The #Sexy #Nerd #Review...The Sweeney Sisters...#ComingOfAge #Sisterhood #Women #Family

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.

The Sexy Nerd's Review. . .

What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than with a coming-of-age story of the Sweeney Sisters. I always wished I had an older sister, but that wasn’t in the cards for me. I was given a baby brother instead, but that’s a topic for another day (wink, wink!).

Tricia Sweeney, the corporate attorney, working for a big law firm handling her day-to-day affairs, gets the news that her father has passed. This news passed through the Sweeney family like wild fire. Liza, who never left the town she and her sisters grew up in Southport, Connecticut, was living the life as a gallery owner and mother of twins and happy wife, or so she thought. And then there’s Maggie, the sister who is a carefree artist living an irresponsible life and just floating by any means necessary. Of course, their famous father, William Sweeney, the literary genius, passes and they’re left having to pick up the pieces.

What they didn’t count on is learning that they are no longer the three Sweeney sisters. They have another sister who is the eldest of all of them. Serena Tucker, a journalist, takes a DNA test on a sort of a whim and learns that she is the daughter of the famous William Sweeney, author. Serena grew up next door to the Sweeney sisters and had a bird’s eye view of their upbringing. She used to wish she could join in with them from time to time, not knowing they were her actual half-sisters.  She always felt a disconnect with her father and the DNA results aided in her understanding of why.

As the Sweeney sisters, plus one Tucker sister, meet up with their father’s attorney to discuss the Sweeney estate, some of the sisters weren’t as open arms and ready to embrace the newest addition to their family. When you begin to journey with the sisters, you’ll soon realize that there's lots to learn as to what you define as family isn’t always the way you might envision.

This was an amazing story. I so enjoyed it! I had so much fun following the sisters and feeling everything each of them endured. These characters felt real and down to earth, and although I didn’t always agree with how they handled certain situations, their actions and reactions made a wealth of sense. Such a great story!

The Sexy Nerd gives The Sweeney Sisters five additional sisters to join in the party. Because let’s face it, when the Sweeney Sisters get together, it’s cause for some sort of celebration. If you’re looking for a great women’s story, I’d highly recommend this book. Awesome characters, real life situations, and plenty of humor to go around. Oh. . .and you might want to top off the read with a glass of wine so you can sip and grab all the juicy parts of the story as you travel with them.  Until next time, you know that to do!

Open a Book and Get Mind Blown!