Jennifer Weiner is an author I’ve enjoyed before and this book checks a lot of boxes for me: Female characters, sister dynamics, love triangles, music history and the story of a rising music group, family drama… I expected this book to be totally up my alley, however, it was mostly a let down.

The main characters lacked much substance that made me really connect with them, and therefore, I really wasn’t invested in the story. The scenes detailing their time in a musical group was kind of bland and didn’t really offer any of the razzle dazzle I expected to read about in that world. There were parts I appreciated, and overall, it was okay, but it dragged on far too long, in my opinion, and never really hooked me.

I’ll still read Weiner’s work in the future, but this isn’t among my favorites of hers that I’ve read.

When I first started reading adult books some ~15 years ago, Jennifer Weiner was one of the first authors I gravitated towards. I was a HUGE chick lit lover (I know that term can be controversial, but I promise, it’s said with love here) and although many of her novels ultimately explored deeper themes, they seemed to be included on every chick lit book list or library display. (I guess you name a book IN HER SHOES, and all of a sudden, everyone thinks all of your novels are about shopping?).

All this to say, I’ve probably read every Jennifer Weiner novel at this point, and when I heard she was releasing a book following sisters who were one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming music acts, only to mysteriously split after tragedy in the early 2000s, I was PUMPED.

THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS (thank you @williammorrowbooks for my ARC!) opens in 2024 with Cherry, a 17-year-old girl, leaving home to seek fame on a TV singing competition. The narrative then zooms out to learn that Cherry is the daughter of Zoe Grossberg, one half of the notorious Griffin Sisters. We then meet Cassie. Shy and embarrassed by her weight, Cassie is the most talented member of the group, even though she’s reluctant to accept her newfound fame. After a whirlwind year, the band abruptly breaks up, leaving the reader to explore what happened through multiple POVs and timelines.

There have been a ton of notable music books over the past few years. While many of them seem to center on the 1970s, Weiner focuses on the early 2000s. Although she does pepper the text with references to the era, I admittedly wanted a bit more in the way of nostalgia. The chapters centered on being in the band just weren’t as fun or vivid as I wanted them to be.

That said, this shines while exploring a complex sister relationship. There’s a tinge of mystery woven throughout as we explore what happened to the band. There are many references to Cassie’s weight in a way that felt perhaps a bit too heavy-handed, especially because she was one of the easiest characters to root for!

All in all, a solid read, but not my favorite of Weiner’s novels.

This is very different from the other Weiner I've read so I was surprised. But it was a very fun ride. I really liked the characters.

This story went through a lot of emotions – hope and determination to despair; loneliness to adulation and everything in between. It shows a glimpse of the negative side of the music business and what happens when jealousy becomes the driving force. The story told from three sides, Cherry, Cassie and Zoe seemed to draw you in as you read. It is a story that grabs hold of you from teenage drama to adult responsibilities and letting go of long held guilt and pain.

Great book! Enjoyed the character development, as well as the idea of autism sprinkled in there. Loved it all

I so badly wanted to love this book. I had to start it two seperate times just to focus on the story. The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits follows the story of Zoe and Cassie who start a band. Cassie is the shy, unattractive girl who no one really notices while Zoe is the pretty sister who wants the spotlight. The book goes on and flashes back from 2004 to 2024. The current story of 2024 is Zoe's daughter Cherry is on a mission to find her Aunt Cassie and find out what happened between the sisters. I wasn't a huge fan of the back and forth and that is probably why it took me so long to read. Jennifer Weiner does a great job at telling stories, this was just wasn't my favorite. Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the chance to read this novel.

I made it about half way thru but had to stop. I hated how the only mentionable thing about the sister is that she is fat. And she pretended to be disabled versus having to talk to someone! No one felt likeable. This book wasn’t for me.

I like reading about the music industry and rags to riches so the blurb intrigued me.
The characters were interesting but I didn’t get a connection with them
It did have some unexpected twist and the story did keep me

Another fantastic story by Jennifer Weiner. I enjoyed the three main characters- Zoe, Cassie, and Cherry, and how their stories intertwined. Zoe and Cassie are Philly born sisters who rose to fame int he early 2000s as part of a singing group, The Griffin Sisters. As quickly as they rose to fame, they produced one album and then were no more. Cassie disappeared, and Zoe ends up with a daughter (Cherry) and moves to NJ to be a suburban PTA mom. Twenty years later, young Cherry wants to be a singer (despite her mom's protests) and ends up going on a mission to locate Cassie, the aunt she has never met.

I really enjoyed the story, how it moved between present day 2024 and the early 2000s during the height of The Griffin Sisters. I did want a bit more from the ending- I felt that it was slightly abrupt, but overall a 4 star read.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC! Sooooo, technically I'd give this a 3 1/2 star rating. It was very good but didn't quite hit the mark for me to keep me as interested in the story. It fell short of Daisy Jones and the Six. Still, it's got a unique story and plays out with memorable characters with whom you can sympathize. It's definitely worth the read and you may find it amazing!

There is something about a fragmented story, told from different perspectives and voices that grabs at my heart and hold me in place as it unfolds and the puzzle pieces come together. It hits me in the space of my heart where Summer Sisters lives. The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits found that place in my heart and for the most part took purchase. But I did think it dragged at times, the pacing and flow (which are crucial to this kind of narrative) was off at times. And the thing that upset me the most is that we never really hear from Russell. Through the entire story you never hear from him (except the prologue which gives nothing in the grand scheme), and in not hearing the events from his perspective, his culpability is absolved. Cassie and Zoe take all the blame onto themselves and there is no one to say that Russell wasn't a passive participant. He also made choices and mistakes. All we get is his ambiguous note and it's not enough and it bothers me.

This novel has a similar vibe to "Daisy Jones and the Six," but it felt a bit slow for my taste. The story is told from multiple viewpoints and alternates between the present and the past, when the Griffin Sisters were at the height of their fame. While it offers a good dose of messy family drama, it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

5 Star Read… I was kinda unsure about this book at the beginning but as I kept getting in it turned out to be a great read. If you’re looking for a read that gets family back together regardless of the past this book is the one for you!!! A must read of 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.

The description of this book definitely caught my attention, but it was the beautiful cover art that made reading this a no-brainer for me.

“The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits” was an entertaining read. I’ve always been intrigued by the music industry and the stories of stars who rise from rags to riches. This story had some unexpected twists that kept me hooked all the way to the end.

That said, I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. While they were interesting, it was hard to become emotionally invested in their journeys.

Overall, I did like the book, but it’s not one I’d revisit. It’s worth checking out if you enjoy stories about breaking into the music industry, sibling rivalry, and a good mystery.

A chart-topping rock band with Fleetwood Mac drama vibes? You’ve got my attention!

This book had a great premise, and I did enjoy a lot about the story: a look into the day-to-day challenges of raising children, the beauty of being able to escape into music, the power of a well-written and honest song to strengthen a broken heart, the natural closeness that can exist between young siblings. However, I struggled to connect with any of the characters. I can’t say much without spoilers, so I’ll leave it with my overall impression: they loved each other, but each used or betrayed another for their own means in different, often cruel, ways.

I really appreciated the author’s attempt to portray Cassie’s struggles: overweight and (presumably) autistic. However…the word “fat” was overused to the point of offense. I know the author wanted us to feel Cassie’s pain, and I have to say she succeeded, but it was just a bit much.

Overall, it was a fast-paced story that delved into many complex family issues - perhaps too many for one book to do them justice? But imagining the background music was most definitely a plus!
Thank you to William Morrow, NetGalley, and author Jennifer Weiner for the complimentary advance copy! It was my pleasure to write this candid review.

I love Jennifer Weiner books but this one fell flat for me. It took too long to get into the meat of the story and I struggled to finish.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

When you’re in the mood for Jennifer Weiner, you pick up Jennifer Weiner. This one will not disappoint.

I could not put this book down. Sisters form a musical group- I sister was beautiful and outgoing, the other shy and uncomfortable in her own body, but she was a musical genius with the most amazing voice. The ups and downs of this story will stay with you for a long time. Thank you to Net Galley and William Morrow for the advance copy.

Excellent book, five out of five stars! I can’t wait to recommend this. Thank you for providing the ARC.

initial thoughts: it's so sad to say, but this book just did not work for me. the premise was so appealing, I grew up watching the girl/boy bands in the 2000s so I was really looking forward to a bit of a flashback.

instead, what I got were characters I just didn't connect with - and a reminder on almost every page that Zoe was the "skinny, good looking" sister and Cassie was the "frumpy, over-weight" sister.