Just Finished: "Sisterhood Everlasting"

Last week I had a glorious Friday off and I spent a good part of the day reading and finished an entire book - Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares to be specific (in case you couldn't tell from the cover photo above...). I was somehow behind the times with this novel and didn't know it was being released until about a month beforehand. I was very patient and waited for the book to be released and then I ended up having too many books to read in a short period of time once it finally showed up! So, long story short, it took me two months to finally get to it. It was definitely worth the wait though as I absolutely loved it.

Alright, let's get started here with the synopsis from Goodreads:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Brashares comes the welcome return of the characters whose friendship became a touchstone for a generation. Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.
Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness.
Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.
As moving and life-changing as an encounter with long-lost best friends, Sisterhood Everlasting is a powerful story about growing up, losing your way, and finding the courage to create a new one.

I've been reading the Sisterhood novels pretty much from the beginning (which was 2003, by the by). It was one of those books that a friend had, she lent it to me, I loved it so I bought a copy myself. That copy then got passed around time and time again. I've read it probably three times, my sister twice, and countless of our friends have borrowed it as well. Needless to say, the paperback copy of the first novel is well loved! Since I've been reading the series for so long, it surprises me when I hear that people still haven't read them. I know some people haven't gotten around to it because they've seen the movies but the films really do not do the books justice. There is so much going on in the books and the second movie is a strange sort of combination of the final three books. Trust me - read the first four books and then Sisterhood Everlasting. You will not be disappointed.

I actually wasn't sure how this book was going to turn out. I was worried that I wouldn't get the conclusion I wanted, and, well, thought I (as a reader) deserved. I really shouldn't have been worried. I loved this novel and thought that it was wrapped up beautifully. However, I must warn all readers - this book is totally heart wrenching. The synopsis kind of lets you know that something tragic is going to happen, and oh boy is it ever tragic. As horrible as the situation is and as much as it upset me it worked with the story. For those of you who have read this already, what did you think of the tragedy?

I found that I had to keep reminding myself that the four friends were just about to turn thirty. None of them seemed to have totally grown up yet and I think that's one of the problems they're facing. I think they feel stuck because the four of them are spread out, living lives that are totally separate from each other. They've lost touch and, as Carmen points out, are realizing that their friendship is not built for leaving. It's not until they're faced with an unimaginable tragedy that they come to terms with their lives and find a way to recreate the closeness they used to have.

I can't tell you enough how much I loved this book. I devoured it in a day because I just couldn't put it down. These characters have been with me for years and it was bittersweet to have the series come to an end. I'm so happy with the way they ended up and I think you will agree. It may not be a picture perfect ending, but life rarely turns out perfectly.

This is one of those books that make you appreciate your friendships. Here's to best friends. Happy reading.