Spotlight: The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan

The Sweeney Sisters
written by Lian Dolan
published by William Morrow, 2020

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Target, Walmart, Book Depository, Goodreads

About the book – from Goodreads: An accomplished storyteller returns with her biggest, boldest, most entertaining novel yet—a hilarious, heartfelt story about books, love, sisterhood, and the surprises we discover in our DNA that combines the wit of Jonathan Tropper with the heart of Susan Wiggs.

Maggie, Eliza, and Tricia Sweeney grew up as a happy threesome in the idyllic seaside town of Southport, Connecticut. But their mother’s death from cancer fifteen years ago tarnished their golden-hued memories, and the sisters drifted apart. Their one touchstone is their father, Bill Sweeney, an internationally famous literary lion and college professor universally adored by critics, publishers, and book lovers. When Bill dies unexpectedly one cool June night, his shell-shocked daughters return to their childhood home. They aren’t quite sure what the future holds without their larger-than-life father, but they do know how to throw an Irish wake to honor a man of his stature.

But as guests pay their respects and reminisce, one stranger, emboldened by whiskey, has crashed the party. It turns out that she too is a Sweeney sister.

When Washington, DC based journalist Serena Tucker had her DNA tested on a whim a few weeks earlier, she learned she had a 50% genetic match with a childhood neighbor—Maggie Sweeney of Southport, Connecticut. It seems Serena’s chilly WASP mother, Birdie, had a history with Bill Sweeney—one that has remained totally secret until now.

Once the shock wears off, questions abound. What does this mean for William’s literary legacy? Where is the unfinished memoir he’s stashed away, and what will it reveal? And how will a fourth Sweeney sister—a blond among redheads—fit into their story?

By turns revealing, insightful, and uproarious, The Sweeney Sisters is equal parts cautionary tale and celebration—a festive and heartfelt look at what truly makes a family.

“This is a big-hearted belly-laugh of a book, told with wit and poignancy. Family secrets, laughter and tears, shocking reveals, and an uplifting ending make this a story to savor—and share.”  — Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author of The Oysterville Sewing Circle

“This endearing story of sisterhood delivers on its promise.” — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Dolan uses her experience in podcasting with her own sisters (Satellite Sisters and The Chaos Chronicles) to craft believable women characters who worry about real problems and use wry humor to push through dark moments. … A warmhearted portrait of love embracing true hearts.” — KIRKUS REVIEWS

“This is a layered novel, in which the reader uncovers the past along with the daughters. The omniscient point of view allows the reader to see into Willow Lane through all eyes. Bill is a prominent presence without ever stepping onto the page, yet the novel’s most important triumph may be its examination of how women gain the agency to break free from powerful men.” — BOOKLIST

 

 

 
 

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** This post first appeared on Every Free Chance Books (everyfreechance.com) on April 28, 2020.