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lizziepagereads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I liked reading this book. I enjoyed it. I wouldn’t go out and tell my friends it‘s a must read, but if they were interested in it based on the synopsis, I’d say go for it.
The book revolves around Bridget Stratton, daughter of famed musician Edward Stratton, and her friends and family as they prepare for her father’s wedding over the course of one summer. Bridget is the hub of the wheel and the rest of the ensemble cast are the spokes. Each of the ‘spoke’ characters experience drama and conflict over the summer, and for most of them, the struggle feels authentic. In the case of Bridget, her “conflict” is typical of the musician trope - should she get a steady job or continue on as a gig worker. Except for her, she’s loaded with family money so the decision, and the fact that she “has to” make a decision at all, feels like opposite of genuine conflict. I think this is why I felt like nothing really happened in the story (though of course things do happen).
Despite this perceived lack of conflict (or maybe because of it), I’m finding myself thinking about Bridget and her circle well after finishing the book. I’m left wanting more than the author gave me amount their journeys and what happens next. For this reason, I’m bumping my rating from 3 to 3.5 stars.
Random aside, I think synchronicity would make a better title than Musical Chairs, which was mentioned in passing but didn’t play a massive role in the story... maybe I missed a metaphor or something though!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I liked reading this book. I enjoyed it. I wouldn’t go out and tell my friends it‘s a must read, but if they were interested in it based on the synopsis, I’d say go for it.
The book revolves around Bridget Stratton, daughter of famed musician Edward Stratton, and her friends and family as they prepare for her father’s wedding over the course of one summer. Bridget is the hub of the wheel and the rest of the ensemble cast are the spokes. Each of the ‘spoke’ characters experience drama and conflict over the summer, and for most of them, the struggle feels authentic. In the case of Bridget, her “conflict” is typical of the musician trope - should she get a steady job or continue on as a gig worker. Except for her, she’s loaded with family money so the decision, and the fact that she “has to” make a decision at all, feels like opposite of genuine conflict. I think this is why I felt like nothing really happened in the story (though of course things do happen).
Despite this perceived lack of conflict (or maybe because of it), I’m finding myself thinking about Bridget and her circle well after finishing the book. I’m left wanting more than the author gave me amount their journeys and what happens next. For this reason, I’m bumping my rating from 3 to 3.5 stars.
Random aside, I think synchronicity would make a better title than Musical Chairs, which was mentioned in passing but didn’t play a massive role in the story... maybe I missed a metaphor or something though!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
katie_chandler's review against another edition
3.0
There was so many musical references this book, the majority of which I would say, I didn’t know anything about which is a bit embarrassing. Though, the emphasis was more on classical music composers, songs, and musicians, so not my forte. At least I could appreciate the impregnating Yo-Yo comment. I wanted to look up and listen to the songs that were included in the storytelling, but I did not. Maybe another time.
An interesting cast of characters, all of which were infuriating but real at one point or another. I really loved that there could be a close, but only platonic male/female relationship.
Language warning. Closed door, not at all steamy in my opinion.
An interesting cast of characters, all of which were infuriating but real at one point or another. I really loved that there could be a close, but only platonic male/female relationship.
Language warning. Closed door, not at all steamy in my opinion.
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Amy Poeppel's Musical Chairs is a story focused on friendships, family, and love in all its forms. It's filled with many entertaining and complex characters whose threads all manage to tangle with each other (and oft times knit themselves together) in interesting and unpredictable ways.
The showpiece of this book is definitely the friendship between protagonists Bridget and Will, who are literally just best friends, and the exploration of their friendship dynamic is a delight to read. There's no element of the "they've secretly been in love with each other for years" idea, though there's definitely a place for that in other novels. Just not this one. Poeppel provides us with many richly sketched characters, all with their own frenetic energies and unique quirks. The dialogue is rich with humor and wit. And the sweet way that everything kind of comes together in the end makes this a delightful and witty summer read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for generously providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Amy Poeppel's Musical Chairs is a story focused on friendships, family, and love in all its forms. It's filled with many entertaining and complex characters whose threads all manage to tangle with each other (and oft times knit themselves together) in interesting and unpredictable ways.
The showpiece of this book is definitely the friendship between protagonists Bridget and Will, who are literally just best friends, and the exploration of their friendship dynamic is a delight to read. There's no element of the "they've secretly been in love with each other for years" idea, though there's definitely a place for that in other novels. Just not this one. Poeppel provides us with many richly sketched characters, all with their own frenetic energies and unique quirks. The dialogue is rich with humor and wit. And the sweet way that everything kind of comes together in the end makes this a delightful and witty summer read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for generously providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
sydneylaw3's review against another edition
5.0
Such a lovely story about holding on to those closest to you while also allowing life to shift and transition. Beautiful and surprisingly funny writing.
maze1234's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
nothing was wrong with it but i just didn’t like it
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Bridget and Will have been friends since college, seriously friends and no funny business! They have always been two parts of a trio. Their third has recently left and they are ready to replace them with a well known or up and coming that can elevate them and get them some new gigs, but before this starts they have a summer to decide their true feelings about their futures. Bridget goes to a country home in Connecticut and eventually her twins and even Will end up in this small town and together they spend the summer and all are making large life decisions.
With everyone in this book having major life upheavals, this book could have felt like a weighted story with too much drama, but it didn't. I loved that each character had something going on, but it all fit together and not all were conveniently solved in the summer.
Bridget and Will have been friends since college, seriously friends and no funny business! They have always been two parts of a trio. Their third has recently left and they are ready to replace them with a well known or up and coming that can elevate them and get them some new gigs, but before this starts they have a summer to decide their true feelings about their futures. Bridget goes to a country home in Connecticut and eventually her twins and even Will end up in this small town and together they spend the summer and all are making large life decisions.
With everyone in this book having major life upheavals, this book could have felt like a weighted story with too much drama, but it didn't. I loved that each character had something going on, but it all fit together and not all were conveniently solved in the summer.
bridget_h's review against another edition
3.0
My first read from Amy Poeppel did not disappoint. First, I must say it was fun to read a book with a main character that has the same name as me - that was another first in my long reading career! This book was fun, witty - I had several laugh out loud moments - and all the characters were delightful. How nice to be able to root for everyone! As we followed Bridget and Will as they navigated new directions in life and music, we got to learn a lot about the supporting people in their lives. I love that the book was broken up by summertime month - I can definitely see this being the book of the summer this coming year. I know I will definitely be recommending it to my friends! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC; all opinions are my own.
lfinkenkeller's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed Musical Chairs. It was a great escape. I loved the characters and found that I would like to be friends with Bridget and Will. Everyone needs to read a light and happy book once in awhile.