Blue Sisters TL;DR
👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 Intricate Family Dynamics
🖤 Unflinching Exploration of Grief and Addiction
✍ Lyrical, immersive writing

Coco Mellors' Blue Sisters is a poignant exploration of grief, family dynamics, and the enduring bonds of sisterhood. The novel follows three estranged sisters, Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky, who reunite in their childhood home after the tragic loss of their fourth sister, Nicky.

What sets Blue Sisters apart is its nuanced portrayal of complex characters. Each sister is a distinct individual, grappling with their own demons and unresolved traumas. Avery, the eldest, is a successful lawyer battling addiction and guilt. Bonnie, a former boxer, is struggling to find her place in the world. Lucky, the youngest, is a model escaping her past through a glamorous lifestyle.

The novel delves into the complexities of family relationships, revealing the unspoken tensions, buried secrets, and deep-seated love that binds the sisters together. Through their interactions, we witness the ways in which past experiences shape our present and the challenges of reconciling with one another.

Mellors' prose is both lyrical and evocative, capturing the emotional turmoil and raw vulnerability of the characters. The novel's pacing is deliberate, allowing for a slow-burn exploration of themes and character development.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I will say first and foremost I do not think Coco Mellors is for everyone. This is her second novel and both have such a grand sense of melancholy that is tragically honest in a beautiful sort of way. If you don't like seeing the ugly sides of reality, she maybe isn't for you. This felt very much like watching an HBO show. You see the different POVs in all their harsh lights.

This story follows three sisters after losing their fourth; and through the individual lives of Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky you are reminded that everyone is on their own path in life. Also, that we are extremely lucky for our siblings, even when they make us want to cry and pull our hair out. From the get-go I gravitated towards Avery as an eldest daughter, and even when she was in the wrong I felt on her side. I think that's one of the best parts of this novel, you can find someone to relate to, even when they're in the wrong. It's refreshing to have a reminder that no one is perfect and we cannot expect that from others.

At it's core I think this is an ode to sisterhood. I do not have any sisters by blood, so I can only imagine how this would hit if you do. In the first chapter I thought "I want to hug my brother", so if you have a sibling this is probably still going to hit home. I had a buildup of emotions at the end and cried during the epilogue, which I thought was beautiful. I was very happy with the ending of this story.

I will read anything by this author, and can't wait for future releases.

4.5 ⭐️

As someone with three sisters, this book pulled at my heartstrings in such a way. This is the first book by Mellors that I read in its entirety and it did not disappoint. I loved each sister, even with their flaws and hardships. There was such a human element to this book, especially with how everyone deals with grief differently. I found this book to be a gorgeous showcase of grief, sisterhood and addiction.

Character driven novel about the 4 Blue sisters, 3 of which are still heavily grieving at the one year anniversary of the death of their sister Nicki. This one is very, very sad and these women are seriously messed up. But your heart will rip open for them and even among their horrible choices, empathy will abound. I really had a hard time with the parental part and it really bothered me, but things do wind up wrapping up with that a bit for at least some understanding.

There was something about this book that made me want to savor it and take my time reading. This is my first read by Coco Mellors and I was not disappointed. The way each Blue sister grieved their sisters sudden death gave a snapshot into how we all grieve so differently. This subject was handled with care and I was so invested in each character’s journey. I wish I could erase this from my mind and read it again for the first time. This was excellent.

Avery, Bonnie, Nicky, and Lucky Blue have always been a foursome despite their vast differences in personalities and ages. After the unexpected death of Nicky, the three other sisters find themselves falling apart instead of leaning on each other. Each spends a year focusing on herself and coping the best she can. When their mother sends an email letting them know she’s selling the family home, the Blue sisters return to NYC to start facing the world without Nicky.
This was one of the most depressing and slow books I’ve ever read. With extremely long chapters filled with far too many SAT words and unlikable characters and scenarios this was a complete slog to get through.
I normally love a good character driven drama and I am always drawn to books about sisters, but this one did nothing to entertain me.
The amount of disfunction in the Blue family felt so unreal and I ultimately felt so blue while reading this. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of this. Blue Sisters hit the shelves on September 3.

Wow just wow. I really enjoyed this book! When Coco Mellors first announced that this book was coming out, I was just getting over my high of reading Cleopatra and Frankenstein and just couldn't wait to read it. This book definitely had me feeling all of the emotions and that coming from someone who lost their sister two years ago. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to read this book!

If you’ve watched the TV show Bad Sisters, you might find yourself picturing those characters while reading this book. It tells the story of three sisters coping with the unexpected death of their fourth sister.

Lucky, the youngest, is an alcoholic struggling to maintain her modeling career. Avery, the oldest, has always shouldered the responsibility of caring for her sisters, but she’s finally crumbling under that weight and finds herself cheating on her partner. Bonnie, my personal favorite, is taking a long break after a successful boxing career and is uncertain about what comes next. The book explores their sisterhood, and their individual lives as they navigate their grief and discover that their strongest support comes from one another.

The narrative is melancholic and delves into their complex relationships, mental health challenges, and addiction. It doesn’t have a neat beginning or ending; instead, it immerses the reader in the sisters' lives over time.

Mellors' writing is strong, descriptive and filled with stunning prose. She skillfully writes from three distinct perspectives, making each sister a fully fleshed-out character with her own personality, struggles, and emotions.

I particularly appreciated her exploration of living with endometriosis, shedding light on an important issue that deserves more attention both in literature and just in general. However, at times the writing felt a bit too methodical, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with these characters. Ultimately, while I enjoyed the story, it fell slightly short of my expectations, as the characters didn’t leave a lasting impact on me.

At surface level, this is a book is a love letter to sisters but when you dig deeper you find that it’s also about grief, addiction and the lingering effects of how our families shape us (both good and bad).
This has some of the most beautiful, painful & reflective proses. Mellors is a phenomenal writer who captured the essence & dialogue of how sisters are with each other. I’m excited to see more from her.

The alternating perspective of the chapters was interrupting to me. Which may have contributed to how long it took me to finish this. However, no chapter was wasteful. Each character was grounded and felt real.

I’d recommend this book to those who enjoyed Writers and lovers by Lily King, have/are sisters and want to cry (!!!).

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Great depiction of the relationship between sisters. Each character was well developed and interesting that I was invested in each POV chapter. The family dynamic was very nuanced and described in a compelling way.

4.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. This novel was both beautiful and devastating, offering a deep and complex exploration of sisterhood. Each sister was portrayed with such depth and nuance, creating truly three-dimensional characters. While I don’t have a sister myself, this book gave me a profound insight into the bond between siblings—how they can come from the same place yet be shaped so differently, how they love fiercely, fight hard, and ultimately fight for one another. That said, be mindful of your emotional state before diving in—this isn’t the lightest read, but it’s absolutely worth it.

It was a heart wrenching story of sisters. How similar you can be. But how different you can feel. It shows how differently people will respond to grief.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors is a beautifully crafted exploration of sibling dynamics and personal identity. The prose is lyrical, drawing readers into the emotional landscapes of the characters. Mellors skillfully balances humor and poignancy, making the narrative both engaging and relatable.

The depth of the sisters' relationship is portrayed with authenticity, capturing the complexities of love, rivalry, and reconciliation. While some plot points felt a bit predictable, the character development and vivid settings more than compensated. Overall, it’s a compelling read that leaves a lasting impression, perfect for anyone who appreciates nuanced family stories. Highly recommended

I was hesitant to read this because I just couldn’t get into Cleopatra and Frankenstein but Blue Sisters has made me want to revisit Coco Mellors’ debut novel.

This was a poignant character study of the three sisters. I can’t decide if I liked that we didn’t get much of Nicky other than some bits and information or if I would have preferred if we got her point of view. Either way it is a really great book and deserves the hype it’s getting.

Blue Sisters is a stunning, emotionally rich novel that captures the complexities of sisterhood, love, and personal growth in a way that feels raw and authentic. Coco Mellors' writing is lyrical and deeply immersive, drawing you into the intricacies of her characters' lives with such vividness that you can't help but feel connected to them. I was curious to see what would follow her debut (which I loved!) and was pleased that this book lived up to my expectation.

The way she explores the sisterly bond between Avery, Bonnie, Nicky, and Lucky—the joys, tensions, and unspoken truths—makes this a powerful and heartfelt read. I was both heartbroken and uplifted throughout. I'll be recommending this one to many readers in my life!

This reminded me of the modern day Little Women! While I don't have siblings, I still felt attached to these characters and their lives. Beautifully written and impossible to put down.

I’m actually shocked that i enjoyed this one so much, considering how Cleopatra & Frankenstein let me down. Coco’s amazing writing is undeniable and this time all the characters had their purposes. thank you netgalley for the eARC <3

This book means so much to me as the oldest sister of 4. The sisters stories are split to build a full picture to understand their family and why they are the way they are. The prose is beautiful and the slow burn of a story is addictive.

Wow wow wow! This book was everything I needed to read and more.

This book was very much right book right time. I felt very connected to the characters through the way they each coped with grief. Each character was so unique and stood out in their own way. Often I feel when books are written about siblings they kinda lump their personalities together and this book didn't do that at all. Each of the sisters has something unique and compelling about them, but they also each have their flaws. What I love so much about Mellors' writing is how everyone's flaws are always right on the page. No character in her books is perfect and it makes these characters feel a lot more human and a lot more like real people.

The plot of this story was also so unique and enjoyable. Mellors does such a great job at creating complex characters that are experiencing a complex problem in a complex world. It is probably my favorite thing about her books. I always know there is going to be a conflict that feels real and brings out all of my emotions.

This was a beautiful read about family, loving, and community and I could not recommend it more!

4.5 stars. I truly loved this story. It was beautiful. Hard. And rewarding. I don’t have siblings but I thought that the way the author took us through this relationship was beautiful. The writing was poetic. The three sisters distinct and deep. We got to know each of them at a deep level that didn’t feel like I needed to know more. I liked where each of their stories ended. And the part with Avery and her Mom at her house with the chickens… was such a grounding reminder of what motherhood means. And choosing and wanting to be a mother versus doing it because it’s expected. This story is about dealing with grief. Learning to move on. Loving yourself. Knowing how to communicate love. Family. And sisterhood.