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giovannnaz's review against another edition
3.0
Really a 3.6 or 3.7. I'm really a sucker for her books--nothing stunning, but just solidly written stories about people with great humor throughout.
janine1122's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute, fun book, and different from what I've been reading lately. It was a nice change of pace.
The cast of characters here are really what the book is all about, and it's a kooky bunch, to be sure. I did love Henry, though I found his choices questionable at times. Okay, most of the time. Your crazy, fairly deceitful ex-wife? Why talk to her?! And then the whole Thalia thing--I have to admit, I totally expected that to come back around to bite him. And their reunion started out so strange! I also kind of loved that Thalia was much more like her mother than any of the characters were every willing to admit, since Denise has alienated so many people.
I adored Henry and Todd's relationship. It was so cute and sweet, and when Todd entered the picture, it felt like he had been there all along.
I also really enjoyed the ending, although it did feel a bit rushed. I liked the idea presented of family, and how sometimes family isn't who you think it is, or who it should be. Life is unexpected, but not always bad, and sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and see where you land. I liked how things landed here -- it made me happy :)
The cast of characters here are really what the book is all about, and it's a kooky bunch, to be sure. I did love Henry, though I found his choices questionable at times. Okay, most of the time. Your crazy, fairly deceitful ex-wife? Why talk to her?! And then the whole Thalia thing--I have to admit, I totally expected that to come back around to bite him. And their reunion started out so strange! I also kind of loved that Thalia was much more like her mother than any of the characters were every willing to admit, since Denise has alienated so many people.
I adored Henry and Todd's relationship. It was so cute and sweet, and when Todd entered the picture, it felt like he had been there all along.
I also really enjoyed the ending, although it did feel a bit rushed. I liked the idea presented of family, and how sometimes family isn't who you think it is, or who it should be. Life is unexpected, but not always bad, and sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and see where you land. I liked how things landed here -- it made me happy :)
ktyler's review against another edition
3.0
Henry Archer is a gay bachelor living a solemn existence until he sends a note to his ex-wife, Denise, offering condolences for her husband's sudden death. Unexpectedly, Henry reconnects with his step-daughter, Thalia, who is both charming and disarming. With Thalia in his life, Henry begins to become The Family Man, surrounding himself with a group of family and friends.
While there is little substance to the book, it is delightful and frothy. Lipman has an amazing ear for dialogue and a canny sense of human nature and frailty. At times I was reminded of the witty banter in an old Hepburn and Tracy film. By the end of the book, I felt the premise wore a bit too thin, but I still found the characters charming enough to make up for all the silliness of the plot.
Recommended for those looking for a light, uplifting read.
While there is little substance to the book, it is delightful and frothy. Lipman has an amazing ear for dialogue and a canny sense of human nature and frailty. At times I was reminded of the witty banter in an old Hepburn and Tracy film. By the end of the book, I felt the premise wore a bit too thin, but I still found the characters charming enough to make up for all the silliness of the plot.
Recommended for those looking for a light, uplifting read.
londonmabel's review against another edition
3.0
A really charming read about a step-father and daughter reuniting, and the new friendships forming around that. Not high on the tension meter, but I liked everyone so much that I enjoyed it.
jensreadinglife's review
4.0
There are a lot of lukewarm reviews of this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was exactly the light and happy fare I was looking for. I adored Henry as a character and found this to be a charming book.
eculatta's review against another edition
3.0
Based on a recommendation from What Should I Read Next episode 167.
Available in physical format from the Appleby Branch.
Reminding me very much of Standard Deviation so far which I had a more negative view on looking back than I did in the moment. Rereading my review, I quite liked SD in the moment (even though I abandoned it with one hour left to go read Pillars of the Earth and it felt light and almost silly when I returned). So I hope to keep quite liking this one too.
Quirky characters and a snappy plot - a charming, light read that leaves you feeling good.
Available in physical format from the Appleby Branch.
Reminding me very much of Standard Deviation so far which I had a more negative view on looking back than I did in the moment. Rereading my review, I quite liked SD in the moment (even though I abandoned it with one hour left to go read Pillars of the Earth and it felt light and almost silly when I returned). So I hope to keep quite liking this one too.
Quirky characters and a snappy plot - a charming, light read that leaves you feeling good.
marc's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the characters and witty banter. The plot, not so much, somewhat predictable.
aemsea26's review against another edition
4.0
Elinor Lipman is heart-warming without being saccharine. A nice easy read about complicated people trying to be kind to one another.
katpyro's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it, up to the ending- which wrapped things up a bit too neatly.