Indiana and Minnesota – 1908, 1934

1908 - June and Ruth are two sisters who have had a difficult childhood. They have a loving father who works hard, but a distant, seemingly unconcerned mother, Dorothy, who drifts through their lives. June is the pretty one, at least as far as Ruth is concerned. To Ruth, June has their mother’s love, the long blonde hair, curves, and attention from everyone. Ruth resents her, but loves her all the same, and June tries her best to let Ruth know that she is loved. It’s difficult to get past Ruth’s negative outlook on life.

1934 - Ruth has spent the last eight years struggling to keep her family and their farm running. Her husband, John, contracted encephalitis lethargica, a disease sweeping the country that literally keeps a person in a semi-coma, barely able to communicate. Ruth has hired a young man to help out, offering him only room and board, but in these days of the Great Depression, Nick is grateful for the job. Dorothy, Ruth’s mother, has moved in to help with John and Ruth’s four daughters. Dorothy worries about Ruth’s friendship with Nick.

June is married to Richard, who is a physician, and they live in Minnesota. Despite living a comfortable lifestyle, June works for Betty Crocker as one of the female consultants. Her husband teases her and calls her Betty, but June seriously wants to be productive since she has been unable to get pregnant. She is well aware that Ruth is struggling, and she sends money to help the family. June is also well aware how jealous Ruth is of her.

Dorothy spends her free time talking to John, who never acknowledges her as he sleeps on. She reveals her dark secrets that she has only ever told her late husband, and certainly cannot let her daughters know.

THE SISTERS OF SUMMIT AVENUE is a depression era story of a family whose members love one another, but jealousy, envy, sad secrets, and withheld emotions cause the three women to distance themselves from each other. Dorothy’s secrets, June’s need for love, and Ruth’s lifelong resentment come to a head at a family reunion.

This is quite an emotional tale, and while Dorothy’s treatment of Ruth as a child explains a lot, it’s difficult to warm to Ruth. Once all of the truth is revealed, will the three finally understand each other? THE SISTERS OF SUMMIT AVENUE is lovingly written and the characters are memorable.

The Great Depression is the background for this "tale of woe" and what a tale it is. Two sisters, estranged from one another. Both are married, with one sister who is going through the "horrors" of the Depression and raising 4 daughters practically on her own, while the other sister is married to a wealthy doctor and has everything. Yet, not everything, she has no children and her sister is married to the man she loves. I suppose this story could be told at any time, but this particular setting made it even more "miserable" as we read on and go down the paths these characters took. I finished it, but I was not a fan.

I read this in one afternoon and liked how the author described the fragile mother/daughters/sisters relationships. She also portrayed well farm life in the 1930s as well as the Betty Crocker kitchens. The ending, however, seemed a bit contrived. Overall, an interesting read.

4.5 Stars!!!

I devoured this novel in one day! The Sisters of Summit Avenue centers around the complicated and intricate bond of sisters June and Ruth, and their mother, Dorothy. Primary set in the 1930’s, I felt Lynn Cullen gives a very realistic and descriptive viewpoint from that time period. I found the characters very endearing —so much honestly in getting to the heart of the (their) matter that really had all of the characters tugging on my heartstrings. I haven’t read Lynn Cullen before, but I really connected with her writing style! I am thoroughly excited to dive into her previous novels!

I expected to like this book, but somehow I found something lacking and I simply couldn’t get involved.

This is the story of two sisters and their mother, and the secrets that exist between them. I think I found it hard to relate to the concept of the city sister and the farm sister. I just never got involved with any of them.

I did love the background of the Betty Crocker kitchen and her multiple portrayer.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I was not a fan this book. I didn't find any of the characters very likable. It is a story of a mother and her daughters and the secrets they keep.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel.

I enjoyed this book. It was an emotional read. Two sisters living different lives are brought together by their mom who has her own secret
My first read by this author and definitely not my last

The Sisters of Summit Avenue is an enchanting story of the relationships between mothers, daughters and sisters. I loved this book and would love to see a sequel!!!

I really wanted to like this, but I couldn't get into it, mainly because I didn't like any of the characters. They all seemed judgmental and pretty miserable.

Some parts of the story just didn't add up smoothly. The ending was very rushed too.

Apologies to Cullen! The plot idea was a good one.