The Starfish Sisters: two women's friendship is tested as they face betrayals and heartbreaks

The Starfish Sisters by Barbara O’Neal is a story of two women, friends close enough to be sisters, as they face betrayals, heartbreaks and finding refuge in true friendship. Phoebe and Suze met at the age of twelve as Suze moved to the small coastal town in Oregon as Phoebe visited her grandmother. They became as close as sisters until secrets threatened their friendship and even their lives. Decades later, Suze is a famous actress who needs a safe haven after a brutal attack. . Phoebe is now a successful illustrator and fabric designer living in the small town she enjoyed so much. As Suze arrives in town, Phoebe is both excited and unsure how to face her return and the drama she brings. Phoebe had let Suze down once before and she doesn’t want to do it again. Can Phoebe and Suze confront their past and strengthen their friendship? 

The Starfish Sisters has been described as “a moving story about the complicated nature of female friendships, and the joys and heartbreaks of life and the resiliency and power that women possess.” Sounds powerful, right? The opening prologue certainly set the scene for a dramatic story. However, I did not care for Phoebe or Suze, either as young girls and as older women. Phoebe and Suze are supposed to be as close as sisters and a little jealousy is understandable as young girls but the jealousy and resentment as older women was eye rolling. Overall, I was bored. The Starfish Sisters was my third book by Ms. O’Neal and I see the same issues I had with the other two books. The story is bogged down with too many flashbacks, a slow moving plot, and a rushed and disappointing ending. I do not recommend The Starfish Sisters. 

The Starfish Sisters is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook