Format: Paperback, ARC for blog tour
Links: Goodreads | Amazon UK
Blurb: Families should stay together. What happened that day ripped mine apart.
A successful doctor, with a loving boyfriend, Irini Harringford is finally happy. But when Elle tracks her down, everything starts to unravel.
Irini knows only too well what her sister is capable of. However, her desperate need for answers drags her back to a shocking past.
She always thought her family didn’t want her. What if the truth is even worse?
Review: The ‘sisters’ trend in the Thriller genre is one that I’m sure you’re familiar with by now. On my bookshelf alone I can see 3 books with the word ‘sister’ in the title. But unlike some other trends which I personally got a bit bored of, the ‘sister’s’ theme always draws me in. I don’t have a sister myself (maybe that’s why I’m interested in reading about them?) but I often find the sibling dynamic between two females in a book is explored deeply and in so much detail. My Sister is absolutely no different in that respect. The relationship – or lack of – between Irini and Elle was complicated to say the least. It was weird, hurtful, different and down-right strange at times. And I loved the exploration of this relationship throughout this book all the way until the final page.
My Sister explores the family dynamic quite intensely as well, especially between parents and their children. Despite the book and the story-line being fairly dark, Michelle manages to inject an element of softness and love into her writing which genuinely, genuinely, made me tear up on the final page. The way she talks about parents and how they’re a part of us and when they go, they leave a part of themselves behind as well as taking a part of us with them is so emotive and a beautiful touch to an otherwise, quite disturbing story of lies, deceit and betrayal.
Right from page 1, there’s answers that we want. Irini was given away by her parents and sent to live with her Aunt at just 3 years old and right up until today, she still doesn’t really know why. She’s always known her sister, Elle, was a problem child but she never really knew the extent of Elle’s psychological issues until she has to go back to the family house to attend her estranged Mother’s funeral. In a small town, people talk and it’s not long before she meets people and goes to places which help her unravel the truth about her families past and why her parents gave her away all those years ago. The mystery elements of this book were brilliant as more and more unfolds throughout the story and right up until the last few chapters, we’re discovering – as is Irini – new things about her life.
Irini herself was an interesting character. I wouldn’t say she was particularly likable, she clearly had a complicated personality but that didn’t take away any enjoyment from the book. In fact, it made it better, in this case! Elle was an entirely different playing field of a character – possibly one of the most complex, disturbing an complicated characters I’ve read about in a while. You swing every which way possible in your feelings towards Elle; I felt sorry for her, then hated her, then didn’t. It was very confusing and Irini’s feeling’s towards Elle made it even more confusing for the reader! Irini clearly has a better heart than I would have in that situation. A character I wanted to mention was Antonio. Bloody hated him. What a macho, egotistic bastard. I’ll say no more.
From the array of characters and the feelings they bring up in you, the incredibly easy to read way that Michelle writes which allows you to effortlessly flow through the book to the twisty, disturbing an tragic story-line, My Sister is firmly one of the best Thriller’s I’ve read in a long old time. There’s always another element to explore with the ‘sister’ theme in a book and I think Michelle explored that to the absolute maximum. There’s no other way for me to say it really, I just bloody loved this book.
[…] You can find my review on My Sister here. […]
I do love a good thriller, and this sounds just like one I’m in the market to read. I have a twin sister so can definitely understand the sister dynamic.
Amy | hookedonthemusic.com
Oh wow really?! I think you’d love this! xxx
I love a complex thriller so this sounds right up my street, I might have to add this to my reading list! xo
Sian | http://www.siankathrine.co.uk
Complex thriller this certainly is! xxx
ooo this isn’t my usual type of book but i actually really like the sound of this
It was fab xx
This sounds like a really good book. I just read Into The Water and was disappointed so need a good thriller to get stuck into.
Oh really?! Sorry you didn’t enjoy it! I haven’t read that one xxx
This book sounds awesome babe, I’ve added it to my book wishlist. Thanks for sharing! 🌸✨
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
It really was xxx
Great review! I love books and tv shows about families and family life. I don’t think I’ve read many books about siblings and I’d love to give this one a read. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, I love sibling themed books but family dynamics are always good xxx
I will have to add this to my list of books to read
Rebecca Elaine x
Hope you enjoy x
I really want to start reading more, I’ll add this book to my list! I absolutely love thrillers as long as they don’t go too far into the realm of horror (I’m not hardcore enough for that haha)! Thanks for the recommendation!
This definitely is Thriller not horror 🙂 xx
I don’t normally read thrillers but this one sounds interesting! Might have to give it a try =-)
It’s very very good! xxx
Oh wow this one sounds intriguing. I, too enjoy books about sisters, I always thought it was because I don’t have one. I’m always up for a mystery book. Great review!! ❤❤
Maybe that’s why we both like those kind of books so much?! xxx
I’m so glad to hear you loved this book! It sounds super interesting. I’m going to add this book to my amazon wish list as we speak 🙂 Great post! xxx
Melina | http://www.ivefoundwaldo.com
Love the sound of this, I’m a big thriller fan. I read Sister by Rosamund Lupton and that was brilliant. I have two sisters so can definitely relate to the complicated relationship!
my20staughtme.wordpress.com
Oooh I’ll have to look out for that one! Xxx
Another brilliant review, Jenny. I’m always on the look out for a good thriller. This sounds like a good one! x
This is definitely a good Thriller! xxx
I like the way you analysed the book by the characters; it lends a more abstract quality to the book. This definitely has me intrigued!
Thank you 🙂 the characters really made this book xxx
I was in The Works looking at thriller books today and decided I had enough books for now to get through and then I stumble upon this… is it fate?!? I think I need to pick myself up another book now!! Excellent review, Jenny, as always!!
Charlene McElhinney (@blogabtnothing1)
http://www.charlenemcelhinney.co.uk
Haha possibly! You can never have enough books 😉 xxx
Such a fantastic in depth review! It sounds like a fabulous read and something I would enjoy- i too have read loads of the ‘sister’ themed books and have enjoyed them all so sure this would be right up my street too.
Melanie | http://www.frasersfunhouse.com
Oh it definitely would be then! Thank you 🙂 xxx
This definitely sounds like an interesting read! Family relationships always fascinate me. These sisters sound intriguing and it’s always a good book when you feel strongly about the characters! Great review Jenny 💖 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Thank you 🙂 I love different family dynamics in books xxx
Great review & very much sounds like an easy read as it captures you from page 1.
It certainly did! xxx
This is on my March TBR – I’m so excited to read it now x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
Hope you enjoy!
I don’t normally go for thrillers and, as you say, the whole sisters’ thing feels like it’s been written about so many times. But this novel does sound a bit different. I like that the reader is constantly changing their mind about the characters, that’s some skilful writing. I shall have to have a look on Amazon 🙂 Lovely review, thank you, Jenny xx
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
There’s plenty of themes which have been overdone but I suppose if you enjoy those themes then it’s not a problem is it? I’ve always been fascinated by the sisters theme but I got terribly bored of the missing children theme after a while xxx
This book sounds like my kind of book, I love a good psychological thriller! Your reviews have really played havoc on my bank balance!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
I’m terribly sorry haha this would be perfect for you xxx
This book sounds so good. I love novels that go deep into family issues and what effects relationships!
Absolutely me too! I find it fascinating xxx
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