The Sunset Sisters by Cecilia Lyra is the 1st book in the Sisterhood Series, and my first book by this author. Cassie and Julie are half sisters, who grew up in two different worlds except the summers they spent at their Nana's house in the Hamptons. When Cassie's mother died, the two girls became estranged, and had not talked or seen each other in fifteen years. After Nana's passing she left the Hamptons house to them both, if they agreed to spend the summer together at the house. I really enjoyed this book, it is a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I highly recommend this book, for a feel good beach read. I will be reading more books by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

On the surface, this book is about two estranged sisters. When their grandmother, Bertie, passes away, she specifies in her will that to inherit anything, they must reconcile by spending a month at her beach house. The premise itself is interesting, but there is also so much more at stake than initially appears.

I thought that the author did a good job setting the stage for the “reconciliation.” It was apparent from the beginning that although they used to be close, Cassie and Julie had gone completely separate ways for almost 15 years. The reasons for that are revealed slowly, with small hints in the form of inner thoughts and barbed retorts giving the reader clues along the way.

I was very interested in the dynamic between Cassie and Julie. Cassie was very prickly and a huge chip on her shoulder, where Julie was easygoing to the point of being a pushover. Cassie took advantage of that, which made her somewhat unlikeable to me at first. I warmed to her over time, though.

What I found particularly intriguing were the life choices that each of the women had made over the years of estrangement. Julie picked a husband who she felt took care of her (and not much else) in the form of control, something she had missed as a child. While Cassie, on the other hand, had made choices that were more along the lines of Julie’s mother. I thought this was a fascinating juxtaposition that was deeply explored and expertly relayed.

I thought that point that they had the same eyes (also the same as Bertie) was especially telling. Eyes are the windows to the soul. Cassie and Julie were more alike than either of them were willing to admit.

I liked how Bertie had everything planned out, right down to involving Craig. With the memories of both girls, and the opinions of Craig, she came across as the mother that neither girl truly had. She was also someone who I would love to know (especially because of her “New Age-y” vibe).

What made this book truly unique to me, however, was Julie’s narrating the dual princess stories. I could see where that was going from the beginning. I was thrilled that the author used that as part of her character development. It was so illustrative, and I loved it. I was also pleasantly surprised that one character did something that I didn’t expect (no spoilers, but I expected a different choice to be made).

I loved the poignancy, and the story was heartfelt. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Is it possible for sisters to forge a new bond after years of anger and resentment and miscommunication? Sisters Cassie and Julie are thrown together at their grandmother's house for a month as a stipulation of her will. They are finally forced to face events from the past and finally deal with them.

The Sunset Sisters tells the story of Julie and Cassie, two sisters who used to be inseparable as kids but who haven't spoken each other in 15 years. When their grandmother dies, they are told that her will requires they spend the summer together in her house if they want to inherit it. Why would Nana do that to them?

If you are looking for a light read to distract you from everything, this is the perfect book for you! I really enjoyed the almost clashing personalities of the sisters, and their backstories. A few family secrets thrown in made me turn page after page as I wanted to solve the mystery! Also, hats of to Nana who proves herself to be quite the mastermind!

This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a fun, easy read this summer.

Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher for my advanced reader copy of the book. This is my honest review.

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Cassie and Julie are sisters. They have the same father but different mothers. In there childhood many summers we spent in the grandmothers beach house in the Hamptons. However for over 15 years they haven’t spoken.
At the reading of their grandmothers will they find they will inherit everything if they spend just one last summer in the house together.
Will the past be put behind them to enable them to move on. And what did happen.
Great characters and well written book.
Thank to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in return for an honest review

Remember all the times you spent with your siblings growing up? And how you grew apart the older you got?

Cassie and Julie remember many summers spent together at the beach, but haven't spoke since their mother's funeral 15 years ago. Now, with the passing of their grandmother, they learn that in order to inherit the house they so fondly remember, they have to spend the next 30 days together there. With only a short time to decide to take the deal or run, the sisters decide to take the deal. The reader is given a preview into their childhoods and the events that took place, and how those events shaped them. In the end, can they learn to forgive each other and forge a new relationship?

This beach read was quick, delightful, and tugged at my heart strings a bit.

Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture, and Cecilia Lyra for allowing me to read this and give my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy!
Synopsis:
Two sisters. A surprising inheritance. A summer that changes everything.

As children, half-sisters Cassie and Julie were nearly inseparable, bonded through happy, lazy summers playing barefoot in the surf and sleeping out on the porch of their grandmother’s Hamptons beach house. Though from wildly different backgrounds, each magical summer the girls were as close as only best friends, accomplices, sisters can be. But they haven’t spoken in nearly fifteen years—not since the funeral of Cassie’s mother—and now there is only resentment and painful memories between them.

Successful and self-contained, Cassie is shocked to learn the requirements of their nana’s will—that she and Julie spend one final summer together in the Hamptons house in order to inherit. Cassie agrees reluctantly, she needs an excuse to leave Boston and give the growing rumors about her personal life a chance to die down.

And for Julie, who is discovering too late the cracks in her marriage, it is the chance to repair at least one damaged relationship. But for the two sisters to regain what they had, they will have to finally confront what happened the night Cassie lost her mother. With their Nana’s wisdom guiding the way, could this summer bring painful discoveries, and a new direction, for both sisters?

I loved this story from the very start! It has a wonderfully detailed written characters and a deep rich plot. It was simply glorious read! Brilliant writing that I can hardly believe that this was only the first book of this author. I am so looking forward to read the next book in this series when it comes out!
It was one of the best books I read this year! And I would highly recommend it!

ABSOLUTELY UNPUTDOWNABLE. Warm and emotional. I loved it completely from beginning to end.

A story about estranged sisters that captured my heart from the first page, from their promise then their resentment to a new bond. The author Cecilia Lyra's writing was like a gentle breeze at the beginning of spring, each word bringing a wealth of emotions and leaving happiness in its wake.

Two sisters from different mothers, best friends in childhood, yet strangers as adults were brought together by their grandmother's will for a glorious summer. Resentments, ugly memories all had to be dealt with before they could find their way to each other's heart. Then something happened...

My first book by this author was a glorious read. I needed a distraction to root my brain, and this provided me with the best anchor. The curiousity to know what happened to these women over the years caused me to completely submerge myself into the depth of the feelings. The words pulled at my heartstrings one oafe at a time.

The sisters were etched carefully, by the author. Her broad strokes made them appear different; and her gentle ones, similar. There was something hypnotic about this story that caught me completely.

Brilliant writing, lovable characters, real situations, the book was everything I needed and more. A fantastic breakfast read.

First, I want to thank Cecilia Lyra, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me this book so I may bring you this review.

WOW! What an incredible story that brought out so many emotions, torn pasts, family secrets, twists, turns and shocking moments in Cecilia Lyra’s The Sunset Sister’s.
This book had literally a little bit of something for everything in it for everyone.

This book has a few triggers in it such as infidelity, domestic abuse, alcoholism, blackmail.

For me personally this book made me miss my Gram. I loved how the Nana brought half sisters Julie and Cassie together after her passing for a reunion of sorts. Reminiscing of the good days they had spent with her made me miss my Gram. Also, made me think about the good times I shared with her too. She was a special part of their lives.

Cecilia wants to thank her grandmother, who is proof that a hard life does not equal a hard heart: thank you for your quiet strength and generous spirit. She thanks you for seeing her.

I loved the line you can't change the past, but you can write your own story from here on out. This is so true.

The Sunset Sisters had a lot of heartbreaking moments, a lot of jaw dropping secrets, lots of twists and turns, and some internal revelations.

I was not a fan of Patrick at all, especially the way he treated his wife Julie!! I was especially upset when he fat shamed her while she was mourning the loss of her Nana! Nobody should be treated the way he treated her during the time she was in mourning. Not to mention how controlling he was. He just really rubbed me the wrong way!!

Craig and his kids were my three favorite characters. The kids pulled on my heart strings and Craig was there for Julie when she needed them. It was like Nana sent him from heaven for her.

I loved how she also thanked Anna, for giving me the privilege of being your sister. Thank you for building a world with me. Thank you for being my first reader. Most of all, thank you for being my Baby Dino. Babaganoush, who cannot read.

Most of all I loved how she gave props to those who dedicate their lives to books: teachers, librarians, reviewers, bookstagrammers, book bloggers, book club founders and hosts, you are the whisperers of magic. It is so appreciated that she acknowledges us! I love giving back to authors who work so hard to create amazing stories such as this to help me escape my reality.

A story full of emotions, family secrets and love, lies and betrayal on top! A heart rending story I loved x

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Sunset Sisters is the story of Cassie and Julie, 2 sisters from different moms. Growing up, their happiest memories were at their Nana's house on the beach, as they grew up in different worlds, Nana helped them learn to lean on and love each other. But one day, a terrible accident tears them apart. They live their lives without each other, learning to ignore the hole in their hearts that the absence leaves. But then, one day, they get news that in order to keep the beach house of their childhood, they must spend one month there with each other. Will their bond be bigger than their past?

The Sunset Sisters was such an enjoyable read for me. This was the ideal summertime/beach book. I found myself sneaking moments throughout the day to read a quick chapter or two and not wanting to put it down at night. The author did a great job of telling both of the sisters stories, without overlapping them, and keeping the story fresh, not repetitive. Highly recommend this book. It is full of love, laughter, memories, family burdens, putting the past behind you and redemption. Round up to 4.5 stars

The Sunset Sisters was filled with just the right amount of family drama, love, and suspense to keep the page turning! I loved the setting and I loved the characters, and the short chapters were great. A perfect summer read with just the right amount of suspense!

The Sunset Sisters is a wonderfully written story about two half-sisters, told from their viewpoints, who became estranged as adults. A very intriguing book with many emotional ups and downs as they work towards reconciliation, making it a difficult book to put down. I highly recommend it.

The Sunset Sisters is a story about two sisters reconnecting through the death of their grandmother. They have not talked or seen each other for years and plan to keep it that way. That is until their grandmothers will states they must live together in the family beach house for one month to inherit the house.
The story shows the importance of sibling relationships and how we all need our family to overcome life’s obstacles.
There were some slow parts to the story But, overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read with some interesting family drama going. I look forward to reading more from Cecilia Kyra.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion.

2 sisters who grew up with the same dad but different mothers. I hated the dad throughout the book. Triggers in the book are physical violence so beware of that. I had a hard time putting this book down at times. I did enjoy the sisters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really lovely book. A beach read with more of an emotional punch, The Sunset Sisters follows the story of Cassie and Julia, two sisters who have a fraught and scarred relationship. Anyone who has suffered the heartbreak of a vulnerable childhood - or the loss of a friendship or family relationship - will grieve and bond with the characters in this story. I must admit I got a bit teary eyed in parts! Readers of Elin Hilderbrand and Mary Kay Andrews would enjoy.

Since we are all spending more time at home.these days. It is a good time to read books that are easier reads. This is a story about two half sisters who meet for the first time around the age of nine and end up becoming close friends. Tragedy strikes for one of the sisters and she withdraws and stops talking to her other sister and father. Their nana dies and requires that both sisters stay together for a month as a condition of their inheritance. I did enjoy the book and it was better than I expected. I found one typo in the book so hopefully that is caught before it goes to print. It is a great summer read.

Nana wanted to bring Cassie and Julie back together. The half sisters, who didn't meet until they were 9, are both the daughters of Stephen. Cassie's mom was his wife, Julie's his mistress. They spent summers together at the house and were best friends, despite their economic and emotional differences. Then Cassie's mom, who struggled with addiction, committed suicide and Cassie blamed Julie's mom- and thus Julie- leading to a schism. They grew into very different women but both have issues in their romantic relationships. This is the story of how they come back together, overcoming their secrets and bonding both with each other and with two important men in their lives. Julie's a bit flighty, Cassie more hard edged, but both are relatable. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. it's a good read.

Two sisters, two different lives, torn apart of a parent. Their Nana leaves them a house in her will but they must live together for a month to inherit. They find out that they both have things in their lives that must change and that these changes bring them together again. A lovely story of love and heartbreak.

My Review

I was gifted this copy by the the publisher via Netgalley in exchnage for an honest review.

A few triggers warning for this book, abuse and infidelity

This book definatly had a summer beachy vibe as some of it is set by the ocean. I could really imagine myself at Nana and house and loved the descriptions of these parts I read this over 2 days and was felt quite drawn to the plot and charctors. However some of it felt clunky were very slow and the temptation was to start skimming through. I am glad I didn’t as it was sprinkled with a few plot twists towards the end