I loved this story of two sisters who couldn't be more different forming a successful pop group. Cassie is a child musical prodigy, a highly gifted musician and singer but very shy and introverted. Sister Zoe is confident and outgoing with great performance skills, but lacks the natural, raw musical talent of her sister. The story follows the rise and fall of the band and what ultimately shattered their careers and relationship. Would highy recommend.

A really great storyline, lovely characters, and the way it was written. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Griffin Sister Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner is described as a story of sisters, love and the power of music and it absolutely lives up to that description.
Zoe and Cassie are sisters, just one year apart in age but poles apart when it comes to personality and appearance. Zoe, the eldest, is her mother's darling, beautiful and outgoing and determined to be a star. By contrast Cassie is quieter and uncomfortable in her own skin, and hides from the limelight in every situation, but she has been gifted with a once in a generation musical talent and a voice that once heard is never forgotten. When circumstances conspire to have the sisters perform together in a local talent show fate intervenes and before they know it the girls are in the middle of a bidding war from multiple record agencies, despite Cassie's reluctance and obvious discomfort, Global success and a record breaking album later the band breaks up under mysterious circumstances and Cassie disappears, becoming a recluse who hides from her past and goes to great lengths to ensure that her location is never discovered. Zoe tries to go it alone but without Cassie the magic just isn't there and so she leaves her career behind to settle down and become a mother. Decades later and despite her best efforts to discourage her , Zoe's daughter Cherry is determined to become a singer and when she auditions for a tv talent show she decides to track down her aunt, not just to uncover the truth about what happened in the band, but also because she knows that finding the elusive Cassie virtually guarantees her a slot on the show, especially if she can convince her aunt to perform with her. The secrets she uncovers will force all three women to face the consequences of their choices.
Oh how I loved this book, I tore through it in a day because I was so invested in these characters and their complicated relationships. I really empathised with Cassie, the "bigger girl", uncomfortable in her own skin and felt so angry at the way her mother so often failed to see her. The sister dynamic between Zoe and Cassie was fascinating and very believable, from Zoe's protection of her as a young child to her manipulation of her as a teen and how she pushed her, sometimes with good intentions but often for her own gain, I was so sad to see how that relationship frayed and disintegrated as the band rose to fame and I think the author did an incredible job of portraying how that happened and how it impacted on everyone it touched, not just the sisters themselves, but also the rest of the band members and even later Zoe's family. The complicated nature of sisterhood is definitely on display here and the road to forgiveness is far from smooth. There is a love triangle in this story and it is tragic, but despite it being a trope that I normally do not like, I thought it was well handled here and added a lot of emotional impact to the story.
I cannot recommend this wonderful book highly enough, I loved it from first page to last and though I rarely reread books this is one that I feel I could come back to again and enjoy just as much as the first time.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this story and the journey it took the reader along as you follow the different parts to the story.

Highly recommend.

If your looking for a story that is a heartfelt and engaging then its worth picking uo the Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner. Its a story that delves into the complexities of sisterhood, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to follow your dreams. Set against the backdrop of the early 2000s pop music scene (a personal favourite time for me!), the story follows the lives of two sisters, Zoe and Cassie Grossberg, whose journey to fame and subsequent fallout form the crux of the narrative.

We begin with Zoe, who always dreamed of being a famous pop star, and her sister Cassie, who possessed the voice that could make that dream a reality. Despite Zoe's longing for the spotlight, it was Cassie who had the talent, though she preferred to stay hidden behind her piano and layers of clothing. Their contrasting personalities and desires set the stage for a compelling exploration of sibling dynamics

As the Griffin Sisters, Zoe and Cassie achieve success, but their rise to fame is short-lived. The pressures of the music industry, coupled with personal insecurities and external influences, lead to their eventual breakup. Twenty years later, the sisters are estranged, living completely different lives. Zoe is now a housewife in New Jersey, while Cassie has retreated to Alaska, where she lives in anonymity.

The themes of the novel are intricately woven into the fabric of the story. Sisterhood is at the heart of the narrative, with Weiner capturing the love, rivalry, and deep bond that exists between Zoe and Cassie. Their relationship is both realistic and flawed, reflecting the complexities of familial ties. The novel also explores the theme of forgiveness, as the sisters must confront their past and find a way to reconcile their differences.

Another significant theme is the courage to follow one's dreams. Both Zoe and Cassie grapple with their aspirations and the sacrifices they must make to achieve them. Zoe's journey is marked by her struggle to accept that she may never be as talented as her sister, while Cassie battles with her desire to hide from the world despite her miraculous voice. Their individual paths highlight the importance of self-acceptance and the bravery required to pursue one's passions.

The relationships in the novel extend beyond the sisters themselves. Zoe's daughter, Cherry, plays a pivotal role. As Cherry embarks on her own singing career, she seeks out Cassie, uncovering the history of the band and the truth behind the events that tore her mother and aunt apart. This intergenerational dynamic adds depth to the story, emphasizing the enduring impact of family and the power of music to heal old wounds

I found Weiner's writing both engaging and insightful, theres a keen eye for detail that brings the early 2000s pop landscape to life, or in my case evokes some nostalgia! The novel is filled with moments of humor, heartbreak, and triumph, making it a compelling read from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own challenges and growth throughout the story

This is a must-read for fans of family dramas and heartfelt narratives. The novel's exploration of the music industry and its impact on personal relationships adds a unique and captivating layer to the story, keeps you reading until you run out of pages.

One sister is conventionally beautiful, which is enough to carry her mediocre talent.
The other sister is far less comfortable in her own skin and prefers to hide away – but has an extraordinary gift.
Together this brings them huge success. But apart, can they maintain the music that everyone wants more of?
A novel about love, loss, relationships and family, set against the backdrop of the music industry, which will absolutely tug at your heartstrings.

At last, a rock music novel that is believable, down to earth and relatable. The ‘Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits’ draws the reader into the lives of the two vastly different siblings, time-arching between their legendary career zenith into their ordinary present day lives, gradually revealing the reason why they are both hiding themselves away from the world after a shattering tragedy at the height of their fame makes it impossible for the band to carry on.

An entertaining and engaging novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

For me, this was an easy four star read. I do always enjoy the downfall of the rich and famous storyline, and this is one of the best that I’ve read.

Cassie and Zoe - one desperate for stardom and one incredibly talented but really doesn’t want it.

I really felt for both sisters, and the plot felt very believable, I absolutely devoured it.

One little annoyance I had though - in 2024, Cassie’s outfit would not have been as written…we are body positive after all!

My thanks to Netgalley and Rachel Quinn Marketing for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Griffin Sisters were one the the groups of the day. They had a large following and even now they are remembered with affection.
One day it all vanished and the sisters never spoke or saw each other again. Zoe married and had a family whilst Cassie disappeared .
Zoe's daughter Chloe enters a talent competition unaware of her mother's past. She unwittingly finds out and is determined to find out more so goes in search of Cassie in the hope of getting her to mentor her for the final of the competition.
Soon though secrets that have been hidden for twenty years are revealed and the sisters must face each other and face their actions.
Will they ever sing again?

unfortunately i DNFed this book. I got about 50 pages into the book but couldn’t gel with the writing or any of the characters.

One of the strongest themes in this novel is the double-edged sword of fame. On one hand, fame offers power, money, adoration, and escape from ordinary life. On the other, it consumes privacy, magnifies insecurities, and turns real people into public property. This contrast is beautifully woven through Zoe and Cassie's divergent experiences.

That brings me to one of my main frustrations with the book: the way Cassie’s appearance is handled. It felt like the narrative couldn’t stop reminding us how "unattractive" she supposedly was, That message was hard to stomach at times, especially given how layered and emotionally rich her character was. She deserved better—from the people in her life, and honestly, from the story itself.

Still, this book has a lot to offer. It captures the highs and lows of stardom, the complexities of sisterhood, and the reckoning that comes with growing older and looking back.

Lovely story about Zoe and Cassie following their successful career until they break up. Zoe's daughter Cherry wants to pursue a career in music but her mother tries to dissuade her, so Cherry sets out to find her mothers sister Cassie who has disappeared.
What follows is a riveting story of what happened between the sisters and how Cherry tries to get them back together, loved the characters stories and background.
Would highly recommend.

I loved this book. It had exactly the right amount of intrigue, sisterly drama and pace to keep me reading well past normal bedtime.

The characters were well drawn, flawed but all likeable - and the live music circuit was a great setting for it all to play out.

I know it’s been likened to Daisy Jones and the six (which I also enjoyed) but I think it stands in its own. A journey into the joys and perils of fame at a young age and the lifelong effects it has.

Completely immersive and unexpectedly emotional. As I read the final pages I was desperate for the story not to end while battling to focus through the tears. (The emotional stuff comes out of nowhere, right at the end - be warned!)
The best book I’ve read this year, and easily as good as the hype. Daisy Jones is a worthy comparison and well-earned.
The characters, particularly Cassie, are so relatable. Russell (the love interest) is an absolute angel, and don’t even get me started on how cute Wesley the dog is.
It deals with autism, gaslighting and the importance of the ‘Me too’ movement with sensitivity and empathy.
Such a great story. I flew through it.
If you’re looking for a book that gets you out of a reading slump, look no further.
Five big ones from me, with thanks to NetGalley and HQ for a chance to read an ARC.
The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits releases on 8 May.

LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS!!!

This is a story of two sisters who make it big for one incredible album, before tragedy strikes and their music careers end.

Zoe is a heartbreaker - all American girl who is beautiful and craves fame. Her sister Cassie hates the limelight but has the musical talent and voice of an angel.. The Griffin Sisters are an instant hit.

Years later, Zoe's daughter Cherry has her own quest for fame and is determined to find the Aunt she knows nothing about, and uncover the story of what happened.

The book flits from past to present and is heart breaking at times. When I picked it up I was worried that it was going to be an imitation of 'Daisy Jones' but it just wasnt - it was fabulous.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Zoe and Cassie, are the Griffin Sisters a singing sensation after being discovered at a Battle of the Bands competition.
Thrown into fame and stardom, which Zoe loves and Cassie doesn't brings a whole set of problems. 20 years on and we find out what happened at the height of fame and why the 2 sisters no longer speak.
This was a truly amazing book.

I adored this book, everything about it was brilliant and well developed. Just brilliant and could not put this down. In the same vein as Daisy Jones & the Six with a dash of complex family drama.

Thank you to NetGalley & publisher for the book.

An instant hit in the 2000s, the Griffin Sisters had it all - if all you wanted was fame. Zoe revelled in it, but sister Cassie, who Zoe knew was the real talent, did not, When Cassie disappeared, the Griffin Sisters ended, and in the modern day, Zoe still does not know where Cassie is. Zoe's daughter Cherry is determined to be a star, and needs her Aunt Cassie's help - can she track her down and reunite the family?

Lots of emotive subject matter - including desperate ambition, jealousy, love, family - is covered in the book, with multi timelines and multi storytellers. Whilst I appreciated Cherry's ambition, I did feel a little uncomfortable at the way she used her Aunt, I couldn't warm to Cherry's character at all. I did however love Cassie and her dog, and her hiding away due to a misunderstanding was tragic. Overall, an enjoyable read.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7477189789

This was sold as a Taylor Jenkins Reid-alike, i.e. a fun read that would also hit some big themes, and I don't think it quite delivered.

Yes, it was a light, easy read, and a page turner, but I struggled to care about any of the characters and none of them really rang true to me as people (e.g. are we really supposed to root for the niece who tries to bully/trick her highly anxious, possibly neuro diverse aunt into singing live in a TV talent show with her, purely for the sake of her own career??).

And while the book does to some degree touch on #metoo themes, they felt to me a bit shoehorned in to help with marketing.

So for me a decent holiday read but probably not one that will leave a lasting impression.

Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

Loved this book, it read more like a memoir than a work of fiction. Gave me Daisy jones and the 6 vibes which is one of my favourite books. The story follows 2 sisters Zoe and Cassie as they make it big in a band which all falls apart with jealously lies and death thrown in as well. The characters were very believable and really enjoyed the writing and descriptions. I will be recommending to others and looking out for more from this author. Five stars!