Summary
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors explores the bonds of sisterhood amid loss and addiction. The story centers on three sisters—Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky—gathering on the anniversary of their sister Nicky's death. While each faces individual challenges, the sisters remain connected by their shared grief and sense of family.
Plot
In Blue Sisters, three sisters—Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky—navigate personal and shared grief following the death of their sibling, Nicky, from an accidental fentanyl overdose. Nicky's death was compounded by her struggle with chronic endometriosis.
A year later, each sister confronts their own challenges. Avery, the oldest, is a lawyer in London managing inner conflict and an affair. Bonnie, a former boxer working as a bouncer in Los Angeles, returns to New York bearing the trauma of finding Nicky's body. Their emotionally distant mother proposes selling their childhood apartment, prompting a reunion.
Lucky, the youngest sister, copes with a self-destructive cycle of substance use behind her modeling career in Paris. During a visit to Avery in London, her behavior strains family ties further.
The sisters gather in New York, where shared difficulties strengthen their bond, despite underlying tensions. A confrontation prompts introspection and personal growth. Bonnie opens to new love. Lucky begins recovery. Avery reconciles her marriage and aspirations. A decade later, the epilogue presents renewed hope and resilience in each sister’s life.
Key characters
Avery Blue: The eldest sister, Avery assumes a caretaking role at a young age. After overcoming heroin addiction, she builds a successful career as a lawyer and makes a life in London with her spouse, Chiti. Despite her achievements, Avery deals with unresolved grief and family obligations, which at times, lead to self-destructive choices.
Bonnie Blue: The middle sister, a former professional boxer, Bonnie works as a nightclub bouncer in Los Angeles. She experiences guilt over Nicky's death, believing she failed to protect her sibling.
Lucky Blue: The youngest sister, a high-fashion model in Paris, Lucky uses partying and substance abuse to cope with Nicky's death. Eventually, she seeks help for her addictions and starts her recovery journey.
