5⭑!!!

Blue Sisters is the first novel I’ve read by Coco Mellors and wow, it did not disappoint. I knew this would be a five star read from the first paragraph alone! How Coco managed to capture the true essence of being sisters in one paragraph was fantastic.

I love reading books about sisterhood and everything that comes with that - so I knew I would enjoy this book but I honestly did not expect to love it as much as I did.

I loved reading in each of the sister’s POVs. They’re all equally complex, messy and very real. Having an insight into all of their minds when they were constantly falling out with each other was fascinating. Being able to see how one sister would interpret something compared to another sister interpreting it into something completely different.

I loved reading about their up and down relationships with each other and as much as they would fight, you could really tell that they still cared for each other deeply and would try and put their sister’s happiness over their own.

I have a sister (a twin - which is a whole other type of sisterhood!) and I could see us both in this novel. It was so painfully realistic and I wish I could read it for the first time again.

Thank you NetGally & the publisher for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

With the success and adoration of Cleopatra and Frankenstein, readers will be stunned when they get their hands on the utterly devastating Blue Sisters.

Mellors has overdelivered on all expectations with her latest offering—full of the complex nature of sisterhood whilst navigating the death of their sister.

At its core, and as its title suggests, Blue Sisters is a tale of the relationship between 3 sisters, and despite hardship, they come out the other end closer. A must read emotional novel, leaving you heartfelt and appreciative of those around you

Blue Sisters is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the last page. Not only tackling grief but also taking a deep dive into the complexities of family dynamics. I found the writing unflinchingly real and absorbing and prompted me to think about my own family relationships and behavioural traits. The sisters were each so different, but I could resonate with each of them in different ways. If you’re looking for a deep, thought-provoking story full of rich prose this is the title for you.

Just when you think Coco Mellors can’t get any better, BAM. Here comes Blue Sisters. A gorgeous, intimate, captivating exploration of three sisters as they come to terms with the sudden death of their sibling. Spanning continents and key milestones, each sister is masterfully brought to life, and I enjoyed spending time with each of them. I adore how Mellors brings London and New York to life, her attention to detail makes you feel at home in these cities. This is the kind of book that will keep you up late reading and wishing for more after you turn the final page. Utterly brilliant.

A heartachingly raw read about the complexity of families, navigating life and building an identity. Sisterhood is at the forefront of this book but it’s so so much more, themes of emotional abuse, grief and recovery are skilfully illustrated. The use of multiple point of views allows the reader to see each sister and these characters are well fleshed out.
If you like literary fiction this needs to be added to your TBR.
Captivating and utterly human. Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

With the success and adoration of Cleopatra and Frankenstein, readers will be stunned when they get their hands on the utterly devastating Blue Sisters.

Mellors has overdelivered on all expectations with her latest offering—full of the complex nature of sisterhood whilst navigating the death of their sister.

At its core, and as its title suggests, Blue Sisters is a tale of the relationship between 3 sisters, and despite hardship, they come out the other end closer. A must read emotional novel, leaving you heartfelt and appreciative of those around you.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors* is the sophomore novel from the author of the much-loved (admittedly, though, not by me) Cleopatra & Frankenstein. This book tells the story of three sisters, each very different, trying to learn to navigate life in the wake of their sister Nicky’s sudden death. And, unlike Mellors’ debut novel, I am pleased to report that I loved this one!

The four Blue sisters grew up in a Manhattan family that, from the outside, looked far more together than it was. Money was tight, addiction was rife and the burden of responsibility fell on eldest sister Avery to raise and take care of her three younger siblings.

As teens and young adults, the sisters scatter and forge their own paths, keen to get as far away from their upbringing as possible. Avery becomes a high flying lawyer in London, Bonnie commits herself to the strict life of a world champion boxer and Lucky is known the world over as a high fashion model. But, behind all of their successes, there is unacknowledged trauma and pain that defines and, ultimately, destroys them when they miss the signs that their beloved Nicky - the kind one, the teacher, the good one - is in the throes of addiction until it is too late to save her.

The way that incredibly tough subjects like addiction, emotional abuse and parentification are tackled with such tenderness, respect and awareness made me feel that Mellors may have first hand experience of many of these. In hindsight, much of this was also present in Cleo & Frank but, I felt, much more clunkily explored. Blue Sisters feels more mature, more self-assured, less performative.

It’s clear that Mellors understands the unique bond that sisters share - the book is dedicated to her own - and, despite the (thankfully) very different life my two sisters and I have, I could see so much of our relationship with each other reflected in the telling of Avery, Bonnie and Lucky’s stories. I don’t think it’s possible to be an eldest daughter without being parentified to some extent and I felt so much kinship with Avery and the lasting impact of the pseudo mother role she felt society at large expected her to step into. I feel this book will please many but none more so than the eldest daughters among us.

"A sister is not a friend. ... True sisterhood, the kind where you grew fingernails in the same womb, were pushed screaming through identical birth canals, is not the same as friendship. You don't choose each other, and there's no furtive period of getting to know the other. You are part of each other right from the start. Look at the umbilical cord - tough, sinuous, unlovely, yet essential, and compare it to a friendship bracelet of brightly woven thread. That is the difference between a sister and friend."

Blue Sisters is a family novel about 4 sisters, their complicated relationships, addictions, loss and grieve. It is a heartfelt ode to sisterhood realistically depicting the good, bad, but also "the ugly" of having a sister. I believe this book will resonate strongly with those with a sister or two. I highly recommend this book.

Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Posted on Goodreads on 26.4.2024]

Wow, Mellors sure knows how to write a gut-wrenching story that tugs at your heartstrings. Such a beautiful book about grief, sisterhood, drug addiction, and identity. Everything happens in such an authentic way and I love how everything wrapped up in the conclusion, so real. Huge fan of her debut and glad this lived up to the hype for me, though I definitely will say Cleopatra & Frankenstein is still my favorite. C&F was more about romantic love while this one tackled familial and self-love. If you like sad girl literary fiction, add this to your TBR.

As a huge fan of Cleopatra and Frankenstein, I couldn’t wait to read this! We follow sisters Avery, Bonnie and Lucky as they get to grips with the anniversary of their sister Nicky’s death. Mellors’ rich writing style means we get to know each of the sisters, including Nicky - their hopes, insecurities and resilience.

Even better than Cleopatra and Frankenstein, I loved the characters and the care with which Mellors crafted these relationships -- truly golden.

I thoroughly enjoyed Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. It tells the story of three sisters navigating a bereavement as well as their own challenges with relationships and addiction. I felt like the characters were well fleshed out and believable and the book held my attention throughout. Highly recommend this book following the lives of the Blue sisters.

Ahhhhh, this was exquisite.

I read 'Cleopatra and Frankenstein' last year, and whilst I did really enjoy it and could tell Mellors was an excellent writer, I wasn't one of those people who were completely and utterly blown away by the story, like a lot of people were, despite me liking it. I was excited to see what Mellors wrote next.

'Blue Sisters' was just beautiful. I got approved for my copy 2 days ago and new I had to stop everything and pick it up straight away, and devoured it in less than 24 hours. From the very first page I found myself highlighting quotes and passages on my kindle - Mellors writing is excellent.

This book gave me the same emotions I felt when reading 'Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, which I absolutely adored due to the portrayal of familial relationships, the complexity of them, and the portrayal of sisterhood. 'Blue Sisters' gave me that same feeling of adoration for the characters, the raw emotion, heartache, and devastation shining through in the authors writing making this a saddening yet tender and heartwarming read. Each of the Sisters were written excellently, and I felt an attachment to each of them. Mellors writing and exploration of the difficulties of addiction, loss, death, and depression were executed wonderfully.

Such an excellent read which I'll find myself thinking about for a long time.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Mellors’ highly anticipated sophomore novel does not disappoint. Filled with emotional deep cuts and prose that transports you into feeling like the fifth sibling, Blue Sisters is four stories in one - a beautiful, heart-wrenching, treat. A much heavier work, dealing with addition, loss and self-destruction, interspersed with less comedic reprieve (missed you, Eleanor!), but nonetheless one that should be as widely appreciated as her debut. I only wish I could’ve stayed with the sisters for longer.

Three sisters – Bonnie, Lucky and Avery – come together to prevent the sake of their childhood home in New York. While there, there’ll be time to speak about their other sister, Nicky, whose death left them all reeling. Being together may feel unusual but at times of crisis, will they learn the importance of spending time with the ones you love?

In "Blue Sisters" by Coco Mellors, we are introduced to the exceptional yet remarkably different lives of the Blue sisters. Avery, the eldest, maintains a facade of perfection as a lawyer in London while harbouring a secret that could shatter her meticulously constructed life. Bonnie, once a boxer, now works as a bouncer in LA after a career-ending defeat, but a reckless act jeopardises her future in the city. Lucky, the rebellious youngest, is navigating the world of modelling, but her wild lifestyle begins to catch up with her. And, with the sudden death of Nicky, the beloved fourth sister, Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky are left reeling with grief and grappling with their own demons. When they reunite in New York to prevent the sale of their childhood home, they realise that only by reconnecting with each other can they confront their grief, addiction, and heartbreak, and rediscover the beauty of life.

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2024, and it certainly did not disappoint. From the moment I started reading, I was utterly obsessed. It's effortlessly claimed its place among my top books of the year and has instantly become one of my all-time favourites. The rich, tender and compelling writing had me hooked from the very first page, making it impossible to put down. The writing style is beautifully crafted and easily digestible, making the reading experience all the more immersive and enjoyable.

Coco Mellors has expertly crafted a story that is not only captivating but also deeply poignant in its exploration of sisterhood, addiction, discovery and recovery. The complexities of sisterly connections are portrayed with such authenticity and each character felt so vividly real. The beautifully raw narrative delves into the intricacies of grief, illustrating how it manifests differently for each individual and can consume us in various ways.

You know those books that feel like more than just a novel - you lose sight that you’re reading a book, and instead you go on a journey… this is that. It’s an exploration of love and loss and showcases the messy and chaotic, yet beautiful journey of healing, self-discovery and of life itself. I wholeheartedly adored everything about it.

Thanks to NetGalley and 4th Estate for the e-ARC in return for an honest review.

".. guilt was for something you'd done - you could feel guilty for a certain behavior or action but still fundamentally know you were a good person - but shame was deeper, shame was for who you were"

Coco Mellors second book is a powerful exploration of sisterhood and coping with grief. The Blue sisters - Avery, Bonnie, Nicky and Lucky have a normal dysfunctional family - normal that there is no melodramatic thing off with them. When Nicky dies from an accidental overdose at 28, the family fractures irreversibly.

Mellors shows them after a year and gives a personality (and personality disorder) to each of the sisters. Avery is an advocate married to her ex-therapist wife attending AA meetings and secretly dealing with her kleptomania. Bonnie is a bouncer at a bar after throwing away her promising boxing career after she discovered her sister. Lucky is the reckless model who is attending party after party having a concoction of drugs and meaningless sex. When they get to know her mother wants to sell the apartment in New York where Nicky died, the sisters come home after major life decisions.

While every interaction between the sisters ends up in squabbles and effort to settle it, it seems realistic enough. Except in each other's company, they also are looking for their second innings - hope and redemption. The writing makes it entertaining without leaning on extreme drama or fancy phrases. Sample this: "She could not have expected that freedom would look like that, a forgetting that was so close to, but not, forgiveness"

I was not a big fan of Cleopatra and Frankenstein. This book is more mature and more closer to reality. She has got a winner on her hands.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Books for the ARC copy of the book. The book releases on 23 May across bookstores and Amazon in India.

once again the multiple POV add so much to the story (Coco really is a master when it comes to writing from different viewpoints)
The sisters are so real, messy and raw and once again i don't really find the right words to express the emotions i went through reading this book.

I loved Cleo and Frank so I was so looking forward to reading another Coco Mellors book - I loved the complexity of the sister's relationships with one another and they all felt like distinct, believable characters which was a pleasure to read.

This is Coco Mellor's 2nd book and I've loved both.
This is the story of 3 sisters dealing with the grief of losing their 4th, Nicky. All of them are struggling in different ways.
The book explores the grief, their relationships and their background. The things they carry as individuals and as sisters.
They way that the characters are presented is very balanced but gentle. You get a good picture of what each is like, their strengths and flaws.