The Civil War comes alive in this compelling story through the eyes of Georgy, an US Army nurse, Jemma, a young slave and Anne-May a plantation mistress. Based on letters during this time period, snippets of history are very realistic. Some characters are truly as despicable as the cause they support. With three different points of view and lives, there are many characters to keep straight. This story will quickly grab the attention of readers. Recommended!

After reading Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly, I jumped at the chance to read Sunflower Sisters. Set at the beginning of the American Civil War, the novel is narrated by Georgeanna (Georgy) Woolsey, a New Yorker from a wealthy family who joins the northern effort as a nurse, Jemma, an enslaved teenage girl who works with her family on a tobacco farm, and Anne-May Wilson, a cruel Southern plantation owner.

Similar to Lilac Girls, I was awed by the amount of historic detail in this novel. Kelly brilliantly describes the settings, clothing, battles, and the social and political issues that took place during the Civil War. Each main character was well written and I love that Georgy and her family are based on real people. The author’s note at the end of the novel was a brilliant touch.

Although Georgy and her sisters were amazing women, Jemma was by far my favorite character. Her strength and determination to live a free life with her family brought tears to my eyes. This is a must read, I highly recommend checking it out.

Thank you to Netgalley, Ballantine Books, and Martha Hall Kelly for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5
Pub Date: March 30, 2021

SUNFLOWER SISTERS by Martha Hall Kelly is the third and final book in her series about Caroline Ferriday and her family. I loved the first two books, LILAC GIRLS and LOST ROSES so I couldn’t wait to read the latest. LILAC GIRLS covered Caroline Ferriday’s life during World War II and LOST ROSES focused on Caroline’s mother, Eliza Mitchell Ferriday, set during World War I. SUNFLOWER SISTERS goes further back to one of Caroline’s ancestors, Georgeanna “Georgy” Woolsey during the Civil War. The story is told from three points of view: Georgy, Anne-May Wilson Watson, a Maryland tobacco plantation owner and slaveholder and Jemma, one of Anne-May’s slaves. Their narratives were expertly woven together by the author. While this is a work of historical fiction, it is based in large part on actual letters and memorabilia from the Woolsey family. It presents a compelling and authentic picture of the horrors of slavery and the brutal battles of the Civil War, including the role that female nurses played during the war. Georgy joins up as a nurse with the Union Army. It was fascinating to learn how women found their way into the field of nursing despite being discriminated against by male nurses and doctors. The story is full of suspense, intrigue and family drama and kept me engaged from beginning to end despite the book’s considerable length. Martha Hall Kelly brought the characters and their history to life with her beautiful writing. I love reading about strong and courageous women and this book has many of them. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written and –researched book and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

I've been a fan of Martha Hall Kelly since she wrote Lilac Girls. In Sunflower Sisters, Kelly pivots from WWII to the Civil War. This novel tells the story of Georgeanna Woolsey, a Union nurse.

I found this book to be richly detailed and it had excellent pacing. I was always wanting to read the dreaded "just one more page". I say dreaded.. because when it's 10 PM.. and you keep saying one more page.. the hours fly by until it's 2 AM! This book was that good my friends. Any historical fiction fan would enjoy this.

Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly tells the story of the beginnings of the Woolsey women from the Civil War era. As expected, they were strong women, and were involved in causes they believed in – especially lobbying against slavery. The story is told from the point of view of Caroline Ferriday’s great aunt Georgeanna Woolsey, a Maryland tobacco plantation owner (who everyone will agree is totally despicable) Anne-May Wilson-Watkins, and one of her slaves, Jemma. All three women are strong in their beliefs and their place in society, and the story flows well among them. Georgey and her sister Eliza become nurses, and the novel clearly depicts the discrimination they faced as being women. I found that part of the story fascinating while at the same time frustrating. At 500+ pages, I wondered if this book would be a slow read, but I sped through it in less than a week. Of the 3 books from this author – Lilac Girls, Lost Roses and now Sunflower Sisters, this one comes close behind Lilac Girls as being my favorite. In reading the author’s notes at the back of the book, it was interesting to see how much of the novel actually happened. Fortunately, the Woolsey family kept letters and records, which helped in the research and made the novel, seem “real”. This book is to be released March 30, 2021. Thank you #Netgalley and Ballantine Books for my ARC. If you love historical fiction, put this one on your TBR List!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Sunflower Sisters!

Lilac Girls is my favorite piece of historical fiction, however I was let down my Martha Hall Kelly’s follow up, Lost Roses. Sunflower Sisters did not disappoint and really solidified how much research the author puts into her work. I adore that she writes about real life women.

Sunflower Sisters is probably a bit too long - it could have been 100 pages less and I think the same message would be conveyed. Yet the descriptive language and vivid scenery really did provide an additional layer to the story. I could picture myself right there in every single scene. The short chapters certainly made it a page turner though.

I absolutely adored Jemma and Georgy and cannot imagine two better POVs to tell this story. Anne May was flawed in a way that felt so real. I wanted to both see her pay her dues and turn the corner and change her ways.

Overall, a wonderfully satisfying (although a bit too long) story about the Civil War, full of hope, hardship, and healing. Thanks NetGalley and Randomhouse/Ballantine for the digital review copy.

This is a story set during the Civil War. It is told from the perspective of three women, a slave, an abolitionist, and a plantation owner. I found the first chapter to be a stunning punch to my “white fragility”. This is not a criticism. I think, for me, that is the strongest plus of this book - it’s representation of slavery. This should spark some good book club discussions. I did prefer the author’s previous books. One question- did abolitionists really make a point of buying their sugar from non-slavery sources?

Sunflower Sisters is the 3rd book in the Lilac Girls series. Each book is set during a different war period featuring a different member of the Woolsey/ Ferriday family. Each book is a stand alone with references to the other family members tying them together as a series.
Martha Hall Kelly has written some amazing books. Her research and dedication to historical truths is evident from the first page of Lilac Girls. The multiple POV formatting makes it easier for readers to "see" the whole picture of what war brought to the characters and their homes. The books will draw an emotional response from you as you watch these women react to the conditions set before them.

Georgianna (Georgy) Woolsey comes from a well to do family where little outside the home is expected from her. She has never been exposed to a way of life other than hers. Yet she decides she will not sit idly by and watch others fight a battle that belongs to everyone. The Civil War effort calls her and she will go. A trained nurse when women as battle nurses were not welcome, Georgy will find her way to some of the worst battle grounds and ultimately Gettysburg, where she will make a difference, or die trying. Her character is based on a true life woman who proved herself in the Civil War.

Ann May is a plantation owner in Maryland where owning slaves was part of a culture. Her character is as dark as a human being could be. Her treatment of slaves and indifference to their misery is one piece of the picture that drove the state to battle. Her story is filled with hate, cruelty and misery.

Jemma is a slave owned by Ann May. The conditions on the plantation will drive her to escape. Her story is one of fear and anxiety.

Ms Kelly brings the three women's stories together in the end to demonstrate the confusion felt on both sides as each fought for their way of life. An outstanding book as well as an excellent addition to the first two, it will be interesting to see who the 4th volume will feature.

A gut-wrenching, three-person narrative set during one of America's most brutal and divisive eras, the Civil War. Like Kelly's previous novels, the reader is exposed to multiple perspectives, but rather than allowing for a greater understanding of a particular stance, in SUNFLOWER SISTERS the casual cruelty and evil of a slave owner only garners more disgust for our country's dark stain of slavery. A difficult story to digest, but one that must be adapted again and again, and is particularly well done here. Highly recommended.

Sunflower Sisters is another enjoyable book by Martha Hall Kelly. If you read her earlier books, The Lilac Girls, and Lost Roses, you will enjoy learning more about the family in this one. Well researched and interestingly presented, this historical novel is well worth the read. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC ebook version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The third installment of the Ferriday/Woolsey family story does not disappoint! Fans of the first two novels, Lilac Girls and Lost Roses, will be delighted by Sunflower Sisters. Those that have not read them will still find this one enjoyable...and may even want to visit the other two stories.

Fans of Lilac Girls rejoice! This was a gorgeous story and I loved every second of reading this book. Anyone that loves historical fiction, will love this book.

This is the third book in Martha Hall Kelly's Lilac Girls series about the Woolsey/Ferriday family. I picked this one up because I really enjoyed Lilac Girls #1 (even though I haven't read Lost Roses which was #2 in the series. Missing the second one didn't make any difference to this novel, which could stand alone, but of course it's always nice to have read the full series just for more background. It's a good story and the characters well well done and believable. The plot will keep you turning the pages, even though it is a rather long book.

This is set during the Civil War and is told from points of view of three very different women: Jemma, a slave girl, who is owned by Anne-May; Anne-May Wilson Watkins, a tobacco plantation owner in Maryland; and Georgy Woolsey, who is a wealthy Northerner. Jemma's story broke my heart. I felt nothing but hatred for Anne-May. Georgy drew my admiration. I liked the inclusion of some real characters in the story, as well as a mix of history and fiction.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book, in return for a fair and honest review.

This book is the third book by the author about Caroline Ferriday and her family - the first, Lilac Girls, involved World War II and Caroline's work to help concentration camp victims. The second, Lost Roses, involves Caroline's mother, Eliza, in the run-up to WWI.

In this book, we go farther back, to Caroline's ancestress, Georgeanne Woolsey, and her experiences as a nurse in the Civil War and her activities as an abolitionist. There are parallel stories in the book centering on Jemma, a former slave, and Anne-May, a plantation owner.

I found this book just as compelling as Lilac Girls and Lost Roses - I couldn't stop reading. The characters are fascinating, for good or evil, and the plot is compelling.

One thing I found interesting is that sisters are significant for each of the main characters. Georgeanne and her sister Eliza in particular, Jemma and her sister Patience, and Anne-May and her sister Euphemia. One could make a case for any of the pairs being "sunflower sisters," in light of the meaning of sunflowers left at various locations.

While I think all three of the books in this group are well worth reading, I call them a "group" because they don't really build on each other. There's no need to read the first two to completely understand and enjoy this book.

I really enjoyed this book - definitely a five star read for me! Although Ms. Kelly says that this is the last book about the Ferriday family, I hope she turns her attention now to some other historical fiction!

The third volume in the Ferriday/Woolsey families.

Georgy Woolsey and an abolitionist is a determined young woman who uses her position and her wealth to become a nurse, going to work with injured and dying soldiers on the battlefield of the Civil War battles.

Jemma, a young woman who has seen far more in her short life than anyone ever should, is a slave owned by Anne-May. Wanting to stay together as a family becomes a remote dream as the Civil War causes all sorts of disruption. Anne-May is a cruel, vicious woman who goes out of her way to mistreat the slaves she owns. At one time the plantation owner promised Jemma and her family their freedom, then Anne-May comes on the scene and those promises go out the window.

The three stories are told separately but come together, giving a satisfying ending. Spying, espionage, murder, all play a part in this story. A complaint is the length - it is quite long and at first, it may be difficult to keep the characters and their story lines straight. The Author's Notes at the end are worth reading, as much of Georgy's story comes straight from her family's letters.

While I enjoyed this book and give it 3.5/5 stars, I have liked each book in the series less than the previous. In each of her books, Kelly has a gift for capturing the horrors humans inflict on one another and makes the reader feel a discomfort that is a blessing in that we don’t know the real thing. I have found, however, that her characters tend to be saintly good or demonically bad with no room for grey area— the good have few flaws and the bad have no redeeming qualities. Still, it is an intriguing story from 3 perspectives, particularly being in a border state— a perspective of Civil War historical fiction that I had no previously read.

Sunflower Sisters is a stunning book of historical fiction. Martha Hall Kelly has now written three books based on Caroline Ferriday and her family. Sunflower Sisters takes place during the Civil War, dealing with slavery. We meet Jemma and the Woolsey Family. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley for an early release in exchange for my honest review.

The Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly tells the story of three women, Georgy, Jemma and Anne May, all caught up in the anguish of the Civil War. First, there is Georgy Woolsey. All the Woolsey women all strict abolitionists who work hard for the Union army and assist as best they can with gathering supplies and helping settle slaves in New York City. Several of the Woolsey women are nurses for the Union army and take the reader down through the many battles and the many sufferings of the Union troops. We also get to see their personal side as they try to navigate normal lives while helping the Union. Second is Jemma, a slave on the Peerler plantation in Maryland. She tries the best she can under the circumstances and tries to take good care of her family. She knows how to read and write. She is often treated badly by the mistress of the plantation, but through it all she maintains her dignity. Her journey to freedom and self-awareness of her worth is inspiring. Last is Anne May, the mistress of Peerler plantation. She is a self-centered, narcissistic woman who cares only for herself, her needs, her wants. She is traitorous and cruel. All three of these women grow and learn against the background of the Civil War. A good historical fiction.

After reading Lilac Girls, I was definitely interested in continuing the books connected to it. Even though Lilac Girls was a slower read, I thought it was a really good story. When I saw the chance to read Sunflower Sisters, I was willing to take it.

Sunflower Sisters has the exact same format as Lilac Girls, following three main characters’ point of views. One is a privileged woman trying to help during the war, another is a victim of war, and the third is truly evil. In this book, Georgeanna is our heroine, Jemma is a slave, and Anne-May is her slave owner. We follow their lives and how they intersect during the civil war in America.

Unfortunately, this book took me months to finish after many breaks. I found it incredibly slow and difficult to keep up with the three main stories. By the time I returned to one person, I had forgotten where we left off with them. I just felt like it was too much for one book. And I really disliked reading from the perspective of Anne-May. She’s extremely unlikable and it was very unpleasant to read from her point of view.

I hate giving up on books, so I kept reading and things finally picked up after the halfway mark. I found the story easier to connect with and more interesting once the individual stories converged. But it was a rough time getting to that point.

After reading the author’s note at the end and finding out that almost all of the characters were real people and much of what happened in the book was true, I definitely saw it from a different light (I felt like it was copying Little Women too much with the sisters but it turns out there really was a Woolsey family). But I still don’t think that the book as a piece of fiction, even for historical fiction, was captivating enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC of this book.

An amazing book about the Civil War and slavery. It’s told by a white elite northern family and a black southern family. Very well written storyline! It has a lot of characters so I needed to write them down in order to keep track of them. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this great book.