The Griffin Sisters. Huge in the early Noughties, with an outstanding debut album and sold-out dates across the US. And then, nothing… A tale of two sisters – Zoe, the gorgeous, fame hungry starlet, and Cassie, the quiet, uncomfortable girl with a voice of a generation. This story is a family drama at heart, set against the backdrop of a cool yet unforgiving music industry.

I found the novel a little slow going to start with, but it soon picks up speed, and I couldn’t put it down. I had to discover the reason the band went from the highest highs to disappearing without a trace.

The narrative flits between Cassie and Zoe, and between those early band days in 2004 and the present day. It is crazy to think of the differences between life in those differing decades. Smart phones weren’t that smart, with built-in cameras only just entering the mainstream. Social media wasn’t a thing, with Facebook, Instagram and Twitter launching after this period. Celebrities were distant, and perhaps more revered as they were less available to us. The Griffin Sisters were catapulted to stardom. Zoe finds it addictive and will do anything to keep it. Cassie wants to hide away. In the present day, Zoe is harshly reminded of her experiences with the music business as her teenage daughter Cherry is determined to become a musician, and find out why The Griffin Sisters went their separate ways all those years ago.

I found Cassie to be a relatable character. Not conventionally attractive, she is happy to be sidelined at her trusty piano with boring, unassuming outfits. Despite this, she is the true star of the Griffin Sisters. A musical prodigy, learning piano at four years old, Cassie comes alive when she plays her music, and writes gorgeous songs with band member Russell. I also liked that Cassie was described as more of a plus-size girl. The way she was treated because of this is awful, but it was good to see a bigger character succeed, which is reflected in the fan letters she receives in the novel. Present day Cassie is a sad figure, punishing herself with minimal comforts and bland food.

Zoe is effortlessly confident and beautiful, yet feels increasingly sidelined, and latches on to Russell to secure her place in the band. I didn’t find Zoe especially likeable. She was selfish and self-centred, only seeming to care about herself. She only marginally redeems herself when she is older, (in my opinion), however she does show more empathy as she matures.

This book has drama, romance, a sense of adventure and the importance of family, and forgiveness. The ultimate summer read, perfect for those hazy summer nights, with cool festival vibes. A must read for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six.

Enjoyable, with engaging characters, this makes for a perfect summer read. From dreams and passions, to fame and misfortune, this book charts the rise and fall of the Griffin Sisters band. Two sisters who couldn't be more different, each envying and resenting the other. With themes of sexual assault and body shaming, this author shines the light on the devastating effects cruelty and misogyny have on a person's life. It also reminds us that fame comes with a cost, one that will reveal any weak points that remain unhealed.

There is a heaviness in this book, it's not a hedonistic tale of sex, drugs and rock n roll (though it has all three). It's deeper than that. It's a far more intimate glimpse into the people behind the band. Their history and deepest feelings left unexpressed.

I do also appreciate a hopeful ending and this left me with a smile.

I'm a huge Jennifer Weiner fan and have read all of her book but this one just didn't ignite for me unfortunately. As always, she writes with huge empathy and her characters are well drawn and nuanced but I didn't quite buy the story arc in either timeline and elements including the making of the documentary didn't ring true.

I genuinely wasn't sure what to expect and i believe that's the best way to go into this book it was a fun ride with artistic writing and interesting characters i would love this book to become a movie or limited series as I believe it would be so much fun seeing these characters come to life

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I wanted to like this book more than I did, as it has a lot of elements I should enjoy - strong women, mother-daughter relationships, music - but for some reason I just didn't gel with the story the way I was expecting. Having said that, it did still hold my interest and looking at the contrast between the music world of the 90s/00s and that of today revealed how little has actually changed for the better, particularly for women.

I thank NetGalley and HQ for providing me with an ARC copy of this novel, which I freely chose to review.
The author of this novel is well-known and has many followers, but this is the first time I’ve read one of her books, so I can’t compare it to previous titles.
This is the story of a family, or more specifically, two sisters, Zoe and Cassie, who were very close in their youth but have spent over twenty years not having had any contact with each other. Cherry, the daughter of the oldest sister, Zoe, wants to follow in the footsteps of her mother and aunt and try to make it big in the music business, despite the opposition of her mother, who had never even mentioned her career to her daughter. Cherry decides her aunt must be her mentor. But there is a problem: Cassie disappeared many years ago, and nobody seems to know where she is now.
Reader’s follow Cherry’s attempts at locating her aunt and convincing her to help her with her career, while at the same time, reliving the story of the sisters, in two timelines, both chronological: one from their youth up to the point when their paths split, and another from the time when Cherry starts to pursue her dream.
Although I won’t go into a lot of details, to avoid spoilers (much can be gathered from the description of the book already), the story felt quite familiar, and it explores many tropes and common places: a pretty sister (Zoe), who is popular and well-liked; the other, Cassie, who is awkward, shy, has difficulty socialising, is less attractive and rather large. But, Cassie is incredibly talented from a very young age, and her sister is the only one who gives her the confidence to perform and share her talent with the world.
The sisters need each other, and although they love each other, at a certain level they also resent not having what the other one has, be it the looks and ease of interaction or the talent.
Opportunity strikes, the life of the two sisters changes overnight, and they become a household name, but there is a big price to pay (at a career but especially at a personal level) for fame and fortune.
The sisters and Cherry are the main characters, and I was fond of both sisters when they were young (their relationship was described beautifully, and although very different, they were both realistically rendered and very likable). After what happens, both feel guilty, but their reaction and the way they deal with the guilt are very different. Although both of the sisters' actions are understandable, Carrie, with her low self-esteem and her extreme reaction and self-punishment, is easier to empathise with. Cherry is a determined and talented young woman, and she seems to combine the talents and some elements of the personality of both sisters. She is a force of nature and the one who manages to get things moving in the family.
The writing flows easily, although there is some repetition, because both sisters feel guilty, ruminate, have doubts, and are stuck. Especially Cassie, whose isolated lifestyle gives her a lot of time to think things over and torture herself with memories and regrets.
There are also a lot of mentions of Cassie’s weight, not only by her (who cannot believe anybody can like her, appreciate her, or even look at her), but also by those around her. Some reviewers take issue with that, and one said that the author always includes at least one overweight character in all her novels. I cannot comment on that, but the author mentions her research in her note at the back of the book, and she talks about the importance given at the time (early 2000s) to the look of performers, especially the weight of female singers and band members, and the consequences it had for some performers.
Apart from the way the music business works (including reality talent shows), which is one of the strengths of the novel, it deals in other topics, like family relationships, talent, fame, autism and neurodiversity (only specifically mentioned once, though), motherhood and show business, me-too-type incidents, secrets and lies…
Although predictable (perhaps not in the details, but in the essence), the ending is enjoyable, and I found the novel a fairly entertaining read. However, I am not sure that I would read others by the author based solely on this novel. But people who love her previous books and are fond of her style should give it a go.

I love everything that Jennifer Weiner has ever written mad The Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits has just bolstered my opinion, I loved it!

She writes about families and sisters and ambition with such heart and passion, the longing and wanting pours off the page.

Sisters Zoe and Cassie are the founding members of super sensation 90s band the Griffin Sisters who hit the big time thanks to Cassie’s phenomenal voice and musical skills. Zoe loves being the front woman, relishing the glamour and the attention, Cassie hates the fame but does it for her sister.

The band disappears almost as quickly as it arrived. No one has heard from the sisters since, they have simply vanished into thin air. That is, until Zoe’s own daughter Cherry discovers more about her mother’s past.

Told in multiple timelines and multiple points of view, I was completely hooked to the story. I love the characters, I love the writing, more of this please

A heartfelt story of fame, family, and forgiveness.

Cassie and Zoé couldn’t be more different—Cassie is shy and musically gifted, while Zoé is bold, beautiful, and ruthless. As The Griffin Sisters, they skyrocket to fame, only to vanish after one album. Twenty years later, Zoé’s daughter’s music dreams bring old wounds to the surface.

I loved Cassie and rooted for her the whole way. Zoé, on the other hand, was hard to like—some of her actions were just cruel. The dual timelines and 90s music nostalgia were a great touch, and the story had that classic Jennifer Weiner blend of humor, heart, and messy family drama.

Some parts felt a bit slow, and the constant focus on Cassie’s weight got repetitive. Still, it’s an enjoyable read about sisterhood, second chances, and the power of truth.

Sisters Cassie and Zoe couldn't be more different—Zoe's the charming beauty who dreamed of fame, while Cassie's the musical prodigy who preferred hiding in the shadows. But destiny had other plans, launching them as the Griffin Sisters right into the heart of early aughts fame (SNL! MTV! Rolling Stone!). Then after one whirlwind year, they mysteriously broke up and haven't spoken since. Twenty years later, Zoe's a housewife, Cassie's off the grid, and nobody knows what really happened. Enter Cherry, Zoe's teenage daughter who's determined to be a star despite her mom's warnings. She's on a mission to uncover the truth about the Griffin Sisters' breakup, and honey, the secrets that emerge are WILD.

The dual timeline structure hits perfectly—I was completely nostalgic for the 2000s while being totally invested in the present-day mystery. Some of those twists had me genuinely shocked! The family dynamics are messy and raw but also beautifully honest, with moments of real forgiveness and love. The character development for all three women is brilliant, and that ending? Chef's kiss.

This one was a pleasant surprise for me. I hadn't read anything by this author before and I was a little bit skeptical that it was going to be too much like Daisy Jones and the Six which I adored. I need not have worried though as whilst there are some similarities, the Griffin Sisters is a great read of its own. I found the character of Zoe hard to like throughout the book and I have to say I didn't change my mind at all. Cassie on the other hand I just warmed to immediately and felt so much for all her struggles.I love a story that flips between timeline through the chapter and I love how this one flowed. A really good read.

The Griffin sisters band was a one hit wonder in the 2000s. Now, the next generation of the family wants to sing as well, however that’s the last thing her mum wants. I loved the dual timeline, the comparisons between music in the 2000s and now a days. The bond between the sisters is just like mine, which I loved. I really loved Cassie, and felt that the fat phobia was really important to address and I can totally relate to her wanting to be invisible. This books reminds me of Daisy jones, but addresses different issues such as fat phobia, the unbreakable bond of sisterhood and the importance of family before fame. Each character is flawed, especially Zoe who is hard to like from the beginning. But what shines through is the love of sisters. However, I wanted more from the ending especially the rebuilding of Zoe and Cassie’s relationship.
Thank you to Natgalley and the publishers for this arc.

A great read for anyone who enjoyed ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’. I really enjoyed this book and the writing style suited the story perfectly.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was going to be a coming of age reality programme star find, rather than the going back to what was a former band that sounded like they were great and I wanted to go and cheer for!

The storey lines of Cassie and Zoe are really good and threaded through the book with twists and turns. Some of the things Zoe does to her sister out of jealousy cause twenty years of pain for them both.

I wanted to know what happened, I wanted to follow Cherry and find out if she too had success. It was a really good read and I could image there be a return of the Griffin Sisters!

'A story of sisters, love and the power of music'. This caught my attention and I was interested to see how the book panned out. Not a book I would normally read but I did have a lot of fun with this one and glad I read it. Very entertaining, loved the sisters (and their differences) and found this a book that was easy to read and quite quirky.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A story of two sisters who form a band and fall in love with the same man which fractures their relationship. I loved the song writing elements but the narrative was overlong and it was a slog to get to the end. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Nick Hornby will love this light summer read.

Cassie and Zoe Griffin were once pop sensations, teenage sisters catapulted to fame but fame has a price, and as adults, they’re no longer speaking—until Cherry, Zoe’s daughter, forces them to confront everything they’ve avoided for years.

What I liked most about this book is how Weiner captures the unique bond of sisterhood—equal parts fierce love, resentment, loyalty, and rivalry. Cassie, the socially awkward singer/songwriter, and Zoe, the fame seeking front-woman, are written with depth and nuance. You can feel the weight of their shared past in every conversation—and in every silence.

The dual timelines, jumping between their rise to fame and their present-day reckoning, are done seamlessly. There’s nostalgia for early 2000s pop culture, but it never feels like the book relies on that nostalgia alone. It’s really a story about what happens after the spotlight fades—how we redefine ourselves, forgive each other, and figure out what still matters.

The ending was a little neatly wrapped up for my taste, but honestly? I didn’t mind. Sometimes it’s nice to read a story that gives its characters the redemption they deserve.

This book is for anyone who’s ever had a complicated sibling dynamic, chased a dream, or wondered if it’s ever too late to come back together. A definite recommend for Jennifer Weiner fans and readers who love emotional, character-driven fiction with a splash of pop flair.

Thank you to Netgalley and Rechel Quinn for access to the advanced copy of this book.
The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits was such a phenomenal read. I was caught up in the emotion and lives of the main characters, Zoe, Cassie and, Cherry. They were wonderfully flawed but, strong female characters. They made mistakes, they hurt each other but nothing beats the love shared between sisters.
The story of the band was a great backdrop for this masterfully written multi-generational tale of the love shared between sisters, aunts, mothers and daughters. The characters were complex and we'll rounded and they were written in such a compelling way.

This book has definitely been an unexpected favourite for me and I am so so glad I had the chance to read it.

A story of love, loss, heartbreak and betrayal.
The story revolves around Zoe and Cassie Grossberg, Zoe is young, popular and beautiful, all she wants is to be a star and dreams of touring the world but has one slight problem, she lacks talent. Zoe on the other hand is a child prodigy with an extraordinary talent for music and has a voice of and angel but all Cassie wants is to play her piano in private and read, she is the complete opposite to Zoe in looks and confidence.

When an opportunity comes along for the Griffin sisters to form a band together Zoe will stop at nothing to convince her sister to do so, but just as fame comes around tragedy strikes and the Griffin sisters part ways.

Twenty years later Cassie is living a solitary life in Alaska and hasn't spoken to her family in all that time and refuses to listen or play any music. Zoe has a teenager daughter Cherry who wants nothing more to go onto a musical talent show and knows nothing about her mothers past or that she has an aunt.
When Cherry finds out about her mothers past, she wants everyone to be reunited but how much heartache will follow?

If you are a lover of Daisy Jones & the six this book is got you!

Big time band The Griffin Sisters are the next big thing , until tragedy strikes & the The sisters disappear

I love how this book focuses on the past & present. The book is well written that the past & present section flows well.

What really happened on that tragic night?

A must read this summer

Zoe and Cassie have been estranged for decades following a tragic event that ended their promising musical career. Cassie, the gifted singer songwriter of the band, is living a reclusive life off-grid in Alaska. Zoe, the pretty eye-candy band member, is married and bringing up her family, which includes her teenage daughter Cherry and who is herself determined to both to pursue a musical career and to find her estranged aunt. The story switches from the present time and Cherry’s quest, with flashbacks to Zoe and Cassie’s early family life and their brief musical career.

I struggled to engage with the characters in this book and to imagine their success as a band, but the story was well-written and flowed easily. Maybe it was just not my cup of tea.