Names My Sisters Call Me

January 21, 2008
In this witty novel by the author of Frenemies
, Philadelphia cellist Courtney Cassel decides the occasion of her engagement is the perfect time to heal family wounds. Six years ago, wild-child middle sister Raine ruined oldest sister Norah’s wedding and ran off with longtime friend Matt Cheney, with whom Courtney was having a secret affair. Accompanying her supportive fiancé, Lucas, on a business trip to San Francisco, Courtney drops in on Raine unannounced and discovers Raine is still with the smoldering, charismatic Matt, whose mere presence can still reduce Courtney to the emotional state of an adolescent. Soon, Courtney’s questioning every choice she’s made. When Matt and Raine show up for the engagement party, scores are settled, lives are examined and a few secrets about strait-laced Norah come to light. Crane’s brisk voice and knack for finding the humor in Courtney’s angst keep the mood upbeat all the way to the rosy resolution.

April 1, 2008
Courtney Cassel's life is full of promiseshe's a cellist in Philadelphia's Second Symphony Orchestra, and her boyfriend, Lucas, just proposed. But her relationship with her family isn't as good. Her father died after abandoning the family, leaving her mother unable to handle her older sisters, controlling Norah and irresponsible Raine. Family troubles peaked six years ago, when Raine ruined Norah's wedding and ran off with Courtney's then-boyfriend, Matt. Now, against Norah's stridently expressed wishes, Courtney travels to San Francisco to invite her fun, formerly favorite sister Raine to her engagement party. But does she want to heal family wounds, or is she really looking for Matt? And will this cost her the understanding Lucas? As Courtney learns what she truly wants, she, like most chick-lit heroines, makes some bad choices. But Courtney isn't stupid, just appealingly human throughout. And although her sisters' intense personalities irritate, the two are not completely unsympathetic. Crane's ("Frenemies") latest is recommended, especially where books featuring sororal relationships, such as Lee Nichols's "Hand-Me-Down" and Eileen Rendahl's "Do Me, Do My Roots", are popular.Lisa Davis-Craig, Canton P.L., MI

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2008
Courtney Cassel is getting married. Wonderful news, accept for one hitch: her family is not speaking. Six years ago, her artsy, spacey sister, Raine, ran away to California hours after delivering a hateful speech at eldest sister Norahs wedding. The fact that Norah is a prissy type-Apersonalityfuels the feud, and Courtney, the youngest, is dragged into the center. Before she marries her charming, stalwart fianc', she wants to mend the past. Butthere is one more complication: when Raine ran off to San Francisco, she took Matt Cheneyhe of the brooding good looks, dragon tattoo, and untapped musical talentwith her, interrupting a secret summer love affair. Courtney thinks she is over him, but when she travels west to make amends, the devil from her past opens the door. Between brokering a reconciliation, navigating latent feelings of unexpected lust, and trying to plan a wedding, this lovable, candid, and often droll heroine finds her voice, gets a grip, and learns how to stand up to her sisters. Delightful fun from the author of Frenemies (2007).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)