The Starfish Sisters: A Novel

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 38,502 ratings

Price: 2.49

Last update: 12-28-2024


About this item

From the USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids comes an emotional novel about two women facing the betrayals, heartbreaks, and refuge of true friendship.

Phoebe and Suze used to be closer than sisters. Growing up in a quiet and wildly beautiful coastal town in Oregon, they shared everything. Until the secrets they couldn’t share threatened their bond and complicated their lives.

Now, decades later, Suze, a famous actress desperate for safe haven following a brutal attack, is back in town. Phoebe, a successful illustrator and fabric designer, has discovered keeping a secret means she can’t let anyone get close, aside from her beloved granddaughter, Jasmine. As Jasmine’s move to London looms, Phoebe doesn’t know how to face the return of her old friend and all that’s still unsaid between them. Can the two women who’ve never confronted their past do it now when the choice is between healing and survival?

Heartfelt and layered, The Starfish Sisters is a moving story about the complicated nature of female friendship, the joys and heartbreaks of life, and the resiliency and power that women possess.



From the Publisher

Once, they were closer than sisters. Now, their secrets threaten to end their bond for good.

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars did NOT want this to end!
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2024
This book was SO GOOD! I had not read this author for a while and having read-discovered her I want to read everything she’s written including what I read years ago.
So incredibly beautifully written. Characters were so real because of this author’s ability to make them come alive. Some of the story is just heartbreaking and she makes you want to reach in and give the characters a good hug. Her descriptions of the scenery used such beautiful words and made it come alive for the reader.
HIG
Kathy Peake
4.0 out of 5 stars sweet and full of emotions.
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2024
I had no idea what the book was about when I picked it up… and it was interesting and kept my attention. The story is lovely and heartbreaking and emotional. Spans time and a long friendship… and what it means to be a friend. Through the good, the bad and the ugly.
I could see myself in many of the characters and it gave me pause to think back on my feelings.
Vidid characters and sweet story.
Lynda
5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Impressive
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2024
This is one of the best, heart wide open, gut wrenching books I've read in a very long time. I would recommend this novel to anyone, and definitely to every woman, no matter what agr.!
Helen B-Y
5.0 out of 5 stars the starfish sisters
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2024
I love that book, so unexpected and so deep motions and so strong relations between characters…I recommend that book with all my heart
debbief
4.0 out of 5 stars loved it
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2024
Not sure what genre I would place it in as it has something for almost everyone. Easy to read, a good beach read.
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Read (So Far)
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2024
I loved this story. I couldn't stop reading it. So Real, So Tender and So Sweet. Thank you Barbara for another amazing read.
Customer Review
3.0 out of 5 stars What a beautiful and touching ending
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024
The Starfish Sisters by Barbara O'Neal is a book I read because it was my book club's selection for this month. I enjoyed the story, but didn't think about the book when I wasn't reading and wasn't fully invested, it seemed a bit slow for me. I will say though that if the entire book was as good as the end, I would have been riveted throughout. The ending was incredibly beautiful and touching.
Donna A
5.0 out of 5 stars Another stunning novel by Ms. O'Neal
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
My first novel by Barbara O’Neal was back in 2020 when I read and fell in love with When We Believed in Mermaids. The The Starfish Sisters is a stunning and moving novel about two women facing the betrayals, heartbreaks, and how friendship heals.

As two young girls growing up during the idyllic summers along the coast of Oregon, Phoebe and Suze age twelve, became the best of friends, closer than sisters. Suze grew up in Blue Cove, the daughter of mean spirited and abusive father, a preacher at the locate church. Phoebe grew up in Portland in a well to do family but with parents that argued much of the time. All during their time apart was a secret journal they wrote in and passed back and forth, sharing their dreams and hopes for their future – until their secrets and jealously tore them apart.

Despite their past both women have achieved success .. Suze a famous actress and Phoebe a successful illustrator of a picture book called The Starfish Sisters, a story about two girls that loved the tide pools.
At its heart, it is a love song to my friendship with Suze.

Years later, after a brutal attach Suze has returned to Blue Cove, Phoebe wonders how she feels about having Suze back in the Cove. Will the usual drama follow her? Will Phoebe be there to help Suze over this difficult time and allow their old friendship to suppress the rift that hangs between them? Will Suze finally be able to divulge a huge secret she has been harboring from Phoebe?

Barbara O’Neal writes this beautiful multi-layered woven story about the importance of family chosen and immeasurable power of female friendship that comforts and heals scar past and present. It is a story on how second changes at friendship and love matters.

Narrators Laura Jennings, Jenn Lee, Shaun Taylor-Corbett did an amazing job.
Customer image
Donna A
5.0 out of 5 stars Another stunning novel by Ms. O'Neal
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
My first novel by Barbara O’Neal was back in 2020 when I read and fell in love with When We Believed in Mermaids. The The Starfish Sisters is a stunning and moving novel about two women facing the betrayals, heartbreaks, and how friendship heals.

As two young girls growing up during the idyllic summers along the coast of Oregon, Phoebe and Suze age twelve, became the best of friends, closer than sisters. Suze grew up in Blue Cove, the daughter of mean spirited and abusive father, a preacher at the locate church. Phoebe grew up in Portland in a well to do family but with parents that argued much of the time. All during their time apart was a secret journal they wrote in and passed back and forth, sharing their dreams and hopes for their future – until their secrets and jealously tore them apart.

Despite their past both women have achieved success .. Suze a famous actress and Phoebe a successful illustrator of a picture book called The Starfish Sisters, a story about two girls that loved the tide pools.
At its heart, it is a love song to my friendship with Suze.

Years later, after a brutal attach Suze has returned to Blue Cove, Phoebe wonders how she feels about having Suze back in the Cove. Will the usual drama follow her? Will Phoebe be there to help Suze over this difficult time and allow their old friendship to suppress the rift that hangs between them? Will Suze finally be able to divulge a huge secret she has been harboring from Phoebe?

Barbara O’Neal writes this beautiful multi-layered woven story about the importance of family chosen and immeasurable power of female friendship that comforts and heals scar past and present. It is a story on how second changes at friendship and love matters.

Narrators Laura Jennings, Jenn Lee, Shaun Taylor-Corbett did an amazing job.
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