Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars rounding up to 5 for GoodReads. After reading Cleopatra and Frankenstein, I knew I had to get my hands on whatever Mellors wrote next. And it did not disappoint. My favorite type of story is a character-driven one and that is what this is. There is a plot but mainly it follows the personal struggles of the sisters after navigating a loss. Each sister had their own way of grieving and each sister also came with their own baggage and I loved the switching of the perspectives to follow each of them. I don't have any sisters but I do think Mellors wrote the interpersonal dynamics of a sister relationship extremely well having seen it in my friends. This is contemporary literary fiction at its finest and I am grateful for the opportunity to have read it early. Definitely pick this one (and Cleopatra and Frankenstein) up if you like literary fiction and familial relationships in your stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy.

Okay, first off I may be in the majority when I say, it was a lovely depiction of three sisters dealing with their grief over losing their sister. It was heartbreaking and real. Grief is not easy to handle sometimes and you often find yourself lost and gasping for air. This is what this story was…them gasping for air. It was beautifully written and very detailed, if not TOO detailed. I do think the book could have been half its size and not lost all the intricacies of the story. I didn’t need to read a half page description about of the characters toes. In these minute descriptions is where the book tended to lose me and I’d start skimming until something else happened. I do appreciate it for its deep dive into the ways that grief can affect an entire family. And if it’s redemption for the characters you are wanting by the end, you will be happy and surprised.

I'm calling it now, Blue Sisters is my top book of the year. I'm about to be SO annoying about this book. I will be getting everyone this book for Christmas.

This book centers around the three Blue sisters who, a year after the death of their fourth sister, return to their childhood New York City apartment to stop it from being sold. The characters are all so messy, and as the eldest sister I saw parts of myself and my sisters in them (not that any of us are heroin addicts or professional boxers). Even though I was sent a digital ARC, there's a HIGH chance I purchase a physical copy of this book once it's released.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for sending me this book!

Sometimes you stumble across a book that just sits in the forefront of your mind long after you’ve read it, and for me that’s what Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors has done. I read the book about a month ago and I constantly find myself thinking about the story and characters, and going back to reread certain parts that left me awestruck. I got approved for the ARC, so thank you to Random House, Net Galley, and Coco Mellors! This had been probably my most anticipated book this year and I’m so happy to have gotten this opportunity because every element of this book I absolutely loved!

It’s taken me a long while to come around to writing and figuring out how I even wanted to address the book, because quite frankly, I was left speechless after finishing and didn’t know where to begin. With a novel that is so deeply poignant that has an ungodly depth and realness infused into every crevice within the book, my brain couldn’t even configure words on how to rightly showcase what I consumed. But here I am trying.

We are introduced to Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky who are three sisters all at various stages in life that couldn’t be more unalike. Yet the one thing that’s binding them together is the death of their sister, Nicky, one year prior.

When the sisters get an email from their mother that she’s selling their childhood home, it forces the sisters to return home to New York having to address things they’ve buried deep, and refuse to admit.

Each chapter switches POVs between the three sisters. Between Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky we are tossed into three different worlds depicting grief, and sisterhood, in all its complexities. The characters are flawed. They will do things you’ll hate or disagree with. They will frustrate you. But amidst it all, once learning and discovering the traits and behaviors that shape them to be who they are, you learn to love, empathize, and root for them.

Between Cleopatra and Frankenstein and now Blue Sister, Coco Mellors is an auto buy author!

Blue Sisters became a favorite of mine this year. The story follows three sisters in different cities, each dealing with shared grief and the impact of past traumas in unique ways. Addiction is a prominent theme, highlighting their struggles and resilience. Despite the heavy topics, the book balances these with light-hearted moments, making me laugh and smile, relating to my own relationship with my sisters. The author’s detailed and seamless storytelling made me feel connected to the sisters and their bond, capturing the essence of sisterhood perfectly. I would recommend and will definitely be reading her other books this summer.

”As long as you are alive, it is never too late to be found.”

In the midst of a horrific reading slump, Blue Sisters is the exact type of book I needed right now. There’s this addictive feeling when reading a Coco Mellor novel that I would gladly get high on. It’s something about the way she writes her characters just does it for me. Complex, messy people who are far from perfect are sometimes hard characters to write well, but Coco delivers everytime. Blue Sisters has been recieivng all the rave, and rightfully so, because this is a novel that will be on my mind for weeks to come. The writing in this book is hypnotic and pulled me in right from the start. As a twin sister, I always find sisterhood in fiction so special and Coco portrayed it so wonderfully and authentically. I found each character so compelling and I was invested in their lives, their views on life, their struggles, and their growths. Coco Mellors is a star and an author whose works I will always love and anticipate. Highly recommend for anyone who has sisters.

4.25 ⭐

ARC read - thankful to Random House for receiving a copy!

When the familial glue is gone each of her sisters slowly falls apart and away from each other. Blue Sisters deals with the complexities of sisterhood, loss, grief, and addiction. Each one of the remaining Blue Sisters tries to deal with the loss in their own ways and a year later all of them still feel the loss. As they slowly find their way back to each other, they can only hope to heal from the loss.

The Blue SIsters is beautifully written and is an all-consuming read. I would have finished this in a single day if I didn't have to work or sleep. All of Mellors' characters have unlikeable qualities that make them feel real. They are complex, raw, and deeply complicated. This deep look at grief and addiction will live rent-free in my head.

4.5 ⭐️s

Blue Sisters has become an unexpected favorite of mine this year. This story follows 3 sisters, in 3 different cities, managing a shared grief of a loved one in various different ways.

I felt that this story portrayed a raw image of what grief looks like and how past experiences and traumas can impact one’s ability to grow and lead healthy lifestyles. Addiction was a very prominent topic in the lives of these women and the struggles they face with this cycle. I may not be a sister, but the way they handled one another’s pain made me feel closer to understanding the dynamics and love they had together.

This book was the perfect length for me. I did not feel void of any detail or image of the Blue sisters as the author did an amazing job describing each and every relationship and their respective storyline. It flowed seamlessly and I never found that the plot had slowed to the point of boredom.

Although this story touches on so many deeper topics and themes, there were light hearted moments where I did laugh out loud or smile to myself. This book had the perfect combination of all the feelings you could have when reading about sisterhood.

I absolutely loved Blue Sisters. Mellors has truly crafted a novel so beautiful; each sister is unmistakably flawed and lovely and so realistic that you can't help but love them and root for their healing, recovery and success. I cried, I laughed. I felt like I knew them intimately. An immediate favorite.

Such a beautiful depiction of the nuances of sisterhood. You can hate them and all them all at the same time but they will always be your person. Mellors’ characters remind me so much of Sally Rooney’s in that they’re so flawed but you can’t hate them.

I was really looking forward to this one but just can't get into any of the characters so DNFd at 45%.

4.5⭐️

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

i was immediately intrigued by this book because of the cover. once i read the synopsis i was hooked. i love stories about families and especially sibling dynamics. i loved getting to know the characters and seeing their struggles with grief and adulthood.

recommend? yes.

Like always, Coco Mellors does an excellent job at writing women. The characters were phenomenally executed, as was the plot. Coco explores grief in a sensitive and profound way. I thoroughly enjoyed Blue Sisters and can’t wait to read more from her.

4 stars. ☆

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

this remarkable tale of loss, identity, and the intricacies of family has three estranged siblings who, following the death of their cherished sister, return to their family's new york home. the three blue sisters are remarkable individuals who are also very unique. The youngest, lucky, models in paris while attempting to escape her hard-partying habits; avery, the eldest, is a recovered heroin addict turned strait-laced lawyer who lives with her wife in london; and bonnie, a former boxer, works as a bouncer in los angeles after suffering a crushing defeat. additionally, they had a fourth sister named nicky, whose untimely passing shocked the sisters. after a year, they are each juggling ambition, addiction, and loss in different ways. it's a beautiful book that everyone should read at least once.

love, mitra <3

⭐️ 3.5/5 rounded up! Cleopatra and Frankenstein by this author has been on my list foreverrrrrr, so I was very excited to read Blue Sisters.

This book follows three sisters a year after the death of their fourth sister who was the third born in the family. I would say 65% takes place in present day and 35% is flashbacks to childhood, growing up, adult life, and reflecting on the year prior when their sister passed. Chapters change POVs between the three sisters.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was written well and I found myself at times feeling emotional. It feels raw and real. I just didn’t realize how heavy this book was going to be. It’s a very emotional read with themes around addiction, overdose, loss of purpose and identity, parent/child relationships, abusive relationships, and more. Because of this, I found myself feeling tired after reading 1-2 chapters and needed a break.

I also thought the ending was a little too perfect. Everyone was super successful in personal and professional life. (And I’m talking like sports champion, singer/model, like very prominent careers). I’m not sure how true to life this really is, but I like the theme that things get better with time.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy.

"Blue Sisters" by Coco Mellors is a masterful exploration of the intricate bonds of sisterhood, the searing pain of loss, and the resilient journey towards hope. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York, the novel intricately weaves the lives of three estranged sisters who are brought back together by the tragic death of their beloved sister, Nicky.

Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky Blue are distinct in their paths and personalities, yet united by their shared grief and familial history. Avery, the eldest, battles her past as a heroin addict while striving to maintain her new life as a lawyer in London. Bonnie, a former boxer turned bouncer in Los Angeles, grapples with the aftermath of a career-ending defeat. Lucky, the youngest, seeks to escape her wild ways in Paris as a model. Each sister’s story is a testament to their strength, vulnerability, and the enduring impact of their upbringing.

Mellors’s writing sparkles with wit and is imbued with a deep sense of longing. The narrative navigates the complexities of addiction, ambition, and the often painful journey of self-discovery. As the sisters return to New York to prevent the sale of their childhood home, they confront not only the ghosts of their past but also the secrets they've been hiding from each other and themselves.

The novel shines in its portrayal of the sisters' relationships, capturing the love, rivalry, and unbreakable bond that defines their connection. Mellors skillfully balances humor with heartache, making "Blue Sisters" both dazzlingly joyful and achingly sad. It's a poignant reminder that healing often involves facing the hardest truths and that love and family can provide the strength to keep moving forward.

"Blue Sisters" is a beautiful novel that illustrates the enduring power of sisterhood and the resilience required to navigate life’s most challenging moments. It's a story that will resonate with anyone who understands the complexities of family and the bittersweet process of growing through pain to find a renewed love for life. Highly recommended for its heartfelt narrative and richly developed characters.

📖 Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

When I came across Blue Sisters, I was mainly intrigued by the story being about four sisters; three of which reunite a year later after being estranged following the unexpected death of their fourth sister. Each sister finds themselves with their own struggles while trying to adjust and survive a loss that has left them each missing a piece of themselves. Being one of four sisters myself, I knew I needed to read this book. I was not anticipating this book to resonate with me as much as it did.
The writing and dialogue of this story is gorgeous making it easy to connect with each character. I started off thinking I’d have one favorite sister but by the end, it was hard not to love each sister for their own individual traits, aches, and redemptions. Both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, this read will leave you feeling satisfied.

Huge thank you to @netgalley @randomhouse & Ballantine books for sharing the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book will be released in the US September 3rd, 2024

I would give this book a million stars. Blue sisters is the story of Avery, Bonnie and Lucky after the death of their sister Nicole. It describes how each of them cope with their grief while also struggling with addiction and other issues. This was exceptionally well written, some sentences were just beautiful. I couldn't put this book down and didn't want to ever finish it at the same time. I felt so much for each of the characters, especially Avery, since I'm also an eldest daughter. I've always been drawn to sisters' stories because I personally don't have any and this book is definitely a masterpiece on the subject. I just know I won't be able to shut up about this book for a while. Thank you so much for letting me be an early reader!!!

This book had me gripped and tearing up since chapter one. It's a heartfelt and heartbreaking story about sisterhood, addiction, and grief. My chest felt heavy and my heart tight while reading because it tackles many painful topics and family issues, but I love books that make me feel this deeply. It’s sad, but also hopeful and sweet.

If you have sisters, have had parents struggle with alcoholism, have mommy issues, or if you or a sibling has struggled with addiction…this book will hit you harder than most. As an older sister who was parentified at a young age, I found Avery’s POV very compelling and it prompted some serious reflection within myself.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best books I’ve read this year. It reminded me of reading Hello Beautiful last year. The writing is spectacular. I will read anything that Coco Mellors puts out, but this one truly stole my heart.

The Blue sisters, Avery, Bonnie, Nicky and Lucky, are very different but their difficult childhood created a bond. Nicky was the sister who kept the connection going. When she dies in her 20s, the others are lost. The conflicts Nicky helped to buffer come out and the relationships get rocky. This book is about how the remaining sisters grow and survive the loss of Nicky and work out a way to be connected without her.