Set in Brooklyn’s tight-knit Syrian‑Jewish Cohen family, Sisters of Fortune dives into the lives of three sisters experiencing their own crossroads. Middle sister Fortune is on the cusp of marrying a safe, acceptable choice—but starts questioning if it’s truly what she wants. Nina, the eldest at 26, is stirring rebellion by taking a job in a record label while navigating family expectations of marriage and motherhood. And Lucy, the youngest high‑schooler, is involved with an older bachelor, raising eyebrows in her community. All three feel the pressure from their mother, who only wants to see each of them married off to suitable bachelors, while their grandmother is a bit more leniant, and obsessed with cooking the perfect meal. This book reminded me a bit of 'Three Sisters' by Coco Mellors, as it's told from each sisters' different point of view.

Told in alternating first-person chapters, the novel captures each sister wrestling with the pull of heritage, the pressure to conform, and their own ambitions, against the warmth and restrictions of their immigrant community. It's funny, heartwarming, and a different perspective than I saw growing up, so I found that very interesting. There are indepth descriptions of various traditional dishes that will definitely get your mouth watering! The grandmothers' narrative was funny and direct, and I looked forward to those chapters more so than the others. All in all, an impressive debut.

“Sisters of Fortune” is by Esther Chehebar. This book follows three sisters living in Brooklyn. They are from a strict Syrian Jewish family and this book follows them as they challenge their cultural norms to decide what type of lives they want. This book is told from all three sister’s POVs, but also delves into their family - immigrant grandmother Sotto, their mother who just wants them to be married, and their father whose business isn’t doing well. The descriptions of the food were wonderful, as as the cultural and religious information. This book was inviting and warm. I found this book to be a strong one from this debut writer.

While Sisters of Fortune is undoubtedly well-researched and rich in historical context, I found that some of its cultural and religious references were a bit too deeply embedded in Jewish traditions for me to fully connect with as a reader. As someone who identifies more as a “shiksa” (non-Jewish woman), I occasionally felt like an outsider looking in, missing some of the deeper layers of meaning or familial nuances that might resonate more strongly with someone from within the faith or culture.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in advance!

We follow 3 sisters, all of whom live in an Orthodox Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn, NY. I will say that I am actually from Midwood, and I love feeling that I could close my eyes and see the kind of house they live in, or the kind of street they walked on, etc.

I also love that the author gave us an insight into this community - not usually written about in a fiction story, and if they are, they are sometimes shone in a negative light. Thank you for educating us through these women (and some men) about this lifestyle and struggles within the community - the larger Jewish population thanks you!

All 3 sisters have, as you would expect, different life paths even in a stricter community. I was relieved that it didn't break up the family the way that sometimes these things do in such communities, the idea of ex-communication was never on the table even when there were deep disagreements. So the story didn't have to be about that, and we were able to see how a family helps each other and sticks together. I would love to get a glimpse into all 3 sisters' futures and see how they ended up!

I was super excited to pick this one up, but ultimately, I felt like it was missing something. I loved the premise and Jewish rep. However, nothing really happens in the book. Furthermore, Fortune is supposed to be the main character, but all three girls get equal air time. So, I'm not sure why the title is Sisters of Fortune.

I thought Sisters Of Fortune was a beautiful story. It was unlike anything else I've ever read and I appreciated the deep cultural aspect. Ultimately, this is a story about three sisters who each have their own challenges but who's lives weave together. It was a feel good, but serious read.

For someone who loves Jewish stories, Sisters of Fortune sounds like a truly delightful read! This debut novel, already dubbed by some as from a "Jewish Jane Austen," dives into the lives of the three Cohen sisters as they navigate love, ambition, and identity within their vibrant Syrian Jewish Brooklyn community.

You'll follow Fortune as she questions her engagement, Nina as she seeks an unconventional path, and Lucy as she explores a forbidden romance. It's a heartwarming and witty tale that perfectly captures the tension between cherished traditions and modern aspirations. The novel promises an endearing, maddening, and never boring look at family, community, and the winding paths to one's own happy ending, all while deeply rooted in a rich Jewish cultural setting. It sounds like a must-read for fans of contemporary Jewish fiction.

This debut novel is the story of three widely disparate Syrian Jewish sisters who "...chase love and grapple with the growing pains of young womanhood as they seek their place within and beyond their Brooklyn community... [they] find themselves in a tug of war between tradition and modernity,"

Add in a feisty grandmother, domineering mother, submissive father, various suitors, and members of the community.

Told in the voice of each sister {Fortune, Nina, Lucy]. Family, tradition, conflicts, business[es].

Many references to food as the mother has a catering business and the grandmother is the source of many recipes.

I really wanted more of an examination of the Syrian Jewish culture and life in Brooklyn. The Syrian is distracting as it is harder to access/follow a glossary in an ebook--which in this case is not comprehensive enough.

And, one can judge a book by its cover--I should have known better]--I got chick lit+/nearly fluff [IMHO].

I saw at least one of the trajectories a mile away--always a minus for me.

Read or pass.

I love a coming of age story, especially when it has a sibling bond.
This book explores how each sibling can grow up in the same house, but with different experiences. This was beautifully written

I really enjoyed this story, which gives the individual POV of 3 sisters living in Brooklyn. I haven’t read about the Syrian Jewish community before, so I found that very interesting. It’s not a book I would usually choose, and I’m glad I was given the chance to broaden my reading life. By the end, I was rooting for each sister and liked them all equally. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy.

A delightful story of three sisters struggling with choosing a traditional path or a modern path. They are part of a Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn. Fortune is due to be married and is questioning her choice. The eldest is single and is given an opportunity to go down a different path. Lucy, the youngest, is seeing an older man, a questionable choice. It was fun learning about their culture.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I understand the thought process on this one but it just wasn’t for me. I am so grateful to have received an arc but I found the plot hard to follow and muddy.

Sisters of Fortune is a heartfelt debut that had me flipping pages faster than Sitto could whip up a Shabbat dinner. Set in Brooklyn’s tight-knit Syrian Jewish community, this coming-of-age novel follows the Cohen sisters—Nina, Fortune, and Lucy—as they wrestle with love, tradition, identity, and the unavoidable meddling of a well-meaning family.

Nina, the eldest, is feeling the heat of singlehood (and not just from the stove). Fortune, the middle child, is questioning whether marriage is the dream or just the default. And Lucy, the youngest, is secretly seeing an older man—because of course she is. The stakes are high, the pressure’s on, and expectations (especially from grandma Sitto) are as heavy as a tray of baklava.

What made this story shine for me? Chehebar’s warm, immersive storytelling introduced me to a vibrant culture I knew little about. The details—from mouthwatering food descriptions to interwoven Arabic phrases—felt rich and authentic. I especially loved Sitto, the grandmother who stole every scene she was in. Honestly, I’d read a spin-off just about her.

If you’re a fan of sister dynamics, intergenerational drama, and cultural stories told with heart and humor, this one’s for you. Think Little Women meets My Big Fat Syrian Wedding—with better snacks.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC. Can’t wait to see what Chehebar writes next!

I would like to thank Random House and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. This is a story of 3 sisters, the Cohen Sisters.They are Syrian Sephardic Jews in Brooklyn. It is a tight knit family and community.Fortune, the middle sister is engaged to be married. She is not sure she is in love, however. Nina, the oldest, is not in a relationship, which seems to bother everyone but her. Lucy,the youngest, is just 18, and a senior in High School. She is dating a 30 year old man, who is a doctor and comes from money. They all live at home with their mother, father and grandmother. It is an interesting slice of life from a different type of life style.It was a bit hard to follow at first, there were a lot of unfamiliar food names and words in all of the chapters. There is an appendix at the end with translations, but it was hard to reference in an e book. I had a hard time with Lucy's story, she was very young and , to me at least, the age difference/speed of romance was a bit disconcerting. IT went at a leisurely pace until the end, when it seemed to rush to the ending. This was also a bit confusing, I had to go back and make sure I didn't miss a chapter.All in all, it was an interesting read about an unfamiliar topic.

A beautiful wedding often comes with unanticipated occurrences.

Fortune was getting married with invitations sent to 800 guests. This was the first of three daughters to walk down the aisle and her parents were working diligently to make it a showpiece.

They were a happy family with the matter-of-fact grandmother, loving parents and three sisters: Nina, Fortune and Lucy. They lived in Brooklyn, a close community of Syrian Jewish families.

Fortune had a meaningful name related to luck. Even though she was marrying a good, solid man, she secretly had mixed feelings. She needed a boost of encouragement as she contemplated her upcoming role as a supportive wife and destined mother.

Her oldest sister, Nina, was now 26 and her mother was anxiously waiting for a proper suitor. Her younger sister, Lucy, a high school senior, was happily dating a 30-year-old surgeon in training. How could this be good? While the family appeared to be close, there still were secrets waiting to come out.

I was unfamiliar with the Jewish words and phrases used from time to time. I didn’t realize there was a glossary at the end and initially skipped over the expressions. Yet, I enjoyed the dialogues showing strong ties and traditions.

I admire how the author brought life to all the characters making it easy to visualize. For those of us with sisters, it certainly made you think about the influence of parenting. To my surprise, however, the end felt rushed.

My thanks to Random House and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of July 22, 2025.

3.75 stars

Show me sibling relationships, and I'll show you an immediate spot in the reading queue. Chehebar unquestionably delivers on the sister connections here and also brings some good overall content for readers who enjoy some good discussions of family, culture, and coming of age.

Three sisters, Fortune, Lucy, and Nina, grow up in a traditional Syrian Jewish household where the parents are in their business and the husbands can't arrive fast enough. While the sisters share important cultural and familial bonds, they are also all on different romantic cusps. Their differing situations cause them each to gain more or less acceptance from their parents and empathize more or less with each other.

I really enjoyed the way the sisters were developed individually, but I wanted more content about their connections with each other. This is present, just not as robust as I'd like (and I made assumptions based on the title and description that this would be more centered). I also liked the writing style and cultural elements.

Overall, this is a strong debut and I look forward to reading more from this author!

"Sisters of Fortune", is a poignant, funny, heartwarming story about three sisters and their family and friends. Whether you are a Sephardic Jew or not, one can totally relate to these sisters. One can easily see themselves face the same situations these young women faced. And how they deal with these situations makes for a wonderful story.

Choosing a life partner is not always easy. Are there sparks? Does the person want the same things as you do? Are their values the same as yours? And do the life lessons learned from our parents help in making this all important decision?

You will not be disappointed if you choose to read this novel. I highly recommend it.

An endearing story of three sisters in a sheltered Syrian Jewish community where everyone knows everyone's business. My only complaint is the last fifth of the book focused on the least interesting sister.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. As 1 of 7 sisters, I am drawn to books about sisters. This book is set mostly in a Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn and revolves between the POV of 3 sisters: Fortune, the 20-year-old middle sister who is about to get married as expected, her older sister Nina (26 yr old) who everyone is worried will be an old maid, and Lucy, the youngest at 17 who is finishing up her senior year of high school and dating a 30-year-old doctor in training. Their interactions and thoughts about each other and their different experiences of trying to figure out who they are amidst the expectations of their parents and community members is an appealing story even if it seems like culture shock to me as an outsider at times. It was hard for me to predict what would happen through the ending. It was interesting to read about the traditions and the book seems to show both positive and negative POV of what living in a close community is like.

The experience of reading this book was multi layered for me.

I had a great time learning about the Syrian Jewish culture, as practiced by this specific family - the weight of expectations and the pressures of conformity experienced by each generation, as they are navigating the outside world with their traditional upbringing (which I can completely relate to in my own culture).

I also enjoyed the journey of each of the sisters and their individual and collective conflicts. As a mom myself, I felt uncomfortable reading the youngest high school sister being in a relationship with a 30-year old man. The man being rich may have contributed to the acceptance of her family, which is probably the reality in most families.

I also wish the non English words were in italics, and definitions were provided as footnotes or a different section in the book, making for an easier read. I did end up googling a lot of words to gain better context, which added to the in depth experience of the story.

The story makes for an interesting read, complex in some areas, and thought provoking. Enjoyed it!