This story was quite an emotional journey for me as well as the characters. Kenzie and her sister Olivia are best friends living in the same house with their husbands. After Olivia is killed in a hiking incident Kenzie finds out Olivia had many secrets and did not share them. She thought they shared everything. We follow her as she grieves and makes life changing decisions many of which affect affect other people as well. As always Ms Brennan has written a heart felt and memorable book. I’m still wondering if I would have made the same decisions if I was in the same situation. If you like heartfelt women’s well written and emotional fiction you will very likely be glad you read this book. Keep tissues nearby. I received a copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Brilliant from the beginning until the end from one of my favourite authors, just great storytelling all the way and with a lovely ending, I wasn't sure how it would go but everything was brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

All the characters were good, each with their own stories to tell I cannot speak highly enough about this book and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this brilliant ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

I have read a couple of books by Alison Ragsdale and have always loved the emotional storylines. So when I saw this one I knew I had to give it a try. Especially as it was about sisters!

“My Sister’s Only Hope” is another wonderful example of Alison's beautiful writing and emotional story telling. It was a compelling story that explored the relationship between sisters, the pain of loss, hidden truths, and the intricate nature of love and self-discovery.

I loved the glorious setting. Alison's descriptions of the landscape and the gorgeous locations in Scotland are truly captivating. You really feel like you are there looking out of the window at Ben Nevis and the stunning lakes and mountains. You can feel the surroundings, the sights, the sounds. I also liked that we went through the full seasons experiencing the fabulous locations.

The story centered on Kenzie and her sister Olivia. We also met Kenzie's husband, Arran, Glenn who is Olivia's husband. We also met a couple of side characters, Colm and his young daughter Nora. We learned their stories, tragedies, difficult decisions. The story of life was played out for the reader. I was engaged with the characters and the stories. I really liked Nora. She br0ught some lightness and humour to the novel and I really enjoyed that.

Alison Ragsdale’s writing style is really comforting and familiar. Her characters are relatable. The stories are both heartfelt and uplifting.

“My Sister’s Only Hope” was a moving and thought-provoking story that delved into the powerful bond between sisters, the heartache of loss, and the journey toward self-discovery. If you enjoy emotionally layered, family-focused dramas that explore moral dilemmas you will love this one.

A story centered around sisters? Count me in! As soon as I read the premise of “My Sister’s Only Hope”, I knew I wanted to give it a try. The plot instantly caught my attention, and since Alison Ragsdale is a new author to me, I was excited to finally check out her work and couldn’t let this one pass me by.

“My Sister’s Only Hope” was filled with emotion. It was a compelling story that delved into the bonds between sisters, the pain of loss, hidden truths, and the intricate nature of love and self-discovery.

The story centered on Kenzie and her sister Olivia, who shared an incredibly close bond. While Kenzie and her husband, Arran, had decided not to have children, Olivia longed deeply to become a mother. When Olivia was unable to conceive, Kenzie, despite some initial tension with Arran, offered to donate her eggs. Tragically, shortly after the embryo transfer, Olivia died in a hiking accident, leaving behind a single embryo and a devastated family. Determined to honor her sister’s dream, Kenzie made the life-changing decision to carry and raise Olivia’s baby. But as she stepped into the role of a mother, Arran pulled away and Kenzie uncovered a secret her sister had kept hidden.

Alison Ragsdale’s writing style felt comfortingly familiar. It was gentle, emotionally rich, and grounded in everyday relationships, yet the story’s premise brought a fresh and original twist that set it apart. Her ability to blend relatable characters with morally layered dilemmas made this narrative both accessible and deeply affecting. Although the story was deeply emotional and heartfelt, some parts felt a bit predictable, and the heavy subject matter occasionally made it feel overwhelming.

Overall, I really enjoyed Alison Ragsdale’s latest novel and now feel eager to explore more of her earlier work. “My Sister’s Only Hope” was a moving and thought-provoking story that delved into the powerful bond between sisters, the heartache of loss, fertility challenges, and the journey toward self-discovery. It’s a great fit for readers who appreciate emotionally layered, family-focused dramas that grapple with tough moral choices.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free copy of, My Sister's Only Hope, by Alison Ragsdale, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Kenzie and Olivia are sisters, one wants a child and one does not. Kenzie donates her eggs to her sister Olivia, so she can have the baby she always wanted, then tragedy strikes, and Olivia passed away. Secrets and lies are found out, how well did Kenzie know Olivia? This was a heavy read. I don't know that I would make the same decisions as Kenzie though.

This story touched my heart. The losses suffered by the families are raw and emotional. The author went into the depths of how secrets and lies can have rippling effects on many in each person’s extended circle. I felt every experience the characters endured and it was nice to see how new people can come into your life and help ease the pain even when it doesn’t ever go away. We all learn how to move on in a new chapter and learn how to overcome challenges and fears. I thought the ending would be different after Colm and Nora moved in and was surprised and happy by the way things turned out for everyone involved ~ Kenzie, Arran, Glenn and Jack.

A story about grief, growth and family !

Living in a world mainly encompassing each other, the Grey sisters were each other’s best friend, the better half of one another. And when Olivia had abruptly died, Kenzie’s tight knit family - her version of picture perfect family was shattered.

The characters are undoubtedly flawed, there’re secret and lies that tainted the whole experience but that only makes it even more daunting yet inspiring for what Kenzie had went through.

The background characters; ngl Colm, Nora and my man Glen (rooting so hard and loud for him !!) have my heart squeezed by happiness.

You’d frown, you’d grin, you’d be frustrated but it will be worth it ! The pace was just right, and def an easy read.

Wow! Alison Ragsdale, the Author of “My Sister’s Only Hope” has written a heartfelt, poignant, thought-provoking and memorable novel. Alison Ragsdale is a master storyteller, and in this well-written, emotional, heart-breaking and captivating story the author vividly describes the magnificent scenery, and the dramatic, colorful, complicated and complex characters. In this passionate story, the author takes us on a journey where there are secrets, betrayals, tragedy, trauma, love and hope. The Genres in this novel are: Sisters Fiction, Family Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Literary Fiction.

Kenzie and Arran are married and have successful careers. They have decided not to have children. They share the inherited family home with Kenzie’s sister Olivia and her husband Glenn. More than anything, Olivia and Glenn have wanted a baby, and haven’t able to have one. Kenzie does have a medical condition that makes it more difficult to bear children, but decides that she will help her sister become a mother by donating her eggs. This does cause some friction between Kenzie and her husband. Kenzie goes ahead with the egg retrieval process. Kenzie and Olivia are very close, and Kenzie is determined to make Olivia’s dream come true. Unfortunately there is a tragic accident, and Olivia dies. Olivia’s husband needs to distance himself from the apartment and suggest that Kenzie rent it.

Kenzie remembers her sister’s wish to become a mother, and there is one embryo. Kenzie has the opportunity to make her sister’s legacy live on by becoming a mother. Arran is uncomfortable with breaking their original agreement to not having children. At the same time, Kenzie finds a box and key while cleaning out Olivia’s apartment. In this box are secrets to the past that cause heartbreak. I love all of Alison Ragsdale’s books and I highly recommend this novel..

DNF as I found it unbelievable and too repetitive. The story didn't grab me and I wasn't really interested in what happened.

Thanks to #NetGalley, I read an ARC of My Sister’s Only Hope by Alison Ragsdale.
Life is full of unexpected surprises; unforeseen twists, turns, and shattered hopes and dreams. The life you’ve envisioned and planned blows up and all but disappears as the result of shocking secrets and tragic events. It’s fascinating how life-long desires change, presenting us with new choices and reimagined futures. Buckle up because you’re in for an emotional ride in this next powerful family drama by Alison Ragsdale. 5 STARS

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book strangled my heart and punched me in the gut but I absolutely loved it and could not put it down! Kenzie has agreed to have her sister’s baby so she can finally become a mother. But then is killed in a horrible accident. Determined to bring her sister’s baby into the world, Kenzie keeps going. But she is haunted by what her sister told her towards the end of her life. Secrets are revealed and are gut wrenching and now Kenzie is having second thoughts. This book is truly a look at what can be the reality of motherhood. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and how well they were developed throughout each chapter. I felt myself stressed out as if I was the one who was faced with this enormous situation. What a fantastic read!!

Review of ‘My Sister’s Only Hope’ by Alison Ragsdale, due to be published on 27 August 2025 by Bookouture.

Kenzie agrees to help her older sister Olivia have the baby she craves by donating her eggs. When tragedy strikes, and Olivia is killed in a climbing accident, Kenzie has to make the hard decision of what to do with the embryo that was to be implanted.

Kenzie and her husband Arran had agreed that they did not want children, and he is against the idea of Kenzie proceeding with a pregnancy in memory of her sister.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster of making hard decisions, learning to live with loss, grief, forgiveness, strength, courage, love and acceptance. You become invested in the characters, and how their part of the story will play out. A recommended read.

My Sister's Only Hope is filled with emotion and delves into some deep topics. Kenzie was helping her sister Olivia try to get pregnant. Kenzie donated her eggs so that her sister could start a family. But then the unthinkable happens and Olivia is gone. Kenzie and her husband have always been in agreement regarding not having children but she now has to decide how to move forward now that her sister/best friend is gone.

I really enjoyed this book and it was an emotional read, start to finish. You got to see the main character figure out life after loss. You see her come into her own and see the strength that she possessed all along. My only issue and the reason for a four star review is that the pacing was a bit off for me. Some parts moved a bit slower than I felt they should have. Still 100% worth reading though!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I just love everything that Alison Ragsdale writes. They are stories that you just can't put down and have to find out what is going to happen. WOW! WOW! WOW! What a ride this story takes, so many ups and downs that will have you crying. What more can one person take. When your sister finds out that she can't have a baby and exhausts all options except asking you if you would help her, what would you do? This was such a heartbreaking story and so emotional. I wouldn't have it any other way with Alison's books. Alison just pulls you in from the start. Thank you NetGalley and Alison for the ARC! I just loved it and can't wait to see what is next.