Amanda Brookfield

Book Review: SISTERS AND HUSBANDS
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Amanda Brookfield @amanda_and_mabel_brookfield
Publisher: Boldwood Books @theboldbookclub

Brookfield’s Sisters and Husbands is an emotionally charged exploration of sisterhood, marriage, and the impact of long-buried family secrets. A rewrite of the original novel first released in 2002.

Anna and Becky, two sisters bound by a shared past yet leading vastly different lives, are at the heart of this novel. Ever since the death show more of their father twenty years ago, Anna, the older of the two, has played the role of protector and mediator. She has always been the composed, ambitious one, successfully building a life that includes a wealthy husband, David, a luxurious home in the country, and a thriving career in broadcasting. Becky, in contrast, has struggled with impulsivity, making rash decisions that often lead to long-term consequences. Her relationship with their mother is tense, further exacerbated by the family tragedy that still lingers in their lives.

Despite their differences, the sisters share an unbreakable bond. However, when Anna unexpectedly becomes pregnant and Becky’s marriage faces turmoil, the stability they have clung to begins to unravel. With old wounds resurfacing and secrets emerging, their understanding of themselves, each other, and the choices they have made is challenged. Anna’s husband, David, struggles to cope with her pregnancy, while Becky’s husband moves ahead with his restaurant ambitions, leaving her feeling abandoned. As their personal struggles intensify, they must confront the past and decide whether it will define their future.

Brookfield excels at crafting multidimensional characters, and Sisters and Husbands is no exception. Anna is the quintessential perfectionist, planning every detail of her life meticulously, yet she is forced to confront uncertainties when her well-structured plans falter. Becky, on the other hand, is fiery and spontaneous, leading a life marked by instability. The contrast between the sisters adds depth to their relationship, making their struggles and reconciliations all the more poignant.

The novel also explores the men in their lives. David’s reluctance to embrace impending fatherhood reveals cracks in his seemingly ideal marriage, while Becky’s husband’s pursuit of independence leaves her questioning her own worth. The interplay between the sisters and their husbands, as well as their interactions with each other’s spouses, adds another layer of complexity to the story.

Brookfield’s writing is perceptive and emotionally resonant. The narrative starts off slowly, laying the groundwork for the characters’ backstories and relationships, but as the conflicts deepen, the pace quickens. Her ability to weave together multiple storylines ensures that the reader remains engaged until the final pages. The dialogues feel authentic, and the emotions conveyed are raw and relatable.

Sisters and Husbands is a compelling, multilayered novel that offers an intimate look at the complexities of family life and relationships. The novel reminds us that while the past influences the present, it does not have to dictate the future.

#BookReview #SistersAndHusbands #FamilyDrama #WomenFiction #Brookfield #SiblingBonds #MarriageStruggles #EmotionalRead #SecretsAndLies #MustRead show less

I reckon this book is about 90% good, 10% rubbish. I say it's good because I think it portrays very accurately and intelligently the problems within two marriages, and in the relationships of a single man. Reading this material I found a substantial resonance with my own life, and the description of the thoughts and behaviours of the people involved made me reflect on myself. That's why I read books (mostly) - to understand more about myself. Ms Brookfield deserves praise for her show more perceptiveness and for the believable way she portrays people.

So why on earth does she feel the need to wrap up every single plot element into nice neat little parcels by the close of the book? The world is NOT like that Amanda! People suffer...and go on suffering. People stumble from crisis to crisis; they do live lonely lives.

I read a review of another one of Ms Brookfield's books, and the reviewer made the same point about the book's "closed" ending. Clearly, Amanda Brookfield or her publisher, thinks this is the cornerstone of commercial success. Well, they may be right, but I for one will not be lining their pockets. Amanda Brookfield is henceforth crossed off my "to read" list. show less

I was surprised at how much I liked this book. Frances, a contented mother of two young adults, has her life shattered by the sudden death of her husband. This happens before the story begins, and the first half of the book gives a sensitive account of her journey through grief, and the struggles she has to relate to her friends and acquaintances as a widowed woman.

Then she meets someone new... and the rest of the book explores her growing awareness of herself, and various issues that show more arise. The writing is good, the characters realistic, the story interesting, and the resolution satisfying, despite a few shocks along the way. A little more bad language than I'm comfortable with, but still, four and a half stars for this. show less

A family saga which I mostly enjoyed, although I didn't realise until I'd finished it that it's in fact a sequel to another book by this author (Relative Love). It stood alone very well. Charts a year in the life of an extended family, and I found myself feeling more and more involved with them as I read. Great writing style, though a few more sordid moments than I'm comfortable with.