Quick take
Mary is clearly emotional and impulsive—or is there a method to her madness, a reason for her choices?
Synopsis
The hardscrabble Chase women'”Mary, Hannah, and their mother Diane'”have been eking out a living running a tiny seaside motel that has been in the family for generations, inviting trouble into their lives for just as long. Eighteen-year-old Mary Chase is a force of nature: passionate, beautiful, and free-spirited. Her much younger sister, Hannah, whom Mary affectionately calls 'œBunny,' is imaginative, her head full of the stories of princesses and adventures that Mary tells to give her a safe emotional place in the middle of their troubled world.
But when Diane dies in a car accident, Mary discovers the motel is worth less than the back taxes they owe. With few options, Mary’s finely tuned instincts for survival kick in. As the sisters begin a cross-country journey in search of a better life, she will stop at nothing to protect Hannah. But Mary wants to protect herself, too, for the secrets she promised she would never tell'”but now may be forced to reveal'”hold the weight of unbearable loss. Vivid and suspenseful, The Sisters Chase is a whirlwind page-turner about the extreme lengths one family will go to find'”and hold onto'”love.
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Why I love it
Liberty Hardy
BOTM Judge
How far would you go to protect your younger sister? Which secrets would you keep, and what crimes would you commit?
When their mother dies in a car accident, the Chase sisters are left unmoored. With the deed to their sleepy Jersey Shore motel worth less than the paper it’s written on, and no other family to turn to, it falls on 18-year-old Mary to take care of her younger sister Hannah. With no reason to remain at the motel, they embark on a cross-country road trip, looking for a new home. But Mary makes increasingly erratic decisions which land them in dangerous situations and ultimately threaten their lives. Mary is clearly emotional and impulsive—or is there a method to her madness, a reason for her choices?
As Mary tries to outrun her past (impossible!), secrets old and new follow the Chase sisters and threaten to shatter the bonds of their small family. Will the sisters ever be able to settle down, or are they destined for a life of road trips, quick escapes, and broken dreams?
Healy’s portrayal of Mary and her doting little sister pulled on my heartstrings, and despite Mary’s questionable judgment, her love for Hannah shines off the pages. Should you decide to distrust Mary or simply give yourself over to her? You must decide for yourself. I found myself rooting for the sisters Chase to get a happy ending the whole way through the book.
Member ratings (3,464)
Ashley P.
Trenton, TX
I absolutely loved this book! I stayed up into the wee hours the night to finish it, I could not put it down! It was poetic writing. There were some many times I just had to stop and ruminate over thebeautyofthewordsonthepage
Kelly B.
Pacific Grove , CA
Great Story. I enjoyed the twists & turns as the story unfolded. 4 errors w/ editing though.I think it may have gotten 4 stars but that was bothering me a bit because I started rushing it in the end.
Angela H.
Woodruff, SC
This book was slow to start but gripping by chapter 4. Laughing, crying, turning page by page, reading as quickly as possible to see what would happen to the Chase girls. It resonated with me, hugely.
Jean V.
Simi Valley, CA
This was a sweet, but sad book. I enjoyed the story, but was upset with the ending. I fell in love with girls and would recommend this book to all. Another good book that will remain in my library.
Missy M.
Phoenix, AZ
There is no question what the twist is but read this book anyway. Mary is flawed but gifted with a strength that protects Hannah as the girls travel. When you are tempted to judge: remember her age...