A REVIEW - 5 STARS
A book full of warm fuzzy feelings. The Patterson Girls provided a well-structured story line highlighting the inner workings of a family of four daughters and a widowed father, all of whom were spread across Australia and the globe. We learn of their individual and unique lives, similarities, differences and their early adult life events, all of which led to their current day situations.
Plenty of family drama unfolded as Madeleine, Lucinda, Abigail, Charlie and their father Brian were introduced, brought together to celebrate the festive season. It was this drama that made the story jump from a good read to an incredible one. Watching the sisters navigate this drama produced both laughter and tears and was supported by careful scene setting detail, individualized character voices and the re-strengthening of their sisterhood.
Set in a family run motel, the vibe of the story was cozy. As a teen I spent a year working in one that felt the same and provided me with an understanding of how small motels operate. As I read through the story, I was guilty of blurring the visual picture to incorporate what I remembered from all those years ago and found myself combining the two settings.
Each of the sisters showcased strength, courage and an uncanny ability to screw things up. The creation of imperfect characters helped with character relatability and drew me further into the story. The love interests of the girls added an extra layer of drama to an already dramatic reunion, however, it was kept separate and remained easy to follow, never left wondering ‘which sister is this again?’
This being only my second Johns novel, I am yet to be disappointed and cannot wait to read one of her many books on my TBR shelf. Perhaps, Lost Without You or The Art of Keeping Secrets may be next.
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