks rated it really liked it

Looking for some summer reading? As its cover art insinuates, Sisters will keep you firmly on your sun lounger from dawn to dusk as this one-sitting fast paced read takes you on a journey of discovery of the relationship between Abby, sensible rule-following older sibling, and Ellie, breathtakingly beautiful with an unquenchable thirst for enjoying life's pleasures. Introduced to the pair at Abby's home on the island of Elba, what at first appears to be a tale of traditional sibling rivalry reve ...more

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May 25, 2020 Hollie rated it liked it

After reading and thoroughly enjoying ‘The Girlfriend’, I was so excited to read ‘Sisters’, however I was unfortunately left a little disappointed with this one.

I was hooked for the first 1/3 of the book, trying to work out who was trustworthy and who was lying etc, and I loved the familial tensions and sister rivalry. However, the pace of the book gradually got slower and even though there was action, it felt a little flat and I wasn’t gripped. I was also really confused by the ending; it all ...more

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May 25, 2020 Eleanor rated it liked it

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to read this book because I loved Michelle Frances' previous book 'The Girlfriend'. I really enjoyed reading 'Sisters' until I started to lose interest about two thirds of the way through. It started to feel slow and boring. I was disappointed, and actually confused, by the end of the book. I'm still not sure what exactly happened or if there was a resolution, even after talking about it with a ...more

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May 30, 2020 Dawn rated it really liked it

Abby and Ellie are sisters but chalk and cheese! As a child Ellie was poorly a lot and it was clear she was the favourite child. Thirty years later Ellie is visiting Abby at her retirement home as Abby has worked hard and retired at 36! Married to an Italian policeman, Abby has an idyllic life. When a tragic accident happens the sisters lives will change forever.
This was such a good read, I enjoyed it and it felt different to her other books. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this a ...more

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Jul 15, 2020 Lavender rated it did not like it

Shelves: netgalley, dnf

DNF
This book was not for me. I knew it almost immediately. I did not care for the sisters because they are horrible characters. So full of themselves. I found Ellie to be winy and Abby weird - in a bad way - and stingy. After Ellie arrived in Italy something happend and that was the point I decided I don't want to follow them any more. I skipped to the end and I think I was right to stop reading. This story was not for me.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ...more

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May 24, 2020 Katey Lovell rated it really liked it

Abby and Ellie - sisters with very different lives. They've never got along, but now Abby has taken early retirement (at 36!) and married an Italian policeman. She invites her sister to her new home in Europe, but it doesn't take long for everything to unravel and the story soon becomes a duplicitous road trip that has the reader wondering who to believe.

I loved the sense of place in this book and the uncomfortable distrust that Frances created throughout, it was a pacy pageturner perfect for re ...more

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Dec 31, 2020 Charlotte rated it it was amazing

I’ve just found myself stumbling upon another new favourite author. An addictive storyline which could go any which way. I didn’t expect the outcome which is always good when it leaves you shocked. One of the best reads in 2020 for me.

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Jun 16, 2020 Katie rated it liked it

This one was a 3.5 from me.

An enjoyable story with a unique plot, an undecidable villain and a fair few thrills and twists. I enjoyed this one and I liked the main characters and their back story. I also couldn’t make my mind up who was to blame.

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Jul 31, 2020 Laura- Jayne Breed rated it it was amazing

I don’t think I’ve ever read a bad Michelle Frances book

I was instantly hooked as soon as I started reading this morning, don’t be deceived by the summery jaunty cover, covers a few deep issues. Overall I enjoyed it.

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Sep 05, 2020 Shirley Dansoa B rated it really liked it

Another twisty nail biter ....

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Nov 16, 2020 Elite Group rated it really liked it

A fun, drama-filled read about complicated family relationships

Sisters Abby and Ellie were never close as children and still don’t really get along as adults in their thirties. Successful but frugal businesswoman Abby has always been jealous of Ellie for her looks and for being their mother’s favourite, whilst penniless but attractive Ellie envies Abby for her money and a high-powered job. When Abby invites Ellie to visit her luxurious villa in Elba for a holiday, any chance of making amends is A fun, drama-filled read about complicated family relationships

Sisters Abby and Ellie were never close as children and still don’t really get along as adults in their thirties. Successful but frugal businesswoman Abby has always been jealous of Ellie for her looks and for being their mother’s favourite, whilst penniless but attractive Ellie envies Abby for her money and a high-powered job. When Abby invites Ellie to visit her luxurious villa in Elba for a holiday, any chance of making amends is shattered when their mother Susanna invites herself along too. When a shocking event occurs, the sisters find themselves on the run with no one to trust but each other and will soon have to rely on their family ties to keep them safe and uncover the truth about their childhood.

This was a fun summer read with plenty of drama, some likeable and realistic characters, and enough twists to keep you turning pages. The major mystery of the book is kept open for the entire story, keeping the reader guessing about the ‘true’ version of events from the girls’ childhood until the very end. The locations are gorgeously described, with the story transporting the reader to the idyllic sun-soaked coastlines of Italy, France and Spain. The tension and initially difficult relationship between the two sisters was also very well written, as were the awkward interactions they both have with their mother. The author does an excellent job of building up a picture of the family dynamic by switching the storytelling between the past (where the initial grievances between Abby and Emily are explained) and the present day, where their relationship gradually begins to change due to their unusual circumstances. The pace is also fairly steady, with some good action and high-stakes scenes, interjected with some interesting surprises along the way.

Whilst this was an entertaining read overall, I did, unfortunately, find the start a bit clunky and oddly paced, and the immediate reaction of the characters to the dramatic event was a bit unrealistic and over-the-top. It almost felt as if the author knew where she wanted her characters to be, but hadn’t quite worked out the right way to get them there. I also found the personalities of both sisters slightly irritating. Particularly in their attitude to money - Abby was so unbelievably tight that it really grated on me, whilst Ellie was ridiculously frivolous to the point where I couldn’t feel sympathy for her money problems. As with many books of this nature, the plot was also quite unrealistic, particularly the ending.

In conclusion, this was an enjoyable and relatively easy read which provides light amusement without being overly shocking or ground-breaking. I do enjoy the author’s writing style and would not be averse to reading more of her stories.

Daenerys

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.
...more

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About Michelle Frances

Michelle Frances

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Michelle Frances graduated from Bournemouth Film School and then from the Masters programme at the American Film Institute, Los Angeles. Returning to London, she has worked for several years in film and TV as a script editor and producer for both the independent sector and the BBC.

Her first novel, The Girlfriend, became an international best seller. She is also the author of The Temp, The Daughte ...more