“It’s good you have each other … You never have to explain yourself to your sisters.”

With dark chestnut hair (Avery and Nicky), blond hair, and blue eyes (Bonnie and Lucky), the Blue sisters didn’t necessarily look alike, but they were, unmistakably, sisters. True sisterhood is not comparable with any other relationship, as “you are part of each other, right from the start”, we learn from Mellor’s latest novel. With finer writing than her previous book and a strong focus on the main characters, Blue Sisters is a homage to sisterhood and a raw exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the journey towards healing. 

Avery, the eldest sister, is thirty-three, a successful lawyer, married to her former therapist, and living in a luxury neighbourhood in London. After struggling with addiction in her 20s, she is now ten years sober. Bonnie, born two years after Avery, is strong-willed and strong-bodied; “her language is the language of the body”. A former boxing world champion, she lives in LA as a bouncer, after suddenly quitting New York and her boxing career. The third born, Nicole (Nicky) was the “most girl” of the sisters, a sensitive and caring soul, the connector of the sisters. Finally, the youngest, Lucky, after having left home for a career in modelling at fifteen, is now in her 20s, living in Paris, drinking and getting high every day. 

Nicky died at twenty-seven, we learn from the first pages. Having suffered from endometriosis, Nicky lived a life filled with pain as there was no real cure for her disease. We are now one year later, and we meet the sisters still dealing with the aftermath of Nicky’s death. They were part of something magic, the magic of four: four seasons, elements, points in a compass, chambers in the human heart. Four sisters. Each of them struggles, falling into destructive behaviours, because each of them grieves: Avery occasionally steals and smokes; Bonnie gets into fights; Lucky spends her days hazily high and drunk. The sisters lost their magic when they lost Nicky and each feels responsible for their sister’s death. 

United by their shared loss and the need to clear Nicky’s apartment, the Blue sisters return to New York, a city covered in memories, happy and haunting. Old wounds reopen, accusations fly, and the ghosts of a difficult childhood (an abusive, alcoholic father and absent mother who was willing to pass the reigns of motherhood to Avery as soon as she was old enough) resurface. Yet, amidst the storm, there are glimmers of hope. Laughter cuts through the tears as they reminisce about Nicky, the glue that held them together. They begin to see each other anew and build their dynamic as a trio.

The narrative is interwoven with flashbacks that allow us to understand the roots of each sister’s coping mechanism. Avery’s addiction, Bonnie’s boxing, and Lucky’s escape - all become a heartbreaking piece of the larger puzzle that makes the Blue family’s story. Blue Sisters is a poignant exploration of grief and a testament to the enduring strength of sisterhood, through thick and thin. At the same time, Mellors bring into conversation the women's often-overlooked struggle with endometriosis, shedding light on the lack of resources and support women face. Nicky’s tragic story makes Blue Sisters a call for understanding and advocacy for women’s health as well as a story about sisters. 

Mellors' writing has grown and more mature, contrasting the sometimes-cumbersome dialogue of Cleopatra & Frankenstein. In Blue Sisters, the characters are beautifully developed, each grappling with their demons while fiercely loving one another. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates contemporary fiction that explores the complexities of family, loss, and the unwavering bond between sisters. Get ready to laugh, cry, and ultimately, celebrate the redemptive power of love and forgiveness. You might even want to hold your own sisters a little tighter after turning the last page.