Rating: 
Summary: Page turner with strong premise
Review: Author Hannah sets up an intriguing dilemma, one that will be familiar to many readers. Two sisters strike out in different directions, then come together again at a critical point in their lives. WIll they reconcile? That's what keeps the pages turning. But I believe the deeper question is: Why should they feel guilty if they don't?The novel begins with big sister Meaghan, a hotshot divorce lawyer, being challenged by her highly-paid therapist. She's almost a stereotype: wealthy and successful with an unsatisfying, empty personal life. Coincidentally Claire, the younger sister, has just become engaged to a country singer. Naturally Meaghan's first thought is not to congratulate the bride, but to offer help with the pre-nuptial agreement! Hannah begins by emphasizing the contrast between the sisters. Claire, a party-girl who dropped out of college, versus Meaghan who got a law degree. Claire, simple in the country; Meaghan, sophisticated in the city. Stereotypically, we're supposed to feel sympathy for Claire and resent Meaghan's heavy-handed intrusions. Meaghan feels guilty about losing touch with Claire, but it's hard to see why. As children, left alone by a self-centered mother who stumbled into a starring television role, Meaghan saved Claire from a foster home with Social Services. It was Meaghan who ended up homeless, who put herself through college and law school. In the novel, I believe the Meaghan character was more well-rounded and more interesting, with contradictions that led to questions. Following a bizarre episode in a courtroom, Meaghan finds herself with time on her hands. She visits Claire and volunteers to help with the wedding. Personally, I think attending a bridal shower with *games* is going beyond sisterly devotion, entering the realm of masochism -- a funny and sad scene, marred only by wondering why an experienced sophisticate like Meaghan wouldn't ask ahead of time about dress code. After that the book becomes predictable. I don't want to give away the ending -- which most readers will figure out somewhere early in the book -- but by a series of coincidences, everyone ends up helping everyone else. A frog...er, bum...turns out to be a prince. And Meaghan becomes transformed. Pre-nup? No way! Of course this book has to follow genre conventions, but I wish we had been exposed to a more complex sisterly relationship (see The Interpreter by Kim for an excellent recent example). Sure, I kept turning the pages, but it was like finishing up a gooey dessert. By the end I was ready for a return to meat and potatoes. And what's so unromantic about a pre-nuptial agreement? Given the career directions of some of the characters, I bet everybody will eventually wish they'd had one!
Rating: 
Summary: Nice sister read
Review: I found the story of these two sisters very touching and moving. I would love to read more by this author for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Warm and Endearing
Review: I really liked this story. Enjoyed Joe's part and Meghan and Claire's parts as well. Also I was so hooked on the end wondering what was going to happen. Will be reading more Kristin Hannah soon :)
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I thank Kristin Hannah for a wonderful book! She may just become my favorite author! Claire and Meg havent been close in years, until Claire gets bad news and Meg takes matters into her own hands. Great story of siblings who find each other after a long separation...and an adorable five year old to boot!
Rating:
Summary: Touching Sisters Story
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed BETWEEN SISTERS, but that doesn't surprise me, for Hannah always delivers a well-written, emotional story about relationships and situations that most women face sometime in their lives. Women's fiction is my favorite genre (or sub-genre, that's an ongoing debate) and there are a number of authors who are at the top of my list TBR. Hannah is one of them. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Rating: 
Summary: Good story, left me wanting more
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book - all the characters were interesting,although their inability to figure out the common people in their lives until the end was frustrating. I made the mistake of reading the editors review while I was in the middle of this book so I knew everything that was going to happen. I still found it difficult to put down, however. I was so caught up in the characters that I found myself laughing, crying, frustrated, disappointed and happy at various points. My only disappointment was the ending - she wrapped up the sisters story well but left me wanting to know a lot more about the other key relationships and how they got to where they were in the final chapter. I hope Kristin Hannah develops these characters in a future book.
Rating:
Summary: Great emotional read
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it almost straight through, I just got so interested in the characters and the plot. The emotions were very strong, and I admit it made me cry. Definitely inspires you to look at your life and evaluate relationships and priorities. I recommend this book to anyone who can commit themselves to reading it, to be able to get the full range of the characters, the emotions, and the circumstances.
Rating:
Summary: Gifted Writer
Review: ISBN: 0345450736
Title: Between Sisters
Author: Kristin Hannah
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Prominent but jaded divorce attorney, Meghann Dontess, discovers that her estranged younger sister is planning to marry a penniless would-be country singer. Since Meghann knows there is no such thing as happy-ever-after, she is determined to save her sister from a marriage sure to fail. Thus begins Kristin Hannah's grab-the-tissue-and-a-soft-seat fabulous page turning narrative. "Between Sisters" is a touching exploration of the relationships that abound in families. This well-penned fiction rings with honesty, the characters are your friends and neighbors, the dialogue is authentic and the action believable. Hannah has a talent for unforgettable plots and "Between Sisters" is destined to become a true classic.
Beverly J Scott author of "Righteous Revenge" and "Ruth Fever." Reviewer for Intriguing Authors and Their Books at http://www.funeralassociates.com/authors.htm
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Story
Review: Living in the Seattle area, I enjoy reading books written by the Northwest authors. It's always fun being able to "picture" all the places the author talks about---having been there in person. With that said, I also love this author's style of writing, the development of her characters and the story's plot as well. She didn't disappoint in this novel, "Between Sisters".
This was her best work thus far and each book seems to be the best---a trademark of a great author. I haven't cried so much since "The Bridges of Madison County". It had much humor, sensitivity, sadness,happiness, love,and the dysfunctional families. It had it all!! I didn't want the story to end. I also hope she might continue the characters in a future novel. The story of Joe and Meg could be a book in itself.
I could not put this book down--became very involved with the story and people and felt that I "knew" them as friends. I lost a child to cancer--so I could also relate to the pain of that disease, the agony of the survivors.
I hope Kristin Hannah continues to wow me with her books. I look forward to the next one.
Rating:
Summary: I really enjoyed this book!
Review: This heartwarming tale of two sisters, separated over time by the choices they had made in their childhood, will warm your heart. Meg and Claire, two sisters born to a negligent and selfish mother but with different fathers, have a very close bond until fate steps in and tears them apart. When the book begins, many years have passed, and both have gone on to lead their own lives, but think often with regret of the events that separated them. Each woman feels guilty for the choices she made, and blames herself for the separation. The rest of the book details their struggles to come together again and resolve the issues that separated them to begin with, and to ultimately find happiness. I don't know if this review does the book justice. It is definitely my favorite of the four books I have read by Hannah, and marks a departure from the storyline she usually follows. Even if you are not sure whether this book is for you, pick up a copy. It remains one of my favorite reads of 2003.
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