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The Lemon Sisters: A Novel
The Lemon Sisters: A Novel
The Lemon Sisters: A Novel
Audiobook9 hours

The Lemon Sisters: A Novel

Written by Jill Shalvis

Narrated by Erin Mallon

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

The New York Times bestselling author of Rainy Day Friends and Lost and Found Sisters returns to Wildstone, California, where two completely opposite sisters—who are still nursing wounds from the past—realize they need each other more than they think.

When Brooke’s older sister, Mindy, shows up at her door with her three kids in tow, she barely recognizes her sibling who looks like she’s on the verge of a total breakdown. While adventurous, wanderlust Brooke was always the problem child, eager to slip free of Wildstone and its small-town constraints, Mindy was the golden child, who never had a hair out of place or a GPA below 4.0. The Mindy that arrives at Brooke’s apartment however, is a far cry from the ever-perfect doctor’s wife.

Brooke’s further stunned when Mindy asks to trade places with her for a few days so she can pick up her pieces and put herself back together. What Mindy doesn’t realize is that Brooke is just as broken. Her sister needs her though, so Brooke takes the kids and returns to Wildstone.

But how does one go home after seven years away and what feels like a lifetime of secrets? It doesn’t take long for Brooke to come face-to-face with her past, in the form of one tall, dark, sexy mistake. But Garrett’s no longer interested, or so he says. Only his words don’t match his actions, leaving Brooke feeling things she long ago shoved deep.

The sisters begin to wonder if the childhood taunts were true, are they lemons in life? In love? True or not, they know one thing—you can’t run far enough to outpace your demons. And when long-dead secrets surface, they’ll have to overcome their differences and learn that sometimes the one person who can help you the most is the one you never thought to ask.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherHarperAudio
Release dateJun 18, 2019
ISBN9780062741943
The Lemon Sisters: A Novel
Author

Jill Shalvis

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning novels wherever books are sold and visit her website, jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

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Reviews for The Lemon Sisters

Rating: 4.2789473389473685 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Mindy is a little too selfish and Brooke is nice though at the end I didn’t get her leaving and returning. A little stupid but the reconciliation with high school sweetheart was cute. In all it’s a super sweet story with guys that are too in love with their girls and the lids, something that makes it an amazing story. The patience and perseverance the guys and the sisters put in their relationships even when they are being unreasonable is almost surreal and extremely cute. I highly recommend this story, the characters have sassy and interesting personalities, even the babies, which helps and enriches the complexity of the plot and keeps you turning the pages through all the book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was a fun story to listen too. I loved the sister’s complicated relationship, the family drama, and the happy ending. Great summer read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    4.5 stars.

    The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis is a dazzling story of forgiveness, family and love. Although this newest release is the third installment in the Wildstone series, it can easily be read as a standalone (but I highly recommend the entire series).

    Brooke Lemon left Wildstone seven years ago and has since distanced herself from her family. At one-time a photographer of thrill-seeking adventures, she has never quite recovered emotionally from a terrible accident that almost took her life. Brooke is less than satisfied with her behind the scenes job but she is coping with the residual anxiety and PTSD through her OCD rituals. But when her slightly estranged older sister, Mindy, unexpectedly turns up on her doorstep with her three children in tow, Brooke decides to help her sister and deal with her unresolved past at the same time.

    Mindy is exhausted, overwhelmed and certain her beloved husband Dr. Linc Tennant is stepping out on her.  Although she and Brooke have not been in touch for a year, she instinctively turns to her sister when she cannot face returning home.  Mindy eagerly accepts Brooke's offer to take the kids off her hands while she takes some much needed downtime in her sister's apartment.  Still not ready to return home after a few days and rest and relaxation, Mindy decides to extend her escape from real life.

    Meanwhile, in Wildstone, Brooke comes face to face with her past right away. Unbeknownst to her, her oldest childhood friend and former love interest Garrett Montgomery now lives next door to Mindy.  She has not seen Garrett in the seven years since tragedy struck but she has every intention of trying to make amends for her abrupt rejection of him. However, Brooke quickly falls back into her old habits of running from her troubles and avoiding any emotional discussions. She is further disconcerted by the realization her sizzling attraction to Garrett has not diminished with the passage of time.

    Garrett's childhood has left an indelible mark on him and he has no intention of allowing Brooke back into his life. But their lives in both the past and present are unavoidably intertwined so he resolves to remain aloof and detached in her company.  Garrett is also stunned by his continued attraction to her, but will he give in to his desire?

    The Lemon Sisters is an engrossing novel of healing that is fast-paced and engaging.  Mindy's marital woes are easy to relate to and her attempts to reconnect with Linc are realistically portrayed. Brooke's and Garrett's struggles to communicate are a bit painful to watch since both of them tend to shut down during emotional discussions. Mindy's and Brooke's attempts to repair their fractured relationship are often stymied because of misunderstandings and lack of communication.  Jill Shalvis brings this endearing and humorous novel to an absolutely heartwarming conclusion that will delight readers. This latest addition to Wildstone series is a charming and heartfelt story that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Brooke is surprised when her sister Mindy shows up at her doorstep with kids in tow completely falling apart - afterall Mindy was always the put together sister. But when Brooke steps in to help out, she gets a chance to build relationships with her nieces and nephews, forge new connections with her sister, and put right a relationship she had fled from when she was younger. Ms. Shalvis explores marriage (Mindy and Linc have things to work out - but really Linc doesn't actually feel real since he is so lacking in any defensive mechanisms at all!) and OCD and being brave in relationships.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I liked this book but not quite as much as some of Shalvis's other novels. This book would somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me and I really struggled with how I would rate it. There were some things about this book that I absolutely loved while other things drove me a little crazy. It was a really enjoyable story and I am glad that I was able to pick it up.This is the third book in the Wildstone series but it really reads like a stand-alone. This series is only loosely connected, so the books can really be read in any order or individually without any issues. This is probably my least favorite installment in the series but it still proved to be a solid read. Brooke and Mindy Lemon were close when they were younger but have grown apart over the years. Despite this fact, Mindy shows up on Brooke's doorstep with her three kids when she is in desperate need of a break. Brooke takes the kids home and gives Mindy that break she needs and hopes to make things right with the man from her past, Garrett, at the same time.I really liked Brooke. I thought her story was compelling and I loved the fact that she didn't hesitate to do what needed to be done for her niece and nephew. She proved to be incredibly brave and I liked getting the chance to see her work through some of her issues. Garrett was nearly perfect. He seemed to be exactly what Brooke and Mindy's family needed and was just an all around good guy. He had some issues that he was dealing with as well and I really think that the way he approached them said a lot about his character. These two were great together and I loved the chemistry between them.I wasn't as much of a fan of Mindy. Honestly, I wasn't a fan at all. I am a mother so I understand how it feels to be desperate for a break but how many mothers really have that option. My sister loves me but there is no way she would have taken my kids home for a week while I stayed in her bed drinking wine and going out on the town. It seemed that nothing was good enough for Mindy. She wanted a break from her family but she also wanted to micro-manage everything that was going on in their life. Her issues with her husband could have been dealt with through a bit of communication. It just really seemed like Mindy wanted everyone in her life to cater to her while reading her mind. I would still recommend this book to others. I would have liked this book a lot more if it was just Brooke's story but I did find it to be an entertaining way to pass some time. I cannot wait to read more from this amazing author!I received a digital review copy of this book from William Morrow Paperbacks via Edelweiss.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis is a 2019 William Morrow Paperbacks publication. “I’m great. I mean, I did just spent a full minute looking for my phone while using it as a flashlight, but everyone does that, right?Brooke and Mindy- The Lemon Sisters of Wildstone- couldn’t be more different. Brooke is a free spirit who once had a challenging and exciting career, until a helicopter crash left her with PTSD. She’s made a mess of things with her family and with Garrett, the guy she left behind, locking everyone out of her life as she copes with her sadness all alone. Mindy, on the other hand, has it all together. She’s a baker, married to the perfect guy, with three adorable children. She’s organized in the extreme, and her life never got close to messy, not like Brooke. But it’s Mindy, who shows up on Brooke’s doorstep is the process of an epic meltdown. Being a perfectionist evidently comes at a cost, and Mindy is paying her dues. Although Brooke really doesn’t want to go back to Wildstone, and she really, really, really doesn’t want to face Garrett, the guy whose heart, she once broke, she knows it is time to suck it up, for her sister's sake. So, she agrees to switch places with Mindy, giving her sister a break from her kids, while her she tries to get her life back together. I LOVED this story! Mindy’s situation will resonate with most parents, especially moms struggling with body image after having children. However, her situation is compounded by her husband’s long work hours, which means she’s been running the show solo. Her need to be in complete control has driven her a little bonkers and she’s mad at that perfect husband of hers, and now resentment has begun to settle in for the long haul. Brooke’s story is very emotional, but her part of the story is also sprinkled with hilarity and of course some super steamy sexy time. But, don’t let your guard down, you will definitely need a box tissues before all is said and done. But, while the sisters keep readers on their toes with their individual dramas, the story also examines the relationship they have with one another. They have a complex relationship, each one harboring regrets, wishing they knew how to repair the damage. The dynamics between sisters always fascinate me, so I especially enjoyed this thread of the story. Shalvis, as always, injects a healthy dose of her trademark humor into the story, to offset the heaviness. I literally guffawed on a few occasions. This book has just the right balance between women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and family drama, with a jaw dropping conclusion that had me laughing and crying at the same time. I don’t know how JS does it, but she is one of the most consistent authors out there, in my opinion. I’m always super excited to read her books and wait with eager anticipation for every new one that comes out. This one is exceptional, however, and while I don’t usually add the ‘recommended’ tag-line, in this case, I think the book will appeal to a broader audience. It's not just a romance, it’s a touching story about life, marriage, and family, as well. So, yes! I highly recommend it!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The Lemon Sisters by Jill ShalvisWildstone #3Mindy and Brooke Lemon were close as peas in a pod when they were growing up but time and events changed that leaving them almost estranged after Mindy stayed away from Wildwood for seven years. The two are giving a chance to fix things when Brooke showed up in need of a bread and Mindy stepped in to help out. Mindy went back to Wildwood wanting to fix things for Brooke and also apologize and make things right with Garrett, a man that had been very special to her in the past. The journey is not easy for either sister as they try to fix what is wrong in their lives and find themselves and true happiness again. This book offers a second chance at romance for Brooke and Mindy, deals with marital issues Brooke and Linc were facing, has Garrett dealing with a father who was has been out of his life for years, includes Mindy’s darling children that provide interesting situations and the friendships of the past being rekindled. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I watching the couples deal with big issues and in doing so find the happiness they were seeking. Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Jill Shalvis, Author of “The Lemon Sisters” has written an entertaining, intriguing family drama. The Genres for this story are Fiction, Domestic Fiction and Women’s Fiction. A good part of the story takes place in Wildstone California. The author describes her characters as complex, complicated, troubled, and dysfunctional.Brooke and Mindy are two sisters that currently have been estranged for a while. Both are opposite in many ways. Both have their own flaws but seem to be jealous of one another. This reminds me of some of the movies where characters trade places. Mindy has a handsome husband that is a physician and three children. Brooke has a wonderful career and seems to be independent.Both sisters are miserable and have to find their happiness. The author discusses the importance of family, friendship, communication, love, and hope. I would recommend this book for those readers who enjoy second chances.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved this book! This book can be read as a stand alone even though it’s book 3 of the Wildstone series. Brooke & Mindy are sisters but have lost the way to have a sisterly relationship. They both are totally absorbed in their own lives & trials. Brooke has been hiding her pain deep inside & has retreated from what used to be her life. Mindy is overwhelmed with her life & is determined her husband, Linc is having an affair. This story has it all! The plot caught me from the first page & had me reading long into the night. The book was about mending relationships and making the most of each day. Ms. Shalvis had me grinning & laughing out loud at the pictures her descriptions had me drawing in my head. The kids antics were pure gold & detailed perfectly. There was pain, empathy & tears when I was reading the scenes where Brooke admitted why she was staying away and finally told Mindy everything. The chemistry was intense between Garrett & Brooke and it was apparent they were both afraid of hurting each other again. I’m not doing this story justice but believe me, this is one you really want to read!