Member Reviews

This is the type of book that makes you feel good because you have just read a wonderful piece of literature. This story depicts the journey of three sisters who come back together after years estranged for their father's funeral and stay together to meet the conditions necessary as depicted in his will. All three sisters are very different but all are at pivotal points in their lives and whether they acknowledge it or not, they need each other desperately. I think I have been each character at different stages in my life and the growth they show through the book is a beautiful thing to see. I was sad when the book ended because I didn't want to leave this Irish village and my new friends. I read this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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THE GIN SISTERS’ PROMISE
BY
FAITH HOGAN.

Three sisters, once so close, but now estranged from eachother are thrown back together by the death of their father.
One of the stipulations in their father’s will sees the sisters having to live together in their childhood home for six months before they can claim their inheritance.
Can the sisters heal their broken bonds? Or will six months together be too high a price to pay?

This is another delightful read from Faith Hogan.
Full of family secrets, broken promises and hope for the future.

Written with real heart and emotion. This is an engaging story that will captivate you from the very beginning.

With all the warmth of Ireland and lots of Gin thrown in, this book is a joy to read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Out now in all formats.

With thanks to Netgalley and Head Of Zeus, for a digital arc of this title.

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Three estranged sisters. Six months to come back together.

When Georgie, Iris and Nola's mother died and their father disappeared into his grief, the sisters made a pact: they would always be there for one another, no matter what.
Now, decades later, they haven't spoken for years and can barely stand to be in the same room. As his health declines, their father comes up with a plan to bring them back to one another. In his will, he states that before they can claim their inheritance, they must spend six months living together in their childhood home in the village of Ballycove, Ireland, and try to repair their broken relationships.
As the months progress, old resentments boil over, new secrets threaten to come out and each sister must decide what matters more: their pride, or their family. Can they overcome their past and find a way to love each other once more?

This is another comforting instalment of what Faith Hogan does best - the charm and quirks of an Irish village, picturesque settings, a pinch of humour, and complicated female relationships. The latter being three sisters with so many differences it might take a lifetime to sort them out, never mind six months. Each has enough endearing qualities that it’s possible to see through the more difficult parts of their personalities. Iris is the oldest sister and, to borrow a phrase from Helen Fielding, the other two see her as ‘the smug married one’. Neither can stand Iris’s husband Miles, who is controlling, unfaithful and created a rift in the family when he was caught stealing from the family distillery. Georgie loathes him for that and the creepy hold he seems to have over their elder sister, a resentment that possibly dates back to Iris’s role as mum to the younger girls when their mother died. I felt for Iris the most. Having stuck her neck out for Miles in their teenage years, he repaid her by stealing when he should have been learning the distillery’s secrets in order to take over from their father. Over the years Iris has become lost, acquiescing to Miles’s wishes even when it came down to something very important to her. She wanted children. He didn’t. Now he has a mistress, a baby on the way and would like to talk Iris into giving him everything they own. Georgie has the balls in the family and was determined to leave Ballycove and make a success of her life. Now in her thirties she’s expecting promotion and a partnership at the marketing firm where she works, but the board have decided against it. It turns out that Georgie is universally disliked by all her co-workers. Her work is exceptional, but her manner is rude and condescending. Unable to take being passed over, Georgie’s summons home comes at just the right time. However, underneath her bullish exterior she is devastated at the loss of her father who she was very close to. The youngest sister, Nola, is the beauty of the family and the baby. She spent her teens desperate for a life beyond Ballycove and moved to London as soon as she could to study acting. Having had a burst of success playing a favourite new addition in a British soap opera, she turned an original two week part into years, but was recently shocked to be told she was being killed off. Unable to admit to failure, after a long time attending auditions which came to nothing, Nola is returning home broke and without an agent.

I loved the way these sister’s personalities rub against each other, often in complete ignorance or misunderstanding of how the other is feeling. They neglect to realise that they need to meet as they are now. They’re making assumptions about each other based on old information, they base it on the way they acted as teenagers because that’s when they were last this close. To place them back in the family home, while grieving and with all these old resentments flying around, is a massive gamble and I enjoyed finding out whether it would pay off. The way that each sister veered towards their own niche within the estate was fun, because it balanced out the arguing and negativity. Here each woman was in their element: Iris loves creating homes and cozy spaces for people to enjoy; Georgie loves a challenge and when that’s matched with a tribute to their mother she’s all fired up; Nola starts to realise that here in Ballycove she’s been successful and can now use that experience to help others follow their dreams. There’s a wisdom that comes with age and the sisters are surprised to meet others who stayed or returned home. It’s Iris who seems to make that connection in her mind, that she can have what she wants and be fulfilled as she is. She doesn’t need a man to help her reach her dreams and she is surprisingly capable. I was desperate for her to send Miles on his way and realise her own worth, to fight her corner, but I had to wait to the very end to find out whether she would. The main focus though is the three sisters and whether they can come together, to use their complimentary skills to keep their childhood home and their parent’s memories alive. This is a cozy but emotionally intelligent read, all set within beautiful countryside and written by an author whose love for rural Ireland is evident throughout.

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One of my favourite authors. This is another great book. I loved the characters of the 3 sisters and couldn’t wait to find out their back stories and how they were going to fulfil the wishes of their father’s will. A lovely heartwarming story that will keep you gripped to the end.

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Lovely heart warming story of three sisters, a beautifully written tale, with great, easy to get to know characters. Enjoyed it.

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Another wonderful story by Faith Hogan, full of family drama where from the first few pages you get a feel for the relationship the sisters once held and what had happened in the intervening years.

Whilst on the front of it the sisters seem to have all picked a lane for their lives where they have carved out a path, the reality is very different and they are all lonely in their own right yet too stubborn to speak up and make contact with eachother.

When their father dies, all of the old drama resurfaces as the sisters return to Ireland for his funeral and for the will to be read, where they discover the latest wish from their father.

This was a story full of intense family relationships with each sister bringing their own point of view to the table as they are trying hard to keep secrets hidden from eachother. I loved how each sister was described, so you could get to know them and see how they influenced the story and how they all came to be in the position they found themselves in.

Another wonderful read, from an author who I am always keen to pick up a book by.

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I was so lucky to receive an advance copy of The Gin Sisters' Promise by Faith Hogan from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I've read other books by Faith Hogan and believe me she never disappoints! My favorite part of this book was how she used the sisters names Georgie, Iris and Nola (GIN Sisters) in the title. :) I found this book to be so heart warming and really made me wish I had a sister as it' shows how sisters are so important to one another.

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You can go home again, but no one ever said it would be easy. This book was so emotional…sisters estranged for years need to reunite after the death of their last parent. They need to learn to reconnect and see if their promise is still in tact. Loving at first they are pulled in different directions by an age old reason and become totally separate. Can they or will they come back together? Is their separateness stronger or will the bond of being sisters win out?

I loved “The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club”. This book, the second I’ve read by this author, did not disappoint! I was totally invested in the characters and their individual situations. I found their struggles relatable. It’s emotional, raw. It shows the importance of forgiveness, family and finding your own self worth. Loved the nod to the previous book and to revisit the idyllic village of Ballycove, Ireland. I look forward to this author’s next book!

Thanks to Ms. Hogan, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

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Georgie, Iris, and Nola are three irish sisters, they live in London now, but they are estranged and they haven't seen each other in a long time, until their widowed father dies and they have to go back to the small coastal town of Ballycove for the funeral and the will reading. They are surprised to hear that before they have access to their part of inheritance they have to live together in their family's home. You could easily understand that it won't be an easy journey for them but, maybe, in the end they'll gain more than the money they expect.

I can't begin to describe how much I loved this novel from the cover, and the characters to the storyline.

Georgie, Iris, and Nola have clashing personalities, they are each jelous of the others, and they keep their secrets from the others.
I enjoyed to see them change and grow up chapter after chapter, it felt like I was there with them supporting and cheering for them from the sideline.
I have a great relationship with my sister so I couldn't grasp their behaviour at all time but I was so proud of them in the end because they had the courage to face their problems and and overcome the hardles together.

The Gin Sisters' Promise was very well written, full of emotion and an ocean that silently in the background uplifts the mood.

I absolutely recommend to read Faith Hogan's works, she became one of my favourite voices in the Women's Fiction world.

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As ever an absolutely cracking read from Faith Hogan. I absolutely loved the GIN sisters (Georgie, Iris and Nola).

When their mother dies they make a pact to always be there for each other. Something happens which breaks that bond and years later when their dear father dies they come together again. He's arranged for them to spend 6 months together before they can claim any inheritance, and so the sisters have to come together to make this work. Returning home to Ballcove and their childhood home.... the atmosphere is to say the least, frosty.... at least to begin with..

I loved all three sisters, all very different and all with their own issues. A story about family, friendship, forgiveness and second chances. So, so recommend it.

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I love faith hogan books and this did not disappoint: her writing is always beautiful and extremely descriptive. This was a lovely poignant read and I loved it

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A lovely book. It’s like three books in one with the different lives of the three sisters being told. A definite holiday read.

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Faith Hogan is always a win for me and The Gin Sisters' Promise didn't let me down. It is a heartwarming story of three sisters that have been estranged from each other for years. They separated for various reasons, but their father's death and his Will, bring them back to each other. You see each of their struggles and how eventually, they find their way back to each other fulfilling their promise they made to each other at the death of their mother. It is a great summer read that I highly recommend. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

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The sisters strong characters were real and flawed and I really enjoyed how different they each were and how quickly I became attached to them. Throughout the journey their pasts unfold so we learn how difficult their lives have been despite the brave fronts they each choose to show. The lovely setting of Ballycove also added to the charm of the story. The community of Ballycove and the rekindling of friendships was really enjoyable and I loved learning about the family distillery!
This is a really satisfying and heartwarming story filled with family, friendship and forgiveness.

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The book disappeared from my mobile. What a pity.!!!

Good luck with the book

Maybe another time.

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Three sisters.
One condition.

Georgie, career-driven, a dynamo business executive.
Iris, uninspired, clings to a fruitless marriage.
Nola chases the limelight of a by-gone acting career.

Three estranged sisters are brought back together by their deceased father’s last request: that they spend six months together in their childhood home before inheriting his estate.

Faith Hogan has an effortless gift for weaving the most uplifting stories – I know this because I’ve read all her books. I’ve long wanted to be a permanent resident of Ballycove and am thrilled every chance I get to revisit through Faith’s vivid imagery. In The Gin Sisters’ Promise; Faith transports readers back into beautiful Ballycove and once again, delights with a story full of heartwarming emotion, compassionate humor, and authentic characters.

A lovely read that lifted my spirits and left my heart a little brighter.

Wholeheartedly recommend The Gin Sisters’ Promise.

Thank you to Head of Zeus|Aria for the read of Faith Hogan’s, The Gin Sisters’ Promise.

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Three sisters have gone their separate ways due to disagreements in their past. However, when their father dies, they are called back to the family home and under the terms of his will, they must spend time with each other before claiming their inheritance.
An enjoyable read with all the family drama you would expect. It’s good to hear their back stories and find out what they each want from life or think they want.

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Dear Fellow Reader,

Do you ever have those times when you drift away from reading? It doesn’t happen to me often but sometimes I get busy doing other things and neglect my reading. This is not good when I have two book groups to say nothing of the reading I do for reviews.

I decided that it is time to take some of the guilt for not reading that stack of TBR books that reside in the living room. That stack that I have promised to read for the last TWO YEARS. I have, in the past, gone through the stack and removed one or two books that I didn’t think I really wanted to read. Well, I went through the other day knowing that I can give the books to the local library. The library can use them either to raise funds in the used book sale or by replacing worn copies from the shelves. The library can benefit from the light feeling I get from not having to look at those books. With that thought, it was easier to be truthful about whether I was really going to read them. Besides, I can always take them out of the library if I change my mind.

Sometimes when a book sits around for a while, I feel it gets stale. My interest in reading a book seems to diminish the longer I put off reading it. Do you find that to be the case?


Today, we are going to talk about The Gin Sisters’ Promise by Faith Hogan. This book is a new release – it just came out last week. When I started this book, I knew I was behind and needed to really get in gear reading. The pressure was on. The book opens with the three sisters at the time of their mother’s funeral. Georgie, Iris, and Nora are lost but Nora was so young that the sisters promise to stay together and support each other. And then they grew up. They hurt each other and turned away from their home and each other. Georgie went to work in the advertising industry and became successful in some ways. Iris is the only sister who married but her marriage had caused her separation from the family. It seems that they did not see her husband as being as perfect as she did. And Nora was an actress.

But it seems that their real lives were not what the sisters saw in each other’s lives. Georgie was up for a big promotion that she knew she should get but didn’t. It went so badly that she was out of a job. Iris’s husband left her for another woman – a pregnant woman. And Nora’s agent quit the business and told her that she needed to move on. That there were no other acting jobs for her.

It is with each of the sisters at a crossroads that their father dies. They all go home for the funeral feeling bad that they had not treated their father as they should have. And they all dread facing each other.

With the reading of the will, a change in their lives will start.

I will admit that I was tempted not to read the book as I thought that I could guess what would happen. But once I started reading, I was sucked into the story. The pages flew by. It was not exactly what I would have guessed, and I am still partially surprised by the ending.

I think that this is a good summer read. You can enjoy the evolution of the girls and their life back in the small town of Ireland where they came from.

I just looked and Amazon has the Kindle version on sale right now. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading!

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Faith Hogan is a super writer, and this book lived up to my expectations.
The story concerns three sisters, Faith ,Nola and Georgie who when yung were full of promises to each other never to drift apart. Their father was swallowed up in his grief at song their mother, but years later, his will tried to put this right. He stated that the girls, women now, had to live in the house willed to them, together , for 6 months.
The emotions, the arguments, the little joys creeping in, are all so evocative. It's a heart warming story.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy to read and review.

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It’s difficult to even put into words how much I loved this book. I’m a big fan of Faith Hogan, and each book just seems to do the impossible and be even better than the last.

We are back in Ballycove for this book, and it’s wonderful to be able to imagine the gorgeous little west of Ireland town again.

The characters are so rich in this book, they feel almost immediately as if you know them. I found myself liking all three of the sisters, once I got through their London personas. I have two sisters myself, the sister relationship is so special, and it was sad to see how they had fallen out years before. But as they begin to work through their grief and heal their relationship, their true personalities shine through and they start to repair the bonds that had been broken.

The beautiful setting, the wonderfully authentic characters, and a completely compelling tale make this book a true joy to read. Another triumph from a truly talented author. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

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