I had a lot of trouble with this book. I just didn't find it interesting and I don't know why. I think it's because I hadn't read 2 books in the series (the 2 books immediately before this one). It just didn't hold my interest. I suggest that the books be read in order.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Sun Sister is a beautifully written novel, that travels back and forth through time between two very different, yet connected, worlds. The story begins with that of Electra, one of the seven sisters, who is no stranger to fame and heartache. Her world is turned upside down when she meets a stranger from her past, who then begins to share a beautifully descriptive tale of Cecily, a relative of Electra's. Cecily's life story, which takes her from the bustling streets of NYC in the early 20th century to the wild golden pastures of Africa, is every bit enticing and alluring as you'd imagine. The pages of this novel turn themselves as one loses oneself in the beautiful descriptions of Africa and the drama that occurs between both women across time. This tale is absolutely stunning, just like all of Lucinda Riley's novels. I highly recommend this book.

I have read all of the "sisters" books so far and was so excited to have an opportunity to read this in advance. Coming out on May 19, 2020, this book follows the last known sister of the D'Apilese family - Electra. Electra is already living in NY and probably has the most trials in not only discovering her past but figuring out how to move forward in life. In the beginning, Electra's personality was quite a challenge to find likable - but I suppose that was the point. I absolutely loved this book, and I think it is one of the most accomplished of the Sisters saga. Electra's personal story was very impressive, and her backstory took me to a world I didn't know much about and was very intrigued by (Colonial Kenya and the Happy Valley Set).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Looking for a big sweeping saga that stretches from the 1930s to today and from the US to the UK to Africa? Look no further, even if you haven't read the earlier books in the series. Electra is the youngest of six adopted sisters and, it seems to me, the most messed up. She's a famous model and she's an addict. Her adoptive father left her a letter to help explain her origins and then her grandmother, Stella, shows up to tell the story of Cecily. Electra and Stella are both African American but Cecily was a young white woman of huge privilege and her story starts in 1939. How does she connect to Electra and Stella? I'll leave that for you to find out. I liked Cecily's story more than Electra's- it was more interesting and sympathetic than Electra's because the latter was just so annoying initially (and Cecily's story is key to Electra). There are some terrific characters, like Mariam and Kiki, who are critical to the story. Know that there are a lot of potential triggers here- drug and alcohol abuse, date rape, sexual abuse, betrayal, racism (lots of racism). This would have benefited from another edit but you know what, I kept reading it past my bed time. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Entertaining. I'm curious what the last book will hold.

The writing is not the greatest, the characters are not fully developed, the dialogue is cringy at times, the romantic relationships are forced just to have a box ticked, and the overall depth is lacking. However, it's entertaining and the author sure can spin a tale.

To learn the character's background we go back into the past. The story is more interesting than the present day, but it was about 100-200 pages too long. In a novel focused on a character of African descent, a lot of time is spent talking about the world of the white people.

Racism and drug addiction are issues addressed in this novel, and I think they fit with the main character's lifestyle and background.

More attention should have been paid to the editorial aspects. I don't understand why some things are randomly put between brackets. Why?

There's a seventh book in the works about the unknown sister. Will I keep reading the series? Of course, now I'm invested in this and I need to know all the details. I'm here for the entertainment it provides.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
4.5 stars
Lucinda Riley does it again…The Sun Sister is another epic installment for her Seven Sisters series, and with only one more to go, I’m torn between wanting it now so all can be revealed (the cliffhanger at the end!) and already feeling prematurely sad to see it end.

I never really liked Electra, but I never doubted Riley could pull her story together in a satisfying way. And the revelation of her issues stunned me and made me feel for her, even when she was being difficult, because in some ways, she reminds me of someone I know and love dearly, who thankfully is also doing better.

I do think her arc does suffer a bit from Riley’s lack of firsthand experience with drug use and addiction, as the descriptions of Electra using tend to feel mechanical (e.g. “I did a line of coke”) without going into the feelings of being under the influence of the substance, which would have made her story feel much more believable. And while I did also feel like the description of the rehabilitation process felt a little sugar coated, I commend her for trying to tackle such a tough subject.

As for the historical arc, it’s typical Riley in that it’s a slow burn to get to the connection to the present day (something Electra even comments on), but it’s never boring. While there are some elements of the “white savior” narrative, with Cecily taking in an African orphan, I did enjoy how that part of the narrative explored the evolution of race relations in the mid-twentieth century with the rise of the civil rights movement, as well as a look at the Happy Valley set in Kenya, a topic I’ve read a bit about in a couple other books.

I adored this book, and it sent me on a roller coaster of emotions, especially towards the end. If you’ve loved the series up till now, this is another winner.

As quickly as Lucinda Riley releases one of the Seven Sisters books, I am devouring it. The Sun Sister was no exception. I was worried since it has been such a long time between books, I would be lost and have to go back and refresh, however, that was not the case. I was able to pick up like I had just read the previous books days before and could hardly put it down until I was done. Electra was one of the least likable of the sisters in and in some ways her story was predictable, however, the backstory about Africa was so real I felt like I was there. Ms Riley's attention to detail in all of the Sister books is remarkable and her writing paints such a wonderful visual. Pa Salt's quote "Life must be looked at backwards, but must be lived forward" really spoke to me. If I had any criticism it is that the book seemed to end abruptly. I know the next book will, hopefully, complete and answer all the questions we have and I can hardly wait. Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Read.

The sixth in a series where each book focuses on a different sister in this unique family. You definitely don't need to read these in order, but I do suggest at least starting with book one as it sets up the ins and outs of the family and then you can hop around the family if you choose. I enjoyed reading them in order as it goes in birth order and I always wonder if there is something to do with how a person grows up depending on their birth order and size of their family.

Electra is the baby of the family and has relied on her beauty for years and when her father dies she takes a stroll to rock bottom with alcohol and drugs. Thankfully her friends and coworkers help her get on a path to healing while at the same time she meets her biological grandmother who has a story to tell her of her ancestry. This story is told in the other storyline in the book. Each storyline, Electra's and her family's past are both novel size, but expertly woven together to create this epic story.

When I read a book that has dual narratives I can tend to lean towards one or the other, but not so in this one. They are both weighted the same and have such fantastic characters to follow that there was no skipping one for the other! Electra's family story starts with a white woman venturing to Kenya for a fun vacation that extends to more and it does take a bit to figure out where Electra's grandmother comes into the story, but it was so worth the wait!

I don't want these books to end! I wish there were many more stories than the seven told in the first book. It is sad to know that this series will be ending very soon.

Lucinda Riley has long been a favorite author of mine. I’ve read several of her books and really enjoy them!

The sixth and latest book in her Seven Sisters series is The Sun Sister. The basic premise of the series is that a wealthy billionaire adopted seven girls and each of them is named after “The Seven Sisters of the Pleiades” constellation. The girls don’t know their true identity and don’t know much about their father who they call Pa Salt. Every book explores one of the sisters and her own personal journey.

Lucinda paints such a beautiful picture of the world in her stories and long after I close the book, the story and setting stay with me. Each book is just incredible and so beautifully written with rich details, I don’t know what kind of magic she uses to write these stories because each one is so detailed and nuanced, it seems like they’d take many years to write.

Synopsis:

To the outside world, Electra d’Apliese seems as though she is the woman who has everything: as one of the world’s top models, she is beautiful, rich and famous. But beneath the veneer, and fuelled by the pressure of the life she leads, Electra’s already tenuous control over her mental state has been rocked by the death of her father, Pa Salt, the elusive billionaire who adopted his six daughters as babies from around the globe. Struggling to cope, she turns to alcohol and drugs to ease the pain, and as those around her fear for her health, Electra receives a letter from a complete stranger who claims to be her grandmother . . .

In 1939, Cecily Huntley-Morgan arrives in Kenya from New York to nurse a broken heart. Staying with her godmother, a member of the infamous Happy Valley set, on the shores of beautiful Lake Naivasha, she meets Bill Forsythe, a notorious bachelor and cattle farmer with close connections to the proud Maasai tribe. When disaster strikes and war is imminent, Cecily decides she has no choice but to accept Bill’s proposal. Moving up into the Wanjohi Valley, and with Bill away, Cecily finds herself isolated and alone. Until she discovers a new-born baby abandoned in the woods next to her farmhouse…

I love sinking into one of these sweeping books and if you enjoy historical fiction, then you will probably enjoy this series too. Each novel is epic, very long but perfect when you want a story that takes you to another time and You can start at the beginning with the first in the series, The Seven Sisters (The Seven Sisters, #1) and go through each book including The Storm Sister (The Seven Sisters #2), The Shadow Sister (The Seven Sisters #3), The Pearl Sister (The Seven Sisters #4), The Moon Sister (The Seven Sisters, #5), and The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters, #6).

Pre-order here, will be delivered on May 19!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Atriabooks for the opportunity to read and review this book #TheSunSister by Lucinda Riley
This is book 6 of the "Seven Sisters" series. I have read the previous five and couldn't wait to read this one.
Electra is the youngest of Pa Salt's adopted daughters. She was never happy in school, had a wild temper and asked to go to Paris at age 16. While working there as a waitress, she was discovered by the fashion industry and became a super model instantly. He 6 foot tall, bold features made her a perfect model. But as her career flourished, she fell into the wild world of drugs, alcohol and promiscuity. She was out of control until a woman showed up claiming to be her grandmother. When her assistant Miriam finds her almost overdosed one morning, Electra decides to try rehab. Her grandmother finally tells the story of her past, and we are taken to the English occupation of Kenya, and the posh estates of Manhattan. I highly recommend this tremendous book.

I eagerly await Lucinda Riley books . In her "Seven Sisters" series, the back stories of each woman is told in a
separate volume. The stories are released at intervals, leaving us all waiting for more ! The Sun Sister is the story of the most "troubled" of the sisters. When her background in Africa is investigated, a number of current life issues are addressed. There are racial divides, drug abuse, unstable families. All these issues lead us to understand why Tiggy is the person that she is. Beautiful, but lacking confidence and trust. Of all the sister stories hers is the most difficult to read. Even though, the series is wonderful and Riley's followers are anxious for the final book in the series to finally answer the questions about Pa and why he adopted all his girls.
HIghly recommended read

This is a MASSIVE book but it is worth it. The story is intricate and so engaging! You don't feel like it is nearly 900 pages while reading. I was engaged from the first page and loved this book so much!

This is definitely my favorite in this series to date. The Sun Sister is Electra's story. Electra is the youngest of the group and she is out of control. Although at the top of her game as a successful model, she is strung out on drugs and alcohol and headed for trouble fast. All the other sisters have found their roots through the letters Pa Salt left for them when he died, but Electra hasn't even opened her letter to make any steps towards learning where she came from before Pa Salt adopted her. She does receive a letter from a woman claiming to be her maternal grandmother, but Electra ignores the letter completely - until the woman shows up on her doorstep.

Thus begins Electra's journey to her roots. Her grandmother begins a tale of a woman named Cecily who went from her home in New York to visit her godmother in Kenya, Africa just before World War II began.

Electra's story is fascinating and I didn't want to put the book down. From the earlier books I wasn't very fond of Electra - she always seemed like the spoiled, detached sister, but I liked her much better in her own story as I gained an understanding of her circumstances.

Now I will be anxiously anticipating the next book - I'm assuming there will be one - to find out whether or not there is one more sister, since the possibility has been alluded to throughout the series. Also, at some point I hope we can find out more about Pa Salt - who was he, where did he get his money, is he really dead, and what possessed him to choose these particular children to adopt? I have so many questions I want answered!

Thanks to Lucinda Riley for an outstanding book! Also,thanks to Atria Books and Simon and Schuster though Netgalley for an advance copy.

Thank you for this e-copy for review. My full review will be posted on my social media accounts, Amazon, and Goodreads.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the ARC. I really enjoyed this series. This book was no different. If you haven't read the series it's a need to read series.

What a Book!

I have been a big fan of the Seven Sisters series since it first was released. It's such an epic saga.. and I've always loved sagas. They are truly the best. Sagas give the opportunity to fully enjoy and explore each character to the fullest and that is exactly what is done in The Sun Sister.

Many people will probably ask.. "will I need to read the other books to enjoy this one?" In my opinion, yes. You would miss out on a lot if you don't read the other books in the series. I don't believe these books are meant to function as standalones. The good news is.. we all have a lot of extra time to read right now! This is a great series to jump into.

I HIGHLY recommend this! 5+ stars!

This was an incredible story and a great addition to the series. Loved Electra's story. Lucinda Riley crafts beautiful stories that truly immerse the reader into a whole new world. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves historical fiction

Lucinda Riley has fast become one of my favorite authors and I have really enjoyed her Seven Sisters series. Unfortunately, this one did not work for me. Electra was just not a character that I found myself rooting for. I thought her journey was both unrealistic and unbelievable. Honestly, I just didn’t like her very much. The dialogue throughout also did not work for me. Editing how Americans talk would’ve helped a lot. Too much consistency in each characters verbiage which made it difficult to believe they were from different ethnicities. Cecily‘s story was the only aspect of this that kept me reading. Therefore I was very disappointed that her story didn’t end in her voice, but in a recounting. Ended up skimming the last few chapters. Overall, this was definitely my least favorite in this series. Still looking forward to how this all ends. 3 stars.

I was absolutely thrilled to be given an ARC of this title by NetGalley and the publisher.  I have looked forward to and read each book in this series, beginning with the first titled, The Seven Sisters, followed by The Storm Sister,  The Shadow Sister, The Pearl Sister and now The Sun Sister.   There is still a seventh to come.

The conceit of the series is that Pa, who may or may not be deceased, adopted seven children from around the globe.  In each novel in the series, which can be read in any order, one of the sisters learns more about her past.  Each book has a dual time line.  In the order listed for the books above, Maia's story lies in Brazil, Ally's in Norway, Star's in England, Cece's in Australia, Tiggy's in Spain and Electra's in Africa.  Each book has been researched for historical veracity.  The books are LONG which to me has been a plus as I love to spend time with Ms. Riley's characters.

In some ways, I think Electra's personal story is the most difficult.  Readers learn early on that, although Electra, is a world famous model, she is personally somewhat lost and struggling.  The beginning of the novel places the reader in the world of Electra's addictions.  Readers will watch and hope for her recovery. 

Electra's birth grandmother's story begins in Africa where, for reasons the plot explains, she comes to be cared for by Cecily.  Cecily, an American, has traveled to Kenya where she lives with characters much like those in the "Happy Valley set." Some sections of the story take place in Kenya and then the story moves to New York when Cecily returns there for a time.

Ms. Riley is taking on big issues in this novel; addiction, race relations, prejudice and more.  I think that this makes the book a more challenging one for the Caucasian author as she is trying to authentically portray relatively recent times for African Americans while not having grown up with these experiences.  However, that said, I very much enjoyed spending time in the world of the Seven Sisters.

Many, many...many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed seeing the ways in which Electra evolved over the course of the novel.

NOTE: Atria Books granted me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review. Scheduled U.S. Publication - May 19, 2020. Awarded four stars on Goodreads.

This is the sixth book in the wildly-successful, seven-novel series (The Seven Sisters) Lucinda Riley is writing about seven, multi-ethnic girls from all around the world, adopted by the same wealthy, white man. Each book follows one daughter's journey to discover her birth origin. This one is another fast and easy read with a compelling story line that covers multiple generations, from wealthy families in late 1930s New York, to World War II Kenya, and back to New York in 2008.

Electra D’Aplièse is the 2008 protagonist, one of the world's top models -- beautiful, rich, and in-demand --seemingly living a privileged life anyone would envy. But beneath the glamour, Electra feels adrift. Distant from her sisters, numbing her feelings with drugs and alcohol, and recently dumped by her rock star boyfriend. Then, she receives a message from a woman claiming to be her grandmother.

From this woman, Electra slowly discovers her birth story, beginning in 1939 with Cecily Huntley-Morgan, a wealthy New Yorker whose family sends her to England and Kenya to nurse a broken heart. There's true-life figure Kiki Preston, Cecily's godmother, another wealthy woman who has built an independent life on the shores of Kenya's picturesque Lake Naivasha. (She supposedly gave birth out-of-wedlock to the child of Prince George, Duck of Kent, Queen Elizabeth II's uncle.) And Bill Forsythe, a cattle farmer with strong connections to the Maasai tribe, who seems happiest out in the wilderness.

Readers get to observe a lot of hypocrisy among the upper classes, around race relations and sexual double standards. We get immersed in the famous, decadent Happy Valley set of ex-pats living in and exploiting Kenya during the British Colonial Era (1920-1963) and a bit about the widespread-but-never-realized optimism that surrounded Kenya achieving independence. And we even learn a bit about the proud Maasai tribe, with some cultural expectations surprisingly similar to those of the white, Western world.

Discovering her past helps spur a transformation for Electra, allowing her to let go of some self-destructive behaviors and open herself up to new people and opportunities. Along the way, we witness some of the most emotionally powerful subject matter in the novel --around characters who suffer from addiction and the destructive impact it has on their lives, relationships, and loved ones. AND, how vastly different the resources and treatment options are, depending on whether an addict is rich or poor.

I completely enjoyed reading Electra's story, as I've enjoyed this entire series. I'm a huge fan of Lucinda Riley and think of her as someone who understands how to craft a good story. I will note, however, that this is the first book in the series that seemed to wander at times and felt long in places. Just not quite as tight as the others. Though that criticism is certainly NOT going to stop me from reading the next (and final?) novel, whenever it comes out.