Book Nook - All My Sisters and Me

 All My Sisters and Me (September 8, Harper Muse), a gripping new contemporary novel from award winning author Sheryl Lister. Set over the course of one explosive week, four sisters-in-law come together for an anniversary celebration that will either heal old wounds or expose the fractures that have been quietly deepening for years. As unresolved tensions resurface, the truth threatens to unravel their family. 

All My Sisters and Me delivers a powerful exploration of love, grief, jealousy, infertility, and the painful reality of being hurt the deepest by the people you  trust most. Giselle’s storyline in particular explores infertility, comparison, and feeling “behind" in life. The emotional toll behind the quiet pressure women feel is often under-discussed, yet deeply relatable to many readers.

Synopsis:

Instead of growing closer over the years, sisters-in-law Giselle, Kamryn, Chanel, and Taylor are more distant than ever. After almost a decade of marriage, Giselle is still childless with the pangs of jealousy and feelings of inadequacy mounting each day. Kamryn loves her husband’s family, but she and Giselle have never gotten along and she’s tired of always trying to keep the peace. Newly married Chanel is ecstatic to finally have the family she’s craved all her life, but the ongoing feud between her two sisters-in-law threatens that harmony. Meanwhile, Taylor is still trying to find her place in the family after a tragic and unexpected turn in her relationship.

As everything comes to a head during a weeklong anniversary celebration, the truth could tear them apart forever…or bring them together as the sisters they were meant to be.

I had a chance to learn more in this interview.

What was the inspiration behind this novel?
This story was inspired by one of my sisters-in-law over Thanksgiving preparations. She said I should write our story (of course, we don’t have any of the issues described in the book), so this one’s for her!

Why is it important for women to have fiction work that explores some of the challenges of different family dynamics?
I think it helps to showcase women in their different stages of personal growth, whether it’s love, job loss, or navigating generational trauma. The stories most often deal with some kind of change, and tackling these real-life issues is something we can all relate to in some way.

Why did you choose to focus on sisters-in-law instead of sisters?
As mentioned above, the idea was inspired by my own sister-in-law.

What surprised you the most about the writing process for this novel?
The most surprising thing about the writing process for this novel was the emotional depth of some of the character arcs that evolved. The characters always tend to do something different than what I’ve planned, but it always ends up being better.

What do you hope readers will take away from reading the book?
I really want readers to recognize that self-worth should not be defined by perfection or approval from others to be deserving of love, respect and a sense of belonging.

Sheryl Lister is a multi-award winning author and has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember. She is a former pediatric occupational therapist with over twenty years of experience and often says she "played" for a living. A California native, Sheryl is a wife, mother of three daughters and a son-in-love, and grandmother to two special boys. When she's not writing, Sheryl can be found on a date with her husband or in the kitchen whipping up delicious meals and desserts to satisfy her inner foodie. Connect with her online at sheryllister.com; Instagram: @sheryllister; Facebook: @sheryllisterauthor; Twitter: @SherylLister