This was an easy going read with some predictable twists. That’s being said I did really enjoy the flow, the characters and following the mini adventure of Ava!

I received an advance copy of, The Sister Surprise, by Abigail Mann. This sounds like it would be a great book, but I did not like it. The language the characters.

I really enjoyed The Lonely Fajita by this author, so was delighted to be approved for her next book. It was unfortunately, a disappointment. The first half of the book was very slow, with nothing much of interest happening. I feel the author tried too hard to be funny with this book, it was peppered throughout with similes - hardly anything was said or happened without it being described as ‘like .......’ followed by a supposedly amusing simile. Some were funny , but mostly they were not. They just became increasingly irritating as the book progressed, distracting me from the flow of the story.
I almost gave up on the book, but I’m glad I persevered, because it did improve. However it then galloped towards a very predictable ending with all issues neatly resolved, without any of the expected confrontation.
I liked the characters of Ava and her half-sister Moira, and the young farmer Kian, struggling to make a go of the family farm against all odds. The characters were well drawn and there were some genuinely funny moments, which I enjoyed.
However, if an author is going to write about Scotland they should ensure they use correct terminology eg, in Scotland we have whisky, not whiskey, which is an American or Irish spirit. If a man of the cloth is preaching in a Scottish church, he would not be a priest or a reverend, he would be a minister. Ava was rightly corrected on this by Moira in the story. But the minister would not be carrying out a Mass in his church, it would be Communion..
As for the local pub called The Wailing Banshee? Really? That is beyond stereotypical.
It is worth noting that although some very rural areas in UK, not just Scotland, do not have good internet connections, it does not mean that they and their inhabitants exist in a vacuum. The happenings in the outside world, even from as far away as London, will become known in any hamlet, especially when a mysterious newcomer arrives on the scene from the metropolis. You can be sure that someone will know someone who has googled her.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.
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After Ava finds out on a live stream that she has a half-sister she never knew about, her world is turned upside down. Her boss thinks a reunion would make for great content so he sends her off to the super small town in the Scottish Highlands where Moira, her sister, is last known to have lived. Ava takes a room at a local farm in exchange for work and is quickly absorbed into the quirky town (which even includes a hunky Reverend). When she finally meets Moira by chance, she has a lot of choices to make about her future and ultimately who she wants to be.

It's like Abigail Mann knew exactly what kind of book I needed right now. From the first chapter on, I kept hoping this story would never end and I got in bed each night excited to read more. Mann managed to make a story that was simultaneously cozy AND exciting, full of endearing characters. One of my favorite books I've read in a long time!

This was a cute little story. The characters were funny and very likable. I feel there was good character development and I liked the story line a lot. I heard this was the author's second book, and I feel the writing style is amazing for only being her second novel. It was fast paced and did not seem to bog you down with too much details that were not needed.

First and foremost, thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was light and cute. I laughed and felt my heart swell. This book has everything you want in a feel good book. I am looking forward to picking up the previous novel by Abigail Mann.

I was not sure that I was excited about this one, just due to the sheer number of unexpected DNA connection stories being put out right now, but this one was so good! It is a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek kind of read. I laughed out loud many times and enjoyed the way the characters handled some tumultuous situations.

Well written mystery/romance novel. DNA surprises are on the rise. If you have ever wondered how to handle such a surprise in a whimsy sort of way, you will enjoy this book. Could be the beginning of a series if the author chooses.

Light, fun, tongue-in-cheek, chick lit. Ava — a social media journalist from South London gets a surprise during a live video show from her DNA test — she has a (previously unheard of) sister living in a small village near Inverness. Quickly finding a farm home stay in the village, she plans to live blog the search, discovery, and reunion with this unknown woman. What follows is some slapsticky scenes on the farm (think pig innoculation by some real newbies) peppered with new friendships and some romantic interest. What’s different about this book as opposed to, say, Bridget Jones, is that “Romance” is not the main attraction or goal. I’ve noticed this (welcome) trend in “women’s fiction.” Men are a part of our heroine’s life, but the pursuit, gain, and / or loss of men is not the prime element of their lives. Passes the Bechdel test (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechdel_test).

When Ava takes a dna profile test the results show she has a half sister in a small village in the Highlands of Scotland. Under the pretence of working in the Scottish office, Ava lies to her mum and arrives as a volunteer on a small delapidated farm. When she soon finds her sister, falls for the local Minister and helps the farmer sort out the farm could she be happier than ever?
I loved The Lonely Fajita and this was great as well. Genuinely lovely read. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book but not as much as the lonely fajita. I found some parts of it quite slow. Enjoyed but didn’t love this one

Serviceable and fun but I believe other authors do the London vs rural lifestyle change better.

Thank you for the galley copy.

The funniest take on the risks associated with DNA testing websites and the unexpected curveballs life can through your way, sometimes sending you directly onto the path of your one true love.

This is a fun, lighthearted and uplifting read. I devoured it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I started this book and was really enjoying it... it was funny, the characters were likeable and it was a different ‘setting’. But I have to be honest, I got 76% of the way through and had to give up... it was just a bit dull and predictable. I found myself not really caring about how it ended. It was too slow paced in the middle section and not a lot happened plot-wise. I feel as if I wasted my time a bit.

2 out of 5.

The Sister Surprise is a sweet story of personal growth and finding family (with a small amount of romance thrown in). If you are looking for a read that predictable, yet fun, with enjoyable characters and a bit of personal growth, this is the perfect book for you!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of THE SISTER SURPRISE by Abigail Mann in exchange for an honest review. Ava has always wanted to know more about her father. Every time asked about him, her mother would tell Ava her father was dead and change the subject. So, when Ava is offered the opportunity to take a DNA test as part of her job as an online journalist, she jumps at the chance to find any of her father’s relatives. The publication surprises Ava with the news that she has a sister and offers to send Ava to the tiny Scottish village to meet her sibling in exchange for Ava sending in a diary of her sister-search. Ava accepts the offer, packs her bag, grabs her laptop, finds a placement as a farmhand in exchange for room and board, and is soon in Scotland. As weeks go by, Ava’s interactions with the villagers reveal no hint of Moira. Finally, Ava finds Moira in the most unlikely place. As Ava gets to know Moira bond with her, and even love, Ava gets more reluctant to reveal their kinship. Meanwhile, Ava finds herself inappropriately attracted to the village priest.

I liked this book. I enjoyed the story and really liked the characters. When the book ended, I wanted to stay in the story and see what happens next. I highly recommend this book to fans of women’s literature, humor, and surprising family.

Ava has never known who her dad is. Everytime she has asked her mum about him her mum has bought her a distraction cake. She's doing a review for work about genealogy kits and has sent off her sample. Whilst on livestream she's handed her results.

I thoroughly enjoyed this laugh out loud book. I loved the characters and the storyline. Obviously you knew from the title that she was going to find out she had a sister but the way she goes about it all is hilarious. This is the perfect book to escape from life. I loved it.

Ava has never known her father, and when a live DNA test through her job shows that she has a half sister in Scotland, she is convinced to go and find her, writing articles on this as she goes. She finds more than she expected in the small community, so what will happen when she reveals who she really is?

Think Bridget Jones meets Fleabag meets Who Do You Think You Are meets Countryfile! I devoured this in a day, it is brilliantly entertaining!

Having loved The Lonely Fajita, I was so excited to read the next novel by @abigailemann and it certainly did not disappoint.

We focus on Ava, who takes a DNA test as part of a work project and has her results announced on a live stream....the title of the book gives away what she finds out so no spoilers from me there 😊 Ava then embarks on a trip to a tiny village in the Scottish highlands to track down her sister....all whilst volunteering on a farm (which was the scene some of my favourite funny moments!)

The narrative is witty, with some great one liners and many comedic moments. The characters are well developed and likeable. I really got the sense of the small village feel from the imagery and descriptions used...certainly made me want to go to the Highlands one day!

I loved the twists and turns, a couple of which I didn't see coming at all! Some dramatic conversations are had, especially around relationships and historic tragic events in the small village and the impact they caused.

The overarching feeling I had was that sometimes the change we least expect, can be exactly the one we need!

Overall I'd highly recommend this one! It is well paced, addictive, uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable! I'm off to research a trip to the Highlands and find some Tunnock's Teacakes!

This book will be released in the UK on 25th March 2021.

Thank you to @onemorechapterhc for the opportunity to review.

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