This was the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the sisters and how different they were but how united they became once their father died. I look forward to reading more by this author.

I spent an enjoyable weekend reading an arc of The Sweeney Sisters by author Lian Dolan. It’s a story about 3 sisters who return to their childhood home, Willow Lane, to put affairs in order after the death of their father. Bill Sweeney, their dad, was a famous literary author who I thought was a very selfish, self-centered, egotistical person. The sisters learn from their fathers lawyer that he also has another daughter that he had kept secret from everyone. And what was even more interesting was that she grew up living right next door! This is a story about sibling bonding, acceptance, forgiveness and learning to move on. I really enjoyed reading this and would love it if the author decided to write a sequel letting us know where the Sweeney sisters end up later in life. I’d like to thank Book Club Girl and NetGalley for the arc to read and review. All opinions are my own. This is a story I think everyone would enjoy!

The story jumps right into the backstory of our lead sister, Liza and moves immediately into our conflict, the death of the family patriarch and sometime nemesis, William Sweeney. He’s a famous author known for his drinking, misogynistic, old school ways. We begin to understand the other sisters, their doubts, dreams and flaws. Maggie is the free love, hippie creative type. Tricia is the career woman, successful lawyer. They are close, but their allegiances flex depending on the situation. They lost their mother 15 years ago, but are still dealing with the loss and the implications to the family dynamic. Tricia, being the youngest, had the fewest years with their mother and many were during her mother’s illness. At this point, I’m fully immersed in the family and wondering what is next, because I’m not that far in and there’s a lot of book left, so there must be . . . Yes! The shoe drops! We have another player in the narrative: a fourth sister. Serena is successful on her own as a journalist and she just found her Parent Not Expected moment in the last six months. She’s the only sister who followed in their father’s footsteps becoming a journalist and disappointing her own mother in the process.

The story revolves around the current challenges of the sisters, what they are coming to terms with in their current home life, work and other relationships. Set in the town of Southport, the story reveals how growing up a Sweeney daughter influenced who they became and for Serena, how watching from the sidelines as an only child was. Their relationships are realistic as they are flawed individuals who can say and do the wrong thing a.k.a. Being human. There’s sisterly love and jealousy, teenage regret and heartbreak, adult problems to deal with and laughter sprinkled throughout. I will be recommending this to my friends.

Pleasant read on the power of sisters and women’s relationships. The quick resolution of all the complicated family issues was the book’s downfall to me.

I really enjoyed reading this story. After their father's untimely death secrets are revealed that change their lives forever. Heartwarming story you will not want to put down!

Popular author William Sweeney passes away, leaving his 3 daughters behind and some secrets. As the sisters discover the secrets, they also grow in their bond as family. Nice story about how bonds of family can withstand any family secrets that could just as easily tear them apart. Some parts dragged on a little and then ended too abruptly.

The Sweeney Sisters is a wonderful, dark and incredibly rich novel that’s so well built and fast paced that I wasn't able to put it down till I reached the end. I was absolutely captivated by the atmosphere as well.

This novel submerges the reader in a landscape so imaginative and detailed that the information of the world building, as complex as it is, never feels forced, and is never difficult to understand or picture in one's mind.

This was a quick read about sisters, family secrets and conflict. While the storyline sounded great to me, it just really failed to hold my attention.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the opportunity to read the ARC.

Liza, Maggie and Tricia are the daughters of famous American novelist, William Sweeney. When he dies suddenly their world is turned upside down as they discover some of his long held secrets including that he has another daughter! The sisters work together to sort out their father's affairs, clean out their childhood home and accept their new sister. A tale of family secrets, love, loss, acceptance and forgiveness.

I enjoyed seeing the bond of sisterhood triumph over adversity. Definitely a good read. Look for it Apr. 28!

While I enjoyed this book, I didn’t love it. It was enjoyable but at the same time I found it to be very predictable. If you’re looking for an easy, quick read this would be perfect.

Good book. Nothing earth shattering or even remarkable about it. Story of three sisters who by circumstances find out about a fourth sister. They are Easy Coast elite ... waspish families who are sure they are more bohemian than that & would just be embarrassed by the description, but would admit it if pushed. Story is well-written and is pleasant. How they get through their father's death & deal with family troubles into triumphs is the motto of the story.

The Sweeney sisters didn’t have the easiest childhood, their parents were both writers. Their mother set her career aside to support her husband and he became a huge literary icon. Their mother sounded like an amazing woman but she died when her daughters still lived at home. Their dad didn’t handle it well. He turned to his vices, drinking and gambling and the girls were practically left to themselves.

Maybe as a result of their childhood, they’ve grown up to be close and to support each other. They are three very different women but the love is always there.

Liza is the responsible oldest sister. She married young, so her mom could see her get married. She has teenage twins. She owns an art gallery, in part so she can help her sister Maggie sell her art.

Maggie is the middle sister. She’s the spontaneous one. She’s jumped from job to job, city to city, man to man, and not settled on anything. She’s always been able to count on her sisters to bail her out.

Tricia is the youngest. She’s an attorney. She’s successful but maybe a workaholic. She runs to relax. She doesn’t date much because of a few bad choices of men in the past.

When the Sweeney sisters’ dad Bill dies they are left with some bombshells.
They have another sister. She’s older than Liza. She’s the product of an affair their father had with their neighbor. Their other sister never knew either. She only learned the truth when she won a home dna kit at work.
Their father wrote final book and was so afraid of what it would uncover that he hid it. He said it would have to be published after his death.

So the sisters have to band together to find the manuscript. They also have to come to terms with how having a new sister changes things.

I really enjoyed this. It was very well written. The characters were likable. The story flows along nicely.
I got to read an early copy of this book from Book Club Girl Early Reads. Thanks!

I love stories about siblings! I don't have any sisters but I grew up around enough of them to know that it can be a complicated relationship. The 3 Sweeney Sisters are no exception, but they have grown into their specific family roles, balancing each other out and making a great team. They've been through a lot together growing up with a famous author for a father and losing their mother at a young age. When their father dies suddenly a new bombshell is dropped - There is another Sweeney sister! Each of the 4 women has to come to terms with this news and what it means in their own way, all while balancing the drama it causes in their personal and professional lives. I thought all of the characters were well written and interesting and the story had a satisfying ending.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book. The first part was slow. I really didn’t care for any of the sisters. The middle of the book got a little more interesting but the story line didn’t hold my interest. The end was tied up in a neat little bow with everyone getting their happily ever after. I found the secondary characters. Ugh more interesting. I wanted to know more about Lucy and Lolly. Some of the characters just felt thrown in for filler. Never got a sense of why they were included. Ms Dolan can write. Maybe I just needed a different book

Received this ARC through Net Galley. A quick read about family, secrets, sisterhood, loss and moving forward. I appreciated the development of distinct but relatable characters and an ending that makes me hope for a sequel.

A well-paced and plotted novel. Unlike others with multiple characters and storylines, The Sweeney Sisters developed each character well and pulled them together through a single plot line of trying to find their mysterious father's memoir. I got to know each of the sisters enough to care about their story and was left wanting more novels for each sister to see where their lives lead later down the road. Unlike some novels where it seems like the author focuses on beginning, middle and then rushes the end, this author took her time and the end was satisfying and actually seemed worthy of the rest of the book.

I'd definitely recommend this as a light reading, but with enough gravity that it's still worth the time.

*I received an advance copy through Book Club Girl in exchange for my honest review.

Lian has done it again. Her first two books – “Helen of Pasadena” and “Elizabeth the First Wife” – were very enjoyable, light and fun. Her third novel – “The Sweeney Sisters” – feels more substantial but is just as readable and fun! Three sisters – as different as they can be, but as bonded as sisters are – cope with their famous father, loss after loss after loss and then an unexpected gain. I love that they are flawed but very likeable individuals. I love the real-ness of their emotions and their questions, their thoughts about what it means to have a famous father and his legacy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to get my hard copy when it releases in April (pre-ordered already!).

Thanks NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy! Thanks Lian for a wonderful book I can easily recommend to all!

I really liked the beginning of this book and was quite excited about it. By the discovery of the half-sister after their father's death, the book started to get bogged down with too much description and too much angst. I may return to it later, but I haven't finished it yet. I will still buy it based on the beginning and the topic.

I must say, I had zero expectations out of this book when I started. I even hesitated to start it. But Lian Dolan knows what what she is doing! I was drawn in from page one and didn't let go until the last page. I devoured this book in a day in a half. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about the Sweeney Sisters! This is a great story about family and discovering who our family really is. Letting go of what you think you know and accepting the new reality.
The Sweeney sisters grew up with a famous writer as a father and before her untimely passing, their mother was a poet and artist. After dad passes, the sisters learn the reality of the past and the secrets their father was keeping, including a daughter know one knew about.
Without going into too much detail, I loved learning about these sisters and the past. Growing up on Willow Lane must have been magical for a time. I would love to see this house in person, because in my mind it is an amazing home! The sisters all grew up and definitely have their own individuality. I definitely most identify with Liza, the oldest. Coming from a family where I was the oldest, her struggles hit me the hardest and right smack dab in the chest sometimes. The oldest daughters carry so much on their shoulders sometimes.
Overall, A wonderful story of family! I will definitely be recommending this to others and I will be looking for more works by Lian Dolan! Special thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins - William Morrow, and The Book Club Girl Early Reads program for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
#TheSweeneySisters #NetGalley

Enjoyable book about the strength of sibling relationships. The Sweeney sisters learn that their sibling bonds need to stretch.....but is there room? The sisters learn that they’re able to overcome more than they ever thought possible and that new beginnings can be a great gift.