Sisters ... No Way! by Siobhán Parkinson | 30 Years, Two Sisters, Two Sides of the Story | Anniversary Feature and Mini-Review
Every family has its stories. Every sister has her side. And sometimes, the truth depends on whose diary you're reading.
Thirty years ago, Siobhán Parkinson gave the familiar Cinderella story a delightfully different twist. Instead of simply accepting the traditional tale of a mistreated girl and her dreadful stepsisters, Sisters ... No Way! invited readers to consider what might happen if everyone had a chance to tell their side of the story.
Now, three decades later, this funny, feisty, and surprisingly heartfelt young adult novel is finding a new generation of readers with a special 30th anniversary edition from Little Island Books.
And what better way to celebrate than with two diaries, two strong-willed girls, and one family that nobody seems particularly eager to join?
Cindy is still grieving her mother when her father announces plans to marry one of her teachers. As if having a teacher for a stepmother weren't bad enough, Cindy is expected to welcome two new sisters into her life. Meanwhile, Ashling has some rather strong opinions of her own about the girl who's about to become part of her family.
The clever twist? This anniversary edition brings Cindy's Diary and Ashling's Diary together in one reversible book. Turn it over, and you'll discover how differently two people can experience the very same events.
Today, I'm delighted to join The Write Reads and Little Island Books in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Sisters ... No Way! We'll take a closer look at the story, meet the award-winning Irish author behind it, and explore why a tale about family, change, and conflicting perspectives still has something to say thirty years later.
Book Details: Sisters No Way by Siobhán Parkinson
Sisters ... No Way!: 30 Year Anniversary Edition By Siobhán Parkinson
Published by Little Island Books on September 2026
Genres: Retelling, Young Adult Fiction
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 230
A funny, feisty and heartfelt take on the classic Cinderella story, this 30-year anniversary edition of Sisters ... No Way! invites readers old and new to discover the charming story that defined a generation. With two stories in one – told from different perspectives and flipped to read from either side – this unique book lets readers step into both sisters’ shoes, revealing that there’s always more than one side to every story.
Cindy is a sharp-tongued, no-nonsense teen struggling with her mum’s recent death – and she is not impressed when her dad falls for one of her teachers. A teacher for a stepmother? Seriously? And her two perfect, prissy daughters? There’s no way Cindy is calling them sisters … no way!
But the feeling is mutual. Cindy’s would-be stepsisters think she’s a total nightmare: rude, bossy, and completely unfair to their mum. They don’t want her as a sister any more than she wants them ... no way! The trouble is, the wedding is happening whether they like it or not. Soon they’ll all be one family … so something has to give.
But who will it be?
Reader Resources
Reader Info at a Glance
| Best For | Readers who enjoy fresh fairy-tale retellings, complicated family relationships, and stories told from multiple perspectives. |
| Reading Mood | Funny, feisty, heartfelt, and full of teenage attitude |
| What Makes It Special | Two diaries in one reversible book! Read Cindy's side, flip it over, and discover Ashling's very different perspective. |
| Themes to Explore | Blended families, grief, sibling rivalry, adjusting to change, empathy, and finding common ground. |
| Perfect If You Love | Modern twists on Cinderella, strong-willed characters, family drama, and stories that challenge the idea of heroes and villains. |
| Anniversary Appeal | A 30-year-old story finding new readers with a timeless reminder that there's always more than one side to every story. |
Quick Take: Thirty years later, Sisters ... No Way! brings a fresh twist to Cinderella with two strong-willed girls who aren't exactly thrilled about becoming family. Funny, feisty, and full of heart, this clever dual-perspective story reminds us that there's always another side worth hearing.
Things to Know:
- Unique Reading Format: Two diaries in one reversible book. Flip it over to experience the story from another perspective.
- Emotional Themes: Cindy is grieving her mother's death while facing major changes in her family.
- Family Friction: Expect sibling rivalry, resentment, misunderstandings, and plenty of teenage attitude.
- Fairy-Tale Twist: This contemporary Cinderella retelling challenges traditional ideas about wicked stepsisters and who gets to be the heroine.
- Anniversary Edition: Celebrating 30 years since the original release, this edition introduces the story to a new generation.
My Thoughts: Two Sides, One Complicated Family
One of the most appealing aspects of Sisters ... No Way! is its unusual presentation. Two diaries, two perspectives, and one shared story make for an engaging reading experience, especially when the characters don't always see events in quite the same way.
At its heart, this is a story about grief, blended families, and the difficulties of moving forward when everyone is adjusting at a different pace. Those themes remain relevant thirty years after the book's original publication. The refreshed anniversary covers may give the story a more contemporary appearance, but it's the underlying family dynamics that give it staying power.
I'll admit that Cindy and Ashling occasionally tested my patience. There were moments when I genuinely liked them and others when their attitudes left me shaking my head. Then again, I'm certainly not the intended young adult audience, and a little teenage self-absorption is hardly unexpected!
The two central characters are well developed, which makes sense given that we're essentially reading their private thoughts. The secondary characters don't receive quite the same depth, although I found myself wondering whether that's partly intentional. After all, when teenagers are preoccupied with their own feelings and frustrations, the people around them can become supporting players in their personal dramas.
What I appreciated most was the reminder that grief doesn't follow a schedule. One family member may be ready to embrace a new beginning while another is still struggling with what has been lost. Neither perspective is necessarily wrong, but finding common ground can be difficult.
While this wasn't a story that completely won me over, I can certainly appreciate its creativity, emotional themes, and enduring appeal. I think younger readers, particularly those who enjoy contemporary fairy-tale retellings and realistic family relationships, will find plenty to connect with.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
A clever, character-driven Cinderella retelling that demonstrates how differently two people can experience the same family story.
If you enjoy stories that explore sibling relationships with a little humor and an unexpected twist, you might also enjoy my review of The Finest Lies by David J. Naiman, another thought-provoking young adult story about family, forgiveness, and seeing things differently.
Let's learn a little more about the author behind the book.
Meet the Author
Behind the humor, sibling rivalry, and wonderfully complicated family dynamics of Sisters ... No Way! is Siobhán Parkinson, one of Ireland's most celebrated writers for children and young adults.
With nearly thirty books to her name, numerous literary honors, and works translated into approximately twenty languages, Parkinson has made a lasting contribution to children's literature. She also holds the distinction of being Ireland's first Children's Laureate.
As Sisters ... No Way! celebrates its 30th anniversary, it's a wonderful opportunity to recognize the storyteller who gave readers a fresh perspective on Cinderella and a reminder that even the most familiar stories can look very different from the other side.
Visit Siobhán Parkinson's Official Website | Amazon | Goodreads
Where to Buy
Ready to add Sisters ... No Way! to your reading list? Here are a few ways to get your copy.
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Thirty years later, Sisters ... No Way! reminds us that even the most familiar stories can surprise us when we turn the page and consider another point of view. Here's to Siobhán Parkinson, three decades of storytelling, and a new generation of readers discovering that every family has more than one side to its story.
Let's Chat!
Have you ever read a book that completely changed your opinion of a character once you heard their side of the story? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!
Tour dates: October 13-October 19, 2026.
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