What readers think of Rise and Shine, plus links to write your own review.

She was America's sweetheart. She was living the perfect life. And that perfect life suddenly cracked open like a rotten egg when Meghan Fitzmaurice, the lead anchor of America's top-rated morning talk show didn't realize her mic was on and said two words that one must never, ever say on television.

That's the premise of this superb book by Anna Quindlen. But it is the author's genius and creativity that turn what would probably be just another ChickLit classic into something so much more: The story is told in the first person from the point of view of Meghan Fitzmaurice's younger sister, Bridget, who is a social worker in New York City's worst housing projects. So while it is Meghan's stunning fall from grace that forms the primary plot, it is Bridget's story that is the spirit and soul of this multilayered and imaginative book. Each of the characters—from major to minor—is vividly imagined and seems so real and so true.

Perhaps most of all, this book is about the fictions, big and small, we tell ourselves and others about the lives we live. What is real? What are we portraying to others that is merely a well-erected façade and nothing like the truth? And is there one person on this Earth who knows difference?

Anna Quindlen is a keen observer of real life with an incredible insight into the human psyche, making this engaging book a five-star read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book about the relationship between sisters after one of them ends up in hot water and how it affects the rest of her family. I would recommend this book very highly. It would be a great book club pick.