4.5 stars. Not the best book out there, but it was exactly what I was looking for.

Some spoilers!

What I liked about this book is that even though it might seem to be obvious who the bad guy is, it keeps you doubting because both protagonists (the sisters) are not very reliable and makes you doubt whether you are given the full and objective picture. So at the end it could have gone either way. Or maybe I have read too many mystery books and I see more complexity in everything than needed...

Without trying to give anything away, the only thing that I would have recommended to the author is making the sister(s) more likeable, especially THE sister so when it all unravels, it would be more of the shock to the audience. Even when writing from their point of view, the character could be pretending or lying and not giving away her true character.

There are some references to what happened during their childhood in foster homes but they were a bit vague. There could have been more development there to better understand what shaped each of the sisters. Or is it just purely genetics?

Lastly, I wish there was more development about Paul because it was not completely clear why suddenly the change of heart. I wish his character was more developed. I am also trying to remember what happened to Ash (even though I finished the book 2 days ago) and I cannot?

Nevertheless non of these "non" developments spoiled the book for me. This is more just a wish list or the feedback for the future books.

Thanks NetGalley for a free copy in exchange of an honest review.

Dear Sister is a quick and interesting read in terms of plot twists and trying to figure out who the real victims and villains were in the story . I would have given this book more stars if it weren't for the characters themselves: most of them aren't very likeable. I felt at times the characters came across as shallow or 2-dimensional considering the circumstances each had experienced so far. Having said that, I will definitely read Ruth Harrow's other books.

I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. #NetGalley #DearSister

Unable to view on Kindle. No other apps will download this book. I'll try again in the future to read and review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this quick read about twins trying to leave an abusive and difficult childhood behind them. When their dad re-enters their lives, things begin to unravel.

I enjoyed this book, wanted to see what happened, and liked some of the twists. Overall I am giving this book 3 stars for liking, but not loving. It is a good but not extraordinary book!

I do look forward to reading some of Ruth Harrow's other books.

**** SPOILERS****

I selected this ARC from NetGalley. I hadn't read any of Ruth Harrow's works before. I did however upon seeing her ARC look into reviews of some of her works. Others had some pretty high remarks so I went in head first with enthusiasm.
Dear Sister centers around two sisters, Rachel and Laura. The pair have had a rocky path through life. Having lost their mother in the mists of their childhood and their father being MIA during said time, the girls were put into foster care. Here the two were separated and had very different experiences. Defying the odds they kept in touch. Rachel having succeeded in keeping their sisterly bond alive into adulthood regardless of their circumstances.
This book though it does develop the sister's back stories, is set in their adulthood. Rachel has beaten the odds, overcome her past, and made quite a nice life for herself. That was until her own pride, jealousy, and ambitions cloud her judgement. Rachel is a secondary teacher and has been recently promoted due to the head of her department going on maternity leave. She has quite the shoes to fill. However, Rachel struggling to pick up the pieces of her life after her long term boyfriend and colleague, Paul, drops her like a bad habit. You see Rachel has a tendency to push too far and cross unspoken boundaries once she sets her mind to wanting something. In the spring she found herself trying to trap Paul into family life even after he voices that he isn't ready. Paul is a good guy but he has ambitions of his own and Rachel crosses the line ultimately pushing him to drastic measures... BREAK UP. As the book starts Rachel is starting back to school in the fall. Her life still in shambles when she is reminded of the new responsibilities she is to take on this school year whilst still facing Paul every day at work. YIKES... Yes, this story goes there.
Laura, on the other hand, is married to Ash. She works as a maid and her husband a life guard. To put it nicely "They struggle." Laura likes to keep up appearances. She buys nothing but the best for Amy, their daughter. She even goes without at times wearing worn, old clothing. She likes to keep up the façade of a perfect marriage in front of others. It's no wonder everyone thinks they have the perfect marriage. Ash comes off as overly protective of his daughter and even controlling of his wife at times. AND WITH EVERY RIGHT.. I'll let you into that.
The sisters are close being the only biological family either of them are still in contact with, but one day Laura decides to reach out to dear ole long lost dad. Blessing or mistake? Where has he been all this time? and Why hasn't he even tried to reconnect before? Laura is eager to move past the past, but Rachel is leery. What are Peter's intentions? Lets just say their worlds go topsy-turvy, lives start to unravel and secrets come to light, but not all of them.
This novella flows well enough. It is not a genre I typically read a lot of. However, there is plenty of excitement. There were times I wanted to just yell at the both of the main characters for being absolutely ridiculous! LIKE GET A CLUE! It was a quick and easy read. I found myself being propelled along. I had a pretty chill weekend and was able to complete this book from one afternoon to the next. It is told from two perspectives at once. I didn't mind that as Ms. Harrow did a very good job of flowing between the two sisters. Keeping the reader guess who exactly is the heroine, the victim, the villian... who knows? You find yourself second guessing and changing your ideas of what exactly is going on. I'd have gladly given this book another star, however, there were some pretty easy to spot errors, some wording choices, and even missing words or typos. Not a lot. Just enough to where I get flowing along, then all of a sudden HAULTED... suck finding myself re-reading to figure out what exactly was trying to be said...
Anyways, good read and I would definitely recommend.

An interesting character driven book that keeps you guessing as you turn the pages. The relationship between the family members was intriguing and the storyline emotional and interesting. I'll definitely check out more of Ruth Harrow's books now. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story is told by two different points of view, sisters Rachel and Laura. There mother died when they were young and their father abandoned them right away so they grew up in foster care. Laura is an office cleaner, married to Ash and has a daughter. Rachel is a teacher and recently broke up with fellow teacher, Paul...Rachel and Laura have more issues than a magazine subscription!

Laura finds their long lost father and is happy he is becoming part of the family. Rachel not so much, she is unforgiving and unwelcoming towards him. They have different recollections of their childhood. The whole time I was reading this I wasn't sure who was telling the truth. Even Laura seemed like an unreliable narrator and this style of writing made me want to continue reading.

The writing in this book was addictive in its simplicity and the plot moves at a very fast pace, the short chapters kept me reading and upped the intensity factor...especially at the end. At first I thought both lead characters were whiny and meek but as the book went on they redeemed themselves with a strength I didn't see coming. What I did see coming was the surprise (?) twist the author threw in the mix. I suspected what was gonna happen all along but for some reason wasn't disappointed and LOVED the ending.

I didn't like how Rachel's asthma was portrayed, it wasn't realistic at all. I was laughing at her "attacks" as they were so outrageous and take it from me I know asthma attacks first hand. Otherwise this was a sold three star read for me.

Laura and Rachel are sisters but they lost there mother at a young age and where brought up in different homes , Rachel has always looked out for Laura . there dad left them at a young age . Laura is married to Ash they have a young daughter Amy . Rachel was with Paul but he walked out but its hard for Rachel as she has to see him every day at the school they are teachers , Laura wants Rachel to come for tea that evening and not to be late , Laura has a surprise that she not even told her husband she has found her father on Facebook . but the surprise does not go well Rachel nor Ash do not trust him but Laura has big plans but there is a lot of shocks and twists in this book you wont see coming so good

I wouldn't call this a psychological thriller. It's more of a family drama, a soap opera in a book.

The novel is told from the twin points of view of sisters Laura and Rachel, who were raised in care following their mother's death and father's abandonment . Now in their thirties, both are making a life. And then younger sister Laura finds their father on line, bringing him back into their lives. Rachel is suspicious, but Laura is anxious to reconnect.

The plot builds slowly, and we hear from both sisters. Neither are particularly likable characters, making it difficult to connect. It is clear that there are many family secrets to be revealed here, but the pacing is a little off, meaning little happens for long periods.

This is the first book of Mrs. Harrow's I've read- but it will definitely not be the last! From beginning to the end- she spun a tale that kept me wondering what would come next.

This story switches between two different point of views- those of two sisters who spent much of their childhood in foster care. Both of them have been dealing with relationship troubles when someone from their past returns. The question is- are both sisters really reliable narrators? Is everything as it seems?

While many thrillers contain predictable tropes- I honestly had no idea of what was truly going to happen until the end. Every time I thought I had some inkling- I'd find out I was wrong.

I definitely recommend this book to others!

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the eARC.
This was a tough book for me to review, I liked it and yet I didn't like any of the characters much. I didn't trust the father who came into the sisters' lives after many years and of the two sisters, Rachel was more sympathetic to me than her younger sister Laura, but both irritated me at times because of their silliness. One of them was quite evil, probably because of her childhood. Halfway through, things turn topsy- turvy, making me want to keep reading past my bedtime.
So as much as I sound negative, I did enjoy the read and enjoyed the tension the story provoked in me. I think a lot of people will enjoy it.

Thank you Inkubator Books and NetGalley for this chilling ebook!

Dear Sister by Ruth was freaking outstanding.
This is my first Narrow novel! But I seen she has three others out. Gotta get. Be wise I was hooked to this story!
This book by Ruth only took a few pages until I was quickly entranced in the story. She has this captivating, intriguing way as she tells her stories with plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep a reader guessing. And of course you never discover that last little twist until it’s all over!
Amazing, intriguing, compelling story that will have flipping the pages so fast!

Thank you again for the opportunity to read this amazing story!

I received an advance copy of Dear Sister, by Ruth Farrow. Families and sisters, husband and dad, but who is telling the truth? This is a creepy boo, but in a good way.

Ruth Harrow is a new author to me, but I want to dig into her backlist now. This had a nice tight character list: Rachel, the older sister. Laura, the younger. Their biological father, newly back in their lives after they were raised in the foster system. Laura's husband, Ash, and daughter, Amy. Stir them all up - at one point even in a snowbound cabin deep in the woods - and what will happen?

Harrow's strengths were character and setting. The dialog was a little forced. The propulsive pace will make you want to keep reading, though.