From the publisher:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner comes The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits, a deeply moving novel set against the glitz and chaos of early 2000s pop stardom. Equal parts heartfelt family saga and behind-the-scenes look at fame, this is a story about sisters, secrets, and the power of second chances.
Cassie and Zoe Grossberg were thrust into the spotlight as The Griffin Sisters, a pop duo that defined the aughts. Together, they skyrocketed to the top, gracing MTV, SNL, and the cover of Rolling Stone. Cassie, a musical genius who never felt at ease in her own skin, preferred to stay in the shadows. Zoe, full of confidence and craving fame, lived for the stage. But fame has a price, and after one turbulent year, the band abruptly broke up.
Now, two decades later, the sisters couldn’t be further apart. Zoe is a suburban mom warning her daughter Cherry to avoid the spotlight, while Cassie has disappeared from public life entirely. But when Cherry begins unearthing the truth behind their breathtaking rise and infamous breakup, long-buried secrets surface, forcing all three women to confront their choices, their desires, and their complicated bonds.
With richly developed characters, a nostalgic nod to the pop culture of the 2000s, and a resonant tale of ambition, forgiveness, and family, The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits will captivate readers from the first note to the final encore. Whether you’ve followed Jennifer Weiner for years or are discovering her for the first time, this book is a must-read for music lovers, fans of sisterly dramas, and anyone who cherishes a great story of second chances.
“Weiner is at her best when she’s writing about sisters, and her latest (after The Breakaway, 2023) features a memorable pair. A story about the ways those closest to us can hurt us the most deeply, the destructive power of guilt, and the rough road to forgiveness. This is an irresistible, multigenerational tale from a master of her craft. A compelling family drama [that] fans will gobble up.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Irresistible. [Weiner] breathes new life into the love triangle trope and offers a nuanced view of sisterhood’s complexities. [Her] fans will be delighted.” — Publishers Weekly
“Weiner excels at capturing the complex relationships among sisters, mothers, and daughters, and the novel’s nonlinear structure and multiple viewpoints add both nuance and interest. An excellent addition to the current crop of Y2K pop culture–themed novels; this will satisfy Weiner’s many fans.” — Library Journal
“Weiner deftly explores the pop landscape of the early 2000s. Zoe and Cassie are both realistic and flawed characters, each with their own challenges. There’s a compelling and dramatic love triangle here, too, but the true love story is between two sisters and their music. A heartfelt look at sisterhood, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to follow your dreams.” — Kirkus Reviews
Pre-order now to receive the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION—only available on the first printing while supplies last! This collector’s hardcover features unique stenciled edges, specially illustrated endpapers, and a shiny stamped case.
I love Jennifer Weiner! I would read her grocery list should she choose to share it. She has this way of drawing the reader into her stories, her worlds, and it’s just magical.
This is ostensibly a story about two sisters who join a band, reach the pinnacle of success, and have a falling out, each going their own way. But it is about so much more than that.
Cassie is a musical prodigy, born to a lower-middle-class family who just doesn’t know what to do with her. She has the voice of an angel and can play anything on the piano. But she’s also painfully shy, and understands that she is different from everyone else, especially her younger sister. Zoe is the pretty one, the “normal” child, but the sisters are close and Zoe makes sure Cassie is included and berates anyone who offends her.
As they get older, Zoe longs for attention and joins a band despite not having much in the way of musical talent. When the band kicks her out on the eve of a “battle of the bands” competition, she is incensed and wants to get even. She persuades Cassie to join her on stage, and with her piano skills and her unbearably beautiful voice, they win the competition. Someone in the audience that night has a relative in the music business, and the next thing you know, they are signed to a record label and are in the studio. The record label hooks them up with a songwriter/guitarist, Russell, and they form a new band. Russell and Cassie are a perfect match, creating beautiful songs together, but Zoe thinks he’s cute and seduces him. Russell is torn between the beautiful Zoe and the immensely talented Cassie, and they all make some bad decisions along the way.
The band breaks up, and Cassie takes off, leaving her family and her career behind. She goes into hiding in the wilds of Alaska, living the spartan life she feels she deserves. Zoe tries to make a solo career with her music, but eventually ends up married and living the suburban mom life. The two sisters don’t talk for twenty years or more. Zoe’s eldest daughter, Cherry, inherited some musical talent and wants to pursue it as a career, but Zoe is adamantly against it. Eventually, Cherry runs away to California and lands a spot on a musical competition reality show. She decides to try to find the aunt she’s never met and manipulate her into helping with her music career.
The story moves back and forth in time and alternates viewpoints between the characters, so we really get to know them and can’t help but root for them. The family dynamics between sisters, then mother and daughter, a love triangle, the music business, and dealing with fame all make for a truly compelling read, and I couldn’t put it down. If you love family sagas, pop culture, or Daisy Jones and the Six, you won’t want to miss this book. I loved it.
4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS by Jennifer Weiner. William Morrow (April 8, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063342446. 384p.
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