The Half Sister wasn't the knock-my-socks off thrill I wanted, but it was a suburban drama that was entertaining enough to read. While predictable and not new in terms of the thriller genre, The Half Sister is a well-written novel with the kind of characters you love to hate. This family is not one you want to belong to, especially when all the laundry gets laid out. DNA tests always tell the truth and sometimes they tell you even more.

Character wise, these are the kind of well-to-do, fake on social media people that you just know aren't as happy when the doors are closed. Lauren isn't my fave, but at least she has some personality. Meanwhile, Kate was just plain ole full of herself...all the time. Reading from their POVs was entertaining, how they both view their family is so distinctly different, but also very relatable. That said, neither is really likeable and each seems out to hurt each other, or someone, or everybody. I had a grand laugh at Lauren thinking finding a new sibling through DNA testing would be a good thing, how would they not cause a stir? Plus, it isn't realistic enough, it doesn't work this way or we would all know who our families were all over.

The Half Sister has been done before, so it wasn't a surprise for me, but unfortunately even Sandie Jones' writing couldn't make this one work for me.

This story kept me in my toes. It wasn’t what I thought the story would be like but it was even better

Sandie Jones has written so many of my favorite books, so I was highly anticipating reading The Half Sister.

Once again I fell in love with her writing and attention to detail, and enjoyed this one just as much as I’d hoped!

With most mystery/suspense books, I try to go into the story without much prior knowledge to the synopsis and that’s just what I did with The Half Sister.

*many thanks to Minotaur and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review.

The Half Sister is a thriller with an interesting focus on DNA. When a woman shows up during family dinner and claims to be the half sister of Lauren and Kate, their world is turned upside down. This story is told from alternating view points of Kate and Lauren. As the story goes on, it is evident that the half sister wasn’t the only “family secret”. I thought that this was an entertaining read, but didn’t think of it as a thriller. I thought the ending was predictable and there were parts of the story that I didn’t think fit that left me with more questions.

This was a little predictable but i still enjoyed it. The pacing was good and it was a quick read. Unfortunately it was just a little forgettable, I'm still looking forward to checking out more of the authors work!

I adore Sandie Jones and her books have been some of my favorites! While this one wasn't a slam dunk for me I still really enjoyed it.

I love a good thriller that is written well (check), fast-paced (check), and full of twists and surprises (check). This one covered all the bases. It started a little bit slow and seemed like it was headed in a predictable direction - but I was pleasantly surprised by some of the twists and turns the book took at the end. While I did have some figured out - I was not expecting several of them!

This did seem more family drama / domestic suspense for me - which isn't really my cup of tea, but I do enjoy her books and writing style so I thought I'd give it a shot - so this may just me a "not for me" case... but still a pleasant reading experience.

A great book for fans that like domestic drama with a bit of mystery!

A family built on lies and the effect of those lies on them. The book was good, but not as good as other books by the author. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.

Loved this book! There were parts of the storyline that I feel I have read in previous mysteries before, but Sandie Jones can put a great spin on anything. An unknown person shows up saying she is the half sister of the two main characters. They have to figure out what the other may have been hiding as well as if this person is who they say they are. Sandie Jones knows how to give you just enough information that you think you understand what is going on before throwing you for a loop at the end. Everything you thought you knew from the beginning is not at all as it seems. Be prepared to be shocked and amazed.

This is a great thriller that explores the complexities of family. It always amazes me that people growing up in the same household can have completely different memories and reactions to their childhoods--that is definitely the case in this story. I loved the dynamic between Kate and Lauren, and was satisfied with the ending.

This story had a great premise and started of as an engrossing tale that sort of tapered right off a cliff. I tried to run the entire race but sadly I never made it to the finish line. This is a novel for those who are not deterred by a story with a slow burn, with a need to learn how it ends.

That's a generous 3 Stars.

Thank you so much Minotaur Books for my advanced copy!

This book had so much promise and I was invested in the beginning.
I loved the concept and was excited to get to know the characters.
I do enjoy books with good family drama and this book did deliver on that.
The Half Sister is my first Sandie Jones book and I've heard great things about her previous novels.

What Went Wrong-

It was slow.
The characters were not likeable. (especially the mom- so annoying.)
A little after the half way point I stopped caring.

Overall- sadly this was not for me. I do own another Sandie Jones and will give it a try. Do not recommend.

Sandie Jones is one of the best thriller authors currently working. The Half Sister cements her status and was almost literally impossible to put down.

Probably every family has secrets, but this family was next level. I didn’t see any twist ahead of time. I absolutely love this story and can’t wait for her next book!

This was so slow and most of the story lines were completely unnecessary. I wouldn't have finished this if I had literally anything else to do during quarantine.

The Half Sister is full on family drama to the max. The secrets between the mom and the two daughters as well as the belated father are insane. They all try to hide what is going on in their lives currently and in the past. When Jess knocks on the door one day all the secrets start to unravel. She announces that she is Kate and Lauren’s half sister and wants to find her mom. The story builds slowly with it focusing on characters during the first half. After that the momentum picks up but the drama can be a bit much. I stayed along for the ride just to find out who the mom was.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Great book. Storeline was unique. Read it in one day because I could not put it down. Would recommend!

I loved this book!! Crazy book!! So many twists and turns!! Second book I have read by this author will read her other book!!

How about No? Absolutely Not! This book was Absolutely Ludicrous.

Lunacy doesn’t even begin to describe it. None of the plot points in “The Half Sister” added up or made sense and it got more ridiculous as the book went on.

Family. Parents. Siblings. DNA.

Deception. Secrets. Lies.

If only that said it all. If lunacy and deplorable characters are what you’re after, this book is for you.

While I’ve loved all of Sandie Jones’ prior novels, this one just didn’t do it for me. 1.5 stars.

A buddy listen with Kaceey, to coincide with our arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc.

Published on Goodreads on 12.5.20

I wish I could say I loved it...but I didn’t.
I wish I could say I somewhat enjoyed it...but even that would be a stretch.

Who knew a simple DNA test could wreak total havoc on an already struggling family. Uh…hello, apparently everyone!

Kate and Matt are struggling to start a family, having failed all previous attempts at in vitro. Could they finally have their dreams come true?

Raising 3 children, Lauren and her husband appear to have a comfortable marriage. Looks can be deceiving. One never know what goes on behind closed doors...do we.

Rose is the matriarch of the family, dealing with her grief over losing her husband while trying to keep her two daughters happy.

And in walks Jess, claiming to belong to this family. But how exactly does she fit in?

This was a book chocked-full of deplorable if not downright nasty characters. Lauren standing out as the only character I could warm up to.
Girl...you need a new family!🏻♀️

I’ve enjoyed this author in the past and looked forward to this latest release. But no... just plain NO. It didn’t work for me at all. Hope you have better luck if you decide to pick this one up.

A buddy 🎧 with Susanne. We decided to try listening to this one hoping it would help our reading experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press

This book has been one of my favorites this year. It is full of twists that will keep you completely captured until the very last moment.
It is one of those books that will make you wonder if your family is maybe, too normal after all... well... maybe not.

Meet Kate and Lauren, sisters and with some strain in the relationship, makes it easy to, at certain points in the book, take sides.
Throw in some machismo and Sunday lunches are the perfect place for weekly drama in this particular family.

Enter Jess, half sister according to a DNA test. This will spice things up just a tad.

If you enjoy family drama, this book will satisfy those twisty needs you and I have :)

Thank you, St. Martin's Press for allowing me to enjoy this one.

I love Sandie Jones books - she has amazing tension and plot twists like no other. This one is a little different - no likable characters and a lot of story inconsistencies made it unbelievable as a story - so I do admit I didn;t like it as much as I usually do her books.