The Stepsisters – Susan Mallery – NextBookAroundTheCorner

Once upon a time, when her dad married Sage’s mom, Daisy was thrilled to get a bright and shiny new sister. But Sage was beautiful and popular, everything Daisy was not, and she made sure Daisy knew it.

Sage didn’t have Daisy’s smarts—she had to go back a grade to enroll in the fancy rich-kid school. So she used her popularity as a weapon, putting Daisy down to elevate herself. After the divorce, the stepsisters’ rivalry continued until the final, improbable straw: Daisy married Sage’s first love, and Sage fled California.

Eighteen years, two kids and one troubled marriage later, Daisy never expects—or wants—to see Sage again. But when the little sister they have in common needs them both, they put aside their differences to care for Cassidy. As long-buried truths are revealed, no one is more surprised than they when friendship blossoms.

Their fragile truce is threatened by one careless act that could have devastating consequences. They could turn their backs on each other again…or they could learn to forgive once and for all and finally become true sisters of the heart.

My review

Having enjoyed The Vineyard at Painted Moon, I was delighted to receive another arc from Susan Mallery.

And again, Susan drags you into the story immediately. We meet Daisy, who is having a real bad day. Her husband just walked out on her to ‘take a break’ and while picking up her sick daughter from school, she has car troubles. So imagine her surprise, when no one other than her stepsister Sage stops next to her car and offers them a ride home. Never, in a million years, would Daisy believe to ever see Sage again.

And, as far as Daisy is concerned, this meeting after years is the last she will ever see sage again.

But of course, Daisy’s luck still hasn’t returned, when her father asks her to take in her younger half sister Cassidy, who is recovering from a terrible accident. And since Cassidy adores Sage and seems to hate Daisy, she must prepare for a lot of time with her family.

Slowly, a tentative sister band is growing between the sisters. Susan beautifully describes about the mistrust and the jealousy of the sisters in the earlier years and the various reasons of their actions. And then, when you think that they will truly form a family, one act changes everything. Find out for yourself if their bond can or cannot be broken. A wonderful read about family, second chances, marriage and communication. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Publisher: HARLEQUIN – Carina Press
Published: May 2021
ISBN: 9780778312031
My Rating: ♥♥♥♥

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About Susan Mallery

#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives―family, friendship, romance. She’s known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages. Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.