3,5⭐️

Yet again, Lucinda Riley has enchanted me. This book is nothing like the others but still in keeping with the Seven Sisters Series. I am so excited about the next one. Her ability to surprise with the plot in a way one cannot predict is exceptional and the narrative is gripping

Am I dreaming? A Seven Sisters book in which I actually like both the past and the present plot? Aboriginal stories told through plenty of different perspectives? A main character who actually uses the word bisexual to describe her new found identity? Explorations of disability, sexuality and race? A hidden heritage and setting that for a change isn’t European? HOT DAMN! I held on to a small hope that Lucinda Riley could do it, and she came through! Yasss!

CeCe was three-dimensional, deeply emotional and entirely believable as a character. I cared about her, just as I cared about Kitty - a flawed, stubborn and very human character driven by duty and compassion. I also liked how Riley cautiously rebuilt CeCe‘s complicated relationship with Star. Nuance, people! It’s an underrated art!

Still not the biggest fan of her style, which is why I can't give a five star review, but the author seemingly trusted the culture to be interesting enough to carry the plot instead of throwing in five thousand secret paternity twists and love at first sight moments. And it was interesting enough! I was captivated the whole time. The book felt down-to-earth and solid, with more essence between the lines. More than any of the Seven Sisters books so far, it felt like coming home. Don’t we all just want to paint in the desert with our grandpa?

So far, my overall series ranking is:
Book 4 (✩✩✩✩ Loved the present, liked the past)
Book 1 (✩✩✩ Past boring, Present well-written)
Book 3 (✩✩✩ Present boring, Past well-written)
Book 5 (✩✩ Past interesting, present boring)
Book 2 (✩✩ both really boring with bright spots in between)

3.5/5. Bit of a reading slump so took me a long time to finish. Did not think I would like cece’s story but really enjoyed reading her character growth.

I have to admit that I wasn’t looking forward to reading CeCe’s story, as she had annoyed me quite a bit in the other sister’s stories. But, upon reading it, and finding out who CeCe was without Star, I can say she is a misunderstood character and that I thoroughly enjoyed reading her story. Seeing where it took her, learning more about her as an individual and seeing her grow into her own person and acknowledge how wrong her past behaviour had been, made her a much more likeable character.