The Singer Sisters was amazing! This story follows a multi-generational family in the music industry is filled with emotion and drama. I found this story very endearing and as if I was following a real, family in a memoir. Apparently I am a sucker for a good music industry book, because I have read a few lately and I am just obsessed and become attached to the story and their trials of stardom. The multiple POVS really worked well for this, from following the original Singer Sisters navigating fame to the new members of the family.

If you haven’t read a fictional music industry book, I highly suggest you give it a try, and this story is a great one to read! Loved it!

Who are the Singer Sisters? That is perhaps the most interesting question in The Singer Sisters. That is perhaps the only interesting question. As is Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo, half the fun is trying to identify who the sisters might have been in real life. In this case, all of the fun.

Coming out of Cambridge in the early 60s as a folk duo, with one sister eventually pairing up with an established Greenwich Village singer, you'd immediately think Joan Baez and her sister Mimi who married and recorded with Richard Farina -- and this despite Joan Baez mentioned several times as a separate real life person.

And with the sisters bearing names like Judie and Sylvia, their is the instant connection to Judy Collins and Sylvia Tyson of Ian and Sylvia, another match-up with an established singer, writer of the enduring folk classic Summer Wages -- in this book, the fictional David Canticle sings Summer Rain with Judie.

Then there is the next generation, Judie's daughter Emma, who follows in her mother's footsteps, writing songs and hitting it big with an alt-rock single that recalls an incident from her childhood. Using her mother to launch her career, as well as learning the truth about someone else from her childhood, is what drives the story and character study (studies).

Unfortunately, that drive train has too little horsepower for a full length novel. Apparently the only thing these successful and famous women are capable of doing is complaining, whether that be in the lyrics of their songs or in their endless and repetitive inner monologues and dialogues.

As a musician and a lover of novels about musicians (Mary Jane, Opal & Nev, Ava Arcana, Charm City Rocks, Goon Squad, the aforementioned Daisy Jones, The Wishbones, Wonderkid, and many more), I'm always inclined to love books like this, especially if I find insight into the artistic process, collaboration, performance, fame, and such.

I did not find any such insight here. I never felt that I was in the presence of artists or performers, I only prayed that the whining would stop. Pop music references are fun, I love using them myself, but they are no substitute for the real thing, and I never felt like I was seeing the real thing (even within a fictional portrayal of it).

Sorry, that's my honest review that I promised to provide in exchange for the audio ARC kindly provided by Goodreads. It's that much more disappointing when you want to love something and it lets you down. Lots of promise in the writing of Sarah Seltzer, maybe her next novel will grab me -- although judging by other reviews, this did in fact grab a lot of readers/listeners, so maybe it's just me.

The Singer Sisters tells the story of two generations of a successful musical family and all of the secrets and craziness that being a part of such a family entails. Emma Kantor is on tour in 1996 and uses her folk-singing mother Judie Kantor as her inspiration. Her famous parents are getting divorced as Emma discovers a deep hidden secret about Judie's past. Told through flashbacks to a time when Judie and her sister Sylvia were the Singer Sisters, the novel tells of love, secrets, egos and talents of a large, famous, Jewish family from the 1960s-2000s.

I started by listening to this one on one of those super hot days while walking across town. I listened to half of it because I had a long walk and the audio was great. I had no idea what to expect from this novel but I was instantly smitten - I loved the story, the Jewish representation and the dysfunction. I thought the relationships rang true as it touched on mother/daughter, father/daughter and sibling relationships and how forgiveness can take time. I was totally there for this nutty but loving family, their drama and their story - this novel kept my attention for the entire time (and again, it was a long sweaty walk back home).

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC to review

Spanning decades, the women of a musical family tell their stories.

When I received the opportunity to review an advance audiobook copy of this book, I opted to do so for two reasons.
One, the narrators. All three narrators are great- Barrie Kreinik, Helen Laser, and Stephanie Németh-Parker. (Though I am confused by the use of three narrators when there are more than three POVs...)
Second reason- the thought of Emma's story in the late 90s music scene. I was in middle/high school during this time frame. I wanted so bad to go to the Lilith Fair. And 90s music is the best.
Despite being excited to read Emma's story, I didn't care for it at all. The musical references were fun, but Emma is kind of whiny and annoying. And there wasn't a lot of substance to her story- other than her relationship with her mother.
I actually enjoyed Judie's storyline the most. Especially in part one. Unlike with Emma, there was depth. I'd say that Rose was also pretty enjoyable, but her POV doesn't come into play until the second half of the book. Sylvia's POV also comes into being later in the book. (Ironically, Emma, the one I was looking forward to, was by far my least favorite.)
So, basically, I like Judie's storyline in part one, part two and three dragged a bit, then the ending was good.

I know some people are raving about this. It was just OK to me.

I enjoyed this more than Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It turns out I gave that 5 stars so this deserves no fewer. It is the story of a musical family - two generations of women who write and sing songs and the men who produce their music, steal their lyrics, love and support them.
It’s about family expectations and what happens when those are out of sync with our own desires; about unexpected family, fame, and loss.
The book moves in time between generations but listening to the audiobook I was never confused about where or when I was in time (unlike some others I’ve listened to recently). Lots of music references (mostly rock and folk), and juggling careers and parenting.
My thanks to the talented author, publisher, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. The book’s publication date is August 6, 2024.

I really enjoyed this debut from Sarah Seltzer. Loved how Jewish it was and how the music world was explored through one family's experience over two generations. The narrators did a great job with it; I wish there had been actual music included!

If you're a rock and roll fan like me, you'll want to dive into "The Singer Sisters" by Sarah Seltzer.
This audiobook is a gem, blending the raw energy of rock with a rich, multi-generational family saga. Seltzer's debut novel hits all the right notes, exploring art, love, longing, and family secrets in a captivating and poignant way.

The Story: A Perfect Harmony of Past and Present
"The Singer Sisters" takes us back to the vibrant '60s folk scene and the grungy '90s alt-rock era. It's 1996, and alt-rocker Emma Cantor is chasing a record deal while touring. Emma’s journey is deeply influenced by her mother, Judie, a '60s folk legend whose soul-baring songs made her an icon before she mysteriously vanished from the limelight.

Characters That Rock
What struck me about this book is how well the characters are developed. Emma’s struggle to understand her mom’s cold demeanor and the shocking family secret she uncovers add a powerful emotional layer to the story. As Emma learns more about Judie’s past, she grows both as a person and an artist, even if it means making tough choices that strain their relationship.

Narration That Hits All the Right Notes
The narration of "The Singer Sisters" is top-notch. The narrator brings warmth and believability to the characters, making you feel every high and low. The way they capture the nuances of Emma’s and Judie’s journeys is impressive, pulling you into their world and making you feel like you’re part of the story.

A Tribute to the Power of Music
This book isn’t just about family drama; it’s a love letter to music. Seltzer takes us from '60s folk clubs to '90s music festivals, vividly describing the scenes so you can almost hear the guitars strumming and feel the crowd's energy. The book raises important questions about what women artists sacrifice for success, making it a thought-provoking read for anyone who loves music history

Rocking the Intergenerational Dynamics
At its heart, "The Singer Sisters" is about the complex relationship between mothers and daughters. Judie’s withdrawal from the public eye and her secrets create a gripping mystery. Emma’s quest to uncover these secrets and come to terms with her mother’s legacy is heartbreaking and inspiring, showcasing the story's emotional depth.

A Deep Dive into Musical Eras
Seltzer does a fantastic job of capturing the essence of the '60s and '90s music scenes. Whether it's the folk clubs of Greenwich Village or the alt-rock festivals of the '90s, the settings feel authentic and alive. The author's attention to detail and passion for these musical eras shine through, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for music fans.

Final Thoughts: A Must-Listen for Music Lovers
"The Singer Sisters" by Sarah Seltzer is a beautifully crafted novel that will resonate with anyone who loves music and family sagas. With its engaging narration, well-drawn characters, and seamless blend of past and present, this audiobook is one you'll want to listen to repeatedly. Whether you're a rock 'n' roll enthusiast or just looking for a great story, "The Singer Sisters" is a hit.

The title led me to believe this book would be focused on the relationship of sisters in the entertainment industry, but in fact it was more about one of the sister’s relationships with men and her daughters. Yes, she had some early success with her sister in a folk-rock singer/songwriter capacity, but her life veered off course after an unexpected pregnancy.

Judy’s daughter, Emma, is trying to break into a musical career of her own and is catapulted into success after stealing some old lyrics her mother wrote and previously never released that revealed secrets, she had long kept hidden.

I did enjoy the dual timelines that switched between Judy’s coming of age and pursuit of stardom, in contrast to her daughter, Emma’s similar path. Emma feels disappointment in her mother giving up on her artistic talent and withdraws from her. It is helpful to also see the situation from her mother, Judy’s perspective and the sacrifices that she made and impacts that her choices had on the path of her life and her family.

This seems to be the year of music fiction and I intend to read them ALL! I fell in love with this sub-genre after reading and loving Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau a number of years ago. Recommended by a trusted source, Under Your Spell by Lauren Wood (6/20) and The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley (9/24) are high on my TBR but I couldn’t wait to get to The Singer Sisters.

This debut explores the folk music scene of the 1960s and the alt rock scene of the 1990s, centering the narrative on two generations of a legendary family of singers, song writers and producers. Music becomes the communication vehicle among the family members in this heartwarming story about self discovery, accountability and forgiveness. Ms. Seltzer brings Cambridge and Greenwich Village to life and both settings become characters in and of themselves.
If you’re a fan of Joan Baez, Carole King or Linda Ronstadt like I am, I would give this a listen!

Multicast narration by Barrie Kreinik, Helen Laser and Stephanie Németh-Parker is extremely well done!

Thanks to the Macmillan Audio Influencer Program and Net Galley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

On paper, this book contains a lot of aspects I usually love in books. It had multiple POV, different timelines, had a theme of celebrity, and focused on family dynamics. However, I felt it missed its mark in the execution.

This book had great bones- the structure for a wonderful book! It just wasn’t fleshed out enough for me. I found I really enjoyed the characters but I just wanted more! The author never really got deep into who the characters were and without that, it left me wanting. I didn’t feel I ever quite understood why the characters were acting the way they were or what their motivations were.

I did really enjoy the narration

I think this book could have been excellent but ended up just being ok for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I adore family drama and this book has it in spades! Set against the backdrop of music—in the 1960s Judie and her sister Sylvia are the folk duo The Singer Sisters, then Judie marries Dave, another folk musician, and their two children become musicians in the 90s—the secrets and interactions between the characters create a lively story. My only complaint is that I just didn’t always understand why the characters acted the way that they did, or why they erected these barriers. Judie, above all, baffled me for much of the book. But, if you can set aside trying to delve too deeply into their relationships you will be entertained by the world in which these characters live. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this wonderfully narrated audiobook.

I’m sooo sorry but apparently this book wasn’t for me. Not a single thing caught my attention. Basically just about a messy musician family, told from the women’s POV, set back and forth between past and present.

Only 270ish pages but felt like at least 400 pages because I didn’t enjoy it at all. After 20% mark I just wanted it to be over. Managed to finish it solely because of the audiobook, there at least the narrator did a good job.

I enjoyed this multi-generational family drama with a music theme.

The Singer Sisters mainly follows Judie, Emma, and Rose through different parts of their lives. 

I enjoyed how information was revealed in this book -- it left me curious but didn't feel like it dragged on too long without us knowing. 

I really liked Emma's characters and the glimpse of her life being famous. I liked being able to see why Judie made specific choices when she was younger and how she felt about them later. Very good family dynamics and the ramifications of choices made long ago, and information withheld. 

Interesting glimpse in to musicians lives and discussion of who can claim ownerships of songs -- those who write them or those who the song is about. 

I listened to this one and enjoyed the narrators for this one -- they were all very good. I will definitely check out more books by Sarah Seltzer in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the advanced audiobook.

Historical novels about musicians seems to be a hit or miss for me; unfortunately The Singer Sisters was a miss. I couldn't connect to the characters, and there wasn't a lot in the way of compelling narrative for me to latch onto.

Crazy, mixed up family with a lot of history. Was a fast and easy read. I enjoyed the story. especially Rose's part. It took a few chapters to get used to the back and forth but overall, a decent story.

The Singer Sisters
By: Sarah Marian Seltzer
Pub date: August 6
Publisher: Macmillion Audio

1996-Emma is now on tour and is hoping for a record deal. Her mother was a folk star in the 60’s. Emma does not go to college and wants a deal. Her mother Judie was part of a folk duo with her sister Sylvia and they were known as the Singer Sisters.

In the middle of her career Judie dropped out of the music scene and has been harboring a secret. What secrets has she kept all these years. Family drama, secrets, stardom, fame, and more will be explored.

A fun audio if you’re a fan of music and family drama. I enjoyed this one. Thank you Macmillian Audio for the free audiobook.

3.5 stars
I love books about musicians and have been looking forward to listening to The Singer Sisters. It was a well written family saga of music and secrets. I’m not always a fan of dual timeline and would have liked this book better with one POV. I preferred Emma’s timeline so maybe flashbacks to Judie’s past might have worked better than having her own POV? The narrators were inconsistent for me, so that likely affected how I connected with the characters. Reading might work better than listening for this title.
*Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance audio copy

The Singer Sisters chronicles multiple musicians from two generations as they navigate complex familial relationships while chasing fame, but at what cost? This is a story about growing up and parenting, love and family, and of course the music that binds everyone together.

I had high expectations for this book because usually I love the trope of "following singers through their career", particularly during "vintage" times. I quite enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six and The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, and was thrilled that this story was just as good. Set in the 60s/70s (my favourite "vintage" music decades) and the 90s/00s, we follow mothers, daughters, sisters, and the various love interests of each, as their relationships intertwine throughout the decades. The thread that connects the characters and the timelines is the music, and we see behind the scenes of the music industry, the onstage and backstage antics, flashbacks about growing up and coming of age, and the strains and consequences of this life.

Since we're jumping around on the timeline of different characters' lives, the characters were at times lacking depth as we skip over parts of their lives from their point of view to shift to another character's pov from another time. There was adequate character development though: we find out enough about each to feel like our glimpses of their lives are real, and I believed their motivations and actions. It was nice to see some queer representation and an attempt at including diverse characters. The various storylines come together at the end, with a moving on stage moment for the entire family that left me feeling like I really wanted to actually be part of that audience.

The writing is accessible and easy to follow. I thought the audiobook narrator did a good job giving different voices to the different characters. There is no actual singing as part of the audio, but lyrics are included throughout - and the lyrics are moving so perhaps someone will record an album or we'll see this on the screen before too long!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.