I usually read Murder Mystery novels so this was a change for me. I enjoyed the family dynamics in the book and it was a good, easy read.

Becky worries about her husband’s ambitions delaying her having a baby, struggles with wanting to give up work and feels jealous of her seemingly perfect sister. All this makes her prone to temptation in the form of the ephemeral Guy…Meanwhile, her beautiful golden-haired sister lives with her handsome artist husband in an idyllic country cottage but she is in for a surprise which will turn her life upside-down.

This story is full of domestic drama, twists and turns and the complications resulting from sibling rivalry. It certainly kept me turning the page! A poignant family tale with love triumphant over all in the end, it’s a moving novel which is well-worth reading.

I found Amanda Brookfield’s writing a bit wordy at the beginning but I quite liked that after I got into the novel.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A really great story which could end in so many different ways so keeps you nicely on tenterhooks as it runs its course.

Women's fiction is one of my favorite genres because I find it relatable to my own life or those I know. Even though there were some parts of this book I could relate to, I often got bogged down in the overly long sentence structure. It wasn't the most uplifting story, but I was happy that it ended on a good note. Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for a copy to read and review.

This is the story of two sisters: Anna (the older sister) and Becky. Anna has been taking care of Becky for years. Becky has a troublesome relationship with their mother, and Anna is the peace maker between the two. Both women are married. Becky is married to Joe, and step-mother to his teen daughter. Anna is married to David. Anna and David are wealthy and thriving in their careers- they have a dream life. Becky and Joe struggle, but seem to work together. When Anna unexpectedly finds that she is pregnant, and Becky's marriage to Joe is in trouble they must re-evaluate who they think the other is, and work through pains of the past.

The development of the two sisters is well done. The examination and exploration of their past, their fears and dreams, is written very well. I felt that I understood the characters well and felt the direction of where they ended up was authentic.
The writing is well done, and the author has a way with describing everyday incidents in a nice way.

However, this was really more a story about the two sisters day to day living with every detail documented. I struggled to connect because I kept waiting for something big to happen to move the story forward. This was a slow read, and although I can see the talent in the author's ability in developing characters, I just could not get into this. This is a more reflective novel about the lives of two women.

I am giving 2 stars because the author can write- and the detail to character development was good. However, I prefer a little angst/tension/plot point that also drives the story, and I did not feel that there was a strong one of those in this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder ans Stoughton Paperback for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I love discovering new authors, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this one.

Unfortunately, despite the intriguing premise, the pacing was too slow for my taste.

That said, considering this is a debut, I can’t say it was poorly written because it wasn't. The author has a unique voice to offer readers and possesses a natural talent for exploring complex relationships and family dynamics. The characters are well-developed, and the storyline features several interesting concepts that are tackled effectively.

Even with the pacing issue, I am not discouraged from reading this author’s future work. I believe there is a lot more to come from her.

A nicely written women's fiction about sisters' love. Anna and Becky are both so different, and it's a story about their lives, their inner struggles, and ups and downs of relationships. Emotionally, it's a deep book.
I found it a slow but character driven read with several under themes like marital trust, infidelity, and making one's life choices at tough times. It's an easy-to-read book with relatable characters. Thanks a lot to Netgalley and the publisher, and the author for providing the eARC.

Anna has always been the rock of the relationship between her and her sister Becky but when both girls lives are in a turmoil and they are forced to face the past with each other.

I feel cheated as it was not until I started 'Sisters and Husbands' that I discovered that it was originally published in 2002 and I read it first back then! From the late 90's until 2009 I was a regular reader of Amanda Brookfields novels and have read around half of her published books. Since then for some reason none of her books have come my way. My memories of having enjoyed her writing in the past were stirred when I saw this title advertised, not a hint reached me that it was a republished title though.

A family saga of two sisters, Anna and Becky, sibling love at its best and worst. The dynamics of their relationships with each other, their parents and husbands are at the core of this character driven story. Life doesn't always go the way we hope or intend it to.

Despite my personal initial disappointment I still recommend this to a new generation of womens fiction readers. If however you are old timer like me who has been reading Amanda Brookfield for over twenty years, check first that you have not already read this one. I will also be reading more of her books in the future I hope!

Thanks to Net Galley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Sisters and Husbands is the love and enduring story of sisters Anna and Becky, along with Anna’s husband David, and Becky’s former husband Joe, and her varied hookups.
It's how close sisters can be and how much they differ from each other. How life can change from misunderstandings and forgiveness is the key to love.
This book seemed too long for me and it was to easy for me to keep putting it down. Maybe it was the rush of Christmas that kept my mind occupied and not the storyline, because the story had a good message.
I still give it 4 stars because of the storyline.
#SistersandHusbands
#AmandaBrookfield
#Boldwood
#NetGalley

This story was slow and difficult to get me invested. About complex family relationships but just not one for me.

Anna and Becky return to England with their husbands after their father’s death, each navigating life in their own unique way. Anna is a successful radio broadcaster, commuting to London from the countryside, while Becky juggles her role as a communications administrator and supporting her husband’s dream of running a restaurant.

The novel delves into family dynamics, exploring complex relationships and hidden struggles. Infidelity, marital issues, and the challenges of starting over create tension as the sisters and their husbands confront their imperfect lives. Despite the slow pace, the story’s depth and multilayered characters make it a compelling read.

The sisters’ bond is central, portraying sibling love at its best and worst. The unraveling of their relationships—with each other and their spouses—offers an emotional journey of self-discovery, resilience, and redefining their paths when life doesn’t go as planned. A moving, character-driven story about family, marriage, and finding a way forward.

This is a book about family relationships. It delves, not only, into relationships between sisters, but between husbands and even mothers. Family is not always easy. This book portrays that very well. There were slow parts, but over all it was an interesting book. I recommend it if you like books about life with a little romance.

The synopsis for this book got me hooked but unfortunately the book itself failed to deliver. It was okay but nothing special.

Anne and Becky move back to England with their husbands after their father passed away. Two completely different sisters living very different lifestyles. One sister is successful, the other, not so much. We learn of all their struggles as they settle back into living in England.

This book takes a look at family relationships. The relationships are complex. Infidelity plays its part. The pace is slow. This is a multilayered story. It did take me a little while to get into this book, but it was worth sticking with it. The characters all have their flaws, This is a character driven story. I liked the author's writing style. It's quite moving in places.

Published 12th December 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #AmandaBrookfield for my ARC of #SistersandHusbands in exchange for an honest review.

No one gets to the heart of human relationships quite so perceptively as Brookfield.' The Mirror Ever since the death of their father twenty years before, beautiful thirty-two-year-old Anna has acted as her younger sister Becky’s support, playing the peace-maker in her stormy relationship with their mother, and counselling her through the traumas of a life that has always appeared charmless and problematic in comparison to her own.

Now married to wealthy, handsome David Lawrence, with a luxurious country home and a successful career in broadcasting, Anna’s good fortune looks set to continue. But when she unexpectedly falls pregnant and Becky’s marriage runs into trouble, the door to the sisters past suddenly swings open, exploding all their long-held perceptions both of each other and themselves.

loved it. will recommend to others.

This book is about two sisters Becky and Anna and their respective husbands. At the start of the book they all look happy but as time goes on life happens and things fall apart.
Anna's husband has retired early to pursue sculpting but is soon bored with staying at home. Anna falls pregnant when it was the last thing she wanted as she loves her high powered job.
Becky's husband has left a good job and is now working all hours in a restaurant but really wants to open his own.
Becky hardly sees her husband because of his long hours and when he's not working he's asked to look after his daughter by his ex wife.
For a good part of this book it was a bit of doom and gloom with no one really being happy with what they have.
There is a journey for then all to make to being happy again. It was a good read with a few twists in it.

this is about two sisters Anna and Rebecca, and their husbands, as they navigate some life issues. I enjoyed it very much.

This is an interesting book about, sisters, Anna and Becky, and their husbands, David and Joe. It is their journey of finding the life they have, and as they move forward in life, things happen, and they have to decide along the way, where they go from here. They all thought they had their lives all mapped out, but life isn't like that. When they start having marital problems, we see what happens there. The story reminds me of being backed into a corner, and you have to figure your way out. Sometimes it takes more than one try.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

This book was entertaining but not my favorite. It was worth the read if you are looking for an interesting story to follow along. The relationship between parents and children, sisters and their husbands.