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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Thank you HTP, Canary Street Press, and The Hive for the gifted digital copy.
One Big Happy Family
Susan Mallery
Publishing Date: October 1, 2024
🎧 Narrator: Tanya Eby 🎧
I am lingering in Christmas/holiday mode for a bit longer! I really loved this book! This is definitely more of a character study, and while there is a plot, it very much just feels like you are joining this family in their cabin for the holidays and living life with them.
Nick and Dana lost their father and feel that they need to spend Christmas at their family cabin this year as a way to heal and keep his memory alive. Their mother, Julie, had plans of spending a quiet holiday with her secret boyfriend as she thought her children had other plans. Like a good mom, she quickly pivots and does what she needs to do to help her kids. A mish mosh of extended family, friends, in laws, and exes wind up at the cabin with them, and the way Susan Mallery executed this was just magical. You could totally feel the chaos in the best way and it all had me smiling.
The way the family dynamic was portrayed was just so genuine and realistic. There was really nothing over the top or far fetched and I so so appreciated that. I could have done without the brief third act breakup, but the resolution was well executed. This book has the holiday vibes while also adding depth as the characters experience personal growth, healing, and forgiveness. One of my top holiday reads this year, I will be checking out more of this authors work for sure!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
A cheesy, holiday family story about coming together for the holidays as a mixed family. Some of the conversations made me cringe a bit because they were so awkward and half these characters desperately need some major therapy 🤣 BUT if you ignore that this is a silly and light holiday read I enjoyed listening too over the holidays this year.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One Big Happy Family was a whirlwind of a multi-POV holiday read! Julie's quiet holiday with her new boyfriend, Heath, becomes family chaos with both of their kids, exes, family dysfunction, and a dog. But there is no resentment (mostly) and it's a sweet read overall. I enjoyed it but could have done without some of the thoughts/ruminating related to weight/lamenting eating choices. Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The 2 stars are generous. This book was so dumb.