I have been reading Cathy Kelly’s books for about a decade now. I’ve loved every book, and Sisterhood is no exception! Spanning between Ireland and Sicily, the story follows two sisters, Lou and Toni. The sisters have their ups and downs surrounding family, friends, work and life in general however, the women are both such strong, relatable characters, despite their hurdles. Cathy wrote her latest heartwarming story while battling cancer, which shows she’s just as strong as the characters she writes about. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for my copy of this book.

Cathy Kelly always understands human connections and this book absolutely captures what happens when two sisters are there for each other through thick and thin. Lou and Toni are facing their own challenging circumstances - finding themselves questioning the lives they are currently living so they set off on a journey together to find a truth that Lou desperately needs in her life. This was a super book - thoroughly engaging and enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

Having read all of Cathy Kelly’s books, I was eagerly anticipating this one, and I wasn’t let down. Over the past few years, her writing style has evolved, leaning more into spiritual and mystical themes, which only enhances the pleasure of the read. The story revolves around two sisters with vastly different lives who reunite during a period of crisis for both. As always, the characters are wonderfully crafted. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a compelling story with an Irish touch at its core.

I loved this author, I read a lot of her books, and this last one didn’t disappoint. If you like family stories, this is the book for you.

I really enjoyed this novel. Two sisters, quite different from each other, decide to go away together when their lives both hit turmoil. A good read about families and the bonds that tie us together that are also the most painful when broken.

I absolutely loved this book! I’ve read some of her books before but this is definitely the best. Highly recommended.

What a wonderful story about family support when it matters most, A heartwarming tale of picking up the pieces from broken relationships.
The characters all show great strength in the face of devastating revelations, that could tear them apart.
Lou and her sister Toni both need time away to plan their future and digest feelings towards others.
The storyline has a sharp focus on the way we view our relationships, a worthy read.

Thanks to the publisher, NetGalley and Cathy Kelly for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed fb I’ll an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sisterhood by Cathy Kelly explores the bonds of female friendship amidst life's challenges. Set in the picturesque Irish countryside, Kelly weaves a tapestry of interconnected lives, navigating love, loss, and self-discovery. While predictable at times, the novel's warmth and relatable characters make it a comforting read for fans of women's fiction.

I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me. There was nothing inherently wrong with the characters or the plot, it just seemed to be a personal preference thing unfortunately!

But hopefully others will enjoy it, because I think the author writes really well.

Thanks to @netgalley, I got the pleasure of reading this advanced copy for free in exchange for an honest review that I am leaving completely voluntarily and with utter joy!
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I love a Cathy Kelly read and this was no different! I adored it! The whole book felt like a warm hug or alike to a coffee with a close friend. It had this sense of comfort about it that really spoke to your soul. She has a way with words and a writing style that has the ability to really speak to the reader that ought to be commended.
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Lou is a character that you cannot help but like. She is what you would call ‘a good egg.’ She has a huge heart, forever giving her all, but in doing so, forgot to give back to herself. I found myself somewhat protective over her as the wrongdoings unfolded.. like how dare everyone take her for granted! And equally so in being proud and cheering her on when she took off and decided she wasn’t going to put up with it any longer.. you go girl! She was relatable in so many ways and an icon in respect to age is just a number and life is to be lived. I think a lot of people would have found this story powerful in what is known as a pivotal moment in a mid life crisis. Lou’s journey is one of questions and unsurity yet finding peace and happiness too.
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The underlying tones of respect, knowing one’s worth and putting yourself first from a female viewpoint was at every page turn. If you needed a read as a reminder in this area.. this is it! Every female character had an unspoken doubt shadowing them no matter their outer facade. But they all wanted things to be different. I loved the sentiment of ‘a change is as good as a holiday’ in terms of shaking things up and offering a new perspective as this was evident in character growth of many. I think the title Sisterhood is a symbol in a way. Not just referring to Lou and Toni and their road trip together.. but bigger than that. Like a unspoken bond of the female population perhaps.
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This story really flowed well and I especially enjoyed the twists and the connections. Was very clever. It was easy enjoyable reading but I did feel like something was missing once it had finished hence my 4stars. That being said, the ending did wrap the story up nicely and this is just my personal opinion.
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You don’t know what you have got until it’s gone and Lou proved to all that she was worth millions.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very relatable, especially Lou who had to find herself and be brave enough to put herself first after an explosive secret is revealed at her 50th birthday party.

Her sister Toni talks her into a road trip and together they start a self discovery journey with both of them having to face uncomfortable truths.

It was very well written and I was really caught up in the story. I enjoyed the multiple POVs, but I was a bit lost as to how/why Trinity's story became involved. I don't think it really added value to the wider storyline.

Both Lou and Toni are incredibly relatable characters, and this book feels like a warm hug, ideal for cozy nights in or relaxing beach holidays. I was pleasantly surprised by how much the storyline resonated with me. Overall, it's a lovely and heartwarming read.

This story was a change of pace for me and I really enjoyed it.

The author has a real gift for transporting the reader with her words. I loved the relationship between Lou and Tori, it felt very genuine. Their support and love for each other despite their differences was heartwarming. It’s a story about family, finding out the truth and also finding yourself.

Definitely recommend.

Sisterhood is the twenty-second novel by best-selling Irish author, Cathy Kelly. When, soon after her fiftieth birthday party, Lou Fielding takes off to Sligo, and then Sicily, with her younger sister, Toni, her daughter Emily isn’t worried: it’s about time her mother took time for herself. Lou’s disorganised husband, Ned assumes she’ll soon forgive him for forgetting to buy her a gift.

Her sculptress mother, Lillian, though, is quite put out that her normally biddable daughter isn’t at her beck and call to see to the menial chores with which she, as a creative, shouldn’t have to bother. And her ungrateful employers at Blossom Flowers are just about frantic that Lou isn’t answering her phone when a wealthy client is expecting Lou’s personal attention and the young business-degreed new hire hasn’t a clue.

They have all taken her for granted, a situation for which Lou does bear some responsibility: she tended to make her own needs so minuscule that nobody remembered them. “Why did she feel that she had no right to bother other people with her problems when they had no problem bothering her with theirs?”

There are seven years between Lou and Toni, and nobody would have even guessed they were sisters. Toni is utterly self-contained and confident, while Lou could fit her self-confidence in one of the tiny, enamelled pill boxes their aunt Gloria collected. Toni has a wildly popular TV show, she also mentors as part of the Women in Business charity. It wasn’t that Toni was an absent sister, but she had a big life and, by contrast, Lou felt her own life was small.

But now, Toni has problems of her own: a husband who has betrayed her trust, but not in the usual way; and a nasty businessman who has recorded an angry tirade that amounts to career suicide. She needs time to think about what to do, and distraction when it gets a bit overwhelming, and their quest in Sicily is just the ticket.

And Sicily? That’s because of the shockingly insensitive revelation Lillian made at the party about Lou’s parentage. Just to add a little more spice to the trip, they acquire a very appreciative hitchhiker who gives them a youthful perspective on life’s problems and joys.

Kelly certainly has the knack for producing a lump in the throat, of making the jaw drop at some of the behaviour of her characters, and of providing laugh out loud at some of the dialogue. Her characters are mostly appealing and she gives them wise words and insightful observations. Lou eventually notes: “People treated you how you allowed them to treat you” and understands that “Her mother was very successful at only worrying about what she cared to worry about”, while Toni tells her “There were no princes in life – women needed to rescue themselves and they helped each other.” Topical, moving and thought-provoking.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

I do love Sisterhood and Cathy Kelly always writes a good book so I was looking forward to reading this one. A book about sisters but also about secrets, a life changing journey and family relationships. I love books about family dynamics and Cathy Kelly does this type of writing with ease.

This is a book that took my on a journey and made me feel as if I were there. I loved the Irish setting and the characters and felt they were people I would know. There is drama of course but it is also entertaining and is definitely an enjoyable read. Heart-warming with plenty of love, emotion and so much more.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

EXCERPT: It was a Saturday morning, the night after her fiftieth birthday party. Lou hadn't slept. She'd laid open-eyed on her bed for the whole night. Hadn't removed her make-up, hung up her dress or worried about flossing her teeth. Why floss? Why do any of it? Where had being a good girl ever got her? Absolutely nowhere.
'What did I do wrong?' she said out loud.
The wind was howling now and her words were quiet.
She tried it louder: shouted.
'What did I do wrong? Tell me!'
The wind from the Atlantic whipped across Lou's face and she wondered if the rain was going to come in. Rain would be good now. It would match her mood. Or perhaps hailstones would be better. The sharp pain of a thousand stone3s hitting her skin . . . That was exactly how last night had felt as, one by one, the people in Lou's life showed precisely how much they truly valued her. Her mother, Lillian, her husband, Ned, even her employers - the people she'd worked with for twelve hard years. They'd all shown her that she wasn't special, or a huge part of their life. She was the wife, daughter and employee who'd do anything for anybody and never ask for anything herself. 'Good old Lou', the family fixer so desperate to be liked that she'd never noticed that they didn't respect her.

ABOUT 'SISTERHOOD': As the waves crash on to a wild Atlantic beach, Lou is at a crossroads. For the first time ever, just giving up seems like an option. In just one night, at her own 50th birthday, her world has imploded. Her mother has kept a secret hidden all her life. And it changes everything. Before Lou can take another step, she needs to get to the bottom of the shocking truth that alters who she really is. Along with her sister, Toni, who is facing her own crisis, the two women sets out on a life-changing journey – one that will take them through Ireland’s wildest coastline and to Sicily’s sun-baked rocky shores. It will also take Lou deep into her relationships with her mother, her sister and her daughter to figure out how to stop pleasing everyone else – and carve out who she really wants to be.

MY THOUGHTS: Cathy Kelly is an auto read for me. I love her writing style, the characters that feel like family from the first page, her wit and wisdom.

Sisters Lou and Toni are like chalk and cheese. Lou runs a florist shop and makes sure that life runs smoothly for her employers, her mother, her husband and her beloved daughter Emily. Toni has a television show and is frontperson and ambassador for Women in Business. Although they are very different, they have a close and loving relationship; friends as well as sisters. I loved their bond.

Relationships are the focus of this novel. Lou's relationship with her husband, her mother, her daughter, her sister, her employers. The story also deals with employment issues, sexual harassment, anxiety, depression, addiction and co-dependency and does it in a way that had me rooting wholeheartedly for wonderful outcomes for both Lou and Toni, each facing their own crisis, but facing them together. But what really caught at my heart was that even though they both had major troubles in their lives, they still had room in their hearts to stop and help out someone else.

A heartwarming story of family, love and loyalty.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.2

#Sisterhood #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Cathy Kelly is a former journalist who lives in Ireland’s County Wicklow with her family, as well as three dogs and a cat, all of whom are cruelly treated and never get to sit behind her office chair when she’s writing.

When not writing with a small dog at her back, she reads voraciously, dances round the kitchen, travels pillion on a motorbike, has a variety of textile art projects on the row – ‘Mum likes buying wool…’ : Anonymous – and pretends to Marie Kondo the house.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers Australia via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Sisterhood by Cathy Kelly for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Always an enjoyable read from this author. I love the character building for all the main characters and the storyline. Highly recommend

This is the final book in the series. I had only read book two before this but I was still able to enjoy the wrapping up of the characters' journeys. It was nice to have met them all before and to understand the developments since then.

Phoebe Dashwood is a vet and her practice has grown considerably since she set it up in book 2. She has a number of employees who are also friends and she counts herself as very lucky. Rufus, her partner in the previous book is more or less out of her life now and Sam is the love of her life. Interestingly the author tells Rufus's story in parallel to Phoebe's and we discover what happens to him as well.

This is a feel good book with a happy ever after theme and it leaves the reader with a smile on their face.

Sisterhood is the story of Lou and Toni. Lou is a sensitive soul, a real people pleaser. Her sister, Toni, is the strong one who won't be pushed around. On the evening of Lou's 50th birthday, their mother drops a bombshell with the fallout being that the two sisters embark on a journey (literal and figurative) which will ultimately see them learning about themselves, each other and a whole range of other things.

‘Whatever happened, she would make her sister take at least the weekend to figure out that she did far too much for everyone. Otherwise nothing would change and Lou would be a doormat all her life.’

There are many themes covered throughout this tale. The obvious ones pertain to the sisters themselves - Lou never saying ‘no’ to people and being walked all over; and Toni, the woman in leadership and the battles her gender face in that role. Other topics that arise concern office politics, sexual harassment, empty nest syndrome, communication and love in relationships, anxiety and depression, family secrets, honesty and learning to speak up for yourself.

‘For now, she would enjoy what she had. Wasn't that the secret to happiness, according to all the self-help books she'd read? Enjoy the now and don't worry about the future because you can't control it.
Easier said than done.’

Sisterhood is a feel good story as these two very different sisters come together to tackle the secrets that have unraveled their lives. Time together allows them to take stock of their lives, reevaluate and take the steps necessary to make the needed changes. In this drama filled story, sisterly love prevails to give them both the courage to change and become the people they know they can be.

‘You can't change people,' said Lou, shrugging.
'Yeah, you can only change how you react to them'











This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

I love Cathy Kelly stories, they always have such a good feel about them and this one didn’t disappoint. It’s a story about Lou, her sister, Toni and Trinity, a younger friend they meet on their travels, growing and learning who they truly are. They learn to accept responsibility and stand up for themselves. It’s a story that a lot of people (me included) could take a hint from. Great characters, except for Lillian. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to smile and feel good at the end of a book. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review.