Member Reviews
Ronni Sunshine was an actress who left her life in London to live her Hollywood dreams. While her public person displayed her as glamourous and successful, her private role as mother was where she disappointed; as her lack of interest in her three daughters and constant focus on her own life drove a wedge between them.
Nell, the oldest, left as soon as she was able to work on a farm. She was a young, single mother who wanted to make it on her own and to be the best mother to her son, River. Meredith, the middle daughter, was constantly taunted by Ronni for being overweight and not quite pretty enough; causing Meredith to have low-self esteem. As an adult, she jumped at the chance for attention from an attractive and successful man, though her heart really wasn't in it. Lizzy, the youngest, and the favorite (for her similarity to Ronni), used her drive and ambition to be a famous chef. On her journey to the top, like her mother, Lizzy left her family behind and her marriage crumbled.
A phone call has summoned the Sunshine sisters home to find out that Ronni has a terminal disease and wishes for her daughters to be present and fulfill her final wishes to choose to pass on her terms. This news brings the sisters who drifted apart as adults back together as they face the loss of their mother.
4 out of 5 stars.
Not applicable not applicable not applicable not applicable not applicable not applicable not applicable
A story that delves into the lives of a mother and her three daughters as she navigates balancing her work, family, and personal desires.
Sometimes life doesn't give us the path we'd hoped for, when you reflect back you can only hope you accomplished what you set out to do and raised a family that will be strong long after you're gone.
For the Sunshine sisters, can time heal all wounds?
While this book took a little while for me to get into, I'm sure there are Jane Green fans who will find this a fast read.
The Sunshine Sisters is an endearing story of regret, love, hate, reconnection and loss. Even though I do not agree with all the decisions made by all the sisters or mother, the book gives you topics to contemplate and is an entertaining read.
Estranged sisters, a self absorbed mother, and a pending death are all happening to the Sunshine Family.
I almost felt like this was 4 separate stories that intertwined a little bit. It wasn’t until close to the end that the stories truly merged. Each of the daughters was dealing with how their mother treated them while they were growing up. They seemed unable to move past their history in their adult lives. I was unable to connect with any of the daughters although I did feel sorry for how they were treated by a person who should have nurtured and loved them.
I probably shouldn’t have but I felt bad for the mother. She was dying and was trying to make amends for how she raised her daughters. She was reliving her past in just a few short days and knew her time was being cut short without being able to be a true and good mother to her daughters. I liked that she took the blame on herself and knew that she owed it to her daughters to try to “fix” them.
The Sunshine Sisters was an okay read. I enjoyed it and was invested in finding out if the daughters were able to move on with their lives.
While I didn't find any of the characters to be very likable, I still became attached to them and wanted to see how their stories ended. This a great, light beach read perfect for summer.
I love anything by Jane Green and this one was another favorite. Her writing is just so warm and relatable and I enjoyed the characters and the dynamic between the sisters and mother.
I recommend this book on my blog Modern Mrs Darcy, in a post called "17 books everyone will be talking about this summer"
At first, I didn't think I would like this book, but I did. What an interesting story of dysfunctional daughters and a narassistc cruel mother! The book takes you through each girl's life and how being raised by a horrible celebrity mother affects them. Not all of the main and side characters are likable especially the mother but they are engaging. Not a fluffy cute book (despite the cover) but one I would recommend. 4.5 stars!
I usually love Jane Green books. This was not a favorite. I really didn't care for the charters very much. I will continue to try Jane Green books. Maybe this just wasn't my type of book.
A wonderful Beach read! I loved the dynamic between the sisters. Funny, and poignant. Anyone with sisters will enjoy this book! Another wonderful read by Jane Green.
I can honestly say that I love Jane Green. Her books are amazing. With this one, I wasn't able to really get into the characters as much as I was hoping to. I finished it but it wasn't my type of book this time around.
I really enjoyed this once I got into it. It's the story of a highly self-absorbed actress and how that affects her 3 daughters. It's quite engaging once the daughters get past childhood. I also really like this author's books so I stuck with it despite the slow start. I'm glad that I did. If you like books in this genre, definitely give it a go.
One of my favorite Jane Green reads. Her best in years!
A story about a very dysfunctional family all spread out in the world. They gather once again as their mother is dying and learn how to come together for their mothers dying wish. Heartfelt story about family and sisters.
I loved this book! I didn't particularly like any of the characters at the beginning but soon grew to love each of them, flaws and all!
This is one of my favorite story lines. Three sisters being called back home by their mother to try and mend fences. Roni Sunshine contacts her three daughters to come home. She feels responsible that they aren't close to each other. Nell runs a vegetable farm and sells to some of the best name restaurants in the area. Lizzy is a star on tv with her shows on cooking and planning parties and events. Sister Meredith is an accountant and engaged to a man she doesn't love. Wonderful interaction between the girls and between the mother and each of the sisters. Jane Green is a remarkable author and I enjoy her take on life.
Unfortunately, I abandoned this book halfway through (my general rule of thumb). I really tried to get into the story, but something about the characters just didn't grab me. I couldn't relate to them. Not enough plot movement had happened halfway through for me to stick around.
This combination beach read and heartfelt family story allows the reader to meet Ronni Sunshine and her daughters early on, and watch them grow up and apart. The way Green weaves their story together is engaging, and her characters are well rounded and real.
This is my favorite book I read all summer. It's got everything but my 2 favorite things are the beautiful beach setting and the complicated but loving family relationships. As always, Jane Green covers topics that are in-depth and emotional but presents the story in a very compassionate manner.