A gorgeously written family drama that had me hooked. I loved Coco Mellors’ previous novel, and was thrilled to get the opportunity to read Blue Sisters. The character study in the story is meticulously and expertly done. Mellors is one of those authors who makes her characters feel like real people, complete with nuance and flaws. It was a very realistic portrayal of addiction and what that can do to a family, but at the same time had such beautifully written prose and fleshed out characters. Definitely recommend.

I’ve never read a book that portrayed sisterly love so deeply and clearly. I loved it! Very heavy read but the characters and their bonds are so clear, and the ending was both uplifting and realistic. I’m definitely going to read other books by this author. Loved her descriptive but well paced writing.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy

This kind of slow moving, vibey read is either something I end up loving or giving up on partway through. Unfortunately, Blue Sisters fell into the latter category. Even for literary fiction, I couldn't hang with the opaqueness of the novel.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for approving me for this ARC! It was my most anticipated read of the year, and it absolutely did not disappoint.

Coco has a way of writing that is so comforting and so deeply human. She makes me relate to characters that I share no experiences with, and every time I read her work I walk away viewing the world a little kinder.

This book is a beautiful reminder that you never know what someone else is going through. The characters are so well developed, it felt like I’ve known them since childhood. She managed to paint a picture of each of these women so vividly and clearly within these pages, I already miss them now that it’s over. It was so easy to identify with pieces of all each of them. Avery, Bonnie, Nicky, and Lucky all taught me something. I learned from all of them, I grieved for all of them, I cheered each of them on.

I shed a tear 6 times from prologue to acknowledgments. I highlighted so many things that I can’t wait to come back to. I can’t wait to hold the physical copy in my hands!!

I truly can’t recommend this book enough.

Welp, this is definitely a Coco Mellors book. Frustrating yet (mostly) likable characters, immersive worlds, palm sweat inducing descriptions of drug taking, and some sections that felt a bit cliche.

I did not get the hate for Cleopatra and Frankenstein. I started that book and was immediately sucked in to the world of these flawed characters trying to navigate life while getting very, very hurt. It reminded me of Girls (Jessa would have attended those parties) and Juno (the dialogue) and also that old HBO show High Maintenance (the chapters that serve as standalone character studies). Sure, the characters are hedonistic and would probably suck in real life, but aren't we all unlikable in our 20s (I guess 30s too)? I've never let a character's "likability" completely derail my reading experience, but anyway...

Blue Sisters started the same. Do you remember a couple years ago when tv journalism would refer to certain shows as "hangout shows"? I'm thinking of Happy Endings, Insecure, Lodge 49. What they meant was that when you watch the show, you feel like you're hanging out with the characters who also do some hanging out themselves. I'd like to nominate Coco's two novels as hangout fiction. It's not that the plot is nonexistent or that the characters are only just sitting around, but rather it's that you feel like you're hanging out with the characters when you're reading.

I found the oldest sister, Avery, the most compelling. When other characters made poor decisions, I might have sighed but kept reading. When Avery made a poor decision (some of her conversations with her wife), I felt like I was witnessing a car crash. Avery felt like a real person that I know and have spoken with.

Lucky, the youngest, has some wild scenes and sure likes to get fucked up. Some of Lucky's chapters reminded me of the HBO show Industry. It's 7am, you're still up, the birds are chirping, guilt and shame are peering around the corner. I'm not sure if I should broadcast this but I'm a stickler for accurate depictions of drug use and often roll my eyes at their depictions in media. This book has some good ones - and by 'good,' I mean they'll make your heart beat faster and your anxiety spike.

The book lagged in the middle and toward the end for me. There are some descriptions of sobriety, AA, and "recovery" that felt a bit cliche. Too neat and tidy. There's a good number of references to "getting clean." To me, this feels like dated language because 'clean' implies a person is dirty when they're using. This feels punitive and shaming to me. I think we should support any and all ways that work for someone battling with addiction and I don't mean to police the language but it stood out to me as an example of an important topic dealt with in a somewhat cliche way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a well done exploration of grief and the way it manifests differently in each of us. It also touches on the complexity of family dynamics, guilt, and addiction. The characters are well written and their flaws make them feel more realistic. I don't often read books like this, but I really enjoyed it! This is the first book I've read by the author and I would definitely check out more of their work.

Blue Sisters gently tugged on my heartstrings. These sisters are dealing with the trauma of losing their fourth sister and figuring out how to navigate life and their relationships together a year later. I found that it was raw and Coco was not afraid of showing the sisters in their real (and screwed up) ways of handling their grief. Avery, Bonnie, & Lucky Blue are seemingly lost and unsure what to do with themselves and their lives after this loss, and this story takes you along from each of their point of views and their converging paths. I enjoyed it and thought the epilogue was so sweet and *hopeful* .

Thank you to Netgalley & publisher for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As someone with a sister, I really resonated with this book. I thought Mellors did an incredible job highlighting the difficulties of a dysfunctional family plagued by addiction. I found myself sucked in to each sister's story and I related to each one in some way. I was really taken by surprise with this novel- it sounded interesting in the blurb but the humanity of it really pulled me in. I will definitely be checking out Coco's backlist and eagerly awaiting her next novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

Absolutely loved it! Now, I couldn't necessarily relate to it because I don't have sisters and couldn't associate certain people in my life with the characters, but it doesn't mean it's not relatable or links to personal relationships. This was such a good and provoking read with messy relationships but written so well, loved it.

difficult subject matter but appreciate the issues it touches on and the way it does so
writing style was very easy to read and consume
love that is explored the love of sisters with other love playing in the background
I think this is going to be a huge book this summer and can already see how well this would translate to tv

First time reading a book from this author and I didn’t really connect with the material. The summary sounded really interesting but I just could not get into this book.

Blue Sisters tells the story of three sisters, Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky, who are dealing with the aftermath of their sister Nicky's untimely death. The narrative follows the three sisters individually as they try to process life without Nicky, but their private journeys ultimately lead them back to each other.

I thought that this was beautifully written, and I loved learning more about each of the sisters and their lives. I feel like Coco Mellors handled difficult topics like grief and addiction very well in this book, and I almost wish we had more time with the sisters to explore those topics deeper. Overall, I really enjoyed this, and I can't wait to read more from her in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House!

An exploration into the deepest of grief, "Blue Sisters" is at once striking and nostalgic. This story follows the lives of the Blue sisters, Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky after the death of their 3rd sister, Nicky. Every chapter takes the reader on a journey into the psyche of each sister as she tries to reckon with the death of her third limb. Avery is the eldest sister who is caught in the chasm of being both mother and sister to Bonnie and Lucky who are now grown up, but still rely on her like ducklings. Bonnie is the second oldest who has fled New York City after losing both her sister and her passion for her craft, boxing, and Lucky is the baby of the family who numbs her grief with pills and recklessness.

This novel does such a stellar job of diving into each sister and showcasing certain moments in their present and far-flung past to examine their unique grief. I found it to be a fitting tribute for Nicky that she was only spoken about through the memories of the people who loved her the most. All three remaining sisters had moments of despair and masochism which revealed the true depths of their grief, yet also moments of clarity and fondness for each other which provided hope for their future without their sister. This novel is a poignant and heartfelt tribute to the self-asserted best of the Blue sisters from the ones who loved, and knew, her best.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publish Group for sending me an ARC of this book! This novel will forever be a staple book in my all time favorite reads! “Blue Sisters” follows three sisters: Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky who are grieving the loss of their sister, Nicky. A year after their sister’s tragic death, the three siblings return to New York, where their family home is up for sale. This novel traces the impact of grief on out familial relations, and the unequivocal bonds of sisterhood. I began tearing up several times while reading this book, and found myself calling my own sister throughout the reading process. I have never read a book that has so perfectly depicted a relationship between sisters! The characters in this novel are strikingly flawed yet extremely approachable for any reader. “Cleopatra and Frankenstein” also by Coco Mellors was one of my favorite novels of 2022, both books perfectly capture the difficulty of forming and maintaining adult relationships. I cannot wait till the release of this book, as I anticipate I will be purchasing it for my own sister.

This book was not really for me. I liked the relationship between the four sisters- Lucky, Avery, Bonnie and Nicky. As someone who does not have a sister it was a good look at that dynamic and how it is different from even a friendship. Nicky died and the other three are trying to deal with it. This book just dragged for me and was there were certain sections that could have been cut out because they did not add anything at least to me. This is a good book for relationships about sisters and grief.

"Blue Sisters" by Coco Mellors is a gripping exploration of family dynamics, addiction, and the complexities of sibling relationships. The story follows the lives of the three Blue sisters—Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky—as they navigate their individual paths amidst the shadow of their sister Nicky's death.

What sets this novel apart is its portrayal of messy, flawed characters. Each sister copes with their family's tendency toward addiction in a unique way, adding depth to their personalities. I was particularly drawn to the push-pull relationships between the sisters, which felt authentic and raw.

The first two-thirds of the book had me hooked, with its absorbing writing and compelling narrative. However, I found the last third to be a bit lacking, which dropped my overall rating. I would still give "Blue Sisters" a solid 4-star rating for its engaging story and well-developed characters.

One aspect that could have been improved is the portrayal of the relationship with the parents, which felt somewhat flat compared to the vibrant dynamics between the sisters. Nevertheless, "Blue Sisters" is a powerful novel that delves deep into the complexities of family, loss, and self-discovery, making it a worthwhile read for fans of contemporary fiction.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors receives a resounding 5-star read! This compelling narrative delves deep into the complexities of sisterhood, grief, and the intricacies of familial relationships. Mellors weaves a poignant tale that resonates for a long time. The characters, Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky, are masterfully crafted, each with their own flaws and strengths, making them feel remarkably real and relatable. Their individual journeys through grief, addiction, and self-discovery are portrayed with authenticity and depth, drawing readers into their tumultuous lives. Mellors skillfully navigates heavy subject matter with a delicate touch, exploring themes of loss, identity, and the enduring bonds of family. The alternating perspectives offer a nuanced understanding of each sister's struggles and triumphs, creating a rich tapestry of emotions that captivates from start to finish.
Blue Sisters is a triumph of storytelling, brimming with heart, depth, and emotional resonance. It's a book that has stayed with me long after I've turned the final page, leaving an indelible mark on my soul. Whether you're drawn to stories of sisterhood, grappling with grief, or simply seeking a beautifully crafted narrative, Blue Sisters is a must-read.

Coco Mellors continues to impress me with her upcoming novel, "Blue Sisters". Even though I enjoyed "Cleopatra & Frankenstein" much more, this novel was still fascinating to me. Mellors is a talented author, and her snappy and quick dialogue is what makes her writing stand out to me. The scene where all 3 Blue sisters are arguing in their childhood home is the funniest/heartbreaking scene in the whole novel. Mellors always does a tremendous job fleshing out characters. My favorite sister was Bonnie. She was so relatable, sweet, and the most sympathetic sister of the bunch. Even though Avery and Lucky had aggravating qualities about them; I still cared about them as people. I loved the flashback scenes where each sister describes their love for their sister, Nicky (who died the previous year). My only gripe is the book length. It's a little too long, but it still kept my attention. This book was poignant, witty, and very touching. Coco Mellors is a wonderful storyteller. I will read anything she writes in the future.

Thank you, Netgalley and Random House for the digital ARC.

Three sisters return home to stop the sale of the New York apartment they were raised in. While grieving for their sister, who had recently passed, they must come to terms with their grief and the paths that they veered off after her passing. Facing their loss and struggles along the way will help to heal the sisters and allow them to change their course or accept who they’ve become.

I really enjoyed this novel and loved each sister like my own. With an almost “Virgin Suicides” feel to their sisterly bond, I was intrigued by their connections and withheld secrets from the beginning.
While this was a slow burn, I believe this story was paced perfectly and allowed the grief these sisters still carried with them to flow into the page like fresh tears.

Overall, this is a gut-wrenching and gorgeous story.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars. Aww heck, let's just go 5 stars. Reading about sisters always fascinates me. I have none and I always wonder what it would have been like. These four sisters have such an interesting dynamic. We have Avery, the oldest, who had to step up when their mom kind of stopped wanting to be a mom. She has battled substance abuse, gotten clean, but is what I'd say is a dry drunk. She may not partake, but she still exhibits addiction behaviors. One of the best lines in here states something like "I do things that make me feel good until they eventually hurt me." I totally get that!!! The next sister, Bonnie, is a boxing champion, who doesn't know who she is without that in her life. Her drug of choice is facing pain and the discipline of training. The next oldest is (was) Nicky. It is no secret that she dies, as I think that's in the blurb so I'm not spoiling anything. She suffered from endometriosis, couldn't get a proper diagnosis for a long time and her pain from it was never truly dealt with by the medical people she sought help from. Sadly, this leads her to seek pain relief elsewhere and she gets a batch of opioids presumably from on the street that were laced with fentanyl. We all know where that ends up. Then the baby sister, Lucky, is such a hot mess. Drinking, drugs, promiscuous behaviors dominate her young life. Each of these sisters struggled in their own way. No one dared mess with them, as they fiercely had each other's backs, but the interpersonal relationships between them were fraught with insecurities, jealousies, unmet expectations, disappointments. They were great with hellos an