This is my first Siân O’Gorman book and I did enjoy her writing style. It is easy to follow along and is well-paced. It's a story of love, friendship, family and hope. It was easy to like the characters and to wish the best for them.
The story is set in London, England and Sandycove, Ireland. The written descriptions of both locations was well done and really provided a real-life feeling. As a reader from the other side of the world I was able to place myself there and see what the characters in the story were seeing.
Unfortunately, I can't give more then 3 stars for this book. I'm happy that so many other people enjoyed it more but it just did not hit the 4 star level for me.

Thank you so much to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving the opportunity to read and review this book!

This is my second Cynthia Ellingsen book that I have read recently and she has become one of my favourite authors. I loved "The Choice I Made" and as soon as I saw this one was available as an ARC I requested it. I was pleased that the publisher granted my request and I started reading "When We Were Sisters" that afternoon. I was not disappointed!
This is a great story about separation, reacquainting, trust, forgiveness, moving forward and family with all the drama as well as the love and happy memories. There is a little bit of romance thrown in to make it even better. It is a beautifully written book with lots of emotions and likeable characters. The location setting is well placed too!
What would have made this a 5 star read for me was if there was a bit more romance. And if there was less spent describing the family's time spent in the beach house and more time spent on the relationship struggles and reconnecting between Jayne and Graham, her estranged dad. This part seemed to be just added in at the end and didn't really fit the same.

Thanks so much Bookouture (who has become one of my favourite publishers) and NetGalley for giving the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book! I would recommend this book!

I didn't realize that this was a re-publishing of a Jenny Hale book from 2015 but it is a great summer read for fans of the beachy books even if we are not able to be at the beach. It was a cute, clean, easy to read romance and family story that would be an awesome Hallmark movie. The characters are likeable, the story-line believable, and the scenery was perfect!
This was the first Jenny Hale book I have read and am happy that I have been introduced to this author. I already have two of her newest books on my "want to read" list.

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book!

I read this book as an audiobook which was the first time I had listened to a thriller. I enjoyed it this way. The dual narration for the Ainsley/Peter was really good and both narrators were a pleasure to listen to. I'd love to hear them tell a story again.

About the story.... it was a well written story and at the start of the book I was captured. I listened to 2/3rds of it in one day while I did other things. I could not "put it down"! The first plot twist was quite unexpected and surprised me for sure!
Unfortunately, after the initial twist, there was so much that seemed unrealistic to me. For example, the police detectives were providing way more detailed information then I think real life police would. And the children seemed to always be able to be gone all at the same time for the right amount of time.
I'm not sure how I feel about the last chapters. It was hard to imagine that Ainsley had planned all she had and that Peter is who we discovered... it was so far-fetched. It just does not fit together. It was like endings from different books or policing televisions shows was tossed into one story.
I wish the last 1/3rd was as good as the first 2/3rds but I am interested in reading more from this author. This was the first.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to and review this book.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't great so I rated it a three star read. I had no problem staying with it and at some points I enjoyed it. It was nice to find another book that had the main character as an over 50 woman. Much more relatable for me then reading about thirty-something year olds. Thank you for that!
The biggest issue I had was the amount of time passing. Each chapter, for the most part, switch to a different character and some times there is a movement of time. Sometimes weeks would pass between chapters, sometimes it was just hours. Sometimes there are plans to do something in one chapter and then the next chapter that something has been done but the reader is not aware of how much time has past since. It would have helped if each chapter had a time listed with the character name (of which there were many to keep straight).
Also related to time was unrealistic timing... like a contractor coming look at a possible job one day and starting that job the very next day. Or the need for a new commercial kitchen equipment and then it seems to be there within days. Or going clothes shopping in Boston, a three hour trip each way, and being able to get back in time for a wedding reception that is at 7:00pm. It was just all so hard to believe.
There was lots of places that the scene was very descriptive and yet other places there was no details at all. And it seemed that the author was afraid that the reader would forget specific insignificant details because of these were provided a few times through the chapters. It is almost as if the book has not gone through its final edit where this kind of thing is caught and fixed.
Within the main story there are plenty of sub-plots included. There were so many that it felt like this was a compilation of short stories intertwined together to make one bigger book.
The final chapter was a surprise because it was written different then most. There wasn't really a happy ever after ending. The finished up plots were kind of underwhelming. And then there were additional circumstances added at the final paragraphs of which you will have to read the next book to see what happens next. I believe it was a cliff-hanger but it really didn't entice me to want to read the next book.
It is a quick and clean read for those that are looking for a story to read while on vacation or enjoying a sunny day in your backyard.
I wish the author success and congrats on what I believe is your first book! I wish I was able to give it more stars then I did.

Thanks to the publisher, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a second in a series book. I had not read the first book but I was able to follow along with no issues. The author did a nice job of mentioning needed details without making you feel like you needed to go back and read to the first book. I would suggest that you start with the first book though.
The story was written with the chapters alternating between perspectives of the three main characters. There was a variety of ages/generations of the characters, including main and sub-characters which has become something that I like. It is always nice to read about a character that is over 50.
The book would be a perfect story to be made into a Hallmark movie. It reminded me of the many movies I have watched over the years. It was not surprising that the story ended as it did and really there was no big moments but I did enjoy reading it. At times I found myself getting frustrated with the characters because of important details they kept to themselves or how they did deal with matters until absolutely necessary.
The story came to a conclusion with the expected outcomes and the traditional happy-ever-after. It was an easy, and relatively clean, read.

Thanks to the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for giving the opportunity to read and review this book.

I'm disappointed to say that I am in the minority with those that rated this a 5 star book. And I wish I could even give it a 4 but I don't feel I would be honest if I did.
Originally I was drawn to this book by the well done cover and the enticing synopsis. It is a well written book and an easy read but with a slow start and not much excitement throughout. I wouldn't classify it as a thriller. It is more of a women's fiction with domestic/family drama and little bit of mystery thrown in. The twist wasn't really a twist and I wasn't surprised by it so no "thrill" for me.
Unfortunately, I was not able to connect with any of the characters. I did not really like any of them especially Stella, the main character. During the first part of the book I couldn't stand her and almost gave up on reading because of how weak she was. I hated Rob all the way through... what a jerk! and was really happy to see him get what he did in the end.
The story was told all from Stella's perspective with flashbacks to the past. I like that through the story Stella grew stronger and more confident. I especially liked that she "won" in the end.
If you like family dramas, women's fiction with a little bit of suspense then I recommend you check this book out for yourself. If you are looking for a thriller, you may be disappointed too.

Thank very much to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving the opportunity to read and review this book.

I did not realize when I started to read this book that it was part of a series but I had no problem with reading it as a standalone.
This is a story about Natasha and Mack and their complicated relationship. With many obstacles to get around and past feelings and complications to work out, it felt like a real life since all relationships have smooth and rocky portions. It's a story about starting over again.
The character, Natasha, had me frustrated at times. I found myself confused about how she would stand up to Mack and keep herself closed off to him but she would not stand up to her ex-husband or his parents. Natasha came across as a strong person at times but then she would allow herself to be disrespected and "walked on". Natasha was a rule follower but then at other times she would be a law-breaker. There seemed to be a conflict of personality with just one person. I couldn't figure out if I liked Natasha or not.
The general plot to the story was a good one and it was an easy read. I did finish the book and was happy with the ending but I didn't enjoy this one as much as I have other Brenda Novak stories.

Thanks to Harlequin - Trade Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

First off..... I LOVED this book!
It has been quite awhile since I read a book that was able to make me laugh, cry, gasp, smile and be frustrated. And to actually hate a character! I can't remember a book where I hated a character as much as I did Barbara! Such incredible writing by Susan Mallery to provide all that in one book!

There is so much in this story that would be great to discuss with others. I can see it relating to similar life experiences for some. And providing a few life lessons or at least a "make you think" situation for others.

I was so sorry when this book came to an end! I wanted to continue to read about Mckenzie's life, to see what next happy moment was to come. Or how she dealt with the next obstacle. I really hope that Susan Mallery continues this in a second book!

I would recommend this book to anyone. I can't wait to see what Susan Mallery writes next!
Thanks to NetGalley and HQN Books for giving me the opportunity to read this one.