After the death of her adoptive father, Star learns that her father left her a clue to her origins. The clue he left behind leads her to a small bookstore in London and asks for the name of Flora MacNicol. Little that she knows that by befriending the owner of the bookstore, Orlando, that she learns her connection to his family and finds her own independence. The family eventually tells her Flora’s story. As she listens to the story, Star learns the truth about where she comes from and makes tough choices in order to find her happiness.

Flora’s story was moving and heart-wrenching. In the beginning of her story. She has a carefree life. She has a menagerie of animals, but the animal she really adores is her cat, Panther. However, she goes through hard trials and is separated from the man she loves. She sacrifices her dreams and happiness for her sister’s sake. Flora’s story was very emotional, and I hoped that her story would end in a satisfying outcome. There were times that Flora did some ruthless deeds, but she did them to protect her family. Thus, Flora is a lovable character because she always puts her family before herself.

While I preferred the historical aspect more than the modern one. Star’s story is captivating also. Star finds herself at ends with her with sister, Cece, and she must choose to be her own self or to be in her sister’s shadow. She is a strong person too and often helps her new friends. She also finds herself dealing with first love. Therefore, Star is a very relatable character, and readers root for her to achieve her independence from her needy sister!

Overall, this book is about family, love, friendship, secrets, choices, and happiness. All the characters were very realistic and likable. The Edwardian setting was very fascinating and we meet many famous figures, such as Beatrix Potter, Mrs. Keppel, and King Edward VII. The story also has a mystery aspect, for there are secrets that Flora has hidden for many decades. I have never read The Seven Sisters series before, and I was disappointed in myself that I hadn’t read the others at all. If if hadn’t been for The Shadow Sister, I might have missed out on a really good series. While I am waiting for the sequel, The Pearl Sister, I am definitely going to catch myself up on the first two books! The Shadow Sister is perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Gill Paul, and Melanie Dobson.

5 - "It was written in the stars..." Stars!

The third book in Lucinda Riley's Seven Sisters series brings the reader Star D’Aplièse’s story. The title sums her up pretty well actually, as so far in the previous books she has really been The Shadow Sister.

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This is a series that as a reader I would class as one that requires commitment, none of the books so far have been what I would call quick read, and all require a certain level of investment in time and concentration. I love that the author takes any given story and draws the reader back in time, and then mixes historical fact with pure escapist fiction.

"At some point you must do what’s right for you."

Star’s journey to understanding more about herself and her past takes the reader back to London of the early twentieth century, where her ancestor Flora MacNichol, has a series of adventures that include the likes of the then Kings Mistress Alice Keppel, to Beatrix Potter. Her story is long and involved and Star discovers it in a series of journals that she discovers in the possession of brothers Orlando and Mouse Forbes.

"Change comes whether we wish for it or not."

As I said there is a certain amount of investment as a reader when dipping into a book from this series, the author weaves such elegant and complex story-lines that you need to be paying attention to what is happening whether it be with the characters from the past, or the story playing out in the current. I was interested to see what Star would get up to as she had up to this point very much let her sister CeCe, steer the ship that they were on. It was good to see her step out of the Shadow that CeCe cast over her, and see her come into her own, through the telling of Flora’s story and the discoveries about her own paternal family that came with it.

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I literally got lost in this book, it took my imagination away to London through the ages, to the farm and fields of Beatrix Potters domain, and an old but loved house in the countryside of the now as well as the secrets from the past that it is keeping. The characters were endearing and unique, as was the story told around them. The author has such skill to be able to weave everything together so seamlessly that you almost feel that everything you have been witness to be the truth. I loved seeing Star gain some confidence and step away from the loving but ultimately stifling relationship that she and CeCe had fallen into.

"Whatever has been and whatever may come, I am glad that I at least spent some time with him…"

Fortunately we are given a little taste of CeCe’s state of mind and where her travels may take her (and the reader) in the next book The Pearl Sister, (due for release November 2017) at the end of Star’s story. I cannot wait to visit Thailand and Australia with her in the now, and then Australia of a hundred years ago to see where her origins derive and who the author manages to pull into the story from the history-books to keep things interesting.

This is a series well worth your time and attention if you are looking for something totally different from the norm, with a wealth of characters to get to know, and a plethora of places to discover as their stories are told, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review in exchange.

This plot of the book is set in UK where sister Star is living with Cece and this triggers Star's choice to open the letter from Pa with her "story". Surprisingly the route is in England itself and starts with an old bookstore in London. As a reader I loved the choice of the author to bring the story involving other books and creating the mystery of past events. I enjoyed reading the book till the last page and although at times I could guess what might come - it was an interesting journey of reading to get there!

The Shadow Sister creates the story involving Beatrix Potter and Royal Blood conspiracy, love and it's related emotions and side effects. What was amazing that in this book Star actually revealed information that made me doubt how much does each sister knows about their Pa, how they have always been a little bit busier about their own life and sisterhood, rather than Pa..and his name..

The books reveals more of both sisters , Star's and Cece's life in the past years, more than their other sister's have ever known about them, as well as who the Star is herself. How strong Pa's death has influenced her, reminding of their conversations and pressing on the matter to stand for her own, to stand for her wishes and dreams and not always go as Cece has planned. Not only revealing Star's personality, I as a reader get a clear picture of Cece. How one who has complex over their own knowledge and lack of something can blackmail those who stand for them all the time to get what she wants. I was angry to Cece's character for her selfishness! Even getting to know how she also have always been treasured and loved by Star, how much Star has been confident without revealing truth to others in their family - Cece is scatterbrain!

When Star opens the letter it almost says nothing only the name of the bookstore and a person's name plus her Pa's knowledge that only recently he has got to know the full story - but not telling anything more! Her story brings her most unexpected feelings, also love and finding way to herself, going through the time we go when we become teenagers, except shes's nearly 30 and has always existed in her sister's shadow.

My conspiracy theory goes through this book and I do wonder who the 7th sister might be and I don't believe Pa has actually passed away, BUT this intrigue is excellent!

This is book three in The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley. It's one of the books I have been anxiously waiting to read, Star and her sister CeCe have such a tight relationship that it has made me very curious about their story and why they are so close. Actually it isn't that they are so close it almost feels like they cannot function without each other.

This is Star's side of the story (so far) and I enjoyed watching her take on the quest to discover her past. Her search begins in an old bookstore in London which was a great place to start and made the story all the more endearing. Sometimes stepping out of her comfort zone can be scary but when the desire is so strong she does what needs to be done. I loved where the author took Star.

The past story deals with Flora and as usual it's always the part I enjoy most. Maybe it's just because I am a sucker for that time period, I love reading about high society and their way of life. Though Beatrix Potter does not have a huge role in this book her inclusion developed Flora's character and made me want to read her books, I can envision the setting where she wrote them with the wide arrangement of critters about.

I will be honest when I say I had reservations when this series began wondering how the author could pull off seven unique story's for seven totally different sisters and bring something new and fresh with each one. But she has managed to do quite nicely. I am reading the series in order keeping my fingers crossed that Cece's story will be the next one, after getting a better look at her character I am really curious about her background and what makes her really tick.

Thank you to Atria Books (via Netgalley) for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This series is a wonderful read because each journey with one of the sisters is filled with history, a little intrigue and a romance. You'll want to start with book 1 just so you can catch all the little nuisances. This book has Star following the historical journey of Flora. Each book is long but filled with a tantalizing story.

The Shadow Sister is the first book in the Seven Sisters series I’ve read and I had no moments of feeling lost due to not having read the first two books.

I enjoyed reading about Star’s path to finding where she came from and where she might go in the future. Lucinda Riley’s novel is a dual-storyline taking place in the early 20th century in England and 2007 England. Characters including King Edward, Beatrix Potter and many lesser-known (fictional?) yet no less interesting people filled in the spaces of Star’s background. I loved the historical storyline. I also liked the more modern story of Star meeting possible relatives and new friends. Everyone had a place in her story or in helping her figure it out.

I’m sure I’ll go back and read the first two novels at some point and will definitely look forward to reading Star’s sister CeCe’s story. Recommended to fans of historical fiction. The series has been optioned for a television series.

I absolutely LOVED this book and couldn't wait to see what happened in the end, yet I never wanted it to end. Lucinda Riley keeps getting better and better and I am loving the Sister series; loved this as much as the first one, Seven Sisters. I totally got lost in the story and the period details and the English countryside. I grew to love the characters ( and there were many of them). I enjoyed how she wove some real-life people into the story as well and looked some of them up for additional background info. All in all a really, really great escape book and I can't wait for the next one!!
Highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this book, but not quite as much as the first two in the series. Even so, I was quickly caught up in the story and it kept my interest. I enjoyed seeing the connections that developed between the current day and historical storylines. The book was filled with interesting characters, and I enjoyed reading of Star's journey to find her past. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

The third book in Lucinda Riley's "The Seven Sisters" series kept me as intrigues and interested as the first two books did, and it made me curious about the next sister, and the next book as well.

Set in present day London, Star's genealogy and roots conveniently send the reader to the Edwardian England, with some Victorian influences. It is one of my dearest periods in the English history, and seeing names like Beatrix Potter's, and even the King's used in the novel was a treat. I didn't know about Alice Keppel, but it was a nice surprise. As with the first two books in the series, I am amazed how well the details and intricacies of the English families were nicely used to create the main character's story. I confess I needed a notebook to write down some details, or else I would have got lost in the maze of names and historical information.

Although I believe Star, Beatrix Potter and Alice Keppel the characters, Aurelia and Flora are strong characters, not coincidentally strong leading feminine characters, my suspicion that arose even from the previous two books that The Seven Sisters men are weaker than the women has been confirmed. Both the men from the past, those in connection with Flora and Aurelia, and the men in the present day in connection to Star's life seem weak in comparison to their female partners. Mouse, Archie, the King are not as impressive in their actions, words and decisions as their counterparts, Star, Flora/Aurelia, Alice. Most men exhibit an unfounded air of superiority, talk too much, and often act only prompted, like pawns. Maybe it's the feminism tendencies in me, but it was a thought that followed me throughout the novel, and I am curious if it will be confirmed by the next books.

A thing that seemed somewhat inauthentic were some exchanges between characters. Mouse and Star's rocky start of relationship can be excused due to their inexperience and their personalities, but still their exchanges seemed forced. However, the most out of place was the one between Star and Shanti when Shanti expresses her romantic interest. I sensed from the moment she was introduced in the novel that she was going in that direction, but I wish it had been done in a less cringy way. Curiously, the present day characters seem to have the problem of authentic talking rather than the characters in the past. Maybe this is because it's the Edwardian period and puffy language is excused.

As far as the plot goes - well done! The story-telling is so written as to keep the reader interested to the very end, even after you learn everything about Star's past. Another thing that gave the novel consistency was the way the author connected the events. In book two there is a concert Ally is in and we were told that Star attended it. In book three we learn how exactly did Star get there, and why isn't Cece with her. I like the little details that tie the novels.

My only serious problem with this series is that the books don't come out soon enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. I am a big fan of Lucinda Riley and her latest series "The Seven Sisters". This is book number three in the series and highlights Star (the shadow sister). I have enjoyed the series as it has unfolded, but this particular book fell a little short for me. The author had many "reveals" throughout the story, but an odd way of presenting. It was like everyone knew the secrets except the reader and it felt a little strange. The characters were not very likable in this one either. I enjoyed the story of Flora, but it ended too soon and was unresolved. I have higher hopes for the next one and look forward to reading it.

I am glad that I am reading this series. They are all great books that take the reader on an adventure to different times and places across the country. I feel like I can time travel and learn about a different culture and country without leaving my couch! I didn't think that I would like Star's story since she was the passive sister between her and Cece, but I am glad that the author gave her a voice. My book club will be reading it later in the spring, and I am looking forward to the discussion and finding some common themes/threads and even a bit of mystery in all 3 of the books. I like how the previous two sister's were mentioned in this book also. I know these take forever to write, but I am looking forward to the next one sooner than later! Thank you NetGalley and Ms. Riley for the opportunity to read this book!

This is the third book in the Seven Sisters series. The story follows Star on her journey to discovering who she is. It is set in the present and also during Edwardian England as the story follows Flora MacNichol.

I have to say this book was a HUGE disappointment. The premis had such potential, but it did not live up to it. My biggest hurdle in fully enjoying this book was Ms. Riley's style of writing. Throughout the whole book, both Star and Flora were the only characters who didn't seem to know their respective "big secrets" but every other person in the story seemed to. Instead of leaving tiny crumbs for the reader to discover and leading them slowly to the answer, it was a lot of "You mean you really don't know?" and then the subject would immediately be changed. When the big revelation occurred, there was no looking back and thinking, "Oh yeah! That all really makes sense now!" At the very end, we're left feeling cut short because there isn't really a resolution for Star. This may be due to the other 4 forthcoming books. Perhaps they will shed more light on Star's future. I slogged through because I really wanted to know what happened, but if I had been able to read the full synopsis and skip reading the book, I would have. Overall, I would not recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this voyage of discovery and Star. She sacrifices much of herself for her sister, however when she gets a job with the odd, and mysterious bookshop owner all kinds of intrigue follows. She becomes involved in a family as interesting as her own and in helping them helps herself. Complex characters and hint at the end of more intrigue to come.

Star is the subject of the third book in the seven sisters series - she has always grown up under the shadow of her sister CeCe . CeCe has just bought a house in London for them both to share, they even have to share a bedroom, and Star is starting to feel a bit claustrophobic and is starting to feel that she needs to break away and so she decides that she will follow the path her father left for her to find out where she really came from

The clue for her history is in an old bookshop and when she goes in and discovers the gentleman that runs it, Orlando, she feels quite at home and decides to go and work for him. Her story is connected to Flora MacNichol and we are swept along in her life by diaries, from her friendship with Beatrix Potter to being taking under the wing of the King's mistress Alice Keppel.

In addition to this Star is getting closer and closer to the family of Orlando, especially his brother Mouse, and his ancient home a beautiful old manor house in the Kent countryside. His cousin Marguerite is also there with young Rory who is profoundly deaf but a great character. As the two stories draw together the book is definitely one that you need plenty of time to get to the end because you won't want to leave it

Another great book in this series - you are completely drawn into the stories and cannot put them down - my only problem is that I will have to wait another year for the next instalment!

Loved it!!! Please tell the author to keep writing as I love this series.

Lovely read. Looking forward to the next one. It is so well written

With each book in this series we travel to different parts of the world as the sisters each investigate the clues their adoptive father has left them. Riley deftly interweaves the sister's story with tales from the past which shed light on the sister's origins.
Star, the third sister, has always been quiet and shy, living in the shadow of her boisterous sister CeCe. As the story progresses, we see her come out of her shell. Her clues lead her to a London bookshop, and the characters she meets are wonderfully drawn.
The story—both past and present—is set in England. Star’s clues lead her to learn about Flora MacNichol, a young girl living in the Cumbrian countryside during the Edwardian period. We meet historical figures—Beatrix Potter among them—and journey from the countryside to London.
Riley sure can tell a story, and I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to the rest of the series. It looks as if we will be traveling to distant lands in the next book!

So straight off the bat I love Lucinda Riley's writing style and have read quite a few of her books. I was really excited to read this as I find the series and the idea behind it fascinating. This being the third book in the series it was nice to see Star (Asterope) grow out of her shell. I love how the books tie in historical fiction and blend it in with the girls modern day lives as they find out about their birth families. Lucinda has currently written 3/7, personally I can't wait until they're all out and I can read them straight through.

Another great book from this author. I enjoyed the first two books more than this one but they are all brilliant.
The only down side was the fact that I couldn't get out of my mind that Orlando spoke like C3PO and Star's secret was an anti-climax!
Looking forward to the next one in the series.