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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
A fun book. Based in Chicago. The references were spot on.
I picked this up because the setting is in the Chicagoland region and it was an enjoyable, easy plane read.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel. I’ve read all of Jennifer Close’s novels and I really enjoy her writing. I’d give this one a 3.5 but I rounded up to 4 stars.
This book is the story of the Sullivan family who own a restaurant in Chicago. The story focuses mostly
on sisters Jane & Gretchen and their cousin Teddy. It’s a nice novel about a family and their various issues (high school drama, divorce, an affair) but nothing overly interesting or exciting happens.
Having worked in restaurants in the past, I really enjoyed the restaurant scenes and depiction of restaurant work, but I spent a lot of the book waiting for something to really happen.
I didn’t love this one but I will definitely read Close’s next novel.
This book is the story of the Sullivan family who own a restaurant in Chicago. The story focuses mostly
on sisters Jane & Gretchen and their cousin Teddy. It’s a nice novel about a family and their various issues (high school drama, divorce, an affair) but nothing overly interesting or exciting happens.
Having worked in restaurants in the past, I really enjoyed the restaurant scenes and depiction of restaurant work, but I spent a lot of the book waiting for something to really happen.
I didn’t love this one but I will definitely read Close’s next novel.
I am conflicted about this text because I really love a family drama, and I loved the Chicago/Cubs references throughout. And I love a restaurant drama, too. But there was something permeating this family that I found unsettling throughout. Close is a strong writer, but the finality of some of the plotlines felt a bit rushed. Overall, I would recommend this book if you love a family drama and don't mind that you might not get closure where you want it.
I enjoyed this story about the Sullivan family and their complex relationships. It really didn’t need the 2016 election plot line, and it often seemed misplaced and forced.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
I really liked this family drama, centered on the Sullivans and their restaurant in Chicago. Loved all the descriptions of food, and the hard look at messy family relationships. There were some really funny lines that made me laugh out loud. MARRYING THE KETCHUPS reminded me so much of an Emma Straub novel in all the best ways.
I love a good family story and this did not disappoint! I loved the restaurant in Chicago setting and the characters. Very well done.
This story of the restaurant owning Sullivan family is set in Chicago in 2016, as the Cubs are winning the World Series. The restaurant has been open for years and family members come and go during that time.
I’d read good things about this book and had high hopes for it but found it rather dull. The writing is fine but nothing much really happens. Because of the number of characters, character development wasn’t strong and all of the characters seemed to make poor decisions. This was just an okay read for me.
I’d read good things about this book and had high hopes for it but found it rather dull. The writing is fine but nothing much really happens. Because of the number of characters, character development wasn’t strong and all of the characters seemed to make poor decisions. This was just an okay read for me.
Well, this was OK. Ordinary people doing ordinary things, mostly the 30-something grandchildren of the founder of Sullivan's restaurant. I never really cared about any of the characters.