Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

The Frederick Sisters are Living the Dream

Jeannie Zusy

Publication: August 2, 2022

Oh, this book! It was just so real…you will become thoroughly invested in the Frederick sisters and their lives. Maggie, the caregiver, Bets, the free-spirited surfer, Ginny, the special needs sister…all of them had so much hidden depth beyond those outward labels. Add the side characters and the back stories, and everyone is just so perfectly fleshed out that you feel like you know all of them. The dynamics and the personal growth from beginning to end of all the characters was brilliant! This would make a great TV series…highly recommend!

An odd trio of sisters, one with disabilities, one who conveniently lives across the country, and one who is suddenly put in charge of being her sister’s caretaker. Dark humor and sometimes depressing, the sisters relearn the meaning of family.

A touching and heart tugging story of four hard years in the life of Maggie while she tends her developmentally disabled sister and motherhood of her two adult sons. Realistic characters and life-like plot.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While billed as humorous, this novel was hard for me to read as a distance-caregiver who is firmly in the sandwich generation. At this point, I am reading to escape the hardships, so reading about them didn't work for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this ARC of this debut novel for this author. Overall I really enjoyed the story of the Frederick Sisters, which focused most on Maggie and her sister with special needs Ginny. It was a love story of sorts and truly a testament to the commitment to family. The only thing I did not like was the style of writing in that there were no chapters just 4 sections. I tend to like having chapters to set places to stop reading. Not sure if that will be in the final printed version or if that is just because this is an ARC. The book was funny and held my interest. I will recommend.

The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream is such a complex and compelling family drama! Yes, there are snippets of humor peppered through the interactions, but there is so much of reality that honestly, it's easy to feel worn down by it all.
Maggie finds herself caring for Ginny, her older sister with intellectual disabilities and health challenges. Additionally she is struggling with work, raising sons, a failing marriage and a strained relationship with her other sister. In short, life is exhausting.
Ginny's quirky caregivers are a highlight, as they come together with the family to navigate the natural ups and downs of life.
This is a satisfying peek into the lives of a family, and how a decision made by one member can impact all. The author paints quite a true picture of living with someone who has challenges. Its complicated. She takes us on this journey in a very real way and you will not be disappointed if you join her.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for this ARC of The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream.