The Sisters of Summit Avenue

By: Lynn Cullen

Narrated by: Madeleine Maby

From the bestselling author of Mrs. Poe and Twain’s End comes a “poignant, beautifully rendered story of two sisters who find the courage to reclaim their bond after years of misunderstandings and heartbreak” (Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author) during the Great Depression.

1934. Ruth has been single-handedly raising four young daughters and running her family’s Indiana farm for eight long years, ever since her husband, John, was infected by the infamous “sleeping sickness” devastating families across the country. If only she could trade places with her older sister, June: blonde and beautiful, married to a wealthy doctor, living in a mansion in St. Paul. And June has a coveted job, too, as one of “the Bettys,” the perky recipe developers who populate the famous Betty Crocker test kitchen. But these gilded trappings hide sorrows: she has borne no children. And the man she loves more than anything belongs to Ruth.

When the two sisters reluctantly reunite after a long estrangement, June’s bitterness about her sister’s betrayal sets into motion a confrontation that’s been years in the making. And their mother, Dorothy, who’s brought the two of them together, has her own dark secrets, which might blow up the fragile peace she hopes to restore between her daughters.

An emotional journey of redemption, inner strength, and the ties that bind families together, for better or worse, The Sisters of Summit Avenue is a moving and heartfelt tribute to mothers, daughters, and sisters everywhere.

Critic reviews

“A gripping story of two complex sisters, bound by anger, resentment, and love… keeps the pages turning.” (Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of LILAC GIRLS and LOST ROSES)

"A captivating depression-era tale of two sisters locked into a lifelong rivalry that will equal parts surprise and delight you. This is the sibling story I never knew I needed." (Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS and AT THE WATER'S EDGE)

“A story of gripping emotional power. Riveting and suspenseful, the novel builds to a devastating conclusion that made me return to the beginning to start over, because I wasn't ready to leave Cullen's vivid fictional world.” (Lauren Belfer, New York Times bestselling author of AND AFTER THE FIRE and CITY OF LIGHT.)

“In THE SISTERS OF SUMMIT AVENUE, Lynn Cullen has given us a truly lovely gift; a fascinating, complex study of the ties that bind mothers, sisters and daughters. The Depression-era setting is vividly captured; the behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of advertising, in the form of Betty Crocker, fascinating. But it’s the poignant, beautifully rendered story of two sisters who find the courage to reclaim their bond after years of misunderstandings and heartbreak that you will remember, and cherish.” (Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE)

In THE SISTERS OF SUMMIT AVENUE, Lynn Cullen brings to life the real women behind Betty Crocker, the fictional domestic goddess who gave advice and hope to countless housewives who were just scraping by during the Great Depression. Cullen’s female characters shine in their complexity and true-life emotions. An enchanting and engaging read. (Elizabeth Letts, #1 New York Times bestselling author of FINDING DOROTHY)

"Heartfelt . . . Sibling rivalry, betrayal, resentment, and cowardice add spice to this saga of sisters."

“In this evocative Depression-era novel . . . Cullen explores a complex, realistic dynamic between sisters who have never resolved their contentious youthful traumas and grounds her story with convincing historical details. Fans of Paula McLain will love this.”

Tale of two sisters and their mother with a secret

started out a little slow but liked how the story went back and forth in time period and midwest town. Very satisfying ending tieing up all of the loose ends.