Member Reviews
This read more like a family drama than a thriller. It would be a good place to start for anyone who is new to the thriller genre.
Sister Dear was one unnerving read and one I happily recommend to readers of suspense and psychological thrillers.
Eleanor Hardwick is a hard character to spend time with. When her dad dies and she discovers that he wasn't really her father, her life slowly begins to unravel. She's been treated poorly by her mother and sister, so when she tries to ingratiate into the life of her newly exposed half-sister, I found myself almost rooting for her. She's very alone and oddly sympathetic but she's making decisions that are questionable. But she deserved the breaks that were coming her way; the much-needed work, the advancement of a romantic relationship, but Eleanor is so very out of line too and when the truth is exposed, her undoing is inevitable.
McKinnon delivers a story with a positively clever plot, with a twist that will leave you rocking. It left me anxious and hoping that we get another book so that vindication may take place. 4.5 stars and recommendation.
This was such a quick, pulled me in, type read. I was in Eleanor’s corner all along, my heart breaking as she lost her father, and the brutal realities of learning the secrets that had been kept from her. Her obsession changed, softened, we learn she really craves family. This book gripped me and then spun me around and shocked me! This is the first book I’ve read of Ms. McKinnon’s and I can’t wait to read more. I hope you’ll be adding this to your TBR list and share your thoughts with me soon.
Sister dear was a good mystery thriller. I’m sure if you go on goodreads or even here and read other reviews, you will find some people who will agree.
I couldn’t put down my phone, while reading this book. I think finishing this book was all I could think about. If you never read any of Hannah’s books before then I would start with sister dear.
I was invited on the blog tour for sister dear by Mira Books, so thank you and thank you Netgalley for providing me a copy.
Wow a chilling thriller a character so evil a true page turner.This is a book so tense kept me reading late into the night,Twist turns that kept me guessing till the last page #netgalley#harlequinboojs
Wow and shock factor!
Eleanor has just lost her dad, the only person that cared about her in the entire world. To make matters worse, she has just found out that he wasn’t her biological father and she is the product of an affair and everyone knew but her!
Eleanor is distraught over losing her dad but hopes that reuniting with her biological father will help with some of that loss. When that doesn’t go well, she sets her sights on her perfect half sister. Victoria is married with the perfect husband, friends, home and job. Eleanor can’t help but wonder if she could have had all that, if she had known her extremely wealthy father from the start
Eleanor devises a plan to get close to Victoria. She wants to know the sister that was born only a few months after her. She plans to infiltrate her life and find out everything she can about her. She wants everything that Victoria has and is.
So many shock factors and moments where I was sure things were going to be revealed but then it went in another direction. Great book!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Well, Hannah Mary McKinnon has gone and blown my mind! Everyone said this one was good and they were not kidding! This was a five star read for me that I could not put down. The twists at the end were truly epic and I feel like there isn't much I can say without giving it away. Just know that the ending is gasp out loud shocking and absolutely diabolical!
The main character, Eleanor, was the narrator and reading things from her perspective was awesome. I love this kind of narrator in a book. She doesn't have that many redeeming qualities. She is totally flawed, a little bit sneaky and my God does she make some ridiculous decisions in this story! But somehow, I liked her! At times, was even rooting for her. So well done!
Like I mentioned previously, the twists in this story were also so well done. I read a lot of thrillers and I love ones where I cannot guess the ending. I came up with so many theories in my mind for this one and not one of them was right!
This one is out now and if you havn't already read it, find a way to get yourself a copy. Book lovers everywhere, but thriller lovers especially, this is one you do not want to miss! Hannah Mary McKinnon, I am a huge fan and I cannot wait to see what you come out with next!
This was a fantastic domestic thriller and one that kept you on the edge of your seat! This was a cleverly evil domestic thriller that reminds you to be careful what you wish for. When Eleanor discovers she has a half-sister, all she wants is to become a part of her life and get to know her. Unfortunately, she got way closer than she ever could hope for!
Sister Dear by Hannah Mary is a thriller novel that will take readers on a rather twisted journey. This novel is one that gives readers a glimpse of what is happening to the main character at the current moment but then goes backwards in time to lead readers up to the point we have a glimpse of in the beginning.
Eleanor Hardwicke was always daddy’s little girl and really still is now that she’s an adult. However, Eleanor is about to live her worst nightmare when her father passes after fighting a long illness. As Eleanor comes to visit him in the hospice though she overhears her parents talking and learns that her father wasn’t really her biological father after all.
After her father does pass Eleanor learns of the identity of her biological father and since she has a strained relationship with her mother and sister she decides to look into meeting her real father. This meeting doesn’t go well however when she learns he wants nothing to do with her but that won’t stop Eleanor from getting close to the half-sister she never knew she had.
Sister Dear by Hannah Mary McKinnon really was a rather engaging and twisty read as it went along. There was always that feeling of who do I trust as you are reading which for me makes the pages turn even faster as I begin to suspect them all. However, the one thing I found was as twisty as the end is I felt it would have had an even greater impact if you weren’t given a glimpse to the outcome in the beginning but overall it was an enjoyable read.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
WOW, just WOW!! This is the best book yet by Hannah Mary McKinnon. It has it all. From the very first word to the dramatic ending you will be immersed into this story of love, loss, family, envy, sadness, danger... Well done Ms McKinnon. Very well done indeed!
This is the story of two sisters. One very privileged and the other very poor. While Eleanor is taking care of her dying father she finds out that he is not her true biological father. But he has always been there for her and she loves him with all her heart. After his death she finds out who her biological dad is and she sets out to meet him. He of course wants nothing to do with her. She then devises a way to get to know her half sister, Victoria. Eleanor’s mother is an awful woman who has never ever been kind to her in any way. Nor has her other sister, Amy. They are two of a kind. Users who only think of themselves. I truly detested Sylvia, Eleanor’s mother. She was such a horrible, terrible human being. She treated Eleanor like she was nothing.
Victoria was born rich. She’s the child Eleanor’s biological father raised. The one he loved. The only one he wanted anything to do with. Victoria has her own company. A rich husband and the kind of life she well deserves. Or does she. Does she really deserve anything? That is a hard one. Getting to know her was all Eleanor wanted. She devised a way to befriend Victoria and they did become the best of friends. Eleanor designed a web sight for Victoria and for Hugh too. Victoria seem to truly like Eleanor. Of course she didn’t know that Eleanor was in fact her half sister.
This book is going to blow you away. I did not see this coming in any way, shape for fashion. I would have not believed it had I not read it for myself. It was so well crafted. Well written. It took my breath away. I love when a story truly gets me. When it comes as a complete shock. This book has an ending that honestly will leave you breathless. In some ways I hope there will be a sequel, but in others I loved the way it ended. It did end by the way. The one time it seems evil may have won. It just may have.
The characters in this story are so well written. So rich and realistic. You will love them and love to hate a few. This is a story of family but family at their worse in many ways. The love of a family sure. The love between a man and woman also. The love of a woman for her half sister. All she wanted was a family that accepted her for who she was.
Thank you #NetGalley, #HannahMaryMcKinnon, #HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada)
MIRA. This is my own review as I see it.
A big fat 5 star read for me and the highest recommendation ever. Best McKinnon book yet!
My first book by Hannah Mary McKinnon, I like her writing style. The characters are very believable, some well liked, others not so much. I can definitely see room for a sequal!
Rated 4 stars
Unfortunately this one just didn't work for me and I couldn't finish it. I wanted to give it an honest try so I read it about 50% through, but then gave up the ghost.
Eleanor just wasn't likable. She was a character that I felt sympathy for in the beginning, but as the story continued on I felt less and less of that for her and more disgust for the way that she was acting. While there are times that this will work for me, this wasn't one of them, likely because this was a first person story and we spend all of the story in her head. And hey, I'm an introvert, but Eleanor took it to the extreme, pushing away anyone who attempted to get close to her.
This book was sad and depressing, and I think that the timing of it was off for me. It just didn't work for me and I couldn't force myself to read any more.
I was so excited to read this book, however; it unfortunately didn't live up to the hype for me. I felt this story moved very slowly and it didn't feel like a thriller until the final few chapters. It was an interesting read and I did enjoy it, it just wasn't what I was expecting. I was very surprised by the ending but there was one part I felt was a little glossed over. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into the details here. I would recommend this book to others but would want them to know that it's not a non-stop thriller.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this book sounded so promising. When you compare something to You by Caroline Kepenes, I am instantly intrigued. However, this book just didn't live up.
Sister Dear is labeled a thriller, but to me it reads like chick lit until about 90%. I found it to be super slow. While I didn't hate the characters, I just wanted some action. I do not like chick lit at all, so unfortunately I just wasn't into this novel. The last 10% was action packed and pretty surprising. It just wasn't enough to make me like the first 90%.
Thank you to Netgalley and MIRA for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.
Sister Dear is an incredible mind twisting psychological thriller.
The story is multi-faceted and well written. The characters are well developed and unpredictable.
I could not put this book down, it was so well done and messed with my mind, the twists and turns kept coming. The end was shocking and draw dropping.
Good twisted fun. I suspected the ending by the time I got to the middle of the book, But I didn’t prevent me from enjoying the ride. I was a bit bothered by all of the constant references to weight. There was some seriously disordered eating and body image stuff for sure. And I couldn’t quite see how it fit the narrative. 3 stars.
4 stars! This was a super good thriller that was full of twists and surprises. Another perfect beach/summer read—and totally relatable! Thank you to MIRA and Netgalley for the ARC.
When Eleanor’s dad dies, she learns that he’s not her real father. Dealing with her grief and the lack of a relationship with her mother and non-related sister, she’s determined to find her real father and finally have a family.
When she meets her real dad, he wants nothing to do with her. But when she finds out he has a daughter similar in age, she’s determined to befriend her. They hit it off and Eleanor keeps the truth a secret until she finds “the right time.” Let me just say—this one builds with surprises until the very last page!
If you are wanting to read a family-drama, mystery thriller, this book could be what you need.
I went into this one thinking it had more of that thriller/suspense vibe, but unfortunately, it came out feeling more of a family/women’s fiction. It was interesting to see her discover the true secrets of her “father.” The family dynamics are definitely far from cozy and was what brought my attention to it.
Like with most books in this genre, the last few chapters was what really drove the whole thing together for me. It did have a few surprising moments and fashioned a slow burn plot.
I ended up giving this one a 3 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy those books that takes you on a journey through domestic secrets, this would be a great one to pick up!
Oh wow! This was an outstanding book. The evilness of one of the main characters was very satisfying, The ending was very good. I will definitely be reading more from this author. Pick this one up if you need a quick read with an interesting plot and good character development.
Wow! Just wow! Psychological suspense at it best! I was hooked from start to finish. It was a great read and I was almost sorry to see it end.. Twists and turns around every corner, be prepared to read well into the night.