Book Blurb from Goodreads.com

After a tragic accident on Martha’s Vineyard, keeping secrets becomes a way of life for the Tangle family. With memories locked away, the sisters take divergent paths. Callie disappears, Mimi keeps so busy she has no time to think, and Ginger develops a lifelong aversion to risk that threatens the relationships she holds most dear.

When a whispered comment overheard by her rebellious teenage daughter forces Ginger to reveal a long-held family secret, the Tangles’ carefully constructed web of lies begins to unravel. Upon the death of Glory, the family’s colorful matriarch, and the return of long-estranged Callie, Ginger resolves to return to Martha’s Vineyard and piece together what really happened on that calamitous day when a shadow fell over four sun-kissed siblings playing at the shore. Along with Ginger’s newfound understanding come the keys to reconciliation: with her mother, with her sisters, and with her daughter.

At turns heartbreaking, humorous, and hopeful, Sisters One, Two, Three explores not only the consequences of secrets—even secrets kept out of love—but also the courage it takes to speak the truth, to forgive, and to let go.

My Review:

This book is about the dysfunctional Tangle family. Glory is married with four children. She is not the most maternal of role models and is emotionally void. She is disappointed with her husband’s career and how her life has turned out in general. One summer while the family is away at Martha’s Vineyard a tragedy occurs altering the family dynamic. They all agree to hide the secret but the omission always lurks in the background and negatively impacts their lives.

The book is narrated by the oldest daughter Ginger.  Chapters alternate from current day life to the Tangle family back in the ‘70’s. Ginger is a school nurse who like her mother has problems relating with her teenage daughter. As Glory develops dementia, Ginger becomes responsible for her mother’s care.  

When Glory passes away, her sister Callie unexpectedly returns home.  All of the Tangle sisters travel to Martha’s Vineyard for their mother’s memorial service. The sisters, confronted with their mother’s death, finally open up about the past secrets that have defined them. They share their perspectives which sheds light on their family dynamics.

The mother-daughter relationships in the book were well crafted. The family interactions and emotions were realistically portrayed.  It is truly a depiction of how keeping secrets can damage relationships in the long run.