The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Book Review: The Sweeny Sisters by Lian Dolan

Author: Lian Dolan 
Release Date: 28th April 2020
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Family & Relationships
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 304
Publisher: William Morrow 
Blurb:
Angels…
Death Stalkers…
ReaAn accomplished storyteller returns with her biggest, boldest, most entertaining novel yet—a hilarious, heartfelt story about books, love, sisterhood, and the surprises we discover in our DNA that combines the wit of Jonathan Tropper with the heart of Susan Wiggs.
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.

Book Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Sweeny Sisters by Lian Dolan is a spectacular contemporary read which has a lot to offer to its readers. It is funny, heart-warming, emotional at times and conveys the strength of a bond of sisters in such a beautiful way that it is hard not to like this book.

Although this book was fiction, it did a pretty good job of convincing me otherwise. The characters felt so real and full of life and the story was so fresh and good that I wanted to believe it all to be true. And that is the best way an author can indulge a reader! The book was well-written and I loved the cover image of the book. The concept was good and the story-line very engaging.

I loved every bit of it and would recommend it to all contemporary fiction reads and anyone who likes reading about family and relationships in general.

You can also read this review on Goodreads and NetGalley

I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

June 2020
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Author Interview: J.J.N. Whitley

    Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome J.J.N. Whitley, author of The Orichalcum Crown, for an author interview with The Reading Bud. About The Author J.J.N. Whitley J. J. N. Whitley is a licensed attorney and…

  • Book Review: The Orichalcum Crown by  J. J. N. Whitley

    Book Details: Author: J. J. N. Whitley  Release Date: 1 November 2025Series: The Orichalcum Crown (Volume 1)Genre: High Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Coming of AgeFormat: E-book Pages: 337 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:Makoto lost her mother to a battle she can’t remember…

  • Book Spotlight: Christmas In Flanders Fields by Chris Waddington

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Chris Waddington for his latest release, Christmas in Flanders Fields. Book: Christmas In Flanders FieldsAuthor: Chris WaddingtonPublication Date: 19 October 2025Publisher: Coffee Shop Publishing (Self-Published)Page Count:…

  • Book Review: Filaments by KZK

    Book Details: Author: KZKRelease Date: 23 September 2025Series: Genre: Horror, Body Horror, Psychological Thriller, Eco-HorrorFormat: E-book Pages: 215 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:When Thea returns to her quiet Minnesota hometown, she expects to confront her mother’s erratic behavior. Instead, she finds…

  • Book Review: Prince of the Apple Towns: Book One of James and Jones by Dell Elle

    Book Details: Author: Del ElleRelease Date: 26 March 2019Series: James and Jones (Book 1 of 3)Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, AdventureFormat: E-book Pages: 41 pagesPublisher: DelartelleBlurb:Most people pass the shop without a second glance, mistaking it for an old…