What a superbly told story! Sisterhood is utterly believable and a truly immersive book, particularly if you’ve grown up with siblings. Lou and Toni are the central characters to this story and just like real life sisters, they couldn’t be more different. Lou is the caring people pleaser, eager to ensure those around her have all they need and as a result she’s become a bit of a carpet, to the extent that her husband Ned, who forgot to buy her even a card for her fiftieth birthday, feels sure that she won’t midn because she’s a good sport and knows he’s hopeless at this sort of thing. Toni, on the other hand, is poised, beautifully groomed, has a successful broadcast career, a beautiful house and a husband who is a successful Shakespearean actor. Of course the wheels fall off both their lives at the same time and a road trip of self discovery ensues. Along the way, they pick up Trinity, who’s in her early twenties and is clearly running away from something or someone. Eventually the trio makes their way to Sicily where the sunshine, the laid back atmosphere and the slowly developing bond between the trio does its work on them all. This story is all about self-discovery and finding your inner worth and with its beautiful imagery, its strong characters and the magical settings it couldn’t help but win a place in my heart.

Sisterhood by Cathy Kelly is a delightful, relaxing read. Family secrets and drama fill this story with sadness, happiness and conflict.

Lou is turning 50 and her party becomes a turning point in her life and that of her sister Toni. Lou is the “milk of human of kindness” and Toni is tough but fair - “utterly self-contained and confident”. Their mother, Lillian, an artist is totally self-centred and “used people”. Other interesting characters are Lou’s husband Ned, Lou’s daughter Emily and Lou’s Aunty Gloria. The characters are well developed and the story moves along with lots of side issues such as addiction, bullying, depression, the importance of self-belief and self-confidence.

A very enjoyable read.


This review is based on a complimentary copy from HarperCollins Publishers Australia via
NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#Sisterhood #NetGalley

Sisterhood is a great feel good story about family dynamics/relationships, finding oneself and putting yourself first. We follow sisters Lou, elder sister, people pleaser and Toni, younder sister, strong, successful woman, and the events that unfold around Lou's 50th birthday. I loved all the characters, especially Lou's daughter Emily and Lou and Toni's aunt Gloria. Lillian (Lou and Toni's Mother) was the one we love to hate. There was a lot going on with both sisters and I loved how they came together to support each other.

I wasn't sure what the point was of Lou and Toni picking up Trinity along the way. This didn't add much to the story for me. It didn't distract either, just seemed a little odd.

Great story that left me feeling happy.

I have been a fan of Cathy Kelly’s for a long time and she’s still got it. Sisterhood was a great read. Both sisters have their dramas to deal with but help each other through and it all works out in the end. Satisfying, heartwarming and enjoyable. Thank you NetGalley.

I've been a huge fan of Cathy Kelly's since I read her first book about 20 years ago.

I adored the story she tells in Sisterhood - there are characters to love, to laugh with, cry with, and yes, there was one character I absolutely loathed.

This is another heartwarming story of family and friendships, and what happens when a bombshell announcement is made at your 50th birthday party - yep, by the character I loathed.

'Sisterhood' is filled with reminders of the importance of putting yourself first - especially if you, like Lou, are a people pleaser.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy.

Thanks NetGalley and Harper Collins Australia for this advanced electronic copy.
Not my first Cathy Kelly and whilst I enjoyed this one, it didn’t seem to have the same heart warming tone of others I’ve read.
An easy read, balancing family relationships and secrets.

When we first meet Louise Fielding, she’s standing on a wild Atlantic beach in Ireland, the day after her fifty birthday and she’s wondering what just happened and is it true? Emily organized her mum’s birthday party and like normal Lou’s husband Ned didn't do a thing and couldn't even buy her a present. On the big night her mother Lillian decides to reveal a hidden secret and in front of all the guests. Lou is upset, hurt and embarrassed and her sister Toni helps her and she's recently found out her life with her actor husband Oliver is in crisis and a mess.

Toni comes up with the idea of them both having a break, travel to Sicily and try to find a painter called Angelo Mulraney. They add a third musketeer to their group, Trinity McNeil, a young woman who’s trying to work out what she’s going to do, and the three ladies fly to Sicily.

While on the Mediterranean island Lou gets to have a much needed break, she spends quality time with her sister and Trinity, have fun and relax and try to solve the secret her thoughtless mother revealed.

The story focuses on Lou’s relationships, how she's the sensible and reliable one and people have been taking what she does for granted for too long. Lou has worked as a florist for twelve years, when a new management position is created and she can’t believe it when she’s overlooked for the job.

I received a digital copy of Sisterhood from Cathy Kelly from HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. I think many women can relate to Lou’s character, she’s a people pleaser and can never say 'no' to anyone and let’s people walk all over her. The story brings up relevant topics such as, not being treated fairly and sexual harassment in the work place, empty nest syndrome, getting too comfortable in a relationship and not putting enough effort in, lack of communication and expressing your feelings, anxiety and depression.

The eldest daughter in families seem to be cursed, I'm one and we like to do things perfectly every time and are born sensible, the narrative made me feel all kinds of emotions from anger, sadness and I laughed out loud at times and four stars from me.

This is the first book by Cath Kelly I have read. I liked this book, but it didn't make as strong an impression as I expected it would.

It was a fun story and I liked the Sisterhood characters. Though I found it a little predictable, it was enjoyable. Some of the humour didn't land well for me. I'm not sure why. I think mainly because I could see it coming and so it fell a little flat. Overall though, it was an easy read. I couldn't help thinking it was a good book that could have been a great book with a little more time and attention to detail. That said, I would read another Cath Kelly book. Perhaps this is not a reflection of her earlier titles.

‘What did I do wrong?’

We meet Lou on a wild Atlantic beach in Ireland, the day after she turned fifty. Lou is in despair: last night, at her birthday party, her mother Lillian revealed a secret which has left Lou questioning who she really is. Lou has worked hard to please everyone: her husband, her mother, her employer. And it seems that everyone takes her for granted. Especially her awful mother Lillian, who relies on Lou for just about everything and treats her poorly. Lou’s sister Toni, a television journalist and presenter married to a well-known actor, has just made some uncomfortable discoveries of her own. And, while exposing a workplace predator, Toni oversteps the mark. She thinks it would be a good idea to take some time out to think about her own future. The two of them decide to head off together, to leave their worries behind (at least for a while).

So, where do they go, and what do they find out? You’ll need to read this lovely heart-warming story to find out.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I adored this book. It told such a beautiful story filled with turmoil, loge and the desire to find true happiness. Lou was a relatable character to follow as she struggles with realising everyone around her uses her but does not give her the respect she deserves. She battles a massive family crisis while also realising she needs to finally put herself first as no one else has. We also get to follow Toni, Lou’s sister, who is battling her own personal crisis, but takes on helping her sister after Lou’s fiftieth party falls apart. I loved the sisterly bond we got to see as well as the beautiful mother-daughter relationship that was also present. This is a short and sweet novel but I think it is so important for everyone to read to remember to be appreciative of all those in our lives, especially the ones who always go the extra mile for us.

Thank you netgalley and Harper Collins for this ARC

This was quite an easy read, given the heavy topics it covers (infidelity, family secrets, harassment and assault, addiction, etc)

The premise of the story is an interesting one - a woman who spends her entire life caring for and helping others reaches breaking point after decades of being unappreciated. Her sister, who is outwardly confident and in control, is confronted with the fragility of the life she has built. Together they look to make changes in their lives and heal the wounds of the past.

There were some parts of the story I found quite unnecessary, the largest of which was the story arc of Trinity - a young woman who joins the sisters on their journey as a hitch hiker. Although her story was well written and interesting, I found it didn’t really add anything to the overall narrative and if removed would have had little impact on the story overall.

All in all, worth picking up. This is a good one for times where you don’t want to be bogged down in heavy emotions but still want a hearty story as the author is adept at moving along in these moments.

Heartwarming, powerful and fun!

Sisterhood opened with a heart wrenching scene between Lou and her sister Toni, which caused me to wonder what on earth could have driven Lou to such depths as she celebrated her 50th birthday. Lou agrees to join Toni on a trip.

What unfolded from here was the beginning of an awakening for Lou, Toni and those they encountered. Their journey to Sicily proved to be a long overdue reset, meeting positive people who boosted them up along the way.

‘That’s the great thing about going away, isn’t it? It puts your life back home in perspective.’

The mystery is revealed in a logical fashion with the focus on the life lessons they embraced along the way. While I found the revelations predictable, it was lovely to experience them as they appeared.

What I loved:
Lou’s caring nature, her doubts and confidence she gained in her quest to find the truth.
Toni’s humbleness, her strength, and proactive smart thinking methods of turning an impossible situation around.
The wonderful matriarchs in the story and how they put the not so wonderful ones in their place with class and dignity.
Ned’s willingness to up his ante and make me smile.
Village life and its nuances.
The subtle use of language that reflected the Irish and Sicilian locations.

A page turner that beautifully captured the meaning of sisterhood, be that through family or friendship. I was hooked before the end of the prologue and as I read on, I connected to Lou through her counting steps, feeling the tranquility of being near the ocean and the exhaustion from taking care of others.

5 Stars!

I was hooked after the first chapter!

A story of sisters, family, lies, deceit and a secret from long ago, takes the sisters to Sicily where they find the peace and strength that has been missing from both their lives in different way.

A wonderful read that at times left me with a lump in my throat.

Thank you Cathy Kelly and Netgalley!

If I could have given this 6 out of 5 stars I would have. This was my first Cathy Kelly novel and it was excellent. And even more excellent is the fact she has written many other novels for me to chase up and read!

The story opens with Lou on a beach in Ireland in the middle of a storm. Her whole life had seen her as a people pleaser which means she is taken for granted. Now she is emotionally shattered over something that happened earlier in the evening - a secret revealed by her horrible, horrible mother. Her sense of worth is so rock bottom that the thought of suicide fleetingly crosses her mind. Her sister appears beside her and the two decide to run away and leave the chaos behind. Where do they go? Sicily. Why? Well, that is why you need to read the book.

Tori is the opposite of her people pleasing sister - she is a tough TV journalist and presenter married to a well-known actor. If she wants something she goes for it - and uses her power to expose injustices. She also has had a crisis, that she doesn’t tell Lou about, she has publicly outed a workplace predator and he is fighting back; and then her husband drops a bombshell.

In Sicily the two sisters take stock of their lives and find the courage to change and have the life they want rather than the one forced on them.

I utterly recommend Sisterhood, really, do yourself a favour and read it. It is a page turner and hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. Initially it took a while to get into, then I read majority of the book in one day. The story of two sisters and the drama that their lives have suddenly thrown at them, along with their husbands and mother and a few side characters thrown in made for a great story that flowed really well.

What a beautiful story, women’s fiction at its best!

Sisterhood is the story of two sisters in Ireland, safe and loving Lou and her younger sister, Toni, a dynamic leader. Both lead different lives in their hometown of Whitehaven until it all comes to a head at Lou’s 50th birthday party. The sister’s relationship has always been loving and strong and they now have the gift of time, of running away together for a short while, leaning on one another for support and strength as they come to face their own personal challenges.

Relationships between loved ones is what Sisterhood is all about and Cathy Kelly has written this with her characteristic flair and depth. Valuing one’s self and other’s, and seeing ourselves as we truly are, the growth of both Lou and Toni is wonderful to read. I loved the descriptions of the wild coast of Ireland and further beyond. Travel, family dynamics and a way with words like no other, Sisterhood is a 5 star read for me.

Depression and anxiety are part of this story, the author’s writing is with sensitivity and care.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early electronic copy I received, this is my honest review.

Being a huge fan of Cathy Kelly, I am always awaiting her next novel. Sisterhood did not disappoint. I love reading the trials and tribulations within families.

Such lovely storytelling, and such an easy read about two sisters and what they will do for each other - keen to look into this author more!

Firstly thanks to Harper Collins Australia and Netgalley for my eARC copy of Sisterhood by Cathy Kelly.
I would classify this as light reading, or as a beach/summer novel. It is a very satisfying easy read and all issues apparently resolved. Maybe!
This novels tells a story of two sisters, Lou and Toni. They are totally unalike, but very supportive of each other, especially where their mother is concerned. After major problems in both of their personal lives they decide to go to Sicily. They pick up a hitch hiker, Trinity who for the life of me I can not understand why she is even in the book. She had no connection or commonality to the m ain characters and felt like an add on. I guess it could have been simply to show a contrast between the older and younger generation, and how they can all get along perfectly well. Or maybe she was in the novel as an introduction to another novel. This was my only issue with this book.
A very enjoyable read. This is my first Cathy Collins book that I have read, so I can not compare it to others.

First read of Cathy Kelly, and what an introduction! Absolutely did not disappoint.

A heartfelt story about sisters and their journeys. From pick up, to set down, I loved every page, even through the tears.