4 out of 4 stars
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The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings is a beautifully written story about friendship. Five women of diverse ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles whose friendships were formed by their interest in fly fishing.
Rose, the eldest of the "girls" was busy getting her cabin, in the mountains of Colorado ready before her friends arrived for a fun-filled weekend of laughter, good food, good wine, and fly fishing (the "girls" mutual love) on the Arkansas River. The first night was spent talking, laughing, and catching up with each others' news; then a full day of fly fishing the next day. What started as a fun and productive day fly fishing was suddenly interrupted by screams. They caught sight of a naked woman being swept downriver by the strong current. Veronica, one of the group, managed to grab her hand and pull her to safety. After such a dramatic entrance into their lives, she swiftly became friend number five. The group met a few times a year to fly fish; however, they were always there for each other, even in their personal lives. One day, without warning, tragedy struck their group. How could this have happened? How would it affect their future as friends?
The author did an outstanding job of developing the characters. Rose, the oldest of the group, and a widow was warm and generous and was the root of all the "girls" learning to love the sport of fly fishing. Sophie was the caregiver of the group, always taking care of everyone but herself. Veronica was the feminine businesswoman who traveled extensively. Amanda, the youngest of the group, was always smiling and full of energy; despite being a young wife and mother of two, a school teacher, and having a husband in Afghanistan. Melody was the wild-child girl with tattoos and piercings, enjoying the nightlife and still unsure about her future. Each of their lives was woven into the story beautifully.
The Reel Sisters is centered around the characters' love of fly fishing, but it is so much more than that. The third book in The Reel Sisters series it can easily read as a stand-alone novel. The friendship the "girls" share as a group is exceptional and extends into their personal lives as well. The storyline is well written and has all the elements of a great read. I found myself laughing, shedding tears, and reacting with genuine shock as if I were a part of this group of "girls." It takes excellent writing skill by an author to bring out those emotions in a reader, and Cummings does just that.
I loved almost everything about this book, especially the group trips to the cabin to fly fish. I also enjoyed the detailed information included about the technique of fly fishing. Since it has always been predominately a male sport, I was intrigued by the concept of women also enjoying it. The only thing I did not like was the inclusion of strong profanity by one of the characters. However, I was able to skim over the offensive words due to the interest I had in the storyline. I hope to read more books by Michelle Cummings in the future.
The book appeared very well-edited, as I found only one error. The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings is worthy to be given 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone 18 or older who loves a good friendship story, (or a good fish story). I would not recommend it to anyone under 18 due to the use of profanity. Most of it is mild, but there are some unsavory words by one character.
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The Reel Sisters
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