
Member Reviews

This book was different than an other I’ve read. I very much enjoyed the dynamic between the sisters and the relationships they had. The insight into Ginny’s thoughts and life and her reactions to things were so interesting and I truly appreciated what felt like a realistic portrayal of of everyday life between the sisters.

Unique characters, binge-worthy narrative, two thumbs up! I found myself reading "just one more page". IMO this book fits into the category of "chick lit" although it strays from the typical formula since protagonist, Maggie, is separated from her husband after her own affair. Trying to navigate new family dynamics with her young adult sons, while juggling the demands of a special needs sister in conjunction with a demanding job in advertising, Maggie must learn to ride the waves of her own life to avoid an epic wipeout (meanwhile, her older sister is busy living her best life hanging ten on the sunny beaches of California). Storyline bonus: family pets play a role in the storyline and narrative. Thank you to NetGalley for a free digital ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really loved this book. The story flowed so well. It was sad in parts, but alot of funny parts too. Could not put this one down. Highly recommend.

**A Heartfelt and Hilarious Tale of Family, Love, and Resilience**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jeannie Zusy’s *The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream* is a beautifully written novel that perfectly captures the chaos, humor, and deep love of family life. Equal parts heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny, this book is an absolute gem.
The story revolves around Maggie, who steps in to care for her sister Ginny, whose unique challenges require patience, compassion, and a sense of humor. Zusy’s characters are so richly drawn and relatable that they feel like people you know—or wish you did. Maggie’s struggles, triumphs, and witty observations make her an instantly lovable protagonist.
What sets this novel apart is Zusy’s masterful ability to balance humor with poignant emotional depth. The challenges of caregiving, the complexities of sibling relationships, and the bittersweet moments of life’s imperfection are all handled with grace and authenticity.
The pacing is spot on, with every chapter offering a new mix of laugh-out-loud moments and heart-tugging scenes. Zusy’s sharp, witty prose keeps the story moving while grounding it in the messy, beautiful reality of family life.
*The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream* is a celebration of resilience, love, and the bonds that hold us together even in the most trying times. Jeannie Zusy has delivered a story that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the quirks of your own family. This is a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction with heart. Highly recommended!

The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream is a beautifully complex and compelling family drama. While moments of humor are woven throughout the story, it also delves deeply into the exhausting and emotional realities of caregiving and family dynamics.
Maggie is at the heart of this tale, juggling the care of her older sister Ginny—who has intellectual disabilities and significant health challenges—alongside her own struggles: a demanding job, raising her sons, a failing marriage, and a strained relationship with their other sister. Life for Maggie is overwhelming, to say the least.
The quirky caregivers who help support Ginny are a delightful highlight, adding warmth and a sense of community as they face the natural ups and downs of life together. The story offers an honest and nuanced look at how one person’s decisions ripple through an entire family, showcasing the challenges and rewards of responsibility.
The author paints an authentic and heartfelt portrait of living with someone who has unique challenges, capturing the messy, complicated, yet deeply loving nature of family life. This journey feels raw and real, leaving readers satisfied and moved.
A funny yet poignant story about family, change, and resilience, The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream is a must-read. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a story that balances humor with heartfelt reality.

The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream had a lot of potential but ultimately left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. The premise—following three sisters navigating life, love, and loss—had moments of charm, but the pacing and tone felt uneven at times. While the characters were likable, I found it hard to connect with them on a deeper level, and the plot didn’t quite deliver the emotional impact I was hoping for. Overall, it's a decent read for those who enjoy family dynamics and introspective moments, but it didn’t fully capture my attention.

Jeannie Zusy's The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream is a heartfelt and witty exploration of family dynamics, personal growth, and the pursuit of happiness. The story centers around the three Frederick sisters, each navigating their own unique challenges and dreams while grappling with their shared past.
Zusy's writing is both engaging and relatable, blending humor with poignant moments that resonate deeply. The sisters are well-drawn characters, each with distinct personalities and struggles, making their journeys feel authentic and compelling. As they confront their individual aspirations and the complexities of their relationships, readers are drawn into a rich narrative that captures the essence of sisterhood.
The pacing is steady, allowing for thoughtful character development and emotional depth. Themes of love, ambition, and the importance of family connections are interwoven throughout, reminding readers that dreams can evolve and change over time.
Overall, The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream is a delightful and uplifting read that celebrates the bonds of family and the pursuit of one’s passions. It’s a perfect choice for fans of contemporary fiction who appreciate stories about resilience and self-discovery.

Maggie is in over her head when she decides to take her sister, Ginny, in to care for her.
Overall, the book was funny, emotional, and perfectly described sibling dynamics. You want to kill your siblings, but you would kill for them.
I found the beginning of the book rather slow but picked up in Part 3.
I didn’t like the single POV from the sister. I think it would have been better to have multiple POV in this story to get the perspectives of the other sisters. Personally, I’m also not a big fan of long chapters. I find that always makes a book harder to read.
Philomena and Lika were great character additions to the story!
The book is described as “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine meets Early Morning Riser with a dash of Where’d You Go, Bernadette”. I haven’t read any of those books so I can’t speak to the comparison.

"The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream" by Jeannie Zusy is an engaging read that captures the complexities of sisterhood and the pursuit of dreams. The characters are well-developed, each bringing their unique perspectives and challenges to the forefront. Zusy's writing style is warm and inviting, making it easy to connect with the sisters’ journeys.
While the pacing can feel a bit slow at times, the emotional depth and humor keep the story afloat. Overall, it's a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics and the ups and downs of chasing aspirations. A solid choice for those who enjoy character-driven narratives.

This book will make you both laugh and cry. Maggie has become the caretaker of her sister Ginny. She also is separated from her husband and has two older boys. The story takes a glimpse back to when Maggie was younger and her relationship with her family. It also shows her up and down relationship with her sister now. That along with everything going on in her own home is a whole mix of good times and tough times all around.

This was so well written. I was engrossed from the first page and it ticked all the boxes of my expectations . I would definitely recommend to others.

Thank you to Atria Books for this ARC.
I love how complicated the feelings are in this books, everyone is coming from a place of love and is both right and wrong. I was invested in the story for the first half, but it got very repetitive and drawn out and is the main reason for the lower star rating. This started feeling like a regurgitation stream of consciousness.

This book could be just for you! Don't take my review (or rating) to heart - this book just suffered from a pet peeve of mine: stream of consciousness writing. I find them distracting and meandering. I dislike reading every little thought that goes across someone's mind. So while others loved it (and if it sounds good, go check on of those 4 or 5 star reviews! I bet you will love it!), this one just wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I loved the portrayal of raising children, experiencing a divorce and managing the care for a sibling. It is complicated. It is harsh.
Some of the transitions were rough. I'm also not a fan of long chapters.

Did not connect with this book. It felt a little exploitative and dehumanizing, which is unfortunate because I assume it was trying to do the opposite.

I enjoyed this overall, not the usual type of book that keeps me interested but found myself still wanting to turn the pages. I don't know exactly who I'd recommend this to in my life but do know that I enjoyed reading it. Not sure if I'd pick up something similar again but it was a nice experience and a good story overall.

''Every family has its fault lines, and when Maggie gets a call from the ER in Maryland where her older sister lives, the cracks start to appear. Ginny, her sugar-loving and diabetic older sister with intellectual disabilities, has overdosed on strawberry Jell-O.
Maggie knows Ginny really can’t live on her own, so she brings her sister and her occasionally vicious dog to live near her in upstate New York. Their other sister, Betsy, is against the idea but as a professional surfer, she is conveniently thousands of miles away. Thus, Maggie’s life as a caretaker begins''
The Fredrick Sister was a funny, tender, and emotional at times read about the reality of being a full time caregiver and all the sacrifices made to step when your family needs you. I enjoyed this novel with it's complicated family dynamics and the quirky cast of characters we meet. I also loved the setting between Maryland & Up state New York, and Maggie's narration throughout. What a good read.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Atria Books for this ecopy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ecopy.
The Frederick Sisters are Living the Dream was a fun and heartfelt novel about the relationship between three sisters, in particular, that between Ginny and Maggie. Maggie struggles in trying to provide care to her often-resistant older sister Ginny who has an intellectual disability, among a myriad of other health problems. Through these trials, their bond remains strong and it’s refreshing to see them both emerge through some life struggles and still make their way together to the other side of things.

Amazing plot line, well-written. I was reading it and AMAZING. A page turner and I think the author did a great job.

I could not get into this one at all. I should have known better, based on the blurb, but was still intrigued enough to request it. Unfortunately I felt lost from the beginning. This one was not a good fit for me.