I absolutely loved this one!! Such a beautiful family dynamic with all the messy, raw and hard moments! Completely unexpected twists and mystery! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for opportunity to read this early, I was so excited to get my hands on it since it’s been posted as one of the most anticipated books of 2025!

This book initially gripped me from page one. Told in multiple POVs spanning nearly three decades, you learn the story of the Griffin Sisters, "Irish twins" who could not be more polar opposite until it comes to their mutual love of the music. Unfortunately, it seems like the music that brought them so much fame and success is what ultimately tears their family apart.

Jennifer Weiner dangles just enough detail to make you crave the next page. When we are first introduced to the eldest sister, Zoe, it's through the eyes of her teenage daughter who dreams of starting a musical career of her own - and one that her mother vehemently disagrees with supporting. And then we have baby sister, Cassie, who we see going through great lengths to willingly detach herself from all sense of happiness and belonging - all due to some sad belief that this is the life she deserves.

What started as genuine and eager interest for what happened to break the band apart quickly dissolved with my distaste for how we are constantly reminded of the sisters' physical (and greatly differing) appearances. Zoe, the thin, headstrong, social butterfly with dreams of stardom doesn't have the musical talent of her sister, Cassie. And it's unfortunate that we have to read regular reminders of Cassie's "big nose, her thin lips and skimpy lashes" paired with her lack of style and comfort in her own body. The reminders may have been Jennifer Weiner's point - to acknowledge the depth of Cassie's character - but for me, they came off as wildly redundant and not necessary to tell Cassie's story after a certain point.

In the end, this story was a messy and a hard look at the realities of the industry and how hard it is for someone to have the right look and talent to truly make it. it's a story about forgiveness and overcoming grief between complicated, imperfect people. Unfortunately for me, by the time we get to the redemption arc, I'm worn out.

Many thanks to William Morrow, NetGalley, and Jennifer Weiner for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I have read many Jennifer Weiner novels and loved them. Unfortunately, this was not one of my favorites. This story was about two sisters who were in a band and tragedy strikes and the two sisters have not spoken for years. The daughter of one of the sisters vows to find her aunt. This story moved extremely slow for me and I was unable to connect with the main characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book touches on a handful of sensitive topics that many families must deal with; selfishness, betrayal, jealousy, neurodivergent/autism, diet culture, #MeToo movement, and terrible parenting, just to name a few.

Tandem timelines of Now and Then (year 2000s) show the journey of a young girl hoping to be the next big musician while also trying to mend the broken relationship between her mother and an aunt she has never met.

I adored Cassie. She is all sorts of quirky and shyness. She’s my favorite.
But Zoe, dear goodness! You’ll have to read on to find out for yourself.

The relationships are complex and messy. The heartache is devasting.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and really hope it gets picked up for a movie or mini tv series!

Out April 8th of this year!

Thank you @WilliamMorrowBooks and @NetGalley for sending an Advance Reader’s Copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Loved this one by Jennifer Weiner, as I do every time I read her books. The Griffin sisters, Zoe and Cassie, used to be in a band together but 20 years later, they live thousands of miles apart and no longer speak to each other. When Zoe's daughter enters a singing competition, she tracks down Cassie to help mentor her. My only beef with this book was the emphasis on Cassie's weight and fat-shaming. I agree, although I do think that in relation to the entertainment industry and the emphasis on body size and shape, it worked for the story.

The Griffin Sister's Greatest Hits takes readers on a compelling journey through the story of The Griffin Sisters' band, as told through the perspectives of the two sisters and one of their daughters. The narrative alternates between the present day and the early 2000s when the band peaked. This back-and-forth timeline was particularly engaging, allowing us to unravel how past events shaped the present. The constant toggling between eras kept me hooked, as I was eager to uncover the connections between the two timelines.

What added significant depth to the story were the themes woven throughout, particularly diet culture and the #MeToo movement. These topics were seamlessly integrated, reflecting the social and personal struggles that shaped the characters’ lives and their relationships with each other.

While I enjoyed the story and the complexity of the characters, I did find that the book felt a bit too long at times. Some parts of the narrative could have been trimmed to maintain a tighter pace, but overall, The Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits is a thought-provoking and engaging read.

I really enjoyed this novel about two famous and estranged sisters and the aftermath of a tragedy that is unknown fully to the reader until the end of the novel. The varying perspectives kept me turning the pages. There were "news articles" interspersed into this book and I bet it would be amazing on audio (especially if each character has their own narrator). My only complaint was that the book seemed a little too long- cut out about 50 pages in the middle and I think the story would've been the same.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such an incredible journey into the souls of two sisters. Told through current and past day views cataloging their rise and fall from fame. The writing is spot on and allows you to easily visualize each sister’s environment.
Cassie seems to have a woe is me and self punishing attitude but you quickly learn it’s a true sadness and ache you want so badly to heal. Zoe has at times seemed like she had it all but looks can and most often are deceiving. I enjoyed the estranged family dynamic and the overwhelming sense of self protection that rings throughout this story. Rounded up to four stars.

Thank you to the publisher, Net Galley, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have found that I am not a huge fan of Weiner’s writing any more. I didn’t like the relationship between the sisters, and I wanted more from the ending. I am sure it’ll be a great book to many, but it wasn’t the best for me.

What a beautifully written story! It follows Zoe and Cassie, from their childhood and early fame, through the break up of their band and relationship. Interwoven throughout is the present-day struggle of Zoe's daughter, Cherry, and her search for her own identity and calling. I cried happy tears, sad tears, laughed out loud. . . all the things that make a 5 star book. I zipped through this in 2 days, and I regret nothing! Read it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC ebook.

Two sisters one outgoing and beautiful , the other talented become the band , the Griffin sisters. The story takes us back-and-forth in time from when they were successful and the aftermath of that success. It will keep you engaged. Will not be able to put it down

This one was a miss for me. I usually love JW, but these characters just did not ring true. They were all kind of miserable. All opinions are mine - thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Jennifer Weiner never misses. This book gave me everything I wanted. I loved that this book sort of deviated from Weiner’s typical stories, while still keeping the integrity of her signature lead character with body image issues. This felt like a unique story with great unexpected turns while also having comforting story lines of family and love. Well done

This story involves family dynamics, romance, deceit, and a musical rise to fame which happened quickly.

I felt the character of Cassie speaks to many people - her shyness because of her weight and not being very social. Russell comes along and brings out the music in her soul.

Zoe is the pretty one that knows how to use her looks to get ahead but it ends up hurting her and others in the end.

The conclusion ties together Cassie, Zoe and Zoe's daughter Cherry in a rewarding ending.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end! I loved the dual POV and how it felt like I was following along with the Griffin Sisters as they went on tour. I also loved the modern day references! There is some heartbreak along the way but I loved that and the conflicts that arose. I thought this book was just so fun to read and an escape from the world which I so needed. This book is exactly what I needed right now.

Zoe and Cassie Grossberg are sisters that are only a year apart but couldn't be more different. Zoe is pretty and popular, determined to be a pop sensation like her idols Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Cassie is painfully shy and withdrawn. However, early on, it's clear that she is a musical prodigy with immense talent.

Cajoled by Zoe, Cassie enters a talent show with her. Almost overnight, the Griffin Sisters are born and become a highly successful band, touring all over the country to legions of fans. But just as soon as they started, they abruptly broke up.

Zoe returns to her hometown, ultimately becoming a wife and a mom while Cassie estranges herself from her family and exiles herself to Alaska.

But what really happened? Cherry, Zoe's daughter, now herself a fledgling musician, is determined to find out.

While I must admit, I was hooked by this novel, I was deeply troubled by the character of Zoe. It's hard to think of a more unlikeable character. I can't get specific without spoilers, but suffice it to say this woman is without an ounce of redemption. It's hard to summon up any sympathy at all for her.

Also the treatment of Cassie is problematic. We are told over and over-and over again-that Cassie is overweight. Even though she is obviously one of the main characters of the novel, her physicality is only described in terms of her body size. As a reader, I have no idea of her physical description beside this fact. That in itself is troubling. Jennifer Weiner is usually an advocate of plus-size women so l'm not sure where the disconnect truly was.

The conflict that is the heart of the novel also seems hard to believe.

I'm torn about this novel and am going to continue to think about it….

I was disappointed with this book. It had some great elements of a Jennifer Weiner novel, but it is so sad. There is literally no happiness in this book. Neither sister is really likable, and I felt like I never really got to know them. I also thought that the undiagnosed autism/ADHD could have been handled better, and been a theme throughout the book. Was this supposed to be Ann and Nancy Wilson?

Jennifer Weiner writes great relationships and I love her stories. Sisters especially. This was engaging and fun, and I will continue to pick up all her books in the future. It gives Daisy Jones vibes but with more connections. I recommend this one.

I haven’t read this author in a while but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. This was a quick one for me. I liked the characters and felt like the plot was unique.

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits is the poignant story of Cassie and Zoe, two sisters who have a meteroric rise to musical fame in 2003 when they are barely out of high school. Cassie has been a prodigy since the age of four - a gifted pianist, singer, and songwriter. She was bullied growing up for being overweight. Zoe was moderately talented as a singer and on the guitar, but it didn't come naturally to her. Everyone loved Zoe because she was fun and beautiful. Zoe's daughter Cherry is the third point of view in this novel. The timeline alternates between the rise and breakup of the band and today when Cherry is 18 years old and wants nothing more than to break into the music industry.

I loved everything about this book! It is a family saga that explores the cost of fame, secrets kept, sisterhood, and motherhood. Themes of loneliness, insecurity, forgiveness, and ambition reign supreme. Critics of the book say that there was too much emphasis on Cassie's weight and too much fat-shaming. While I abhor this behavior, that is the reality of this industry - if anything worse than what is shown in the book. This will be a big seller in 2025, and I highly recommend it. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and The Favorites will love this book!🎵❤️✨️

Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Jennifer Weiner for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

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