Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. While I thought this book was going to be a thriller it fell flat for me. This had a great start that quickly turned unrealistic. While I did not enjoy this book I will definitely try another Hannah McKinnon book!

What a crazy read !! 4.5 for me !!

Sister Dear has a lot of crazy and not so nice characters in the book.

I love to read CRAZY!!

My grandmother always said everyone is crazy but thee and me and even thee is a little bit off! How she would have loved this book.

The question is not who is crazy but who is crazier?

Twists and turns and only saw half the ending coming !!

Sister Dear is an entertaining read that will have you yelling at the book !! Victoria and Eleanor do not disappoint!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harelquin US and Canada , Mira books for a read that has me buying more of Hannah's books.

Sister Dear is a Mystery/Thriller from Hannah Mary McKinnon, and it was my first read from the author. Prior to reading this book, I saw some reviews that said it was more Women’s Fiction than Mystery/Thriller, and I would agree that that’s true for the first 90% of this book. But I do feel like the last ten percent was pretty edge of your seat, jaw-dropping suspenseful and thrilling. But was it as malicious as the blurb led me to believe? I don’t think so; I just enjoyed it nonetheless.
When I started reading this book, the first thing that really drew me in was the Maine setting. I love to read books about where I live. It immediately adds a layer of immersiveness that I don’t have with books that take places I’ve never been. Especially when Eleanor made a comment about the October weather, and how you never know what to wear in Maine because the weather is so fickle. Another thing that struck me right off was how much I liked our protagonist, Eleanor. More often than not, I can’t find a character to like in a Mystery/Thriller, and that’s OK. Oftentimes, I don’t think I’m supposed to for the sake of suspense. If the story on the pages can carry the book despite me not liking any of the characters, I can love it anyway. She was so sad and lonely, and I felt bad for her. That’s when I realized that I wasn’t sure if I liked her so much as pitied her, and it made me want to comfort her. Eleanor was her own worst enemy, though I’m sure she’d disagree and say that her mother and sister were. They were so malicious and cliquey; it was no wonder that when Eleanor found out she had a whole other branch to her family tree that she never knew existed, she wanted to get to know them. Maybe she’d finally be accepted instead of ganged up on.
Eleanor takes it upon herself to insert herself into her sister’s life, and I couldn’t help but like Victoria. She was so kind to everyone around her and was such a nice person. And while all this is going on, Eleanor also starts a relationship with her neighbor, and I’ll be honest, that felt rather out of place for me until the end when things started to come to a head. I won’t spoil anything for you, but I will say that I thought this story was so interesting, especially the relationship between the sisters. Instead of being competitive like she was with the sister she’d grown up with, Eleanor and Victoria were so protective of each other. That’s what makes it so hard for Eleanor to tell Victoria the truth about who she is; now that she’s finally found that closeness, it would be hard to let it go.
While Sister Dear wasn’t as Thrilling as the blurb purported, this book held its own, and was a good read for me. Like other reviewers, I would definitely recommend it to reader’s of Women’s Fiction who are looking for an ending they won’t see coming!

While I wouldn't necessarily call this book a thriller, it's definitely domestic drama or suspense. It was well crafted and full of twists that just kept coming throughout the story. There were some character decisions and situations that were perhaps a little unrealistic, but overall it was an exciting read that I had a hard time putting down. While some things weren't as surprising, the major pot twists were definitely surprises.

The story was well written and as implied, the pace felt fast and went by smoothly without anything that dragged it down. If you're looking for drama and suspense, this is a great one.

*** Blog Tour

Sister Dear by Hannah Mary McKinnon is as much a character study as a thriller. The book begins with a crime, a guilty party, and a loss. The rest of the book is to be the story of how everything gets to this point. Part of the ending I see coming, but the extent of the planning and machinations come as a surprise not only to the characters in the book but also to me. This book is a page turner until the very end.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/06/sister-dear.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and publisher blog tour.

Sister Dear is a twisted psychological thriller tale about a girl who learns her recently deceased father wasn't her biological father. Upon finding out who her real father is and about a sister she didn't know she had. Eleanor finds a way into her life and gets quite caught up in her sister's life. Full of twists and turns, some you can see coming and some came out of nowhere. It was a fun summer thriller for your TBRs!

Favorite Quotes:

Her glacial tone would freeze hell over when she left this world. No way would she go anywhere but south when she did.

Today, all of those choices seemed as appealing as a bowl of hair soup.

Penelope had unearthed my cheekbones with the skill of a veteran archeologist.

I wasn’t just up shit creek without a paddle, I’d fallen out of the boat.

Malcolm looked as if he’d time-traveled from Wall Street circa 1985. Pin-striped suit, slicked-back hair— revealing a widow’s peak Dracula would’ve run through sunlight for— and a chunky monogrammed ring.

…if still waters ran deep, he was the human equivalent of the Mariana Trench.


My Review:


I have been on a lucky streak lately and seem to be discovering a new favorite author every few days. I appear to be as fickle as an eighth-grade girl but it bares shouting that the clever Hannah Mary McKinnon is a wily minx. This twisty thriller kept me taut with tension, nibbling on my cuticles, and feeling on edge due to the mousy main protagonist's out of character behaviors putting her at constant risk of discovery. Eleanor was a binge eater who ate her emotions, something I well understand, and given the treatment she had received from her horrid harridan of a mother, Eleanor had a lot of them to swallow. The storylines were oozing with apprehension, heartbreak, indecision, bad choices, inner conflicts, guilt, resentment, bitterness, indignation, triumphs, empowerment, duplicity, and an awe-inspiring and shocking conclusion that left me addled with the taste of ashes in my mouth while my gaping lips flapped like a goldfish who had jumped the tank– it was outstanding!

This book was really about the relationship between sisters when life doesn’t hand them gifts equally. I found this to have some thriller components but as a whole did not read like a typical thriller. I liked the ending more than the rest of the book. This pacing or plot setup wasn’t my favorite. I would say that it was an okay read. I would try other books by this author.
Thank you to #Netgalley and #HarlequinTradePublishing and #MIRA for the eARC for review.
3/5

Not really a thriller, but it was entertaining. The ending was more thrilling than the entire first and middle parts of this book. This story while predictable was enjoyable and at times unbelievable. Despite minor issues with the book I kept reading to find out what was going to happen. There was something missing in the plot to take this book to the next level. I think there was too much emphasis on the main characters insecurities at times, and not a lot of development of other characters and their motivations. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sister Dear is a wronged daughter’s ultimate revenge tale. After all, what does Eleanor have to lose?

Eleanor’s father lay in a hospice bed dying of cancer. On the last day of his life, she finds out she is not his biological daughter. Unfortunately, there is no one left in Elenor’s family that cares for her. Eleanor’s mother prefers Eleanor’s younger sister, Amy. Eleanor was constantly emotionally abused and belittled by both of them her entire life. Desperate for love, Eleanor reaches out to her real father, who coldly rejects her. He has one adult daughter already and has no desire for another one. Eleanor decides to force herself into her half-sister Victoria’s life, whether Victoria agrees or not.

“It isn’t fair she’s got a perfect life, is it? Don’t you think you deserve all of that too?”

While it takes a while to get to the revenge portion of the book, it is worth the wait. Almost everyone in Eleanor’s life is not whom they seem to be. The twists are relentless in Sister Dear. Just a rollercoaster ride of vengeance. So fun! 4 stars!

Thanks to MIRA, Harlequin, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Hannah Mary McKinnon was inspired to pen Sister Dear when she heard a story about a woman finding a wedding ring at a playground who was trying to track down the owner via social media. She began pondering a story about a woman who "found out the ring’s owner had a dream life and felt jealous." She "realized realized the individuals had to be related somehow, and if I made them half-sisters, it would add to the drama and intrigue." Because, after all, "some of the most despicable acts are carried out within families."

Eleanor has always had a toxic relationship with her mother and sister, Amy, who resides in Los Angeles and is trying to establish herself as an actress. Her mother has always compared her to Amy, and she has always come up short. Eleanor struggles with body dysmorphic disorder; she is an emotional eater who binges (and sometimes purges), especially when stressed, and loathes not just her body, but her overall appearance. She has established her own fledgling web design company, working out of her home, and it has been awhile since her last relationship ended.

Her father has always been her champion. He affectionately calls her "Freckles," and they spend holidays and special occasions together. As the story opens, just eight weeks have passed since her father was diagnosed with inoperable, terminal pancreatic cancer with a life expectancy of four months. But he is already in hospice care and Eleanor is stricken by how quickly his health has deteriorated. When she arrives to visit him, she is shocked to find her mother there. After all, her mother visited him just a few days prior. And in the twenty years since their divorce, she has barely spoken to him. Eleanor has had no contact at all with her mother for six months -- not long enough to "treat the festering wounds, or get rid of her voice, which constantly berated me in my head." Eleanor has never understood why her mother despises her, and her father has never explained it either, dismissively describing her mother as "a complicated woman."

Eleanor's father has expressed his final wishes to her and planned his own memorial service. But as Eleanor approaches the door to his room, she hears her mother berating him. It soon becomes clear that her mother is attempting to convince him to leave all of his assets to Amy, but he insists that what little property he has left will be divided evenly between the two girls. And then, before her parents realize she is there, Eleanor hears her mother say the words that will change her life forever: "You're forgetting one thing, Bruce. Eleanor isn't your daughter." She is devastated. Because Bruce dies before she has a chance to ask all the questions that endlessly swirl through her thoughts, she has to seek answers elsewhere. Not only is she left to mourn the loss of the man who raised her. She also mourns the loss of the only relationship that provided her stability and unconditional love.

McKinnon details how Eleanor learns her biological father's identity, as well as the truth about the circumstances surrounding her birth. Eleanor is insecure and needy, frequently exasperatingly so, as McKinnon reveals her continuously self-deprecating inner dialogue. However, she is also empathetic because her anger is justified, especially when she learns that her father is a wealthy, successful businessperson who has been happily married for many years and, together with his lovely wife, raised the pampered, entitled Victoria. Eleanor concludes that all the criticisms her mother hurled at her were accurate. "I was nothing. Nobody. Pathetic. Useless. Fat. Ugly. Stupid." Still, she is determined and, even though she knows she is about to engage in a dangerous game that can only end badly, unable to stop herself. She risks everything, including her budding relationship with Lewis, her handsome upstairs neighbor. Lewis genuinely cares for Eleanor, finding her clever, intelligent, attractive, and far more interesting that the other women he has dated. But Eleanor is laser-focused on infiltrating Victoria's life in order to extract revenge.

McKinnon propels the action forward at a quick, unrelenting pace. It not at all clear how Eleanor's tale will ultimately resolve. Indeed, at the midpoint, the story threatens to meander in a fairly unfocused fashion. But McKinnon remains in control of her narrative, rewarding tenacious readers as the tale again gains traction and McKinnon injects numerous plot twists and revelations. As Eleanor's self-confidence grows, so does her consternation and guilt about having taken Victoria's engagement ring from the counter in the ladies restroom of the restaurant where she initially followed Victoria, her mother, and cousin so that she could observe them. As she reconsiders her initial motives -- because she sees Victoria differently as they get acquainted and Eleanor learns about Victoria's relationship with her her husband -- she allows herself to consider the possibility that she and Victoria might actually enjoy a loving, sisterly relationship after all.

Sister Dear is an absorbing, cleverly plotted thriller replete with diabolical surprises that elevate the story and ultimately reveal the breathtakingly sinister darkness that lurks just beneath the surface of her realistically developed and believable characters. McKinnon credibly illustrates how Eleanor's greed, envy, self-pity, desire for revenge, and, ultimately, vulnerability determine her fate. It's a stylish, sly commentary on the importance of familial relationships and how the absence of meaningful connections with those we expect to love us beyond measure and in spite of our shortcomings can lead to longing, compulsion, and reckless behavior. And it's all capped off with a bombshell conclusion that leaves readers wondering why they never saw it coming.

Sister Dear is one of 2020's best domestic thrillers.

I'll be honest, for a while in the beginning, I was questioning how Dear Sister was classified as a thriller. I found it a solid story but a tad slow-paced. However, the ending! I've read a lot of thrillers this year and love to theorize about what is going on and this is one ending I never saw coming at all.

The book is told from Eleanor Hardwicke's perspective. Early on we see her father, whom she dearly loves, pass away. Because of the circumstances around the death, Eleanor is particularly hard on herself. In addition, while on his deathbed, Eleanor overhears a horrible secret between her father and mother - she is the product of an affair and the man she loves more than the world itself isn't her biological father. After this occurs, we then begin to learn a lot about Eleanor including that she has never been accepted,and one might say even liked, by her mother and sister and that she has extremely low self esteem. We also see Eleanor start to grapple about what to do with her new knowledge, contact her father or leave him alone. However, her desire for a family wins.

I have to say that I went through ups and downs with the majority of the characters. At times I found Elearnor endearing and I was really cheering her on, and during other times I thought she was acting psychologically unhinged. One this is for sure, Eleanor's mother and biological father are both despicable people and I can totally see why they hooked up. They had to see themselves in each other.

I have to admit that I actually liked Victoria a tad bit more. She didn't initially come across as the spoiled brat that she should have been given her upbringing and I desperately hoped for a happy ending for her and her half sister.

But as I eluded, this is a thriller so you'll just have to pick it up to see if I my wish came true.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

What a twisted story of love, loss, secrets, greed and revenge! At the beginning of the story, the main character, Eleanor, is in jail. The rest of the story is a look at how and why she got there. Nothing is as it seems in this novel! Each time I thought that I had figured out a plot twist, it jack-knifed and went the opposite direction. Fascinating plot! This book was edgy, dark suspense and an intense psychological thriller. I was taken inside the mind of poor Eleanor, an overweight, shy young woman who has been ridiculed her entire life by her mother and her Hollywood-bound sister Amy. Eleanor’s only advocate is her father who is dying of cancer. In the hospice, Eleanor discovers that he is not her real biological father, so becomes determined to find her family. Stan Gallinger, her biological father, is not in the running for father of the year since he flatly tells Eleanor to get lost! So Eleanor decides that she wants a relationship with her sister Victoria Gallinger. What a turn in the plot that was! The twists and turns continue all the way to the shocking ending! I enjoyed the plot twists and the characters, but sometimes I felt like I was getting whiplash from the quick turn-arounds from the deceit that is a part of the plot. A really enjoyable read for fans of suspense and thrillers!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

When I read the blurb for Sister Dear by Hannah Mary McKinnon I thought it fit the bill perfectly, being touted as a psychological thriller. With the author being a fellow Ontario resident, I couldn't pass it up.

As you first dive into this title, it feels a bit depressing – there’s a lot of drama, wallowing, and a bleakness that doesn’t lend you to actually like Eleanor at first, despite the hard knocks she’s been handed, although you do pity her to some degree. The thriller element is a bit of a slow burn – there’s a build up to it and then *BAM*, it’ll hit you out of nowhere, cut you off, slam you into a wall, and you’ll seriously wonder where the heck it came from. You may grow apathetic during the build up and that’s where it will catch you off guard. This aspect alone was truly worth the wait.

This novel had dysfunction, some adult themes, but you won’t be able to help yourself from getting sucked into the characters’ issues despite your initial dislike and eventually you’ll be rooting for them. It’s not a fast paced read, so I did miss that edge-of-the-seat feeling I often look for in a thriller, but again, that’s where I was blindsided so it worked. It feels a lot like women’s fiction throughout the novel – relationships, family issues, etc. with a dose of feel good thrown in – and that curve ball out of left field comes sailing in and you realise it may not having the happy ending you anticipated. I leave you with this – I enjoyed this novel and felt a little sucker-punched with the twist. Well done, McKinnon, well done.

* Note, originally posted on my blog as part of the Sister Dear Mira Blog Tour. Title provided courtesy of Mira via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

One sister has it all; the other sister is jealous.

When Eleanor’s beloved father dies, she discovers that he was not her biological father. She has never felt accepted by her mother or her half-sister Amy. So she tracks down her biological father and finds she has another half-sister Victoria. And Victoria has it all. Now Eleanor wants what Victoria has. After all, sisters share – don’t they?
Honesty here – this book is not a thriller. It sounds like it would be, but it’s not. I never got that adrenaline rush that comes with a good thriller.

I really could not muster any sympathy for Eleanor. Her life was messed up, and she continues to make choices that will make it even messier. She becomes a person I really did not like. But then none of the characters in this book are very likeable.

Thank you to MIRA for the advance e-galley to read and review.

Hannah Mary McKinnon’s descriptions of Eleanor’s feelings right from the beginning were phenomenal. I immediately connected with her character and was hooked on her story. Like just read this writing...

“I had no idea how to cope with that, so I did the only thing I could think of; open a little box in my mind into which I forced the memory of our conversation and shut the lid tight.”

SO GOOD. I was immersed in the story, which had multiple jaw-dropping twists. Totally went in a different direction that what I originally expected!!

I’ll end it with this quote ...

“Let me tell you a secret... we’re all monsters. Every single one of us is evil on the inside. To varying degrees, maybe, but evil nonetheless. The difference is some of us choose to accept it.”

I am eagerly awaiting her next novel!!

I don't know if this can be classified as a women's fiction with a thriller twist or as a psychological thriller with a strong women's fiction side. I just know it was an engrossing and interesting read, totally out of my comfort zone.
Ms McKinnon did an excellent job in writing characters that are not likeable and faulted, each of them hiding secrets and their own agenda.
Eleanor is a damaged and faulted young woman and even if I didn't like her I couldn't help finding her interesting. She's an unreliable narrator and and her storytelling is fascinating.
The other characters are interesting as well and well thought.
The plot flows and kept me hooked till the surprising end.
It's not one of those book that are heartwarming and light as it's quite dark and there's a lot of sufferance but it's well crafted and gripping.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to MIRA and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sister Dear, by Hanna Mary McKinnon, is available at booksellers on May 26, 2020. It's my first taste of Ms McKinnon's work and wow! A psychological thriller that kept me on my toes. I never saw the ending coming. All the Machiavellian plotting and twisted feelings were terrific. There's not much I can say, beyond the descriptive blurb, without giving away any of the plot or wicked twists. I rarely give a 5 star review, not everything is worthy...but I'm giving it now. Do yourself a favor and read this book! It's worth it.

#HannaMaryMcKinnon #SisterDear #Netgalley #MIRA #Harlequin #psychologicalthriller #twistedsiblingrelationship

Just before Eleanor’s beloved father passes away, she accidentally discovers that he wasn’t her biological father. Her real father is out there somewhere, with another wealthy, seemingly perfect daughter! As Eleanor begins to stalk her new (old) family, she becomes obsessed and inserts herself into their lives! Who is really dangerous here and what are they plotting?

This is a quick, easy, entertaining Summer read! I flew through it, and basically read it in one sitting. The characters are very well-developed and interesting. Eleanor is conscious of her weight, and how she feels about her body and the changes in her confidence are highlighted throughout the novel. She is definitely three dimensional and does some questionable things which will keep you guessing! I liked the surprise romance that happens with a neighbour in her building. There are also some funny moments!

This one is more of a slow burn thriller, but I think you’ll enjoy these quirky, mysterious characters! I loved Her Secret Son by the same author and will continue to anticipate her next books!

Thank you to Hannah Mary McKinnon, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me all over the place in a good way. My sympathy for the main character ebbed and flowed, and I wasn’t quite sure whose story to believe at any given point. The action moved along at a good pace for most of the book. I thought the end felt rushed, as some of the plot points were explained away quickly and others seemed to not matter anymore. From the ending, I can’t tell if a sequel is coming, or if the author chose to just end on the note that she did. Either way, it was still entertaining. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for a digital ARC of the book.