Anna, Bett and Carrie Quinlan grew up supporting each other as their parents were absorbed in the busyness of running a motel. They even went on stage as the singing group, The Alphabet Sisters. But then Carrie runs off with Bett's fiancé and in the tension, horrible things are said between all three sisters. Bett leaves town, cutting herself off from everyone but her parents and her grandmother, Lola. Three years pass, and the three sisters aren't speaking. Lola has had enough and summons them all home for her 80th birthday. Once she gets them there, Lola contrives to keep them there until they break through their anger and hurt to remember the little girls who played together and loved each other dearly.

This book took my breath away. I fell in love with Lola, who's one of the best characters I've been blessed to meet in years. And I cried like I haven't cried over a book in years, too, so be forewarned. You'll embrace these sisters and their fragmented families. Ms. McInerney tosses every emotion into her story and then stirs the pot with characters, gifted plotting and an elegant writing style. The end result is a classic story that should be your first read this summer.