Shred Sisters' delves deep into the fallout of living alongside a sister with unmanaged mental health issues. Amy's portrayal, though not immediately endearing, is brutally honest. Her struggles to form connections, fueled by the chaos of her sister's crises, feel painfully real. Author Betsy Lerner skillfully captures the suffocating 'collective denial' that permeates their household. Amy's guilt over natural emotions and her warped sense of trust reflect the toll of constant uncertainty. Her overachieving nature masks a lack of social finesse, a byproduct of her tumultuous upbringing. The book shows how familial bonds weaken and its effects. It is very interesting and offers a unique insight.

This books was dark, emotional and yet heartwarming. The topic it covers can be complicated, but the author approaches it in a sensitive yet accurate way. I enjoyed the progression of all characters and the fact that it didn’t just focus on the ‘flaws’ of the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

An absolute emotional roller coaster - in a good and bad way. Getting insdie the minds of these characters, I knew to expect it. However, the book moved SO FAST. I feel like the pacing could have been a bit better but overall very enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner.

How do you love someone who is so difficult to love, especially when that person is your sister. This is a question that Amy has been grappling with her whole life in regards to her sister Ollie. Ollie is beautiful, has everyone under her spell, and is also entirely reckless. Mentally ill, thieving, manipulating, and with little regard for the people who work so hard to care for her, Ollie has made sporadic appearances all throughout Amy's life, and through careful boundaries and loads of caution, Amy continuously works to find a place for Ollie.

I just kept asking myself while reading this, how often this kind of story rings true for people. How do you love someone that continuously hurts you and those around you? But I really enjoyed this story. Even though it's about two sisters, it's really about Amy, and her struggle through life because of, and sometimes in spite of her dysfunctional family.

This is very well written and enjoyable. If you like books about familial relationships, trauma, loss, and love, this is right up your alley.

what an emotional rollercoaster

🪄 <b>✰✰✰.𝟳𝟱 </b> 𐬹 ੈ ˖

⋆𖦹.✧˚ 🥀 gain perspective through Amy Shred's journey as she and her family struggle with the aftermath of events brought on by her troubled and unpredictable sister, Ollie. despite excelling academically, Amy finds it difficult to build meaningful relationships with people due to the emotional scars inflicted by her own family.⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚

we witness the ups and downs throughout her journey in life from childhood to adulthood- be it challenges in her personal life, the ups and downs of her romantic relationships, the pain of losing loved ones, or the complex dynamics of her family.

hey, they are all flawed characters. but truth be told, everyone is flawed. Amy longs for her father's affection, her mother's validation, and her sister's love. some of her actions were questionable, and yes, i'm talking about the Josh incident. but i imagine she did it hoping it was her trying to save Ollie.

i came to appreciate the story, it was not what I expected, but in a good way. it took me a while to process my thoughts after finishing this book, and i don't think i could express my feelings in words. but i commend Betsy Lerner for this complex yet impactful storyline, which shows how a single crack can shatter something as delicate as a family's bond.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and of course, Betsy Lerner for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. The book will be published on October 1st, 2024 ♡</i>

༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚

3.5 stars!
Overall an enjoyable read that kept me interested. The story depicts a family impacted by mental health difficulties, particularly highlighting elder sister Ollie’s constant Manic/Depressive episodes. The story is told fully from younger sister Amy’s perspective, and Amy herself experiences a lot of anxiety, social difficulties and attachment issues that impact her relationships throughout the book.

I never quite felt we were given opportunity to connect with any of the characters and truly understand them. Amy is an unreliable narrator in that she seems to perceive herself as a victim of her family’s issues, yet appears incapable of reflecting on why anyone (including herself) behaves in the way they do. As readers we are left to draw our own conclusions about why each character’s behaviour patterns occur and what needs these behaviours are meeting for them. Considering that Amy is in therapy for 5 years and we go in session with her, this felt like such a missed opportunity. I wish we could have seen her have some breakthroughs in understanding herself in the context of her family dynamic and to take full responsibility for her poor decision making. I would have liked POVs from Ollie to get another perspective of how the sisters view each other and their influence on the other’s life.

There was a sense of predictability in the repetitive storyline, as it became clear that no characters would experience much development and they would all continue their cycles of destructive behaviour throughout. I know this can sometimes be a realistic experience of mental illness, however if this was the point being made there was a missed opportunity to deliberately reflect on this to drive it home to readers.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for access to this e-arc ahead of its October 2024 release date, in exchange for an honest review. I definitely recommend this book as I think it’s an interesting and engaging portrayal of how mental illness can appear in families. I just think it would have been a lot more powerful of a story if these relationships and behaviour patterns were explored and reflected on rather than just being described. Full disclosure also: I’m a psychologist which does influence why I would have been excited to deeply explore the issues depicted in the book!

This book was good. I loved the passing of time and how we got to see every character grow. I am not going to lie both of the sisters were aggravating some times but I also understand the function for doing that. I also did not like either of the parents. I think the characters were unlikable but that’s also probably how it was supposed to be

Absorbing, wrenching, coming of age.

Narrated in first person by Amy, younger sister to Ollie. Ollie confident, charismatic descends into mental illness and we follow the messy fallout of the Shred family as seen through Amy’s eyes from a child to her mid or so 30s.

I couldn’t read this book fast enough - I wanted more time with Amy in her adulthood.

Highly recommended read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Grove Press and the author Betsy Lerner for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review

Shred Sisters got me hooked with a relatable family and main character. The golden child versus the one who tries hard to do everything right is a tale as old as time. Touching on mental health, love, loss, and other themes this story has a bit of everything. While some parts of the story were predictable, they were predictable in the way life sometimes is. A quick and easy read.

First of all; thank you NetGalley, Betsy Lerner and the publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC!

"...games with my sister always ended badly. /.../ she would cheat, change the rules or walk away, often flipping the game board in her wake, leaving me to pick up the pieces."

I found this book intriguing. It was my first ever NetGalley-arc and I went into it not really knowing what to expect. The story focuses on mental health, and how one unstable link in a family can rip it all to ‘Shreds’ (pun intended). I found many aspects of the story engaging, and on certain levels I really related to Amy. The story spans two decades of sisterhood, friendships, love and loss, and the one thing Amy learns in the end is that “No one will love or hurt you more than your sister.”

However, I found Amy quite flat in other parts, and her relationships with other people never quite felt justified. It felt like she didn’t really care about anyone or anything. Many parts of the story felt quite predictable and somewhat repetitive. It left a few things to be desired for me personally, but I can also see how other people might enjoy this more. I really liked the writing style and if the synopsis sounds interesting to you, it’s definitely worth the read still.

"My first tormentor, she was ingenious in keeping her tactics beneath my parents' radar."
Sibling relationships are complex to start with, not least of which because they take place in families with their own power dynamics. Whether we like to admit it or not, parents have favourites, or special reasons for acting as if it is okay to favour one kid over another. When you throw in one sibling having complex needs, it's a recipe for disaster for the alienated other sibling.

Shred Sisters sets out to show the impacts that living with a sister with poorly managed mental health: "Here I was again, on the sideline of another crisis Ollie created, staged, and starred in.". These impacts include damage to Amy's ability to form relationships with her parents, and with future partners. Living with the uncertainty that Ollie created in every family situation is very well described by author Betsy Lerner, as "collective denial" with her "absence... more suffocating than her presence". Amy lives with a lot of guilt too, for normal emotions like wishing her sister "would die" or wishing she had a mental illness because "then I could do whatever I want". There are also impacts to the relationship of the Shred sisters' parents, with one parent moving on so they "no longer had to face my mother's accusations, her anger, frustration, and hopelessness."

In this book, Amy isn't particularly likeable, and I think that's pretty accurate too. Her trust in people has been eroded by the uncertainty her parents and sister provided as a baseline for her childhood. She's a bit of an over-achiever, but without commensurate social skills to match her clever mind: "I complied with rules, met or exceeded expectations." She's a bad judge of character in her own relationships as a result: "I had seen with more clarity after we married that under his good guy veneer, Marc was cutthroat. With me, he had to have the last word. And at work, he had to win."

I found this a compelling and honest read about the cyclone that living with a mentally ill sister has on the whole family. As a sibling of a person with disability and mental illness, a lot of the personality traits the 'normal' sibling had rang true. Bravo for a book about siblings that resonates.

Amy and her family are all affected by her older sister Ollie’s severe mental illness. Her parents clearly struggle with how to handle Ollie and the treatment she really needs. Mental illness takes its toll on everyone. I never doubt the deep love they have for their daughter and their longing for them all to have an easier life. Their lives revolve around Ollie. Amy is clearly socially damaged and fragile, desperately loving and fearing her sister, and looking for the love and support she needs from her mother. The book follows each of their journeys through life, primarily from Amy’s perspective. These characters are layered, complex and flawed, and they experience much loss. Amy struggles with the choices she makes as she grows up. The book feels lovingly written. The story weaves the relationship between Amy and Ollie and the impact it has on Amy’s life and outside relationships. It is sad and moving. I recommend this book. With thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Shred Sisters" by Betsy Lerner delves into the intricate dynamics of sisterhood, mental health, and love over two decades. The narrative follows Olivia, the charismatic yet unstable sister, whose bipolar disorder wreaks havoc on those around her, especially her cautious and ambitious younger sister, Amy. Amy, driven by academic pursuits and a desire to unravel the mysteries of the mind, grapples with Ollie's unpredictable behavior and the impact it has on her carefully planned life.

Lerner skillfully portrays the complexities of sibling relationships, showcasing the unbreakable bond that ties the Shred sisters together despite their turbulent journey. As Amy navigates through academia, New York publishing, and tumultuous relationships, she constantly finds herself colliding with Ollie, who slips in and out of their family circle without warning. Through the ups and downs, the sisters' connection remains a constant force in their lives.

The novel's intimate and poignant narrative delves into themes of self-acceptance, loss, and the profound influence of familial relationships. Lerner's writing intricately weaves together the themes of mental health and sisterly love, leaving readers captivated by the emotional depth of the story. "Shred Sisters" is a compelling exploration of the complexities of sisterhood and the enduring power of familial ties, making it a poignant and thought-provoking read.

I liked aspects of this but as someone who doesn't have a sister, I found it hard to relate to. Nothing to do with the author's writing though. They are talented and I'm excited to see what they do next.

I would like to thank Betsy Lerner, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this ARC!

Shred Sisters was beautifully written, and the author’s straightforward yet extremely impactful narrative had me intoxicated.

This story artfully explores family dynamics and the many layers of mental health. The characters were written so vividly and relatable. Ollie and Amy’s complex sister relationship took us through so many ups and downs, and I saw a lot of myself as well as those I know in these character. There were a few moments I truly resonated with having come from complicated family dynamics.

This debut novel is one you will not want to pass up, and I can’t wait to see more from this author!

thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Shred Sisters was messily and painfully beautiful. complex and damaged characters, you'd always be loved by me. the story mainly revolves around messy sisterhood, parents’ favouritism towards one child and mental illness and how it impacts almost every member of the family. oh, i absolutely devoured this book. Amy Shred, i will always love you, even if no one does.

every character in this book is messy, damaged and troubled and human. they make mistakes and they are nowhere near being perfect. the beautiful but troubled Ollie, the guarded and levelheaded Amy. i can never forget you two.

written like a memoir, i am in awe at Lerner's writing style. so melancholic. i cannot wait for you guys to read it when it comes out on October 2024!

I have a profound appreciation for books that resonate deeply with me, and this one did just that. The author's straightforward yet impactful writing style got me from the start- I was gripped!
Delving into the intricate dynamics of a family grappling with untreated mental illness especially struck a chord with me- it was so raw and it felt so authentic and poignantly done. I found myself emotionally invested in the characters and deeply moved by the book!

I really enjoyed this book, I felt really connected to Ollie and Amy and I felt so many emotions alongside them. I really enjoyed how Lerner was able to do this and to show the reader both perspectives in a realistic way. I wish we knew a bit more of what happens to Ollie and Raine and Amy after the book finishes but I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend to anyone interested!

Shred Sisters grabs you from the start and doesn't let go until the very end. From the captivating portrayal of family dynamics to the poignant exploration of mental health struggles, this debut novel is a true gem. The characters are so vividly drawn, with Olivia's unpredictable nature and Amy's steadfast determination making for a dynamic sisterly duo that I rooted for. Lerner's writing style is refreshingly raw and authentic, and this story is a poignant reminder that life is messy, imperfect, and beautiful in its complexity.

(Thank you to the publisher for the e-arc!)

I have enjoyed her other work but I felt like this novel was a little lacking. Despite the sisters have a lot of differences and the whole book being about them, I never felt like they were actual people. The “good” sister felt especially flat and it was hard to understand her motivations for everything from schooling to her marriage because she didn’t seem to actually be interested in anything.

The whole book was very passive in a strange way. The more troubled sister came in and out of the book and was slightly more developed but years and years would pass with very little mention of what happened during them.