I’ve been a fan of Jennifer Weiner’s since reading Good In Bed all the way back in 2002. I was super excited to be approved on NetGalley for an ARC of The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits in exchange for an honest review.

The Griffin Sisters reminded me why I fell in love with this author’s writing all those years ago.

There are three main characters: Cassie, her older sister, Zoe and Zoe’s daughter, Cherry. It starts with Cherry going against her Mom’s wishes and auditioning for a TV singing competition. Cherry wants her mentor on the show to be her aunt Cassie, who she’s never met. Cassie and Zoe had a No. 1 album as the Griffin Sisters in the early 2000s but Cassie’s now a recluse living in Alaska and Zoe’s a housewife in suburban New Jersey.

The story is told in Cassie, Zoe and Cherry’s perspectives then and now. Cassie and Zoe reminded me, superficially at least of Cass Elliot and Michelle Phillips from The Mamas & The Papas and Carnie & Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips from Wilson Phillips. It’s easy to root for Cassie because even though it’s her amazing voice and songwriting that sell records, she’s pushed to one side when they’re promoting the album in favour of her more conventionally attractive sister.

From the very beginning, the author has been amazing at writing plus-sized heroines, being very real about the prejudices they face but without turning them into punchlines and Cassie is no different. I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be to be a plus-sized woman in the public eye and I was horrified to read about Carnie Wilson’s ordeal on the Howard Stern Show.

It took me a while to warm up to Zoe because at first glance, you’d think she had it so much easier than Cassie. In the acknowledgements at the end, the author references Britney Spears' memoir and I could see how Zoe’s experiences in the public eye might have been inspired by Britney, Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson. It’s interesting that the scrutiny of the Griffin Sisters is focused solely on Cassie and Zoe and the guys in the band basically get a free pass. Even with the tragic event that leads to the break-up of the band, Zoe acknowledges that she’s got to behave a certain way or she’ll be judged harshly by the media and their fans.

Zoe might be pretty and enjoy all the perks of being famous but she’s put under pressure from their management not to gain any weight and she’s riddled with insecurities about not being as talented as her sister, which isn’t helped by trolls on the Internet and when she’s pushed to the side of the stage. It’s sad because the two sisters have so much in common and yet they’re divided and conquered by the music industry who wants Cassie’s voice but Zoe’s looks.

I really wanted to give it Five Stars but I didn't like the side plot involving Zoe's stepson, Bix.

As a fan of music-driven stories, I approached The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner with the expectation that it might mirror Daisy Jones & The Six. However, that comparison didn’t do this book justice. While both novels explore themes of fame, family, and the music industry, Weiner’s approach is refreshingly different, leaning on a more traditional narrative style rather than the oral history format of Daisy Jones.

The story follows the lives of two sisters, the Griffin sisters, who once made it big in the music world, alongside the journey of Cherry, the daughter of one of the sisters, who is trying to forge her own path in the music industry. The structure, alternating between the perspectives of the sisters and Cherry, offers a deep dive into their individual struggles, desires, and growth over time.

What truly drew me in was the characters. Weiner excels at creating complex, relatable figures, and I found myself genuinely invested in their lives. The dynamics between the sisters, especially as they navigate their fractured relationship and individual paths, were rich and compelling. Cherry’s pursuit of stardom provided an interesting parallel, showing how the next generation faces similar pressures but in a different context.

The pacing of the story was just right — enough drama, emotion, and surprises to keep me hooked, but with moments of reflection and intimacy that made the characters' struggles feel very real. I found it hard to put down and often thought about the characters when I wasn’t reading.

For those looking for a heartfelt and engaging read about family, ambition, and the music industry, this book is definitely worth picking up. While it may not have the same narrative format as Daisy Jones, The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits holds its own with a rich, emotional story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

I would rate this book a solid 4.5 out of 5, and it has definitely piqued my interest in Jennifer Weiner’s other works. Highly recommend!

The Griffin Sisters

The Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits tells the story of two sisters in a band in the 00s - Zoe and Cassie. Zoe is, on the surface of it, your typical “pop” princess - she loves the limelight, she’s sent racks of designer clothes and she has men falling at her feet. Cassie on the other hand, is shy, insecure and resents her fame. The sisters couldn’t be more different, and the novel embarks on a Daisy Jones-style tale to uncover why, after a whirlwind year, did the band break up?

The story picks up two decades later; Zoe is a housewife, whizzing round to PTA meetings in her mom mobile, and Cassie is nowhere to be seen. But, Zoe’s teenage daughter, on the quest for fame and fortune is about to unravel the mystery of the Griffin Sisters.

This book is a story of sisterhood, motherhood and first loves, set in a nostalgic pop universe.

As a 30 year old woman who grew up in the 00s - I felt every word of the girls’ insecurities. I would add a slight trigger warning here if you do struggle with body image.

I enjoyed this book, the premise was really strong and I was excited to pick it up based off the blurb. It was slow goings at first; it was about 60% in before I felt compelled to get to the end.

A fun nostalgic beach read with heart!

The story of two sisters who made it big in music and then mysteriously went their separate ways, this has echoes of Daisy Jones and the Six. That applies not just in terms of the subject matter, but also in terms of the general flavour of this story.

What really happened between Cassie and Zoe? And where is Cassie now? Will their fans ever get the answers that they desperately crave?

An easy read and an enjoyable one, this novel is definitely worth your time.

Two sisters, born a little over a year apart.

They're as unalike each other as can be.

Zoe - pretty, outgoing, confident.

Cassie - not.

Their mother Janice secretly resents Cassie, the baby she never wanted.

Zoe secretly resents Cassie, because she misses out on all sorts of things because she has to drag her sullen, silent sister around with her.

Until the day that Zoe wants Cassie to do something for her. Because Cassie owes her.

But Cassie, the naturally talented musician, doesn't want the attention that increasing fame brings...

Brilliant

Whatever happened to the Griffin Sisters?

Twenty years ago the pop group The Griffin Sisters took the US by storm. Their one and only album went gold, they were compared to every music legend out there. Their lyrics were soulful and their lead singer Cassie had a voice to rival Aretha Franklin and every other great singer you can think of.

The Griffin Sisters was the brainchild of Cassie's older sister Zoe. Zoe had the looks, but Cassie had the talent. The record label introduced them to Russell who helped them write the songs that resonated with a generation. Then tragedy struck and the band split.

Twenty years later, Zoe is a suburban housewife in New Jersey who has done everything she can to gloss over her past and Cassie is a recluse living in the wilds of Alaska. But Zoe's eldest child Cherry has the music bug and is determined to pursue her dreams no matter what Zoe says.

Think a mash-up of The Mamas and the Papas and Fleetwood Mac, the drama, the relationships, the raw talent, the devastation.

I really enjoyed this, but I guess I wanted a different ending - not sure what that would look like mind you, but I do.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.