I’m not the right reader for this quasi-romance, rom-commish, family dysfunction novel about the three Peacock sisters and their toxic mother. Having just read another family dysfunction novel, featuring two sisters and their toxic mother, it struck me that bad mothers abound and the bond of sisterhood, even when stretched out with dysfunction, will somehow save us. This one moves at a clip, stuffed with descriptions of a British castle, along with the menus of the youngest Peacock’s wedding weekend, handsome prince with money that is dirty, though he had nothing to do with why it is dirty, and a pet peeve of mine, name-checking other novels in its pages, name-checked by the youngest Peacock sister, the young widow Sylvie, who is about to be married, but still pining her dead husband, and is a librarian. And this is the second novel I’ve read in short order where a main character is a librarian, a profession utilized I guess as character development, shy-ish, bookish, good. Though not for me, others will likely find it a fun read.

Thanks to Random House and Ballantine and Netgalley for the arc.

4 stars
This book is a perfect representation of the difficulties of familial relationships as well as the strength of sisterly bonds. The book follows Sylvie, Cleo and Emma as they reunite for Sylvie’s wedding. They have each had their own experiences with trauma which includes the difficult relationship with their mother. We get a glimpse at each sister’s journey to untangle the lies and complicated feelings that come along with our relationships with our family. I really enjoyed the relationship development between the sisters. It can be so easy to feel stuck as the person you grew up being when it comes to being around your family. This story shows the sisters overcoming these preconceived roles to grow closer with and trust each other. The bond between sisters is unlike any other and I really enjoyed how this story showed the work each sister did on their own but also on their relationship as sisters. I also enjoyed the setting in a quirky castle in England. The author used humor to keep the story lighthearted and fun even when dealing with very heavy topics.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for an advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed the sisters and their stories. All of them were shaped by their upbringing and how terrible their mother was and is. Each one has their own way of dealing with this and the way they interact in relationships. The characters still seemed a bit surface level and like we could have dove even deeper but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. Interesting read, and I would recommend it if you are looking for a bit of an escape.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, and I give my review freely

This was a surface-level good book. I would have appreciated a deeper dive into all the characters and their motivations, or at least all the sisters. Everyone felt like a bit character, and even the main characters of Silvie and Simon didn't have a lot of depth. BUT it was entertaining, and heaven knows there was a lot going on to keep you entertained.

Three sisters, all shaped by their narcissistic mother in their own unique way, face facts at the destination wedding of the youngest. It's Sylvie's wedding - her second wedding after her first husband died. But is she ready? Cleo, the oldest and a successful defense attorney, seems to have it all together - but does she? And Emma, the middle, had put herself and her family in so much debt in an effort to prove she is worthy of love. Everything comes to a head at the picturesque English castle where they all must face themselves and each other, and the secrets they've been keeping. Great family dynamics and drama!

This was a nice family dynamic story with a few situations that were over done and I didn’t like some of the characters. Overall it was a quick read. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Lovers and Liars by Amanda Eyre Ward is a riveting family drama about the Peacock sisters! These sisters were raised in a dysfunctional family and are now adults dealing with their own dysfunctional behaviors. The characters are well-developed and the reader can't help rooting for each one to overcome their issues! A good portion of the book takes place in a rundown castle in England. Ms. Ward does an excellent job of describing the scenery! I loved this book and highly recommend reading it! Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Publishing for the ARC!

Slyvie, Cleo, and Emma are three estranged sisters that are brought back together when Slyvie invites them to her wedding at a castle. Each chapter switches POV between the three sisters and each sister is dealing with her own troubles. When the sisters arrive at the wedding they fall into old patterns of supporting each other and protecting each other, especially from their mom.

There are certain things about this book I enjoyed. I liked the sisters and I wanted to keep reading to see how each one of their situations was going to turn out. I absolutely couldn’t stand their mom, but that was on purpose. I honestly had a hard time with some of the storylines seemed stagnant at times but overall not a bad read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

Thank you, NetGalley and Randon House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this advanced reader's copy. I read this author's 2020 book, The Jetsetters, as it was picked by Reese Witherspoon for her Book of the Month May pick. I really enjoyed that story, so I was excited to get a chance to read her new family drama. This book does not disappoint. Talk about family drama! All the sisters have their own issues, Sylvie, Cleo and Emma. The sisters are getting together for Sylvie's wedding, at the castle estate of the man Sylvie is marrying, Simon Rampling. Of course, their mother shows up and then things come to a head. There are some funny parts and there are some ridiculous parts, but overall, this is a an easy and fun read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun book. I enjoyed it a lot!

Sylvie, Cleo and Emma are sisters who all have secrets that could potentially ruin their relationships with their significant others and each other. When Sylvie meets Simon, she is swept off her feet in a whirlwind romance. They get engaged quickly and are to marry in Simon’s castle over in London. Cleo finds out some unsavory information about Simon and decides she needs to tell her sister before the wedding. I enjoyed this one, it kept my attention, I read it in 3 days. I enjoyed finding out about the secrets and how people reacted when they learned them. I was happy with the epilogue, it wraps everything up nicely in a bow for all the characters. This book is divided into many parts, each one having multiple chapters told through each sister’s POV. I loved getting into their heads!

To me this is less a romance and more a sister story where the family dynamics unfolds in the context of an upcoming wedding of the primary character, Sylvie. The other two sisters, Cleo and Emma, have their own challenges. Cleo is not in love with her live-in boyfriend, she’s in love with her best friend Isaac, but for some reason, she’s too afraid to act on it. Emma is self-destructing under the mask of a multi-level marketing scam and she’s lost the family’s savings. They all have a strained relationship with their selfish mother. Simon, is Sylvia’s fiancé and the heir to a castle where the wedding will be hosted. As the book progresses, we get a clearer picture of the sisters and their struggles. I would say this is more of a cozy story vs. literary fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed the story but felt it lacked a depth I would have appreciated more. Will be a great summer read however.

3.5 stars
Sylvie, Cleo, and Emma grew up with a horrible mother, and it's shaped them as adults. Then Sylvie also has grief from her first marriage. Most of the characters are keeping major secrets from each other. Of course everything comes to a dramatic head during the wedding weekend.
The book was well written, but a bunch of the circumstances of the characters just seemed really extreme to me. While I sympathized with some of the characters, I think I also blamed some of them for the messes they got themselves in. The bright spots were probably Rich, Emma's husband, and the kids.

This family is a MESS! And it is delightful. The build up is a bit slow, but once things pick up, they're full speed ahead. I was rooting for every character involved (besides the mom, of course) and truly felt attached to each sister; and the side characters to be honest. Add in a dreamy English castle as the setting and make it hilarious? I'm in!

What looks like a perfect family on the outside doesn’t necessarily match what goes on inside. Seriously complicated sisters, self doubt, shame and internal loneliness undoubtedly from a cruel, narcissistic, broken mother and losing their beloved father too soon. Cleo the oldest, a successful NYC lawyer full of anger, in therapy, carrying a decade old secret and staying in an unhappy and unhealthy relationship. Emma who stayed in Montana a wife and mother the middle child unseen no matter how hard she tries to stand out. Over her head in debt trying to make a business work. Sylvie the baby, tragically widowed young, a librarian engrossed in her books. So very good at pretending everything is all right, but never dealing with her past. She finds her second chance at love, Simon wealthy, charming and into books! A quick romance and even quicker engagement,a wedding in a castle in the UK. What could be more magical? Sylvie hasn’t seen her sisters in 10 years, why have they stayed away or what kept them away? Will their past ruin them, will their selfish Mother dredge up all the crap she put them through? Airbrushed versions of events or people can wear you down, will these sisters fight for the love they once had or fall prey to inner demons?
Wonderfully written, pulls at your heart strings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Thank you random
house publishing

Lovers and Liars follows three sisters navigating life, marriage, death, friendships, and more. The sisters did not have an easy upbringing and what should have made them closer ended up pushing them further away with the secrets they kept from each other. A wedding brings them all together and secrets unfold. This was a cute novel!

Thank you for the arc!

This story of three estranged sisters starts a little slow but by the end of Part II, I could not put down this book. I was rooting for all three Peacock sisters: Cleo, the workaholic attorney in NYC' Emma, the wife and mom who stayed in Montana, and Sylvie, the widow librarian in Miami. This book has multiple complicated relationships, a toxic mother, a whirlwind romance, and a rundown English castle. What's not to like? I also liked that the kids in this book were regular kids who aren't overly precocious or bratty or only for comic relief. Every character in this book is likeable - except for the toxic mom - and I wanted them all to be happy and loved.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this.

Three somewhat estranged sisters are brought together when one of them plans a wedding at her fiancé’s Englishside castle, resulting in family issues to be confronted, as well as each individual sister’s personal struggles. With short chapters switching perspectives, this is a light family drama that is makes for a perfect beach read.

I have only read one other work by Ward, The Jetsetters, which I did not enjoy nearly as much. Each sister in this novel has redemptive qualities about them, despite the personal messes they find themselves in. Plenty of depth, heart, and humor to this one with a fun setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books.

Amanda Eyre Ward's newest novel follows three sisters - Cleo, Emma, and Slyvie Peacock as they reunite at a castle in England for Slyvie's wedding. Each sister is struggling with their own secrets, which of couse, come out during their family reunion. As the sisters begin reconnecting the lies that they have hidden from their lovers and loved ones threaten to ruin Slyvie's wedding and the lives they have built for themselves.

This was an unexpectedly fun pager! Anyone with siblings or sibling-like relationships will connect with the Peacock sisters' struggles and interactions with one another at some point during this read.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Amanda Eyre Ward for this ARC. This has all the components for a great beach read!

A captivating novel of the insecurities and mistakes of two sisters unraveling at the wedding of a third sister’s wedding. The bride is haunted by memories of her deceased husband and doubts she is worthy of love and joy. Every lie and mistake spill from the pages as it becomes too hard to keep them any longer.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.