“This is a big-hearted belly-laugh of a book, told with wit and poignancy. Family secrets, laughter and tears, shocking reveals, and an uplifting ending make this a story to savor–and share.”–Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost and Found Bookshop
An accomplished storyteller returns with her biggest, boldest, most entertaining novel yet—a hilarious, heartfelt story about … novel yet—a hilarious, heartfelt story about books, love, sisterhood, and the surprises we discover in our DNA.
Maggie, Eliza, and Tricia Sweeney grew up as a happy threesome in the idyllic seaside town of Southport, Connecticut. But their mother’s death from cancer fifteen years ago tarnished their golden-hued memories, and the sisters drifted apart. Their one touchstone is their father, Bill Sweeney, an internationally famous literary lion and college professor universally adored by critics, publishers, and book lovers. When Bill dies unexpectedly one cool June night, his shell-shocked daughters return to their childhood home. They aren’t quite sure what the future holds without their larger-than-life father, but they do know how to throw an Irish wake to honor a man of his stature.
But as guests pay their respects and reminisce, one stranger, emboldened by whiskey, has crashed the party. It turns out that she too is a Sweeney sister.
When Washington, DC based journalist Serena Tucker had her DNA tested on a whim a few weeks earlier, she learned she had a 50% genetic match with a childhood neighbor—Maggie Sweeney of Southport, Connecticut. It seems Serena’s chilly WASP mother, Birdie, had a history with Bill Sweeney—one that has remained totally secret until now.
Once the shock wears off, questions abound. What does this mean for William’s literary legacy? Where is the unfinished memoir he’s stashed away, and what will it reveal? And how will a fourth Sweeney sister—a blond among redheads—fit into their story?
By turns revealing, insightful, and uproarious, The Sweeney Sisters is equal parts cautionary tale and celebration—a festive and heartfelt look at what truly makes a family.
“Dolan uses her experience in podcasting with her own sisters to craft believable women characters who worry about real problems and use wry humor to push through dark moments . . . . A warmhearted portrait of love embracing true hearts.”—Kirkus
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The first book I’ve read by this author and really enjoyed it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Sweeney Sisters
By: Lian Dolan
REVIEW
Maggie, Eliza and Tricia are the Sweeney sisters. The death of their mother fifteen years ago caused a drifting apart, but the death of their father pulls them back together. Their father was a well known writer, so the sisters know a proper Irish wake is the thing to do in honor of him. You know how these things go-drama, old grudges, disputes and liquor-is a recipe for disaster. Through the course of events, a new sister, Serena, emerges. Now, the four women are left to untangle their father’s life and deal with any fallout that might happen because he was well known and respected. This discovery will change perceptions of him but in what ways? How does Serena feel about being the fourth wheel? The lives of Maggie, Eliza and Tricia are forever altered, and they must decide how to proceed. This story is heartbreaking and humorous with many ups and downs for all of the characters. I honestly don’t know how I would react. Change is inevitable, but it’s also unwanted. I sympathize with each of these women and understand their differences of opinion. This story is about the unknowns, the surprises and the gifts life throws in your path. How you react is everything. I enjoyed reading The Sweeney Sisters, and with all of its charm, tension, wit and hope, I do recommend trying this book out for yourself.
This is a big-hearted belly-laugh of a book, told with wit and poignancy. Family secrets, laughter and tears, shocking reveals, and an uplifting ending make this a story to savor–and share.
I always wanted a sister. And if I could have picked, I would have picked any of the Sweeneys or all of them.
Lian Dolan weaves a wonderful story of life after the death of the sisters’ mega-author father, William Sweeney. The women learn of a mystery memoir that William’s publishing contract requires to be produced (or the estate will need to pay back the lavish advance), a secret life, and a lot of turmoil. William Sweeney, it turns out, was not and is precisely what the sisters’ knew. The sisters must put aside their issues and agendas to navigate their father’s past, contain the fallout of the harsh memoir, and find their new normal.
The Sweeney Sisters is a feel-good story with enough modernism, realism, and conflict to keep the reader engaged and entertained. There is nothing earth-shattering about the book, but I would have missed out on a good one had I not read it. And, for you writers out there, Ms. Dolan is a heck of a good writer. She can pick the right words every time; that alone makes the book a true winner.
The Sweeney Sisters has filled a hole in my non-sister heart.
Family drama at it’s best! I got so into this book! I loved all of the Sweeney sisters and all of their different personalities, my favorite would have had to be Eliza or Serena! I hope Lian Dolan writes a sequel for this one!
Four sisters brought together by their fathers death.
I enjoyed this book about three sisters who discover in adulthood that they have an older half-sister that no one knew about. Each Sweeney sister is uniquely different from the others. When their famous author father dies and the half-sister’s existence becomes known, they all come together to make sense of their pasts, their families, relationships, and the future. It’s a quick, easy, and relaxing read with a feel good ending.
Great story.
Good sister story. All have different personalities with issues. Lots of sister support snd a surprise from DNA test. Enjoyable read.
A great read with a twist on family dynamics that was interesting.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, mainly because I kept wanting to see what would happen next. This is a family story so it is character driven. The characters are well developed, real, and likable.
The plot is simple – what would happen if at your father’s funeral you discover he’d had a child out of wedlock – a new sibling to enter your established family relations? This story deals with all the personalities, the emotions, the repercussions, the fears and joys of this kind of situation. (Maybe if I take a DNA test, I’ll discover I’m really part of this family! )
This is a book I highly recommend!
Ordinary , quick, easy read…nothing special , nothing bad.
I loved it. Loved the characters. Couldn’t put it down! I love a book that grabs me instantly and keeps me wanting more
The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan is a delightful read! I must admit that I am a listener and fan of Lian Dolan’s podcast The Satellite Sisters, where I originally heard of this book. Another reason I wanted to read it is that she came to my hometown last year to work on it (there is a mention in the credits of Sonoma County, but I know she was in Sebastopol), so I knew I had to get my hands on this book. The Sweeney Sisters is a story about sisters and it is so obvious that Ms. Dolan is really a sister because she nails, with precision, the silly, complex, and fierce loyalty of sister relationships. I have two sisters and so many of the interactions with Liza, Maggie, and Tricia rang true and made me feel such a kinship to these ladies. I felt like I was there with them quite often because I could picture myself having the same sort of conversations, rolling my eyes, glancing with one of them while the other is talking crazy, knowing what we are all thinking without saying it, and so much more. If you have sisters, you will love feeling a part of this dysfunctional family’s situations and if you do not have sisters, you can get a true glimpse of what it would be like. The story begins with Bill Sweeney, a true literary giant, passing unexpectedly and the sisters coming back to their Connecticut hometown to mourn, wrap things up with his estate, and find out there is a fourth Sweeney sister they knew nothing about, although they knew her (hello widespread, inexpensive DNA testing!). The girls went from thinking it was just the three of them (their mother, a published poet, passed of cancer years prior) to now having what would essentially be a ‘party crasher’ added to their tightknit clique of three. How would it feel to grow up truly knowing your sisterly dynamics, having no doubt of where everyone stands, to wondering how you will add in this outsider that ‘suddenly’, through no fault of her own, shares half your DNA.
This was a great read. The three red-headed Sweeney sisters find out they have a half sister. Apparently, their father, literary giant, William Sweeney, had an affair with a neighbor and their blond half-sister was born. They discover this after their father’s death. While their emotions are in a turmoil, the original three sisters have a lot going on in their private lives too. Lots of sad and happy moments in this book. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
It was pretty good. Kind of slow moving though.
An incredible read. The writing is vivid, you will feel part of the neighborhood, see
the rooms & parties. You feel the angst of these sisters go through. The surprising emotional twists & turns really can not be predicted.
There is So much to say, we should have coffee & talk 🙂 it’s Fabulousness.
The Sweeney Sisters by Loan Dolan. About 3 Sisters, Liza Sweeney-Dolan Owner of an art gallery in Southport, Connecticut. Same town where we find all the girls were raised.
She lived near her father, who for the last 20 years Julia Ruiz caring for him. Their mom died about 15 years ago.Liza was raised well & married better. Her Art Gallery is her way to establish her identify from her well-known Father’s reputation and even her husband Whit’s local centuries-old heritage. Twins Vivi & Fitz plus fabulous White mom Lolly.
Sister Maggie, failed finishing college several times,swallowed too many pills & ended up in the hospital. Too many wild nights, lost years, pilgrimage to India, breakup with Darren. Bouts of depression… She paints pictures, presently was in western Conn as an
Artist-in-residence with free housing, studio space & A few public appearances to earn her keep. Mary Magdalene Sweeney
Tricia is in Manhattan at the Law firm of Kinsley, Maxwell &Traub.
Tricia likes to track everything from steps to billable hours.Balance & focus were
here strengths.She could be the sister with the Backbone & emotional core to hold
this together.
Oh the Big news-Liza takes a call in the first few pages, from Julia Ruiz about their Father that sets in motion all the girls coming back to their childhood home immediately.
The story moves back & forth easily as the characters reminisce & learn new things.
The father has written several books to international fame.
Another character is The Captain dear friend to father & lawyer.
Charming Read
Good pandemic book to lose yourself in a family drama. Well written. Enjoyed it
A wonderful weekend read.