Review When we were sisters – Beth Miller

The novel ‘When we were sisters’ talks about relationships. Relationships between siblings and their parents, friends and broken families. Laura and Miffy, aka known as Melissa, Lissa, Mel and Missy, become good friends when they are small. Best friends forever. At least that’s what you think when you’re about 7 years old.

Close

Laura’s family is Catholic, Miffy’s family is Jewish. Miffy’s brother Danny falls in love with Laura. He is her first real boyfriend. Of course, no future can ever come of it, two such different religions will never work out. But Laura and Danny are young and don’t worry about things like that. As their children are close, the parents become good friends as well. In some cases a little too close for comfort when Miffy and Daniel’s dad falls in love with Laura’s mom.

Worries

Now the worries they expressed over the relationship between Laura and Danny seem to fade, when their parents decide to get married. Laura’s dad has vanished years ago, Miffy’s parents break up. This is the end of a friendship that should’ve laste forever. Laura moves away with her new dad. Danny becomes her step brother and Miffy her step sister. Only now they don’t want to have anything to do with the daughter of the woman who stole their dad away from them.

Years

Years pass by, when Michael, their mutual dad, falls ill and needs an operation. When it seems like he won’t make it Laura and her mom need to contact his kids Miffy and Danny. In the meantime, Laura is married and has a daughter, Evie. Danny has married an orthodox jewish woman and has 5 children. When the two meet up again, there is still a spark between them. They fight it, but it seems more difficult the more often they meet.

Death

When father Michael dies, Miffy comes back for the funeral. How will their relationship unfold? Will they become friends again or will they be forever each other’s enemies? A quick read full of romance, jealousy, break-ups and finding lost time. I enjoyed it as a beach read.

Beth Miller

Beth Miller sees herself as ‘the tall blonde who writes’. Full of humor she tells us how many odd-jobs she’s had. In all walks of life. The best she is at drinking tea. She is the champion tea-drinker, according to her website. She can’t be any other than English of course. She’s written quite a few movies and two non-fiction books. She spends her time, when not writing, on teaching how to write.