I enjoyed this so much! This is the story of four sisters, though when the story begins we learn one of them died almost exactly a year ago. They’re living in New York, LA, London, and Paris, but the girls’ parents just announced that, since it’s been a full year, they’re ready to sell the New York apartment where their daughter had been living and died, and that kicks the story into gear.

Thank you NetGalley, Coco Mellors, and Ballantine Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, this one wasn’t really for me… I tried to read this author’s debut as well and also DNF’d that one. This story seems really interesting and I love complex stories about families, but the execution wasn’t for me. I still recommend picking it up though because it seems like an objectively good book! I’m glad I got the chance to try it.

This was as a poignant story on navigating grief as it comes and waves. It was hard to connect with two of the sisters as I felt their plot completely unrelated to the novel at times. There's still good writing there.

“Blue Sisters” started off strong and deep and I was very hopeful I would get an interesting, but layered novel. While I thought this book was okay, it became a bit boring and monotonous in the second half. It led me to just wanting to finish this thick novel, rather than enjoying the conclusion of the story. It seems like I’m in the minority because all the other reviews were outstanding, but I just thought this one was an okay read. I do think this would make a pretty good limited TV series though. 3 stars ⭐️. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy for review.

This book follows the lives of three sisters after one of them dies from an overdose of painkillers that she was taking for endometriosis. They all return to NYC to the apartment where they grew up (and where their sister lived) to dispense with her belongings.
Avery, the oldest, a recovering heroin addict, is a successful lawyer in London where she and her wife live in a huge house. She is the sensible leader of the sisters..
Bonnie, the stoic, soft spoken and strong willed, who never gives into pain, is a former boxer now working as a bouncer for a bar, but wants to get back into competitive boxing.
The youngest sister is Lucky, a model who lives in Paris, parties hard, and is an alcoholic. She is sharp witted and secretly shy.
The girls grew up in a household where neglect, violence and addiction were a major part of their everyday life. Their father was an alcoholic, and their mother was cold and distant.
The main themes of the book were grief, addiction, and sibling conflict and bonding. I thought that the first 3/4 of the book was difficult to get through with the repetitive descriptions of each woman's self-destructive behavior, and addictions making them one dimensional characters. The author described the many ways that addiction can manifest, and how addiction can completely destroy lives. The chapters were quite long, telling everything about the characters without really giving them a voice.
It did have a poignant ending, so I added a half star. There were several quotes which seemed to come out of an AA guidebook although one did stand out for me- the ism in alcoholism stood for I separate myself - and the book showed how each woman did exactly that with their addiction.
I received a free ARC of The Blue Sisters from NetGalley and the publisher and the opinions expressed here are my own.

4 sisters. Each very different, and each with a specific role in their dysfunctional family. They are estranged, yet need to return to the family home to sort out Nicky's stuff so the apartment may be sold. Nicky was beloved by all, and was the bridge to each. Avery is the eldest, and is in a marriage, has a successful career as a lawyer, and plays the role of "mom" to all sisters. Bonnie is quiet, caring and encouraging. She is a former championship boxer. Nicky was the third daughter. Lucky is the baby, a beautiful, independent soul who is a model. However, each has significant struggles and demons in their lives that the others know nothing about. As Lucky says, they are "good at hellos and goodbyes"- but it is the in-between that haunts and challenges them.

This was a fantastic story. It is very character driven and told between the POV's of Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky. We see through the very intimate and detailed thoughts of the characters the past and what made them like they are. Each is facing a challenge, and it is on the one year anniversary of Nicky's death that they all come together in an explosion of emotion, anger, guilt, despair. Their family life was not that good- a distant mother, and an alcoholic father. This forced them to go out into the world not knowing how to handle pressures, communicate healthily- and this leads to addictions for them all in one form or another. Nicky was the one that brought them together, but with her death, their lives seem to be unraveling.

I love the honesty in this story, the process each of the sisters go through in their own heads; denial, guilt, yearning, questioning their purpose, figuring out who they are. At times I wanted to shake them, but because the author writes a very realistic depiction, I understood why each was struggling, and I was rooting for every single one. I also loved how we really got to know Nicky through the story. She is central to everything, and I thought it was brilliant that even though the reader knew she had already passed, by seeing her through her sisters eyes, I kept hoping that this was a mistake and she would walk back in! Silly me!

There is also healing and forgiveness that is predominant throughout the story. Although there are dark issues, in the end Ms. Mellors portrays each characters journey in a way that is brutally honest and illuminating. There were times I found myself smiling, then I had to get the tissues out!

And I felt the ending was perfect- realistic, honest and hopeful!

If you want a love story about a family fighting for each other, loving each other regardless of the issues, and hope weaved throughout- this is the story for you! Actually- just everyone read this!!!! Good for the soul!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this beautiful ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

BLUE SISTERS is a moving and intimate tale that impeccably captures what it means to be a sister in all its glory and all its complications.

The story follows Bonnie, Avery, and Lucky, three sisters who are navigating their lives and relationships one year after the unexpected loss of their sister Nicky.

Coco Mellors nails the character development in this multi-POV story. Each perspective and character is uniquely formed; their voices and perspectives standout in their own ways. Though I often related more strongly to certain perspectives (Avery, the poster child for eldest sister), I grew to love and connect to each sister throughout the story.

The exploration of grief is beautiful and poignant and yes, heartbreaking. I expected to feel emotional, but I so rarely cry when reading. The end of this one made me weep to the point that my husband quietly brought me a box (the *entire* box) of tissues. There are a million things I could say about my connection to this story and the feelings it brought up for me, but the point I most want to make is that Coco Mellors pulls at the heartstrings in a thoughtful and unforgettable way.

Last but certainly not least, the line-level writing of BLUE SISTERS made me want to run to the library to pick up a copy of CLEOPATRA & FRANKENSTEIN. It is beautiful and I loved it.

This is a heavy but beautiful story, one that made me feel deeply for the characters. It has etched itself onto my heart and I cannot wait to read more from Mellors, both backlist and whatever she is working on next.

This book was a gorgeous look into sisterhood, familia ties, and the way grief affects this all. I absolutely loved every second of this book and fell in love with the characters, all of whom are lovable but at times unlikable. The sisters were all so different in characterization yet the relation shone through. As someone with a sister myself, I think this book did a really good job at showing the sibling dynamics between sisters.

I also found this book to paint their problems really well — at times, everything each character was going through was a bit overwhelming, but that felt like the point.

I don’t cry while reading books often, but I did shed a tear reading this one. Recommended for anyone interested in stories about family and doesn’t mind a slower burn.

This book was just so-so for me. The writing was ok but I didn’t really like any of the characters. I appreciate the review copy, though.

"Three estranged siblings return to their family home in New York after their beloved sister's death in this unforgettable story of grief, identity, and the complexities of family."

This book has everything that I love in a novel.
- Beautiful Writing
- Family Dynamics
- Sister Relationships
- Flawed and Imperfect Characters Dealing with Relevant Issues
- VERY Character Driven
- An Ending That Touched Me Emotionally

I have not read Mellors previous work - Cleopatra and Frankenstein - even though I have had it on my shelves forever. After reading this one, I absolutely want to pick that one up! Mellors is amazing at bringing these flawed, beautiful, complicated, and damaged characters to life. I was fully invested in this story and these sisters. Each one had her own personality and issues she was dealing with - they each had their own unique relationships with the other sisters, and I found myself really rooting for them and having hope that their circumstances would change and that by the end of the novel, they would learn and grow together and as individuals.

This wasn't 5 stars for me like I have seen it be for others - and I can't put my finger on exactly what is keeping me from rating it that highly.

Overall, I loved it, these characters will stay with me for a long time and I definitely look forward to what this author will do next (plus her book covers are just GORGEOUS!)

Thank you to Netgalley & Random House/Ballantine for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Another great book club pick by Read with Jenna!

I really enjoyed this sisters story! This was the first book I have read from this author, but I'm ready to pick up her debut now. I really liked her writing style, and I felt like I knew these sisters. I was rooting for them throughout, even though they made some terrible decisions. They recently lost one of their sisters, and it has really impacted their lives. They are slowly blowing up their lives, and not even aware, I liked the ending, too, but I know if you don't like epilogues or wrapped up stories, you probably won't like it. I do, though!

3.5! A heartbreaking novel about sisters and grief and how that relationship evolves and changes over time.

If you're looking for a good ugly cry, look no further because you found it with The Blue Sisters. Oh my god. I can't even begin to scratch the surface here. It was beautifully written and emotionally captivating. I am definitely going to seek out more of Coco Mellors!

Blue Sisters is story of sisters, marriage, desire, and more importantly to me, the relationship between a mother and daughters. Each women in the Blue family dealt with her own burden. Some more vocal than others. While I very much enjoyed each sister’s story, I don’t think I need individual POVs. Besides Avery, I didn’t feel enough for Bonnie or Lucky for such long chapters. The much needed discussion between Avery and Mrs Blue was beautifully written and a honest discussion between mother daughter. Unfortunately the epilogue felt unnecessary. All and all, a nice book

I am between 4 and 5 stars on this beautiful and unforgettable book. I loved the compassionate yet unflinching depiction of both addiction and grief. It was spot on. These sisters were all so tangible, and I rooted for each one of them. I also loved the 4th act introduction of their mother. I will think about this one for a long, long time. We would so love to host the author at our store!

Wow. This is my first time reading a book by Coco Mellers and I’ll absolutely be picking up her pprevious one. I loved her writing style and the overall plot. Sisterhood, sobriety, and family drama make for a compelling story.

This character-driven novel of three adrift sisters is catching from the beginning. Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky are all hiding from their truths, which are bound to come out when they return to their family apartment for the first time since the death of their sister, Nicky. The sisters love one another fiercely, but also fight like only sisters can. With absent parents, they were forced to grow up quickly and are still reckoning with their childhood concerns as adults. Overall, I adored this book and am looking forward to more from the author. I loved learning about each sister and found myself both rooting for them and frustrated by their choices at times. A complicated but excellent novel!

I really enjoyed this and immediately added Cleopatra and Frankenstein to my TBR. I don't have sisters, but I thought this was a beautiful portrayal of sisterhood; their love for each other, their fighting and frustration. It's also a story about addiction and loving someone with addiction. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read more by Coco Mellors. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

Three estranged sisters return to their family home in New York City to sort through their deceased sisters belongings. This is a story of grief, sibling identity and family relationships. They all have their demons and addictions they are working through. Throw in the disappointments of childhood and a lot of secrets and you have a saga that covers years. This is a sad but insightful family history. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

The character study is amazing. I love these characters. And sometimes want to yell at them. Love the complex emotions presented. And how everyone deals with grief differently.