Official Review: Sweat Sisters by Sansing McPherson

[Stephanie Elizabeth]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Sweat Sisters" by Sansing McPherson.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

The year is 2010. Teachers all over the country are fretting over possible cuts to education and working without a contract. The teachers of Wick Middle School are no different. They are dealing with the threat of job action while trying to manage their turbulent personal lives. Menopause, cancer, divorce, and infidelity are afflictions burdening Alicia, Barbara, Phoebe, and Marianna's lives. It seems like there is one tragedy after another for the women, and some are breaking under pressure.

Their only reprieve is their weekly endorphin boost, where they meet for aerobics. It is there that they find camaraderie and support. Still, with job action ramping up, trouble in the classroom, and unsettled home lives, the women wonder if they can handle it all. Will they make it through the year unscathed? Pick up the book to find out!

Sweat Sisters by Sansing McPherson is a highly entertaining novel about the power of sisterhood. The book is written from the third-person perspective and alternates between the four women; each chapter either focuses on Alicia, Barbara, Phoebe, or Marianna. This gives the reader a great opportunity to get to know all of the characters equally without having one main protagonist.

My favorite thing about the book was the well-rounded and relatable characters. Mature readers will likely see themselves in at least one of these women. Menopausal Barbara faced a challenging time trying to stabilize her emotions while dealing with a prepubescent daughter. Phoebe had to grapple with her new reality as a single mother; Marianna had to deal with plummeting self-confidence, and Alicia was embarrassed by the changes her body was going through. These are common issues that many middle-aged women face, and I think readers will sympathize with the characters.

I also loved the book because it was a realistic portrayal of challenges that burden teachers—students that come from broken homes, overzealous parents, and the villainization of teachers by the public. As the wife of a dedicated teacher, I see the unrelenting pressure many educators face daily. Being a teacher means wearing many different hats—educator, social worker, doctor, and friend. Wick Middle School's teachers were a testament to this—finding resources for a pregnant student and administering epinephrine were just a few examples.

Despite the womens' penchant for gossip and the clashing of some personalities, I thought the book highlighted the importance of having a strong support system. Even though the teachers were often at odds with one another, they would put any disagreements aside to rally together to help a co-worker in need.

There was absolutely nothing to dislike about the book; it was easy to read and had no major issues with spelling or grammar, so I can happily report that it was professionally edited. If I were afforded the luxury, I would have read the whole book in one sitting, but life got in the way. I am delighted to give Sweat Sisters a rating of four out of four stars because of its engaging storyline and its relatable characters.

I would recommend the book to readers that enjoy a variety of main characters instead of only one. For readers who love novels about friendship and relationships, don't miss out on this one! Due to the issues these women face, I would recommend the book to a mature audience. Most of the characters are over forty and menopausal. That's not to say that younger readers wouldn't enjoy the book, but they'd be less likely to relate to the characters. Throughout the book, there is some profanity and the mention of weighty topics such as abuse and suicide, so I would advise sensitive readers to proceed with caution.

******
Sweat Sisters
View: on Bookshelves

[Kennedy NC]

Our ability to handle problems and crises and still reach out to each other in need like the three sisters did is what sets us apart from others. Great review.

[Jennifer Aldo]

Thanks for a sincere review. I see why you like the book so much. Great job!

[Suzer6440 xyz]

Thanks for a great review. Definitely interested in this one:)

[EddyFiend]

Teachers faced so many challenges in today's society; I really appreciate all the work they do behind the scenes. Lovely review!

[Stephanie Elizabeth]

Our ability to handle problems and crises and still reach out to each other in need like the three sisters did is what sets us apart from others. Great review.

Thank you!

[Stephanie Elizabeth]

Teachers faced so many challenges in today's society; I really appreciate all the work they do behind the scenes. Lovely review!

Thanks for your thoughtful comment!

[Amrita B]

A woman in a lifetime plays so many roles but among them most important ones are : as a daughter , as a daughter in-law , a mother . And the way a woman understands the emotions of others is beyond anyone's capabilities . Thank you for this great review ! It's worth to read this book .

[sharon titus]

The book sounds wholesome, I'll add it to my shelf.Thanks for your hard work.

[Vivian Jabeya]

This book is intriguing. I would like to find out whether the women made it through the year unscathed.

[Adelle v]

Having a strong support system is essential. I love that these women, while going through so many trials, still stand by each other. Great review.