Secrets of the Tulip Sisters Book Review

I was on a long list to get Secrets of the Tulip Sisters: A Novel by Susan Mallery from the library and when I finally got it, I didn't read it right away because there were other books in the pile that I was trying to finish.  I started this book so late and had to finish it in days because it was due back to the library.  I was left reading all day on the last day in order to make the deadline and was even thinking that it might be worth paying the late fee because I didn't want to have to wait for months to finish the book that I had just started.  I was so glad that I got a chance to read this start to finish before returning it to the library.

Kelly Murphy's life as a tulip farmer is pretty routine—up at dawn, off to work, lather, rinse, repeat. But everything changes one sun-washed summer with two dramatic homecomings: Griffith Burnett—Tulpen Crossing's prodigal son, who's set his sights on Kelly—and Olivia, her beautiful, wayward and, as far as Kelly is concerned, unwelcome sister. Tempted by Griffith, annoyed by Olivia, Kelly is overwhelmed by the secrets that were so easy to keep when she was alone. But Olivia's return isn't as triumphant as she pretends. Her job has no future, and ever since her dad sent her away from the bad boy she loved, she has felt cut off from her past. She's determined to reclaim her man and her place in the family…whether her sister likes it or not. For ten years, she and Kelly have been strangers. Olivia will get by without her approval now.  While Kelly and Olivia butt heads, their secrets tumble out in a big hot mess, revealing some truths that will change everything they thought they knew. Can they forgive each other—and themselves—and redefine what it means to be sisters?

This was a really interesting book and totally different then I thought it was going to be.  Kelly Murphy lives with her father in her childhood home growing tulips while her father does the office work.  They live a pretty easy lifestyle with low conflict until the life is totally turned upside down.  Kelly's sister, Olivia, shows up which brings up lots of old feelings from when they sent her away at 15 to private school.  Olivia and Kelly are working on rebuilding a relationship as adults until that is turned upside down by another big surprise.  This book was full of surprises and changes that I thought were really well thought out.  The characters become so real and really have you pulling for some to succeed and others to fail.  I hope that you check out this book and others by the same wonderful author.  I hope that you will choose the same people I did to have good outcomes!!  This book was a great story start to finish and I am glad that I got to read it before the due date.