Kristin Hannah
Between Sisters (2003)
Author: Kristin Hannah
Genre: Romance (Contemporary/Chick-Lit)/Christian
Plot Summary:
Meghan Dontess is a high profile divorce lawyer working and living in Seattle. She wins most of her cases for her clients and is known throughout the legal world as one tough, cold bitch. Her success comes from working long hours and it brings her lots of wealth. But one thing it does not bring her is happiness. DOntess is divorced and has no close family to speak of. Outside of work, she drinks heavy at Seattle's bars and has many unfulfillinf one night stands that lead to nowhere. Meghan does have a sister. Claire Cavenaugh. Claire is the polar opposite of Meg. She lives in Hayden, a small town. She rents out cabins to families on vacation and doesn't make very much money. She also has a cute daughter named Ali from a doomed relationship from the past. When they were kids, Meghan, the older sister, used to have to protect and care for Claire as their mother was always absent, drunk, or with a new man in the bedroom. However, When Sam, Claire's biological father, comes to take care of Claire and Meghan, Meghan sees that because Sam is not her real father and that he does not care for her like he does Claire, she must go. She leaves and the sisters grow distant from each other. Fate brings the two sisters back together as Claire finds true love for the first time (in Bobby Austin, a young good-looking Country & Western singer songwriter) and is going to be married. Meghan almost gets shot by one of her clients' husband and is depressed by her lonely life and decides to visit Hayden and her forgotten sister. Joe, a tragic former doctor who has been on the road for three years hiding from his past, returns to Hayden at the same time Meghan does and their paths romantically entertwine. SPOILER: Claire and Meghan will test, and ultimately prevail, their new shaky sisterhood with each other as Claire is diagnosed with brain cancer soon after her Honeymoon. Clair will finally recieve Joe's expert advice and her sister's love to beat out her sickness.
Geographical Setting: Seattle, Washington and surrounding areas.
Time Period: Present Day (2003)
Appeal Characteristics:
The reader gets to know two characters farely well: the two sisters. Often times, chapters are split into two halves with one from each Meghan and Claire. The pacing is pretty slow, with each sister's lives and past being examined for the first half of the book. The second half of the book the story is driven by the events that occur within these sisters' lives. With the arrival of Bobby Austin into the story, the pace picks up. For the reader who likes a laugh or two in their reads, there are some here as Meghan has a sarcastic snooty retort for every thing, and Ali, Claire's Daughter, also keeps things light. Also, those interested in stories about families, and more specifically relationships between sisters, will find the struggles and joys of those relationships within these pages. Also, there is definitely aspects of 'Chick Lit' to this book, as I learned about a couple of different clothes designers, including Vera Wang. It's also worth mentioning that there is a vein of Christianity running through this romance that will satisfy those looking for something with that, although it is a relatively minor aspect of the book. The writing style is simple and straightforward and that may appeal to some. For those who like some twists and a surprise, happy ending....this is the story for that romance reader!
Read-alikes: Edgar Allen Poe...just kidding. Distant Shores is a good read-alike for those interested in more of Hannah's work. Sandra Steffen's Day by Dayis a tale that involves a couple in love and an accident that will test the family's commitment and devotion, which is similar to Claire's cancer situation in this book.
Other read-alikes include Barbara Delinsky's Heart of the Night will entice readers who enjoy Hannah's sisterhood loyalty themes and for those who enjoyed Meghan's lawyer career, will find a simlar occupation held by characters in Delinsky's book. Also, Luanne Rice's Safe Harbor also has character's expereincing new romantic beginnings after experiencing certain harships, and Brad Barkley's Alison's Automotive Repair Manual echoes Hannah's comforting rural settings, small-town life, and one woman's attempt to overcome her grief. Lastly, Such Devoted Sisters by Eileen Goudge examines two polar opposite sisters, kind of like our Claire and Meghan, and the romantic trials the two face.
Red Flags: There are a few things to watch for: there is some swearing and more than a few semi-descriptive sex scenes...but this is romance fiction people!
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