The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery: Review

Not every book I read for review is a hit. Sometimes they are a miss. Sometimes there are pieces that I don’t care for or maybe characters I just cannot connect with.

I read the author’s other release this year that I completely fell for! I was really looking forward to this one. Read for my thoughts on this new release.

The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery
ISBN-13: 9780778331803
Publisher: MIRA Books
Publication date: May 25, 2021

OVERVIEW:
Once upon a time, when her dad married Sage’s mom, Daisy was thrilled to get a bright and shiny new sister. But Sage was beautiful and popular, everything Daisy was not, and she made sure Daisy knew it.

Sage didn’t have Daisy’s smarts—she had to go back a grade to enroll in the fancy rich-kid school. So she used her popularity as a weapon, putting Daisy down to elevate herself. After the divorce, the stepsisters’ rivalry continued until the final, improbable straw: Daisy married Sage’s first love, and Sage fled California.

Eighteen years, two kids and one troubled marriage later, Daisy never expects—or wants—to see Sage again. But when the little sister they have in common needs them both, they put aside their differences to care for Cassidy. As long-buried truths are revealed, no one is more surprised than they when friendship blossoms.

Their fragile truce is threatened by one careless act that could have devastating consequences. They could turn their backs on each other again…or they could learn to forgive once and for all and finally become true sisters of the heart.

The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery Review

This book had an interesting spin on it and I was excited to be able to read it. I loved the concept but I have to say some of the characters in the story were not great people.

Mallery takes a chance and creates characters in the story with a lot of flaws. We all have flaws. We absolutely know that. In The Stepsisters, she seems to focus on big flaws that are tough to get over.

There is a lot happening in this book. Separation, unexpected guests, people pushing others together, bad decisions, and so much more.

They were good pieces too. Sisters finding each other, learning how to get to know each other, and surprise, actually liking each other. Finding new romance. Plus. building relationships between family and others is highlighted here.

While there was a decent balance between the good stuff and the bad stuff, some parts of the book just felt kind of overwhelming and sad. A few characters I really could not connect with and that made it tough.

When all was finally settling down, more horrible decisions were made that really put a damper on the outcome of the book. Even when we get to the ending with a nice conclusion, it felt like it just wasn’t enough. I wanted more happy pieces than the messed up portions of the story.

Overall, Mallery did what she does best. She wrote a richly detailed story that connects friends and family together, shows how they can be the glue and the strength needed when crummy things happen.

Was the story entertaining? Absolutely. I’m just a sucker for the happiness.

3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.