Wow! Alison Ragsdale, the Author of “My Sister’s Only Hope” has written a heartfelt, poignant, thought-provoking and memorable novel. Alison Ragsdale is a master storyteller, and in this well-written, emotional, heart-breaking and captivating story the author vividly describes the magnificent scenery, and the dramatic, colorful, complicated and complex characters. In this passionate story, the author takes us on a journey where there are secrets, betrayals, tragedy, trauma, love and hope. The Genres in this novel are: Sisters Fiction, Family Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Literary Fiction.

Kenzie and Arran are married and have successful careers. They have decided not to have children. They share the inherited family home with Kenzie’s sister Olivia and her husband Glenn. More than anything, Olivia and Glenn have wanted a baby, and haven’t able to have one. Kenzie does have a medical condition that makes it more difficult to bear children, but decides that she will help her sister become a mother by donating her eggs. This does cause some friction between Kenzie and her husband. Kenzie goes ahead with the egg retrieval process. Kenzie and Olivia are very close, and Kenzie is determined to make Olivia’s dream come true. Unfortunately there is a tragic accident, and Olivia dies. Olivia’s husband needs to distance himself from the apartment and suggest that Kenzie rent it.

Kenzie remembers her sister’s wish to become a mother, and there is one embryo. Kenzie has the opportunity to make her sister’s legacy live on by becoming a mother. Arran is uncomfortable with breaking their original agreement to not having children. At the same time, Kenzie finds a box and key while cleaning out Olivia’s apartment. In this box are secrets to the past that cause heartbreak. I love all of Alison Ragsdale’s books and I highly recommend this novel..

DNF as I found it unbelievable and too repetitive. The story didn't grab me and I wasn't really interested in what happened.

Thanks to #NetGalley, I read an ARC of My Sister’s Only Hope by Alison Ragsdale.
Life is full of unexpected surprises; unforeseen twists, turns, and shattered hopes and dreams. The life you’ve envisioned and planned blows up and all but disappears as the result of shocking secrets and tragic events. It’s fascinating how life-long desires change, presenting us with new choices and reimagined futures. Buckle up because you’re in for an emotional ride in this next powerful family drama by Alison Ragsdale. 5 STARS

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book strangled my heart and punched me in the gut but I absolutely loved it and could not put it down! Kenzie has agreed to have her sister’s baby so she can finally become a mother. But then is killed in a horrible accident. Determined to bring her sister’s baby into the world, Kenzie keeps going. But she is haunted by what her sister told her towards the end of her life. Secrets are revealed and are gut wrenching and now Kenzie is having second thoughts. This book is truly a look at what can be the reality of motherhood. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and how well they were developed throughout each chapter. I felt myself stressed out as if I was the one who was faced with this enormous situation. What a fantastic read!!

Review of ‘My Sister’s Only Hope’ by Alison Ragsdale, due to be published on 27 August 2025 by Bookouture.

Kenzie agrees to help her older sister Olivia have the baby she craves by donating her eggs. When tragedy strikes, and Olivia is killed in a climbing accident, Kenzie has to make the hard decision of what to do with the embryo that was to be implanted.

Kenzie and her husband Arran had agreed that they did not want children, and he is against the idea of Kenzie proceeding with a pregnancy in memory of her sister.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster of making hard decisions, learning to live with loss, grief, forgiveness, strength, courage, love and acceptance. You become invested in the characters, and how their part of the story will play out. A recommended read.

My Sister's Only Hope is filled with emotion and delves into some deep topics. Kenzie was helping her sister Olivia try to get pregnant. Kenzie donated her eggs so that her sister could start a family. But then the unthinkable happens and Olivia is gone. Kenzie and her husband have always been in agreement regarding not having children but she now has to decide how to move forward now that her sister/best friend is gone.

I really enjoyed this book and it was an emotional read, start to finish. You got to see the main character figure out life after loss. You see her come into her own and see the strength that she possessed all along. My only issue and the reason for a four star review is that the pacing was a bit off for me. Some parts moved a bit slower than I felt they should have. Still 100% worth reading though!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I just love everything that Alison Ragsdale writes. They are stories that you just can't put down and have to find out what is going to happen. WOW! WOW! WOW! What a ride this story takes, so many ups and downs that will have you crying. What more can one person take. When your sister finds out that she can't have a baby and exhausts all options except asking you if you would help her, what would you do? This was such a heartbreaking story and so emotional. I wouldn't have it any other way with Alison's books. Alison just pulls you in from the start. Thank you NetGalley and Alison for the ARC! I just loved it and can't wait to see what is next.