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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This narrative delves into intense themes of familial obligation, personal sacrifice, and the societal expectations. The authors writing is both powerful and insightful, offering a look at the complexities of relationships and the cost of maintaining a facade. Especially when you’ve started out the best of friends. I would say this is more of a drama thriller than suspenseful because it’s heavily focused on the before as well. It offers a crazy look and I think it should be considered unputdownable!
Thank you to the author and Suzy approved book tours!
Thank you to the author and Suzy approved book tours!
I liked the idea of the book but to me it felt dragged.
Thank you Caitlin Weaver, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the copy of this book. This is my honest review.
This story follows two mothers, Lorrie and Eden, and their children, Summer and Knox. The children have grown up together, since their mothers are best friends, and eventually, Summer and Knox start to date. Time passes, and things seem to be going well for the couple, until one night when that all changes. When that happens, both mothers want to believe that their child is the one telling the truth and they both want to protect their families.
Let me start by really saying how much I disliked Ed with his "women lie all the time about things like this" and other misogynistic stuff really irked me.
At the time, Eden also drove me insane when she told Summer not to do the exam. It could be crucial and she just made the decision for her daughter, as if her daughter wasn't a grown adult and old enough to make her own decisions and decide if she wanted the exam or not. I understand that something had happened to her in the past, but she as using what had happened to her, to possibly ruin her daughter's chances.
Knox was a poor boy without a decent father figure (You suck Ed), and he didn't realize when things had gone so far with his addiction, and it had affected his life so negatively. He did not know right from wrong, because these things were never discussed with him, and all he knew, it what he was exposed to and thought was normal.
As the story progresses, he denies the allegations, while Summer insists that it happened, and then eventually shares her story. I'm glad that she was able to tell her story, and Knox did face some consequences, however, it did seem unresolved in the end. But I can't complain too much about that because both Summer and Knox said that they wanted to just move passed it.
This book had me constantly thinking about the different situations that the characters were put in and trying to think about what happened from their point of views. Lorrie just wanted to believe in her son, Eden had been through a similar situation as her daughter, and wanted to do her best (although a little misguided...), Summer was hurt and wanted to be believed, and Knox..... well..... was Knox, and deserved more consequences.
Also, thank god for Ari and Jules for doing what they could.
"blurred lines are still lines"
This story follows two mothers, Lorrie and Eden, and their children, Summer and Knox. The children have grown up together, since their mothers are best friends, and eventually, Summer and Knox start to date. Time passes, and things seem to be going well for the couple, until one night when that all changes. When that happens, both mothers want to believe that their child is the one telling the truth and they both want to protect their families.
Let me start by really saying how much I disliked Ed with his "women lie all the time about things like this" and other misogynistic stuff really irked me.
At the time, Eden also drove me insane when she told Summer not to do the exam. It could be crucial and she just made the decision for her daughter, as if her daughter wasn't a grown adult and old enough to make her own decisions and decide if she wanted the exam or not. I understand that something had happened to her in the past, but she as using what had happened to her, to possibly ruin her daughter's chances.
Knox was a poor boy without a decent father figure (You suck Ed), and he didn't realize when things had gone so far with his addiction, and it had affected his life so negatively. He did not know right from wrong, because these things were never discussed with him, and all he knew, it what he was exposed to and thought was normal.
As the story progresses, he denies the allegations, while Summer insists that it happened, and then eventually shares her story. I'm glad that she was able to tell her story, and Knox did face some consequences, however, it did seem unresolved in the end. But I can't complain too much about that because both Summer and Knox said that they wanted to just move passed it.
This book had me constantly thinking about the different situations that the characters were put in and trying to think about what happened from their point of views. Lorrie just wanted to believe in her son, Eden had been through a similar situation as her daughter, and wanted to do her best (although a little misguided...), Summer was hurt and wanted to be believed, and Knox..... well..... was Knox, and deserved more consequences.
Also, thank god for Ari and Jules for doing what they could.
"blurred lines are still lines"
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.
At first I forgot that Such a Good Family wasn’t a mystery or thriller due to its cover evoking memories of some very good ones, but I was glad to see it as general and women’s fiction because this book, which is excellent, definitely isn’t of the mystery and thriller genre. This was a great exploration for women and girls of when sexual assault occurs and they aren’t believed by all as well as how it can occur close to home and how that plays out in even the closest friendships.
Lorrie and Eden are best friends but when Summer, Eden’s daughter, accuses Knox, Lorrie’s son, of rape their friendship and the lives of others in their neighborhood and town change overnight. Lorrie doesn’t know her son as well as she thinks and no one really knows Eden and what she’s been through. There are other characters that get a spot light in this story, Knox and Summer, of course, but also Archie, Lorrie’s son, and Jules, who is new to the neighborhood following a marriage to a long time neighbor who left his wife for her. All perspectives are extremely well done and the story culminated in a very satisfying climax. As a woman this spoke to me, but I think it’s a great book for all.
At first I forgot that Such a Good Family wasn’t a mystery or thriller due to its cover evoking memories of some very good ones, but I was glad to see it as general and women’s fiction because this book, which is excellent, definitely isn’t of the mystery and thriller genre. This was a great exploration for women and girls of when sexual assault occurs and they aren’t believed by all as well as how it can occur close to home and how that plays out in even the closest friendships.
Lorrie and Eden are best friends but when Summer, Eden’s daughter, accuses Knox, Lorrie’s son, of rape their friendship and the lives of others in their neighborhood and town change overnight. Lorrie doesn’t know her son as well as she thinks and no one really knows Eden and what she’s been through. There are other characters that get a spot light in this story, Knox and Summer, of course, but also Archie, Lorrie’s son, and Jules, who is new to the neighborhood following a marriage to a long time neighbor who left his wife for her. All perspectives are extremely well done and the story culminated in a very satisfying climax. As a woman this spoke to me, but I think it’s a great book for all.
TW: Sexual assault
I was so happy when my son, Knox, began dating my best friend’s daughter. Our kids grew up together and we used to joke, as we sipped wine and watched them play, that they’d get married one day. But when Knox came home late after a party, zipping his hoodie up to hide the scratches I caught a glimpse of on his collarbone, a chill went down my spine.
That night, our whole world shattered. Now, I hardly recognize my husband as he sweeps into action, calling in a hot-shot lawyer to defend our boy.
I love my son, but what if I don’t know him at all? It turns out, everything I thought I knew about my perfect family is a lie. And I’m about to discover just what I’ll do to stop it from falling apart.
I love how this story navigates through a shocking event by using multiple POV’s of characters. Everyone shows the picture perfect family and life, no one ever shows the dark or difficult times. Lorrie try’s to keep her family’s picture perfect life together while trying to deal with allegations made about her son. I love how we get to see how different characters react, how they feel and how the process this event. It shows you how no one deals with something like this the same way. It also shows the perspective of two mothers who would do anything to protect their children.
Caitlin Weaver does a fantastic job of writing about a difficult topic. Especially showing it through all of the different characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC read.
I was so happy when my son, Knox, began dating my best friend’s daughter. Our kids grew up together and we used to joke, as we sipped wine and watched them play, that they’d get married one day. But when Knox came home late after a party, zipping his hoodie up to hide the scratches I caught a glimpse of on his collarbone, a chill went down my spine.
That night, our whole world shattered. Now, I hardly recognize my husband as he sweeps into action, calling in a hot-shot lawyer to defend our boy.
I love my son, but what if I don’t know him at all? It turns out, everything I thought I knew about my perfect family is a lie. And I’m about to discover just what I’ll do to stop it from falling apart.
I love how this story navigates through a shocking event by using multiple POV’s of characters. Everyone shows the picture perfect family and life, no one ever shows the dark or difficult times. Lorrie try’s to keep her family’s picture perfect life together while trying to deal with allegations made about her son. I love how we get to see how different characters react, how they feel and how the process this event. It shows you how no one deals with something like this the same way. It also shows the perspective of two mothers who would do anything to protect their children.
Caitlin Weaver does a fantastic job of writing about a difficult topic. Especially showing it through all of the different characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC read.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was sort-of slow-paced, but also interesting and thought-provoking.
It lends some perspective to all sorts of unthinkable situations, all of which you can’t really know what’s going on / how to help, even when you’ve been in those shoes, for everyone is different.
Can we learn to forgive the unforgivable, when love is present?
Lots of interesting themes along these lines and I don’t want to give too much away so I’ll leave it at that.
4 stars.
It lends some perspective to all sorts of unthinkable situations, all of which you can’t really know what’s going on / how to help, even when you’ve been in those shoes, for everyone is different.
Can we learn to forgive the unforgivable, when love is present?
Lots of interesting themes along these lines and I don’t want to give too much away so I’ll leave it at that.
4 stars.
Such a Good Family was an emotional and gripping read. It was one of those books that really makes you think and I had so much empathy for the characters.
I love that Weaver told this story through several narrators. It added a complexity and depth to the story while also giving us different perspectives and allowing the reader to open their minds to every situation. I read this novel but I'm sure it would be a great choice for audio.
As a mother, this novel hit me in ways I didn't expect. I have a son and I kept imagining myself in Lorrie's position. I commended her for keeping the faith and trust in her husband while also trying to empathize with the situation and do the right thing. It was also easy as a woman to put myself in Eden's shoes and be angry and fearful and devastated for her daughter.
I really appreciated the way that Weaver handled the sexual assault in this case. It is an incredibly sensitive topic and it's often messy and more gray than black or white and I thought Weaver did a great job depicting all those competing elements. We saw not only the ramifications of the police, hospital, and legal aspects, but also the emotional toll on the victim, perpetrator, and their families. That the families were such good friends added an element of drama that was also incredibly thought provoking and devastating.
Overall, I really loved this book. It was well written, emotionally charged, had depth and complexity, and raised really important issues. It would be a good one for a book club to read and discuss.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the copy.
I love that Weaver told this story through several narrators. It added a complexity and depth to the story while also giving us different perspectives and allowing the reader to open their minds to every situation. I read this novel but I'm sure it would be a great choice for audio.
As a mother, this novel hit me in ways I didn't expect. I have a son and I kept imagining myself in Lorrie's position. I commended her for keeping the faith and trust in her husband while also trying to empathize with the situation and do the right thing. It was also easy as a woman to put myself in Eden's shoes and be angry and fearful and devastated for her daughter.
I really appreciated the way that Weaver handled the sexual assault in this case. It is an incredibly sensitive topic and it's often messy and more gray than black or white and I thought Weaver did a great job depicting all those competing elements. We saw not only the ramifications of the police, hospital, and legal aspects, but also the emotional toll on the victim, perpetrator, and their families. That the families were such good friends added an element of drama that was also incredibly thought provoking and devastating.
Overall, I really loved this book. It was well written, emotionally charged, had depth and complexity, and raised really important issues. It would be a good one for a book club to read and discuss.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the copy.
I was reeeeeeally liking this up until 65% or so.
The fact is that both families failed their children so much. Lorrie and Ed failed Knox by not seeing that he literally had a porn addiction.
He even tried to talk with his dad, but he was being an asshole and a machoman, and he wasn't able to see the problem.
Witt and Eden also failed Summer, BUT DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON EDEN. When something like that happens, you have to put your daughter first. I get it. You have a trauma, and you think the same thing is going to happen to your daughter, BUT YOU HAVE TO LET HER TAKE THE KIT.
YOU HAVE TO LET HER MAKE THE DECISIONS.
YOU DONT GET TO CHOSE HOW SHE ACTS AFTER THIS, IT'S HER TRAUMA, NOT YOURS.
F you, Eden.
Overall, I didn't like the characters (none of them except Archie), and it kind of felt like there wasn't any plot. If I wanted to read a story that ended that way, I just have to open a newspaper, it's sadly an everyday thing.
Thanks NetGalley and author for the eARC!
The fact is that both families failed their children so much. Lorrie and Ed failed Knox by not seeing that he literally had a porn addiction.
He even tried to talk with his dad, but he was being an asshole and a machoman, and he wasn't able to see the problem.
Witt and Eden also failed Summer, BUT DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON EDEN. When something like that happens, you have to put your daughter first. I get it. You have a trauma, and you think the same thing is going to happen to your daughter, BUT YOU HAVE TO LET HER TAKE THE KIT.
YOU HAVE TO LET HER MAKE THE DECISIONS.
YOU DONT GET TO CHOSE HOW SHE ACTS AFTER THIS, IT'S HER TRAUMA, NOT YOURS.
F you, Eden.
Overall, I didn't like the characters (none of them except Archie), and it kind of felt like there wasn't any plot. If I wanted to read a story that ended that way, I just have to open a newspaper, it's sadly an everyday thing.
Thanks NetGalley and author for the eARC!
this was a good showing of how messy the human experience is no matter what age you are, especially through some shitty experiences, but frick I want boys to have to answer for their actions