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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Lucy knows she can do it all (not that she has much of a choice anyway). While her husband is away on Mars (well... he's participating in a Mars simulation in the middle of nowhere with an alarmingly fast growing TikTok fanbase), she has singlehandedly juggled her twins' various classes and sports, coordinated a party to celebrate her eldest's upcoming graduation and admission to MIT, her own job heading the refurbishment of several west coast hotels (while trying not to irritate her bosses any more than she normally does), taking care of six animals, and preparing for a normal Texas summer. However, when her son, Jack, makes a major mistake that seems to turn the whole town of Dallas against them, Lucy does what any good mom would do: she removes her family from the equation.
Greta, on the other hand, has only her husband Otto. Their beloved daughter, Emmi, is preparing to start a prestigious law internship in New York City, and the two are facing a summer with Otto hating his job, and Greta gearing up for her next job as an art dealer. But when Otto decides, singlehandedly, to take a fellowship in Texas for six months, all the work falls on Greta to organize where they're living, what they're doing, and how they're going to get there.
Thus, the house swap.
The two families' lives continue to get more and more intertwined, with hilarious mix-up and miscommunications, shocking secrets, and complex relationships (not to mention quite a bit of international travel!), prepare for the summer where everything goes wrong (but then, eventually, goes right).
FAR AND AWAY is the perfect uplifting summer read, and while I've never read any of Amy Poeppel's work, I'm excited to see what else she's written based on this book!
Lucy knows she can do it all (not that she has much of a choice anyway). While her husband is away on Mars (well... he's participating in a Mars simulation in the middle of nowhere with an alarmingly fast growing TikTok fanbase), she has singlehandedly juggled her twins' various classes and sports, coordinated a party to celebrate her eldest's upcoming graduation and admission to MIT, her own job heading the refurbishment of several west coast hotels (while trying not to irritate her bosses any more than she normally does), taking care of six animals, and preparing for a normal Texas summer. However, when her son, Jack, makes a major mistake that seems to turn the whole town of Dallas against them, Lucy does what any good mom would do: she removes her family from the equation.
Greta, on the other hand, has only her husband Otto. Their beloved daughter, Emmi, is preparing to start a prestigious law internship in New York City, and the two are facing a summer with Otto hating his job, and Greta gearing up for her next job as an art dealer. But when Otto decides, singlehandedly, to take a fellowship in Texas for six months, all the work falls on Greta to organize where they're living, what they're doing, and how they're going to get there.
Thus, the house swap.
The two families' lives continue to get more and more intertwined, with hilarious mix-up and miscommunications, shocking secrets, and complex relationships (not to mention quite a bit of international travel!), prepare for the summer where everything goes wrong (but then, eventually, goes right).
FAR AND AWAY is the perfect uplifting summer read, and while I've never read any of Amy Poeppel's work, I'm excited to see what else she's written based on this book!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Buckle up as Lucy and Greta swap houses from Berlin to Dallas- complete with built in pets, grandparents and friends. Lucy and her family leave Dallas while her husband is completing a several months long NASA post making him unable to communicate. Greta finds herself detoured in Dallas rather than New York as her husband, Otto stays busy with work. Poeppel’s cast of characters were well developed and truly lovable. I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with them.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Far and Away is my first book by Amy Poeppel and it definitely won't be the last! It was such a fun read and I highly enjoyed it. The characters were all extremely loveable and I loved the house swapping dynamic. It is the perfect book if you want a fun, hilarious summer reading.
Synopsis:
Perfect strangers Lucy and Greta have agreed to a house swap—and boy, are they going to regret it.
Lucy’s hometown of Dallas has gone from home sweet home to vicious snake pit in the blink of an eye after her son makes a mistake he can’t undo. And Greta’s beloved flat in Berlin is suddenly up for grabs when her husband Otto takes a dream job in Texas without even telling her. In their rush to leave town, Lucy and Greta make a deal, pack their bags, and—thanks to martinis, desperation, and some very rusty German—have absolutely no idea what they’re getting themselves into.
Trading Southern charm and barbecue for European sophistication and schnitzel, the two women get a lot more than a change of scenery as they move into each other’s houses, neighborhoods, and lives. Greta and Lucy’s husbands are no help: Otto is winning over his colleagues, swimming laps in the backyard pool, and rooting for the Rangers, while Lucy’s husband is doing a six-month stretch out west, either in a NASA biosphere or in jail, depending on who you ask. Meanwhile, Greta’s daughter Emmi and Lucy’s son Jack get tossed into each other’s orbits, where they both discover secrets they can’t ignore.
When Greta’s biggest career achievement—the buzzworthy purchase of a Vermeer at auction—is thrown into question and Lucy’s past with a hot Viking named Bjørn invades her present, the two women need each other in ways they never could have imagined. Through jet lag, culture shock, suspiciously nice neighbors, and scandals that refuse to be left behind, Lucy and Greta will have to decide if they can ever go home again.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the advanced digital copy of the book for my opinion.
Synopsis:
Perfect strangers Lucy and Greta have agreed to a house swap—and boy, are they going to regret it.
Lucy’s hometown of Dallas has gone from home sweet home to vicious snake pit in the blink of an eye after her son makes a mistake he can’t undo. And Greta’s beloved flat in Berlin is suddenly up for grabs when her husband Otto takes a dream job in Texas without even telling her. In their rush to leave town, Lucy and Greta make a deal, pack their bags, and—thanks to martinis, desperation, and some very rusty German—have absolutely no idea what they’re getting themselves into.
Trading Southern charm and barbecue for European sophistication and schnitzel, the two women get a lot more than a change of scenery as they move into each other’s houses, neighborhoods, and lives. Greta and Lucy’s husbands are no help: Otto is winning over his colleagues, swimming laps in the backyard pool, and rooting for the Rangers, while Lucy’s husband is doing a six-month stretch out west, either in a NASA biosphere or in jail, depending on who you ask. Meanwhile, Greta’s daughter Emmi and Lucy’s son Jack get tossed into each other’s orbits, where they both discover secrets they can’t ignore.
When Greta’s biggest career achievement—the buzzworthy purchase of a Vermeer at auction—is thrown into question and Lucy’s past with a hot Viking named Bjørn invades her present, the two women need each other in ways they never could have imagined. Through jet lag, culture shock, suspiciously nice neighbors, and scandals that refuse to be left behind, Lucy and Greta will have to decide if they can ever go home again.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the advanced digital copy of the book for my opinion.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoy how this author takes a bunch of seemly unrelated characters and weaves their stories all together.
The impulsiveness of the Greta and Lucy is amazing and inspiring at the same time. Seeing how each of them fight for what they wanted and supported each other when they needed to was inspiring.
Yes, some of the sub-plots are ridiculous, but still believable at the same time.
If you are looking for an adventure and to be an armchair traveler, add this book to your TBR list.
Thanks to @netgalley and @atriabooks for the advanced reader copy.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An intriguing work of fiction about cementing the strength of a family and creating a found family through an unconventional way.
We find two strangers, Lucy and Greta, going through a lot of changes in their family. For certain reasons, they both decide to house swap with one another. And what a journey it was! This story is filled with serious situations but told in a quirky way that makes you giggle at what is happening. A lot of misunderstandings but with so much heart.
I found all the characters charming in their own way, even when at first you think they’re going to get on your last nerve. It was such a delight to discover Amy Poeppel and I’m looking forward to reading her other works.
Some favorite moments: when the kids runaway to the beach house, the reunion of the Holts, the epilogue. 🥹
Thank you so much NetGalley, Atria and Amy Poeppel for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
We find two strangers, Lucy and Greta, going through a lot of changes in their family. For certain reasons, they both decide to house swap with one another. And what a journey it was! This story is filled with serious situations but told in a quirky way that makes you giggle at what is happening. A lot of misunderstandings but with so much heart.
I found all the characters charming in their own way, even when at first you think they’re going to get on your last nerve. It was such a delight to discover Amy Poeppel and I’m looking forward to reading her other works.
Some favorite moments: when the kids runaway to the beach house, the reunion of the Holts, the epilogue. 🥹
Thank you so much NetGalley, Atria and Amy Poeppel for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader copy of Far and Away by Amy Poeppel. All opinions are my own. This lightly dramatic, flawed-character driven novel, featuring a “house swap gone wonderfully awry” was a welcome respite from a string of emotionally draining novels. The book is readable and moves along nicely.
Lucy and Greta are 2 wives/mothers who spontaneously swap homes for very different reasons. Hot mess Lucy takes her 3 children to Greta’s carefully curated apartment in Berlin. Meanwhile uptight Greta and her socially awkward husband Otto, move into Lucy’s smart home in Dallas, complete with a menagerie of pets and her next door neighbor parents. Told in alternating chapters, I gradually became more invested in the story and their individual dilemmas as their lives began to intertwine with each other. A few of the plot lines were a bit far fetched, and the happy ending came together a little too abruptly for me. But overall I enjoyed this cheerful and engaging story that explores dramatic situations. 3/5⭐️
Lucy and Greta are 2 wives/mothers who spontaneously swap homes for very different reasons. Hot mess Lucy takes her 3 children to Greta’s carefully curated apartment in Berlin. Meanwhile uptight Greta and her socially awkward husband Otto, move into Lucy’s smart home in Dallas, complete with a menagerie of pets and her next door neighbor parents. Told in alternating chapters, I gradually became more invested in the story and their individual dilemmas as their lives began to intertwine with each other. A few of the plot lines were a bit far fetched, and the happy ending came together a little too abruptly for me. But overall I enjoyed this cheerful and engaging story that explores dramatic situations. 3/5⭐️
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated