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jane_reads_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hannaht25's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really engaging read that felt like a breeze to race through in 3 days. Walked the perfect line between serious topics and a lighthearted writing style that was still fun to consume. Dysfunctional family dynamics with dual timelines uncovering how events 30 years ago can cause ripple effects through the generations.
sarahinreaderland's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
This was a domestic drama that was perfectly paced, had a fantastic plot line and had me hanging off every word. There was a character in there for everyone; such a wide spread of personalities within one family. Everything about this book was a warm reminder to me that every single family is dysfunctional, they all have their problems and there is no such thing as normal. If you’re looking for a book to binge that is full of emotional ups and downs then I highly recommend Every Happy Family.
ajcorn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
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
3.75
bethbond's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
snazzybooks's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Every Happy Family is an enjoyable read about a family with its fair share of issues and the added pressure that times like Christmas can add to an already tense situation. Sarah Stovell does a great job of creating convincing characters who might not be perfect (and some are definitely more likeable than others!), but feel real!
We join Minnie and her husband Bert as Minnie's children join them for Christmas - Lizzie, Jess, and their brother Owen who hasn't lived in the UK for many years. His return marks a big moment for the family, though there is plenty of trepidation too about all being together in one room...
The plot jumps back in time to when Owen and Lizzie were children, to give us more details about what happened to the family leading up to Owen leaving, and back to the present day.
The way the characters interact as a family, and also with other people they're close to as well as their shared, fractured history, forms the basis of this novel and creates an absorbing read. There are emotional and humorous parts, and we see the characters grow together and go through tough times.
Every Happy Family is not an action-packed novel, but rather a fairly slow burner that builds in intensity as we learn more about their history.
We join Minnie and her husband Bert as Minnie's children join them for Christmas - Lizzie, Jess, and their brother Owen who hasn't lived in the UK for many years. His return marks a big moment for the family, though there is plenty of trepidation too about all being together in one room...
The plot jumps back in time to when Owen and Lizzie were children, to give us more details about what happened to the family leading up to Owen leaving, and back to the present day.
The way the characters interact as a family, and also with other people they're close to as well as their shared, fractured history, forms the basis of this novel and creates an absorbing read. There are emotional and humorous parts, and we see the characters grow together and go through tough times.
Every Happy Family is not an action-packed novel, but rather a fairly slow burner that builds in intensity as we learn more about their history.
everlorebooks's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really funny family drama with a secret that keeps you guessing (in my case completely falling for the wrong line of thinking). Set between two timelines, we follow Minnie and Bert and their grown-up children as they try to have a normal family Christmas for once, and Lizzie, Jess and Owen's childhood with Nora Skelly and the event that drove their family apart.
I really enjoyed Stovell's writing style, it made the characters feel relatable and real. You're very connected to these people and it creates a powerful response when you're learning what happened and how they have dealt with it since. It's an important story of young love and loss and family connections and how deep those bonds lie. The answer is perhaps the one that makes the most sense in our world, which makes it so very real. It doesn't sugarcoat anything, and that's what I love about it.
This was a really funny family drama with a secret that keeps you guessing (in my case completely falling for the wrong line of thinking). Set between two timelines, we follow Minnie and Bert and their grown-up children as they try to have a normal family Christmas for once, and Lizzie, Jess and Owen's childhood with Nora Skelly and the event that drove their family apart.
I really enjoyed Stovell's writing style, it made the characters feel relatable and real. You're very connected to these people and it creates a powerful response when you're learning what happened and how they have dealt with it since. It's an important story of young love and loss and family connections and how deep those bonds lie. The answer is perhaps the one that makes the most sense in our world, which makes it so very real. It doesn't sugarcoat anything, and that's what I love about it.
andshe_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger Warnings - alcoholism, domestic abuse, overdose, teen pregnancy.
Wow talk about family drama!! And yes I reckon every family is almost as messed up as this one at one point or another!
This story is told in both the past and the present taking us on a compelling journey through the lives of a fairly dysfunctional family. Its really well written and descriptive. Some serious topics are covered however its done with grace and the author has even added some light hearted humour along the way.
The characters all have their own issues however they are all so likable so I really wanted everything to work out for each of them.
Overall I enjoyed it and if you love a family drama then you will too.
Wow talk about family drama!! And yes I reckon every family is almost as messed up as this one at one point or another!
This story is told in both the past and the present taking us on a compelling journey through the lives of a fairly dysfunctional family. Its really well written and descriptive. Some serious topics are covered however its done with grace and the author has even added some light hearted humour along the way.
The characters all have their own issues however they are all so likable so I really wanted everything to work out for each of them.
Overall I enjoyed it and if you love a family drama then you will too.
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