Jennifer Weiner has outdone herself with this one! This is my new favorite of hers! Griffin Sisters´Greatest Hits has all the usual elements of a Jennifer Weiner book but set in the world of pop music culture, which brings back all the childhood memories. Weiner brings us back to that time and all the greatness of MTV, SNL, Total Request Live and the rise to fame of all the Mickey Mouse Club stars. I wanted to savor this book but I devoured it. The characters are so well written and so relatable, from Janice the new Mom with daughters born so close together to sisters Zoe and Cassie that could not be more opposite. I got Daisy Jones and the Six vibes from this one come on Amazon mini series please! This book is told from multiple timelines and viewpoints which makes the story so compelling and dynamic. This is a story of hurt and betrayal but also of forgiveness and family.

A wonderful story about sisters, music, secrets, and family relationships. The characters are relatable, the book is easy to read, and the themes are real and raw. The book was entertaining and I really enjoyed it. It was a likeable book.

Jennifer Weiner does it again! This is a great story of family and how things can happen and change the path and course of the family. Such a great story and a must read!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

3.5/5! This book reminded me of daisy jones and the six in the best way! I was enthralled at the present story line , but at times was lost or disinterested in all the detail in the past story line. I also thought there were a few loose ends not tied up which is why this was a like not a love for me.

This book has everything: family drama, personal growth, second chances, and a few laugh-out-loud moments. Whether you’re a longtime Weiner fan or just looking for a heartfelt, engaging read, The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits hits all the right notes.

The Griffin Sisters is a sweet story about sisters Zoe and Cassie and their gift of music. It's a realistic look at the relationship between sisters who carry a bit of jealousy toward each other. One of their daughters plays a key role and through her we see the gift the sisters are to each other.

This is a story of family drama and sisters. Zoe and Cass are sisters. Zoe is beautiful and outgoing. Cass is shy and awkward but is a musical prodigy. They are discovered in a battle of the bands. Zoe always wanted to be a star. They sign a record deal and form a band. There is tension from day one and the sisters definitely compete with each other. The band breaks up and Zoe becomes a stay at home mom and Cass becomes a recluse. They have not spoken in years. Zoe's daughter goes looking for Cass. What happened all those years ago?

This is a book told from multiple points of view. Each sister has a different take on what happened all those years ago. Will the sisters ever reconcile? Will the reunion performance that fans crave ever happen? This book drew me into the family dynamics and kept me reading. This book is a good story. I would recommend reading it.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #JenniferWeiner, and #WilliamMorrow for a copy of this book.
#TheGriffinSistersGreatestHits

I really wanted to like this book, and I did start out liking it. As the book continued, I realized that none of the characters were likable. There is not a single character I wanted to root for. Zoe kind of goes without saying, in all of her selfishness. Russell was just so incredibly spineless. Were we supposed to feel bad for Cassie? I couldn't because she was just wallowing in a severe victim complex. I couldn't even really like the parents or Cherry. The second half of the book just took a turn for the absurd. Basic communication couldn't have derailed a lot of the plot and everyone just started making horrible decisions. Then, at the end, everything seemed fine? I feel the story could have been fleshed out a bit better. Less about the childhood and the rise of the band, more about the intricacies of the relationships and feelings/thoughts of the people. I say that in terms of Russell being with Zoe felt odd and without reason on his part. Cassie thinking she couldn't talk at all because she was overweight. What? I don't know, I guess I just wish the plot would have went a little differently, a little less extreme. It could have been a beautiful story.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

In The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits (Deluxe Limited Edition), Jennifer Weiner delivers a glittering, poignant tale about fame, family, and the complex dynamics between sisters. The novel follows Cassie and Zoe Grossberg, once the pop sensations known as the Griffin Sisters, whose rise to fame in the early 2000s was meteoric but ultimately short-lived.

Cassie, a musical prodigy, and Zoe, a glamorous beauty with dreams of stardom, were propelled into the limelight together, only to crash out just as quickly. Now, two decades later, their lives have taken vastly different paths: Zoe is a housewife, Cassie has vanished from the public eye, and the once-thriving band has dissolved under mysterious circumstances. Their fractured relationship and the unresolved questions about why the band broke up linger in the air, particularly for Zoe’s teenage daughter, Cherry, who is determined to unearth the truth about the past.

Weiner masterfully explores the complexities of motherhood, sisterhood, and the pressures of fame in a fast-paced, emotionally charged narrative. Through the lens of three generations of women—Zoe, Cassie, and Cherry—she examines how secrets, misunderstandings, and the demands of the music industry can shape lives in unexpected ways. The story alternates between the perspectives of these women, weaving together their individual struggles with their shared history of success, disappointment, and unspoken pain.

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits is a heartfelt and insightful exploration of identity, regret, and redemption. Weiner skillfully captures the allure and pitfalls of fame, while also delving deep into the emotional lives of her characters. Fans of Weiner’s work will appreciate the author’s trademark wit, while new readers will be drawn to the engaging plot and rich character development.

This novel is a must-read for anyone who’s ever dreamed of being a star, wondered about the untold stories behind a band’s breakup, or simply wanted to understand the delicate bond between sisters. Weiner's tale is a celebration of the dreams we chase, the choices we make, and the possibility of healing and reconciliation—even when the road back to one another is a rocky one.

Jennifer Weiner’s The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits is a captivating exploration of sisterhood, ambition, and the complexities of fame. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the early 2000s pop music scene (LOVED), the novel delves into the lives of Cassie and Zoe Grossberg, sisters whose contrasting personalities and shared musical talent propel them into stardom as the Griffin Sisters. While Zoe’s charisma and beauty make her a natural in the spotlight, Cassie’s prodigious musical abilities and introverted nature create an intriguing dynamic between the two.

Weiner masterfully portrays the meteoric rise and sudden fall of the Griffin Sisters, capturing the exhilaration and pitfalls of celebrity life. The narrative shifts seamlessly between their whirlwind year of fame and the aftermath two decades later, where unresolved tensions and secrets have left the sisters estranged. The introduction of Zoe’s teenage daughter, Cherry, adds depth to the story as she seeks to uncover the truth behind the band’s breakup, challenging the characters to confront their past decisions and relationships.

The novel’s strength lies in its authentic depiction of familial bonds and the personal cost of chasing dreams. Weiner’s nuanced character development allows readers to empathize with each woman’s journey, highlighting themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and the enduring nature of sisterhood.

I have been a Jennifer Weiner fan for over 20 years and always enjoy her thoughtful and genuine novels. However, I absolutely LOVED The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits! It was just so powerful and well-told.

Jennifer didn't hold back from exposing the characters' flaws and vulnerabilities. There was a lot of talk about body image and the characters were treated according to how they looked, for the most part. Even so, the one sister who had it going on in the looks department had a lot of insecurities that couldn't be resolved by being "the pretty one." Meanwhile, my heart hurt so much for all the bullying the sister who was overweight received throughout her life. There was this one flashback to an experience she had at camp that I could totally relate to (although my situation didn't have to do with body image). I found myself caring about Cherry and wanting her to succeed. It also made me glad that I support my kids' dreams and hope they never feel like they have to sneak around to achieve those dreams.

I felt so emotionally attached to the story and found myself turning pages quickly. I got teary-eyed at one point for sure. It's amazing what the power of music can do! I also loved that there were a lot of Jewish references. The story also focuses a lot on guilt and forgiveness, especially surrounding a tragic situation.

While this novel has been compared to Daisy Jones, I felt that they were totally different. The only similarity was about the bands' trajectories and all the road trips they went on for their performances.

I wish there was a soundtrack to accompany this novel, but I also enjoyed leaving Cassie's voice to my imagination. Still, the songs sounded interesting and like something I would have related to as a teenager.

I definitely recommend picking this one up!

(Trigger warnings below.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Cassie: I can't think of anyone (past or present), so the actress would have to be a newcomer
Zoe (present): Marla Sokoloff
Zoe (past): The actress would have to be a newcomer, as well
Cherry: Sofia Rosinsky
Russell: Nick Robinson
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TW: Body shaming, predatory sexual behavior, death of significant other, bullying

I really liked the premise of The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits, but the book fell a little short for me. Parts of the story are all over the place and at times it was difficult to figure out which timeline I was reading. I liked the idea of exploring the relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters through the use of music.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the arc. All opinions are my own.

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits - Jennifer Weiner

⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Cassie didn't know much about love, but she knew plenty about loneliness.”

When Cherry makes it through the first few rounds of a singing competition show, she sets out to find the truth behind her inspiration and love for music, the Griffin Sisters. They just so happen to be Cherry’s mom, Zoe, and her aunt, Cassie. The down side? Zoe and Cassie haven’t spoken since the band broke up 20 years ago.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC for this book. This was trying to imitate the concept of following a band like in “Daisy Jones and the Six,” but the characters were far less interesting than those ones. The sisters were so vastly different from one another but they both sucked in their own way. Zoe was a truly insufferable character up until the very end and a terrible mother and sister. Also, the title was far too long and a mouthful to say. Not my favorite book by Jennifer Weiner.

OK, this book did it for me, I knew I was going to get emotional, I called it after the first part. We get the story of the Griffin sisters, Zoe and Cassandra, Cassandra being a musical prodigy, and Zoe being the more beautiful and more outspoken sister. Then we fast forward to Cherry, who is Zoe’s daughter, who is a musician and wants to become famous, this is her LIFE, but Zoe is protecting her from that, which comes off as cold and mean to her own daughter, clearly her mom is hiding something. But we go back and forth and get 3 different POV’s, to when The Griffin sisters become famous and how the music business is not that nice.

What happened to these sisters and why they are no longer together? The DRAMA! But I will say this, I was expecting the tears because when all of the misunderstandings are cleared up, all because of Cherry of course. Cherry joins this competition and she is asked to come back but this time she has to choose a mentor to help her in the competition, and why not look for her long lost aunt and ask her!!!! But give me all of the drama! Music business drama is always EXTRA, and even though there was a tragedy, and still some unanswered questions, the ending was so darn cute, I am all for a cheesy ending.

I was immediately drawn to the premise of this book about the world of pop music in the 2000s and specifically a look at female artists (although the book is fiction). I will say that if you have any uncomfortable feelings about discussions of weight, body image, and body shaming this may be an uncomfortable read. The dual timelines about the sister's lives work perfectly in this story and allows the truth of how their band broke apart to unfold slowly. This book is truly about being a woman, a sister, life in the public eye, and finding yourself all against the backdrop of fame and talent. The ending to the story of the two sisters was very true to life instead of a neatly wrapped bow. I want to know so much more about their lives! Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I think there will be a lot of discussion around it when it comes out. Thanks to Jennifer Weiner, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Zoe and Cassie are sisters, only one year apart but couldn’t be more different from each other.

Zoe is beautiful and craves the spotlight, while Cassie is much more shy, but is a musical prodigy.

In the early 2000s they have a quick rise to stardom as a pop group. They go on tour across the country, are seen on MTV’s TRL, SNL and beyond.

But as suddenly as they gained popularity, they break up and leave fans with nothing but their debut album.

20 years later, Zoe’s daughter Cherry wants nothing more than to become a singer but her mom doesn’t support her. Cherry seeks out her Aunt Cassie, who she’s never met before to find support.

Okay. This is my second and last book by Weiner. Her style just isn’t my jam. She gets off on MAJOR miscommunication tropes and I just can’t take it.

I was excited to read about the early 2000s pop experience, we all know now how truly AWFUL women were treated in the limelight then. I thought there would be a little bit more reckoning with that especially as we flash forward 20 years.

I think Weiner tried to touch on it, she makes lots of mention of Cassie’s struggle with her body image and weight, but I don’t think it was successful. It almost felt just as damaging as the media and paparazzi.

This book wasn’t for me but, that doesn’t mean it’s not for somebody!

Thanks to #netgalley, the publisher and author for a copy of this e-arc!


The book is out 4/8. There’s a special edition with sprayed edges that is 🤩🤩🤩

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Cassie and Zoe Grossberg were thrust into the spotlight as The Griffin Sisters, a pop duo that defined the aughts. Together, they skyrocketed to the top, gracing MTV, SNL, and the cover of Rolling Stone. Cassie, a musical genius who never felt at ease in her own skin, preferred to stay in the shadows. Zoe, full of confidence and craving fame, lived for the stage. But fame has a price, and after one turbulent year, the band abruptly broke up.

Now, two decades later, the sisters couldn’t be further apart. Zoe is a suburban mom warning her daughter Cherry to avoid the spotlight, while Cassie has disappeared from public life entirely. But when Cherry begins unearthing the truth behind their breathtaking rise and infamous breakup, long-buried secrets surface, forcing all three women to confront their choices, their desires, and their complicated bonds.

With richly developed characters, a nostalgic nod to the pop culture of the 2000s, and a resonant tale of ambition, forgiveness, and family, The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits will captivate readers from the first note to the final encore. Whether you’ve followed Jennifer Weiner for years or are discovering her for the first time, this book is a must-read for music lovers, fans of sisterly dramas, and anyone who cherishes a great story of second chances.
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Jennifer Weiner's novel Good in Bed was life-changing for me, and I have continued to read and enjoy every book she has written. I was a little worried about this one because I am not a huge music buff, and it was clear that the music industry was going to be a major plot point...would this be too central to the story to hold my interest? I don't even watch shows like American Idol and The Voice. I listen to podcasts and audiobooks in my car.

Well, it turns out I did not need to worry. This was a story about so much more than music. It was about family and sisterhood and finding yourself and losing yourself and finding yourself again. It was about making mistakes and redeeming yourself. I just finished it, and I have to admit that the words were blurry because my eyes were filled with tears...the ending of this book was one of the most satisfying I have read in a while. I loved it.

Thank you to William Morrow Books for the ARC.

I got about halfway through before I finally was too mad to continue. The fat phobic characters and writing were over the top. Cass is clearly autistic (why does no one else see it???) and exceptionally talented musically but all they talk about is how fat and disgusting her body is? And there are no redeemable characteristics to her sister, Zoe. Who basically sleeps with Cass’ crush/love interest just because she wants to hurt her sister. I did read spoilers and the sisters apparently reconcile at the end and NO, that is not what I want. I want REVENGE.

It's the early 2000s. Zoe and Cassie Grossberg are close sisters, only a year apart, but are very different. Zoe, a young beauty, wants to be a pop star, though her musical abilities are limited. Cassie, a musical prodigy, prefers to stay in the background. After the two are discovered and get a record deal, the newly named The Griffin Sisters find early success with Cassie as the lead singer. Along with bandmate and songwriter Russell D’Angelo, he and Cassie write songs that resonate with girls and young women, especially those who struggle with body image issues, as Cassie does. A tragic event breaks up the band and severs the relationship of the two sisters. The story shifts to the present, with Zoe living the life of a suburban New Jersey mother and homemaker. Her eighteen-year-old daughter, Cherry, is a talented singer, yet she doesn't get any support from Zoe. Cherry heads to Los Angeles to compete on an American Idol-like show and, during the process, seeks to learn what happened to Cassie, the aunt she's never met and someone her mother never talks about.

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner explores themes of sisterhood, motherhood, ambition, and the bumpy road to forgiveness, all set against a nostalgic backdrop of pop culture. Zoe is a flawed character whose early ambition has hurt her most precious relationships. Cassie, a character who will capture your heart, has immense talent but has faced the cruelty of others who have made her uncomfortable with her appearance. I thoroughly enjoyed this complex family drama with a musical theme.

4.25 stars.