Although part of a trilogy, this can be read as a stand alone book. I have not read either of the previous books but am looking forward to getting a copy of Lilac Girls now that I have finished Sunflower Sisters. A fascinating story line based on the Woolsey Family. Much of the storyline is taken directly from Woolsey family letters and historical correspondence researched by the author and presented as close as possible to historical events.

Told in alternating chapters by Ann-May Wilson, a cruel, self centered, snuff addicted plantation owner. Jemma, a slave on the plantation along with her extended family. Georgy, one of the many Woolsey sisters who becomes a nurse and is a passionate abolitionist (as is the entire Woolsey family). The time frame is during the Civil War. There is much to be learned about the war, Generals Grant and Lee, individual incremental battles won by both sides, the brutality of the slave trade and the treatment of slaves in general. The drastic differences in prejudice and treatment of blacks from the north to the south. Plantation life in all its cruel, vicious absurdity.

I loved the characters and was cheering for Jemma and Georgy all the way. Such strong, selfless, passionate, human beings. The stories surrounding each of the three protagonists pulls you in and you feel yourself along for the day on the plantation with Jemma and her family. Then you are attending patients with Georgy and her sister and mother on a female prejudice army hospital ship. The ride is fascinating and vivid.

I gave the book 4 stars only for its length, it seemed drawn out at times without much relevance for improving the story line, otherwise this is as good as it gets. Loved it!

I was quite disappointed by the Sunflower Sisters. I really appreciated the changing voices and the story, while far from unique, is interesting. But the book needs a better editor. It is much too long for the story it tells. I also found myself flummoxed by the character of Anne-May. Her complexity is intriguing yet quite unexplored. Kelly's fans will devour the book, though, and probably will enjoy it. It just wasn't to my liking.

4.5 Stars. Martha can seriously do no wrong. I had been so incredibly captivated by her first two books and the Sunflower Sisters was no exception. This family of women is beyond amazing and inspiring and their efforts during the Civil War and both WWI and WWII are just incredible. This story was told through the POV of multiple women and each one was as fascinating and complex as the next. I loved that so much of this book used actual letters to help tell the story. This is a must read. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly. Sunflower Sisters was well written with a lot of details and descriptions that made you feel like you were there. Reading about the slaves being whipped was very hard. I have always wondered why there are not more books written about the civil war. Martha Hall Kelly gives an excellent description of how her research was done and how some of her writing came about.

Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly is the story of 3 women from 3 very different backgrounds. This story takes place during the Civil War, when Americans were at war with each other.

Sunflower Sisters follows Jemma, a slave from a plantation in Maryland. The author is able to describe slave life in such a vivid way. The reader is able to really feel what it was like down on the plantation for Jemma and her family. We also learn about Jemma's plantation owner, Anne-May, a women who wants more than she deserves to have. Our third main character is Georgey, one of the famous Woosley sisters, whose passion for equal rights shines through in all she does for the war effort and for her desire to be a nurse.

This was a great historical fiction read and I really enjoyed it. Make sure you stay to the end and read the author's notes to find out more about the real Woosley family.

Thank you to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited for this one because I loved the other two books i read by this author, but I really struggled with this one. The character list was overwhelming and I had trouble keeping up with with who was who and how everyone was connected. There was a lot going on but it didn't seem to keep the plot moving. I'd still give her another chance in the future, but this one just wasn't for me

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC.

This was a wonderful story of three women and their lives during the civil war. I really enjoyed how each woman’s story winded along and then tied together. They each gave a good look at the different sides of the war and slavery.

As always, the author wove together an interesting story filled with well crafted characters. I was invested in all three women and wanted to know how their lives unfolded.

It was interesting to read a story set during this time as it is not one I often see. Definitely recommend this one to fans of the author and historical fiction.

I am so sad that this is the last in MHK's books about Caroline's family. Sunflower Sisters is the story of 3 women with different lives, paths and purposes during the Civil War. My favorite part of reading historical fiction is that I get to learn more and experience different parts of history in a less "textbook" way. MHK is a master of providing us with multiple experiences and painting a vivid portrait of those experiences as the story unfolds. Georgy is a nurse, Anne-May is a plantation owner and Jemma is a slave. Their perspectives are so varied as the war progresses and whether I liked them or not, provided a more complete picture to what the experience as a whole might have looked like. As I rooted for Jemma's freedom and Georgy's happiness and Anne-May's ideal consequences, I enjoyed this story. Historical fiction fans will love this book that doesn't paint a perfect or pretty picture, but one that is well rounded and hopefully honest. The research feels extensive and the highlighting of strong women in history is perfect for a March pub date.

Beautiful language and historical events are the backdrop of this third installment of the real Woolsey Family. Event driven plot focuses on the activities of this New York City family during the Civil War. National events and causes have the mother and sisters traveling to the slave and spy infested border state of Maryland, especially the Point Lookout/St. Mary's County area, and the battlefield hospitals near Gettysburg. One character's story stood above the rest---Jemma, a self reliant slave woman, who was committed to returning to Maryland, and freeing what remained of her enslaved family from a cruel slave owner. I read heavily in history and historical fiction and I am not sure why, but I felt more connected and involved with the women in The Lilac Girls and The Lost Roses, than Sunflower Sisters. Thank you Ballentine Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Martha Hall Kelly is my favorite historical fiction author, but I was a bit disappointed by this book! Her other books felt more fast paced and action packed, where this one felt like it dragged. The time period was very interesting and I loved learning more about the Civil War, but I think it was a bit too long and could have used some editing. I was also uncomfortable about the “white savior” moments. It seemed like Jemma’s character was there to show how wonderful the Woolsey women were for showing her kindness and saving her, and that felt a little icky to me. 3.5 stars

I didn’t read The Lilac Girl nor Lost Roses. I thought it should be fine, I will Love this one. But it’s just OK for me. I am not sure if this is the reason .
I will read the other 2 booksfirst, and come back to give more thought.

CAVEAT: This book was, at times, very difficult to read – not because it was poorly written, but because of the subject matter – to be specific because of the scenes set on plantations in the South and mid-Atlantic states. The barbarism of slavery is graphically shown, and, on more than one occasion, I had to set the book aside because of it.

The book is told primarily from the viewpoint of three women whose lives intersect during the Civil War. This book is well-written and historically accurate. The characters are well-drawn and while one of the narrators is unlikable, you’ll find yourself rooting for the others.

If you think you have no interest in the Civil War, pick this book up anyway because the author’s exceptional writing, descriptions, characters, world building, and story are so very good that you’ll find yourself wanting to read the other two books, Lilac Girls and Lost Roses, in this series.

If you love historical novels set in the Civil War era, this book may be for you. If you do decide to read it, put it at the top of your to-be-read list.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an eARC.

Sunflower Sisters is the third book in an excellent series by Martha Hall Kelly. This book occurs during the Civil War and is narrated in alternating chapters by the three main characters. Anne-May is the owner of a plantation and owns slaves. Georgy is one of six sisters and a very strong woman. The family are all pro-abolitionists. Jemma is a slave owned by Anne-May. The main characters lives all intertwine throughout the book.
I had a hard time reading of the suffering of the slaves and how they were sold. The book was long and could have been edited a bit more, but I still loved the story.
Be sure to read the Afterword as this story has been heavily researched and follows real lives.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. The review is my honest opinion.

Three very different narrators telling three very compelling stories gave this book a unique flair. I enjoyed watching the three women's lives intersect and each of them changed by the others. Jemma is a bright and compassionate slave owned by self-centered, cruel Anne-May. Reading about the hurts Jemma and her family endured at the hands of Anne-May and her overseer was difficult for me. I rooted for Jemma throughout the story and was so pleased with the way her story ended. For me though, the most compelling character was independent, brilliant Georgy. She was someone I would want to be friends with in real life. It pleased me to read the author's notes and realize that Georgy was a real person!

Overall, I enjoyed the mix of history, romance, adventure, and social justice. The first half of the book was extremely slow, however, which leads me to give Sunflower Sisters four out of five stars.

Sunflower Sisters is the third book in Martha Hall Kelly’s Lilac Girls series. It takes place during the Civil War. It absolutely can be read as a stand alone. If you haven’t started the series I would start with this one. The three books cover the three wars, the Civil War, World War I and World War ll. To be completely honest I almost did not read this one because I could not finish Lost Roses. Lilac Girls was excellent as was Sunflower Sisters, so I am glad I went against my gut and decided to read the last book in the series.

Although the stories are fiction they are based on real life characters and letters that were left behind. Kelly did extensive research into the Woolsey family. She did an amazing job making each and every character come to life.

Each chapter rotates between three women, Anne-May Watson a plantation owner who is brutal, Jemma who is a slave on a plantation and Georgy, a nurse who is from the north.

The only reason I did not rate this book five stars is that it was a little too long. I felt there were parts that could have been edited out without affecting the story. I actually felt that if it was shorter it might have even been that much more impactful,

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Company-Ballantine for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading the next book my Martha Hall Kelly.

The deadliest war in American History, two sides with different views, and three women trying to survive to make their impact and be heard. The lives of Georgey, Anne-May , and Jemma give perspective of the thoughts and trails (and absolute hell) at this time period. So much love, hate, and just wanting to be understood during a of war and a time women didn't have a voice.

Martha Hall Kelly wraps up her Lilac Girls series with this amazing novel. The characters were well developed and make you want to help (and hate) them. With the current county's moral and ongoing voice, this book helps us to remember the history we came from and will keep propelling us forward.

If you haven't read this series I highly recommend these three books! They are full of strong women, perspective on three different wars, a little love, and amazing writing that keeps you reading till the last page.
Lilac Girls, Lost Roses, and now Sunflower Sisters will always be books I recommend to others.

I loved this 3rd installment in the Eliza Ferriday books!!!!!!!! Ms Kelly has a signature way of writing historical fiction that compels so many emotions from the reader. It is amazing to read her fictional version of these strong women who made their own way in the hard struggles of war. You don't want to miss this book & if you haven't read her others go out and buy them now. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for my early review copy

Sunflower Sisters follows the lives of three very different women. Anne-May, owner of Peeler Plantation and its slaves, including Jemma is a greedy, evil woman. Jemma loves her family and would do anything for her freedom. Georgeanne Woolsey, one of six pro-abolitionist Woolsey sisters, becomes a Union nurse and helps care for wounded soldiers during the worst of the war. Their stories slowly and dramatically intertwine.
This is the final book in the Lilac Girls trilogy and it did not disappoint. Alternating chapters, narrated by the three diverse main characters, keep you engrossed and turning the pages.
With the Civil War as the backdrop, the author constructs a thoroughly researched historical fiction novel. Although quite long, I didn’t want this to end. Maybe, just maybe, 🤞🏻we will read more about the Woolsey sisters and Jemma!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The 3rd book in the Lilac Girls series, Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelley was an excellent end. While fictional in much of the content, the book is based on some parts of true stories and real historical characters.

Ms Kelley does a fantastic job describing the scenes, characters, events and emotions in the story and makes you feel like you’re actually there or watching things unfold right in front of you. The 3 main characters that are portrayed in the book were well done, and you felt the frustration and anger at the discrimination against the female nurses but also determination and care for friends and family with Georgy, the horrendous treatment and grief endured but perseverance portrayed by Jemma, and you despised and hoped for judgement against the awful villain, Anne-May. All in all, the book held your attention and was hard to put down. Really enjoyed this novel, it was an excellent read.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was enchanted by this novel. After finding out it was the 3rd in a series I was nervous about what I might be in store for. Thankfully I realized that these didn't need to be read in order, which was helpful.

This book takes place during the Civil War and follows the lives of the Woolsey women, told from Georgeanne Woolsey. There is so much diversity between the stories, it held my interest.