Just like the other one I read by this author (It Started With Paris), this one had way too many characters. (Like the character on the first page that didn't make another appearance until 70%, and I'd forgotten who she was.) I found myself skimming parts because there were characters and entire storylines that I felt had no business being there. It was also overly predictable, and the ending was just too pat and cliched. I think I would have enjoyed this if it was half as long and focused on the two sisters (and maybe Pearl, since she was the one who raised them) and their abandonment issues. As it stands though, it was drawn out and convoluted by the entirely too large cast and all their backstories that had absolutely no bearing on what I thought was supposed to be the main story.

Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Another enjoyable read from Cathy Kelly telling the story of the woman of Delaney Gardens, a small suburban village in Ireland. The book focuses on sisters Cassie and Coco and their grandmother Pearl. Cassie and Coco were left by their mother at a young age and raised by their father and grandmother. The scars of their abandonment has reached into their adulthood, Cassie tries to be everything to her family and is feeling that exhaustion and Coco has commitment issues in her romantic life. Then there is Pearl, who is harboring a long buried secret that will affect her whole family. Told with the charming backdrop of the Irish village and all its inhabitants, Between Sisters was a heartwarming book about family and friendship.

I found this book to be stilted; the characters felt like charicatures rather than humans, and I didn't recognize the Ireland I lived in at all. It was just all very ... nice. I left the text feeling unmoved. People who are fans of escapist fiction to the enth degree may enjoy this, but I like my stuff a little more grounded.

I have read and enjoyed Cathy Kelly's books in the past and remember them as being warm, interesting stories about real people. I am sad to say that I just couldn't get into this story at all; the characters seemed quite banal and their introductions went on for so long I lost interest before the actual story began and did not read it to the end. I am therefore unable to provide a full review.

Thank you for the opportunity read and review this title! I didn't enjoy it as much as I"d hoped, and rather than post a negative review, I chose to not feature it on my blog. I look forward to seeing what new releases you have in store!

Family drama. I liked the connection between the sisters. Such a mess!

This novel is not the best introduction to Cathy Kelly's work- its less complex and insightful than she usually writes. Cassie and Coco are classic and somewhat predictable characters. That said, I did finish this because I was interested in how things would turn out and because I was hoping it would morph into what I expect from Kelly. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.