The Seven Sisters: A Series Overview

With the series coming to a conclusion and the final book read and reviewed, I felt now was a good time to look back and reflect on the series. I started this series back in 2019, and let me tell you, it doesn’t feel like it’s been four years. Not that it really matters, it just felt more like two years to me.

In those four years, I have come to enjoy this series, have criticisms, and found which books I like the most. Overall, I would probably say I enjoyed the series. So far, I own two of the books, Moon Sister and Missing Sister and am considering investing in Pearl Sister and Seven Sisters since those two were in my top three.

In this overview, there are a few things that I would like to address: what I think the series did well, what I feel that it could have done better, would I recommend it, if reading the entire series is necessary, and Lucinda Riley’s passing.

What I Felt the Series Did Well

There are a few things I thought the series did well. Exploring different cultures and characters was something I thought was interesting. Each book focusing on a specific sister was nice too and how each sister developed was interesting.

I think it was interesting that Lucinda Riley decided to explore different cultures. With there being several different cultures and ethnicities, how well it was executed will depend on the person. That said, I do think she did a solid job presenting each culture and ethnicity as respectfully as possible. Looking over her Q&As, she does mention some of what went into each book. I think it was interesting that the series explored different regions of the world.

Focusing on a specific sister was also something I enjoyed. With six sisters from the start, focusing one one per book worked. It doesn’t feel congested and lets each sister develop as needed. Plus, with how it is set up, it’s less jarring. Because each book bounces between the present day (2008 for the series) and the past focusing on one sister and the figure from their family’s past is better done in isolation than shuffling between six sisters and six past individuals in the same book.

I also think how some of the sisters developed was pretty good too. I will agree that each sister’s development isn’t the same and some were better written than others, but they, for the most part changed through the story. CeCe is my go to example. I think her development was pretty good. Having spent so much time sticking close to Star, seeing her find herself was a nice approach.

These were the things that I thought the series did well. Even if they weren’t done perfectly, how the series approached different cultures and each sister was done pretty well in my opinion. I do think that Lucinda Riley was as respectful as she could possibly be, even if there are a few things I think should have been done differently.

What I Feel the Series Could Have Done Better

When it comes to what I feel the series could have done better comes down to three things: elements that felt repetitive, how Electra’s issues were addressed, and the use of the term G*psy when referring to Romani characters.

The biggest thing that I felt was repetitious in the series was the whole affair/cheating plot points. This was part of one of my biggest criticisms with Storm Sister. In Storm Sister, Anna’s story (the past segments) felt very similar to Belle’s in Seven Sisters. And while that wasn’t an issue for me in Seven Sisters, that same plot point in the second book just didn’t feel right to me.

I also wasn’t a fan of the cheating misconception angle in Moon Sister‘s present day segments. I feel that the concept of Tiggy knowing she has feelings for Charles and not acting on it could have been approached differently. Namely, I could see it leading to Tiggy deciding to distance herself from Charles and find love in someone else or Tiggy coming into Charles’ life once the divorce proceedings ended and he ends up finding love again in Tiggy. Just something other than the cheating misconception.

As for how Electra’s addiction was handled, I feel that it could have been handled a little better. Admittedly, I did read a few reviews before reading Sun Sister. And while I don’t think it swayed my thoughts on the book, it did give me some perspective. Namely, how Electra’s addiction was handled. Now, I don’t think it was a bad idea to work with the issues implemented in the story, nor do I think that Electra’s story was completely horrible. It’s more so how quickly it was handled. I feel like a little more time could have been dedicated to Electra’s addiction and recovery. There was a lot of potential there for Electra’s story, however, it wasn’t implemented in the best way.

Lastly, how the series uses the term G*psy. If you’ve read my review for Moon Sister, you may recall I left a disclaimer stating that it is considered offensive to Romani people. As well as how I need to reread it to see if it was used outside of the synopses and Q&A. Now, in context of Atlas, it is used in past segments when using it would have been more common place. At this time, I still don’t believe that she was trying to be malicious with how it was used. With all of the research she did for each book, she might have known, however, I cannot speak on her behalf at this time. And since I am not aware of any foul intent, I am giving her the benefit of the doubt for now.

To reiterate, how it was used in context of the story made sense with the time period (not to say it’s an excuse). And while I do have to reread Moon Sister for a refresher, I can say that the character using it didn’t treat the Romani character poorly and it didn’t seem like the term was being (intentionally) used in a derogatory way. That said, I do think Romani should have been used in synopses on places like Goodreads and in the Q&A for Moon Sister. The blurb on the back of Moon Sister does, which is part of the reason why I want to reread Moon Sister. It’s been about a year since I’ve read the book, so I cannot recall offhand if they used Romani throughout it.

These are my qualms with the series at this time. While I do feel like this series was a good read, I wouldn’t say it’s flawless.

The Adopted Family and Bio Family Discussion

If you’ve read any of my reviews, you’ll know I put a disclaimer stating that while the series does involve the sisters finding their birth families and how I don’t believe Lucinda Riley was meaning to discredit or belittle adopted families. The reason I had that disclaimer was because of a Goodreads review for I believe Seven Sisters or Storm Sister addressing how the premise of the sisters finding their birth family was kind of counterintuitive/problematic and how adopted families are just as valid as birth families. I think that this is a valid criticism and it was something I kept in mind when reading and reviewing the series.

As I read the series, I did not believe that this was Lucinda Riley’s intent. I don’t think that it was wrong to have each sister looking into their family history and finding their birth family. And while they did form a bond with their birth family, they were still close with their adopted family. So, while I can understand the criticism of behind seeking out their birth family and the value of adopted families, I don’t think she was meaning to diminish the significant of adopted families.

Would I Recommend This Series?

Short answer: Yes

Though I would say that this series does has it’s flaws, I do think that it’s worth a read. I think the idea of the sisters looking to their roots was an interesting concept. At the same time, I appreciate how they are still close to their adopted family. Because while I know some people might not like the angle of them looking into their birth family, I think it was done in a way that was respectful. Or at least as respectful as Lucinda Riley could be.

I also how it ties to the person in the past segments was neat. Exploring the characters from the past was interesting to see. Their life stories brought something new to the series and seeing their stories evolve with their respected sister was interesting. If I had to critique the past segments for anything, outside of the whole cheating plot point in one or two of them, it would probably be it coming off as formulaic. As a whole, the series follows a formula, which isn’t inherently bad for the series considering what direction each book took. However, it could come off as formulaic for some.

Mixing realistic fiction, historical fiction, and a bit of romance, this series found a formula that works in its favor. And while I am critical about certain aspects of the series, I think that, as a series, it is an interesting one.

Do I Think it’s Necessary to Read in Order to Understand the Whole Series? Is Reading the Whole Series Necessary to Understand it?

Short Answer: No, not necessarily.

I mostly read through the series in order because that’s what made sense to me. That said, it doesn’t have to be read in order. The first six books are written in isolation as they focus on a specific sister. Because of that, the series can be read in any order. Alternatively, every book doesn’t have to be read in order to understand what’s going on.

The only book I feel is really required is the first book for the sake of set up. Seven Sisters sets up the most background about Pa Salt from the sisters perspective, namely Maia, and sets up the core plot of the series (each sister investigating their birth family). After that, you can read it in whatever order you wish. In a similar vein, the two books that would require reading the whole series are the last two, Missing Sister and Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt. Both bring the overarching plot points of the seventh sister and Pa Salt to a proper conclusion.

Lucinda Riley’s Passing

My condolences go out to her family. Though her diagnosis had been around for a few years at that point, and the road ahead uncertain, I don’t think anyone expected her to pass when she did. She passed away surrounded by her family with Missing Sister becoming the number one hardback in the UK’s Sunday Times as well as Ireland’s.

She will be missed by family and fans alike.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, I would say that the Seven Sisters series was a nice series. Before I read this series, I don’t think I would have thought I would end up liking it. But know that I have, I can say that I do. The concept is interesting and there is a level of respect and love in this series. It’s flawed, but still enjoyable. I would recommend it.

If you have read the Seven Sisters series, what did you think of it? What did you think the series did well? What flaws do you think it had? What is your favorite book?

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail: A Review

I recently just finished the second book of Ashley Herring Blake’s Bright Falls series, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail. This series, along with the the Witches of Thistle Grove series were series I picked up around the same time. I wanted to read some more romances and with me finding them in June, I ended up working it into a LGBTQ+ focused reading month (note that this wasn’t the only time I’ve read LGBTQ+ book, I just ended up deciding that I would try to focus on LGBTQ+ centered books since it was Pride Month).

I was initially hesitant if I wanted to continue on with this series, because after finishing Delilah Green Doesn’t Care and reflecting on issues I had with that book after, I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to continue the series. However, I ended up decided that I would read Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail to give the series a chance outside of the first book. The reason for giving it a chance was because I didn’t want to decide if I wanted to drop it solely on the first book. I wanted to give it a chance in the event the second book ended up being better than the first. And I ended up enjoying Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail.

Though not perfect, I do think Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail was a better book when compared to Delilah Green Doesn’t Care.

Positives

I can narrow it down to characters, how they developed, and the story. This story does see the return of characters from the previous book, like Delilah, Claire, and Iris. And Astrid, who Delilah and the gang plan to end her engagement to her fiancé, is one of the main characters alongside Jordan and part of the eventual main romance. That said, the secondary returning characters were solid enough for what they were needed for and the new characters for the most part worked.

Off the characters, I feel like Astrid and Jordan, mostly the former, had some of the best development in the story. Granted, that’s to be expected with them being the leading ladies, but their progression was done well and felt natural. They didn’t rush into a relationship and both tried to figure out what they wanted in the relationship and for the other person. I enjoyed how Astrid was able to become her own person and not what her mother wants, while also making mistakes along the way. As for Jordan, I’m glad she was finally able to find happiness after how things ended with her ex wife Meredith.

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail also had a pretty solid storyline. While mostly from the perspectives of Astrid and Jordan, there was enough time to give the secondary characters time to shine. Astrid’s mother, Delilah, Claire, and Iris had good moments and helped Astrid when needed, with her mother being a source of conflict that she needed for personal growth. Then there’s Meredith and Jordan’s brother. Jordan’s brother brought a nice sibling dynamic between the two with her brother looking out for Jordan, while Meredith is a character that Jordan had her own personal conflicts over as Jordan started to realize that she deserved happiness and love too.

And while I may have felt like the plot was relatively simple, I thought it did a good job with the story it wanted to tell. I also feel like it did a better job with it compared to Delilah Green Doesn’t Care.

Critiques

As far as criticisms, I only really have two. This critique isn’t super serious, but it’s fine that I feel like addressing. That being some tropes that this book falls into,

Now, tropes aren’t inherently a bad thing. They are just elements that aren’t uncommon. When done well, they can be good. When not done as well, it’s noticeable. It really just depends on the book.

The tropes used here aren’t bad by any means.

Those include:

• Opposites Attract: Both have different visions for the project they’re working on, one’s vision is more modern while the other is traditional, Astrid aesthetic is bright and girly while Jordan’s ids rugged and kind of tomboyish.
• Second Chances: Both Astrid and Jordan find second chances at love with each other. Astrid finds love after calling things off with her ex fiancé and Jordan finds love again after the rough divorce between her and Meredith.
• Work Partners: They start off as work partners on renovating a house for a show. From there, they end up falling in love.

Again, I am not saying that tropes are bad. However, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail does utilize a few romance tropes. And while I might not mind them, for the sake of critique I will say that is the one criticism I have. They don’t diminish the story enough for me to say I dislike the book. If these are tropes that you don’t particularly like, than this is your forewarning.

What I Feel it Did Better Than Delilah Green Doesn’t Care

As I mentioned at the beginning of this, I was debating if I wanted to continue on with the series. While I had initially enjoyed Delilah Green Doesn’t Care after some time had passed, I did feel like it could have been better. I was going to do a review on it, but ended up not getting it up due to motivation and my thoughts not being as concise as I would have liked when I was working on it.

Initially, my main issue with Delilah Green Doesn’t Care was that, similar to Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, it did feel like it hit some common tropes (ex. the bet, Claire being the best friend to Astrid, Delilah’s stepsister, and happy ending). However, unlike Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, the plot for Delilah Green Doesn’t Care to me felt like it fell to something you’d find in a Hallmark movie. Namely how it’s about Delilah coming back to her hometown, a past that had Delilah and Astrid become estranged into adulthood, making a bet with her sister to get Claire to like her, how and when it was revealed, and how it seemed to clear up almost instantly in the last chapter or two.

This isn’t necessarily a jab at Hallmark movies, but based on the ones I have seen, they do tend to share a lot of similar stories and/or tropes. And while I can say that both could possible fall into that umbrella, something about Delilah Green Doesn’t Care felt more blatant with it to me.

Since then, I have come to agree with a particular critique with Delilah Green Doesn’t Care. That being how the whole plan to break Astrid and her fiancé up feels unnecessarily over the top, where a simple conversation might have been better.

Initially, I didn’t think about that. It was just kind of there. But after reading over the criticisms of this, and actually thinking about it, I agree. I do think the story could still work for the most part with a tweaked version of Delilah and the group breaking Astrid and her fiancé up without going to the lengths they did. Maybe collect evidence as to why they feel that way, but actually sitting down with Astrid about instead of going to the lengths they did.

Conclusion

I would give Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail a four out of five stars. I thought it was a nice little romance with a natural progression and character growth that didn’t feel rushed. My only real critique would be that it utilizes a few common romance tropes. Though they aren’t done poorly, so it doesn’t really hinder the book.

Since I ended up enjoying this book, I will be continuing with this series. Which as of right now, appears to be a third and potentially final book in the form of Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date. Said third book is set to be released on November 7th 2023.