3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a cute, somewhat lighthearted story that tackles some very serious family issues. The very best part of the story is the character development.
I feel like I really got to know and love the main characters Maggie and Ginny. As the story progressed, I cared deeply about what happened to each of them.
That said, at times I found their actions and reactions confusing.
The reason I gave only 3.5 stars is because the writing style is almost too casual and contains a lot of kitchy phrases. There were a few grammatical and spelling errors which I assume will be cleaned up before final publication. There were a few loose ends left at the end of the story.
That said, I am glad I read this book, and I will recommend it to those seeking a story about family changes.

This novel tells the slow unraveling of an overburdened woman- many of whom will relate to. Maggie, aka Maggie-Do, does a lot. She has two teenage boys, a demanding job, and has recently separated from her husband, who for the most part acted like a third child for 20+ years. When her older sister with undisclosed mental disabilities almost dies from eating too much sugar, Maggie takes on an additional task: managing the life of Ginny. Covering nearly four years and told in a stream of conscious-like narrative, I really wanted to like The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream: A Novel... I just didn't.

First, it was incredibly hard to get into. If this wasn't an ARC, I would've DNF'd. But, I pushed through and it never felt like I stopped pushing.

Zusy, undoubtedly, writes complex characters. I felt for Maggie. I wanted her life to become easier. I wanted so much more for her. But, because of the way the story was told (more of Ginny summarizing everything occurring, sometimes spanning a year in a single paragraph), I never felt super connected to the events of the story. It was more like I was reading a summarized version of her life story. And here's where I'll admit that I don't usually love novels spanning a lot of time, especially if they're character-driven, so this could be a personal preference.

Because I wasn't super invested in the characters, the constant (and long) stories from the past ended up feeling long and boring. The book never really felt insightful enough to make these feel warranted nor engaging enough to keep my interest.

In the end, I think the premise of the story would appeal to many but just didn't do it for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader's copy of this book, which should publish in September 2022.

I really wanted to like this book and I did like the beginning and the ending. There was just a lot of the middle that I found repetitive and boring. Ginny was the older special needs sister and Maggie felt she had to look after her. Ginny was difficult and often confrontational with Maggie and her other caregivers. She was diabetic and insisted on eating sugar laden foods. In fact, the descriptions of her eating habits were quite off-putting - way too much mayo on everything. Maggie hovered over Ginny even when Ginny could be cared for by her caregivers. She made decisions she thought were necessary. And then there was Betsy who was the eldest and lived on the other side of the continent. She didn't get involved in Ginny's care at all. All three sisters had relationship problems and I could see why.
The ending seemed to point to Maggie stepping back from her obsession with Ginny's care and maybe getting back together with her husband from whom she had been separated for four years. She seemed to accept that Ginny could live her own life even if she had a stroke from not looking after her diabetes and diet. The story didn't grab my attention and I found it moved very slowly.

Maggie Frederick has a full plate with her two teenage sons, a not quite ex-husband and bills to be paid. Add caretaker for her sister, Ginny to the mix and she is pushed to the edge. Ginny is one of her older sisters but has an intellectual disability and is not taking good care of herself. Maggie moves her closer to her own home (against the objections of their other sister) and hires a live-in caregiver for her. This should make things easier to Maggie....but life doesn't quite work that way.

I wanted to love this book but it fell flat for me. Ginny was my favorite character. I appreciated that she was somewhat "unlikeble" and not portrayed as "angelic" in the way people with disabilities can be. She was funny, complex and independent. I felt like a lot of Maggie's story was missing. It seemed surface level and I wanted to understand more about her. The relationship with their third sister had potential but again was lacking.

The story moved in fits and starts. Some scenes were long and drawn out and other times, the story skipped months ahead. I loved the interactions with Ginny's caregivers, Philomena and Lika. They were both hilarious and amazing representation of many hard working immigrants in the caregiver field.

Overall, this book had solid potential and some charming scenes but left me wanting more.

The hype for this novel had me all ready for a funny ,laugh out loud story. Although there were some light hearted moments I found this book to be depressing and dull. The dynamic of the three Frederick sisters Bets, Ginny and Maggie relationship is complicated and interesting. Told mostly from the point of view of Maggie I found her frustrating so I felt very little compassion for her. Having sisters I believe that sisters have a special bond that despite faults and quirks is difficult to break. I didn't get that in this story ,however, I recommend reading it perhaps you'll come away with an understanding that I missed. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book, this is my honest review.

The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream is a novel about family dynamics, and how each person in a family can have a different view of shared experiences. The novel centers around Maggie and her older sister, Ginny, who has special needs. Their parents have both passed away and Ginny has reached the point where she can no longer care for herself and live on her own. There is a third sister, Bets, who lives across the country and seemingly wants no part in chipping in to help with Ginny.
Everything, it seems, falls on Maggie to take care of. She takes care of Ginny, along with her own family. She juggles issues with her marriage, her teenage sons, her sister ,and her career. The novel does a good job of highlighting these struggles, and you feel for Maggie, but as the book goes on, you realize that Maggie brings a lot of the stress on herself. She is a perfectionist who has gone to great lengths to take care of everyone around her, to the point that they are powerless to take care of themselves. And of course, the person she is not taking care of is herself. It is certainly a relatable story.
In the end, as the characters truly open up to each other and share their honest feelings and experiences, they learn to trust and appreciate each other. The book is about accepting people for who they are- faults and all. This family learns to support each other, and more importantly learns that support and love can look different for different people.

I really enjoyed this one. I like reading about sister-bonds! I thought both characters were great. This one kept my attention throughout and I was happy while reading!

A great read from start to finish for me. After a medical scare in Maryland where Ginny has been living, Maggie brings her special needs older sister to live in her upstate New York town. Already in the middle of a separation from her husband, trying to raise two almost college-age sons, and eking out a living as a freelance artist, Maggie becomes even more overwhelmed. No matter what, she is determined to provide for the sister she loves. She faces so many obstacles, mostly centered around the quirky behaviors of Ginny. Ginny is overweight and diabetic and will not stop eating sugar, drowning her waffles in syrup every morning. Wheelchair bound, she depends on her two feuding hired caretakers to meet her every need, including changing her diapers.
Though the premise sounds dismal and hopeless, the story of the love between Maggie and Ginny is uplifting and remarkable. The family ties are strong, even with their older sister Betsy who chooses the live the surfer life in California rather than deal with the daily issues faced by Maggie and Ginny. Twists and turns take the reader through the lives on this remarkable, but imperfect family. Though there are tears, there is also laughter in their lives. I found myself laughing so hard that tears were running down my face over Ginny's cell phone escapades as Maggie tried to straighten them out at the Apple store. Wonderful and well-written story based somewhat on the author's own family dynamic.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for me to read and review.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review! This book was very charming! It was also quiet quirky. As the mother of a autistic son, it kinda hit home and I really enjoyed their story!

This was a very real glimpse into the inner workings of a family, and how everything can change when a family member needs assistance. This book was in turns laugh out loud funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful. I loved being able to follow the journey of the Frederick sisters. This was a lovely read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Written in a narration style, the main character takes the reader on a journey through her life. This is the story of a wife/mother/sister who gives of herself, struggles with self-doubt, and worries that she's not enough for her family.
I love that the author pulled from her own family background and created a character who struggles with a learning disability. She did a great job conveying the struggle family members have in caring for someone with disabilities. The book is not all serious reflection though, there is plenty of humor to lighten the topic.
I definitely recommend you put this book in your TBR for September. Thank you NetGalley and Altria Books for an ARC and opportunity to review this book.

The book didn't hold my attention. DNF

**************I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.**************************

What a heartwarming and funny read. If you’re looking for something to lift your spirits, this is it. It’s quirky, heartfelt, funny and original.

I wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t get into it. I found myself having trouble to getting into the book and it seemed to drag on at times.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

What a wonderful story about three sisters and their lives. It's heart warming but real. Loved the characters.

This book was EVERYTHING! It was funny, sad, poignant, heartbreaking, heartwarming and authentic. I loved the characters so much, flaws and all. They were so real and honest, genuine and true to life. They made mistakes but loved each other fiercely and I enjoyed every minute I got to spend with them and being part of their lives. I loved Maggie's inner dialogue as she was sincere with her love for her sister and the rest of the family.

Such a unique take on caring for a sibling with special needs. I loved that it was sensitive to the situation while being honest with how difficult it can be for everyone involved. Although extremely sweet at times it wasn't saccharine or cloying and very realistic. I was thoroughly invested in this family and their lives and enjoyed watching them evolve. You can tell this story was told from the heart and the gut.

I loved reading the author notes at the end, she mentions she had a brother with special needs and I know that's what made the book so great. This is a complex, compelling and enlightening read and a fabulous debut. I cannot wait to see what Jeannie Zusy comes up with next. All. The. Stars.

Thanks to the lovely folks at NetGalley for a chance to read an advanced reader's copy.

The characters read real, all the complexities of life and family feel way too real. Two dogs die. Maggie annoyed me for pretty much the whole book. By the end, it wrapped up better than I expected and I kinda liked it. Worth the read.

Maggie has been the glue to hold everyone together and it's wearing thin.

She's overwhelmed after doing it all while her (newly separated) husband did whatever, her boys grew up, her big sister (Bets) lived it up out west and she had to step in when it became clear her middle sister Ginny could no longer live independently.

This is a huge change for everyone. Both Maggie and Ginny chafe at the changes but Maggie feels responsible.

Over the course of a few years Maggie faces her own resentment, her frustration with Ginny's choices, her anger at Bets choosing to stay away all while trying to remain a part of her boys' lives, date and deal with her exish husband.

The differing perspectives you only get peeks at as Maggie is the storyteller are enlightening and the love between the sisters is huge.

I was given the opportunity to read this book on NetGally.
The story is about sisters, their bond and how crazy life can get. I wasn't a huge fan of the story. I just felt like it never really went anywhere, no climax or high points, just seemed very flat line.
I can say that I absolutely loved the relationship between the three sisters though and how that developed and played out.

This book was just lovely. Thank you, Net Galley, for entrusting me an advanced copy for my honest opinion. I fell in love with the characters, major and minor. There is not a villain in the bunch, really. It is a reflection of life to say the biggest enemy or roadblock we have each have is ourselves. The writing is light and witty, and though it often delves deep into serious issues, it is done in a reassuring way that makes me hopeful throughout the book. As long as we have each other, we can survive anything. I am grateful to have read this beautifully written book. Bravo!