Hearties Review: Sisters and Brothers

Spanning generations and full of tender connections, SISTERS AND BROTHERS is the latest novel from bestselling author, Fiona Palmer.

Inspired by real life (though, not Fiona’s), this heartfelt story about all the ways love can unexpectedly weave in and out of our lives delivers on every level. From fun, relatable, emotionally resonant characters to the ties and lies that truly bind people together, there’s not a single page where I didn’t feel something. And that’s the power of Palmer.

Bill, a recent widower in his 70s, is grappling with the grief he carries for his beloved wife. He is a devoted father to Sarah – a busy wife and mother whose marriage is straining under the pressures of other commitments – and relies on her for companionship. Together, they are processing their losses.

When Emma undergoes a routine blood test, she is shocked to learn that her parents have kept a secret from her for over 30 years, and Adam has always longed to know more about the father he never knew. Michelle’s small business – and the manager of a local restaurant – keeps her mind occupied, but the search for her birth parents weighs heavy on her heart.

Connected but separated by the secrets of the past, these five very different people must navigate the challenges of their own lives alongside the fallout when truths are revealed. It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking novel, and I felt an instant connection with many of the characters. Even the supporting cast feel vibrant and authentic. There’s something very special about Bill’s chapters, and balanced with Emma’s down-to-earth charm and vivacity, and Adam’s truly touching story, SISTERS AND BROTHERS keeps both pace and tension up, right until the final line.

If you love family stories, stories about longing for something you’ve missed, the kind of story that will make you laugh after the tears have dried, you must pick up a copy of this wonderful treat. With SISTERS AND BROTHERS it’s easy to see why Fiona Palmer is one of Australia’s most beloved storytellers.