What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sunshine Girls: A Novel
“A breathtaking story of an extraordinary friendship. Molly Fader has penned an unforgettable novel that is sure to be one of the year’s best.” —Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil
Two friends. A lifetime of secrets. One sparkling story.
1967 Iowa. Nursing school roommates BettyKay and Kitty don’t have much in common. BettyKay has risked her family’s disapproval to pursue her dreams away from her small town. Cosmopolitan Kitty has always relied on her beauty and smarts to get by and to hide a painful secret. Yet the two share a determination to prove themselves in a changing world, forging an unlikely bond on a campus unkind to women.
Before their first year is up, tragedy strikes, and the women’s paths are forced apart. But against all odds, a decades-long friendship forms, persevering through love, marriage, failure, and death, from the jungles of Vietnam to the glamorous circles of Hollywood. Until one snowy night leads their relationship to the ultimate crossroads.
Fifty years later, two estranged sisters are shocked when a famous movie star shows up at their mother's funeral. Over one tumultuous weekend, the women must reckon with a dazzling truth about their family that will alter their lives forever...
Two friends. A lifetime of secrets. One sparkling story.
1967 Iowa. Nursing school roommates BettyKay and Kitty don’t have much in common. BettyKay has risked her family’s disapproval to pursue her dreams away from her small town. Cosmopolitan Kitty has always relied on her beauty and smarts to get by and to hide a painful secret. Yet the two share a determination to prove themselves in a changing world, forging an unlikely bond on a campus unkind to women.
Before their first year is up, tragedy strikes, and the women’s paths are forced apart. But against all odds, a decades-long friendship forms, persevering through love, marriage, failure, and death, from the jungles of Vietnam to the glamorous circles of Hollywood. Until one snowy night leads their relationship to the ultimate crossroads.
Fifty years later, two estranged sisters are shocked when a famous movie star shows up at their mother's funeral. Over one tumultuous weekend, the women must reckon with a dazzling truth about their family that will alter their lives forever...
368 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2022
653 people are currently reading
15874 people want to read
About the author
Molly Fader
5 books573 followersMolly Fader is the author of The McAvoy Sister’s Book Of Secrets. As Molly O’Keefe she is the USA Today Bestselling author of over 50 contemporary romances. She lives in Toronto Ontario with her husband, two kids and rescue dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,152 reviews
December 24, 2022
4.5 strong stars! The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader was a truly moving historical fiction saga. It took place during the late 1960’s, through the decade of the 1970’s and in present time. Having had grown up during those times, I was able to relate to some of the things that were described in the The Sunshine Girls and during that time period. The Sunshine Girls took place at a nursing school in Greensboro, Iowa during the late 1960’s where three of the most unlikely female nursing students forged the beginning of a lifelong friendship, in Hollywood, California on the dazzling movie sets, in Vietnam where two of the three women experienced the horrors of war to nurse the wounded and dying and in present day both in Greensboro, Iowa and in California. The story was told from alternating points of view. I was hooked from the very beginning and formed a real attachment with the characters in The Sunshine Girls.
In the 1960’s it was not a given that all young women could attend college or earn a degree at a place of higher education. This was especially true for both young women and men that grew up on farms in the Midwest during that time. BettyKay Beecher grew up on one of those farms with parents that showed her little affection or pride in her accomplishments. She had a high school sweetheart, Todd, who had recently proposed to her. BettyKay loved Todd with her whole heart and wanted to become his wife but she also wanted to attend nursing school. Todd understood her passion and persuaded her to go and fulfill her dream when she got accepted unlike her own parents. Todd’s family also owned a farm. Although he had always dreamed of attending college and becoming a veterinarian, he knew he would take over his family’s farm someday. Todd knew he was needed on the farm and would not be able to attend college. BettyKay left her disgruntled parents, determined to become the best nurse she could possibly be. It was difficult to leave Todd but his tiny engagement ring hung around BettyKay’s neck close to her heart. She loved him dearly and agreed to marry him after she completed nursing school.
BettyKay arrived at St. Luke’s Nursing School by herself. Her parents had not offered to take her. She observed some of the nursing students receiving help from their parents as they moved into their assigned rooms. She was just glad to finally be at St. Luke’s and away from the criticism of her parents. BettyKay received her room assignment and opened the door of room 212 to greet her roommate. Although BettyKay and her roommate Katherine Simon (Kitty) were not best friends from day one, they developed a very strong friendship that lasted throughout both of their lives. Kitty was a rule breaker. Her true passion was not in becoming a nurse but in going to Hollywood. Jenny completed the trio. She was the token black student. Being black, Jenny had to work harder than any of the other nursing students. She had to constantly prove herself even though she was extremely bright. Jenny had wanted to become a doctor but being black and female was not a good combination for acceptance to medical school. She settled for nursing. Her main objective, though, was to join the Nursing Corps of the United States Army and be deployed to Vietnam so her younger brother would not have to serve. On that first day, as all the first year nursing students were gathered together by their floor mother, they were welcomed as her “sunshine girls”. The floor mother explained that first year nursing students were called “sunshine girls” since they held all sorts of possibilities just like a brand new day. BettyKay, Kitty and Jenny became the best of friends and their friendship stayed strong through nursing school, Vietnam, an acting career in Hollywood, marriage and families. It only grew stronger as the years progressed.
In present day, estranged sisters Clara and Abbie, BettyKay’s two daughters, were gathered together for their mother’s funeral. Clara had arrived just minutes before the funeral was meant to start from Chicago where she was a corporate lawyer and lived with her partner, Vickie. Abbie had married her high school sweetheart, had two children and had stayed in Greensboro living only minutes from her childhood home. Clara and Abby had been very close when they were young but when Clara went off to college the sister’s relationship changed. Abbie was the one who had to make all the arrangements for her mother’s funeral. As the sisters stood together, Clara informed her sister that she would be leaving as soon as the funeral concluded. Abbie could not believe that Clara was not coming for the luncheon she had planned and would not be there to help her pack up their parent’s house and get it ready to sell. Then the most unexpected thing happened. Actress Kitty Devereaux walked into BettyKay’s funeral, proceeded up to the open casket and placed the ugliest and biggest pink button anyone could imagine into the casket. Why was Kitty Devereaux at BettyKay’s funeral? Did she know Clara’s and Abbie’s mother? When Clara confronted Kitty wanting to know why she was at her mother’s funeral, Kitty replied that Clara’s mother happened to be very proud of her and felt really bad about the fight Clara had with her mother. How could Kitty Devereaux have known about the fight she had had with her mother right before she died? If she knew their mother, why had their mother never mentioned her or introduced them to each other? After the funeral, over the course of several weeks, in Greensboro and in California, Kitty slowly revealed how she knew BettyKay. She also revealed the answers to long kept secrets kept by BettyKay, Kitty and even Jenny.
The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader was the third book she has written and the first book I had the pleasure of reading. It was about a very special friendship, sisterhood, acceptance, determination, loss, secrets and surprises. In Molly Fader’s author’s notes, she admitted that The Sunshine Girls was inspired by stories her own mother told her about her own experiences in nursing school during the 1960’s. Even the ugly pink buttons had a back story. I remember the volatile time of the draft selection for the Vietnam war so well. Young men became teachers to avoid being drafted. Others threatened to move to Canada. Vietnam was not a war most believed in. Recreational drugs were easy to secure and use during this time period. The Sunshine Girls captured these times and described them so well. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this book. The Sunshine Girls is a book that I recommend very highly.
Thank you to Graydon House/Harlequin Publishers for allowing me to read The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader through Netgalley in exchanged for an honest review.
In the 1960’s it was not a given that all young women could attend college or earn a degree at a place of higher education. This was especially true for both young women and men that grew up on farms in the Midwest during that time. BettyKay Beecher grew up on one of those farms with parents that showed her little affection or pride in her accomplishments. She had a high school sweetheart, Todd, who had recently proposed to her. BettyKay loved Todd with her whole heart and wanted to become his wife but she also wanted to attend nursing school. Todd understood her passion and persuaded her to go and fulfill her dream when she got accepted unlike her own parents. Todd’s family also owned a farm. Although he had always dreamed of attending college and becoming a veterinarian, he knew he would take over his family’s farm someday. Todd knew he was needed on the farm and would not be able to attend college. BettyKay left her disgruntled parents, determined to become the best nurse she could possibly be. It was difficult to leave Todd but his tiny engagement ring hung around BettyKay’s neck close to her heart. She loved him dearly and agreed to marry him after she completed nursing school.
BettyKay arrived at St. Luke’s Nursing School by herself. Her parents had not offered to take her. She observed some of the nursing students receiving help from their parents as they moved into their assigned rooms. She was just glad to finally be at St. Luke’s and away from the criticism of her parents. BettyKay received her room assignment and opened the door of room 212 to greet her roommate. Although BettyKay and her roommate Katherine Simon (Kitty) were not best friends from day one, they developed a very strong friendship that lasted throughout both of their lives. Kitty was a rule breaker. Her true passion was not in becoming a nurse but in going to Hollywood. Jenny completed the trio. She was the token black student. Being black, Jenny had to work harder than any of the other nursing students. She had to constantly prove herself even though she was extremely bright. Jenny had wanted to become a doctor but being black and female was not a good combination for acceptance to medical school. She settled for nursing. Her main objective, though, was to join the Nursing Corps of the United States Army and be deployed to Vietnam so her younger brother would not have to serve. On that first day, as all the first year nursing students were gathered together by their floor mother, they were welcomed as her “sunshine girls”. The floor mother explained that first year nursing students were called “sunshine girls” since they held all sorts of possibilities just like a brand new day. BettyKay, Kitty and Jenny became the best of friends and their friendship stayed strong through nursing school, Vietnam, an acting career in Hollywood, marriage and families. It only grew stronger as the years progressed.
In present day, estranged sisters Clara and Abbie, BettyKay’s two daughters, were gathered together for their mother’s funeral. Clara had arrived just minutes before the funeral was meant to start from Chicago where she was a corporate lawyer and lived with her partner, Vickie. Abbie had married her high school sweetheart, had two children and had stayed in Greensboro living only minutes from her childhood home. Clara and Abby had been very close when they were young but when Clara went off to college the sister’s relationship changed. Abbie was the one who had to make all the arrangements for her mother’s funeral. As the sisters stood together, Clara informed her sister that she would be leaving as soon as the funeral concluded. Abbie could not believe that Clara was not coming for the luncheon she had planned and would not be there to help her pack up their parent’s house and get it ready to sell. Then the most unexpected thing happened. Actress Kitty Devereaux walked into BettyKay’s funeral, proceeded up to the open casket and placed the ugliest and biggest pink button anyone could imagine into the casket. Why was Kitty Devereaux at BettyKay’s funeral? Did she know Clara’s and Abbie’s mother? When Clara confronted Kitty wanting to know why she was at her mother’s funeral, Kitty replied that Clara’s mother happened to be very proud of her and felt really bad about the fight Clara had with her mother. How could Kitty Devereaux have known about the fight she had had with her mother right before she died? If she knew their mother, why had their mother never mentioned her or introduced them to each other? After the funeral, over the course of several weeks, in Greensboro and in California, Kitty slowly revealed how she knew BettyKay. She also revealed the answers to long kept secrets kept by BettyKay, Kitty and even Jenny.
The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader was the third book she has written and the first book I had the pleasure of reading. It was about a very special friendship, sisterhood, acceptance, determination, loss, secrets and surprises. In Molly Fader’s author’s notes, she admitted that The Sunshine Girls was inspired by stories her own mother told her about her own experiences in nursing school during the 1960’s. Even the ugly pink buttons had a back story. I remember the volatile time of the draft selection for the Vietnam war so well. Young men became teachers to avoid being drafted. Others threatened to move to Canada. Vietnam was not a war most believed in. Recreational drugs were easy to secure and use during this time period. The Sunshine Girls captured these times and described them so well. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this book. The Sunshine Girls is a book that I recommend very highly.
Thank you to Graydon House/Harlequin Publishers for allowing me to read The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader through Netgalley in exchanged for an honest review.
December 15, 2022
the setup…
It’s 2019 and the setting is the funeral for BettyKay Beecher, a former nurse and mother of two daughters, Clara and Abbie. The sisters are grief stricken and are struggling with their own relationship with each other, growing further apart now that Clara is living in Chicago. The sudden arrival of a guest startles both of them as they don’t understand why stage and screen legend Kitty Devereaux is here in Greensboro, Iowa. When she tells them BettyKay was her oldest and dearest friend from nursing school, Clara and Abbie realize there was so much more they didn’t know about their mother. It’s especially daunting for Clara as she and her mother were at odds at the time of her death after BettyKay had shared some shocking news with her two weeks prior.
the heart of the story…
This is the story of three friends who met in 1967 when they began nursing school in Greensboro, Iowa, back when they were BettyKay Allen, Katherine (Kitty) Simon and Jenny Hopkins. The three couldn’t be more different but the bonds they created as “Sunshine Girls” transcended all else and survived over fifty years. BettyKay and Kitty were roommates and, after a rough start, each found themselves in situations that ended up forming a trust and long lasting relationship that neither knew at the time would be lifelong. Through Kitty’s visit that weekend, Clara and Abbie learn who their mother really was and are astonished at her rich and colorful history. I was enthralled by it all, taking me back to the era of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s during the Vietnam war and the turmoil of that time. But it was the improbable relationship between BettyKay and Kitty that was the magic of this story, transitioning between past and present in its telling.
the narration…
Andi Arndt is one of my favorite narrators but my experience with her is mostly in the romance genre. She delivered a wonderful performance, giving voice to BettyKay and Kitty with distinctions and personalities that fit them perfectly.
the bottom line…
There’s a richness to the story with its well developed characters against the backdrop of vivid settings and history. BettyKay and Jenny beat the odds, finished nursing school and went on to have successful careers of merit. Kitty rose from the wreckage of her own upbringing and found that success in Hollywood that she dreamed for herself. But it’s the friendship of these three women that I found magical, sustaining them for over fifty years. There’s a shocking secret that Kitty has to share with Clara and Abbie who are teetering on the edge now that the ballast that was their mother is gone. It’s life changing for them both as Kitty shares the mother they didn’t know but should embrace with their own memories. It's a wonderful story that far exceeded my expectations.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
It’s 2019 and the setting is the funeral for BettyKay Beecher, a former nurse and mother of two daughters, Clara and Abbie. The sisters are grief stricken and are struggling with their own relationship with each other, growing further apart now that Clara is living in Chicago. The sudden arrival of a guest startles both of them as they don’t understand why stage and screen legend Kitty Devereaux is here in Greensboro, Iowa. When she tells them BettyKay was her oldest and dearest friend from nursing school, Clara and Abbie realize there was so much more they didn’t know about their mother. It’s especially daunting for Clara as she and her mother were at odds at the time of her death after BettyKay had shared some shocking news with her two weeks prior.
the heart of the story…
This is the story of three friends who met in 1967 when they began nursing school in Greensboro, Iowa, back when they were BettyKay Allen, Katherine (Kitty) Simon and Jenny Hopkins. The three couldn’t be more different but the bonds they created as “Sunshine Girls” transcended all else and survived over fifty years. BettyKay and Kitty were roommates and, after a rough start, each found themselves in situations that ended up forming a trust and long lasting relationship that neither knew at the time would be lifelong. Through Kitty’s visit that weekend, Clara and Abbie learn who their mother really was and are astonished at her rich and colorful history. I was enthralled by it all, taking me back to the era of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s during the Vietnam war and the turmoil of that time. But it was the improbable relationship between BettyKay and Kitty that was the magic of this story, transitioning between past and present in its telling.
the narration…
Andi Arndt is one of my favorite narrators but my experience with her is mostly in the romance genre. She delivered a wonderful performance, giving voice to BettyKay and Kitty with distinctions and personalities that fit them perfectly.
the bottom line…
There’s a richness to the story with its well developed characters against the backdrop of vivid settings and history. BettyKay and Jenny beat the odds, finished nursing school and went on to have successful careers of merit. Kitty rose from the wreckage of her own upbringing and found that success in Hollywood that she dreamed for herself. But it’s the friendship of these three women that I found magical, sustaining them for over fifty years. There’s a shocking secret that Kitty has to share with Clara and Abbie who are teetering on the edge now that the ballast that was their mother is gone. It’s life changing for them both as Kitty shares the mother they didn’t know but should embrace with their own memories. It's a wonderful story that far exceeded my expectations.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
December 7, 2022
This book made me cry TWICE. It's emotional and wonderful and you are rooting for these characters. Have tissues ready, you'll need them!
October 22, 2022
10 stars! 🌟🌟🌟 This story has got me ugly crying as it reminds me so much of my mom, parts of my life, the amazing things women do for and with a friend, and believing in something. If you want to learn about your badass grandma or mother, read this book!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I said in my opening, this book has had a profound impact on me. Towards the end, I was ugly crying. I could not stop reading!
I have read other Fader books before and she is not only a highly gifted storyteller and author, but Fader knows how to reach down and touch your soul. She does that with this book!
As I was reading this story, my mind was flashing back to the Vietnam era I lived through. My father was there three different times. We lived in the far east, saw the news, and felt the impact of society at that time. My mom lived through WWII. I was impacted in my life.
Fader dives deep into that time in history with a story that not only showcases the intensity of true friendship but also what that friendship does over the lifetime to their families. It shows what people do when they believe in something and take a stand.
The Sunshine Girls tells a story like none other. It showcases the badass women in our lives – your grandma or mom. It shows strength, courage, conviction, and passion.
Told in alternative time periods, you will be sucked into this story just like I was. A story that I just know will be a movie someday, will definitely be one to read over and over, plus be the one book that should be gifted to your daughter.
Don’t miss The Sunshine Girls! It will open your eyes and change your life.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-sunshine...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I said in my opening, this book has had a profound impact on me. Towards the end, I was ugly crying. I could not stop reading!
I have read other Fader books before and she is not only a highly gifted storyteller and author, but Fader knows how to reach down and touch your soul. She does that with this book!
As I was reading this story, my mind was flashing back to the Vietnam era I lived through. My father was there three different times. We lived in the far east, saw the news, and felt the impact of society at that time. My mom lived through WWII. I was impacted in my life.
Fader dives deep into that time in history with a story that not only showcases the intensity of true friendship but also what that friendship does over the lifetime to their families. It shows what people do when they believe in something and take a stand.
The Sunshine Girls tells a story like none other. It showcases the badass women in our lives – your grandma or mom. It shows strength, courage, conviction, and passion.
Told in alternative time periods, you will be sucked into this story just like I was. A story that I just know will be a movie someday, will definitely be one to read over and over, plus be the one book that should be gifted to your daughter.
Don’t miss The Sunshine Girls! It will open your eyes and change your life.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-sunshine...
December 5, 2022
Oh my goodness! Molly Fader really grabbed my heart from the very first page and never let it go! She had my emotions all over the place. Once I started reading THE SUNSHINE GIRLS it was very hard to stop! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to Abbie and Clara ! I still can’t believe that I have never read Molly Fader before! She writes with so much heart and tenderness that you would think this was her tenth book, not her third! What an awesome story. All of Molly’s characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride.
Once you start reading THE SUNSHINE GIRLS it will be very hard to put down! Molly sure knows how to put a new twist on Historical Fiction. I truly believe she picked the perfect cover too. It screams 1960’s to me. I was fairly young in the 60’s so I don’t remember too much about the Vietnam war and everything else that was going on, but while reading, I felt like I was right there in the thick of it! Molly Fader is now an auto buy author for me. That’s how much I love THE SUNSHINE GIRLS.
THE SUNSHINE GIRLS is filled with faith, tragedy, second chances, love, as well as hurt and anger. If you are a fan of stories that grab your heart and never let you go, this is a story you do not want to miss. Abbie and Clara are mourning their mother, BettyKay and holding her funeral. When a surprise mourner walks in and their lives are going to never be the same. They learn more about their mother as well as their father than they thought possible. THE SUNSHINE GIRLS is told in dual timelines and is very easy to follow. There are so many secrets that the sisters learn, you are going to be pulled in from the very beginning. The life long friendship that BettyKay shared with Kitty Devereaux shocks the sisters and now they want answers!
Abbie and Clara used to be very close when they were growing up, but drifted apart as they got older. THE SUNSHINE GIRLS is without a doubt one of the best Historical Fiction books I’ve read in 2022 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. Molly Fader is such a wonderful and heart tugging author and she had me laughing and crying on the very same page. She literally had me holding my breath and choking on a sob while I finished reading. I can’t wait to read Molly’s two previous books which I’m going to find right now. If you don’t have a Sunshine Girl in your life maybe you can become one. Everyone could use more sunshine in their lives right? Make sure to read Molly’s note at the end of the book. She explains how a part of THE SUNSHINE GIRLS was taken from her mom’s life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Graydon House-Harlequin through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
Once you start reading THE SUNSHINE GIRLS it will be very hard to put down! Molly sure knows how to put a new twist on Historical Fiction. I truly believe she picked the perfect cover too. It screams 1960’s to me. I was fairly young in the 60’s so I don’t remember too much about the Vietnam war and everything else that was going on, but while reading, I felt like I was right there in the thick of it! Molly Fader is now an auto buy author for me. That’s how much I love THE SUNSHINE GIRLS.
THE SUNSHINE GIRLS is filled with faith, tragedy, second chances, love, as well as hurt and anger. If you are a fan of stories that grab your heart and never let you go, this is a story you do not want to miss. Abbie and Clara are mourning their mother, BettyKay and holding her funeral. When a surprise mourner walks in and their lives are going to never be the same. They learn more about their mother as well as their father than they thought possible. THE SUNSHINE GIRLS is told in dual timelines and is very easy to follow. There are so many secrets that the sisters learn, you are going to be pulled in from the very beginning. The life long friendship that BettyKay shared with Kitty Devereaux shocks the sisters and now they want answers!
Abbie and Clara used to be very close when they were growing up, but drifted apart as they got older. THE SUNSHINE GIRLS is without a doubt one of the best Historical Fiction books I’ve read in 2022 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. Molly Fader is such a wonderful and heart tugging author and she had me laughing and crying on the very same page. She literally had me holding my breath and choking on a sob while I finished reading. I can’t wait to read Molly’s two previous books which I’m going to find right now. If you don’t have a Sunshine Girl in your life maybe you can become one. Everyone could use more sunshine in their lives right? Make sure to read Molly’s note at the end of the book. She explains how a part of THE SUNSHINE GIRLS was taken from her mom’s life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Graydon House-Harlequin through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
July 27, 2023
"The Sunshine Girls" by Molly Fader is a captivating tale that weaves together the bonds of friendship, the allure of secrets, and the magic of 1967 Iowa into a sparkling story that left me utterly enchanted. The link to the audiobook can be found here
The Sunshine Girls: A Novel
. This book holds a special place in my heart, as it transported me to a time and place where two friends embarked on a journey that would shape their lives forever.
Fader's storytelling prowess shines through as she skillfully unravels the intricate layers of friendship between two remarkable characters. The secrets they hold and the experiences they share create a rich tapestry of emotions that resonated deeply with me. The vivid descriptions of 1967 Iowa added an extra layer of nostalgia, immersing me in the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the era.
The friendship between these two friends is beautifully portrayed, with all its complexities, joys, and challenges. The depth of their connection is palpable, making their journey of self-discovery and growth all the more compelling. Fader's ability to delve into the depths of their emotions and experiences made them feel like old friends whose triumphs and struggles I became deeply invested in.
The way Fader reveals the secrets and the impact they have on the characters' lives is masterfully executed. Each revelation is delivered with precision, keeping me on the edge of my seat, eager to uncover the truth and understand its significance. The pacing of the story is perfect, allowing the secrets to unfold gradually while maintaining a sense of anticipation throughout.
"The Sunshine Girls: A Novel" is a testament to the power of storytelling, friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit. Molly Fader's evocative prose and captivating narrative transported me to a time and place that felt both familiar and enchanting. It is a book that celebrates the beauty of friendship, the weight of secrets, and the enduring power of storytelling to illuminate our lives. I also recommend the book Text Chemistry Review
Fader's storytelling prowess shines through as she skillfully unravels the intricate layers of friendship between two remarkable characters. The secrets they hold and the experiences they share create a rich tapestry of emotions that resonated deeply with me. The vivid descriptions of 1967 Iowa added an extra layer of nostalgia, immersing me in the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the era.
The friendship between these two friends is beautifully portrayed, with all its complexities, joys, and challenges. The depth of their connection is palpable, making their journey of self-discovery and growth all the more compelling. Fader's ability to delve into the depths of their emotions and experiences made them feel like old friends whose triumphs and struggles I became deeply invested in.
The way Fader reveals the secrets and the impact they have on the characters' lives is masterfully executed. Each revelation is delivered with precision, keeping me on the edge of my seat, eager to uncover the truth and understand its significance. The pacing of the story is perfect, allowing the secrets to unfold gradually while maintaining a sense of anticipation throughout.
"The Sunshine Girls: A Novel" is a testament to the power of storytelling, friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit. Molly Fader's evocative prose and captivating narrative transported me to a time and place that felt both familiar and enchanting. It is a book that celebrates the beauty of friendship, the weight of secrets, and the enduring power of storytelling to illuminate our lives. I also recommend the book Text Chemistry Review
October 16, 2023
At St Luke’s school of nursing Iowa, roommates BettyKay Beecher and Kitty Deveraux do not have anything in common. Betty Kay, whose parents are set against her nursing career but she is determined to pursue it. As is Jenny another nursing student. Because she is black she has to work harder to achieve anything. But in the end it is Kitty who becomes BettyKay’s lifelong friend.
At BettyKay’s funeral her daughter Clara and Abbie are astounded when famous women actress Kitty Deveraux arrives. She claims to be a longtime friend of BettyKay, but Clara has never met her before. What sort of friendship is that? Why did none of BettyKay’s family not know of it.
And so the story goes back filling in details of Betty Kay’s life and how that friendship with Kitty existed over all the years. Secrets long held come to light and Clara and Abbie begin to wonder how much they really knew their mother after all.
I had read and enjoyed a couple of other novels by this author which was why I was keen to read this one. There is a lot about alcohol and drug taking in the sixties and beyond and some other sensitive issues. I found my enjoyment of this book waned and although on the whole it was interesting, I did not enjoy this book as much as her other novels. Liked it but did not love it,
The title sunshine girls was given by Mrs Margaret Hayes in charge of the nurse, because they had so much potential. But the cover image lounging by a pool gives a different picture of what the book is about I felt.
December 6, 2022
Molly Fader's The Sunshine Girls is the story of a lifelong friendship with hidden secrets. It is set in alternating timelines between present and past events during the 60's. While the background is centered around historical fiction, contemporary issues are also addressed.
Synopsis:
As two sisters mourn their mother's passing, they are shocked when a famous actress shows up at the funeral. Although she tells the sisters that she was best friends with their mother, why did their mom never mention her name to them? Is the actress keeping a life-changing secret?
The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader is available on December 6th, just in time for Christmas. Molly Fader's story is interesting and the writing is well developed. This novel will be a hit with historical and women's fiction fans. For book groups, there are discussion questions included at the back of the novel.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing (Graydon House), for sharing this book with me. I appreciate your kindness!
#TheSunshineGirls #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
Synopsis:
As two sisters mourn their mother's passing, they are shocked when a famous actress shows up at the funeral. Although she tells the sisters that she was best friends with their mother, why did their mom never mention her name to them? Is the actress keeping a life-changing secret?
The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader is available on December 6th, just in time for Christmas. Molly Fader's story is interesting and the writing is well developed. This novel will be a hit with historical and women's fiction fans. For book groups, there are discussion questions included at the back of the novel.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing (Graydon House), for sharing this book with me. I appreciate your kindness!
#TheSunshineGirls #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
July 15, 2024
Koks vasariškas ir traukiantis akį viršelis! Neatsispyriau ir vos gavusi knygą iškart jos ėmiausi. Puslapiai tirpte tirpo - duotas pažadas, jog istorija primins Eveliną Hugo tikrai išsipildė. Su didžiuliu malonumu pasinėriau į dviejų labai skirtingų moterų draugystę, kjuri užsimezgė joms kartu mokantis slaugytojų mokykloje.
Taip, knygos ašis - Betės ir Kitės draugystė, bet ooooi, kokie dalykai aplink ją sukosi ir kokių tik išbandymų čia nebuvo. Nuo nelaimingų meilių, iki karo, nuo moterų teisių iki Holivudo šlovės ir pavojų. Nuo didžiulės paslapties iki antros siužeto linijos, kur Betės Kei dukros ją aiškinasi, nustebdamos, kad praeityje garsi aktorė jų mamos gyvenime vaidino tokį svarbų vaidmenį
Knygoje buvo visos reikiamos detalės, kad ji prikaustytų ir nesinorėtų padėt. Jei būčiau turėjus galimybę, vienu ypu būčiau suskaičius ir pamiršus apie kitus dienos darbus :D Deja, gyvenimėlis ne toks lengvas, tačiau knyga lengva IR neparastai įdomi. Va tokios emocijos, paprastai, bet įdomiai apkalbant svarbias temas, nepagailint dramos, tačiau tokios svaresnės, ne lėkštos, ir tikiuosi iš vasariškų skaitinių. Tiesa, pabaigos gal stipresnės norėjosi, bet kai tiek malonumo patyriau link jos keliaudama - bala nematė. Labai labai rekomenduoju visiems, kad patiko Evelina Hugo ar šiaip Taylor Jenkins Reid knygos.
Taip, knygos ašis - Betės ir Kitės draugystė, bet ooooi, kokie dalykai aplink ją sukosi ir kokių tik išbandymų čia nebuvo. Nuo nelaimingų meilių, iki karo, nuo moterų teisių iki Holivudo šlovės ir pavojų. Nuo didžiulės paslapties iki antros siužeto linijos, kur Betės Kei dukros ją aiškinasi, nustebdamos, kad praeityje garsi aktorė jų mamos gyvenime vaidino tokį svarbų vaidmenį
Knygoje buvo visos reikiamos detalės, kad ji prikaustytų ir nesinorėtų padėt. Jei būčiau turėjus galimybę, vienu ypu būčiau suskaičius ir pamiršus apie kitus dienos darbus :D Deja, gyvenimėlis ne toks lengvas, tačiau knyga lengva IR neparastai įdomi. Va tokios emocijos, paprastai, bet įdomiai apkalbant svarbias temas, nepagailint dramos, tačiau tokios svaresnės, ne lėkštos, ir tikiuosi iš vasariškų skaitinių. Tiesa, pabaigos gal stipresnės norėjosi, bet kai tiek malonumo patyriau link jos keliaudama - bala nematė. Labai labai rekomenduoju visiems, kad patiko Evelina Hugo ar šiaip Taylor Jenkins Reid knygos.
July 16, 2025
The Sunshine Girls is about two young women who become best friends in nursing school in the 1960s, despite their many differences. BettyKay left her family’s farm in rural Iowa to attend nursing school with a desire to help people. Kitty makes it known she’s saving for a one-way trip to California, to pursue her dreams in Hollywood.
Both BettyKay and Kitty face challenges in school, in pursuit of their ambitions, with their families, and in relationships. They remain close for several years, until they don’t.
Years later in 2019, two sisters are shocked to see Kitty arrive at their mother’s funeral — Why is she there? How did their mother know Kitty? What is going on?
The Sunshine Girls shifts between the present and past, and I enjoyed both timelines. The female friendship and sibling bonds were both strong here. I felt for all the challenges BettyKay and Kitty faced being women in the 1960s-70s and this story is another great reminder that “mom” is just one identity/description of the women moms are.
Both BettyKay and Kitty face challenges in school, in pursuit of their ambitions, with their families, and in relationships. They remain close for several years, until they don’t.
Years later in 2019, two sisters are shocked to see Kitty arrive at their mother’s funeral — Why is she there? How did their mother know Kitty? What is going on?
The Sunshine Girls shifts between the present and past, and I enjoyed both timelines. The female friendship and sibling bonds were both strong here. I felt for all the challenges BettyKay and Kitty faced being women in the 1960s-70s and this story is another great reminder that “mom” is just one identity/description of the women moms are.
October 28, 2022
This felt like Evelyn Hugo meets Beaches. Loved this book!
May 15, 2024
4/5
Viena tų „omg, mūsų motina turėjo paslapčių :O“ tipo istorijų, tikrai ne veltui ir tikrai ne tuščiai ir be reikalo sulyginta su Evelina Hugo. Nes čia sudedamosios dalys labai panašios – yra senstelėjusi Holivudo žvaigždė, yra istorija, kurią ji pasakoja, yra prisiminimai, kur ir smurtas, ir narkotikai, ir visokie moterų išbandymai praeityje, bet viskas papasakota lengvai, švelniai feministiškai (tikrai labai labai švelniai, bet vis tiek malonu), užuomina į LGBTQ, bet labai nedidukė ir nelabai reikšminga, nu ir aišku, tos paslaptys, oi tos paslaptys. Man šiaip labiausiai patiko ne šiuolaikinė istorija, kur dvi seserys laidoja motiną ir jos laidotuvėse pasirodo super mega diva, nu ta tokia glamūrinė old Hollywood ikona, o ta praeities, kurioje ir slaugių mokykla, ir bandymas užsitikrinti vietą po saule, ir visokie liūdni, bet įtikėtini išbandymai, ir pirmosios meilės, ir Vietnamo karas.
Tekstas įtraukiantis ir įdomus, knyga ne per ilga, geras Astos Buckiūnaitės vertimas, gyvas ir džiuginantis, nu ir viena tų istorijų, kur tikrai nebūtinai amžinai prisiminsit, bet ir ką nors naujo sužinosit, ir įtrauks, ir turbūt net nesunervins. Sudėliota teisingai, tvarkingai ir tiesiog įtraukiančiai, o ir ta moterų draugystės istorija, svarbesnė nei bet kokios romantinės linijos, man visuomet graži, džiuginanti ir įkvepianti. Todėl rekomenduoju – lengva, bet nedurna.
Viena tų „omg, mūsų motina turėjo paslapčių :O“ tipo istorijų, tikrai ne veltui ir tikrai ne tuščiai ir be reikalo sulyginta su Evelina Hugo. Nes čia sudedamosios dalys labai panašios – yra senstelėjusi Holivudo žvaigždė, yra istorija, kurią ji pasakoja, yra prisiminimai, kur ir smurtas, ir narkotikai, ir visokie moterų išbandymai praeityje, bet viskas papasakota lengvai, švelniai feministiškai (tikrai labai labai švelniai, bet vis tiek malonu), užuomina į LGBTQ, bet labai nedidukė ir nelabai reikšminga, nu ir aišku, tos paslaptys, oi tos paslaptys. Man šiaip labiausiai patiko ne šiuolaikinė istorija, kur dvi seserys laidoja motiną ir jos laidotuvėse pasirodo super mega diva, nu ta tokia glamūrinė old Hollywood ikona, o ta praeities, kurioje ir slaugių mokykla, ir bandymas užsitikrinti vietą po saule, ir visokie liūdni, bet įtikėtini išbandymai, ir pirmosios meilės, ir Vietnamo karas.
Tekstas įtraukiantis ir įdomus, knyga ne per ilga, geras Astos Buckiūnaitės vertimas, gyvas ir džiuginantis, nu ir viena tų istorijų, kur tikrai nebūtinai amžinai prisiminsit, bet ir ką nors naujo sužinosit, ir įtrauks, ir turbūt net nesunervins. Sudėliota teisingai, tvarkingai ir tiesiog įtraukiančiai, o ir ta moterų draugystės istorija, svarbesnė nei bet kokios romantinės linijos, man visuomet graži, džiuginanti ir įkvepianti. Todėl rekomenduoju – lengva, bet nedurna.
July 26, 2024
Slaugos mokykloje besimokančios Betė Kei ir Kitė iš pirmo žvilgsnio turi mažai ką bendra. Betė paliko savo buvusį gyvenimą ir net nesulaukusi šeimos pritarimo išvyko mokytis bei siekti savo svajonės.
Šios dvi merginos išgyvena be galo daug. Ir vienas priimtas sprendimas, pakeičia jų abiejų gyvenimą... Praėjus kiek daugiau nei trisdešimčiai metų dvi seserys supranta, jog visiškai nepažinojo savo motinos. Jos laidotuvėse pasirodo viena garsi kino žvaigždė..
Tikrai įtraukė mane visa ši istorija su savomis paslaptimis, draugystėmis ir meilėmis.
Ši knyga puikiai atskleidė tą tikrą, moteriškos draugystės kainą. Sužavėjo mane Betė. Tikrai puiki moteris bei atsidavusi slaugytoja, kuriai teko nueiti nelengvą kelią siekiant savo tikslo, bet ji nepasidavė.
Nors šioje knygoje paslapčių tikrai buvo, bet ne jos man padarė didžiausią įspūdį, o moterų bendrystė. Šioje knygoje ji buvo viską jungianti gija.
Ši istorija nėra iš tokių, kuri būtų buvusi labai įsimintina, tačiau tikrai puikiai tinkama skaityti atostogų metų, ar tiesiog norint atsipalaiduoti. Įtraukianti bei jautri 💫
Šios dvi merginos išgyvena be galo daug. Ir vienas priimtas sprendimas, pakeičia jų abiejų gyvenimą... Praėjus kiek daugiau nei trisdešimčiai metų dvi seserys supranta, jog visiškai nepažinojo savo motinos. Jos laidotuvėse pasirodo viena garsi kino žvaigždė..
Tikrai įtraukė mane visa ši istorija su savomis paslaptimis, draugystėmis ir meilėmis.
Ši knyga puikiai atskleidė tą tikrą, moteriškos draugystės kainą. Sužavėjo mane Betė. Tikrai puiki moteris bei atsidavusi slaugytoja, kuriai teko nueiti nelengvą kelią siekiant savo tikslo, bet ji nepasidavė.
Nors šioje knygoje paslapčių tikrai buvo, bet ne jos man padarė didžiausią įspūdį, o moterų bendrystė. Šioje knygoje ji buvo viską jungianti gija.
Ši istorija nėra iš tokių, kuri būtų buvusi labai įsimintina, tačiau tikrai puikiai tinkama skaityti atostogų metų, ar tiesiog norint atsipalaiduoti. Įtraukianti bei jautri 💫
July 24, 2024
Labai patiko! Is pradziu maniau, kad gal be reikalo paemiau iskart po Kristin Hannah "Moterys", nes laikotarpis panasus (Vietnamo karas) ir tema ta pati - moteru draugyste, bet labai dziaugiuosi perskaiciusi. Nors "paslaptis" paaiskejo gana anksti, taciau mane vis trauke grizti prie sios knygos, kol nepasiekiau paskutinio puslapio.
Read
April 7, 2022Hey everyone - Netgalley has the exclusive cover reveal of my December book - THE SUNSHINE GIRLS. I could not be more thrilled with this cover. It's modern and retro all at the same time! Check it out and come tell me what you think!
https://bookish.netgalley.com/exclusi...
It's also available on Netgalley to request for review: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
https://bookish.netgalley.com/exclusi...
It's also available on Netgalley to request for review: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
August 16, 2023
The Sunshine Girls is about three women who all take different paths in life, and fifty years later one of them dies & secrets come to life.
January 28, 2023
Every now and then I pick up a Historical fiction book for a much needed change. It seems like the ones I usually pick up revolve around WW2, and this one was actually difficult. Taking place through the 60s, and the current time, 2019. I really loved this story.
It starts in Iowa, where two estranged sisters, Clara and Abbie are burying their mother, BettyKay. They're at the funeral, when the gorgeous Hollywood celebrity Kitty shows up and goes up to the casket and is crying. They both wonder how Kitty could possibly know their mother. They have Kitty over to the house and Kitty starts telling them the story about how she met their mom while in nursing school with her in the 60s. They formed an unbreakable friendship from that point. We get the POV of these 4 women throughout the two timelines. Kitty and BettyKay in the 60s, and the two sisters Clara and Abbie in 2019. I loved hearing the story of BettyKay and the secrets that Kitty reveals to the girls. This is part of their mother that they never knew.
This was such a special story about strong women, the bonds of friendship and family and the things you may not know about your loved ones' pasts. It definitely was so enjoyable and entertaining and left me happy at the end. This is a great historical fiction book. I'll have to check out more by this author.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. Out now!
It starts in Iowa, where two estranged sisters, Clara and Abbie are burying their mother, BettyKay. They're at the funeral, when the gorgeous Hollywood celebrity Kitty shows up and goes up to the casket and is crying. They both wonder how Kitty could possibly know their mother. They have Kitty over to the house and Kitty starts telling them the story about how she met their mom while in nursing school with her in the 60s. They formed an unbreakable friendship from that point. We get the POV of these 4 women throughout the two timelines. Kitty and BettyKay in the 60s, and the two sisters Clara and Abbie in 2019. I loved hearing the story of BettyKay and the secrets that Kitty reveals to the girls. This is part of their mother that they never knew.
This was such a special story about strong women, the bonds of friendship and family and the things you may not know about your loved ones' pasts. It definitely was so enjoyable and entertaining and left me happy at the end. This is a great historical fiction book. I'll have to check out more by this author.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. Out now!
November 29, 2022
Will the real BettyKay stand up? Well as the book starts of course she can't. It begins with her funeral, her two daughters at odds with each other and unbeknown to each on a bit of a precipice in their own lives. And to add drama to the situation, a famous movie star walks into the situation.
We are taken back to the 1960's where Kitty, BettyKay and Jenny meet up as they begin nursing training. It is the beginning of a long ranging friendship, true friendship where they support each other through all kinds of challenges and hardships. At times they fall out and take time - sometimes a long time before the relationship is repaired. The main focus is on Kitty and BettyKay, but I loved the hardworking Jenny and her love and support that she gave as well. As a black woman of that time she faced many challenges but was courageous and made great choices.
The story ranges from a small town to Hollywood and then Vietnam and back again. Slowly Abbie and Clara piece together things they never knew about their mother and to a much less degree their much loved father. The secrets abound, and as they are revealed walls break down around all of the living characters.
This is a book to get immersed in, to feel for the characters and love the friendship of three women and the promise for two daughters, who finally facing the truth, will have new life and new hope.
We are taken back to the 1960's where Kitty, BettyKay and Jenny meet up as they begin nursing training. It is the beginning of a long ranging friendship, true friendship where they support each other through all kinds of challenges and hardships. At times they fall out and take time - sometimes a long time before the relationship is repaired. The main focus is on Kitty and BettyKay, but I loved the hardworking Jenny and her love and support that she gave as well. As a black woman of that time she faced many challenges but was courageous and made great choices.
The story ranges from a small town to Hollywood and then Vietnam and back again. Slowly Abbie and Clara piece together things they never knew about their mother and to a much less degree their much loved father. The secrets abound, and as they are revealed walls break down around all of the living characters.
This is a book to get immersed in, to feel for the characters and love the friendship of three women and the promise for two daughters, who finally facing the truth, will have new life and new hope.
November 21, 2023
Lively, effervescent characters. A very bubbly mood.
Then our leading lady of her own accord offers her virginity to her boyfriend before he leaves for the Vietnam War. Of course, BettyKay gets pregnant and the boyfriend is killed in action (everyone saw both of those coming). At 8 weeks pregnant (also an obvious plot point), and her nursing school at risk, Kitty decides to get an abortion (of course 🙄). Apparently living up to her own decisions is not possible for this selfish girl.
Exiting at 34%. 🪂
Then our leading lady of her own accord offers her virginity to her boyfriend before he leaves for the Vietnam War. Of course, BettyKay gets pregnant and the boyfriend is killed in action (everyone saw both of those coming). At 8 weeks pregnant (also an obvious plot point), and her nursing school at risk, Kitty decides to get an abortion (of course 🙄). Apparently living up to her own decisions is not possible for this selfish girl.
Exiting at 34%. 🪂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2023
I loved this book! There’s the family we’re born into, and then sometimes, there’s the family we discover in life. This is the story of women who forge the bond of sisterhood. Through the ups and downs of romances, children, career… they are there till the end, and beyond.
April 6, 2023
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. The concept of two girls who are polar opposites and meet in school and go on to have a wildly exciting lifelong friendship was right up my alley. Unfortunately the book just didn’t live up to my expectations.
I enjoyed the “then” parts of the book more than the “now” parts. I just wasn’t interested in the modern tie-in and I think the story would have been much stronger if it had just followed Kitty and Betty Kay in a linear fashion, all from Betty Kay’s perspective. My disinterest in the modern bits was similar to what I felt reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which did the same thing and yet still did it better. I’d say the plot suffered most from the constant jumping back and forth, and the multitude of perspectives kept any of the characters from fully rounding out.
In the end I felt that I had just read a book. Not a good book, not a bad book, just a book. That’s a disappointing conclusion for a story I was excited to jump into.
I enjoyed the “then” parts of the book more than the “now” parts. I just wasn’t interested in the modern tie-in and I think the story would have been much stronger if it had just followed Kitty and Betty Kay in a linear fashion, all from Betty Kay’s perspective. My disinterest in the modern bits was similar to what I felt reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which did the same thing and yet still did it better. I’d say the plot suffered most from the constant jumping back and forth, and the multitude of perspectives kept any of the characters from fully rounding out.
In the end I felt that I had just read a book. Not a good book, not a bad book, just a book. That’s a disappointing conclusion for a story I was excited to jump into.
December 20, 2024
Iš viršelio atrodė, kad bus tokia naivi, linksma, lengva istorija apie merginos. Bet pradėjus skaityti nuomonė su kiekvienu puslapiu keitėsi. Buvo net labai jautri, gili, istorija per du laikotarpius, paliesta karo tema, skaudūs įvykiai, patirtys... Trys draugės Bete Kei, Kitė ir Dženė, dvi sesės Abė ir Klara. Kaip per vieną dieną viskas ima, ir apsiverčia aukštyn kojomis imant klaidžioti istorijos vingiais kaip visos jos susijusios ir ieškant tiesos, kas nutiko...
July 4, 2024
Romanas apie moterišką draugystę, kuri atlaiko visus smūgius ir tik stiprėja. 💗
Patiko 🤗
Patiko 🤗
December 19, 2022
In 2019, estranged sisters Clara and Abbie Beecher mourn the passing of their mother BettyKay in their hometown of Greensboro, Iowa. When movie star Kitty Devereaux arrives at the funeral, everyone is shocked, including the two sisters. How could they not have known that this famous woman was their mother's best friend? As the story shifts back to 1967 and the years that follow, an incredible friendship comes to light. BettyKay and Kitty met in nursing school and provided one another with a lifetime of love and support. But why was the friendship a secret to BettyKay's daughters? From the glamour of Hollywood to the battlefields of Vietnam, the bonds of friendship endured. Will the uncovering of family secrets through reading their mother's diary pages and hearing Kitty's stories help Clara and Abbie deal with their own struggles or drive the sisters further apart?
The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader is a wonderful combination of historical and contemporary fiction. It's a touching, emotional book about sisterhood, friendship, motherhood, love, second chances and redemption. The author, who is a very talented storyteller, did a great job describing the historical period of the late 1960s. The back-and-forth exchange between the two women of five ugly pink buttons added humor and sweetness to this appealing story. I highly recommend checking this book out.
Many thanks to Molly Fader for sending me a copy of the book in advance of its publication.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader is a wonderful combination of historical and contemporary fiction. It's a touching, emotional book about sisterhood, friendship, motherhood, love, second chances and redemption. The author, who is a very talented storyteller, did a great job describing the historical period of the late 1960s. The back-and-forth exchange between the two women of five ugly pink buttons added humor and sweetness to this appealing story. I highly recommend checking this book out.
Many thanks to Molly Fader for sending me a copy of the book in advance of its publication.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
July 21, 2023
I finished this bc of a book club books but I really did not want to finish it. I didn’t care for it, at all. A lot of adult content, drugs, sex, some language, abortion, and other content warnings. I wasn’t “in” to the story or the characters.
January 22, 2024
4.5 stars
Enduring friendships, dual timelines from the sixties and present day, secrets, mother/daughter relationships, the humanity it takes to be a nurse-- a lot to love within these pages.
Enduring friendships, dual timelines from the sixties and present day, secrets, mother/daughter relationships, the humanity it takes to be a nurse-- a lot to love within these pages.
December 6, 2022
This was my first novel by this author, and I look forward to more. I was captivated with the characters. A story of an unlikely friendship. I always enjoy a dual time line as I appreciate hearing about the past and how it affects our future.
Today-Two estranged sisters Clara and Abbie are at their mothers funeral when a famous movie star shows up. Why would this women show up at their mother’s funeral. They had not heard of her connection with their mom. This story-line had me hooked right away.
1967-At a nursing school in Iowa, two ladies BettyKay and Kitty meet and come from very different backgrounds. Kitty relies on looks to get through life and BettyKay went to nursing school against her parents approval. Her dream was to be a doctor, but during those times, it was not accepted. Set during Vietnam era, with family secrets and a little Hollywood glamor, this novel drew me in.
Author Fader captured the expectations of women in the 60’s during the War. I highly recommend this novel. I think it would be great Book Club pick or a movie.
Today-Two estranged sisters Clara and Abbie are at their mothers funeral when a famous movie star shows up. Why would this women show up at their mother’s funeral. They had not heard of her connection with their mom. This story-line had me hooked right away.
1967-At a nursing school in Iowa, two ladies BettyKay and Kitty meet and come from very different backgrounds. Kitty relies on looks to get through life and BettyKay went to nursing school against her parents approval. Her dream was to be a doctor, but during those times, it was not accepted. Set during Vietnam era, with family secrets and a little Hollywood glamor, this novel drew me in.
Author Fader captured the expectations of women in the 60’s during the War. I highly recommend this novel. I think it would be great Book Club pick or a movie.
December 15, 2022
The Sunshine Girls is a story about an unlikely friendship and the lengths one would go for a friend. It mixes Hollywood glamour, family secrets, suspense and romance in a way that keeps you turning the pages. Literally by the end I could not put it down!! Told in a dual timeline and alternating perspectives format, Fader did a great job at weaving the past (1970s) and the present as well capturing the ups and downs of life during the Vietnam war. I listened to the audiobook and LOVED it. Andi Arndt is one of my favorite narrators and while I typically listen to her narrate more steamy romances, she did such an amazing job with this genre! All the characters had very distinct voices and personalities that set them apart, and I truly felt all emotions.
Read if you like:
-Vietnam era
-Family secrets
-Estranged sisters
-Mother/daughter stories
-Diane Chamberlain books
Thank you HTP for the advanced copy. Out now!
Read if you like:
-Vietnam era
-Family secrets
-Estranged sisters
-Mother/daughter stories
-Diane Chamberlain books
Thank you HTP for the advanced copy. Out now!
December 30, 2022
I was drawn to this book by the description and hoped to learn more about nursing school in the 1960's, a period I lived through. Though I am impressed that the author wrote this based on some true stories, in the end I found it disappointing in both depth and description. I simply wanted more and a lot of the story simply seemed too improbable to me. Your milage may differ.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
June 18, 2024
The perfect book to pick up after I was left wanting more after reading “The Women” by Kristin Hannah!!!
I think the 60s and 70s were such an interesting time in US history. There was such a delicate cross between what Americans “were raised” to be/think and how they actually ended up processing their outlooks on life.
The book highlights the importance of female relationships and emphasizes the power that lays within a friendship built on opposing traits instead of commonality. Love that troupe, lol!!
I think the 60s and 70s were such an interesting time in US history. There was such a delicate cross between what Americans “were raised” to be/think and how they actually ended up processing their outlooks on life.
The book highlights the importance of female relationships and emphasizes the power that lays within a friendship built on opposing traits instead of commonality. Love that troupe, lol!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,152 reviews