All My Sisters and Me
by Sheryl Lister
DESCRIPTION
Instead of growing closer over the years, sisters-in-law Giselle, Kamryn, Chanel, and Taylor are more distant than ever.
After almost a decade of marriage, Giselle is still childless, with the pangs of jealousy and feelings of inadequacy mounting each day. Kamryn loves her husband’s family, but she and Giselle have never gotten along, and she’s tired of always trying to keep the peace. Newly married Chanel is ecstatic to finally have the family she’s craved all her life, but the ongoing feud between her two sisters-in-law threatens that harmony. Meanwhile, Taylor is still trying to find her place in the family after a tragic and unexpected turn in her relationship.
As everything comes to a head during a weeklong anniversary celebration, the truth could tear them apart forever…or bring them together as the sisters they were meant to be.
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MY THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed this compelling family drama by Sheryl Lister. The story introduces us to four sisters-in-law - Giselle, Kamryn, Chanel, and Taylor - who have all become part of the Bradley family through marriage. The book opens with the family coming together to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Bradley’s 40th anniversary, and right away, you can see that this is a close-knit family. The Bradleys have welcomed their daughters-in-law as daughters, and there is clearly a lot of love within this family. But, of course, where there is family, there can also be drama!
And there is definitely some friction, particularly surrounding Giselle. She often feels like an outsider - not only within the Bradley family but, at times, even in her own marriage. There is a lot going on beneath the surface with her, and I found myself particularly drawn to her story.
The anniversary celebration lasts for an entire week, but as the story progresses, the couples eventually return to their everyday lives. This is very much a character-driven story, and I enjoyed getting to know each of the couples through the multiple POVs. We see how their individual relationships work, what challenges they face, and how their personal struggles can affect the entire family.
Of the four women, Giselle definitely stood out to me. She has a husband who loves her, yet something inside her is broken, and she is clearly unhappy. Her attitude sometimes creates friction within the family, but I really liked the way Mrs. Bradley handled Giselle and some of the other difficult situations that arose. There is something special about a woman who knows when to step in - and when to simply give someone the space they need.
Kamryn reminded me a lot of myself because she is the peacekeeper. And with four sisters of my own, I could definitely relate to that! Then there is Chanel, who has just married into the family. Being part of the Bradleys gives her the opportunity to experience something she hasn’t really known before: what it feels like to be part of a loving, supportive family. Taylor, meanwhile, is dealing with a personal tragedy that leaves her uncertain about what her future should look like.
What I especially enjoyed about this book is how relatable the family dynamics felt. These women have very different personalities and experiences, but their stories all come together to create a bigger picture of marriage, family, hurt, healing, and love.
I very much enjoyed All My Sisters and Me. It was an engaging and relatable read, and I loved watching these women - and this family - navigate their complicated relationships. And the narration was wonderfully done, bringing the different characters and their stories to life.
Many thanks to Harper Muse and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
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