Selfish Girls was an enjoyable read, I thought that Bergstrom's writing was at times very powerful, elaborate and descriptive, creating a twisting narrative that I was completely enveloped in. My only critique, and this may be due to reading it on my kindle, but I felt the time jumps and their titles, were somewhat confusing, (although I may just be saying this because I'm annoyed I couldnt figure out the twist!)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

There seems to be a strange publishing glut of books about siblings at the moment, particularly sisters and their complex relationships. This did a good job - the characterisation was strong and the individual conflicts were managed well and realistically. It also looked at intergenerational trauma and abandonment issues with a sensitive touch. The one thing that threw me slightly was the occasional lapse into Welsh dialect, but only on certain words or phrases - I would rather have not had that dialect in there and imagined Welsh voices myself, rather than being jarred every time I came across it.

This book was a bit of a hit and miss for me. I loved the concept of three sisters dealing with love, loyalty and buried family drama, and there were parts that felt raw and beautifully written. The characters felt real, and the way Bergstrom captured sibling dynamics was sharp and relatable. Still, I sometimes lost track of the timelines which broke the flow, and a few storylines felt unfinished. Even so, I admired how honestly it showed that family bonds can be both supportive and suffocating. Overall, interesting, emotional and imperfect yet still worth picking up.

⭐⭐⭐ stars

A really interesting read. I was quickly pulled into the lives of the Wyn sisters, each with their own distinct voice and frustrations, bound together by the complexities of sisterhood. I could identify with each sister in some way, which made it all the more engaging.

The backstory of their mother, Gwendoline, adds an interesting connection across timelines and gives more depth to the theme of generational trauma. I was intrigued by Edi’s storyline. However, while it has a strong build-up, it seems to end quite suddenly, which felt a little anticlimactic. While I understand the intention - perhaps reflecting the reality of growth and change between sisters - I still wish that thread had been developed a little further.

Bergstrom’s writing is descriptive and compelling. I enjoyed the non-linear timeline and thought the shifting perspectives were done well, though I occasionally had to stop and check which sister I was following (maybe this will be clearer in the formatting of the final release).

Overall, an engaging and thoughtful novel. 4 stars!

Selfish Girls is an unflinching and intimate exploration of family, friendship, and the messy truths we often bury. Ines returns to her Welsh hometown on the verge of a breakdown, bringing her childhood sweetheart along. Her mother Gwen is thrilled to have her back, while Dylan is still reeling from a heartbreak she cannot forget, and Emma is quietly suffocating in the marriage she once longed for.

Once inseparable, these women now find themselves peeling back the layers of a long-forgotten past. As secrets resurface, old resentments flare, and new desires take shape, they must confront who they are, what they want, and whether being a “selfish girl” might actually be an act of survival.

Abigail Bergstrom delivers a sharp and emotionally charged portrait of complicated relationships, where love and hurt are often two sides of the same coin. This is a story that questions loyalty, desire, shame, and the courage it takes to choose yourself, even when it comes at a cost.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Reminiscent of Blue Sisters, I’m Glad My Mom Died and Little Women in it’s vivid portrayal of family. The girls feel so real - the highlights of the book for me were the chapters following their younger selves. However, I’m afraid this just wasn’t for me otherwise. I really love the characters but the narrative just didn’t grab me, I’ll be sure to give it another go in the future,

3.5⭐️

Very realistic to the way families interact and the issues surrounding each relationship for the most part

I didn’t overly like any of the characters but I think that was the point we were meant to see then at their worst as a sibling would, the way each sister interacted with each other showed how we are often stuck seeing our siblings for who they used to be and not who they are now making it difficult to see clearly when it comes to them

I think some times the characters blended into each other that may have been purposefully done to show how sometimes sisters in particular tend to pick up mannerisms of their sister and take them however in this book it made it so each character kind of felt the same and didn’t have a distinct voice.

I think the mums point of view added very well to the overall story and while I didn’t find it the most interesting it further showed and explained the relationships between the sisters and their mother

I didnt like the way what happened between Dylan, Noah and Ines was treated by the family it was kind of just accepted and not at all condemned Ines was the only one not in the wrong and yet she was kind of the one who was spaced out from the family it just felt weird and not like something than any of the characters would do it felt very out of character

Overall I don’t think this was the overly interesting book however I think it was very well written and very clearly showed the complex dynamic within sister relationships especially when there are multiple sisters

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the digital arc

Whenever I’m reading a book about sisters my brain goes “is this little women?”
And I hate it when that happens because we all know what happens in little women - one sister has a male best friend who falls in love with her, then marries her younger sister, and another sister dies.
So as soon as I predict Little Women, I know the plot of the book.
This book gave me messy Little Women vibes and while none of the reviews refer to it I’ve seen so far, there are a lot of little-women-esque plot points. While I really enjoyed the book I can’t see how this wasn't a homage and it made it feel derivative especially as it wasn’t necessary.
There are also three or four sisters depending on how you look at it. I did not like the use of Edi as a character.
I liked this a lot though I struggled to differentiate the sisters at times. I also didn’t like the Gwendolyn sections though I understand why they were there.
I still love family stories, still love sisters and still love messy women stories so this ticked a lot of boxes for me despite my criticisms.
4 stars

Bergstrom has a really engaging way of writing and it felt like falling into a soft haze with these differing timelines and perspectives. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters and the fractured nature of their family bonds but was left wanting more.

Selfish Girls explores the fractured relationships between siblings, as their lives take different paths in adulthood, causing friction within the family. It confronts a range of themes such as fertility, love and grief, showing how family relationships can become complicated no matter how close you are.

This was such an interesting one and I loved how it dealt with the complexity of emotions, particularly when romantic relationships come up against sisterly bonds. Thank you to Hodder Books for the NetGalley arc!

This book is moody, messy, and sharp in all the right places. Their sisterhood is laced with secrets, trauma, and a past that refuses to stay buried.

Loved this story of 3 sisters Ines who moves back to Wales with her boyfriend in tow who loves her. Then their is Dylan who is licking her wounds from being rejected. Emma who has a perfect marriage but is struggling to cope. Trying to keep the peace is Gwen the mother.
I did find it hard at times to follow the different stories but overall a good story.
Thanks to NetGalley for a ARC.

Smart and assures this is a feat of writing thag deserves critical acclaim. I adored this desperate and painful outing.

some people can write people. and Abigail is one of them. to have such a connection to your characters and that insight into the real selves of them is such a clever talent. and this book takes us right deep into this family, the sisters, and how the circle or fit around each other(or dont!).
family dynamics are weird creatures arent they. differing from family to family and im sure things we do in our own would be bizarre to others. and things we go through behind closed doors most or some others families would never imagine. so when we get to see a snippet wrote so well as this one it can offer up something really immersive. you dont have to have been in their exact shoes to relate. especially amongst siblings and parents.
we also get to see the girls past and present to see what might have bought them here or shaped them and their bond. you are truly taken into their lives and world for a while, their stories connecting to the reader from the pages.

At first, I found the writing style a little confusing and I struggled to follow the story thread. However, after getting used to the time switches I got into it and followed the girls' lives with interest. I did have a problem with the name Dylan and pictured a male at first. The narrative was resolved satisfactorily. Bergstrom identifies as she/her so I was confused by the reviews which refer to they, their.

Abigail Bergstrom's second novel is the story of three sisters in Wales. Ines, Dylan and Gwen navigate life, it's complexities, and their childhood bond stretches into adulthood. Bergstrom's novel shifts through times and perspectives, and the brevity of some of its chapters often gives little time to fully orientate oneself. However, when Selfish Girls pulls itself into a cohesive whole, there is real beauty and honesty here. Bergstrom is a very fine writer, and draws the characters on the page well. The story is engaging and a pleasure to read - it also helps I'm a sucker for novels with a Welsh theme to them (I love to see Cymraeg on the page.).

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I decided to give this author another go after failing to enjoy their first novel, 'What a Shame'. But, unfortunately, I think their work is just not my cup of tea. I don't get on with the writing style and similarly to the previous book, I failed to find the characters interesting or the story engaging. The story is difficult to follow as well due to the narration being all over the place and very confusing. Just not for me, sorry!

I enjoyed Abigail Bergstrom's first novel but unfortunately I didn't think this was very good! It's a story of sisters in Wales and their messy and complicated dynamic, drawing heavily on Little Women, and while that sounds great, the actual book wasn't. I was drawn in at various points, but overall I thought the writing was just okay and the characters and their stories not very interesting.

My, oh my, what a book! I was first attracted to this story by the cover. It's a painting by the stunningly talented artist, Valeria Duca. It does not disappoint, people. Being a sister of three myself, I was instantly besotted by the compelling family drama (and past trauma) that connects these three, and enjoyed reading about this family as though it was a real family, the characters of the sisters jumping off the page as though alive. Full of action and angst, this is a book not to be missed. All in all, it was clever, complicated and compelling. A family drama involving sisters at its messiest. As an aside, it was weirdly confusing due to reading it at the same time as Coco Mellors' Blue Sisters which is our May Book Club read. There are lots of similarities, and lots of sisters! Both books are fabulous.

Thank you to Abigail Bergstrom, Hodder & Stoughton, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Bergstrom is obviously a talented writer, but not one, I think, for me. The premise was promising and I love novels that include sisterhood / family dynamics. Unfortunately, it was hard to distinguish between the characters and the narrative changes were baffling at times, making it hard to follow the story.

I think if you enjoyed What A Shame, you might also enjoy this one.