The Christmas Sisters: A Novel

Each book that I’ve read from Sarah Morgan has combined family, opportunities, healing and love in ways that make everything find a way to ‘work to the best’ after all. And this book in no different: Hannah and Beth are planning to join Posy and their adoptive parents for the holiday – and each are expecting some difficulties to come that will make the season more tense than another. Their story begins with their parents’ death in a mountain climbing accident, and as Suzanne was their mother’s best friend since their time together in foster care, she took in the girls with her husband Stewart, and tried to make the perfect home. Moving the girls from the west coast to Scotland, never mentioning the accident, and being the ‘best home-maker, mother, and hostess that she can has consumed Suzanne for years. So much so that she’s started a café, a lodge, encouraged knitting and book groups, and tried to gather the girls together every year. While Hannah is ‘removed’ from both of her sisters and spends most of her time working, she’s suddenly arrived and isn’t ‘quite herself’. Picked up by Posy at the airport, the two have a fractious (usually) relationship, but Posy’s openness and conversation start to bring them closer. Until the surprise arrival of Beth – the stay at home mother with two young girls, and her own dreams of going back to work for her last employer – working on a cosmetics campaign that she needs to “prepare some ideas for” before the job is fully on offer. Things after her interview didn’t go as well with her husband, and after cross words, she hopped in a taxi to the airport and flew to Scotland. With her still reeling from Hannah’s latest cancellation, and frustrated with her husband and worried for the girls Posy has been ‘expected’ to take over the café and the lodge, although climbing and exploring are in her blood. She’s part of the ‘rescue team, and most always content to be close to the people she’s always known as parents. Feeling secure in their love and expectations, even when they chafe. But Christmas is a hard time for everyone, as Suzanne is obsessed with perfection and having those “family moments”, when in reality, the girls are all hiding away from that which they never speak. Full of moments of laughter, some unearthing of history and with Suzanne sick and the sisters left to make their own way through the quagmire of guilt, memories, personalities and past hurts inflicted on one another without her intervention. What emerges is the truth about their parent’s accidents, their own opportunities to find new hope and direction for their lives, and an understanding that is not only felt, but known, that Suzanne and Stewart only want the best for ‘their girls’ – the young women that they love and have nurtured and treasured for years. With a bit of romance in the air, the renewed friendships of sisters so long focused on their perceived positions in the family. A wonderful read, this story is full of family moments, holiday cheer, growth and plenty of love. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

I am ready to start decorating for Christmas now! Suzanne adopted three girls after their parents were killed in a tragic accident and we are get to hear from each of them, Beth, Hannah, and Posy, and learn how they have learned to cope through the years from their loss. This book was so good I couldn't put it down and found myself carrying it from room to room. I'm not going to tell you anything about it except that because this is just another great one from this author and brings family together and you cannot miss it. Definitely gets high marks from me and high recommendations! This is set in the Highlands of Scotland and the descriptions had me homesick for my ancestors! **Received this for review**

Love it