I was approved for a copy of this book and I couldn't have picked it up at a better time. It has a lot in common with my previous read.

This is also domestic fiction and has a coastal setting. It also has its own niche and personality which explores the layers of female friendships along with its bliss, betrayal and heartbreak.

The story is written from two perspectives, Phoebe and Suze who met at the age 12 and immediately found they were the missing half of each other. They grew up apart but shared a diary where Phoebe would write and send it back to Suze so she'd read and write back too. The cuteness >>> 🥺😍😍.

The story is told in two timelines, the girls as teens and the girls decades later. So many years have passed Suze still thinks about how series of Phoebe's actions in their younger years disappointed and hurt her. Can Suze learn to trust Phoebe again if these two soul sisters don't confront their past?

This is emotional and engaging. For the most part, it was so relatable also 😭 because everyone knows friendship heartbreak hurts so much worse than relationship heartbreak 💔💔

"The Starfish Sisters" by Barbara O'Neal is a heartfelt and captivating novel that delves deep into the complexities of female friendship. The story revolves around Phoebe and Suze, two childhood best friends whose bond is tested by secrets and betrayals. Set against the backdrop of a beautiful coastal town in Oregon, the novel draws you into the lives of these two women, their ups and downs, and the enduring connection they share.
As a lover of the setting , even if I never visited, I was immediately drawn to it , and O'Neal's vivid descriptions brought it to life in such a wonderful way. While there were moments when Phoebe and Suze's jealousy-fueled conflicts were hard to read, they added a layer of authenticity to the story. The unresolved tensions between the characters keep you turning the pages, eager to see if they can confront their past and find healing.
Overall, "The Starfish Sisters" is a compelling exploration of friendship, resilience, and the power of women. It's a story that resonates, and I found it hard to put down. Barbara O'Neal's writing is both evocative and emotionally rich, making this a book I'd highly recommend to those who appreciate stories about the enduring bonds between women.

Wow! Once I started reading I just couldn’t put it down. The story will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Suze lives in a small costal town in Oregon, daughter to the town’s preacher an abusive religious zealous. She is force to wear simple plain dresses and never cut her hair, which as a preteen causes her to be an outcast at school. She meets Phoebe on the beach visiting her grandmother and they became fast friends, BBF. Phoebe has her own issues, parents always fighting, no friends in Portland, so meeting Suze was fantastic. Their friendship becomes stronger and through the help and guidance of Phoebe grandmother it grows into adulthood. There are many heartaches along their paths and the bound they had as children doesn’t continue once Phoebe beloved grandmother passes away. Now decades later is there any hope of finding that friendship? The love is there but can they find forgiveness?
The growth of the characters between then and now is very well written. A fast pace that keeps you enthralled throughout. Warning have tissues handy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheStarfishSisters

I think this is my first read by Ms. O'Neal, but it won't be my last. The story of Phoebe and Suze was a great one that kept me reading to see how their lives played out and to see how the secret was revealed and what happened after it was known. I enjoyed the alternating voices and timelines, as it was easy to follow and built the history into the story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I enjoyed reading about Phoebe & Suze, and their lifelong ups and downs as best friends. I really enjoyed it taking place on the Oregon Coast as it's one of my favorite places. I had a hard time getting through some of the parts where they were just acting out at each other due to jealousy but understood why the author had to make that a large part of the storyline. Overall a great read that kept me hooked until the end.

"I miss her. I resent her. She infuriates me. She needs me."
- This is a book about female friendship (and I love that about it) and I appreciate how it didn't shy away from real life reactions and decisions. I like that the book weaves throughout Suze and Phoebe's relationship since they met when they were kids.
I didn't love Suze and at times she annoyed me. Though, there were moments where I could relate to the characters, especially Pheoebe. Overall I did enjoy this story.
It’s also possible that I haven't experienced as much of life as Suze and Phoebe have and I can’t relate to it as much, I may enjoy this more when I'm older. :)

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of Barbara O'Neal's, "The Starfish Sisters." I really enjoy reading Barbara O'Neal's books and this one was no different. I love her character development and how she makes you fall in love with each one. The book is an emotional story about two friends who find each other when they are twelve and continues on throughout their lives following their heartbreaks, betrayals and ultimately forgiveness.

I loved the book “When we believed in Mermaids” so I automatically wanted to read this one .

This was not the type of book I normally read but thought I would give it a shot.

The story was beautiful written but for me it needed some major event/twist or something to keep you wanting more .

I loved the evolution of the two main characters from girls to grown women and how the characters developed.

Heartwarming story that will tug at your heartstrings.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

Although this type of story is not typically something I read I did enjoy it. I honestly think I’d appreciate more if I was older and I do think my mom would love it.

I think I'll start out by saying what a beautiful cover! I'm a sucker for beautiful covers, and this one is no exception.
I really enjoyed this new to me author. The way she describes the friendships, places, and the Orgeon coast makes me feel like I am a part of this book from page one.
I didn't want to leave the Orgeon Coast as I've never been there, but now I feel like I have.
This was very fast-paced and emotional novel as the two friends work their differences and misunderstandings out between them.
Precious friendships should never fall apart but I guess we're only human.
I love 2nd chance novels like this one.
Secrets eventually do come out in the end. This is why I really enjoyed this story. I wanted to see if these two women could work things out.
5 stars for an excellent story. I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’m always thrilled when I see a new Barbara O’Neal book coming. She’s one of my favorite authors and doesn’t fit neatly into a genre - magical realism, romance, coming of age, and friendship are themes of most of her work, but what she excels at is sense of place. Every time I read one of her novels, I’m right there, immersed in the setting. The Starfish Sisters was no different, except with the extra thrill of being on the Oregon coast myself as I read it (and she even mentions my town once in the book, which thrilled me to no end). I especially loved the descriptions of Phoebe’s studio and the woods surrounding it, I just got such a perfect vibe of an artist’s magical retreat. I also loved that this is a story about women in their 60s healing their friendship and finding love instead of another book about coming of age in your 20s - I think that can happen multiple times in our lives, not just when we are young. That said, I did miss the magic in this one, and I also struggled with the alternating chapters of the past. I just was so much more invested in present-day Phoebe and Suze than I was interested in reading about their teenage years, and I found myself wanting to skip those sections and get back to the “real” story. I still enjoyed the book, but I do hope there’s a little more everyday magic in the next one!

this is the story of two lifelong friends. it is told in both their voices. misunderstandings and other things get in the way of their friendship, but they always come back together.

Another great novel by Barbara O’Neil! The Starfish Sisters is a heartfelt story of friendship, strength and resilience. Barbara builds round characters who immediately draw you in and keep you reading. With excellent location descriptions I was easily transported to the beautiful Oregon coast. Having never been, now I want to visit, Barbara herself moved to the Oregon coast after writing this novel! The story is told with a dual timeline which built the characters and gave them depth. I highly recommend this novel, you will come love Suze, Phoebe, and their grandmother Amma.

Wow!! At times this was a hard read! I was so engrossed in this story from the first page! Such great writing! I love all her books! Highly highly recommend

I would give this book 10 stars if I could. I am a fan of this author and I was not disappointed by this book. I can see my patrons loving this book just as much as I did!

A beautiful book involving two old friends. How that friendship changes over time as secrets creep in and misunderstandings take effect makes for a hard read at times but also a wonderful exploration of that friendship.

Beautifully written book about friendship, trauma, and chosen family.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63364022

4.5 stars

Beautiful women's fiction about two best friends/sisters of the heart. Suze is now a famous actress, but her early years were traumatic. Her father was a radical Christian extremist who kept her under lock and key. Her friendship with Phoebe, and Phoebe's grandmother, helped her survive the trauma. But, like any sisters, there are petty jealousies and squabbles that have broken but not shattered their friendship. When Suze moves back to the Pacific Northwest town where they grew up, the two must figure out how to put the past behind them and reclaim their bond.

This was my first book by Barbara O'Neal, but it won't be my last.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.

This book is out now, so go buy it!

A lifeline story of friends and how complicated, difficult, but rewarding it is to have one and keep one! Happy for their wonderful memories of good times and shared emotions. Hard to read of betrayal, jealousy, time and distance. Cried a few tears!

Phoebe and Suze grew up together in coastal Oregon. Phoebe lives part time with her grandmother but during the school year she lives in a large home with her well to do parents. Suze lives in the cove full time with her preacher dad who forces her to dress strangely and beats her. When Suze is emancipated from her abusive dad, she moves in with Phoebe’s grandmother. As young girls both were envious of aspects of the other’s life. Though they seemingly told each other everything, both kept a major secret from the other. Suze is now a successful actress based in LA and Phoebe is an artist living in the same town in Oregon. When a terrorist group assaults Suze, she travels to Oregon to recover. Barbara O’Neal describes a friendship that has spanned decades. Will their secrets be revealed and drive them apart or will they stay hidden? How are their lives now that they are nearing their sixties? I enjoyed this book and thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.