Loved this book! Sarah's depiction of family is amazing. From the dysfunction to sticking together amd everything in between she makes you feel like you're part of the family.

Twenty-five years ago, Suzanne McBride ascended Mount Rainier with four other people, including her best friend. Only she returned. Now, she lives in a cozy inn in the Scottish Highlands with her easygoing husband, and she’s determined to make Christmas perfect for their three adult daughters. But the past is always nearby, and even her most frenzied efforts may not be enough to keep her bitter memories at bay this year.
Meanwhile, oldest daughter Hannah, herself haunted by unhappy memories, is coping with a surprise pregnancy and a too-good-to-be-true boy toy (who doesn’t know he’s about to be a dad). Beth, the middle daughter, is mulling a return to the workplace now that her two young daughters are out of diapers; her husband has certain Feelings about that (and Beth has Feelings about his Feelings). And Posy, the youngest, longs for a life of adventure, but can’t face the thought of telling her parents that she’s leaving them to (among other things) climb Rainier. Her powerful attraction to a visiting writer with a surprising connection to Suzanne only complicates matters for everyone.

…Look, this book is a fantasy wrapped in a dream. Scotland! Tartan! Cozy fires! Shortbread! Knitting circles! Tall, dark, handsome men! Interesting women who handle their sh*t! And a Christmas tree named Eric! The relationships among the sisters are believable, and there’s just enough sturm und drang to give the thing some heft. This is a great book to read by the fire with a cat in your lap and a steaming mug of cocoa at your side. – Kate Nagy

This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #3 - October 2018

~~Reviewed by Shell~~

I love reading Christmas books that’s mainly because I love Christmas and so does Suzanne who wants to have her three daughters and her grandchildren over for the festive season in the Scottish Highlands.

This book follows three sisters Hannah, Beth and Posy and their relationship with each other, and they think that each sister has a perfect life.

Hannah is the high flyer she isn’t married and definitely has no children…but she has an issue with Suzanne and because of this the year before she cancelled going home for Christmas…but this year she is going much to her other sisters’ surprise.

Beth lives in Manhattan with her husband Jason and two adorable daughters Melly and Ruby, she has a good life…but Beth doesn’t want to be known just as Mommy, she wants to do something for herself and it takes a phone call that makes Beth think she can have something for herself.

Posy is the youngest sister and she still lives in the highlands as a rescuer and she has a passion for climbing, she also works in the cafe that Suzanne runs.

What I didn’t realise when I first started reading was that I would then question my relationship with my own sister and I realised that we didn’t have one, we were just existing and I made a big decision to part from my sister and her family, which is shocking…but for me it’s been very liberating and I don’t regret that decision.

Overall this is an uplifting book, how each sister deals with there issues. and for this, I give 5/5 stars.

A heartwarming story about family and the miracles found in the Christmas spirit.

Stress levels are high as Suzanne and Stewart McBride look forward to having their three adoptive daughters all together for a Scotland Christmas.

Hannah, Beth, and Posey are all at difficult crossroads in their lives and they’re each determined to handle things… their way. What’s the worst that could happen?

Posey hates to disappoint anyone… ever. Still, she’s the closest thing to a free spirit the family has. And I’d never let her drive me to the airport—HA!

The accident that took their parents has left Beth overprotective and overly cautious. She stresses over the safety and well-being of her two young daughters while at the same time she laments over being just a mother and longs for the challenge of returning to the workforce. But is she willing to sacrifice herself to do it?

Hannah is the worst of the three and by worst I mean emotionally damaged. She has to control every aspect of her life and feels like a failure when she can’t. A new relationship brings a surprise of its own… and also one of the few times I was angry while reading this wonderful story.

Hannah was a complex character but well developed. She bore the most emotional pain from losing her parents and most of it, like her sisters, was of her own creation in her mind. Yet, even as admissions are made and long overdue conversations begin, I felt as though Hannah was determined to hang onto her pain. It takes several conversations with her sisters and parents (Stewart is so awesome!), and Adam (YAAY, Adam! Another great character!) taking a step back to bring this silly woman to her senses.

Suzanne McBride went above and beyond to make a perfect life for her girls. But perfection doesn’t exist, and she felt like a failure anytime her children weren’t happy. Like Beth, she went overboard in being the protective, nurturing mom, and by trying to make things happen a certain way, like Hannah, tried to control outcomes. But where Hannah did it to keep people at arm’s length, Suzanne did it to make sure everyone was happy. However, in the end, she realizes she’s lost her sense of wonder and adventure… two of Posey’s best qualities.

The Christmas Sisters is a great holiday read that shows how a lifetime of held misconceptions, trauma and fear can fade away when the lines of communication… and hearts are opened.

Enjoy!

Something about this book caught my eye and I was glad that I picked it up and read it. What an amazing character study of the three sisters and their family relationships with each other and their adoptive parents. It was very well written tying the sisters together with their biological parents and their adoptive parents and how the age differences of the sisters gave them a whole different perspective on their adoptive parents. Plus I loved how it dealt with the adoptive mom's guilt complex as to how she became their mother. I really enjoyed this book and all of the complex relationships within it. This is the first Sarah Morgan book I have read and I look forward to reading some more!

Three sisters return to Scotland for the holidays and each is dealing with a bit of drama in each of their lives. Hannah, Beth and Posy were adopted by Suzanne and Stewart when a tragedy befell their parents. They have been raised by Suzanne and Stewart their whole lives, but each has dealt with the loss of their parents in a different way.

Beth has two young kids and is ready to return to the workforce and her husband may not be on board. Hannah is a workaholic and something personal may completely interfere with her schedule. Posy stayed in Scotland and has never admitted to wanting more than what is in the same zip code. I love that all three girls have different problems and nothing seems over the top, but all seem plausible to happen to the girls at the same time.

I like to call these books the family comes home drama when family members return home and drama and then resolution occurs. In these books the family members use the strengths of others to solve their drama. If this was an official sub genre, I would subscribe and read all of them.

I read this book a little early in the year. I would suggest reading this one curled up in the winter time as the holidays approach.

I am obsessed with Christmas- everything about it, the magic, the movies, the food and family. This book has me so excited for the Holiday season and what could come of it. The book was pretty predictable (hence my 4 star review) but overall I really enjoyed it. It makes you think too when something awful and life changing happens, something incredible can come out of it.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

What a charming Christmas/Holiday story. This is about family and the bond that never goes away even if the family falls apart for a while.

I really started to believe these characters could be real. They were so well written and such an honest story. Sarah Morgan just captures the family dynamic.

While this is set at the holidays it really is a story about what the holidays mean. Which is love and family.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas! And sisters! And Scotland! Could there be a better combo? I don’t think so. Ok actually there could be – if Morgan added in some cutie pie kiddos and an awesome set of grandparents and the perfect love interests for the sisters. Which she did. Sigh.

I really liked all the references to New York, Washington state, and then the European locations outside of Scotland. I felt like I was traveling from the comfort of my sofa. And the other thing I so enjoyed was Jason’s admission that being a stay at home parent is not all bon-bons and soap operas. Even though his realization and apology was a teensy bit out of character and not 100% realistic, it was gratifying to read it all the same.

Morgan did a fantastic job individualizing the three sisters, giving them different perspectives on the same childhood tragedy they all suffered, and writing a believable and heartwarming resolution. Love and forgiveness are powerful, especially when you have the support of those around you.

Morgan also added in comic relief in little Ruby, Martha the chicken, and Eric. Beautifully done!
https://randombookmuses.com/2018/09/30/review-the-christmas-sisters-by-sarah-morgan/

I really enjoyed this; a perfect Christmasy read. The struggles and loves of the McBride sisters are all too relatable.

I know Sarah Morgan comes highly recommended. I read one other book by her which was more women's fiction than romance which didn't completely work for me because of the four different point of views, alternating telling the story of them. I was bummed when I realized that this one is women's fiction as well, again with four point of views. It's such a shame because, dammit, I want to read a Sarah Morgan romance!

All four women are connected through one event that took their loved ones away. The woman who lost her best friend, Suzanne, adopted Cheryl's daughters, Posy, Beth and Hannah and moved from the Pacific North West all the way to Scotland so that the children could grow up without having to experience the very public handling of their parents' death which made a huge impact of all of them. Christmas is approaching fast and Hannah and Beth, now back in the US, prepare to go back home to visit their parents.

THE FOUR WOMEN

Beth, a stay-at-home mom, loves her children, is a little over-protective of her children but yearns for a grown-up conversation. She is restless, exhausted raising her kids pretty much alone since her husband is the successful business man. Beth wants more and when she gets a chance to interview for her dream job she wants to jump at the chance. Except he wants another child.
I loved that Beth stood up for herself and showed Jason what it means to be a parent who is solely responsible for the children for the majority of the time. He learns a new appreciation for mothers, so mission accomplished. But Beth was also the person who got on my nerves the most. She was overly neurotic and a hypocrite when it came to her sisters. Fortunately they didn't have an issue to show her that.

"I’m saying that being a good mom isn’t just about protecting your kids from hurt, it’s about showing them how to cope with hurt. It’s about teaching them resilience and giving them the tools to handle whatever comes their way.”

Although Posy is supposed to take over the small family business her secret wish is to follow in her parents' footsteps and be a mountain guide. When she meets Luke the longing is only amplified.
Posy was the easygoing, laid-back baby sister. I connected with her the most because she was accepting and tolerant and let people have their space. But she also knew how to make a point. I love her no-nonsense characters.

Hannah is focused on her career, driven, and seems like nothing can chafe her. She comes across at standoff-ish until you get inside her head.
She has a whole bunch of insecurities, every psychologist would have a field day with her. Her dad played favorites when the sisters were children and she wasn't #1 - but she never wanted to be. She just wanted to be loved like her little sister was. Hannah had all my sympathy, she was so hurt and so withdrawn I wanted to hug her. And then she started to climb over the walls she built I felt truly proud of her.

Protecting yourself locked out hurt some of the time, but it locked out the good stuff, too.

Suzanne loves her family. She would do anything for them. At first I didn't understand what the fuss was about that Hannah came home for Christmas. Everything was Hannah wants, Hannah needs, Hannah loves...in the end I realized that Hannah, being a very smart and intuitive woman, knew how much Hannah was hurt by her father's favoritism of Posy. Suzanne wanted to show her how loved and special Hannah was. Suzanne is the glue that holds families together. She was wonderful.

For some reason I didn't feel the disconnect I felt in How to Keep a Secret, brought on by the rotating POVs, as much this time around. While I would have loved to get deeper into the stories of the three women The Christmas Sisters was definitely satisfying. I learned enough about these characters to understand them. While the sisters had issues to solve with one another, no matter how much they argued they stood by each other with all the love they had. I also adored the men at their sides. Especially Stewart, Suzanne's husband captured my heart with his endless wisdom and his eye-twinkling humor.

They closed the door and Stewart looked at the glitter on the floor.
“I like it. I think it should stay.”
“You mean you have no idea how to remove glitter from a carpet.”
“That, too. You have to admit, it’s festive.”

One thing that I need to mention because it didn't make sense: The accident was 25 years ago - in a flashback Cheryl talks about photos of her kids on her phone. Granted, the story hints nowhere in what time period the story is set in but in that case I assume it's in the present. 25 years ago there were no photos on phones. We were lucky to own mobile phones which were big and chunky.

The Christmas Sisters is a heartwarming, delightful story that will get you in the mood for Christmas. It has a dose of humor and a very low angst factor. The characters are genuine, real and lovable. This story is poignant, holding truths we can identify with about loss, family and how love can heal wounds. It's the perfect winter read when you want to snuggle up in your book nook with a blanket and hot chocolate!

“You can’t live your life too afraid to do things in case you get hurt. If you get hurt, you heal. And while you’re lying there healing you can think about how much fun you had.”

The Christmas Sisters is an amazingly heartwarming Christmas story. Hannah , Beth, and Posy usually only get together at Christmas but circumstances bring Beth and Hannah home early this year. The trials they endure and the past finally bring them closer as a family than they ever expected. This is a delightful way to head into the holiday season.
I received this ARC from Netgalley, Harlequin, and the Author for an honest review.

The Christmas Sisters was an early Christmas gift for me and I love it. I enjoyed it so much I stayed up until 3 am in order to finish it. I couldn't put it down and now I have book hangover.

This book has all the elements I love in women's fiction: loads of humor, light angst, strong female and male characters, relatable storylines, great settings in New York and Scotland. The addition of a dog, a horse, a toy, makeup, kids, and the happiest season of all just ups the awesomeness to amazing levels.

The POVs are from the four heroines: Suzanne MacBride and her three adopted daughters Hannah, Beth, and Posy. The book starts with their fractured relationship and ended in a celebration of sisterhood and family. There are aspects of each woman that I identify with, which makes for a deeply immersive reading. Sometimes, I wished for a full-length novel for each of them because Ms. Morgan drew them so beautifully I wanted to read more about their individual lives, particularly their separate love stories. But, it was also great to read four fascinating stories combined to form one cohesive tale.

I laughed, I cried, I loved. If there's only one book, y'all should read this Christmas, make it The Christmas Sisters.

Huge thanks to HQN for giving me an advance copy to review via NetGalley.

Wow what an emotional ride! At first I thought it was a bit all over the place, but once you got used to who was who I loved having all of their perspectives. While being set around Christmas, this was far from your normal Christmas story. The tragedy, the assumptions, mixed feelings, insecurities, the deep rooted issues. As I said this was super emotional! Strongly recommend this read.

A powerful family saga filled with richness and hope! Sarah Morgan has outdone herself with this holiday treasure. We meet a family who was formed from tragedy, and who each are having their own growing pains, but who at the heart of it all love each other more than they even realize. We go through the tribulations of life with each of the daughters while the underlying foundation of their family is remembered and tested. Each daughters story feels like it's own little world, yet it all rolls together beautifully into this heartwarming story. Absolutely loved it!

Suzanne McBride is looking forward to the magic of Christmas in Scotland, because she's going to have all of her girls home together for the first time in a couple of years! She's rushing around trying to get everything ready with the help of her daughter Posy who still lives close to home and is following in her Mom's footsteps of working the family cafe, but Suzanne has no clue that Posy wants more out of life. She seems happy because she is a happy person, but she wants to see more of the world ... and the hunky renter currently living beside her just might encourage that! When daughter Beth unexpectedly shows up early ... without her family in tow ... they figure something is up, but Beth isn't open to spilling her guts to anyone except for Posy who she swears to secrecy. She's had an awful argument with her husband because she wants to return to work, but she is also feeling Mommy guilt and second-guessing herself! Low and behold workaholic daughter Hannah also shows up early, still seeming to be burying herself in work, but also seeming off even for her. She has a life-changing secret that she's not sure how to accept, and she's even more terrified of sharing it with anyone. Will this cozy family Christmas turn into madness, or will the love that surrounds them shine through and lead to that magical Christmas after all?

The Christmas Sisters
Sarah Morgan

Morgan’s latest is contemporary women’s fiction at it’s finest a superb novel about family, loss, blessings and love. Set during the Christmas season in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands staring the most genuine cast of characters that ever graced the pages of fiction all equals in importance and all unforgettable. The backdrops are breathtaking the narrative is fluent and conversational with timely humor that mixes brilliantly with the tumultuous emotional subject matter. The author is a master storyteller and her portrayal of the sisters is amazingly authentic, the issues they have alone and within the family are so true to life it’s reminiscent of sitting in on a real family event. This is for more than just fans of the genre all lovers of exceptional fiction will love this novel that will soon be on every bestseller list.
SUMMARY:
Twenty-five years ago Suzanne and Stewart McBride adopted three young terrified grieving sisters and moved them to the Scottish Highlands to raise them after their parents were killed in a tragic accident. Now adults they only manage to get together for Christmas and Suzanne is determined to make sure everything is perfect this year. Now If only her girls would comply.
Workaholic Hannah is facing a crisis. Now more than ever she needs her family, especially her sisters but she wonders if it’s too late to make amends.
Former PR superwoman, current stay-at-home mom Beth is facing a turning point. She wants to go back to work but her husband wants another child, turning up in Scotland childless she wonders if what she really did was forfeit her marriage.
Mountain rescuer, Posey McBride never left home and owes her mom and dad everything. God knows what would have happened to she and her sisters if they hadn’t taken them in. So she can never tell them that her dreams don’t include staying put and taking over the family business, she wants to spread her wings and fly.

Delightfully mesmerizing, positively heartwarming, and absolutely brilliant!

The Christmas Sisters is an engaging, beguiling story that sweeps you away to the beautiful ruggedness of the Scottish Highlands in winter and immerses you into the lives of the McBride family as they confront the past, accept the things they cannot change, forgive, accept, repair fractured relationships, take chances, and embrace the future.

The writing is expressive, effortless, and polished. The characterization is spot on with a whole slew of characters that are genuine, multi-layered, unique, and intriguing. And the plot, and it’s series of compelling subplots, skillfully unravels and intertwines to create an unforgettable, touching story about life, love, loss, family, secrets, friendship, romance, and happiness.

The Christmas Sisters is without a doubt the perfect festive read that highlights the magic of the holidays and reminds us to always live life to the fullest and surround ourselves with those we love. It is a fabulously irresistible read that proves once again that when it comes to writing heartfelt, moving stories with characters you can’t help but fall in love with Morgan’s one of the best!

This book is about the McBride sisters. The oldest Hannah is a very smart and serious business woman. Beth, the middle daughter, a former PR woman and the perfect mother. The youngest sister is Posy who has stayed at home in the Scottish Highlands, helping to run the family cafe. The story tells of how three very different women support and love each other.
This is not the typical Sarah Morgan romance novel and I have to admit it took 20% of the book for me to get into it, but then I was hooked and read it in a day! At first I found the characters annoying, but then I realized they were realistic! These women, all in different ways, make assumptions that lead them down the wrong path and let poor communication rule their lives at time and I realize that 99% of the population does this too.
I loved how the characters are flawed and annoying and interesting. I like how it takes time for them to get things and deal with them.
The book’s plot is lovely as there is some mystery to it and a couple of plot twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.
This book gives hope in humanity and family and our ability as people to learn from our mistakes and grow, and that makes it an awesome Christmas holiday read. The satisfying HEA doesn’t hurt either!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Morgan and the publisher for the free book in exchange for an honest review.

A heart-warming story of sisterhood, love, and acceptance with a dash of the romance Sarah Morgan does so well.

4 1/2 stars

Unbelievably, it's that time of year again. Someone already mentioned that they had seen Christmas being displayed in a store. Now, the Christmas books begin to hit the shelves so that you can pick and choose your Christmas reading via my reviews, of course.

A definite to add to this year's pile is Sarah Morgan's The Christmas Sisters about three sisters who lose their parents in a climbing accident and are adopted by their mother's best friend, Suzanne.

Although I am not a fan of using more than two POVs in a short novel, it works in The Christmas Sisters, mostly, giving the reader a glimpse of how a terrible tragedy affected the lives of the sisters and Suzanne.

The three sisters are extremely different, and although they were once so close, they have now drifted apart. My favorite character was Posy, the youngest sister who has stayed close to home, joined a mountain rescue group, and is itching to climb. She is feisty and funny, but also the least drama queenish of the sisters, which made me wish she had been in the story far more. And, she has Bonnie, a SAR dog!

Hannah, the oldest sister, has hidden depths and was very well written. At first the reader thinks that Hannah is going to be totally unlikable, career-centered, cold, but it soon becomes obvious that this is a case of waters running deep. Not only did the tragic death of her parents hit her harder because she was more aware, but also the life she lived with them was by no means superlative. She's closed herself off believing that she could avoid pain that way.

My least favorite was whiny Beth who came across as totally self-absorbed. 'Nuff said.

Suzanne as the woman who takes on her best friend's kids is remarkable. She's understanding and loving and a whirling-dervish of activity, especially for the Christmas holidays. Her relationship with her husband Stewart may be worth the price of the novel, because they love and support each other, laugh and tease, and one can imagine that they have always done.

Despite the fact that The Christmas Sisters is women's fiction, there is still enough romance in this charming, page-turning, heartwarming Christmas story. The Christmas Sisters checks all the boxes for excellent Christmas reading---and even non-Christmas reading. And, if you need more convincing, the setting is Scotland.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.