Allison’s Book Report - “Confessions of the Other Sister” by Beth Harbison

The heat has been blistering around here, and I, for one, am officially over it. Sometimes,  when it is this hot,  the only solution is to pack up a little bag of books and run to the beach. I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to do that last week when I spent three blissfully boring days in Huntington Beach, California. I can report that temperatures in the mid-70s and that salty ocean breeze will cure all that ails you. Laying on the beach for three days with nothing to do but lose myself in a book and a slushie drink was just what I needed. Unfortunately, I couldn’t bring those lovely breezy temperatures home with me,  but I did bring home a good book to tell you all about. 

“Confessions of the Other Sister” by Beth Harbison is a testament to the complicated sisterhood relationship and the feelings of competition and jealousy that often follow sisters into adulthood. Frances Turner has a confession to make:  her younger sister, Crosby, drives her crazy. Everything that Frances has had to work herself to the bone for just sort of happens to Crosby – her hair and skin are always perfect, men flock to her, and she managed to become famous by writing a blockbuster novel and making a zillion dollars, seemingly all by accident. Meanwhile, Frances struggles to keep her head above water, working as a private chef between acting auditions, and her big break never comes. As perfect as Crosby's life seems, she also has a confession: she thinks that Frances is playing it too safe and can't understand why she doesn't break out of her rut and do something interesting with her life. The sisters have nothing in common except their parents – but when fate throws the two seemingly incompatible sisters together, they realize they need each other to help them steer in the right direction.

“Confessions of the Other Sister” is a sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes heartbreaking story about how adult siblings are tied together by their past and their upbringing and discovering how that common bond can shape who they are, even as adults. Harbison's writing style is classic women's fiction and similar to favorite “chick-lit" authors Sophie Kinsella or Jennifer Weiner, making it the perfect addition to a beach bag or pool bag or to crack open at home with the A/C cranked on high.

I hope this week is a little cooler, and we can all find a way to beat the heat and crack open a good book. Come and visit me on Instagram @allison.the.reader,  where I'm always ready to talk about what books are helping us through the heatwave.