Cover Image: Sisters Behaving Badly

Sisters Behaving Badly

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Member Reviews

Maddie Please's "Sisters Behaving Badly" is a charming and humorous tale of sibling rivalry, reconciliation, and unexpected adventures. Filled with wit and heart, this book takes readers on a delightful journey with two sisters, Kitty and Jenny, whose inheritance of a farmhouse in rural France becomes the backdrop for their amusing escapades.

The story unfolds with Kitty and Jenny, who haven't spoken since a disappointing Carvery lunch, finding themselves co-owners of a rundown farmhouse in France. The author skillfully navigates the dynamics between the two sisters, highlighting their contrasting personalities and the hilariously petty reasons for their strained relationship. The premise sets the stage for a heartwarming and entertaining narrative.

The farmhouse, with its dilapidated state and eccentric inhabitants, becomes a source of both frustration and amusement for the sisters. Maddie Please infuses the story with humor through the challenges they face, including a garden terrorized by chickens and a donkey with a flatulence problem. The lighthearted tone of the novel makes it a perfect feel-good read, offering laughter and warmth.

The characters, particularly Kitty and Jenny, are endearing and relatable. Each sister brings a unique perspective to the story, and their journey toward repairing their fragile relationship is both heartening and entertaining. The introduction of Leo, the charming French builder, adds a touch of romance to the narrative, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the plot.

The narrative unfolds with a delightful pace, keeping readers engaged with the unfolding adventures and mishaps. Maddie Please's writing style is breezy and engaging, making the book an easy and enjoyable read. The exploration of the theme that being a little "bad" can be good for the soul adds depth to the narrative and provides a satisfying emotional arc for the characters.

In conclusion, "Sisters Behaving Badly" is a four-star read for its humor, heart, and the delightful portrayal of sisterly relationships. Maddie Please has crafted a story that is both entertaining and touching, offering readers a chance to escape into the charming world of rural France alongside two sisters on a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation. If you're in the mood for a light-hearted and uplifting read, this book is a perfect choice.

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I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

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Not good, not bad - just ok

I actually received an ARC for this title a couple of years ago but just never got around to reading it, until recently when I decided to buy the audiobook and give it a go.

Based on the title and the blurb, I was expecting some kind of "Golden Girls" type comedy but this wasn't what I got. (Golden Girls is a TV sitcom for those not familiar with it).

There were some good bones to the story - it was just let down a little in the telling of it.

Rather than evoking emotion or anything that would have me make a connection with a character, it felt more like a recitation of facts from the character Kitty of how things had happened in the past and what was occurring in the present. This made for a rather 'beige' read.

While the humour did, as claimed in the blurb, put a smile on my face, it didn't make it to point of laughing.

Perhaps it was in the delivery by the narrator (as I listened to the audio version) and maybe I would have had a different experience if I'd read the written version but, for me, it just felt that something was missing.

I listened to the Bolinda Audio version of this book and narrator seemed ok at the time, but as mentioned above, maybe told a different way it might bring some laughs rather than just smiles (the narrator came across as rather straight-laced/prim and proper, which was maybe not the best choice if this was meant to be a comedy).

Am I glad I read it - yes
Was it a waste of my time - no
Would I sit down and read it all over again - probably not
Would I read more by this author based on this book - I actually invested in a number of this authors audiobooks at the same point in time so I'm hoping that they will be an improvement on this one (but as indicated at the start of the review, it wasn't a bad story, just not one I would call exciting or memorable)

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Escape to the charming French countryside and immerse yourself in this delightful book. With its light and humorous narrative, it offers the perfect getaway from life's complexities. Join the sisters as they embark on renovating Aunt Sheilah's old house, savoring wine in the garden, and encountering amusing chickens. Explore the quaint village, meet the vibrant vendors, and indulge in daily coffee chats with the chatty Kitty. Amidst a strained relationship, Jenny's suppressed desires and Paul's narcissism add intrigue. Will the house restoration mend the sisters' bond? A pleasurable read, best enjoyed with a glass of wine and a slice of mellow cheese on your porch swing.

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Sorry for the delay in reviewing this book, it's been on my to do list forever. I love Maddie Please light hearted fun books and found myself laughing and gasping through the pages. Fully recommended for an easy to follow, page turner.

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I couldn't finish this book. The arguing sisters did me in. I didn't like either of them and found it difficult to continue.
Thanks for the opportunity to try.

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Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

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I loved this book!!!

Fun, joyful, witty, charming and some of the best laugh-out-loud moments I've read for a while, loved every part of it!!

I loved that the two leading ladies are women in their sixties, it's so much fun watching them take the bull by the horns and enjoy themselves while they go on their little adventure, I was giggling away and wishing I could go on their road trip with them.

I've not read this author before, and I seriously think I have been missing out on something here and will definitely be reading more from her.

I was hooked within the first pages and glued to it for the entirety of the book and could turn the pages quick enough, I loved every minute. I honestly can't say enough good things about this and can't wait to re-read it!

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Sisters Kitty and Jenny, both in their sixties, haven’t spoken for some time. When they inherit their aunt's farmhouse in rural France, it gives them the perfect chance to spend time together and heal the rift. Kitty has been married three times and has not yet found the man she wants to spend her life with. She wants to have a good time though, so plans to do just that with Leo, the builder they hire to do repairs on the hours. Jenny is married to Paul, a nasty, overbearing man, but he is her husband so she puts up with it. Her son, on the other hand, is estranged from his parents because he won't put up with his dad's bullying. What they find is a cellar full of wine and a storage area full of their aunt's paintings, that are apparently in demand. As they spend time together, actually talk to and listen to one another and finally see the other's point of view they begin to heal their relationship, but it is going to take some time and a few stumbles along the way.

I really enjoyed watching Kitty and Jenny try to reconcile. At first there is a lot of snide remarks and some humor as they find their way together. They are so different, it is like night and day. Kitty is carefree and wants to have a good time, Jenny thinks she is reckless and puts her down regularly for her decisions and things that have happened in her past. I did not like Jenny much, but when I met her husband, I could see that she lived with someone who did the same thing, so she was repeating the behaviour she has come to know as normal. You know there is going to be humor in a Maddie Please story, so throw in some chickens and cats who don't understand boundaries and you have some fun. Not only did Kitty and Jenny have to reconcile, but Jenny and her son also get and opportunity. This is a book about relationships, especially family. It has themes of reconciliation, new beginnings, admitting when you are wrong, friendship and standing up for yourself. I loved all the characters, except Paul. The setting was wonderful and I can understand why Aunt Susan chose to live there. With charm, wit and care, Maddie Please has written another wonderful story that this 64 YO, loved. I wish I had an aunt who left me a house somewhere in Europe, I would be there before you could say inheritance. I definitely recommend this uplifting story to those who enjoy relationship stories, especially with older characters.

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I recently read and reviewed another book with three sisters left in charge of an old building in France. This time it is just the two, and they are older than the average demographic of books of this ilk. It is also a deeper look into their individual lives and into their relationship than the cover led me to believe.
It is not necessarily a complaint, but the airy, colourful cover made me think of a different kind of story. This is not light. The sisters have grown apart slowly and surely, with uncertainty festering between them. They are forced to come together when they have to deal with their aunt's farmhouse, which is now theirs.
Both sisters have left a lot unsaid between them, and since we only hear Kitty's side of things, we know that she at least wants to reconcile and go back to how things were. In the rebuilding of their relationship and the farmhouse, a lot of sweat is poured in, and the reader is treated to all the pieces that go into such a process. Even the concept of a mundane tile selection has its own featured section. It brought the situation to life, and I appreciated the narrative format.
It was a well-done plotline with easy to imagine situations, and I would recommend it to readers who like this type of story. I would also read another by the author if I got the chance.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

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A truly lovely read. It was refreshing to have slightly older main characters who were no less dramatic and comedic! Perfectly paced and the story unfolded perfectly. Ideal for sinking into to wild away an afternoon. The characters are fabulous and definitely live up to the title.

Thank you Netgalley.

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Two estranged sisters in their sixties inherit a French farmhouse. They decide to fix it up, together, and sell it to split the profits.

Along the way there are tears, laughs, romance, heartbreak, yummy foods and lots and lots of wine!

I loved everything about this feel-good story. MC's in their 60's is one of my new favorite sub-genres! They either don't have time for the BS or they are just so calm that they let the BS roll right off them. I love that!

The cast of supporting characters, including a smelly donkey, brought such joy and light to the book. Watching the sisters find themselves and even redefine what they want out of life may be even better than a coming of age story for me.

This is the perfect beach or weekend read for a great #readandchill. 5 lovely stars!

Thank you so much to #BoldwoodBooks and #NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. It was a pleasure!

All opinions expressed are my own.

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There is so much to love about this book from the idyllic setting as well as the relationship between the two sisters. There are some colourful characters of which some come in the way of animals of which I never thought I would ever have a soft spot for chickens before but I do now!

Sisters Behaving Badly was a wonderfully light hearted read that whisked me away and transported me to rural France. It was both a fun and entertaining read with some genuinely funny moments. It was also sweet and endearing and was great to see these two sisters rediscovering who they are and what they really want from life.

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I enjoyed this book quite a bit! I didn't know what to expect going in and the beginning was kind of lukewarm. I thought it was exceptionally tense too(for good reasons), but as the book got rolling and Kitty and Jenny seemed to be enjoying the time of their lives, I started to love the book. It's kind of cozy and there was a particular scene where I felt my blood boiling in rage for Jenny.

It's a light read and otherwise warm enough. The cover and most of the scenes are comfortable and bright. I adored the interactions between the sisters and loved that they each rediscovered their own relationships in life. Th growth of the characters, especially Jenny, and how cozy with book was were two of my favorite aspects of the book. Getting to leave your job and flat behind for a good deal of time to work on a renovation project with your sister and in the empty spots, filling it with relaxation and shopping? Sounds like the life!

A lovely read with a fun group of characters, I enjoyed the book more than I had thought.

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Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

I thought this book was fabulous, full of fun action.

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This started off a bit rocky for me. I didn't know how long I would be able to read about the sisters bickering and overall differences. However, once they get to France and their farmhouse the story picks up.

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Sisters Behaving Badly is a bright, fun read that slowly meanders to a revelation that emerging from comfort zones is always a good idea. It’s about family, fixing what was broken, second chances and finding true happiness. It’s escapist and quirky, so if that’s what you need this winter, pick it up! I cannot wait to read more by this author. This author has now become a go-to author.

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A light, pleasant read about two sisters, Kitty and Jenny. The sisters re estranged after a bitter fight years before, as they learn they inherited a relative’s house in France. It’s a pleasure to read a book in which the main characters are in their sixties, active and healthy. Determined to renovate, they meet the builder who was doing previous work, Leo, who becomes a love interest for Kitty. Jenny is in a mentally abusive relationship with her husband, and the time with her sister helps her to see things clearly. A quick read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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When Kitty and Jenny receive a farmhouse in France in Aunt’s inheritance, the journey out there is the perfect time for them to make up for past rifts. At first things don’t seem like they’ll be that easy. Not only is their relationship strained, but the house needs so much work doing, and Jenny is trying to get used to life without her Husband constantly having an input. But as time moves on, tensions start to ease and they start having fun together. However, Kitty is drawn to the builder Leo which doesn’t go down well with Jenny…..Will they mend their relationship? And what will the time away do for them both?

I loved the previous book I read by Maddie, so was looking forward to this. It is absolutely brilliant, I found myself laughing out loud so much at Jenny’s antics. Even her thoughts had me in stitches – what a fantastic character! Jenny is one of those women that you want to be like when you’re 62. She just wants to have fun and I loved that about her. Jenny, on the other hand, is quite uptight to begin with, and it was lovely watching her loosen up and come to some serious realisations about her life. Leo is an absolutely gent, and I absolutely loved the animals in this which will also make you laugh!

The setting was fantastic. I felt like I was there with the sisters on their journey – seeing the sights and seeing the house and land come together. And the food in this made my stomach rumble on numerous occasions!

The story is a lovely one – of sisterhood, forgiveness, truths, second chances and living life without fear. Maddie’s writing style is wonderful, easy to engage with and a joy to read. She’s definitely up there now with the list of authors I look out for – I can’t wait for her to bring us the next rib tickling read. Highly recommended by me.

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Sisters Behaving Badly by Maddie Please was the perfect tonic for a cold and blustery winter's day. Escape to rural France with Kitty and Jenny for an adventure that will alter both of their lives.

Kitty and Jenny were once as close as sisters can be, but life gets in the way and the two find themselves drifting apart and living completely separate lives. With the shared inheritance of a rural farmhouse in France, and a mutual interest in the restoration of the property, the opportunity is there for the sisters to find their way back to each other. Will they take it? And maybe, just maybe, that was the intention of their benefactress all along?

This is a story that will resonate with readers, particularly those with a familiarity of the complexities of a sibling relationship, and those who have found themselves starting over later in life. Fans of Frances Mayes' Under the Tuscan Sun will certainly want to add this one to the TBR.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

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