Title: Sisters and Secrets by Jennifer Ryan
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 399 pages
Book Rating: C
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
If you love Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery, then you won’t want to miss this newest novel by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan.
There’s nothing more complicated than the relationship among family…Especially when the Silva Sisters are keeping secrets.
For Sierra it means returning home with her two little boys after a devastating Napa wildfire takes her home, her job, and even the last mementos of her late husband, David. Determined to start over, how can she ever reveal the truth—that her husband may have led a double life?
To the world, Amy’s world is perfect: handsome husband, delightful children, an Instagram-worthy home. But behind this facade lies an awful truth: her marriage is rocky, her children resentful, her home on the verge of breaking up.
Heather, impulsive, free-spirited, and single mom to an adorable little girl, lives for the moment wearing a carefree smile. But she refuses to reveal the truth about her daughter’s father, and his identity remains a mystery even to her family.
As the Silva Sisters secrets are revealed, each realizes that there is more to their family than meets the eyes…and forgiveness may be the only way to move forward and reclaim true happiness at last.
Sisters and Secrets is a moving novel of sisterhood, second chances, and the secrets that have the power to break or bond families—and alter destinies.
Review:
Sisters and Secrets by Jennifer Ryan is a family-centric, second chance at love novel.
Sierra Silva is still grieving the loss of her husband, David, when she and her sons, seven year old Danny and 5 year old Oliver lose everything in a fire. She decides to return to her hometown to start over and she and her boys move in temporarily with her mom, Dede. She is welcomed by her older sister Amy but younger sister Heather is a little taken aback by Sierra’s decision. Sierra is also delighted by the warm reception she receives from their longtime neighbor Mason Moore. Over the next few months, Sierra is ready to move forward with her life, but in order to do so, she is determined to learn the truth about troubling information about David. Will uncovering this secret derail her promising future with Mason?
Sierra is a charming woman who is devoted to her sons and loyal to her family. Moving past David’s death is not easy especially since she is conflicted about learning the truth about her suspicions about her husband. Sierra is determined to make the transition as easy as possible and the boys soon thrive in their new surroundings. Reconnecting with her sisters and her nieces and nephew is just what Sierra, Danny and Oliver need as they continue healing. But it is her blossoming romance with Mason that helps Sierra truly begin to make peace with her past.
Mason has always regretted not taking the opportunity years earlier to tell Sierra about his feelings for her. He is a divorce lawyer whose experiences with his clients have provided him with valuable insight into relationships. Mason adores Danny and Oliver and he is incredibly patient and caring with them. He is surprised and uneasy when Sierra requests his assistance in finding out what Danny was into before his death. Mason has harbored suspicions about just what that might be for quite some time and he reluctantly agrees to help her.
Sierra’s sisters are not exactly likable at first. Amy is an overachiever who has over-extended and over-scheduled herself and her children. Her marriage to Rex has hit a rough patch and she knows she needs to make changes but she is completely overwhelmed about taking that first step. Heather is a spoiled and selfish single mom with a toddler daughter. She has never revealed the identity of her baby’s father and she continues to feel sorry for herself because he is not a part of their life. By the end of the story, Amy is much more appealing due to her character’s growth. Heather’s story arc is resolved but not everyone will agree with the outcome.
Sisters and Secrets is a novel of new beginnings, love and healing. Sierra and Mason are delightful characters who are very easy to root for as they fall in love. The storyline is interesting but it is predictable and a little repetitive. Jennifer Ryan brings the novel to a sweet, uplifting conclusion.
