This was my first book by Cathy Kelly and I really enjoyed it. I found I could really identify with the main character Lou. Pleasing everyone is hard work and you invariably get over looked by others as you don’t kick up a fuss or cause a scene. I saw a lot of myself in Lou and at times I thought I was reading about myself, always justifying others actions so they don’t feel bad, even though they’ve made you feel bad.

Seeing the two sisters, Lou and Toni reconnect and bond, each drawing strength from the other was nice, they had to learn to be open and vulnerable with each other. Even strong independent women need love and support.

Watching Lou discover herself was eye opening and I really enjoyed it, she found her inner strength and stood up for herself, it was also refreshing to see that others grew and changed around her and became better people to keep Lou in their lives. Her husband had a wake up call and he rose to the challenge to not take Lou for granted but to actually show he loves her.

I will certainly be checking out other books by this authors as I loved the feeling of self love and family it gave me.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The story begins with an upcoming birthday party, it’s Lou’s 50th birthday, but she’s not bothered about turning 50, she’s friend passed away who had cancer, and she misses them. She also doesn’t think that her husband will attend, let alone bring her a gift.

When the party is going on, whatever Lou was dreading, happens, and there’s one shock news after another, all told by her mother Llilian.

In order to get answers Lou and her sister Toni go to Sciliy , it makes them think about their lives could’ve have.

The characters were relatable. The story was well-written.

I recommend this book.

Sisterhood by Cathy Kelly is a heartwarming and empowering novel about self-discovery, family, and learning to put yourself first.

Lou Fielding, a lifelong people pleaser, has always put others before herself—her demanding mother, inattentive husband, and ungrateful employers. But on her 50th birthday, a shocking revelation from her mother shatters her world, making her realize just how much she has been taken for granted. Meanwhile, her younger sister Toni, a confident and successful journalist, is dealing with her own betrayal and career crisis.

Determined to escape and find answers, the sisters embark on a journey from Cork to Sligo to Sicily. Along the way, they lean on each other, learning from their differences and discovering their own strength. With humor, wisdom, and emotional depth, Sisterhood explores themes of self-worth, independence, and the power of female relationships.

The novel beautifully captures the importance of setting boundaries and the realization that “people treat you how you allow them to treat you.” It’s a must-read for anyone who has ever felt overlooked or undervalued, with a powerful message: women don’t need rescuing—they rescue themselves.

When I saw there was a new Cathy Kelly book out, I jumped at the chance to read it, and it didn't disappoint. A great read touching on themes of relationships, families, secrets and lies. All the characters were relatable (though not all likeable!).

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This is a lovely hug of a book which from the beginning has the reader swept up into the family life of main protagonist Lou and her sister Toni.

The book starts with a 50th birthday party looming for Lou. She doesn’t seem concerned about the age but is missing her friend who was lost to cancer and doubting her husband would even remember to arrive or get a gift. On the night of the party all of Lou’s worst fears come to fruition and there are more revelations to come, courtesy of her needy mother Lillian.

A trip to Sicily for Lou and Toni is a life changing time for them both, helping the sisters to see how their lives could be different and their own value.

This is a lovely book which has some very real and relatable characters that I enjoyed reading immensely. The author has portrayed them so vividly and with such reality that I was rooting for them to get a happy ending, or their idea of one.

Thoroughly recommend reading this book.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Such an intriguing book exploring the crises of two sisters and their journey together, both physical and emotional. There were some lovely supporting characters along the way and some great twists. A really enjoyable book

Love Cathy Kelly books and this is no exception. Lou is coming up to her 50 birthday. She always does everything for everyone else. Her party doesn't turn out the way she thought. Her sister Toni and her don't have the same relationship they used to have. At her party a secret comes out that changes everything

Was absolutely buzzing to read this book and it didn’t disappoint! Fabulous book, easy read and flew through it! Thank you Net galley

What a delightful, uplifting read. I do love books by Cathy Kelly, as she seems to capture the very best of human kindness and solidarity. Lou looked forward to receiving a well deserved promotion at work and to celebrating her 50th birthday with family and friends. But, when she is let down by those closest to her, her sister, Toni, steps in and tries to help her find answers and peace. Toni has always been the achiever, whereas Lou is the people pleaser and solution provider. When both sisters are shocked out of their traditional roles, they turn to each other and provide much needed support. The two set off on a voyage of discovery, which is a break from the problems of their daily lives and an attempt to find answers and solutions for the way forward. Along the way they meet a young woman, Trinity, who is clearly in need of compassion and understanding. The story is totally engaging and the author manages to highlight essential goodness in the characters. Even some of the most selfish and egotistic people do reveal their better traits. A lovely, relaxing, get away from it all novel that leaves the reader with a warm glow of contentment and optimism.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC.

Lou has a thoughtless husband, an unappreciative employer and a toxic mother. Her best friend died two years ago, and her younger sister seems to have it all. It all comes to a head on her 50th birthday when her employer overlooks her for a promotion, her husband didn't buy her a present and her mother tells her drunkenly that her father isn't her father.

This is a heartwarming story about female empowerment when Lou and her sister Toni, with the help of a young pregnant hitch-hiker, decide to travel to Sicily to find Lou's birth father and find out what happened 50 years ago. Lou is a people pleaser with a history of anxiety and depression (something she calls The Barking Dog), and Toni's husband is a gambler who lost all their money. She also seemingly just sabotaged her career. With all that's happening in their private lives we don't get to Sicily until halfway through the book.

The story is well told and reads smoothly, and it was lovely to see that Lou and Toni have a loving relationship and have people around them like daughter Emily and aunt Gloria that appreciate them. The "secret" wasn't hard to figure out, and the end resolved a little too neatly. Hitch-hiker Trinity wasn't really necessary for the story but she wasn't holding it up, just giving perspective on the "single and pregnant" stigmata that still exists in Ireland.

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book when I saw I had been approved I couldn't wait to read it and it did not disappoint. A lovely story. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I love Cathy Kelly's books and this is no exception. She seems to have the knack of taking an ordinary family with ordinary problems and making it so very interesting. In Sisterhood, Lou is the sister who is the family 'fixer' or to be not so polite everyone's doormat. Her sister Toni has a high flying career and her mother is a self obsessed artist. At Lou's 50th birthday party several bombshells are dropped which send the sisters off on a roadtrip to Sicily to find themselves and the answers they seek. A lovely feel good book which I thoroughly enjoyed and happily give 5*
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Sisterhood is the story of sisters Lou and Toni who both receive devastating news which disrupts their lives.
A voyage of self discovery follows, with a trip to the beautiful island of Sicily.
This is a mature book from Cathy Kelly. Hugely enjoyable and I think most women will take a little something away from it in how they live their lives.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

Book Review: Sisterhood by Cathy Kelly

I’ve been a fan of Cathy Kelly’s work for a while, so I was excited to dive into Sisterhood. The premise—two sisters embarking on a journey of self-discovery—really drew me in, and the book certainly didn’t disappoint in terms of heart and depth. Lou, one of the sisters, is such a relatable character. She spends her life putting others first, and when a secret shakes her world, she decides to finally do something for herself. I really appreciated the personal growth Lou goes through in this book—it was empowering and emotional.

The relationship between Lou and her sister Toni is central to the story, and the dynamic between them felt very real. The story takes you on an emotional journey as the sisters travel from Ireland to Sicily, each facing their own personal struggles. I loved how the setting—particularly the vibrant, sun-soaked Sicilian backdrop—added a layer of warmth to the story, making it feel like an adventure of both the heart and the soul.

That said, while I really enjoyed the book, I wouldn’t say it’s my absolute favorite of Cathy’s works. There were moments where the pacing felt a bit slow, and some parts of the plot seemed a little predictable. Still, the emotional depth and the themes of family, self-discovery, and resilience kept me engaged throughout.

Overall, Sisterhood is a heartfelt and uplifting read with relatable characters and a strong emotional core. It's perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good story with plenty of warmth and insight.

Rating: 4/5
A beautiful and engaging story of family, secrets, and personal growth, though not quite my favorite from Cathy Kelly.