I really enjoyed reading this book, it had everything that I wanted based on the description. The concept was realistic and I enjoyed the overall feel of this book. Gloria Mattioni has a great writing style and I enjoyed reading this. I thought the sister bond worked well and enjoyed the overall feel of this.

Can love save someone from the hell of a massive brain hemorrhage? California Sister is the story of Claire's desperate, determined, and devoted mission of saving her sister, Ondina, from the depths of this hell and giving her every opportunity to heal. Doggedly, Claire researches all she can find about hemorrhagic brain aneurysms and alternate treatments. She is willing to move mountains to bring Ondina back to her loving, adventuresome, creative, active self.

In California Sister Gloria Mattioni pulls the reader into this horrific tragedy where you feel the pain as Claire strives to save Ondina. Mattioni's writing is so descriptive that all of your senses are aroused as you feel you are in the landscapes of California and Italy, smelling the fragrance of a bougainvillea as well as an unkempt hospital room, hearing the sounds of nature and man, and feeling the warmth of Claire's hands on her sister as she massages her atrophying limbs.

California Sister is deeply moving and difficult to read at times because of the topic, but one of the most enlightening aspects is that the book is written from two perspectives - Claire's and Ondina's. Mattioni is to be commended for choosing to write from both viewpoints as it adds a depth to the story that many lack.

Claire to Ondina: "I was so presumptuous, Sis. I believed I could save you. My mistake, I guess, was not remembering whether anybody can ever save anybody else. Can anybody be so foolish and arrogant to think that they know best.? . . . I learned that love counts more than courage sometimes. And if love wasn't enough to heal you, I can still entertain the possibility that it warmed you up. Blowing on your cold, still limbs in the winter nights. Holding your hand in your dreams, where would run and jump and feel the moist sand under your bare, perfectly working feet."

Thank you @netgalley and @atmopsherepree for the copy of California Sister by @gloriamattioni in exchange for an honest review!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 A beautifully narrated stor told over the years that will captivate your heart like no other story. California Sisters is a poignant and moving read that will bring about just every emotion that you could imagine. Gloria Mattioni brings to life a true testament about the depths of sisterly love and sacrifice.

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be up on Instagram soon!